One Step at a Time

I\'m glad the last chapter was a success. It was the one I was looking forward to two or three chapters before and by far my favorite so far. In fact it was even longer than it turned out, but there were a couple scenes I decided to scrap, they just didn\'t flow well with everything else. I\'m also surprised the first kiss went over so well too. I was afraid it would seem too rushed, but I guess it worked.

I hope this one came out okay. I wrote it out a first time, but it just seemed mechanical to me so I went back and revamped it. I think it ended up better, but we\'ll see.

Thanks again for the reviews.

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The next month was more enjoyable than any in recent history that Jake could remember. Since he and Liz started going out after the New Year they had spent as much time together as they could. Though it was a feeling Jake was familiar with and missed, Liz was still having trouble getting use to being in a relationship. There were even times she would forget that she could get closer if she wanted that bit of contact, though she still usually waited for Jake to instigate it.

She had confessed to him sometime after their kiss that she had never been in a relationship before, that everyone she had seen in the past have been one time only blind dates set up by her friends, namely Heather. Jake wasn’t surprised to be honest, going by the way she tried to push him away at the very beginning, but he promised her that they would move at her own pace and not rush anything. Which she was grateful for and he was more than willing to do.

Liz suddenly let out a quiet moan to signal that she was full. It was Valentine’s Day and instead of Jake getting her a stereotypical box of chocolates or flowers he treated her to a homemade dinner and in return all he wanted was for her to spend the day with him. Even though he was constantly stating that he was getting the better deal. The only thing he didn’t care for was that she would actually witness the mess he called cooking. He decided that he would make angel hair pasta for her, remembering back that she apparently liked it, and since he had never made it before the kitchen was a mess during the trial and error process.

She couldn’t have cared less, though. She was enjoying watching him going to the trouble to make her dinner, despite the several times he shoved her out of the kitchen only to have her return a couple minutes later. “That was great.” She complimented as she wiped the edges of her mouth with a napkin.

“Are you sure? I mean, it came out a little… gunky.” He said, poking a little bit that he didn’t finish with his fork and examining the texture. “And the garlic mashed potatoes didn’t taste much like garlic.”

“Would you stop it? It was perfect.” She reassured with a smile and a laugh.

He shrugged and tossed his napkin down onto his plate and got up, picking up his plate and moving over to take hers as well. “Don’t get up.” He ordered as she began to stand to help him. “There’s one more thing.” Jake stacked the dirty dishes and carried them away to the kitchen. They had dinner in the dining room since the kitchen was in disarray and would have been a less than romantic setting. It felt odd sitting at that table again, at least for dinner; normally he used it as a worktable for indoor projects. Eating at that big table alone just didn’t make sense to him so he would sit at the small table in the kitchen.

Jake returned with clean plates and forks before disappearing again, only to reenter with a chocolate cheesecake. Liz’s eyes lit up at the sight, it being her favorite dessert, and she looked up at him with a smile as he cut a piece off for her. “You didn’t make this from scratch, did you?” She asked as the slice was placed on her plate, hoping it didn’t go to too much trouble for her.

“I’m not that crazy.” He stated. “It’s one of those box ones. If I could make a real one I would have.” Jake took a slice for himself and sat across from Liz and watched as she cut the tip off with her fork. “And you will like it.” He said, waving his hand in the air.

She looked at him with an odd expression on her face. “Did you just try to do a mind trick on me?”

“Notice that, you did not.” He replied in a Yoda imitation that was spot on.

Liz couldn’t help but start laughing and he cocked his head to her and pretended to not know what she was laughing about. “Here I thought I was the biggest geek in the world.”

“You never had that title.” He defended. “That poster of Sonic the Hedgehog still hanging in my old room makes sure of that.” He said smugly and took a bite of the cake.

She laughed again and remembered back to when he showed her that room. Now it was a computer room, but even though it wasn’t a bedroom anymore it was still set up a lot like it was when he lived in it. In fact, if she had to choose, that would probably be her favorite room of his house for the fact alone that it showed off some of who he was, or use to be. He was just a typical kid back then it seemed. There were a few model planes and cars and given that her brothers had some as well, she figured that every boy had their own at some point. There were also a couple stacks of CDs that were a little dusty and a signed basketball by a couple players from his favorite team that he got at a publicity signing at the mall.

Liz finally shook her head out of those memories when she realized she was spacing out and tried the piece of cake she cut off and gave a slight moan of satisfaction. “I doubt you were that much of a geek.” She said, returning to the previous subject. “Didn’t Nick make a comment about you being on the track team or something? Weren’t sports kind of the popularity maker in high school?”

