"Hello?" mumbles a groggy Becker. He glances at the digital clock sitting on the nightstand. 7:30 AM. Fantastic, he groans as the voice of a rather chirpy Conner starts to greet him.
"Temple this better be good." Becker growls into the phone.
"Becker mate did you forget? It's Saturday. You know Guy's Night Out..."
Damn. He definitely forgot. Perhaps it was the amazing night he had yesterday that rendered him forgetful…Yea that's probably it. He lets out a sigh and turns around quietly on the bed, phone still in hand, to gaze at Jess sleeping peacefully beside him. He reaches out and strokes her hair, careful not to wake her. His hands were surprisingly gentle coming from a hardened soldier.
He puts the phone back to his ear, "Okay Conner, I'm on my way. Tell Matt I'll meet you two at his place in an hour."
"But d- don't you live like right next to Matt? I doubt it takes you an hour to get ready," laughs Conner, mildly confused.
"It doesn't matter," grunts Becker,"I'll be there."
He cuts Conner off mid-sentence hanging up before he can be pestered by anymore trivial questons.
Becker moves slowly to sit up on the bed finally taking his eyes off Jess. He put his hands together and rested them on his knees. The truth is, he and Matt live in the same apartment complex. They were even roommates together before Emily arrived and carpooled to work together every day.
Last night, however, Becker had gone out on a date with Jess to the local carnival. As one thing led to another, he ended up sleeping over at her apartment, which is on the other side of the city far far far away from Becker's pad. He spent a moment wondering what excuse he will give the guys.
Meanwhile on the other side of the bed Jess is smiling to herself. She had been awake even before Conner called. She found it incredibly hard to sleep; reminicing about her night with Becker practically kept her awake all night.
It was towards the end of her shift at the ARC when Becker dropped by her station yesterday. She spied him lingering around the doorway.
"You heading home now?" she asked.
Becker had mumbled several phrases of gibberish before blurting out that he wanted to go to the carnival with her. Jess had to laugh, maybe a bit too much, but still answered yes. How could anyone say no to that adorable approach?
And she knew it probably took Becker loads of effort just to get up the guts to ask her out. On their three other dates she had to ask first!
Becker slips out of the bed, hoping to make as little vibration and noise possible. He tip-toes across the room praying the wood floors wouldn't creak under his weight. Something bright had caught his eye and he finds himself straying to the dresser. Becker picked up one of three stuffed bunnies sitting atop the dresser corner. He remembered winning them in one of the carnival shooting games. It was way too easy he chuckles.
Apparantly Jess had thought so too and had berated him on 4 different occasions for taking advantage of his 'military' skills. Becker tried protesting that he was only doing it for her.
She blushed heavily at that and replied that she will let it slide this once. Besides she couldn't resist a man who would fight for her, and win her brightly colored bunny rabbits.
The one in Becker's hands was a vivid pink, Jess' favorite color. Though it took him 3 tries to figure that out though, hence the three stuffed animals.
He sets the bunny down and starts walking over to the chair where he had slung his clothes. He passes the window and catches a small, elderly woman waving at him. Is that a wink he saw? He blushes fiercely realizing he was dressed only in his boxers. He pulls the blinds close hoping the little, old woman wasn't a neighbor in Jess's apartment. He picks up his shirt and turns around to Jess to make sure she is still sleeping. Satisfied to find out she is, he wiggles into the tight-fitted, black shirt.
On the bed, Jess slowly peeks through with one eye. Becker is standing by the window with the most panicked expression she had ever seen him have since she had known him. Glancing down she understood why he looked embarrassed. She stiffles a laugh when she saw he was wearing the boxers she had bought him the week before. Black with little white puppies on it. Before she could start naming all of them Becker had made her swear to never tell a soul. Jess methodically scans back up Becker's body as he slips his shirt on, eyes widening like an excited school girl.
His back was turned to her but she can still see every sculpted muscle on his body reflected from the mirror. Lean, slim and fit. Yep, Jess definitely likes what she sees.
Becker pulls on the rest of his attire: A loose and faded pair of jeans, a thin red sweater with a gray leather jacket over that. He checks his hair in the mirror and frowns. His infinitely nice hair was ruffled in a messy yet sexy way though he didn't see it that way. He hurries to comb it back down.
I can't believe I forgot about Guy's Night. He sighs. Whose idea is it to even have guy bonding days, probably Conner he scoffs.
To be clear Guy's Night is more like Guy Hangout Day. Every other Saturday Becker, Matt and Conner would all pick one activity to do and spend the whole day together whether it is poker, karaoke or laser tag...
This morning fishing is first on the list, Matt's idea. Becker shakes his head grimly. Sitting around for three hours with a pole and a line is not exactly his idea of fun. Where's the action!
He sighs and puts on his black military boots, always shined and buffed. He believed it was an essential item for any and all kinds of Becker's styles.
Jess clutched the sheets to her chest and slowed her breathing, careful not to alert Becker she was only feigning sleep. He had finished dressing and she wanted to say bye to him but there was no point in keeping him away for some much-needed male bonding. She giggled in her head at the very thought of it.
Becker starts to head out the room before stopping. He turns back slowly, making his way back to the bed. He stands for a moment looking over Jess, admiring her effortless beauty. He realizes he loves watching her sleep, the way she breathed in rhythm with his, and the way she just fit into him; it was just perfection. He leans in, softly kissing her on the forehead.
He raises a couple inches as Jess opens her eyes abruptly, startling Becker.
"Have fun on your date," she says, grinning her little butt off. She loves messing with the tough soldier.
Becker closes his eyes for a moment and smiles. He enjoyed her teasing; only she can make him feel the way he does around her. He kisses her again, this time on the lips, a slower, deeper kiss.
He loves her more than she knows, more than anyone will ever know for that matter.
"I'll be back soon," he says quietly, stroking her hair, "Oh and it's not a date," he added seriously.
"Of course not," Jess replied, laughing lightly, "And don't forget the – "
"Chocolate," he finishes, "Of course not."
And with that he's out the door.