A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed and keep on reviewing this fluffy fic. I really appreciate it.
This chapter is mostly "M" rated, but a soft, romantic "M". I really try to be tasteful and just imply most of the "M-ness," so don't be afraid to continue. I've never written a chapter quite like this, and those who have read my other fics will see what I mean. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts. Enjoy!
Chapter 7: Il Linguaggio dell'Amore (The Language of Love)
They almost didn't make it to the hotel.
After Jane and Lisbon disembarked from the boat, he took the risk of holding her hand to help her down to the dock, then going up the stairs to the walkway along the Tiber. The feel of her hand in his was nearly unbearable. It reminded him of how they would soon be skin on skin in other ways.
Not far from the car, he stopped abruptly in the shadow of an umbrella tree for a quick, hard kiss that left them both breathless. Lisbon clung to him for a moment, off balance once more by the heat between them. He smiled softly at her.
"We're going to be so good together," he whispered.
"I thought you didn't make psychic predictions anymore," she teased, reaching up to trace his lips with one light finger.
He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles, his eyes glittering at her in the dim light. "Oh, Teresa, there's nothing psychic about it. It's simple biology."
He pulled her close to his very aroused body, and her eyes widened. Wicked, seductive Jane would take some getting used to.
"Where's the car," she said.
Jane drove fast, as usual, but for once, Lisbon didn't complain. She held on for dear life as he weaved in and out of traffic (thankfully light that late at night). Her laughter was gleeful and free, and she realized that while Jane might travel at reckless speeds, he was actually very skillful in the way he handled the car. She suddenly found this unbearably sexy. Funny how her perspective had so radically changed, now that they had both admitted their feelings. It was like the weight of the world had been lifted from her formerly tense shoulders, and now all she felt was joy and freedom.
When Jane stopped the Miata before their hotel, Lisbon was giddy with exhilaration and anticipation. Jane tossed his keys to the valet and he grabbed Lisbon's hand, practically running to get inside. The minute the elevator door closed, they were in each other's arms, their mouths fusing together, hands delving into sable and golden locks as Jane pushed her back almost roughly against the wall of the small enclosure.
They nearly missed the dinging of the elevator as it stopped on their floor, only breaking apart when the door slid open and a waiting passenger cleared his throat. Lisbon blushed to her hair, and Jane grinned, nodding to the smiling Italian.
"Buonanotte," said Jane politely.
"Aw," replied the stranger. "Amore a Roma...que bello!" 1
Jane laughed as the man disappeared behind the doors, and he pulled Lisbon in for another kiss. They stumbled down the hallway toward their rooms, drunk with love and the more subtle effects of the wine, stopping every few steps to kiss and caress. Finally, they stood before Lisbon's door, and she gave him a mischievous glance when she reached into the bodice of her dress and pulled out her key card. His eyes darkened in appreciation of her resourcefulness, and he took the card from her, swiping it quickly, his lips on hers again as his hand pushed open the door.
Once inside, they didn't hesitate. Lisbon slid his suit coat off his shoulders, and he shook his hands out of the sleeves without breaking their kiss. His tie was already askew, and Lisbon attempted with unsteady hands to untie it before wrenching it free, going immediately for his shirt buttons. Jane's nimble fingers found the back zipper of her dress and he pulled it down, his hands parting the fabric and resting at last on her bare back. She shivered against him, and his hands slid lower to cup her bottom through her silky panties.
She gasped against his mouth, her hands still fumbling with his buttons. He was distracting her from her task by kissing her neck, then nuzzling the low neckline of her dress, his breath hot against her skin. She only realized he'd been walking her backward to the bed when she suddenly found the mattress pressing into the backs of her knees. She fell against it with a bounce and a startled inhalation, her hands catching herself before she could fall completely onto her back. He smiled down at her, enjoying the look of surprise, the green eyes dark with passion, the red and swollen lips, the hair wild around her bare shoulders. She was glorious.
