No Turning Back
A/N: I did not forget this, I merely ran out of time and my muse decided to go mute. After a long absence, I am attempting to further this story… Thanks to those who have reviewed and made it a favorite, I owe you a debt of gratitude…
Chapter Four
The thin veil of fog began to lift and his eyes blinked rapidly before fully opening, the sun's beam assaulting them. Horatio lay there, staring almost dumbfounded at the presence of light, his mind struggling to make sense of everything. He was in his bed, but the aroma of her surrounded him, clouding his thoughts for a brief moment as he reconciled his memories of what had transpired between them. He crossed the threshold with her, started on a path that he was, in the light of day, unsure of. It was only meant to be a dream he pulled from when he was feeling alone- a dream that he could consolidated within his by the sounds of the shower and her light voice, he could also surmise that what was becoming evident through his memories that this was not a dream, but desires wrought into reality. Deep down, his feelings had simmered for her, but his actions last night, precipitated by the strong urge not to be alone propelled him into her arms, crossing a boundary he knew he could never cross back over again. They were both in new territory, and suddenly, Horatio didn't know how he felt about it. Confusion suffused into guilt at the thought of what they'd done and it began to settle within him heavily. He should've known better to let his emotions rule him and now, he found himself in a position that he never wanted to be in or to put her in.
Rising, he rubbed his eyes roughly and the images of her body under his enveloped him, prompting him to open his eyes quickly, and the dull ache of arousal beginning to form. Despite the longing to feel her skin under his once more, there was a slither of logic that began to take root, telling him that this course of action was unwise. Moving quickly, Horatio stood and surveyed the room, seeing the vestiges of their passionate night in the haphazardly scattered clothing, each piece bringing up another image. As he moved around the room, collecting his clothing, the sound of her voice met his ear and he stopped in his tracks, the echoes of ecstasy filling him simultaneously. He would never forget the sound of her voice strained with pleasure as he mastered her body and emotions, the sound being sweeter than anything he'd heard before. He'd gone greedy, taking control just to hear her relinquish it, the rush of adrenaline that coursed through him at the sound of his name uttered on her lips breathlessly pushing him further. He wasn't satisfied until he had her within the grips of unadulterated bliss, her admonishments filling the empty void he was so adamant about losing.
A wicked smile traversed his lips as he replayed the night , even down to the tiniest second and the lightest touch, his heart suddenly blooming as the flurry of images rested on just one. With her snuggled against his cooling skin, Horatio had felt something he wasn't sure he should've been feeling at the moment. The emotion was foreign to him, yet inviting. He was suddenly presented with a plethora of thoughts and feelings that he had no idea to do with them. Each logical thought was canceled by the sheer desire that welled inside of him. The situation was not as simple as the lusty proclamations he'd heard through the night. Not turning away from this was going to be harder than he thought.
A cooled touch around his waist pulled him from his musings and all doubts for the moment were chased away by her body pressing against his. In the serenity of his home, away from prying eyes, he could enjoy her touch, but he wondered briefly how he would be able to interact with her at the lab without dissolving into beastly urges, exactly like the ones that had produced the passion that surged over the previous night.
Banishing the baffling thoughts, he turned in her arms and his eyes settled on her, his heart instantly reacting. Fresh from a shower, Calleigh looked all the more inviting; her hair which was normally golden in its dry state was now darkened by the dampness of the hot shower and plastered mouthwateringly on her skin. His tongue ached to lather the exact spots that the lengthy tresses clung to, but he resisted the urge. A simple nudge brought his eyes back to hers and he was breathless with wonderment at how her bejeweled gaze further stoked the heat that had been brewing since waking. The tiny drops of water that she forgot to dry tantalized him even more, his body quaking to feel her once again.
Calleigh arched her brow decisively and questioned, "You were a million miles away, handsome. Mind letting me in on the secret?" Her arms encircled his neck and she licked her lips as her eyes traveled to his, recounting the tireless moments the night before where those lips grazed her skin softly. Pulling herself closer, she matched his gaze, "I'm betting that you were thinking about last night. I have to admit, so was I. Every second in the shower, where the water hit me…where you touched me…"
The wicked words enveloped in her soft accented voice pulled a tremor from him and he ran his hand over her dampened hair, an easy smile coming over him . The arousal that he was fighting so valiantly was about to run rampant over her, staking his carnal desires on her willing body. His brow lit gently as he saw her expression turn at the presence of his hardened member and he chuckled throatily, "I've spent the better part of fifteen minutes replaying last night. So, you tell me."
His hand took the towel that was delicately wrapped around her and pulled, revealing her firm, glorious form. Licking his lips, his fingers skimmed her moist back and leaned closer to her ear, " Last night…was…incredible." As instant as the words left his lips, his fingers stopped, holding their place on the small of her back, "This morning is proving to be just as incredible."
