Okay, here's the next chapter! I'm VERY sorry to tell you that the build-up will take me longer- we'll get to boiling point in chapter 6, but I hope 5 doesn't disappoint either. HOPE!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Disclaimer: I don't own "The Mentalist", and I don't make money from fan fiction.
Ch.4
The rain hit fast after they had finished their breakfast, but Jane made it clear that he didn't mind being stuck inside the motor home with her. He told her about his tropical hideaway, and how he had missed her. How he had learned that Bertram had fired her. How he had found her.
"Doesn't sound as if Derek likes you very much." Lisbon grinned.
Jane chuckled.
"He has no reason to. I hurt you. I'm a thoroughly bad guy."
Lisbon sighed.
"It's complicated. Life is not as black and white as we would like sometimes."
"Amen, Reverend."
She slapped his arm, and he felt himself giggling, a strange kind of carefree pleasure he wasn't used to any longer. He wanted closer.
His back started to ache, and he squirmed a little in his cramped position. She noticed immediately, and he saw a soft sense of unease spreading, following by the now usual throwing caution to the wind. He had noticed that about her immediately when he had seen her again: what had happened had no doubt changed her, had given her a sense of the devil my care attitude he knew so well. Teresa Lisbon was at least partly done with being nice and proper and controlled. This one was ready to take risks, and it thrilled him.
She looked him square in the eye.
"So… do we lie down on my bed? No funny stuff, though!"
He smiled.
"Of course not. Yes, I would like that."
She got up slowly and walked to her sleeping area, slipping into the bunk first. He followed, scooting to the utmost edge of her mattress, not wanting to crowd or scare her.
"Are you afraid?" He whispered.
She nodded slowly.
"Very afraid of losing the rest of me, the sorry remains I still have."
"Can I do something?"
She sighed.
"How about not scramming this time?"
It was the first time she had voiced that she wanted him to stay, and it made him feel foolishly happy. So happy he felt physically restless again, she was so close, so warm, her small body looking delicious, touchable, everything he desired. His head buzzed with longing, he had never wanted something so bad as he wanted her right now, and that was saying something. The need was like electricity, sending little sparks out he wanted to lick from her skin, his frame trembling with lust.
"Can I touch you?" He asked softly.
It was silent for a few moments.
"No." she said, but she scooted closer, putting her front against his, her head against his chest. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, fighting to keep his cock flaccid by using the most vigorous bio-feedback he had ever administered. If he grew an erection against her abdomen now, he would destroy the moment. He couldn't risk it. He buried his face in her soft, fragrant hair, inhaling deeply, letting the rich dark tresses caress his lips. He would kiss her, soon, he knew it. He imagined her tongue sliding against his and had to clench his fists to keep his blood from surging into his lower body.
But no matter what- he wouldn't stop holding her.
Xxxxxxxxxx
He looked so peaceful when he was asleep, and her tenderness for him was actually frightening. It filled her like fine mist, part of her essence although she had spent months trying to get rid of these feelings, be free of him again. No, that wasn't quite true, she hadn't been that naïve- she had envisioned herself as her own social project, had tried to analyze her grief as if that had made it easier to bear.
She gently rubbed her fingertips through the stubble on his chin, very careful not to wake him. He had turned onto his back, and she smoothed her hand over his front, the soft fabric of his clothes brushing her skin like a kiss. She pressed her lips against his neck, just a feather-like touch, but it made her tremble with delight. Damn, she was lost. It was almost dark outside and a lot cooler now, so she had covered both of them with a blanket, snuggling close to him to contain body warmth. It was a lot more effective than what she usually did to fight off the chill, and she sighed with contentment.
She should probably try to get some rest, but it was surprisingly hard. It was late when she finally sank into a dreamless sleep, entering her mind like a dizzying fog.
Sometimes in the middle of the night, his voice roused her from a shallow slumber.
"Let's go elsewhere, Lisbon."
She swallowed to chase away the sleepiness, but the success was unremarkable.
"Huh?"
His fingers were caressing her cheek, and she felt an aroused blush spread wherever he touched, making the cobwebs of her drowsiness disappear.
"Let's take our… your motor home and go somewhere else," he whispered, "wherever you want. Let's explore. There are so many things I'd like to see, with you. What do you think?"
She hummed softly.
"I can't really live big," she whispered, "I have money, but it has to last a long while, maybe the rest of my life, so I'm careful with doing too much risky exploring."
"Meh… you have a MOTOR HOME, Lisbon. What's the sense of that if you don't move it? And, don't worry about money, ever again. I'll care for you, in every aspect."
She snorted.
"As if I need a provider…"
"It doesn't matter if you need one- you got yourself one. Where do you want to go?"
