JUSTIN: * Shane cracks a grin of his own, reaching a hand back to pat her hip. "Don't worry, I didn't paint a mural on the floor or anything." He waddles slowly into the kitchen, holding onto Jo as he goes -- partly to keep his balance, and partly to make sure she doesn't let go just yet -- and collects a pair of glasses from the cubbard to fill with cold water. "Besides, you're far more dexterous than that." He spins around in her arms to face her, offering her one of the glasses.

JENNA: * Jo releases him to take the glass from him, taking a sip of the water before waving for him to lead the way. "Well, I hope I haven't gotten that rusty." She waits for him to start walking before ambling after, taking another sip and swirling the water in the glass almost contentedly.

JUSTIN: "Of course you haven't." Shane answers her, glancing over his shoulder and smiling wryly. "You certainly didn't seem clumsy in that dress the other night." He grabs the bottom post of the stair railing and swings around it, water nearly leaping out of his glass as he goes. He turns it a cross look and swallows half of it down in a large gulp, then starts trotting up the steps.

JENNA: * Jo's mouth curves into an almost wicked smile, and she trots up beside him, winding her arm around his. "I'll give a repeat performance any time you ask," she suggests, brows lifting, though she doubts he'll be requesting anything of the sort. At least, not for a while.

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts quietly, leading her around the bend at the top of the stairs into an open room, the ceiling of which slants with the roof overhead, and a large pair of glass doors lead out onto a corner balcony that overlooks both the sea and the yard. Most of the room is comfortably carpeted for barefoot walking, the entirety quaint and deceptively small. He designed it with her in mind, after all, and when it comes to indoor spaces, he knows anything too big will seem like excess to her. Anything too small, however, and she'll feel cramped. There's a great deal of miscellaneous things set up at various points in the room, the most prominent being the giant mound of expensive-looking pillows in one corner and a smaller fireplace to match the one in the living room below.

JENNA: * Jo looks around, an expression like blank surprise on her face. She releases Shane's arm, stepping farther in and walking from area to area, occasionally touching what she sees there. It's clear on this inspection that much of the room is made for her, and she isn't sure just how to react. Buying time to steady her dizzy mind, she steps toward the doors leading out to the balcony, abandoning her boots along the way.

JUSTIN: * Shane rubs at his arm, slightly nervous about her reaction -- this could go really well, or end in physical dismemberment, he can't be certain. He follows her toward the balcony, collecting her boots and setting them neatly to the side. "It's... it's not too much, is it? I just thought... you might want a space of your own. You know, in case you ever want to get away from me for a while..." He looks around the room, chewing at his lip. Honestly, at first he was worried there wasn't enough, but maybe it's just the opposite.

JENNA: * Jo stares out at the balcony and past it, where the sun is rapidly sinking, then turns back to Shane, toying with the glass in her hands. After a moment more, she sets it down on the nearest convenient surface, then walks over to him and leans against him, winding her arms around his waist. "But you'll come up sometimes, right?" she says, grip on him tightening slightly.

JUSTIN: "As often as you'll let me..." Shane sets his glass down beside hers and quickly places his arms around her, once again relieved by her reaction. He leans his head down to touch foreheads, and smiles with the relief, giving her a squeeze. "You know how hard it is to get rid of me, by now."

JENNA: "Very hard," Jo mumbles comfortably, leaning up to kiss him, and breaking after a moment to lean her head against his chest. "Not that I'm complaining." She sighs contentedly, nuzzling him and turning her head to look at the room again with interest. "The cushions look cozy," she remarks, tugging teasingly at his shirt.

JUSTIN: "Do they?" Shane quirks a grin at the corner of his lips, eyes sliding over to view the pillows in question. His head tilts, as if considering. "I thought you might find a use for them." He lifts a hand to cover the one against his shirt, and gives it a small squeeze. "I suppose you want to give them a test run?"

JENNA: * Jo's brows lift mockingly, and she prods him lightly in the chest before turning her hand back to wrap around his. "Well, if you don't have any objection ..." She doesn't wait for a response, however, before tugging him backward toward said cushions, a mischievous grin on her face.

