saga/title/fandom: Two of Us chapter 38 (X-Men)

author: Alex L

rating/genre: (NC-17) - Romance/Drama

warnings: het, language, adult situtations

summary: Set after the kiss in Homecomings, Bobby finds happiness with Jubilee. In progress. Please read and review!

comments/disclaimers: I forgot the disclaimer for this one---my apologies. All characters belong to Marvel. The story is mine.Feedback is always appreciated.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: All I Want is You

Normally, Sundays were usually quiet at the Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. However, this particular afternoon was an exception. There was a growing bustle of activity that permeated throughout the mansion. Some students were gathering in study groups to work on assignments handed to them by instructors over the course of the semester, while others were cramming for their college entrance exams. A few of the instructors and field team members were huddled in the rec rooms, watching the baseball playoffs with a few of the students who were not occupied with school-related tasks. There was a limited number of children in this group since the rest were currently involved in the annual talent show, which was now coming up in a matter of weeks.

Directing this year festivities was Rogue, who was taking over Betsy’s duties. The Southern Belle was finding herself learning many aspects of the event while attempting to fill the Englishwoman’s shoes. Theatre and the pageantry associated with it was certainly not something she was used to. However, she was not about to let the children down either. She willed herself to throw her best effort into the endeavor as she would with any field mission. This often resulted in long, late nights of rehearsals, and days filled with the more mundane aspects of planning, such as commissioning posters and writing invitations to parents.

Fortunately, Rogue was able to enlist some assistance in the form of her good friend, Kitty, and the man she considered the closest thing to family, Kurt. Kitty was helping out with stage direction and consulted with her regarding the order of the acts. She also managed to sweet-talk Cook into doing some catering for the rehearsals, much to the delight of the student performers. Meanwhile, Kurt used his background as a former circus acrobat to inspire and motivate the children during rehearsals. Given the support she managed to get, Rogue decided that orchestrating the talent show was not all that difficult.

That afternoon, she and Kitty were in the garage. The two of them were in the midst of searching Kitty’s Scout for drafts of the agenda for the talent show. Earlier that week, they had gone over to the local printing shop to get estimates on programs. Triumphant, Kitty fished them out from underneath the passenger’s side seat.

“What on earth were they doin’ there?” Rogue asked, genuinely perplexed. She took the notes as Kitty closed and locked the door.

The other woman shrugged her shoulders, brown ponytail bobbing. “Maybe when we went out shopping, the stuff must have gotten lost in the shuffle,” she replied, referring to their outing for electronic equipment that consequently turned into a wardrobe-hunting excursion. With a wry smile, she added, “Nice jacket by the way.”

Rogue sheepishly peered down at her outfit. She was wearing a high-cropped, funnel-neck jacket in navy and white that revealed a toned midriff, and a pair of black stretch pants with navy and white stripes down the sides. Black leather gloves and matching sneakers completed the Southern Belle’s usually sporty and casual look.

“Couldn’t resist a sale, ya know,” she admitted, her heavily lined green eyes crinkling at the corners as she gave her friend a small smile. “Besides, Ah gotta have somethin’ to occupy my time while the Cajun’s gone.”

Kitty was about to inquire as to when Gambit would be returning when the garage doors opened. The wheels of the motor that retracted the steel-reinforced doors made a loud, grinding sound that compelled her to make a mental note to have one of the maintenance people look into this. Curiosity piqued, she and Rogue stood by her car to see who was arriving.

Jubilee’s yellow Volkswagen Beetle pulled into the space next to Logan’s mud-caked truck. After the car was parked, the young girl climbed out of the driver’s side with a plastic grocery bag in hand. Locking up the car, she sauntered towards the other women and grinned at them in greeting. “What’s up, guys?” she inquired, sapphire eyes sparkling.

“Not much,” Kitty replied, fiddling with her car keys. Her cat-like brown eyes traveled to the grocery bag. Aware that Scott and Jean were currently away on a mission together, she surmised Jubilee was trying to survive on her own. “Dinner?”

Jubilee followed her gaze. “Kind of,” she replied and pulled out a roll of pre-made cookie dough. “My first stab at cooking.”

Rogue tucked a lock of chin-length hair behind her ear. “How was the concert, Sweet Pea?” she asked, just remembering that the young girl had been in the city the other night to attend the event.

Jubilee tossed the cookie dough back into the bag. “It was great,” she answered, her face rather pensive. “Although I’m not sure if Sam would say the same thing about that or the trip in general. I think he was sick the whole time we were driving home. He had like this really strange look on his face—like he was going to puke or something. Luckily, he didn’t, but he seemed miserable just the same.”

“That’s not good,” Kitty commented, shoving her hands into the pockets of her boy-cut jeans. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Jubilee still appeared concerned. “That’s what he said, but I’m not so sure. I was thinking about going up to see him and thank him again, but Paige told me he’s got that DO NOT DISTURB sign on his door.”

“Ya know what it is? He probably didn’t sleep all that good out in the city.” Rogue turned to Kitty. “Remember when we were in California in that house by the beach? The guy didn’t get a wink of sleep ‘cause he was adjustin’ ta a new place. That’s it, Sweet Pea. Nothin’ ta worry that pretty little head of yours.”

