And Maybe Lovers
Chapter: 2
Lou wasn't exactly sure how long they had been kissing. All he knew is that her arms were wrapped around him the moment he had entered her apartment. And somehow they had managed to stumble down the few stairs and to the open sofa bed.
"This is convenient." he mumbled against her neck as they tumbled onto the bed.
"Too suggestive?"
"Not suggestive enough." He began pushing the cashmere sweater up her body. "You could have opened the door in a little less clothing."
Mary shifted to sit up. "You could undress me a little faster."
"Good things come to those who wait." the sweater was tossed to the floor.
"Great things better come to those who wait." she teased him. "It's been an incredibly long eight weeks."
"I believe the eight week rule was yours."
"But now you're a single man."
His hands were tugging at her slacks. "And now you're all mine."
"Now that you have me what are you going to do with me?"
He pushed her back against the bed and sinking her into the flimsy mattress of the sofa bed. Then her proceeded to kiss her nearly senseless. "Everything." he pulled back from her and sat up. The confinement of his clothes was too much.
"Mmm." she sighed. "Now that sounds intriguing."
He started to undress himself. His jacket, then his tie, and then his shirt. Mary pushed herself up to assist him, but with a light shove from Lou she was against the mattress again. "Don't be impatient."
She smiled at his action. Pleased with his aggressiveness. "I love you."
Lou was momentarily stunned. Not quite sure if she was serious or not. He looked down at her. "What?"
"I said, I love you." she reached out for him. "Why? Are you surprised?"
"A little." his body covered hers. "I've only ever had two women to say that to me."
"I guess the third time is the charm then."
His mouth covered hers. And then he gave her a series of warm, wet, wanton kisses. "You think so?" he asked, pulling away.
She could barely put her thoughts together. "Uh huh." she pulled him back down to her. Evoking kisses from him even sultrier than before.
"Mary?" it was a question that he needed answered.
"I love you." that was all that needed to be said.
And that was all he needed to hear. He had forgotten how good those words sounded. How good they made him feel. But the collapse of his marriage had taken quite a toll on him emotionally. Even though Mary had been helping him heal, he was still a little uneasy. Broken hearts didn't heal overnight. "I, uh, I..."
Her hands were on his belt buckle. "Shh." she silenced him. "It's okay, I understand. You need some time. And we have plenty of time."
"No, that's not what I wanted to say."
"It's not always the words that are important." she undid his pants. "Actions can mean just as much."
Lou kissed her to silence her. "What I was trying to say was, I'm falling in love with you."
And now Mary was taken aback. She was absolutely speechless. Not that she didn't know the way Lou felt for her. She did. She felt it in every touch, in every look. She just thought it would take a while for him to say the words.
He noticed how she had averted her gaze, focusing on anything other than him. "Mary." he said, softly. "Did you hear me?"
Her eyes finally met his. "You don't have to say things like that, you know?"
Lou shifted his weight off of her and pushed himself up into a sitting position. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
Mary sat up. He was upset and that's not what she had intended. "I just...I don't want you to feel pressured." she told him. "I don't want you to say things you're not ready to say."
"I am ready." he said, firmly. "That's what I've been trying to tell you."
"You don't feel like it's too soon?"
"I'm falling in love with you." he told her, again. "It's been a long time but it's a feeling you don't quite forget. And no I don't think it's too soon. Besides you can't put a time line on these things."
He kissed her. Once. Twice. Thrice.
"Okay, you've convinced me."
"Just like that?"
Mary smiled. "Just like that."
"I must say that was easier than I thought."
"Watch your wording." she teased.
He grinned. "You're anything but easy." he said. "You're complicated as hell."
"Hmm." she sighed. "I'm not sure that's any better."
Lou laid down on the bed and pulled her down on top of him. "Do you think maybe we could stop talking?" he asked. "Just for a few minutes?"
"You know the best way to shut me up?"
"Uh huh." his lips were instantly on hers. After a rather long, thorough, kiss their lips parted. "Is that what you had in mind?"
"I think it's a start."
Finished.
