by Leslie
Chapter 4
from Chapter 3: "Let's get outta here," was all he said.
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It was all he had to say. Without hesitation or trepidation, Blaine rose and took his outstretched hand. Jax threw some money down to cover their drinks, and they headed towards the door, a move that didn't go unnoticed by their watchful classmates.
Once outside the door, they walked silently to the rented Explorer that Jax had had delivered, still hand in hand. Jax unlocked the passenger door and opened it. Blaine started to step inside, but Jax tugged at her arm, turning her around to face him and easing her back up against the side of the SUV. Blaine caught her breath as Jax's face moved closer to hers and his head tilted to reunite his lips with those he'd first kissed 15 years ago.
His tender lips just slightly brushed hers. His nose nuzzled hers sweetly. His eyes opened to look at her once more. He saw that he was welcomed there, so he continued. His tongue gently glided into her mouth, as hers greeted it at the entrance. Their meeting was one of controlled urgency . . . of unmitigated bliss. Jax breathed in this rapturous moment, literally taking Blaine's breath away. She felt her knees began to buckle. The only thing that steadied her was Jax's strong leg, which he had arousingly situated between hers. Jax's hands were moving up and down her back, briefly dipping lower, causing Blaine to draw even closer to him, if that was possible. Neither wanted this kiss to end, but out of a sense of common decency, they knew it must, before things got out of hand.
Blaine was left breathless and spellbound, as Jax pulled away. "I thought it was about time we kissed each other will full discloser!" Jax's sexy voice only drove her deeper into her desire.
"Oh, I think it was only right!!," she agreed.
"You ready to go?" Jax asked.
"Go where?"
"Here, there, everywhere!"
"Sure . . . no, wait! . . .my luggage is in Andrea's car. I need to get it out."
"It's already been taken care of. I told Nate I'd drive you to the hotel, and he put your luggage in the back already."
It pleased Blaine that Jax had wanted to drive her home. They climbed in and took off, riding around Anchorage revisiting all their old stomping grounds -- the neighborhoods they lived in growing up, going by their old High School and remembering old times. Jax noticed Blaine yawning several times, and he himself had been unable to surpress the urge. "In New York it's already tomorrow. We're both going to be exhausted tomorrow if we don't get some sleep."
"You're right about that!" Blaine responded.
"Where are you staying?" Jax asked.
"The Herrington House on Barrow Street," she told him.
"Ahhh, going all out, are you? Staying at the Park Plaza with the rest of us wasn't acceptable?"
She laughed at his sarcasm. "Actually," she explained, "I needed somewhere quiet -- a writer's haven, so to speak. My studio apartment in New Yrok isn't exactly condusive to the peace and quiet I require to write. I've been trying to get going on this fourth book for quite some time and the ideas don't seem to be coming."
"They don't? They need a little nudge is all! Mind if we go one more place? Then I promise I'll take you back."
"No, I don't mind. Where?"
"You'll see!!"
"You're a man of mystery aren't you?" she said laughingly.
"More along the lines of being a man full of surprises!"
As Jax drove, his smile broadened. Blaine was trying to figure out where in the world they were going, but wasn't familiar with this particular area. She saw a sign as they turned into a wooded area -- "Valley of the Moon Park".
"Do you know where you are now?" Jax questioned.
She shook her head, "No. Should I?"
"Are you saying you've never been to Two Moon Peak before?"
"No. I never came here," she replied.
"Come on, Blaine!! I don't believe that for a minute!!! Anchorage's equivalent of 'Inspiration Point' and you've never been here??"
"No, Jax -- I haven't!"
"But you dated Cal Foster!! He brought everybody here -- or so he said!!"
"Cal was all talk and no action!! He never brought me or anybody else here!! You guys were suckered into believing that one!!"
Jax laughed. "Well, to tell you the truth, I never brought a girl up here either!"
"Oh, puh-lease Jax . . . you don't expect me to buy that!!"
Jax was winding his way up the narrow park road looking for that little known road off to the right that he used to take. "I came here alot, but it was mostly with the guys. It was a good drinking spot!!"