Jubilee’s brows continued to furrow anxiously. “I don’t know…” she began warily. Her memory of the Southern gentleman from their drive to Westchester was filled with images of him looking rather sick, but at the same time, rather sad. She tried to approach him about what was troubling him, but found her efforts rebuffed with his polite, yet evasive responses. With a weak smile that bordered on a grimace, he informed her that all was well. He stood firm as he asserted that he would not discuss the matter any further, much to her concern and disappointment.

“Rogue’s right,” Kitty chimed in reassuringly. “He’s probably knocked out and is catching up on some sleep. No biggie.”

Before Jubilee could express her doubts with this conclusion, Rogue changed the subject. “So, is this foray inta cookin’ related ta a certain Iceman comin’ home?” she teased. Gambit had relayed a message to her that he and the rest of his team would be arriving within a couple of hours after their successful mission. Evidently, the young girl heard the same news from Bobby.

“Yeah.” Jubilee blushed as she glanced over at Kitty. It was still difficult to openly talk about the intricacies of her relationship with someone other than Paige. “I’m taking your advice. You know, about getting to him through his stomach.”

Kitty tilted her head. “Good move,” she told her, nodding her head in approval. Then she peered over at Rogue and asked, “Don’t you love the honeymoon period?”

“What are you talking about?” Jubilee asked, confused and intrigued when the two women exchanged knowing smiles.

Kitty took it upon herself to answer first. “Well, you know what it's like at the start, when they're all excited, and they haven't seen you naked yet,” she began sagely, drawing from her own experiences in romance. “It's like he's banging at your door, promising to ravish you forever. So, you brace yourself for man overload, and throw open the doors, and what do you find?”

Then Rogue jumped into the conversation. “An oversized baby who wants his dinner. And before ya can say, ‘There's been a terrible mistake,’ he's snorin’ on your bed and the whole place stinks of feet.”

Jubilee watched both Kitty and Rogue erupt into peals of laughter. She forced a smile, but was troubled with what she was hearing. Spontaneity and the rush of passion were what characterized her relationship with Bobby. The intensity of the feelings she experienced with him left her wanting more and more. Yet, from what the other women were saying, this was some sort of discrete period of time and that it would end. Instead of the excitement they had together, it sounded as if they were destined to face some sort of comfortable and boring lull, or worse; grow increasingly aware of each other’s faults. At least, that was what she managed to glean from what they were saying. There was only one thing to do to prevent that from happening.

Not allow any sense of complacency.

With a determined glint in her crystalline eyes, Jubilee clutched the plastic grocery bag. “Well, I should get going,” she said, beginning to head towards the door that connected the garage to the mansion. “I have lots to do before Bobby gets home.”

Rogue’s green eyes flicked to her sports watch. “The boys won’t be back for another coupla hours,” she informed her, already having calculated the team’s estimated arrival into Westchester. “Ya can watch our rehearsals this afternoon. The kids are pretty good this year.”

“Yeah,” Kitty added, nodding. “Jay Guthrie’s supposed to do this rendition of ‘Your Song’ that blows your mind.”

Jubilee shook her head, long, silky hair rippling down her graceful shoulders. “No, thanks,” she replied, hand already on the doorknob. “I’ve got some things to do.”

“Care to share with us, hon?” Rogue raised her arched brows expectantly.

The young girl paused outside of the door. Granted, she had not truly considered what her plan involved. All she knew was that she wanted to keep the proverbial fire going with Bobby. Her mouth curled in a mysterious smile as she shrugged her shoulders and sauntered inside.

Bobby leaned back in the pilot’s seat as he shifted the Blackbird’s gears. According to the navigational path Hank had programmed into the computer, they were scheduled to arrive to Westchester within twenty minutes. The boyishly handsome Iceman cast a gaze to the screen of the map, which relayed their current flight location. He was pleasantly surprised to notice that they were already flying over New York. Having flown the Blackbird from Istanbul, he honestly had no idea how quickly time had passed.

He supposed that his euphoric anticipation was fueled by the prospect of seeing Jubilee again. His mind replayed the phone call he made to her, announcing his return. The excitement that bubbled from her voice was infectious, eliciting a broad grin that stretched his cheeks. Both of them had agreed that it indeed had been too long since being together. They made the usual declarations of missing one another and not being able to sit still until his arrival. However, Jubilee took things another step further just before hanging up.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” she had told him cryptically. He could hear the smile in her voice.

“What is it?”

“Where’s the fun in telling you?”

“Come on, Jubes…”

“No dice, Drake. You’ll have to wait until you get back. All I’m going to tell you is that Scott and Jean have been gone for the past week and won’t be back for another couple of days. In other words, meet me at the house if you want the surprise.”

While he was daunted that he had not managed to discover what she had up her sleeve, he was thrilled nonetheless. Whatever it was, it simply had to be good. The fact that Scott and Jean were away, leaving an empty house, was another bonus. Unconsciously, a dreamy smile touched Bobby’s mouth. His mind immediately flooded with images of the inherent possibilities.

