DJ••accidently in love

[James Barker]

James hadn't exactly been sure what DJ had been thinking the day they met. Sure she was the awkward one, and it had been her house and her dad but he had been worried maybe she was embarrassed about it, too much so to call him or something. So when he called her that very night, he was immensely pleased. They'd already had quite an experience together already so he doubted things would be too hard this time around.

They'd planned a lunch date at Sandy's, it was a logical step given the fact they had basically had a coffee date already. He was just glad that it was happening. She was sweet and naive and beautiful. And James had an urge to hold her, protect her, care for her... Even though they'd known each other for a handful of days. They had been texting a bit over the space of the two days that had passed between their meeting and their date.

It was a Friday and he was glad not to have any more classes today, he'd almost been late to his first class because he was trying to make sure he looked good. His hair perfectly messy and his clothes in place. Thankfully, it wasn't raining today. DJ wanted to meet him there so he drove over in his truck after class alone, he definitely went over the speed limit. But he was excited, it wasn't like he hadn't been on a date recently, he just really liked Danni. She wasn't just another girl to him, he didn't expect a little fling and for it to be over. She was different than most.

Needless to say he beat her there. So he went in and got a table for two, describing DJ to the girl in charge of seating him so she could tell DJ he was here. He sat down and ordered a sprite for himself.

He didn't have too long to wait though, which was good because he was getting anxious. Maybe she didn't want to go out with him.

[DJ Trighton]

After the episode with her father, DJ wasn’t really sure if James was serious about wanting to hear from her. If she’d been in his shoes, she’d probably have run away screaming. She hated confrontation, but it was practically impossible to avoid with her father sometimes. To say the least, she was surprised when she phoned James and he really did want to see her again. She quickly agreed to meet him for lunch that Friday. She’d arranged her schedule so that she had Fridays off. That usually meant she got to sleep in and then do a bit of writing. Today, though, sleeping in was the furthest thing from her mind.

She got up an hour earlier than usual, pulled her favorite dress from her closet and settled in for a long shower. She emerged smelling like vanilla, and took her time drying her hair. She wasn’t one for wearing a lot of makeup, but she went to the effort to apply some mascara, light eyeliner, and lip gloss. She didn’t need blush. She’d be blushing enough already.

It turned out, though, that even getting up early wasn’t much of a help. By the time she left her apartment (which, fortunately, had been father-free since the argument), she barely had time to get there on time, let alone early. Hopefully James wouldn’t think she wasn’t interested. She obviously was or she wouldn’t have called him or invited him over to begin with. The trouble was, she was so interested that it made her insecure, which made her spend way more time than she probably needed to doing the little things that he probably wouldn’t notice. Like dabbing her favorite honeysuckle perfume behind her ears in case he got close enough to smell it.

When she finally arrived at the restaurant, DJ was pretty sure she was late. She checked with the hostess who told her that James was already there, and she blushed at the realization that he’d wanted to see her badly enough to wait. The woman showed her to the table, and DJ tried to ignore the burning in her cheeks. ”It’s good to see you,” she greeted him, leaning over to quickly kiss his cheek (a very bold move for her) before taking a seat across from him.

[James Barker]

James had to grin when he heard her speak. The kiss surprised him and grinned widely as she pulled away. "You smell amazing." her told her. Vanilla and some sort of sweet flower spell. So feminine and gentle... it suited her. Not to mention it sort of reminded him of home in some small way. He hadn't even realized that he had forgotten the normal response of 'hi, and likewise' so he added those in later. "Nice to see you too Danni." he said testing out the name. DJ always mad him thinking of a man with a backwards baseball cap spinning turntables. And the thought of DJ being a DJ like that almost always made him stifle a giggle.

James was smiling, maybe too much, but he couldn't help her. Not only was she sweet and adorable, but there was a fire in her that he had seen now, not to mention the way she smelled was definitely a turn on... "I hope I didn't get you in too much trouble the other day." He said a little sheepishly. It had been an awkward situation. It was too bad really that that was the best place for them to be considering he lived in a dorm with a male roommate who would definitely make plays at DJ to which she would probably get even more awkward. She'd probably have more fun with his family than in his dorm.

[DJ Trighton]

DJ’s mouth fell open at his observation. He’d actually noticed the smell?! Grinning, she took a seat. Her ears perked up at the sound of her father’s nickname for her. She’d hardly expected that to come out of his mouth, but she kind of liked it. It made her feel cute, perky, and appreciated. It was kind of endearing. She tilted her head and found herself staring at him again. This was going to take some getting used to. Good thing he seemed like a pretty patient guy.