He finished unbuttoning his shirt as she watched, breasts heaving. She itched now to caress the smoothness of his chest, her whole body shaking as he toed off his shoes, while his hands went to his belt, then to the fly of his slacks. She never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that he would give her a strip tease, but here he was, revealing his lithe body to her greedy eyes, the bulge in his boxer briefs causing the air to hitch in her throat.
Then he turned his attentions completely back on her. He bent to give her a brief kiss, then he knelt before her on the floor, removing her shoes one at a time, pausing to caress each foot before his hands moved to her ankles, then glided up beneath her full skirt to her toned calves, then upward still to stroke her soft inner thighs. His eyes never left hers, and Jane could feel her legs begin to tremble when his fingertips touched the lower edge of her panties.
He leaned forward then to kiss her, his tongue slipping into her mouth while one finger slid beneath the elastic at the apex of her thighs. Her legs automatically fell open for him. She moaned into his kiss when he found the wet heat of her and began a slow, intimate massage. After a few torturous moments, she tore her mouth away so she could breathe.
"Oh, God," she said raggedly. "Jane…"
With his free hand, he pulled her loose bodice away from her breasts, kissing his way to the cleavage revealed by her strapless bra. She heard him murmuring mindless endearments, romantic praise of her beauty, before he pushed the flimsy garment aside to take one rosy tip into his mouth.
Lisbon had been resting on her hands, but the need to touch him had her sitting up, holding his head to her bosom. His fingers still worked within her as he gave her other breast equal attention, and she felt like she was hovering upon a dangerous precipice, waiting to fall into oblivion. When he employed his thumb, she tumbled over into space, her release slamming into her body, her hips rising from the bed. He leaned forward to smother her cries with his mouth, the fabric of her dress rustling between them as she convulsed against his hand.
She lay back against the bed, her limbs numb, her pulse racing uncontrollably. As if from a distance, she felt Jane stand and, like the magician he was, make the rest of their clothing disappear almost without her feeling it. She caught a disappointingly brief glimpse of his naked form before he moved her further up on the mattress, covering her body with his own. It felt incredible, almost impossibly pleasurable. His hard length pressed against her stomach as he settled his weight upon her, and she looked into his eyes, surprised to see pure happiness there.
"That was just Act One," he assured her with a small smile.
"I'm not sure I can make it through the entire performance," she said, still breathless.
His eyes clouded with concern. "Teresa, are you really ready for this?" he asked.
She could feel his rapid heartbeat keeping time with hers, and she wondered what method he was using to have found the restraint to hesitate when their naked bodies were pressed so closely together.
Lisbon held her hand to Jane's cheek, looking deeply into his eyes. "I've been waiting for you for nearly ten years. I'm more than ready."
That was plain enough for him.
He kissed her again, his hands tenderly framing her face. Then, with a dip of his hips, he smoothly entered her body. She never dreamed that joining with someone could feel so much like finding her other half, that this moment was what she'd been waiting for since Jane had first arrived at the CBI, broken and alone. It was the culmination of every touch, every hug, every tear she'd shed for him. She wrapped her arms around him and bent her knees to welcome him home.
Jane uninhibited was like a force of nature. While he thrust wildly, his mouth and hands continued to tease and arouse her to greater heights, overwhelming her with his passion and his near frantic movements. He felt he was releasing at once all of his pent-up emotion, all his longing for her that had built up for years, as if there were no tomorrow, as if this was both their first and their last time.
Lisbon cried out for the second time, and Jane slowed his thrusts as she rode out her climax, absorbing her spasms into his body. Her trembling ignited him further, and he picked up the pace once more. She must have felt him nearing his own peak, for she revived quickly and met him thrust for thrust, establishing a sensual rhythm that brought him to the brink of ecstasy.
With a long, slow moan of indescribable pleasure, Patrick Jane finally stopped fighting fate and let himself go…
Xxxxxxxxx
When they could move again, they climbed beneath the bedclothes, and Jane pulled Lisbon to his side where she nestled against him. He lovingly stroked her hair, his mind blissfully blank except for the deep feeling of contentment.
"We should have done that a long time ago," said Lisbon happily, and he felt her smile against his chest.
"Maybe, but it means more now, I think."
