An Accidental Husband – Chapter 7
A/N: John goes into dangerous territory.
"You want to see the dress I bought for the party." Joss raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
Dinner was over, the kitchen was clean and Taylor had gone to study with friends. They were alone.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to see it, Detective."
Joss stood there, as if she was going to say something and then she walked slowly towards her bedroom. "I'll be right back."
She had been so beautiful this morning, Reese thought, striding determinedly towards him, eyes bright, smiling despite, or more likely because of, the danger. Kissing Joss had been the most natural thing in the world, her lips soft and warm despite the cold, her soft curves molding against his body. When she laughed aloud, he felt full, complete.
Happy.
They had not spoken about what had happened this morning and he knew not to push her. It was enough that she gave him a long look when she opened her apartment door this evening, the color rushing to her cheeks, before she stepped back and let him in.
"John…" she sounded exasperated. "Can you come in here?"
Joss was standing in front of her closet, her hands behind her neck, trying to close a clasp on the back of her new dress. "I can't… get this."
It was the first time he had ever been in her bedroom.
Plump embroidered pillows, a fluffy rug, a silk kimono draped across the foot of the bed, a curtain of crystals hung across the windows. Deep rich colors of red, gold, amber, royal blue.
Soft, sensual, tactile. You'd lean back against the thick pillows, run your fingers over the rich fabrics, watch the patterns of light and dark as the crystals danced in a spring breeze.
A room you wanted to sleep late in, eat ice cream in, listen to a summer storm in.
A room you could talk in, make love in, seek comfort in.
A room where you could confess and not be judged.
A room that would make you strong enough to handle the horrors this world could bring.
This was a part of Joss he had kissed today, the part that had bubbled up with that laugh. The part that helped her be the strong, principled warrior that she was.
Reese stood behind her, closed the clasp.
"Thanks." She waved him away. "Go stand over there."
The dress was pretty, safe, boring.
Wrong.
If they were going to sell this sudden marriage at the party, her co-workers would have to see the woman who lived in this room.
Joss tilted her head at him. "Ok, I know you usually don't say a lot, but you gotta say something, John."
"It's…" Reese grimaced, "like the rest of your clothes, Joss."
"What's wrong with my clothes," her eyes raked up and down his dark suit and white shirt, "penguin boy?"
"Aside from the fact that you actually wear them – nothing," he shot back.
Before she could say anything else, Reese swiftly crossed the room, standing close to her. "It's just that…you're a beautiful woman, Joss. Your clothes should reflect that." Suddenly, his eyes gleamed, teeth flashing as he challenged her. "Let me pick out something for you."
She crossed her arms, snorted. "You? I thought Finch dressed you."
"Well, then it's time for me to pay it forward."
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Joss hated to admit that John was right.
It was a suit. An absolutely stunning, elegant, yet incredibly sexy suit.
Dark red, the slim skirt showed off her long legs and curvy rear end, hugging her narrow waist. The neckline of the short jacket was an architectural wonder, curving high around the back of her neck, then dipping down and opening in a long teardrop over her chest with just a hint of her cleavage exposed. And the flare at the end of the sleeves drew attention to her slender hands and the ring that everyone would get their first look at tonight.
A simple pair of diamond earrings and sky-high black stilettos completed the look.
It was perfect, just perfect.
Leaning forward, Joss tousled her hair, gave herself one last look in the bedroom mirror, and then walked out into the living area.
John was standing there waiting for her, perfectly still, his face a smooth mask.
They stood there for a long moment, staring at each other.
And then he smiled. It was the most smug, I-told-you-so, I'm-the-man, Give-me-my-props smile she had ever seen, a smile that deserved to be slapped off his face, if it wasn't so true.
Joss tried not to smile back, but she couldn't help it. "Beginner's luck, John."
"Then imagine," he stepped close to her, "what I could do with a little bit of practice, Detective." The smile was gone, his eyes dark, serious. "You look incredible, Joss."
"You don't look so bad yourself, penguin boy." If possible, the suit was blacker, the shirt whiter, emphasizing his height and broad shoulders. "Sure about the tie?" It was the same color as her suit.
He adjusted his collar. "For one night. We 'finance dorks' tend to wear them."
They drank in each other with their eyes for a moment longer and then Reese offered his arm. "Ready?"
She slipped her arm in his. "Let's go."
A/N: Next, the party.