Jake shook his head slowly with a chuckle. “Maybe football or basketball, but not many people paid much attention to track. Not even me.” He said. “The only reason I got on it was because I was running from someone as fast as I could without breaking much of a sweat and the coach saw me. I went to the practices and everything, but I never did get the chance to compete. I guess I was more or less the back up in case anyone twist or broke anything.”

“Why was someone chasing you?” She asked curiously, taking another bite of her dessert.

He groaned some and sat back in his chair, scratching his finger in his temple. “It was my freshman year and as per tradition a senior tried to can me.” Liz interrupted him when she let out a small giggle. “The guy had me in a headlock and we were hovering right above the trash can when I happened to move in just a way that his weight shifted and he dove in head first. Needless to say he wasn’t very happy and I tore out of there.”

She laughed at his misadventure at school and shook her head at the fact that he really was a boy at one time. Carefree and reckless like all the rest. Now he was so reserved and she wondered if she would ever get to see that old Jake more than just the rare occasion. Liz shrugged this line of thought away and concentrated on the fact that she was with him right now that that’s what mattered. “Well then, school must have been an adventure for you.” She said.

Jake was already finished with his slice of cake, but it didn’t seem like he was going to have another. “It was okay.” He said. “Though I can’t say it’s something I’d particularly want to experience again.”

“Who does?” She chimed in and they chuckled in agreement.

“What about you?” He asked. “What was school like for Elizabeth Jennings?”

It was something so simple and meaningless, but every time he used her full name a blush would appear on her face. She could only assume that she associated it with the first time he said it right before their first kiss. A memory that still sent shivers down her spine. She let out a little sigh as she rested her chin in her hand. “It was very uneventful.” She started. “I really only had one good friend, Heather, and usually spent time with her if I could. It seemed that I never had classes or a lunch period with anyone I knew, though. So I usually spent time alone, sneaking off somewhere quiet to read or study or something.” She brought her other arm up and rested it on the table as well, linking her fingers together. “I guess I missed out.”

“Not on much.” He comforted. “The whole point is to get through without going crazy and nab your diploma before bolting.” She nodded in agreement, but in a way as if she didn’t fully believe it. He got up and took their plates, seeing that she was finished, and placed a kiss on the top of her head as he rested his hand on her shoulder. “Believe me.” He whispered in her hair.

She smiled and enjoyed the fact that he could maker her feel better with the simplest gestures. She got up as well and followed him to the hallway before parting. “I’m going to clean up a bit.” She said as she started down the hall to the bathroom.

“I’ll start the movie while you do.” He called back. After setting the plates down in the sink he cut through the service porch to the family room. He wouldn’t bother cleaning up until later after he took her home. Earlier before she came over he had run out and rented her favorite movie for them to watch that night. Dead Poets Society. What an uplifting movie for this day of romance he jested to himself. The rental store didn’t have it on DVD, so he ended up having to dig out his old VCR hoping that it still worked. Luckily it did and he popped the tape in just as Liz entered the room.

Jake stood up and waited for her to come near him before grabbing her around the waist, causing her to let out a squealed giggle as he tickled her sides some. He moved around behind her and buried his face in her neck as he ran his hands over her stomach and pulled her into a tighter embrace. He breathed in her scent greedily as he nipped at her neck and she rested her head back against his shoulder. “We’re not going to have time for the movie if we keep this up.” She whimpered.

“It can wait.” He whispered as he turned her around and brought his lips down to hers. She raised her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him closer to her. He ran his tongue along her lips and they parted to allow him to enter and she let out a quiet moan as she felt his tongue run along hers and she melted into him more.

The two of them stumbled back some towards the couch and broke their kiss momentary as they settled down before he captured her mouth again. They were sitting up straight with their bodies turned to face each other as they continued their kiss and then leaned back some to rest against the back of the couch. She was cradling Jake face in her hands and he had his arms around her waist, running his hands along the small of her back.

As they grew more heated the two of them began to lean until Liz fell on her back and Jake blanketed her, but neither seemed to really notice until his hands began to wander down to her hips. “Jake…” She gasped out in a whisper as she broke their kiss. “Wait…”

“I know, I know.” He said quietly as he brushed her hair back out of her face. “I’m not doing anything. I’m not forcing anything.” He reassured, kissing her lightly on her cheekbone. She fell silent as he traced his lips over her jaw line to her neck. They’ve fallen in this situation a couple times before and he never did push her and she still didn’t know why she felt the need to warn him.

“But…” She started after a sigh from Jake hitting a sensitive spot. “If you could, you know… would you?”

