Carnival Chapter 7

The next morning Sara toyed with the idea of meeting her masked man later tonight. Even though she knew the answer, she told her friend. Melody thought it would be fun to have a spring fling with a very hot guy. Sara wondered briefly what Grissom would say about her little sexual meetings. No, she couldn't ask him, he'd think she was crazy getting herself caught up with an obvious whoremonger. But why would he? After all he did admit to visiting brothels in the past, right? She sighed.

"Maybe I am crazy." She whispered to herself. But to have a lover that was so obviously skilled in the art of bringing a woman to orgasm and remain floating on the verge of pleasure makes me a very lucky woman. Sara sighed and looked over at the clock. Damn, almost noon. She rolled out of bed and started changing for her coffee…what was it really? A date? A run in? A meeting? After checking to make sure everything was in place and she looked...well normal for her thing with Grissom, she walked out her door.

As she walked down the stairs, she couldn't help but catch her breath. Grissom was sitting on a sofa in the lobby reading a paper. He was wearing a navy blue polo shirt, a pair of sun glasses tucked in his shirt, khaki slacks and brown suede dress shoes. The light that shined through the windows made him seem like a dream. He looked good enough to eat. It's almost as if he felt her watching him, he glanced up and smiled at her.

She descended the last few steps and he was holding out his arm for her.

"You look stunning." He told her as they walked out the lobby doors. She laughed and looked down at herself. She wore a simple yellow sundress with white daisies on it, sunglasses, one of those absurd floppy hats; but not too big, that she'd get laughed at, and white sandals.

"Thank you, I think." She blushed and he just patted her hand. They walked to the little café and were seated. Grissom clasped his hand together and leaned forward.

"So, how was your evening?" Sara glanced up and could feel the blush deepen.

"It was eventful, and then again not." She shrugged. He knew she was hiding and could see her blush deepen.

"Did you get to dance with anyone or run naked in the streets?" She just about choked on her coffee and went into a coughing fit. He stood up and gently rubbed and patted her back.

"I…ummm…it was…uhhh…yeah." She sputtered while still trying to catch her breath. He sat back down.

"It went that well, huh?" Grissom smiled at her. She regained her composure.

"What did the infamous Dr. Grissom do on his night out with that wild friend of yours?" Sara couldn't believe she was actually flirting with him. Not so subtle; but noticeable enough. His eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Well we were walking down the streets and saw some very interesting costumes, some provocative costumes and also some ordinary ones too." He took a sip of his coffee and his lips curved slightly.

"Then I noticed this one woman dressed to kill. She had on a black silky material; I swear that stuff was practically see through and she carried it very well." Sara started to cough again. Grissom glanced up and noticed Sara's face was almost maroon with discomfort.

"She walked with another woman, but the way she walked. It was almost as if nothing could stand in her way. I wanted to approach her but my friend advised me not to." He shrugged.

"So I took a gondola ride instead. It was quiet, peaceful, and made me not want to leave." He looked up again and noticed a distant look in her eyes. "So now you know. Tell me about your night."

Sara couldn't believe her ears. He was talking about her, she could feel it. She wanted to get a man's advice of her masked man, but not let him know it was her.

"Can I ask you a few questions, please? Well not so much questions but more like advice…for a friend." Sara looked at Grissom and he nodded.

"Sure. I'm always happy to help. What kind of advice is your friend looking for?" He made sure to keep his voice calm. Sara shifted in her seat.

"My…uhhh… friend met someone a few days ago. And…"

"Was this friend of yours…Melody? The one you were with yesterday?" This was all a hoax and he knew it, but was willing to play along.

"Yeah, it's Melody." She took a deep breath.

"Like I said she met this guy, he seems really nice and all, but now she's having second thoughts about continuing to meeting with him." She glanced at Grissom and he took his cue.

"He wants to meet up with her again?" She nodded.

"Is she going to?" He wanted to know if she'd meet him again.

"I don't think so. She feels a connection towards him and she's a bit unnerved by it. She really wants to but…" He cut her off quickly.

"Tell her she should." He said quickly and then cleared his throat.

"If she feels that drawn to him and wants to…then she should. I believe we've all come here to have a good time; why not live a little?" Grissom didn't know what else to say, except 'Hey I'm your masked man. I really want to get to know you better meet me at the inn as planned, please?' No, that wouldn't go over to well just yet.

Sara didn't think he'd actually tell her to go. Grissom seems more conservative than to believe he's have a wild fling.

"I've tried to talk with her about him. She doesn't even know his name. He tried to tell her last night but she told him no." She tore off a piece of her croissant and Grissom watched the morsel melt on her tongue. He groaned and her head snapped up.

"Are you feeling okay?" She was concerned about him.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." He said with a husky voice and he knew he had to make up something and quick; she didn't look like she believed him. He brought his coffee cup up and sipped it.

"I just can't get over how good this coffee is." As he took another sip, she nodded in agreement.

"Yeah and so is the food. It's very fresh and flavorful, I could sooooooooo get used to this." Grissom cleared his throat.

"So, Sara. What do you do when Melody goes off with her new friend?" She cocked her head to the side. "I mean if you ever want to go for coffee, a walk or dinner…" He looked up at her. She started to smile.

"Hey! Sara!" Melody's voice could be heard loud and clear. Sara groaned in disappointment, then smiled sadly at Grissom and turned to look at Melody weaving in and out of people.

"Hey, Mel. What's going on?" Melody didn't answer right away; she just plopped down and stole Sara's coffee.

"How was your night, Sara?" Mel wiggled her eye brows and Grissom could see Sara's eyes grow wide.

"I saw you walking off with Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. I figured I could get you to finally chat about him." Melody finally glanced over at Grissom. "Hey, sorry I didn't see you there." She smiled sickeningly sweet. Sara knew what she was up too and didn't like it one bit.

"It was fine. He was the perfect gentleman." Sara smiled at Melody.

"I didn't see you either, where did you happen to run off to?" Melody's face turned red and her mouth was set in a thin line.

"That is none of your business. I…I've got to go." Melody stood up so fast, her chair fell back on the ground. She stumbled over a few items before they watched her walk away.

"That was…interesting. So, are you the friend that we were talking about?" Grissom's voice was smooth and there was no hint of disappointment. Sara nodded her head and could feel her cheeks burning again.

"Yes, I am. I've never done anything like this before and well…" Sara was becoming restless. Grissom stood up and extended his hand.

"Come on. You look like you need to take a walk." He looked down at her and she slid her hand in his and he pulled her up. They walked slowly, lingering by the shop windows, looking at the canal, and enjoying each other's company. Grissom didn't want to break the silence but he needed to know. "So, are you going to meet him?"

Sara couldn't believe her ears. Here, she thought that they were having fun and maybe…just maybe she was hoping for more. She gave up and nodded. He seemed to smirk, which to her was odd, but she just shrugged.

"Will you meet me tomorrow for coffee again?" Sara looked at him. Has he lost his mind? Why did he still want to see her?

"Sure." She said sadly and walked through the doors of the hotel.

Grissom watched her shoulders slump in defeat. Tonight, he would make it special for her. He smiled and left to get things ready.

A/N: Sorry, there will be smut in the next chapter, promise. This is a pre-warning and only a pre-warning. Had this been an actual warning you may have experienced; giddiness, the cold shower effect, hot under the collar, and many more. Lol.