James’s comment about getting her in trouble made DJ laugh. ”He’s not all that intimidating. Really… I guess he was just worried. In any case, I have to pay my own rent now if I want to choose my own visitors. But it’s not a bad tradeoff. You did me a favor, really.” She smiled, trying to make James believe she was being honest. Actually, she didn’t make a lot of money for having published a book, and she was pretty sure she’d have to take on another job to be able to afford her rent. Living in a penthouse was ungodly expensive. Even a girl with basically no social skills, though, could tell that the last thing James wanted to hear was that his being over (and being half naked) had gotten her into trouble that she wasn’t sure she could get out of.

It wasn’t long before she felt herself lapse into silence again. This wasn’t good. She was miserable at this. ”I… um… I brought you something,” she mumbled. Very hesitantly, she reached for her oversized leather handbag. She pulled a thin cardboard box out of it and slid the box across the table. It had the manuscript she was working on in it. ”It’s all I have so far… It’s not perfect, but I wanted you to be the first to read it…” Her cheeks burned pink again, and she stared at her fingers. It was a huge gesture for an author to let someone read their unfinished, unedited work. It was like baring her soul entirely, and she wasn’t sure how James would react to that.

[James Barker]

James smiled a little and didn't comment. he was sure he got her in trouble, and even if she said things were alright, he doubted they were. He almost felt like he should drop by the police station and explain everything, or write her dad a letter of apology or something. He didn't know which Mr. Trighton would like more and frankly, he didn't want to do any of those things. DJ had the right to invite him over, and he didn't regret being there or being shirtless there at all. It had all been worth it. It really had.

Then she was pushing a box at him, and her words didn't really make snese until he peeked inside and his eyes got wide. "Your manuscript? I'm flattered." His voice was full of disbelief and honor. James smiled at her. "I'm sure it's wonderful, I can't wait to read it." Now here was the question, he wasn't an English major so there was no way he could really edit, but maybe he was supposed to help make sure it made sense, offer suggestions? Or was he just supposed to nod and smile? He would do whatever he felt like, he'd cover it with post its about what he liked and what he didn't. That sounded like the best plan... Maybe... She was giving him a piece of her soul and he only wished he had something to give her that was equally as telling. He wasn't that poetic, or good with words. So what did he have to give? He had his family, that was a big part of him. But it was a little too soon to bring her home to meet the family, right? This was their first?... second?... date.

"I wish I had something for you." he said at last looking at her with tender eyes. He couldn't believe she was so willing to let him in. It was so sweet. James smiled, tempted to reach for her hand, but all he did was lay it on the table close to hers.

[DJ Trighton]

It looked like he was every bit as perfect as she had thought. He seemed to be well aware of the risk she was taking in offering him her manuscript. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she watched as thoughts churned in his head. She wasn't at all sure what he was thinking, but she also wasn't about to ask. Instead, she waited for him to speak. A soft chuckle escaped her lips when he said he wished he'd had something for her. "You don't have to give anything back," she told him. The truth was, she could think of one thing that he could do that would more than make up for what she'd given him. But she was terrified of that, too.

When his hand moved to lay beside hers, DJ gingerly moved her fingers over to touch his. She found herself wanting to sit closer to him. To snuggle close to him. She figured he'd be warm, but she wasn't sure. A sigh escaped her lips, and she slowly moved to entangle their fingers. "I...um... So... um.... I was thinking.... We could... um... share the bench? I mean.... if you want to..." She was rambling, and it was horrible. But James should have known to expect that by now.

[James Barker]

James smiled softly, his eyes tuning tenderly to gaze at her as her warm fingers entwined with his own. It wasn't what he was expecting, any of it. She was awkward and thinky, he was social and a doer. And yet, he loved being with her, they would be good for each other really, help them grown in new directions. And somehow, it was so easy being with her.

"Sure." he said, grinning, scooting over on the booth to let her sit beside him. When she sat beside him, he felt instantly warmer and without thinking, he snuck an arm around her waist. Maybe the shoulders would have been more appropriate, but he sort of forgot how little they really knew each other. It felt like a long time.

Then the waitress came over, obviously thinking they had given some thought to food, which he really hadn't. But without missing a beat he said, "We need a few minutes, thanks." before she even got her mouth open. He was hungry, but he wasn't going to rush her. because he was being a gentleman. Besides, when food got to them, he'd need both hands back.