Jake stopped what he was doing and propped himself up on his elbows and looked down at her. “You mean ravish you in the throes of passion?” He asked with a mischievous grin making her laugh. “How do I answer that without sounding like a pig?” He smirked and lowered his head again and kissed up her neck to her earlobe. “I suppose I would.”

“And what if…” Liz paused and swallowed the nervous lump in her throat before continuing. “What if I said I wanted to…?” She trailed off as she blushed furiously at her statement.

Jake lifted his head back up and looked at her surprised while he ran the question through his mind. “Well… I don’t know. I guess we would have to see about it when that time comes.” He answered carefully, not wanting to assume she suggested what he thought she did.

“When?” She asked simply. So much for being careful Jake thought. “You think we will?”

“I don’t think…” He began, trying to cover his tracks. “It’s just the way it came out. I didn’t mean to insinuate anything…”

Liz smiled nervously and lifted herself up to meet his lips and brought him back down to her. “I want to.” She whispered bluntly and immediately bit her lower lip. She was never one to believe someone would be interested in her in this way, let alone be the one to prompt it and she was probably more surprised than Jake was at her statement.

After a moment of silence Jake shook his head slightly. “Did I hear you right?” Liz only nodded and he returned a worried expression. “I don’t want you to think you should because of anything I said or did. I won’t do anything unless you’re sure.”

“Jake…” She said in a small laugh. “I’m sure.” She kissed him reassuringly and he wrapped his arms around her waist before withdrawing from the kiss and getting up to his feet.

“I’m not doing this.” He said and she looked up with an almost hurt expression on her face. She knew she shouldn’t have pressed for more and regretted saying anything at all. She sat up some and looked down at her hands embarrassed. “Not here on couch.” He finished as he reached down and plucked her up from the couch, causing her to squeal and lose the worry that filled her a moment before.

Jake carefully carried her down the hallway to his bedroom and gently rested her down on his bed. “Don’t scare me like that.” She chided as he climbed on top and lowered his face down to her lips.

“I’m sorry.” He quickly said before taking her in a deep kiss. She parted her lips and allowed his tongue to meet hers while his hands roamed up her body and wrapped around under her upper back. They remained in this state for a short while before he brought his hands back to her front and began unbuttoning her white blouse. Liz’s breath began trembling as he continued down to her skirt, pulling out the tucked in hem.

She sat up and allowed him to remove the shirt completely and while he was up as well he removed his too. He pushed her back down and she rested her hands on his sides, running her finger around over his bare back. Jake brushed his lips over hers and made his way down to the crook of her neck, his short facial hair tickling her and causing her to laugh lightly. He ran his hands down her sides again and Liz lifted her hips up slightly when she felt him tug at the zipper of her skirt and he slowly pulled it down to her ankles and tossed it to the floor.

Jake took this time to unbutton his jeans and slide them off, adding them to the growing pile on the floor. He once again leaned down to her, feeling her soft skin as he pressed against her and placed light kisses on her forehead and down the bridge of her nose to her lips. Liz bit her lip when he reached around to her back and unclasped her bra and brought the straps down her shoulders, pausing for a second to watch her face, but when he saw no sign of resistance removed it completely.

Liz bashfully brought her arms up and covered her breasts, one hand up and nervously messing with a strand of hair by her ear. For now he would leave her be as it seemed to be a slight comfort and he began kissing down her neck and over her collarbone. She let out a small sigh as he continued down over her arms and to her stomach. She shuddered when she felt his lips reach the line of her panties and he began tugging down at the sides. He looked up to her for reassurance and she nodded shyly, laying her head back and staring up at the ceiling as he slid her underwear down her legs and off.

He loomed over her again and kissed her briefly. “You’re sure?” He asked in a whisper, his hot breath meeting hers in their already heavy breathing. Again she nodded and he sat up on the edge of the bed and opened the drawer on the nightstand, pulling out a condom.

“You were planning this, were you?” Liz managed to joke in a soft voice. Jake looked over to her and smiled as he tore it opened.

“Well, you never know.” He smirked and he sat up a bit to pull off his plain white boxers. Liz swallowed another lump of nervousness at the sight of his size and blushed as she watched him apply the condom to his hardened member. Jake crawled back over her and leaned down and took her in a deep kiss. She wrapped her arms around his sides allowing him to press his chest against her full breasts and she sighed at the feel of their skin together.