JUSTIN: * Shane follows after her, as if he had any choice in the matter, and watches her face with a curious look in his eyes. "And if I tried to object...?" He smiles slyly, rubbing his hands up her sides, then back down again to rest around her waist lazily.

JENNA: "Then I'd just have to .. persuade you, wouldn't I?" Her own hands she slides lazily up his back, walking her fingers down his spine as she continues her steady progress backward. She's making her best guess about how far they've traveled, presuming Shane will act or warn her before they both take an awkward tumble.

JUSTIN: * Shane arches an eyebrow and grins, scooping Jo up off her feet before either of them has the chance to make the awkward fall she's worried about, and takes the final steps forward to lay her down amongst the cushions. He leans over her, down on one knee, and moves his hand up to brush through her hair, smiling all the while. "You are very persuasive... Even to a stubborn man like me."

JENNA: * Jo gives a faint sniff, raising herself up on one elbow to catch him in a kiss, sliding her hand around to the back of his head and tugging him down to her insistently. She breaks briefly, arching a brow and grinning. "Some people would call me demanding, not persuasive." She kisses him again lightly, leaning back against the cushions and trailing her fingers through his hair.

JUSTIN: "A little from column 'A', a little from column 'B'..." Shane grins, settling gently on top of her. He wishes now that he'd already parted with his boots, as kicking them off from this position would be somewhat difficult, and require and awkward amount of squirming. In spite of the fact, he tries to work them off with his heel, simply hoping the laces are loose enough to allow it. The top half of his body is too focused on the woman beneath him to keep track of his progress, however, as he bends to kiss her again.

JENNA: * Jo grins into the kiss for a moment before returning it, wrapping her arms around him as his weight settles against her. She has an inkling what the wiggling is about and responds to it by running one foot along his leg until she reaches his boot -- presumably to help him work it off. Or possibly just to provoke him. Either way, she has no intention of letting him escape, whatever his reaction is.

JUSTIN: * Shane murmurs in surprise at her action, though it's muffled by the kiss. He's reluctant to break the connection with her lips, however, so he doesn't turn to look -- and whatever her actual intentions, his boot does pop off and fall to the floor with a quiet thump, leaving just the other to contend with. He kicks at it in an almost desperate-seeming fashion, wanting the nuisance and distraction gone, while he continues to address the matter of kissing.

JENNA: * Jo is perfectly willing to help that one along as well, arching her back against him after the distraction is dealt with and drawing her leg lazily back along his. The only distraction she appears to want him dealing with is her, and she is making herself as appealing a distraction as possible.

JUSTIN: * Shane certainly seems to be buying into her distraction without protest, though he has the occasional, uncontrollable shiver or squirm at the attention she's provoking him with. As the seconds tick past, he begins to feel quite uncomfortably confined by his clothing -- a revelation that he finds most shocking, to the point that it momentarily breaks his concentration. His lips part from hers for a moment to catch his breath, and he leans back enough to see her face, his blushing most conspicuous. Wanting to say something, but lacking the words, he can only stare in shy embarrassment.

JENNA: * Jo is momentarily disoriented by the break, looking up at Shane questioningly before she notes his blush and guesses at the source of his discomfort. She doesn't hesitate long, reaching up to kiss him lightly before turning her head to give the same attention to his jawline and throat. One hand slips to the collar of his shirt, toying suggestively with the buttons, while the other slips down to tug up the fabric and slide beneath it, playing against his skin.

JUSTIN: * Shane jerks a bit -- not in protest, but from a ticklish sensation that ripples through him as her hand slides under his shirt. Before she can get the wrong impression, he places a hand against hers, through the shirt, and holds it to him with a reassuring squeeze. A bit dizzy from the attention, he closes his eyes and takes a calming breath, only opening them again when he's steeled himself against his embarrassment.

JENNA: * Thus encouraged, Jo continues her ministrations, one hand moving steadily upward even as the other tends to the shirt's buttons with lazy precision. Her mouth follows the southward motion of the unbuttoning to a limited extend, kissing teasingly against his collarbone and below it even as she shifts herself just enough to make the action more comfortable. She's reluctant to give up any physical contact, however, keeping her body as snug against his as possible in the process.

