A friend dropped a challenge: write me a Dave/Em story that has them completely faithful to one another - save one day of the year when they shake off the chains of monogamy. It's totally different from all I've ever written and anyone who is turned off by "cheating and unfaithfulness" should stop reading right at this note. But I'm going to write how I feel and how the characters dictate to me.
Dedicated to all of those who stood behind me when things were tough. I'm not fully bounced back, but I'm taking it one baby step at a time.
I don't own Criminal Minds. And I don't own Dave/Em. But I'm related to a Dave/Em and that makes up for it.
Song prompt: "Una Noche" by 98 Degrees.
Una Noche
Dave Rossi carefully knotted the tie around his neck. Smoothing down the silk fabric, he looked at his reflection in the mirror and paused to study his appearance. There was no doubt that he looked good. He wasn't too proud to believe otherwise. And tonight was his night.
One night a year he had a whole evening to himself to do whatever he wanted with whomever he chose. It was the agreement he and Emily had decided on when they started their relationship years earlier. For 364 days out of the year they were faithful to one another in every way that mattered. Side by side out in the field and in bed after the lights were out, they counted on one another to have each other's back.
Until the 365th day. Then all bets were off. They were free of obligations to each other and could live for the moment of pleasing someone else.
Slipping on his suit jacket, he took another look in the mirror. There was no telling how the night was going to end. And sex with a complete stranger sounded intriguing….especially after that book Em had bought a couple of weeks ago.
Looking around the corner of his large walk in closet, he spied Em sitting at her dressing table. Her black hair piled high on her head, the curls held by a diamond clip, her smooth shoulders bare - save for the spaghetti straps of the satin and lace black cocktail dress. His eyes burned with a slow fire. He had tasted those shoulders so many times, he was addicted. She was his drug - his weakness. Now one lucky guy was going to spend the night tasting heaven. He could be jealous, but all he felt was pride.
Stepping over to the adjoining bathroom, he opened the cabinet and took out a bottle of cologne. Shaking the liquid into his palm, he slapped it on his face and neck. Replacing the lid, he set it back in its place and left the room.
"You look good enough to eat," he growled as he walked up behind his lover and wrapped his arms around her waist. He nuzzled her sensitive neck, his goatee tickling the smooth alabaster skin.
"I can say the same about you. Who ever the lucky woman is tonight, she isn't going to stand a chance," Em purred. Pulling back slightly, she applied her lipstick carefully. Her reflection let her know she was stunning. "Especially with that cologne you're wearing. They are going to cream their jeans the moment you walk thru the door."
Dave looked up and caught Em's eyes in the mirror. "I know."
"Arrogant." Em spritzed the expensive perfume on her wrists and dabbed some behind her ears and down between her breasts. Carefully, she ran her hand over her hair to scent it.
"What can I say, sweetheart, it's my night to woo the ladies…or rather one in particular." He kissed Em then pulled her to her feet. "From the looks of this dress, some guy is going to be one lucky bastard."
"Who says it's going to be a man?" Em teased, her eyes danced with mischief.
"Oh, Tesoro, you shouldn't tease like that; not on the one night I can't do anything but look at you."
"Jealous?"
"Green with envy," he acknowledged.
"Good."
"Not fair," Dave protested.
Em straightened Dave's tie. "Very fair. The agreement was that we would have the night to ourselves to do what or who we please. There was no rule against same sex. Besides, you never know - there might be some poor woman out there just begging to find out what you already know."
Dave bit out a curse in Italian as Em's hand stroked him thru his tailored slacks. He reached out and stilled her.
"Keep that up and this might be the first night I go back on our pledge," he warned softly.
Em laughed and stepped back. "I doubt that; you live for the morning after updates."
"So do you."
Em fingered the silk tie. "So, what about you? Are you going to finally cross over to the dark side?"
"Hmmph. You would like that, wouldn't you?" Dave asked darkly.
"I'll make you a deal."
Dave raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?"
"If I go to bed with a man tonight, so do you."
"As though the opportunity would present itself just like that," Dave snapped his fingers for emphasis.
"You never know. It happened for me." Em checked her watch. "It's almost time to go and have some fun."
"Walk you to your car?" he asked.
"How kind of you." Em slipped her arm thru her lover's and smiled up at him.
"What can I say? I'm a gentleman." Dave guided her down the hall toward the staircase.
"And one helluva lover."
"That I am."
Slowly they took the steps until they were at the landing. Turning on the foyer light, Dave opened the door and let Em step outside before closing the door behind them and locking it securely. Silently, they walked down the path to their cars.
Dave waited for Em to get in the car and fasten her seatbelt.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning," he told her with a smile.
"Of course."
"Leave the light on for me?" he asked.
Em started the car. "Not if you get home first." She adjusted her mirror. "I'm buying breakfast."
"Can't wait."
Em put the car in reverse. "Don't break too many hearts."
"The same goes for you." Dave leaned down and pressed a hard kiss to his lover's mouth. "Drive safe."
"You too." Em rolled up her window and backed the car out. With a quick wave, she sped down the street.
Watching the tail lights fade into the night, Dave straightened his tie and got into his car. Starting the engine, he gave a glance in the mirror, then turned on the radio. The upbeat strains of Dean Martin filled the interior.
Putting the car in reverse, he backed out of the driveway and pointed his car in the opposite direction of Em's.
He was heading toward Georgetown to do a little prowling and make one lucky lady's night and dreams come true. Pressing the gas pedal harder, he sped toward town.