Just then, he heard a low, rumbling growl nearby. Startled, he peered around to locate the source of the sound. His smile vanished when he saw Logan, sitting in the co-pilot seat. The older man was studying him carefully, his green eyes expressionless underneath stony brows. His trademark Cohiba cigar was held between his teeth, but remained unlit thanks to Warren and Hank’s objections. It was hard to surmise what the loner was thinking, but it was more than evident that he was not amused.

Confident that Jubilee said nothing to her beloved “Wolvie” about consummating her relationship with Bobby, Bobby was convinced that the man knew. He probably smelled something from both of them. During the whole mission, Bobby made a point to keep his distance. The last thing he wanted was a confrontation with a man who possessed adamantium claws and who wasn’t afraid of using them. He knew what Logan was capable of during a rage. While the other man had yet to turn his fury on his teammate, there was always a first time for everything. Finding out that Bobby had slept with Jubilee had the potential of pushing Logan over that line.

Bobby decided that it was time to play distraction. “Um, hey, Logan.” He tried to tamper the tendency for his voice to crack while in the other man’s presence. To his chagrin, he failed. Quickly, he tried to recover by pressing ahead with small talk. “I thought Warren was my co-pilot. The last I checked, you and the others were playing cards.”

Logan raised a brow at him. “Decided I wanted to sit up here,” he told the younger man in a flat voice. He could detect Drake’s anxiety quite easily, as he could his arousal. It was palpable in the air between them. Being the perceptive being that he was, it took no time for Logan to infer the common thread.

Jubilee.

For Logan, the idea of Drake deflowering his little girl was a little much to take. He tried to occupy his mind with other things so that he would not even have to consider it. Unfortunately, willing himself not to think about the issue seemed to bring it to the forefront of his mind. It haunted him at all hours of the day, refusing to exit his consciousness. The details made his stomach twist in ways he never thought possible. He simply could not and would not imagine either in that capacity. It was just too creepy. As irked as he was, there was nothing he could do at this point.

Scaring the Popsicle might make him feel better for a second, but in the end, it would not accomplish all that much. The crux of the matter was the realization that Jubilee was no longer a child anymore. He first came to grips with this notion upon his return to the mansion over a year ago. She had grown up, but in a way, retained much of the youthful energy that surrounded her. There was an innocence to the world that she had in spite of the years that had gone by. It was what allowed him to hold onto his view of her as the girl who was not quite an adult. That way, he could be the one she would depend upon. He could cling to an old man’s hope.

But this was not true anymore. There was someone else now.

Logan sighed deeply, taking his cigar out of his mouth. He peered over at the young man next to him warily. Then he opened his mouth in order to ask the question that had been on his mind for quite some time. “You good to her?”

Bobby had been steering the Blackbird towards the landing strip on the mansion’s vast grounds. To achieve a more covert base of operations when it came to landing the Blackbird and other aircraft, the Professor had the strip and area built away from the mansion itself, and within a large hill that overlooked the lake on the property. With a push of a button from a remote control aboard all crafts, the hill opened up to reveal a landing strip.

While he was concentrating on guiding the Blackbird towards the hill, Bobby was also taken aback by Logan’s inquiry. He listened carefully, trying to detect any hint of hostility in the other man’s voice. To his amazement, there was none. Instead, there was what he could only construe as genuine concern. Upon further consideration, Bobby was stunned to observe something else—desperation for reassurance. Logan needed to know that Bobby was the good man Jubilee believed him to be. He had to be told that there was no need to be worried and that his little girl was cared for as she should be.

Finally, Bobby responded. “I am,” he said earnestly, steering the Blackbird through the camouflaged doors that led to the mansion’s airstrip. As the craft glided inside, he added, “Because I want to be good for her. She deserves that. For some reason, I’m lucky enough to be the one.”

Logan mulled over his words carefully. “She’s happy,” he said, feeling the speed of the craft slow down as the wheels dropped down. “Can’t deny you had something to do with that.”

Bobby smiled sheepishly as the Blackbird touched down smoothly. “She does the same for me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For Logan, that seemed sufficient. He sat back quietly. There was no need to overanalyze or interrogate Drake further. It was clear to him that the younger man was being honest. When the Blackbird was fully settled, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up. “I’m going to see how the others are with writing up the briefing report,” he informed Bobby, already heading to the back of the craft.

Bobby decided to follow him. Both were greeted with a rather unusual sight. Hank had an airline pillow tucked behind his head. The black-frame glasses he wore for reading were pushed up slightly on one side and his fur was mussed. A thin line of drool oozed out of a corner of his open mouth. Next to him was Warren, whose head rested on Hank's shoulder. The two of them were snuggling together underneath a green, flannel blanket. Meanwhile, a sleeping Gambit was on Hank’s other side, an arm draped across the larger man's chest.

Logan rolled his eyes. "Look at the slumber party going on here," he said, irritated.

"Yeah," Bobby replied, still looking at his sleeping teammates. Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across his boyish face as he became inspired. "Before you get them up, let's get the camera first."