[DJ Trighton]

The whole nervous thing was beginning to feel silly. She and James meshed together so well that Danni figured she didn't have much reason to feel nervous about anything. There wasn't much she could do that was worse than the incident they'd had with her father. Regardless of that realization, though, she was still surprised when James scooted over to let her share the bench with him. When she sat down, she grinned at the feel of his arm sneaking around her waist. She snuggled a little closer to him,absentmindedly letting her head fall against his chest. She pretty much lost track of reality until the waitress came over.

Blushing deeply, DJ scooted a tiny bit further away. She didn't want to be far away from him, but she didn't want people to think they'd been doing anything inappropriate, either. Besides, she was going to have to give herself enough space to think if she was planning to decide what she wanted to eat. Her eyes focused on the menu, and her left hand moved to toy with the hem of her skirt. Every so often, the movement resulted in her fingers brushing against his knee. Her heart pounded and it only took her a couple of seconds to realize she wasn't going to be able to focus on the menu. She'd stick with something basic and simple. Like a burger. That was if she could even muster up the ability to speak when the waitress came around again. All she really wanted was to devote her attention to the man beside her.

[James Barker]

James loved when she blushed, he liked that she was sort of easy to read. And he too looked down at his menu, he was just hungry, he wasn't really sure he cared what he ate. He knew the sandwiches here were good, but maybe he'd just get a cheeseburger or something. What kind of eater was DJ? Was she one of those girls who always ate salads because they were worried about their weight? (the ones that actually liked salads weren't too bad)He decided it didn't matter. he was allowed to eat like a man. He was one.

He shut the menu again and leaned his elbow on the table, and placed his chin in his palm, turning himself so he could watch her. He wasn't trying to rush her, just just liked looking at her, which was harder now that she was next to him and not in front of him. But here he got to touch her... so it was really okay all in all.

The waitress came back much too fast, but hey it was lunch on a friday, she could probably tell that they would be staying a while. James just placed his order though, and waited for DJ to do the same, he was hungry, but she could have another minute if she needed one. But maybe she just needed someone to help make up her mind for her. She could be getting all wrapped up in that wonderful mind of hers.

[DJ Trighton]

She was doing her best to pretend she was paying attention to her menu, but the truth was, DJ was hardly comprehending a word that was written on it. She could feel James watching her, and she could feel the warmth of his body beside hers. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes kept inching over, trying to get a good look at him as well. It was practically impossible for her to function, and she'd never experienced anything quite so frustrating before. She was very much used to being in full control of all of her faculties. Her mouth dropped open, and she was on the verge of telling him just how much he frustrated her (which, presumably, would have been a bad move) when the waitress showed up again.

DJ listened as James ordered, and she followed his order with her own, opting for a burger. It was simple, and she didn't have to think too much about it. Besides, she wasn't exactly worried about her figure. She'd been born with a fast metabolism. Once the waitress was gone again, DJ drew her lower lip into her mouth and tilted her head, watching James from the corner of her eye. She blinked at him for a couple of moments before settling comfortably against his side again. She wasn't quite sure if that was typical behavior or not, but she did know she liked it, and she had no plans of moving anytime soon.

[James Barker]

James easily let her lean against him again, wrapping his arm around her. The silence was killing him and the chemistry was real. he couldn't decide if he wanted to talk, or just swoop down and kiss her. He'd never felt so sure so soon that this is what he wanted before. But she, while so different from him, attracted him so strongly, and he knew she had a fire, it wasn't all shy and he couldn't wait to draw it out of her again.

James pulled her a little closer to him, and with his other hand, brushed a bit of hair from her face and smiled ever so softly, his eyes looking over her face. The shape of her eyes, her nose, her cheek, her lips... Rosy and soft looking. He wondered if she tasted as good as she smelled... Was it blunt to just ask if he could kiss her? Better than just attacking her mouth without asking though.

"Hey DJ, Danni, Danielle Jane..." he said testing names. Maybe he'd call her Jane, Janie... He'd have to test until he found the right one. "Can I kiss you?"

