Rumour Has It

Chapter: 3

Rating: PG

They were out late until the early morning hours. And they both know that there were conferences that they wanted to be at the next morning at nine o'clock sharp. But it really didn't seem to matter. He took her to this cozy little place that served old fashioned cocktails and played jazz music incredibly too loud.

He walked her to her hotel room and stood in the doorway lingering. Everything was so incredibly new. And he knew his boundaries very well. Or rather her boundaries. "I'll see you in the morning." he offered. "I had a really great time tonight."

Mary smiled. "I had a great time too." she leaned against the doorjamb. "But don't you want to come in, Lou?"

The thought had crossed his mind. Several times. "I shouldn't." but the use of his first name intrigued the hell out of him.

"Why not?" she asked, toying with his tie.

Lou shrugged. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

"You're lying." she laughed.

A smile played on his lips. "Maybe a little."

Mary ever so carefully undid his tie. "Come on." she insisted. "I really don't want to have this conversation in the hallway."

He came inside and closed the door behind him. "You think the outcome would be different behind closed doors?"

"Well I was hoping." she dropped his tie to the floor.

Lou pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You were hoping." he breathed out. "Aren't you afraid we're moving a little fast here?"

"No." she replied. "It's not like we're strangers. I've known and respected you for six years. And we're friends, right? You know that I would never willingly hurt you."

He couldn't help but laugh. "I can't help but think this conversation is usually reversed."

"You know, I think you're right." she smiled. "So this would be the part where you give in."

"Oh, I see." he joked. "I'm just suppose to give into your...seduction?"

"Mmm." she agreed, her fingers going for the buttons on his shirt. "I really don't see you putting up much of a fight."

"I can barely think."

"Do I have that much of an effect on you?" she meant it as a joke.

He was serious as hell. "Yes."

She pushed the shirt off his broad shoulders and lifted her eyes to meet his. "Good." she said. "Because I want you, Lou."

"You said that earlier."

"And I meant it." she replied. "But now I really mean it. As in I cannot let you go back to your hotel room without having my way with you first."

He liked this side of her. Fun and flirty. Bold and daring. "Who am I to deny you?"

Her hands went for his belt. "Exactly." her eyes never left his. "Sometimes it's just better to give in."

His hands stopped hers as they went for the button on his pants. "What about your dress?"

"What about it?"

"I was promised something to unzip when the time was right."

"Zippers are overrated." she smiled, wickedly. "I'll save you the trouble and take it off for you."

"And take all the fun out of it for me?"

"I didn't realize that undressing was the best part." the dress was off and on the floor within seconds. "Besides I'm not completely naked yet."

"I thought you were interested in more than just getting me into bed?"

"I am interested in more than just getting you into bed." she told him. "It's just that right now it seems...necessary."

"Necessary?"

"Yes." she replied. "A need, by definition."

He closed in the space between them. his lips grazed the side of her neck. "You are full of surprises this evening."

"So are you." she countered. "I had no idea you were such an excellent dancer."

"I'm good at a lot of things." it was more of a promise than anything.

"I certainly hope so."

As their kissing grew more intense he slowly maneuvered them backward until they came in contact with the support of a firm mattress. His hands threaded in her hair, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could whilst his mouth expertly explored hers. But then something changed, something shifted and he slowed them down immensely. His kisses became long and thorough. And she didn't seem to mind.

He broke their kiss trailing his mouth down her neck, kissing and licking and nipping at the delicate flesh beneath his tongue. He tried desperately to grasp some sort of control however fleeting it was. She was succumbing to him, to his touch, to his increasingly hot mouth on her body. His mouth covered the perfect spot on the curve of her neck. She moaned out in appreciation, his name escaping her lips softly and seductively.

The way his name rolled off her tongue was enough to drive him mad. His movements stalled and he raised his head to look at her. Dark brown eyes glazed over by absolute want. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Of that he was certain.

He capturing her lips in a slow, delicate kiss. He slid the strap of her bra down her shoulder. His fingertips gingerly caressing her bare skin sending what felt like bolts of electricity throughout her body. She leaned into him, into his kiss, pressing the curves of her soft body against the hard tones of his.

He looked down at her. "Are you sure?"

"Completely."

The remaining barriers between them were removed rather quickly. After a few long moments their bodies started moving together slowly but deliberately, with such tenderness and grace. And then with want and need. Her hands slid up and down his biceps, her back arching into him. They continued a dance of push pull until it all became too much and they simply had no other choice but to give in.

Together they lay, silently, tangled up in each other. And for the longest time neither one of them spoke. They were too busy relishing the moment.

Lou pressed a kiss to her neck. "Well was it as good for you as it was for me."

Mary laughed. "Boy do you know how to ruin a moment."

"Mmm." he breathed out. "I guess we'll just have to start all over." he told her. "I'll come up with something much more romantic this time."

She moved over top of him. "If you don't mind I think I'll take the lead this time."

tbc...