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Chapter Four
His hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he breathed into her hair sending a shiver through her body. She could feel his warmth and allowed herself to relax into him, not quite sure what she was doing but doing it because it felt good. Her eyes were still closed knowing that if she opened them her senses would return and Sensible Calleigh would stop the moment. Instead she sighed deeply, feeling him tighten his embrace, before his hands moved up slightly to rest on her hips.
"Cal?" he whispered into her ear, sending another shiver through her.
"Mmm?" she breathed.
"I – "
"JESUS RYAN!"
They sprung apart at the scene unfolding in the hallway. Eric turned to look back at Calleigh, frowned when he saw she wasn't there. Through the glass, he watched her head for a near hysterical Natalia and a crest fallen Ryan. Sighing, he followed her out.
"It's not enough that you set fire to me! No. You then have to go and throw HOT coffee all over me!"
"Talia I – "
"Ryan if you tell me you're sorry one more time, I am going to shove that mug somewhere real painful!" She pointed to the now empty mug in his hand.
"Nat you okay?" Calleigh stifled her amusement, as she approached the rowing couple.
"No not really, Ryan here just threw coffee over me. HOT coffee." She grabbed the hem of her top and pulled at it a little, attempting to draw the hot, sticky material away from her skin.
Eric glanced at Ryan. He was staring at the floor looking so ashamed that Eric found he actually felt sorry for him. Running his hand through his hair, he attempted to defend his hopeless colleague.
"Come on Natalia, I'm sure he didn't mean it. It was an accident, that's all." The look in her eyes told him he'd said the wrong thing.
"THAT'S ALL?" she spat, stepping towards him. "I'D LIKE – "
"Nat how about you go get cleaned up and I'll have a word with Ryan. Eric was just trying to help okay?" Calleigh's soothing voice cut in. He loved that voice, that accent.
Natalia took a breath, stepped back and nodded. She headed for the ladies stopping only as she passed Ryan.
"You, plus hot things, equals stay away from me!"
Ryan groaned and looked at Calleigh who was struggling to hide her amusement. He glanced at Eric hoping to see sympathy but instead the Cuban gave him a shrug and turned to his right.
"Um, Cal can we talk?"
She refused to meet his gaze, scared of what had just happened. No, what she had just allowed to happen! 'What if someone had seen?! The entire lab is like one giant window!' She was glad for the interruption, even if it had been somewhat painful for Natalia…although she couldn't shake the voice that asked 'what was he going to say…I - what?' But she knew.
"Cal?" Eric's voice brought her back.
"Can it wait Eric? I need to have a word with Ryan." Still she avoided his eyes.
Eric ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Sensible Calleigh was back. He glanced at Ryan and felt a surge of annoyance 'why did he have to be such an idiot?!' He'd nearly told Calleigh how he felt, that he loved her. He'd had her in his arms and she'd let him hold her. If he didn't get that moment back soon she'd push him away and rebuild her walls. But one look at Ryan's face dispelled Eric's annoyance and pity replaced it. Sighing again, Eric lifted his hands to his head and walked away feeling Calleigh release that breath she'd been holding.