The other man raised a brow at him. Known as the brooding, dark type, Logan was a character foil to the easygoing Bobby. Yet, for some reason, he was intrigued with the prospect of participating in one of Drake’s shenanigans. Besides, he had nothing else to do at the moment. “Sounds good to me,” he finally said.

Meanwhile, at the Summers’ home, Jubilee was standing in the kitchen. She was reading over the instructions listed on the packaging of the cookie dough. Her eyes flicked to the clock on the stove. She had about five minutes until Bobby was scheduled to arrive. In her flustered excitement, she racked her brain for some sort of time saver. It was then that she decided to crank up the oven a little higher than the directions read. In addition, she made up her mind that not cutting the log up into individual cookies would be more efficient.

After popping her cookie dough into the oven, Jubilee was about to go upstairs to her room to make sure everything else was in place for tonight. However, she paused in her steps when she heard a rapping at the door. When she saw who was waiting on the doorstep, her cerulean eyes widened in surprise. She found herself smiling broadly for the first time in several days.

Bobby, still dressed in his uniform, grabbed her from about the waist and pulled her slender form close to his. “Why hello there,” he greeted her in a huskily as he feigned a seductive, come-hither look. “Your man’s back.”

She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “That’s some Gambit impression you’ve got going on,” she commented lightly. She had almost forgotten about the tingles that danced along her skin whenever he was this close. Almost instantly, she could feel her heart race inside her chest from him being here now. It was like nothing she ever felt before. Needless to say, she liked the feeling.

He drew back slightly. “I was going for the Colin Farrell vibe,” he informed her, pretending to be insulted. The twinkling in his gray eyes belied the hurt he was acting out. In fact, the euphoria that pulsed through his veins was almost too intense to describe at that moment.

“Oh is that it?” She rolled her eyes and laughed again. Then she gave him a quizzical look, feeling his fingers tangle in her hair. “I wasn’t expecting you for another couple of minutes.”

His brows furrowed thoughtfully. “Are you complaining?” he asked wryly, his gaze tracing his girlfriend’s delicate features. For a moment, he was floored as to how beautiful she was. His memories and dreams about her failed to do any justice. As he held her in the circle of his arms, he was quickly reminded how blessed he truly was.

“No.” Jubilee whispered, leaning towards him. With her heart thudding in her ears, she kissed him, her mouth lingering over his tenderly.

Bobby grinned against her lips, relishing the sweetness that exuded from them. “I flew home fast so I could get to you,” he murmured as he returned the kiss. For a moment, he believed he had everything he ever wanted at this moment. All the time apart, he finally had her back. It was as if it was safe for him to exist again.

“I’m glad you did.” She planted a series of kisses along the corner of his mouth, still giggling. “I don’t know how much longer I could have waited.”

He tightened his arms around her. A cool, autumn breeze rumpled his sandy hair as they stood in the doorway. “I know how you feel,” he said, squeezing her affectionately. “Spending nights without you was hell. I mean, who knew that Logan’s snoring could travel through walls?”

“Stop it. He doesn’t snore that loudly. He’s quieter than Paige.” The corners of Jubilee’s eyes crinkled as she laughed loudly. She knew full well that her former roommate would be in conniptions if she found out that she was telling other people. It was something the younger Guthrie was desperately trying to hide.

Bobby joined his girlfriend in her peals of laughter. He made a mental note to tease Warren about this piece of news. When the mirth subsided, he nodded and said, “Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t be making fun of Logan, at least not after today. We had a bonding moment.”

Suddenly, the sparkling disappeared from those hypnotic, sapphire depths. It was quickly replaced by cautious curiosity. “Why?” Jubilee asked, pulling back slightly to study his boyish face. “What happened?”

He noticed that her gaze had a searching quality to it, almost as if she were looking for any sign of apprehension on his part. Drawing her close again, he chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Relax,” he told her reassuringly. “It’s not what you’re thinking. As you can see, I’m in one piece and perfectly fine.”

She peered up at him, her delicate features arranged in a suspicious _expression. “OK… But what did this bonding moment entail then?” It was hard for not to be totally convinced. She was well aware of her mentor’s protective streak and his short fuse. Having witnessed it on many occasions, she knew his methods of intimidations and the fear of God often instilled as a result. As much as she loved her Wolvie, if he had reneged on his promise not to terrorize Bobby, she wasn’t sure what she would do.

“Hey,” Bobby drawled, cupping her lovely face in his cool hands. Part of him was touched over this concern, but the other part stressed how important it was to ease her worried mind. “There’s nothing wrong. Logan and I just had some fun with the other guys—that’s all.”

“Logan?” She stared at him in disbelief. “My Wolvie? The same man who said once that he doesn’t have time to laugh? You’re talking about him, right? Are you sure you don’t have him mixed up with some other person?”

Her boyfriend smiled. “Yes, I’m sure,” he replied, stroking her hair affectionately. “Honestly, he had fun. I’ve never seen anyone so happy to take pictures in my entire life.”