"Yes," she said, kissing the bare skin of his torso. "Now, it means everything."
"Did I live up to your fantasies?" he asked with a small smile.
"Who says I've fantasized about you? Conceited much?"
Lisbon felt his laugh rumble beneath her ear. "You've been in love with me for years, Lisbon. Don't tell me in all that time you haven't wondered what it would be like if we slept together."
She really couldn't deny either of those contentions, but it really wasn't nice for him to mention it.
"Well, even though you certainly are in no need of an ego boost, I'll admit to having wondered, from time to time."
"And…?" he prompted.
She rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him. "You know, I really thought you were above such petty masculine insecurities, Jane."
"No, I'm really not."
She shrugged. "Well, you show me yours…"
"Oh, I'll admit to having many a fantasy about you, Lisbon. I'm not always asleep on my couch when my eyes are closed-especially on those days when you wear those tight black jeans of yours."
"What?" she said, sounding appalled. "You've checked out my ass?"
"On several occasions. Sorry if that bursts the puritanical bubble you've kept me in."
She raised her head and smiled softly. "If only I had known how you really are," she said wistfully.
He bent his head to bestow a lingering kiss on her mouth. "Neither of us were ready. Now, your turn."
"Okay. Funny you should mention your couch," she said, blushing despite what they had so recently done together.
"Oh?" He chuckled. "Do tell."
"Well," she continued, and she slid her naked body directly atop his. His eyes lit up with renewed interest. "My favorite fantasy starts when everyone has left the office, and you're sound asleep on the couch."
"Really…?"
She nodded, holding his eyes as she gently undulated upon him. She could feel his burgeoning desire stirring against her thigh.
"Then, I would stealthily reach for your fly—"Her hand moved down between them—"while at the same time, kissing those incredible lips of yours."
"Hmmm," he purred, as she molded her mouth to his and moved one hand up and down his length.
"You would wake up and you'd be ready for me," she whispered, a centimeter from his mouth. "Just like now."
She reached down to position him, then she lifted her hips, hesitating a moment before settling back down until he was completely sheathed within her.
"You certainly have a very healthy fantasy life," he hissed through his teeth, his hands coming up instinctively to her waist.
He guided her tantalizingly slow movements, driving them both to the edge of madness. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes in exultation.
"Reality," she said with a moan, "is…ohhhh…so…much…better…"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Neither of them got much sleep that night, but the next morning, Lisbon awoke early out of habit. She watched Jane in slumber, his face peaceful and angelic, which totally belied his wickedness of the night before. She was very tempted to wake him and see what other sexual tricks he had up his proverbial sleeves, but she knew he was normally a chronic insomniac so she let him sleep.
She slipped carefully out of bed and padded naked to the bathroom. She smiled at how she ached in places she hadn't felt in years, reliving the surreal night of their amazing lovemaking. Like she'd told Jane earlier, never in her wildest of fantasies had it been that good.
She shut the bathroom door and turned on the shower, hoping the noise didn't wake him, and soon she was lathering up, wishing that the small shower were big enough to invite Jane to join her. She hummed softly, continuing the song they'd danced to the night before. If he weren't so soundly sleeping, she'd sing to the rooftops. She'd never been this happy in her life. She loved Patrick Jane, but what was more, he loved her, and had told her so several times in the night.
As her soapy hands glided over the places Jane had lovingly kissed and caressed the night before, she shivered, then smiled, a richly feminine smile she shared with other lucky women from the beginning of time.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jane awoke from a dreamless sleep to the sound of someone pounding on the door.
"Lisbon," he murmured, eyes still closed. "The door…"
The insistent knocking continued and he spread his arm out to reach for her, but the bed was empty. He fuzzy brain zeroed in on the sound of the shower running, and he got up with a sigh.
He found his slacks and pulled them on, walking blearily to the door. When he looked through the peephole, he grinned.
This was going to be so sweet.
He opened the door to a surprised Nicollo Minelli.
"Oh…Patrick," he said. "I must have the wrong room. I was looking for Teresa. I was going to make up missing the Vatican tour with a tour of the Colosseo." He held up VIP passes.
