The Blue Dress
Chapter Ten: The Blue Mark

Jason didn't see her until another three days after what he had affectionately dubbed the "Scotch Incident". He wished he could write it off as a momentary lapse in judgment, or a drunken decision gone horribly awry, but he knew better. The heat between them was unmistakable, it burned like hellfire and curled over their skin in ribbons of indescribable pleasure. It was beautiful and terrible at the same time, and Jason didn't know whether he wanted to run or let himself go up in flames.

The latter choice was beginning to sound far better.

"I came to drop these files off."

Jason jerked and looked up to see Raven in the doorway, her hair loose and curling around her neck. His eyebrows knitted together and he gave her a slow once-over, trying to figure out what in the world she was doing. Her white shirt was buttoned all the way to her neck, and her hair was free from her usual, severe bun, and her eyes darted around the room as if she was ashamed of something. She looked… out of place, and not at all like herself.

"Oh, new files?" He reached for them, feeling strangely like this entire interaction was forced and planned out. Jason stood up and reached across the desk for the files in her hand, trying not to think about the fact that she had been sitting on the edge of that very same desk, guiding his hand between her legs. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated sin, and they knew they were both wrong, but neither of them wanted to quit just yet.

"Thank you, Raven."

"You're welcome Mister-"

Jason lifted his eyebrow.

"-Jason," she finished hastily. Her eyes shifted from his face to the file, and she fidgeted with her hair, pulling it over the left side of her neck with nearly shaking fingers. She look a deep breath and let it go slowly, taking a few steps towards the door. "If you need anything else from me-"

"Don't we have an appointment with each other tonight, Raven?" He dropped the files on his desk and walked toward his office door, shutting it before she could escape. "I distinctly remember your email from three days ago talking about how we had to meet tonight, because you have plans tomorrow." His eyes narrowed and he leaned against the closed door. "And don't say you have a headache."

Raven snapped her mouth shut and fidgeted with her hair again, avoiding his stare. "I'd rather not discuss my personal issues with you, Mr. Todd."

Oh, we were back to Mr. Todd now?

"Why I cancel the appointment is none of your concern." With a definitive nod, she pushed her hair back from her shoulders and started toward the door, but Jason stopped her, his eyes locked on her neck. There, peaking just above the collar of her white button down, sat a little back and blue mark. A hickey. His hickey. He fought the urge to groan or purr with excitement. There was a strange surge of distinctly male pride that bubbled up into his chest as he stared at it, like it was artwork meant only for him. A thin smile split his lips, and he took a step forward, crowding her body easily.

"Your sudden change of plans wouldn't have anything to do withthis…?" He cupped the column of her neck and feathered his thumb over the darkening mark, watching as a deep, red blush stained her cheeks. "Would it, Raven?"

"I accidentally made another appointment." She lied easily as she lifted her head and looked him right in the eyes, her nostrils flaring just slightly under the pressure. It was a strange little twitch, although he certainly didn't mind getting her riled up like this. "It has nothing to do with… the other day."

"The other day?" Jason slid his fingers over her collarbone and started to unfasten those little, pearl buttons leading down her chest, his eyes never leaving her own. "You mean when we made out in my office, and you moved my hand to your-"

"Enough." Raven blushed, but she made no move to brush his hand off of her collar. "I only came to drop off the files, Mr. Todd."

"Jason," he corrected, his smile curling at the edges of his lips.

"Mr. Todd." There was an edge to her voice, and it sounded sharp and biting, as if she were desperately trying to keep control over the situation. It was kinda cute, like she honestly thought that he would give up without a fight. She didn't know him as well as she thought then.

"I have somewhere else to be, Mr. Todd."

"Mm?" He pulled the collar down on her shirt, fully exposing the mark like a little, purple brand on her pale skin. They locked eyes for a moment, and Jason suddenly became fascinated with the way her cheeks flushed with each gasping breath. Heat and arousal thumped wildly through her veins, and he could practicallysmell it on her - as if it was her own person fragrance.

Jason hummed with delight, and he brought his mouth down to that little mark on her neck, wrapping his lips around the little bruise with tender, innocent kisses. He was going to make it darker, to keep it on her skin for as long as he could, as punishment for insolence. He wanted to make her his, and show it off for everyone to see. His tongue traced the shape of the mark, and Raven twitched in surprise as her neck fell back, exposing the flesh he was currently feasting on. She tasted even better than she smelled, and vaguely like tea and sex. God, he wanted to find where that glorious scent was coming from, and Jason wondered what the rest of her tasted like.

"W-we can't… not… like this…"

Not like this? Then how? Jason's eyebrows lifted in surprise, but he refused to remove his lips from her skin. No, he would much rather ravish her with long, drawn out kisses and touched meant to destroy her. She fidgeted against him her hands slowly raising up to bury in his hair. Her body trembled, as if she was unsure if she wanted to bring him closer or push him away. There was a war inside her, and it was burning her alive.

And, oh… how he wanted to burn with her.

"Jason…"

He smiled, the sound of her voice was so beautiful and desperate, the same way she had said it in the boiler room. It made his body jump with excitement and he pulled away, nudging her nose with his own. "Don't cancel our meeting, Raven."

"We can't do this."

"No." His voice was surprisingly teasing, even to him. "We can do this… we just shouldn't." He placed an innocent kiss on her lips, releasing her hips from his hands and moving to button up the few buttons he had undone. "Five-thirty tonight, Raven… don't be late."

"Jason, I can't… we can't." Raven fingered the mark on her neck as if it was something precious. "I think we should-"

"Five thirty, Raven." Jason opened the door for her, a smile playing at his lips. "I'll see you then."

She pursed her lips, but said nothing as she moved toward the door. Jason just leaned back on his heels and stared at the pleasant sway of her hips. Oh, the things he wanted to do with the sweet swell of her hips…