He eventually broke the kiss and sat up on his knees and slowly parted her legs, taking in the sight and priding himself at being the first to see her. She looked so beautiful lying there with her raven hair flowing over her shoulders and fanned out on the pillow under her head. She looked up at him with uneasy but trusting eyes as she watched Jake run his hand over her thighs. He looked up to Liz as if to ask one final time if it was all right and she responded by crossing her arms over her chest again and nervously biting her finger in preparation. His fingers gently ran over her folds and her breathing immediately became shallow as he felt her dampening from his touch.

Liz took in a sharp breath as Jake positioned himself in front of her and ever so slowly began to push into her. A muffled moan escaped her mouth as he force himself all the way inside of her and she closed her eyes tightly and let out a small cry of pain. Jake immediately leaned forward and cradled her head in his arms and kissed her forehead, apologizing a couple times in her ear. He remained still for a while as the pain subsided before beginning slow movements of pulling out and pushing back into her.

Jake continued these motions for the next few minutes, not wanting to hurt her any further. She breathed somewhat steadily yet deeply as she got use to this new invasion and tried to push past the discomfort. After a while she finally began to relax and let herself get lost in his movements and she hesitantly lifted her hips up to meet his. He took this as a sign that she was okay and sped up his motions some as she released a small moan of pleasure.

Their breathing became more erratic as they pressed on. Liz threw her head back and allowed Jake to claim her throat with his mouth, kissing up and down her jaw line and nibbling at her earlobe. His actions were harder now and she let out sighs and moans with every thrust back into her. She arched her back some and their lips met again in a frenzied kiss as their tongues collided. Jake buried his hands in her hair as he pressed deeper into her and they could both feel their climaxes nearing, though neither wanted it to end.

“Oh God… Jake…” Liz’s breath caught in her throat and she looked up into Jake’s sharp green eyes as a wave of pleasure washed over her and she was able to release a cry of satisfaction. Now that she had come he used this time to concentrate on himself and continued to thrust into her quickly, still tight from her climax and he sent himself over the edge and released himself inside of her with a soft groan.

He collapsed on top of her and they breathed heavily into each other’s mouths as they indulged themselves in another heated kiss before their breathing finally began to level out. Jake remained on top of her and rested his head on her forehead and gazed into her deep brown eyes. “That wasn’t completely awful, was it?” He joked as they shared a laugh.

Liz shook her head and looked away timidly. “It was perfect.” She whispered. “Everything was perfect.” Jake dropped his head down on her shoulder and rested his eyes as wrapped his arms around her protectively. She closed her eyes as well as her head tilted back and she ran her arms around his back and they remained that way for a few minutes, just enjoying each other’s presence.

“When did you start wanting this?” Liz suddenly asked, breaking the silence. Jake lifted his head up and looked at her with a quizzical expression. “I mean, when did you realize you wanted to be more than just friends?”

Jake cleared his throat and scrunched his eyebrows as he thought about it for a second. “I’m really not sure to be honest.” He answered truthfully. “But I do remember the first time I was attracted to you.”

“And when was that?”

He chuckled embarrassingly as he remembered back to the day. “The fair.” He started simply. “It was the first time I saw you so casual and relaxed, even though you were nervous about meeting my friends… I don’t know. I just found it appealing.”

“So why didn’t you do anything back then?” She asked, shifting her body some to face him better.

Jake rolled over and folded his arms behind his head and let out a sigh as he looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t know. I guess maybe part of it was that I didn’t know if you would feel the same way. We were already having fun together and I didn’t want to screw things up.”

“Well, it turns out you didn’t have anything to worry about.” She said and rested herself closer to Jake and wrapped an arm around his waist.

“What about you?” He asked as he brought an arm around to put around her shoulders. “When did you realize you just had to have me?” He joked with a sly grin.

Liz laughed into his chest and rested her head on him. “I think it was probably in the parking lot when we first met.” She admitted with a blush. “When you offered to make the night up to me. It was the first time any guy wanted or was willing to see me again. And seeing you without a shirt that one time didn’t help matters.” She added, deepening her blush and causing Jake to laugh.

Jake gave her a comforting squeeze and kissed her on the temple. “Fools.” He chided. “All of them.” They shifted so that they were on their sides with her back pressed firmly against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her securely. “So, are you spending the night or are you going to want to go back to your place?” He asked, only wanting one answer.

Liz let out a soft laugh. “I think I’d barely be able to get out of bed, let alone half way across town to my apartment.” He returned the laugh into her hair, sighing contently as they just laid there quietly. After a while he noticed her breathing had evened out and that she was asleep. He carefully reached over and turned the light off, being sure not to wake her and returned his arm around her. He closed his eyes and listened to her breath and it wasn’t long after that he drifted off as well.