She thought for a moment.
"I don't know- someplace where it's warmer at night. Even now in winter."
"Florida?"
She groaned.
"Oh god, Florida is awfully far away."
"We'll go there slowly… we could stop in Santa Fe and Texas- enjoy the ocean. See New Orleans. Oh please, please, please, Lisbon, let's!"
She sighed.
"Okay. Whatever you want."
"I like the sound of that…"
She slapped his chest, but he just pulled her closer, chuckling into her ear. His lips caressed her temples, teasing her softly, and she didn't feel the slightest urge to stop him, burrowing deeper into the delicious warmth of his body.
When she woke up again, it was past noon, and she felt as rested and peaceful as she hadn't in years. She got up, stretching languidly, and smiled at Jane who was busy in the kitchen.
He smiled back, his honest, full-fledged smile that never failed to get her weak in the knees.
"Breakfast… or lunch is ready. But I'm afraid you have to eat alone, my dear Lisbon. I have important errands to run. But I'll be back before dinnertime, I promise."
He came closer and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, lingering a second before he pulled away, making the caress far more than just a peck.
"Eat something," he said, "please. Don't make me worry about you, Teresa. I love you."
A violent shudder ran through her body, but before she could say anything, he had grabbed his jacket and was out the door.
She just stood there for the better part of an hour, stunned, a warm glow covering her inside and out. Then she started missing him, severely exasperated with herself.
She ate a few bites just to humor him and sat in front of the motor home for a while, watching the Canyon that managed to look quiet and majestic despite the hordes of tourists travelling here, wondering what Jane was up to. But as hard as it was to admit it: losing her job had eased her worries. Life seemed to make sense for the first time, which was strange in itself since work had defined her whole existence. Now it was gone, and she found that there was another Lisbon beneath the old one, and she couldn't say she didn't like it. She inhaled the dusty air and leaned back, acknowledging grudgingly that Jane had a lot to do with this new sense of freedom.
She shouldn't allow herself to love him, though. What if…
Oh damn, whom was she kidding. She did. Love pulsed inside of her like a separate, blood filled artery, a part of her that existed just for him.
I love him. I want him. I don't know how long I'll be able to resist him. Why would I even want to resist him, for god's sake? Life was too short.
She rubbed over her naked arms and saw that it was late afternoon already. Where the hell was Jane?
After a moment of indecisiveness, she decided to go looking for him.
The village was full and busy, she greeted some people she knew and searched in all the little shops, the petrol station, even at the small museum and the library. Finding Jane nowhere, she ended up in the bar, meeting a relaxed Derek who seemed delighted to see her.
"Damn, girl, I've been worried sick. Is he behaving?"
She sighed.
"He is. You did the right thing, Derek. Jane and I, we… we needed to talk stuff out, clear the air between us."
He smiled.
"You look damn happy."
Lisbon grinned, from ear to ear, and it was so easy it made her light-headed.
"I am, isn't that crazy?"
Derek chuckled and took a swig from his beer bottle.
"So, you're leaving, huh?"
"How do you know?"
"Your beau has been announcing it all day, everywhere he went. Half of the village already loves him to pieces- and the other part wants to kill him."
"Yeah, that's him alright. Yes, looks as if we're leaving."
He nodded.
"I'm gonna miss you, Teresa. You just take care."
Lisbon looked out the window for a moment, worrying her lower lip.
"He's not a bad guy, Derek. His family was killed by a serial killer a decade ago- wife and little daughter. He spent the whole time hunting the murderer down, and it almost destroyed him. After that he… he just needed time. Yes, I was heartbroken. But he came back. And I start to trust him again."
"Damn," Derek growled, "I didn't know that. Poor soul."
Lisbon nodded, fighting against unwelcome memories of how the tale had ended. It had ended. That was all that counted.
"He sure as hell can take care of you," Derek said, smiling, "went right after the big bucks, your guy."
Lisbon's eyebrows went up.
"Oh no, what did he do?"
"He's playing, in there." Derek nodded in the direction of the counter, "little room where they play poker every afternoon. And he sure as hell has the big wigs with him."
Before he had finished the sentence, Lisbon had jumped off her stool, marching off on a brisk stride. She pulled the little curtain of the room behind the counter open and slipped inside, nobody bothering to stop her.
The scene seemed harmless enough, and she relaxed a little. Jane had shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, and the rumpled state of his clothing and hair suggested that he'd been at it all afternoon. Three guys sat at the table with him, all carrying the aura of influence and money. Nobody seemed to carry a weapon, at least not on first sight. Jane's companions looked more lethargic than aggressive, so she hoped they weren't among the ones who wanted to kill him… yet.