She sighed and shook her head. The image of a gleeful Wolverine playing a prank was difficult for her to fathom. “I guess you’ll have to show me the photographic evidence.”

“I guess so.” He leaned in to give her another kiss, but stopped himself. His nostrils flared slightly as they picked up a strange smell in the air. “Is something burning?”

“What?”

“I think I smell something burning.”

“Shit!”

Jubilee extracted herself from Bobby’s arms and raced to the kitchen. To her horror, wisps of grayish smoke led to the oven. Cursing under her breath, she grabbed the oven mitts from the nearby hooks. Then she turned off the oven and yanked open the oven door. The young girl nearly fell backwards, overwhelmed by the smoke and the smell of burning cookie dough. Somehow, she managed to summon the mental fortitude to pull the tray from the oven and shut the door. Her eyes teared up from coughing and disappointment after she surveyed the damage.

Bobby was behind her, leaning against the counter with an amused _expression across his boyish face. “Oh honey,” he cooed teasingly, watching her fan the smoke away from the charred log of cookie dough. “You baked.”

“Shit!” she coughed, not able to find any other eloquent way to express herself at the moment. She covered her face with her small hands and wailed mournfully. Why me? Why me?

Chuckling, he placed a comforting arm around her. Then he extended an open hand over the smoldering mess. Quickly, the smoke dissipated while the ice streamed from his palm, covering the cookie dough in a thin layer of frost. Satisfied, he remarked, “There. No need to call the fire department.”

This only served to compound the utter embarrassment his girlfriend was experiencing. She buried her face against his chest. “I can’t believe this,” she said, completely mortified. “Who the hell burns cookies?”

“Apparently, you do,” he said gently, kissing her soft hair and relishing the sweet fragrance from it. He couldn’t suppress his amusement when she wailed again. “Oh come on, Jubes. No harm done. Now, let’s order a pizza.”

Later on in the living room, over a meal of delivery pizza from Gino’s and root beer floats, the couple had the opportunity to reconnect. The two of them caught up, each relaying the events that had transpired in the other’s absence. Bobby talked about Hank’s gender-bending experience, causing Jubilee to erupt in a fit of giggles, particularly during points of the story that detailed the sexual harassment he endured at the hands of Bobby and Gambit. He then presented her with the scarf he purchased during his trip, which earned him a grateful kiss. Jubilee talked about her classes, her work as a peer counselor, and the Keane concert. When she told him that Sam had gone as his proxy, Bobby looked thoughtful.

“That was nice of him,” he commented, wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “I’m glad you didn’t have to go alone. Remind me to do something nice for the guy, like taking him out for some beers. I still owe him for Valentine’s Day.”

She nodded, resting her head against Bobby’s shoulder. “Definitely.” Her thoughts went to the Southern gentleman briefly, but soon they faded from her consciousness. Her mind was quickly occupied with something else. While her attempt at being domestic failed, there was still another part of her plan that had yet to be put into motion.

Rising to her feet, she began to gather the paper plates and plastic cups. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of food for one night,” she declared, walking towards the kitchen. “I’m dumping this stuff and going upstairs. I still smell like burnt cookie dough.” She grimaced.

He laughed and collected the cardboard box and used napkins. “Maybe you can market it as a new perfume,” he suggested, gray eyes twinkling. Then he inquired, “Are you coming back downstairs?”

“No,” she called out from the kitchen. Much to her chagrin, the room still reeked of seared sugar and chocolate in spite of the windows they had opened. “When you’re done, just come on upstairs. There’s something I want you to take a look at.”

“Will do.”

After Bobby finished cleaning up, he made his way upstairs. As he headed towards Jubilee, he noticed that this was the first time he had entered her room this way. Normally, he used his ice-slide and climbed through her window for his visits. Taking the more conventional route felt rather strange to him.

The door to her bedroom was already ajar and he sauntered inside. He was about to call out to her, but stopped himself when he saw that her bathroom door was closed. Ever patient, he decided to settle in by removing his boots and socks. He thought about doing so on the Blackbird, but was outvoted by the rest of the team, who argued they didn’t feel safe with the idea of a barefoot pilot. Then he slipped off his long, black leather coat and draped it over the chair at her desk.

His gray eyes crinkled at the corners when they caught sight of a framed photograph by her laptop. Taken at Hank’s birthday party several months ago, the couple was flashing radiant smiles. An interesting thing to note was that their beaming faces were barely visible underneath the cake and frosting that was smeared across their cheeks, chins, and hair—thanks to a food fight started by one of the students. In spite of this, it was quite clear from the picture how they felt about one another. The feelings were familiar, comforting, and sent chills up and down his spine. They also communicated something else.

He was home.

Still grinning, Bobby ambled over to her bed. He seated himself and felt the mattress give slightly. At this point, he noticed that Jubilee had been in the bathroom for some time. Concerned, he decided to call out to her. “Jubes? Are you alright in there?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Bobby. I’m fine.”

“So, what do you want me to look at?”

Just then the bathroom door opened slowly. Her voice was clear and sweet in the night air as she responded to him. “This.”

