Does Dave have what it takes to prove to JJ that he isn't like all the other men she has dated? And can he use his Lothario past for positive without it blowing up in his face?
Song prompt: "Rub You The Right Way" by Johnny Gill
Rub You The Right Way
JJ twirled the long stemmed red rose between her fingers and looked out the window at the passing scenery. Dave had picked her up fifteen minutes earlier and kept his answers short as to where they were going as he ushered her into his car.
Two things had surprised her when she walked outside: 1) he wasn't driving his SUV; he showed up in a Lexus. And 2) he held the door open for her as she stepped inside the pristine interior. Buckled in, she watched as he turned on soft music and maneuvered the vehicle down the road. It had taken her a few minutes to realize that they were driving away from town.
"Where are we going?" she spoke up. Frantically her brain searched for establishments on the opposite side of Quantico.
"Does it matter?" he replied smoothly, never taking his eyes off the road.
"Well…" She looked down at her black cocktail dress and sighed. It wasn't much, but it was all she had. With the job at the BAU there was very low demand of her going to political functions or parties so she had no need to have an extravagant wardrobe. "I don't want to be underdressed."
Dave shot her a look out of the corner of his eye. "You're not underdressed for where we are going," he remarked.
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me. Jen. For where we are going and what's planned, I can say with complete honesty that you are over dressed." A smile tugged at his lips before he stared back at the road.
Twirling the rose, JJ tried to think of a response, but found none. Raising the bud to her nose, she sniffed the fragrant scent. So sweet. So beautiful.
"Thank you for the rose. How did you know it's my favourite flower?"
"I would like to say it was a lucky guess, but I researched. I wanted to make sure I started the night out on the right foot."
"I can't imagine you starting any other way," JJ murmured.
"You did tell me to take you out. I wanted to show you that all men aren't scoundrels looking for a piece of ass or just this side of Neanderthal. Every woman deserves to be treated like a lady, and a female FBI agent is no exception."
JJ searched for a reply but came up short. The rest of the drive was made in silence.
A few more miles and Dave pulled the Lexus into a long driveway.
"Where are we?" JJ looked around at the less than familiar surroundings. The light on the porch burned brightly although the rest of the house was dark.
"My place."
She gave him a confused look. "I thought we were going out to dinner?"
"We are…at my place. I figure it's cozy, intimate, out of the way, and I can guarantee that there is no ESPN on in the background."
"I don't know," JJ hesitated, her fingers clutched the stem of the rose.
His hand reached out and cupped her cheek. "Trust me. You wanted a different experience from what you've had with other guys. Give me a chance to show you what it should be like."
She took a deep breath. "Okay."
Dave got out, walked around the car and opened her door. Taking her hand, he slipped a hand around her waist and led her toward the wide porch. Unlocking the front door, he held it open and let her step inside. A gasp made him look at her.
"What's wrong?" He closed the door and set the alarm.
JJ stood in shock as she stared at the dimly lit room filled with candles, roses, and soft music. "Did you do all this? For me?"
"No," he replied honestly. JJ looked at him in confusion. "The decorators I hired did this for you. But it was my idea."
She walked slowly over to the large vase full of various coloured roses. "This is amazing. You're amazing."
Dave gave her a small grin. "You might want to hold back on the compliments until the night is over. This is only the beginning."
She gave a small laugh. "If this is only the beginning, I can't wait to see how it ends."
"If you and I play our cards right, it may not have to end," he replied smoothly.
JJ's breath caught in her chest. Did he really say that? The night doesn't have to end? Oh boy! Looking at Dave standing in front of her in a crisp black tailored suit, she felt her blood run hot. Hair brushed back, suit fitted to perfection, shoes shined, David Rossi was the epitome of what all men should be.
And he had asked her out. Her! JJ shook her head. Okay, he hadn't exactly asked her out; she had blamed him for the lack of decent men in Quantico and demanded that he make it up to her.
Walking over to the dining room, she had to blink at the festively decorated table. The finest restaurants in Virginia couldn't set a table half as nice as the one she was staring at. As if in a dream, she moved over to the table and touched the centerpiece that was surrounded by expensive candles.
"Do you like what you see?" Dave asked.
"How did you do this?" she breathed. This had to be a dream, but she didn't dare pinch herself. She had no desire to wake up. Not now. Not ever.