Jane looked at her with fake surprise.
"Hey, honey."
He was role playing, she could see it, the droopy eyelids, slurred voice, portraying a most likely alcoholic idiot everyone could beat at poker. She swallowed her grin and decided not to blow his cover.
"Hey. Whatcha doing?"
"Just a little game, sweetie, with these gentlemen here. I'll be over soon."
She shrugged. Fine, she would let him play. For another hour or so.
"Okay."
Turning to go, she heard his voice.
"Kiss?"
She faced him again, eyebrows pulled up in puzzlement.
"What?"
"Oh come on, Terry, don't be like that. I said I'm sorry about a million times, what else do you want? Please, you know I always lose when you are mad at me and give me the cold shoulder. Just a kiss, yes?"
Terry? She glared at him. So he actually tried to blackmail her into kissing him, this obnoxious little pest? Well, let's see if she couldn't make him at least a little uncomfortable.
Smiling sweetly, she approached him slowly.
"How could I be mad at you," she whispered, leaning down, "when you look at me like this, with your adorable puppy dog eyes?"
She pressed her lips onto his, not giving him a second to catch his breath before she pushed her tongue into his mouth, plundering the delicious warmth she found for all it was worth. He tasted sweet and clean, and she sucked his breath deep into her lungs, pushing her hands into his hair to angle his head for even deeper penetration. He kissed her back passionately, moaning into her mouth every time she let her tongue slide against his, waking nerve endings that soared with pleasure. She let her fingers glide over his chest, blocking his game partners' view with her body when she touched him lower, brushing her fingertips over his crotch. He was rock hard. Good.
Breaking the kiss, she reveled in his disappointed little whimper, smiling at him when he blindly groped for another kiss with his now empty mouth, trying to lure her back. His lips were kiss-swollen, wet and red. Very sexy. Good thing god had made her a female, at least SHE could get out of here right now with her dignity intact.
She straightened and walked to the door, giving her backside an enticing little sway with every step. Just before she left the room, she turned, looking directly at Jane.
"Don't be late, darling. Dinner is ready at eight."
With a smug little grin, she closed the curtain behind her.
xxxxxxxxxx
Jane was back ten minutes before eight.
"Did you win?" Lisbon asked, smiling.
He put his jacket on the bench and stretched, a sight she would never tire of.
"I did. Not that your little stunt in there helped much."
She shrugged innocently.
"You were asking for a kiss."
He grinned sheepishly and sat down at the table.
"Yeah, sorry for that. I couldn't resist."
"How much did you win?"
"500,000 dollars."
She almost dropped the pot she was handling.
"What?"
He smiled brightly and took a sip of the ice cold beer she had put on the table.
"Anything you want me to buy you, missy? I'm in a very generous mood today."
"500,000 dollars? Who in hell has 500,000 dollars in this place?"
"Many rich outcasts here, baby. Trust your old man to find the richest."
She glared at him.
"You can stop the act now, Mr. Harmless Redneck, I get it."
Jane chuckled and took another swig from the bottle, and why she found that so sexy, would forever elude her. And why had she prepared his favorite dinner, for god's sake? She should have given him a thorough kick instead!
Just when she had pushed her rage to boiling point, he stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her body, pressing kisses onto her bare shoulders.
"Sorry for the kiss," he whispered, "I wanted one so much. But I shouldn't have done it. Not there, not then. Sorry."
She could hardly talk when he touched her like this, his fingers brushing over her lower abdomen, making need gush all over her most sensitive parts, getting her hot and bothered in seconds.
"Jane…" she choked.
"I know," he whispered, his soft lips playing with her ear lobe, "you don't want me."
She almost laughed out loud. Didn't want him? She wanted him so much she would catch fire any minute, and she knew he knew it.
"I need more time," she whispered.
"You have all the time in the world, Teresa. Just forgive me for wanting you so damn much."
He pressed her a little tighter before he released her with a regretful sigh, instantly making her want him back.
"I made Sicilian meatballs," she said, "your favorite."
He grinned.
"I love you, my little hausfrau."
Lisbon slapped his chest, hard, but she couldn't help smiling.
"YOU cook tomorrow, is that clear?"
He chuckled.
"It will be my pleasure, ma'am."
She shook her head in mock exasperation.
How was it even possible that she was so happy now- when she had been so sad not long ago? The human soul was a strange thing, Lisbon thought while she hummed gently, happy songs she hadn't thought of in years filling her heart.
She looked out of the window, watching the angry sky, inflamed by a bloody sun.
Tomorrow, they would leave.
TBC
Next chapter: tomorrow!