He turned his head in that direction and felt his jaw drop. His stunned gaze roved over the vision that stood at the doorway. For a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming. What he was seeing was simply too incredible. He never dreamed it was possible for her to look even more beautiful than she already was. However, here was the evidence of the contrary. She was wearing a black satin slip that clung to every lush curve. The neckline plunged, teasing at the ample bosom that it hid. Her long, black hair with midnight-blue highlights cascaded down her slim shoulders, contrasting against her creamy skin. That exquisite face seemed lovelier than ever, bearing an _expression of warmth, love, and acceptance that was reserved just for him.

Bobby made a mental note to thank whatever deity responsible for this.

Finally, he was able to formulate a cogent thought. Licking his lips quickly, he dared to speak. “Is this… Is this part of the surprise?” he asked.

She nodded, taking slow strides towards him. At the foot of the bed, she raised a knee and crawled up, her hands on both sides of his legs. She crawled up and over him in this manner, stopping only when they were face to face. Her sapphire eyes held his gaze for a moment before they fluttered shut, her lips parting to kiss him.

His eyes and lips followed her lead, savoring her taste, her warmth, and her softness. The tip of his tongue breached her lips, and was soon exploring her hot mouth. He could feel his pulse race as the simple kiss mimicked the union to come. His hands started to roam languidly about her body. One ran lightly over her side, down her hips, and cupping the curve of her bottom before sliding up to her waist. To his delight, he noticed she omitted panties from this outfit. He gently pressed her hip down to meet his lap. Jubilee obliged, but not before grinding him teasingly on the way down.

She allowed her arms to drape around his neck as she drew away. Her head tipped to one side, lips almost ready to settle on his again. "I didn’t get a chance to say this, so I’ll do it now: Welcome home."

Once more, her sweet, soft mouth covered his, working away gently. Her body cuddling in close to his, head angling to one side to deepen the kiss. He relented happily, mouth parting to allow access. His hands rose slowly to run along her slender arms in order to draw her into closer. In response, she tightened her arms around his neck and brought her chest within intimate contact of his.

Her mouth eased from his ever so gently. "I missed you," she whispered.

"I couldn’t tell," Bobby joked, giving her a wry, but shaky smile. The gesture belied his words. Mixed with the tingling want for her, was his curiosity as to where this temptress act came from. Not that he minded. That black, clingy slip with the plunging neckline occupied his interest as he held her.

"Really?" Jubilee kissed him again, red mouth pressed against his and warm breath seeping out to mix with his cool breath. "I guess I should try again."

"I would like that," he murmured, tangling his fingers through her silky hair. How he had missed the feel of her. It was almost overwhelming for him to have her here like this. He had to chalk this up as the best homecoming he had ever had.

She smiled; pleased with herself and at how this seduction was proceeding. The uncertainty she had been feeling when she first dreamed this up was fading as confidence took over. "I was hoping you’d say that."

He grinned. “Happy to indulge,” he told her huskily. Then he gathered her against him. His mouth was hungry as it settled back over hers.

When she opened her mouth, she could have sworn she heard a hoarse, inarticulate sound issued from deep within his throat. His tongue was exploring, teasing hers with its tip. It then grazed her teeth. While he was gentle, the sensations he generated sizzle, skittering throughout her body, settling deep in her belly and lower between her thighs. In response, she caressed his body with her own, remaining astride him.

Bobby was lost, drowning in the sweet, heady pleasure of her. He ran his hand along her ribcage, relishing the familiarity of her curves and the satiny feel of the material. His hand then made a journey to one of her breasts. He let his thumb gently graze her nipple, feeling it stiffen under his touch.

A cry escaped from her lips. Jubilee’s eyes fluttered open as he moved his mouth from hers. She watched him breathe heavily, teetering on the edge of sanity as they continued this dance. With a mischievous gleam in his gray eyes, he suddenly sank his teeth onto the exposed column of her neck, sucking and biting.

She writhed under his ministrations, but soon collected herself. Quickly, she drew back. "That’s enough," she declared firmly.

He looked at her, confused. "Something wrong, Jubes?"

She shifted in his lap, taking his wrists in her small hands and holding them firmly. "I want to show you," she said softly, sapphire eyes shining up at him. “I want to show you how much I’ve missed you.”

He smiled at her tenderly, liking the prospect of something else in wings. This was quite different. "I can already tell from the initial greeting you gave me," he told her.

“But there’s more,” Jubilee said, running her fingers through his sandy hair and stroking his ears. “Well, if you want there to be.”

In response, Bobby cupped her face and pressed his mouth against hers once again. As they continued their kisses, her hips started rocking against his. He grabbed her slim hips, pressing her to his burgeoning arousal. Her hands soon descended on his shirt, slipping it off of him. The cool air rushed over his skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps. The nails of one hand dragged down his bare torso. An involuntary shiver shot through his body, forcing his hips to jerk slightly, and startling her in return.

She pulled away and stared at his chest. As she contemplated her next move, a small smirk darted over her lips as her rear ground against his arousal, forcing a grunt from him. The teasing was too much. He found himself wishing her effect on him wasn’t obvious.