JUSTIN: * Shane can feel his cheeks burning, but by this point he can't be certain whether it's from shy embarrassment or something more appropriate. He tries not to giggle at the odd, tingling sensation that courses through him, feeling strangely intoxicated by the entire affair. Even with the knowledge that he's already been through this, it still seems unreal -- though it certainly feels real. Letting Jo continue to work at his shirt, he places a cautiously adventurous hand against the bottom of her own, fingers exploring the skin just underneath.

JENNA: * Jo clearly approves of this action, pausing in her work at his shirt to lean back far enough to kiss him again. While her lips are tending to that business, her hands finally team up to get the rest of the buttons undone, speeding the process somewhat, and with that accomplished she's at a point where she needs Shane's help to continue with the shirt's removal. Her hands, however, seem just as interested in exploring what they now have access to as they are in nudging the cloth away to gain access to more of it.

JUSTIN: * Shane takes the hint easily enough, and he backs off from his own exploration to shrug his way out of his shirt, pulling his arms free and then letting the unwanted article fall where it may. It's as if he's been freed of a great burden, and he smiles at the loss. Eyes travel down to the bottom of Jo's shirt, where they stare for a moment in contemplation of his new mission.

JENNA: * Jo watches him with interest for a few moments, debating whether she should let him work up his courage on his own or find some way to encourage him. In the end, she settles for lifting her hand to cup his cheek, attempting to draw his gaze back to her face in the hopes that his hands can do the work better if he isn't watching. There's also the off chance that he might kiss her again, which is always incredibly pleasant.

JUSTIN: * Shane watches her eyes just as intensely as he was considering her midsection, and falling right in line with her plan, he lowers himself again to touch her lips with his. This helps to divert his thoughts, and as expected, his hands begin to do the work themselves, slipping beneath the shirt and sliding along her stomach. His thumbs hook the cloth as they pass, slowly revealing skin previously hidden as they travel upwards.

JENNA: * Jo grins very briefly before returning the kiss, stroking her fingers through his hair and not quite repressing a warm shiver at the movements of his hands. She breaks the kiss after a few moments to nuzzle his neck with a faint, pleased sigh, though she doesn't stay there long, catching his lips with hers again before he can become distracted by what his hands are doing.

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles at her sounds of contentment, feeling encouraged to continue his actions, and beginning to forget about his shyness for the time being. It isn't long before his hands have crossed Jo's chest, however, and the bunched cloth of her shirt runs out of places to go without some repositioning of the one wearing it.

JENNA: * Jo is perfectly willing to make these adjustments, as reluctant as she is to abandon the kiss. It takes her only a moment, however, to work free of the fabric, arms abandoning their previous tasks to squirm it the rest of the way over her head and toss it aside in much the same way Shane's went. That accomplished, she nestles back against the pillows, gaze drifting inquisitively to Shane as if challenging him to take his next step.

JUSTIN: * While Shane sits back to let her work her shirt off, his eyes begin to wander again in place of his hands, and he finds himself rather fascinated by what Jo's shirt was hiding. It's not the first time he's seen them -- but it's the first time he hasn't been paralyzed or panicked by the view. His attention remains there for several long seconds before he remembers himself, quickly flicking his gaze back to hers with a severe blush. "S-sorry."

JENNA: * Jo grins, pushing herself partway upright to catch her arms around his shoulders and bring her body flush up against his. "Am I complaining?" She doesn't let him answer immediately, drawing him into a series of feather-light kisses before pulling back again with eyebrow arched. "Be sort of silly if I did, wouldn't it? Since that's a lot of the point," she murmurs, grinning again. "Looking.. and touching."

JUSTIN: * Shane's blushing doesn't get any better, but he returns every one of her kisses without objection, allowing himself to be brought back down with her. "I suppose you have a point." He dips into her neck, kissing at her warm skin and nuzzling against it. "Mm. I'm learning as I go." Brushing his hand up and down her bare side, he quietly marvels at the smooth, soft curve of her hips and waist -- a much less conspicuous method than staring.

JENNA: * Jo gives a faint, pleased murmur at the attention, letting her eyes slip halfway closed as he continues his careful exploration. She lets one hand toy lazily with his hair while the other trails down his side, alternating between back and ribs before reaching his waist and pausing there to toy absently with the waistband of his trousers.

