After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

20

"Oh my God, this is the best thing I've eaten since that little Italian place we went to in California." Joe smiles at the memory, it was a good night for them. "That place was pretty amazing." They're both quiet for a few minutes as they eat to avoid talking.

"Amber I wanted to explain why I did what I did. First, you have to know how much I love you. But you have to also know how much I love Jordan. He's one of my best friends, my brother, and it was really fucking with his head, us being together. I know you don't understand that. That's what I need to explain. To you Jordan is just a guy who you just met. The guy who got some girl pregnant. Then they gave you to your real parents. Well that's not how it is to Jordan. Jordan was never given a choice about you. He didn't even know you existed, but the second he found out about you, you became his daughter. He became your father. He loved you instantly as a father loves a daughter he raised her whole life. Jordan wants so badly for you to love him and accept him as your other father. He knows you love you Dad and he's not trying to take his place. He just wants a place of his own with you. It hurt him so badly that you seemed to want nothing to do with him, but you were spending all your time with me. And as much as he wants the two of us to be happy, he just wasn't sure if he wanted his best friend to be the man making his daughter happy."

Amber stares at Joe. "But he's not my father Joe." Her voice is angry and defensive.

"In his mind and heart you are his daughter. And I had to watch him grow sadder and sadder every day you pushed him away. He put on a good front for you, but it was killing him. Which killed me to see. So I'm sorry I made the decision to make him feel better. Unfortunately it didn't work, now we're both miserable. Both missing you. Wishing you were still with us." Joe's eyes drift down to his plate as he begins pushing his food around. He finally puts his fork down. "Maybe this was a mistake coming here. I just had to see you were okay. I've been so worried about you since you left the tour without a word."

Amber lays her fork down and reaches across the table for Joe's hand. "I'm really sorry about that Joe. I didn't plan to just leave like that. I got the call about my dad as soon as I walked off stage. There wasn't time. Then it felt like the best course of action was a clean break for me. For us." She releases Joe's hand, but he grabs her hand as she pulls it away. "Wait Amber, you were probably right, a clean break. But I'm here tonight, so we've got tonight for a proper goodbye. If that'd be okay with you. Have one drink with me? I know a great place around the block."

Amber knows she should say no, going out for a drink with Joe will only break her heart more when he leaves again. But God help her she can't deny him. She loves him, she misses him, right now she really needs him. "Okay one drink can't hurt."

"A karaoke bar, really Joe?"

With a sly smile he says, "Yeah, I thought a drink and a song, together would be nice." Amber laughs. Since they've been together they've never been able to have just one drink or sing just one song together. Singing together brings out feelings and emotions, its like an aphrodisiac for them. "Is that really a good idea Joseph? That's the exact opposite of a clean break." She sees the disappointment in his eyes, "not that I'm totally against that. So...drink first?"

After a few drinks and a few songs, Amber's feeling pretty good, tipsy, but good. She's at that point in her drink that her inhibitions are low, but her actions are still very much her own. Joe picks the next song, he pulls Amber on stage, they both down their drinks as the music starts. Amber's eyes go to Joe when she hears his song choice.  "We've Got Tonight" begins and Joe moves so close to Amber as he sings. He stands behind her, arm around her waist. They sway to the music together, "We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow? We've got tonight babe, why don't you stay." Joe pushes his hips forward, grinding his erection against her ass. Her eyes are closed as she begins singing her part. As they sing together Joe moves to stand in front of her, he leans his forehead against hers. They sing beautifully together. Her hand touches his chest, he runs his fingers up her arm, she runs her hand up to his neck, her thumb runs along his jawline. "We've got tonight. Who needs tomorrow? Let's make it last. Let's find a way. Turn out the light, come take my hand now. We've got tonight babe, why don't we stay?" The only thing separating their lips from each other's is the microphone between them. The song ends and they just stand there, breathing heavy, neither opening their eyes. That is until the crowd at the tiny bar erupts in applause and whistles. The cheers pulls them back to the here and now. Passion fills them, she wants him now, he wants her now. Without a word, he takes her hand and pulls her quickly behind him, leaving out the back of the bar. Once outside, Joe pushes her against the brick wall, kissing her hard on the mouth. She reciprocates, kissing him back, equally as hard, nipping his bottom lip with her teeth before moving her lips to his neck. He moans, she knows what this spot on his neck does to him. His hand moves up her shirt, cupping her breast, thumb and forefinger pinching her nipple. Now it's her turn to moan. Breathing heavily Amber's voice thick with desire, "Take me home Joseph." His eyes meet hers, "Are you sure babe?" She smiles at him, kisses him lips lightly, then sings quietly, "We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow....." Joe kisses her, then takes her hand. They don't speak again until after they reach her bedroom at her parents house. She speaks first and her forwardness surprises Joe. "Take off your clothes Joe. I can't wait any longer, its been too long." He turns to look at her, she's already down to just her panties. His breath catches in his throat, she's so sexy. He's undressed in record time.

Amber pulls him down onto her childhood bed, well the bed she had as a teenager. She'd never had a man in this bed before, nor any boy for that matter. Amber's almost frantic, trying to rush things. She wants him and can hardly wait any longer. But he's holding back, frustrating her. "Joe, I want you, now. What are you waiting for?"

"There's no rush babe. I plan on making this last as long as I can. I'm going to make love to you slowly. Sensually. Fulfilling your every need."

And Joe was true to his word. He made love to Amber all night. Bringing her pleasures unlike anything she's felt before. Their night together was beautiful, emotional, and completely unforgettable. Amber woke the next morning feeling totally fulfilled. Completely satisfied, wanting nothing more than to do it all over again.

But Joe was gone.