Calleigh could feel the anticipation in the air as she sunk her fingers into his unruly copper strands, pulling slightly. Her heart hammered in her chest as her lips found the tender skin of his neck, the remnants of his cologne assaulting her senses. Kissing him softly, she whispered, "What are you waiting for, handsome?"
The simple pause of his hand brought logic and he cleared his throat as he skimmed back to her waist, pulling her away. He could feel her defiance by the stiffening of her arms around his neck, but he continued to pull, looking up into confused eyes. As much as he wanted to replay the night, there was also the issue of work. A short glance at the clock brought him back to reality, and he sighed heavily, cupping her cheek, "We have work to get to. Tonight…."
"Is coming," Calleigh finished knowingly. His stance had drifted from aroused to business like and she knew she would get no further. Releasing him completely, she nodded and licked her lips sensually, "I'm going to hold you to that promise, Lieutenant. But …I was wondering. Can I snag a kiss before I go? I want to have something to look forward to."
The innocence in her request caused him to falter and he smirked deviously, "You need something to look forward to?" Seconds was all it took for him to forget the time factor and all other pressing matters, thrusting her to the opposing wall. She exploited his lapse in judgment, and perhaps control and now he was allowing the beast within to have its way.
Slipping into her awaiting body without murmuring a word, he heard his cell and growled, his thrust becoming more powerful. Soon, her cries of pleasure drowned out the cell and he focused solely on completion, himself moaning as her heat devoured him. The pace was furious, and mind numbing, the exchange of heat and friction driving him. The only thing that mattered at the moment was her. Damn the lab.
/No Turning Back/
Furrowing her brow at the task before her, Natalia clucked her tongue as she pondered on the problem, her fingers flying over the keyboard in rapid succession. Concentrating on the job had become easier said than done, especially with the night she had last night. A harmless night at home, looking forward to the ball dropping in New York City had turned into a carousing, drink filled haze turn at the hottest club in Miami that she was still struggling to remember even now in the light of day. A small smile eased over her lips as she did capture an image of a dark skinned man who slung her into his arms possessively, yet harmlessly, her giggle enticing him more. The thought of the heavy petting that followed as the bass line thumped in the background, had her clearing her throat as the smile grew and her brow arched, tucking the images back in the recesses of her mind. She was still learning how to trust, but having fun every once in a while wasn't too far off the mark for her. She wasn't about to let past hurts take reign over her life.
Exhaling lightly, she lifted her eyes and saw as she strode through the corridors, the form fitting black ensemble plastering itself onto her body. Calleigh was known for her fashion as well as her well defined skills at the range, and her beauty was legendary, but even the black slacks that flared and the black button up that accented her very formidable assets gave her an air that Natalia couldn't quite pin point. Her eyes widened as she continued to watch her move fluidly, taking in the smile that was both devious and sweet at the same time and came to one conclusion. Calleigh got laid last night.
A flurry of activity had Natalia at the door and pulling it open, calling to Calleigh just as she passed. When Calleigh turned and met her anxious gaze with a mischievous bejeweled one, Natalia confirmed her theory. A few steps was all it took for Natalia to meet the southern blond and she crossed her arms at her chest as she shifted her weight and looked upon her appreciatively. The forlorn expression that the ballistics expert had worn for weeks was now nothing but a memory as something totally different surfaced.
"So, you're going to dish, or are you going to make me work for the answers?" the young Latina asked, arching her brow. Smirking, her eyes surveyed the completeness of Calleigh and centered in on the faint marking just under her jaw line, "Something tells me you had a very unusual night. Did you go out?"
Calleigh's eyes shifted to the passing trio of lab techs and chuckled, "No, I just had a very relaxing night indoors. It was very liberating."
"Yeah, that little hickey under your jaw explains the liberation. Is it anyone that I know?" Natalia inched forward at the thought of garnering a name and smiled, "He must've been incredible, your smile can ignite flames and warm hearts."
Waving dismissively, Calleigh frowned lightly, "Aw, c'mon, Natalia. You know it's not my nature to kiss and tell. I just had a really good time last night, and it was something that I needed." At that precise moment, he passed and she arched a brow, a breath escaping slowly as her eyes followed his lean form, the material of his black suit moving deliciously in the right places, the royal blue shirt playing off his magnificent blue eyes deftly. The tiny smirk that rode his lips lit his soulful eyes and he even chuckled as he continued to listen to the tech without actually giving him the attention. They held each other's gaze briefly before Calleigh broke it and returned to Natalia, shaking herself, "What did you say, Natalia?"
The scene before her was charged with a certain energy and Natalia snickered, "You weren't the only one who got lucky last night. I can't tell you when the last time I've seen Horatio as content. Maybe this is a change for the better."
Calleigh couldn't help but laugh at Natalia's misperception and started to turn to walk away, "Well, that's what New Year's is about, right? New beginnings?" A brief pause and a wave of the file in her hand gave her the way out and she turned completely, "See you later, Natalia."
"Yeah, see ya," Natalia answered back knowingly. She shook her head and returned back to the lab, wondering just how much had changed in the span of a night.
TBC…..