"I made a few phone calls and pulled some strings."
"Dave, this is too much. You could have taken me to Ruby Tuesday's and I would have been alright with it," she shrugged indifferently. "I didn't expect for you to go thru all of this trouble."
Dave stepped closer to her. Touching her shoulder, he turned her around to face him. "It wasn't any trouble. I wanted to do this for you. Like I said earlier, you deserve a one in a million night." He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. JJ involuntarily shuddered as his lips dropped a feather soft kiss.
"Dave…" she whispered. He raised his head and looked at her.
"Let's eat first and then play the rest of the evening by ear." He straightened up and took a deep breath to control his rapidly beating heart. What had he just done by leaning in to kiss her? He cursed himself. It was just supposed to be an evening to remember with a cozy intimate dinner for two so he could show her the best life could offer.
Pulling out the chair, he waited for her sit. "Wait here for just a moment." Quickly he disappeared to the back of the house. A moment later he returned. Taking the seat opposite JJ, he studied the cool blonde by candle light.
"I let the caterer know we were here. I hope you like your steak medium rare."
"I love steak medium rare," JJ confessed. "I don't eat it very often, but when I do, that's how I take it."
"Good." Dave lifted the serviette off his plate and placed it in his lap. "I didn't know what you like, so when I chose the menu, I had to guess."
"I am very sure that whatever you chose will be delicious." JJ unfolded the serviette and laid it gently in her lap. "I know you have great taste."
Dave went to speak but was interrupted by the first course being delivered. Catching JJ's eye, he smiled at her surprise as the salad was placed in front of her.
"Bon appetite," he commented and dug in. JJ flashed a look at her date. Picking up her fork, she followed his example and began eating.
****
Laying her dessert fork on the plate, JJ wiped the corner of her mouth and groaned. If dinner had been exquisite, dessert had been heaven on earth.
"That was delicious," she commented and wondered if it would be inappropriate to take a nap at the table.
"I took a gamble ordering the strawberry tiramisu."
"That was a good gamble. It was exquisite. I've had tiramisu, but nothing that tasted half that good."
Dave's eyes sparkled. "I guess I'll have to double the percentage I was going to give the caterer."
JJ's soft laughter rang out and filled the room. "When you do, see if he'll give you the recipe. If I could have anything, it would be that."
"Your wish is my command." And it was. Anything she wanted, Dave would do it or get it for her.
JJ looked at her watch. "I think I might have to call it a night."
"So soon?"
"Well, it's almost nine," she commented.
"It's eight thirty," Dave countered. "The night is still young."
"Maybe for you, but I have some things I need to finish up at home." JJ stood up.
"I thought you wanted a night out."
"I did, and you treated me better than I ever expected, but I don't want to force my presence on you."
"You're not forcing anything. I want you here." Dave stood up and walked over to her.
So close she could feel Dave's body heat wash over her. "I don't know."
Dave took her hand in his. "One dance."
JJ bit her lip. "I'm not sure…"
"Just one dance. With me. And then I'll take you home…if you still want me to." His tone was low, and if JJ's ears weren't playing tricks on her, it was also full of desire.
She looked in his eyes and tried to find a hidden message. He had to have an agenda - hell, he was David Rossi for crying out loud! But if truth be known, she had an agenda too. She always had where he was concerned. But now that she was standing beside him, her hand in his, his body so close his cologne weaved around her and short circuited her ability to think, maybe it wasn't such a wise idea.
But he was giving her that smile. That sensual crooked smile with those half-closed bedroom eyes that always caused her knees to turn into jelly and her blood run so hot she was sure she was on the verge of spontaneously combusting on the spot.
"Come on Jennifer; it's just a simple dance…with me."
In all of her dreams, JJ had never dreamed David Rossi would be asking her to dance. Swallowing hard, she grabbed her wine glass and tried to wet her suddenly dry mouth. You can do this, JJ. Just one dance, fulfill your life long fantasy and dance with the man. What do you have to lose?
JJ gave Dave a soft smile. "Okay. One dance. But don't complain if I step on your toes and ruin your shoes."
"If I have you in my arms, I can guarantee the last thing I will ever do is complain about you stepping on my feet."
"Well, then lead the way Dave," she ordered quietly.
Tenderly, Dave took her hand and guided her to the living room.
