From Privilege To Purpose -- An OBX Fanfic

Chapter 24 -- Winning a Battle, Losing the War

Stella's P.O.V.

Once we dropped Kie and Pope off, JJ and I headed back to the Chateau. When we stopped, I quickly got off and JJ docked the boat. As I got closer to the house, I beelined it for the hot tub. I was alone for a good ten minutes until JJ came out carrying some champagne glasses, champagne, and a half ass charcuterie board.

"What is this?" I laughed. I watched as he set the tray down and poured me a glass of champagne and handed it to me.

"This is our first official date." he said as he poured himself a glass. I watched as he climbed in and sat across from me.

"Finally." I said.

"I'm sorry it took this long." he said.

"It's okay." I said.

"Stell, I hope you know what Pope said isn't true." he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Okay, he was right about one part. A lot of the time it is about John B, but everyone else does care about you." he said.

"I know they do." I said. "It's just they care more about John B."

"I don't." JJ said.

"What?" I asked. "He's your best friend."

"Ya, but you're my girlfriend." he said.

"JJ." I said.

"Stell, I care about John B, I really do. He's my best friend. But you're my life now, and I'm always going to put you first." he said.

I smiled and then made my way over to JJ's side of the hot tub. As I stood in front of him, I felt him put his hands on my waist, and I wrapped my legs around him as he held me.

"Whoever would have guessed that JJ Maybank would be such a romantic?" I laughed.

"You've changed me, Stella Brooks." he smiled. "For the better." I smiled at him and then wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. As we kissed, I felt a surge of electricity throughout my body. I pulled away from him and brushed some hair out his face.

"I think we should go inside." I said.

"What?" he asked in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure about something in my life." I said. He smiled at me and that's when I climbed off him and out of the hottub. I waited for him as he got out and then he took my hand.

"Oh wait." I said and ran back to the tub and grabbed the champagne.

"We need this." I laughed as I got back to his side. He laughed at me and swung his arm around my shoulder and I put my arm around his waist. Once we got inside, I laced my hand with his and led him to my bedroom. As we made it into my room, I instantly grabbed him and we began kissing. I slowly felt his hands creep up my back and he began untying my swimsuit. Once my top fell off, JJ took a step back and looked me up and down.

"Wow, you are so beautiful." he said and quickly grabbed me so our lips were locked again. Things continued on and eventually the magic happened. This connection felt deeper than I have ever felt with anyone before.With Rafe, I just felt subtle but with JJ I felt absolutely everything. So many different emotions flooded through me and I just felt so happy. When we were finished, we laid down and he opened his arm for me and I laid my head on his chest.

"You're just so amazing, Stella." he whispered. "How did I get so lucky." I chuckled and moved my head a tad.

"I think it's the other way around." I said. I felt JJ trace different parts of my arms and legs. Once he got to a certain part of my arm, I jerked away and I could tell it worried him.