"What about Camilla?? You didn't bring her here?"
"Nope. I was going to, and then she dumped me."
"She was insane!! What idiot would dump you for Stevie Beckett??"
They both laughed at their past misadventures. Jax spotted the road he'd been scouting for and made the turn. It was late Friday night, and there were a few cars parked up there. Jax found a rather isolated spot and parked the Explorer. Then he did something Blaine did not expect. He got out.
He opened her door and said, "Come on."
She followed without question. They walked along a path going up a rock-ridden hill. Jax was leading Blaine by the hand, and led her off the path, and onto a large rock overlooking the valley. "Sit here," he directed.
"Wow, look at the view from up here!"
"You have now officially been to Two Moon Peak!! What do you think??"
"I think it's beautiful!!! But why do they call it Two Moon Peak?"
"That's the interesting part! See the lake in the valley down there?"
"Yes."
"Well, if you'll lean out just a little, you can see the moon's reflection in the lake, just as clearly as if you were looking at the moon itself."
Blaine leaned out, a little apprehensively to peer at the lake. "I see it!!" she exclaimed. It was almost a full moon out, so it was hard to miss the big yellow ball's mirage in the lake. Jax was beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist. For a few moments they sat in silence, enjoying the sounds of crickets chirping, branches clicking in the wind, and wildlife rusting in the brush. It really was a beautiful moment.
Jax leaned over and whispered in her ear, "So, does this inspire you?"
She turned sideways to face him. She looked him full in the face and said, "Yes it does, but it has nothing to do with my book!" She placed her hands on his face, each palm cradling a cheek. "However, I am moved to do this . . . " and she pulled his face to hers and tenderly touched her lips to his again . . . and again . . . and again . . . until he leaned into her and finished what she had begun.
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Chapter 5
Jax leaned Blaine slowly back on the the mossy surface of the rock . . . kissing her . . . revelling in the spontaneity of the moment . . . until the bright light shone on them.
"Are you okay, Miss?" a deep voice questioned.
"Ummm, yes, I'm fine," Blaine answered, her eyes squinting as she put her hand up to block the light.
"Would you both stand up please?" the voice requested.
Jax and Blaine rose as the light was lowered. Standing before them was an Anchorage Police Officer, "You two look old enough to know better!" he reprimanded.
Jax tried to explain, "Sorry, Officer. We're in town for our 10 year class reunion and were just trying to recapture our youth."
"Speak for yourself!!!" Blaine said as she playfully whacked Jax in the stomach. "We're sorry, Officer. We'll leave."
"You do that!! I'll give you an escort." Jax and Blaine were trying to stifle their giggles as they headed back to the Explorer so as not to anger the frustrated Officer. But, once inside the confines of the SUV, they burst with laughter.
"I think you'd better take me home!! It's past curfew!!" Blaine teased.
"On my way, 'Miss'!!"
They arrived at The Herrington House and got Blaine checked in. Her lost luggage had been retrieved and delivered to the Bed and Breakfast earlier that evening. Jax helped her carry all of her things to her room.
They talked for a few minutes and then said their 'goodnights'.
Before Jax left, he asked, "Can I take you to breakfast in the morning?"
"That would be nice."
"Pick you up at 8:00?"
"Make it 9:00, and you gotta deal!"
"9 it is then!!" Jax leaned in and very innocently kissed her goodnight. "Sweet dreams!" he said as he left.
You bet they will be!!!! she thought.
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~Saturday Morning~
Jax arrived promptly at 9am and informed Blaine that he had, without question, located the best Bear Claws in all of Alaska.
Once Blaine had tasted them, she had to agree. She rolled her eyes with pleasure, and after several, "mmmmm, mmmmm, . . . . mmmmm's" and performing the dubious task of licking each finger clean of its sugar coating, she declared, "That is the most scrumptious thing I've ever put in my mouth!!!!"
"Is it, now?" Jax quizzed her, wearing a sexy, irresistable grin.
"So far!" Blaine's hazel eyes narrowed as she played along in this arousing game of verbal tag.
"Why Blaine, I do believe you're propositioning me!!!!"