As she slowly tormented him with a slow grind, he bit his lip against the guttural response rising in his throat. His lips pressed tightly in an attempt to regain control, but felt as if he were losing the battle with each passing minute. “What’s next?” he managed to ask between gritted teeth.

She leaned over him, stretching her lithe torso over him. “I don’t know,” she replied in a deliciously whispery voice. “I just don’t know…”

Bobby had to touch her. He needed to feel and grasp what the dropped neckline only teased at. When he tried to free his hands from her, Jubilee pulled away from him and smiled.

“Not yet,” she whispered, eliciting a groan from him. There was such a rush of feelings that pulsed through her entire being at that moment. With a gentle shove, she forced him onto his back.

She could see the tiny droplets that had formed on his neck, across his collarbones, beading on his chest. As she stared, one trickled from his throat, leaving a moist trail down to his shoulder blade. Instinctively, she dipped her head and caught the tiny bead with her tongue. He smelled of leather and clean, masculine sweat.

Jubilee didn't hear the sharp breath he took at her action, but could see the way his chest rose suddenly. She took advantage of his amused surprise to drag her nails lightly over his chest. Tentatively, but with growing confidence, she placed her hands on his firm shoulders. Lightly, with the tips of her fingers, she traced the lines of his defined chest, amazed by the smoothness of his skin. Circling his flat, brown nipple with her tongue, she then blew softly over the moisture she had left. Her sapphire eyes widened, watching as the cold air made his nipple pucker slightly. She licked the tiny nub again. Then she bent her knees, tasting her way across his abdomen, and dipping her tongue into his navel.

Soon she found herself at the waistline of his boxers. There was no hesitation on her part as her fingertips slid under the band. Once more, her fingers slid inside his waistband and she tugged the boxers down slowly. He lifted his hips and she noted how ragged his breathing had become. The material caught, and she was not so naïve as to not know why. Staring at the rough hair peaking above the dark fabric, she slid her hand in and lifted the clothing away and down. She stared at his hardened sex for a moment before taking him in her hand. The skin was like silk. She caressed it slowly, each stroke gaining more confidence and touching him more firmly.

Bobby clenched his teeth, inhaling sharply. The pleasure was bordering on pain now. He needed a release. When she finally touched him, it could not have come sooner. He swelled in her hand, getting ever closer to losing it completely. Low guttural groans accompanied his irregular pants. She met his gaze, and matched his intense stare. Desperately, he reached for her.

Again, she grabbed his wrists. This sexy angel was now over him, her dark, silky hair falling forward over her shoulder to brush his chest. He inhaled deeply. She teased his sex again by brushing herself over him, her breasts thrusting forward toward his waiting mouth. Then she pulled back coyly.

Bobby groaned. “Jubes, this is torture,” he managed through gritted teeth, writhing on the bed. But the best kind, he silently added. He again struggled to free his wrists from her grip. There was nothing more he wanted to do than to tear that clingy, satin chemise from her body and allow his hand to roam her supple curves.

“Then take me,” she breathed as she released her grip.

Wearing a relieved and grateful smile, he exhaled deeply. Then he kissed her with more hunger than before. A low groan escaped his lips as he tugged at the neckline of her chemise, baring her breasts. His hands, in a slow, sensuous motion, began exploring her breasts. The small, sensitive buds of flesh contracted and hardened with the brush of his highly skilled fingertips. His gaze followed them, tracing traced a path over the smooth skin and lingering over her heart. It beat faster under his hand. His fingers ran a path lightly around the outer curve of this perfect mound, eventually palming the weight of it in his hand.

With his thumb he grazed her nipple gently, watching the surrounding pink skin pucker slightly at his touch. “I dreamed of touching you like this the whole time I was gone,” he said to her huskily.

Jubilee was not prepared for the pleasure Bobby’s hands brought her as they caressed soft skin. The moan that escaped her lips was unexpected. Her chest arched toward his careful touch. She released a shaky gasp, relishing his touch. “I wanted you, too. I wanted you so bad…”

“You have me now,” he told her, meaning every word. His heart swelled inside his chest when he saw how sincere her elation was. The smile that graced her sweet lips and the sparkling in her crystalline eyes seemed to speak volumes.

With her firmly straddling him, and their lips still working in a generous kiss, his other hand curved over a breast. His thumb grazed over the pert mound and she moaned into his mouth. He rubbed his thumb a little rougher, sliding over her cleavage. A smile touched his lips when she gasped.

Bobby then leaned in to kiss her hungrily. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” he murmured against her mouth.

“It’s all you,” she said softly as she ran her fingers through his sandy hair. Her lips looked more full and lush, deeply colored thanks to his kisses. The marks were already blossoming under the flesh of her neck. “It always has been.”

Grinning, he moved his mouth from hers in a journey that started at her jaw, then trailed down her graceful neck and her collarbone. With a gleam in his gray eyes, the boyishly handsome man allowed his lips to settle on her sumptuous breasts. His tongue darted out and flicked at the nipples as his hands slid down to the hem of her black, satin chemise.