[DJ Trighton]

It had been practically forever since DJ had been on a date. Actually, it really might have been forever. So she wasn't quite sure what James was thinking as she watched his eyes play over her face. She'd been trying hard to distract herself from his eyes, his lips, and that perfect little dimple in his chin, so she failed to realize his gaze lingered on her lips. When she brought her eyes back up to meet his, though, he was speaking. A smile pulled at her lips when as he tested out names. She'd answer to anything he called her, really, but it was amusing to watch him trying to decide what fit her best. His question, though, took the breath right out of her. She didn't think she'd ever heard someone ask if they could kiss her. Then again, she'd never really been in a situation where that would have been an issue. A blush crept into her cheeks, and she bit her lower lip, thinking for a moment. It wasn't that she didn't want to kiss him. She just didn't want to screw this up.

At last, though, she nodded gently and tilted her head a little to the side, her eyes fixing on his lips for a moment before fluttering shut. Something told her that a kiss like this was one that she shouldn't have her eyes open for. That all the effort of seeing would ruin it for her. Her chin tilted upward, and she could feel his warm breath moving close to her lips. And then she rushed it. She leaned forward a little too quickly, her nose bumping his. DJ jumped back, pouting a little. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I just... I... I..." Her voice trailed off and her eyes swept toward the floor so that he wouldn't see the moisture gathering in them. She was twenty years old, and here she'd just gone and ruined her first kiss. He probably thought she was a complete loser.


ooc - actually, i think Danielle works the best with her personality....

[James Barker]

At first James wasn't sure if she was going to let him, but as her eyes found his lips before they began to close, he knew it was a yes. James tipped his head to other side and leaned in slowly, letting his eyes begin to shut when she just went for it. But instead of their lips meeting, their noses did, and their lips sort of brushed, at least, he thought they did. It was hard to say. James chuckled softly as he opened his eyes, amused, and finding her more endearing by the moment.

But she was babbling apologies and he furrowed his eyebrows a little. She was sorry? It was sort of adorable. But words only went so far. He just cupped her face in his hands, tipping her face back up to his. James saw she was tearing up a little, probably embarrassed, but it broke his heart. And for a second he looked at her with soft eyes. And then he guided her face to meet his, and he laid a kind, tender kiss on her lips. Nothing too intense, just a simple, soft kiss. Those meant the most sometimes. Her lips were just as soft and warm as he imagined. And she did taste as good as she smelled.

Jame made sure it was quick and he pulled away lightly, hands still on her face, and he smiled. "Danielle, you are just about the most adorable woman I have ever met."James' smile turned into a grin. "And you have wonderful lips." Not really your average compliment, but it was true. Her lips were soft and warm, sweet and the perfect shape.

[DJ Trighton]

She'd practically resigned herself to a failed first kiss, and DJ's eyes focused on her shoes as she tried hard to reign in the tears that were threatening to spill over. She bit her lower lip, not sure what to say or do to fix the situation. Then she felt James's warm hands on her cheeks. He turned her eyes up to meet his, and the first embarrassed tear rolled down her cheek. Danni held her breath. That one tear was quite possibly worse than messing the kiss up in the first place.

Lucky for her, James didn't seem ready to give up. He guided her face close to his, and his kiss was warm and soft. Her eyes fluttered shut, and DJ kissed him back softly. Her only complaint was that the kiss was far shorter than she'd expected. Her cheeks flushed pink as he complimented her. Ordinarily, she'd have thanked him. It was typical and ordinary. That's just what you're supposed to do when someone gives you a compliment. But it didn't seem quite sufficient. Slowly and carefully, so as not to mess up again, DJ looped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to James's. This kiss was only slightly less gentle than the first, and she quickly realized that she already wanted more.

Before she had a chance to do anything too quickly, she pulled away from the boy. "You aren't so bad yourself," she told him with a smile. Her palm caressed his cheek, and her thumb rested against the perfect little dimple in his chin. Her eyes were locked on his, and she was frozen in the moment. There would never be another first kiss, but she had a sneaking suspicion that every kiss with James would be just as wonderful as the first (successful) one had been.

ooc - took four tries to post this, so it sucks a lot more than the original version.

[James Barker]

James laughed softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He was still slightly aware that they were out but he didn't care, DJ was more important, and the feeling her kisses gave her were much stronger than the feelings of slight embarrassment. He wasn't that easily embarrassed. He accepted the kiss and kissed her back with equal pressure, not wanting to come on too strong. He'd been a lot farther than kissing before. He just grinned at her when she pulled away. "Thanks."

James smiled and turned ever so slightly as the waitress came back with their food. But he had no intention of really letting her go. They'd just have to get creative for eating... or maybe they should just give in and let each other go a little bit.


ooc- sorry its so short >< i'm running out of muse for this thread. we need another thread i think