"Well, then, you're mistaken, Jasper!!!! All I'm eyeballing is that blueberry tartlette over your shoulder there!!!" she tossed him a wink and they shared a laugh.
Jax indulged her and got the tartlette. As he sat back down, he just stared at her with the slightest grin on his face.
"What?? I have blueberry on me??" she asked, wiping her mouth.
"No, it's not that. It's just that you've changed so much since high school."
"I know, I know -- no more pudgy, geeky Blaine!! I've heard that a million times since I got here!"
"It's not just your appearance. It's your personality. You seem so much more open, and you share your wit and humor. But, I think the most marked difference is that you smile alot more than you used to."
The corners of her mouth turned upwards at his remark. "I guess I have alot more to smile about . . . present company included. I'm enjoying getting to know you again, Jax."
"Touche' Blaine. It's been a pleasant surprise. You know, I almost didn't make this trip!"
"Really??? Me either! My agent made me!"
"You're kidding!! Get this -- my mother made me!!" Blaine and Jax roared with laughter. After their laughter subsided, Jax questioned Blaine, "You're agent made you?? Why would he care whether or not you attended your high school reunion?"
"In Harvey's words: 'It's good schmoozing'. He is adamant about promoting me and my efforts!!! He determined that this was just one more tool to sell my books. I didn't have a good excuse not to come, so I figured, what the heck? Besides, it the least I can do -- if it makes Harvey feel better!"
"Sounds like you're very loyal to your agent," Jax observed.
Blaine thought about it for a minute. "Yes, I guess 'loyal' is a good word. Harvey was the only one who gave me a chance, who saw the potential in my work. I feel I owe him alot. I've been approached by other more polished agents, but good ol' Harvey is someone I can't leave behind. He may be a character, but he's been pivotal in getting me where I am today."
"Loyalty is a wonderful quality -- and a lost art," Jax stated quietly.
"What about you? Why would your mother care whether or not you came to the reunion?" Blaine was curious.
"No doubt you've read about the roller coaster ride that has become my life in the Times?" Blaine nodded. "Well, then you know I broke off my engagement to Brenda Barrett last spring. Mum, as well as other well-meaning concerned parties, decided that I wasn't living life to its fullest, and insisted that I get off the bench and into the game."
"Were you? . . . on the bench, I mean."
"I guess. I'm tired of emotional upheaval, Blaine. The last two and a half years have been one land mine after another in my life. So, I took myself off the field, hoping to avoid the next one." Jax didn't appear to be an emotional wreck. Moreover, he appeared to be a very decisive, very insightful man, who had realized he'd reached his limits and needed a respite from the pain.
"What about you? Any lost loves to recoup from?"
"Me? No, not really. I don't have time for a relationship. Writing is an isolating vocation, and not many men can understand that." Jax noticed that she seemed to be making light of something that troubled her more than she was letting on. "And, having said that . . . " she continued, "I really need to get back to my room. I promised Harvey I'd have something for him -- an idea, an outline -- and I haven't even begun!! So, I need to spend this afternoon in the solitude of my room coming up with the foundation of my next conquest." She got tickled at herself.
"Just don't forget about tonight when you get lost in thought! Andrea has painstakingly attempted to recreate 1988 for us in the Banquet Hall of the Plaza!!"
"Oh, GREAT! Just what I need -- another prom night!! I'm surprised she didn't suggest we wear our old dresses!! Thank goodness for that oversight!!!!"
"Let's go. I'll take you back and you can get to work. I promised to help set things up." Jax drove Blaine back to her Bed and Breakfast. Their conversation was light, and their mood pleasant. He was really enjoying himself with this woman. Before she got out of the car, he suggested, "How about I pick you up at 6:00 and we go have a couple of drinks before the dinner?"
"Sounds great, Jax. I'll need something to put me at ease before stepping into the 'way-back' machine!!!!"
"Me too! See ya then!" And he drove off, leaving Blaine way too distracted
to write anything that made any sense. For the first time since she'd heard
about this reunion, she was actually looking forward to what it held in store
for her -- more specifically, for her and Jax.
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