Meanwhile, Bobby’s other hand slid unseen down her back, over her hip. She shuddered as his sensual caress ran down her leg, then back up the inside of her thigh. Encouraged when his finger met damp fabric, he pulled it aside with a crooked forefinger and the tip of his finger pressed against the wet slit.

His other hand, which was resting on her breast, dropped down. Giving her bottom a gentle squeeze, he murmured against her ear, "Do you like that?" Not waiting for her to answer, he pushed his finger further upwards, the knuckle of the finger grazing her most sensitive spot.

Jubilee released a soft gasp and slowly nodded her agreement. She moaned softly, her hips shifted under his touch. “Bobby…”

His fingers began to manipulate her most sensitive of areas. Her inner muscles contracted at his touch, and a soft moan followed by several small pants issued from her lips. He felt her moisture spill forth and swathe his pleasantly intruding fingers in a matter of seconds. Her panting grew louder as he stroked the outer labia teasingly, before slipping one finger between. She could feel him stroking her gently, adding more pressure around the opening. A tremble shook her body when his ministrations reached the nub of pleasure nested within.

She could barely move fast enough to satiate the growing tingle spreading from her heightened arousal. But as she felt him beneath her, the heat of his body, the scent of his sweat, she also didn’t want this moment to end. Soon, the pleasure was too much. Her breaths were desperate gasps for air, coupled with cries and moans from low in her throat. The sensations overwhelmed her until at last, an explosion of pleasure shot through her body.

Bobby was taken aback when her bucking hips pressed her wet arousal against his hardened sex. Desire flooded his senses. He took her hand and placed it on his cock. Her fingers grasped it and lightly traced up and down the shaft, as her eyes raked over him. Her piqued curiosity further heightened his arousal, causing his engorged organ to harden even more with each stroke of her gentle hands. Then wrapping his hand around hers, he guided it to her entrance. Leaving one hand wrapped around his shaft, she moved her torso up, hovering over him. They stared intently into each other’s eyes as she held him firmly and lowered herself slowly.

Her slender body covered his, slipping into her tight, wet sex while she arched her back to take him slowly into her. Giving him one more stroke, Jubilee brought her other hand up and cradled his face as her lips pressed hard against his. When the soft smooth surface of the tip pressed firmly against her wet folds, she cried out. She pushed forward, covering more of him, inching him into her. He had to close his eyes for a moment as her slick core surrounded him, enveloping him in warmth.

The reaction of this penetration was shared. He watched with fascination and awe at this beautiful vision, who threw her head back and moaned. Then he grasped her gently by the hips as she pushed downward until he was completely filling her. His strokes became more firm and purposeful as she straddled him, breasts out-thrust, nipples begging for his hands and mouth. He groaned low in his throat and cupped at one of her breasts in response.

An uncontrollable and unbelievably pleasurable spasm overwhelmed her entire being. She jerked her hips toward him involuntarily. He began pulling himself out, slowly. As he pushed back into her, she clutched his shoulders as a new pleasure began to build.

Jubilee whimpered in return and bucked her hips faster. “Oh, Bobby, yes…” The thrusts soon became more frenzied. Her body was slamming against his, her heated inner walls clutching at and kneading at him, and matching the throbbing of his sex.

Bobby felt the tight grip of her around him, milking him and drawing him deeper as he tried to push harder and deeper inside her. His legs tightened and his toes curled as he felt the sweet pressure building in his groin. He reached over and strummed her sensitive clitoris. This nearly sent her over the edge. She was thrusting hard now, trying to take him completely. In response, he sped his thrusts inside of her slightly and gradually, until she was moaning above him.

She could feel her breathing grow heavier, matching the rhythm of his movements inside of her. It was as if her vagina was about to seize in a frenzy of rapture. She could feel her pleasure heightened and ascended until another wave of ecstasy enveloped her. Her internal muscles contracted repetitively, sending wave after wave of pleasure she came to associate with Bobby’s touch.

When he trembled violently, she finally let go and collapsed against him. Within moments, her hips were moving again, trying to ride his length. He smiled, overwhelmed by the gorgeous woman on top of him. She was sweating, flushed with arousal, eyes closed as she concentrated on the sensation of him inside her. Her full bottom lip was trapped between her perfect teeth. Until that moment, he didn’t think it was possible for his love to be even more beautiful.

He held her hips in his hands, pulling her tight against him, and rocking her back and forth. Her hands gripped his shoulders more firmly, his body shaking beneath her. Suddenly, he felt the contractions of her own climax swallowing his own as he came inside her. Clasping her body against his, he buried his face in the curve of her neck.

“Remind me to go off on missions more often,” Bobby murmured against her throat. He raised his face to look up at her. His gray eyes twinkled playfully.

Jubilee, cheeks flushed pink from exertion and her overall happiness to be with him again, shook her head and gingerly slid off of his spent arousal. “There’s no way I’m letting you go anywhere for a while,” she declared, still kneeling astride him. Her lips curled into a seductive smile as she added, “In fact, I’m going to make it hard for you to even consider it.”

He grinned. “I would like that,” he told her before pulling off her chemise and kissing her deeply.

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