JUSTIN: * Shane lifts his face from where he's quietly attending to Jo's neck and shoulder, tilting his head to look down the length of their bodies. "Hinting at something?" He asks quietly, turning Jo's eyes a brief, inquisitive glance before burrowing into her neck again with a slight grin.

JENNA: "Hinting?" she says archly, drawing her fingertips along the skin just below the band until she's forced by position to pull them up along his back instead. She keeps both hands occupied there a while, closing her eyes comfortably and turning her head for a moment to nuzzle against his hair.

JUSTIN: "Okay, okay. Demanding, then." Shane grins, nipping at her neck gently. With a faint sigh he leans back from her again, turning his attention downward to where he's kneeling -- rather suggestively, he notes -- between her legs. "I suppose I can accommodate your demands." He says thoughtfully, and very lazily fiddles with his belt.

JENNA: * It is perhaps this laziness that prompts Jo to sit up, scooting closer and catching her arm around behind his back to tug him close enough to nuzzle against him. She abandons that pursuit shortly, however, turning the nuzzling into a series of kisses while her hands hijack the belt and, with a little work, tug it free. That accomplished, her fingers resume their game of toying with his waistband, her gaze shifting mockingly up toward his.

JUSTIN: * Shane stares back down at her with a slight arch of his eyebrows, his still-obvious blushing doing little to help him look manly. "Impatient, aren't you?" He undoes the button of his pants and loosens the waistband to appease her, but before he makes any move to slip them off, he lays her back down. "I should make you go first." He teases, bending down to kiss her belly before sitting back again, and turning her a grin.

JENNA: * Jo sighs, nestling back comfortably, and settles for running one foot boredly up the side of his leg. "Who says I'd object to that?" she asks with a lazy grin, reaching down to pluck at her own waistband with an expression of amusement. "Though I could hardly complain if you wanted to help, either ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane runs his fingers along her waistband, considering it with a thoughtful expression. "Well... you do take them off by yourself an awful lot, don't you?" He gives the fabric a light tug, exposing mere centimeters more of her skin. "Perhaps just this once, I could... assist you." He looks back to her face -- trying not to pause too long on the sight that lies halfway -- and smiles in the most innocent way he can. It's not too hard, when he's feeling far too many tingly, fluttery feelings in his chest to possibly be suave.

JENNA: * Jo's mouth turns up in an amused smile, partly to disguise the fact that she would really, really like him to do so. "How very kind," she murmurs, lifting her hands up to rest behind her head. "I'd be ever so grateful for your .. assistance." A grin steals across her lips again, and she tilts a hip slightly toward him, clearly inviting him to do exactly that.

JUSTIN: * Shane bows his head and tips an imaginary hat, smiling crookedly at the exchange. Knowing Jo will probably be more forceful in her impatience if he delays any longer, he decides it wise to dispense with words and focus on actions. The blood is pounding in his ears as he unbuttons her pants, heart drumming insistantly against his ribcage as he begins to pull them from her hips. His eyes are transfixed by every bit of newly exposed skin, contrary to his previous efforts not to stare, and it takes a great amount of willpower to turn them back to her face again with a much more serious expression on his face.

JENNA: * Jo's breath catches, almost in surprise, at the change of expression when his gaze turns back toward hers. She levers herself up slowly, not breaking eye contact, and reaches out to catch his face with one hand, drawing him into a kiss far more serious than most of the ones that came before. With her other hand, she carefully works her trousers the rest of the way off, tossing them negligently aside and returning her hand to catch the other side of his face. It's some time before she can bring herself to break the kiss, and when she does, their faces remain barely a hair apart, practically touching when she speaks. "Your turn," she says, voice barely audible.

JUSTIN: * Shane doesn't answer -- not with words, at least. Impatient to return to the kiss, he sets both hands to work on his pants, quickly sliding them down and wiggling them from his legs. After kicking a stubborn pantleg from his foot, he quickly closes the distance between himself and Jo again, but stops short of beginning the kiss again when he -- belatedly -- realizes he has one article of clothing left. He can't help a moment's slight hesitation, but it easily passes when confronted by his growing eagerness. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband, he does away with this last piece of his cloth prison, and spends a moment in silent anticipation.