Jane leaned one arm on the doorframe, unashamedly shirtless and barefoot.
"You have the right room."
As if on cue, Lisbon called out from the bathroom: "Jane? Is someone at the door?"
"I got it, sweetheart," he called, his smile in his voice.
Nicollo shook his head at the brief, intimate-sounding conversation.
"I thought you might have been exaggerating your relationship with Teresa," he said. "But I see you were telling me the truth after all."
Jane shrugged. It wouldn't hurt to fess up now. "I admit I jumped the gun a little before, but I have sort of a sixth sense about these things."
"Aw, yes. Cousin Virgil told me you used to be something of a soothsayer."
"There's no such thing as soothsayers," Jane replied, deadpan.
Nicollo smiled, graceful in defeat. "Well, then, you must have these, with my blessing." He presented Jane with the passes. "One should not come to Roma and miss the beautiful Colosseo. You are a lucky man, signore."
"Grazie, Nicollo. That I am." He pocketed the passes. Lisbon would love them.
They shook hands, just as Lisbon emerged from the steamy bathroom wrapped in the hotel's fluffy terry cloth robe. She peeped over Jane's shoulder to see their visitor, then blushed with embarrassment at being caught in such an informal state.
"Nicollo," she said. "I'm sorry. Did we have a date?"
"No, no, Teresa. As I was telling Patrick, I was trying to make up for having to stand you up yesterday. But it was not to be, signorina. I see you are otherwise…engaged."
Jane put his arm around her, inhaling the fresh scent of her soap.
Clean and fresh Lisbon—better than any expensive perfume.
He kissed her temple possessively.
"I'm sorry, Nicollo," she said sincerely, and she didn't just mean for the tour.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, bellissima. Sometimes Roma, she gets the better of us, eh?"
Lisbon gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Si," she agreed. "It was nice meeting you, Nicollo," she said, extending her hand. He took it, but then pulled her close enough to kiss her on both cheeks in a lingering fashion far more intimate than the usual Italian greeting..
Jane raised an irritated eyebrow, but Nicollo only grinned.
"A taste of paradise is better than nothing at all, my friend…Buona fortuna. Ciao!" 2
He gave them both his most charming grin and left them in the doorway.
Jane shut the door behind him and turned to Lisbon.
"What a charming man," she said wistfully.
He took her into his arms. "Regretting your choice?"
She pretended to think a moment, and Jane's eyes took on their usual amused sparkle. She looked up at him coyly from beneath her eyelashes, her hands tracing his bare collarbones.
"Not if you speak to me in Italian sometimes."
His hands found the belt of her robe, and he slowly untied the loose knot.
"Aw, signorina," he said, his accent perfect. "Sei bellissima. Sei dolce com il miele. Baciami," he said, brushing his lips over hers. 3 His hands parted her robe, and he cupped her breasts. "Andiamo a letto," he whispered. 4
She didn't even care what the words meant. Hearing the romantic language while he caressed her so intimately was making her insides melt.
He pushed her robe off her shoulders, kissing her neck beneath her damp hair. The robe puddled at her feet, and when she stood before him in all her naked glory, there was nothing to do but pick her up and carry her to the bed.
"Ti amo, Teresa," he said simply, his eyes solemn now in his sincerity. 5
She understood what that meant, and smiled at him, utterly enamored.
"I love you too, Patrick."
Then neither of them spoke for a very long time; at least, not in a language anyone else could understand.
A/N: I think that was one of the longest love scenes I've ever written, lol. I guess the remembered romance of Rome got me carried away. Back to Cho and his problems in the next chapter. If you decide to bless me with a review, please be sure to log in so I can answer you personally. I've got access to high-speed internet again! Yay!
P.S.: In case you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter. I'm Donnamour1969 there as well. I give story progress updates and can engage in endless Red John theory discussions at the drop of a hat. Hope to see you there!
1.Love in Rome. How beautiful!
2.Good luck. Good-bye.
3. You're beautiful. You're sweeter than honey. Kiss me.
4.Let's go to bed.
5. I love you.