JENNA: * It's into this anticipation Jo breaks, more than ready to continue where they left off. Her lips catch his in eager renewal of the broken kiss, and it isn't long before her arms wind around him as well, drawing their bodies back into contact. The meeting of warmth with warmth draws a tight shiver from her, and she presses closer to him, clearly relishing the sensation she draws from his bare skin.

JUSTIN: * Shane goes willingly with her, caressing hands against the uninterrupted smoothness of her skin, from her legs all the way to her cheek, and everything inbetween. It would seem that the heat of desire is a good deterrance for his shyness, as now -- in the midst of it -- he's all but forgotten the annoying embarrassment that would gnaw at him otherwise.

JENNA: * With Jo just as eager to keep him in that state, it's some time before their activity, only a little muffled by the cushions, comes anywhere near ceasing, and when it does so it's with a distinct air of satisfied finality. Following that is a drowsy, peaceable silence, and it's well past dark before they stir again, Jo shifting drowsily to nuzzle against Shane, half asleep and content not to disturb or be disturbed.

JUSTIN: * Shane certainly has no intention of disturbing anything. He's exhausted in the best way, feeling only more comfortable and content because of it, and he's perfectly happy to spend the rest of the night cuddled up to Jo on this pile of pillows. He reaches an arm over lazily, brushing at Jo's frazzled hair and combing it back. He smiles, a tired and happy look, and places a kiss against her forehead. For a moment he keeps the silence strong, but his thoughts roll around inside his head and try to prod him into saying something. Opening his eyes wider from their half-closed state, he gently nudges her chin up so he can see her own. "Jo...?"

JENNA: * Jo lifts her head to look at him, contented drowsiness clearing slightly to be replaced with contented inquisitiveness. "Mm?" is about all she manages to vocalize, wrapping an arm around him and leaning up on her other elbow to better meet his gaze.

JUSTIN: * Shane is nearly too blushed-out to produce another one, but his cheeks do darken slightly. In the lack of light, however, it's hardly noticeable. He can feel an invisible finger prodding him repeatedly again, and his heart begins to beat faster as the understanding of what he's about to do sets in. But he can't think of putting it off, because -- at least for him -- after what they've done, it only seems right to put his feelings into words. "Jocasta, I... wanted to..." He swallows a lump in his throat, and moves his hand from her hair to cup her cheek, leaning in to touch foreheads. His eyes close for a second, calming himself. "I want to tell you. I think I... need to tell you. That..." He stalls again. Ironically, this seems harder than making love for the first time. For him it's just as important. "I-I love you. Jocasta."

JENNA: * Heat washes over Jo's face for a moment, confusion chasing surprise across her features. For a moment, she's almost certain she misheard. "Oh," she whispers after a moment, remembering all at once that those three words have never really been exchanged between the two of them -- and to Shane, at least, it matters. She closes her eyes against a wave of dizziness, leaning over to kiss him for a moment to buy time for a response. "Me too," she manages after a moment, then feels this is entirely unsufficient and makes a faint, embarrassed noise, burrowing against his neck. "Sorry.. I'm not.. good with.."

JUSTIN: "It's... it's okay, Jo." Shane strokes the back of her head and curls his arm around her, hugging her in close. He closes his eyes and rests his head against her hair, breathing out a long sigh. "I understand..." And while hearing her repeat it back to him would have been more comforting, he's wise enough to know she feels the same, words or no words. "We wouldn't be here together if you didn't. I know that. I just... needed to say it myself."

JENNA: * Jo gives a soft sigh, apparently quite displeased with herself all the same. She does nod, however, kissing gently at his throat before squeezing her arm around his waist and falling silent once again. She draws a certain amount of comfort from his assurances and his warmth, arm tightening around him almost in further apology.

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles vaguely, kissing the top of Jo's head and continuing to stroke his fingers through her hair. He's beginning to feel the effects of his exhaustion a little more, having used the last of his energy just to get those simple words out, and though he isn't upset by the reaction they brought, it does add to the weight of his weariness. Kissing her a second time, he squeezes softly and settles against her for warmth.