Author note : here is update #2 for today... sorry for the cliffy... next chapter may heat up a bit... not sure yet... let me know what yell think and want
Still don't own any of this
After she had finished preparing her cup and moved into the living room, Abbie sat on the couch, in one of its corners, with her legs curled up underneath her and her left arm draped across the back of the couch. Crane sat across from her on the couch and watched as she pulled her cup up to her lips, take a sip and let it out soft sigh as the warm liquid flowed down her throat. She wiggled a bit deeper into the couch corner as she looked up to meet Crane's eyes. Quickly Crane diverted his stare but not fast enough for Abbie not to see that he had been staring at her.
Abbie suppressed a giggle as she saw Crane's cheeks darken a bit. She was at ease and was enjoying the relaxation of the familiar in the cabin. She leaned forward to place her cup on the table in front of her. She stretched her arms above her, taking in a deep relaxing breath. As she lowered her arms, she began to run them down her head and through her hair, removing a few hairpins that had been placed to keep the majority of her hair pulled back. She tossed them on to the coffee table and started to shake out her hair, loosening her curls a bit more.
Crane watched her flip the curls free, mesmerized by the gentle ballet that the hair performed as it floated softly above her shoulders then danced down her skin as it landed on their final resting place only to start the dance again. A soft smile graced his face and it seemed that he had found it located there several times that evening.
Abbie released a sigh as she swept her hair to her right shoulder. She reached behind to remove the necklace that had hung just above her collarbone all night. She fumbled with it for a few minutes, becoming more irritated with each moment that passed she wasn't able to remove it. Defeated she was willing to forget it when she felt a second pair of slender fingers glide over the chain to the clasp. Dropping her hands, she tilted her head slightly to the left and placed her chin to her shoulder. She was able to make out part of Crane's tall physique standing behind her, removing the delicate piece of jewelry. She felt his fingertips brush across the back of her neck as he unclasped the necklace, then felt the warmth of his palms resting on her collar as he dropped the necklace loose. Finally his left hand skated across her upper chest as he gathered the item to remove it from her person completely. Abbie did not realize that her eyes had been closed during the entire transaction nor that she had a breath caught in her throat until he finished and placed the necklace on the table.
Softly releasing the breath, in an effort to regain her composure, Abbie watched Crane cross the room towards a small stereo in the corner of the room. Crane had discovered a deep love for soul and blues music. Abbie had found him several times studying the bible while humming along to John Legend and Natural King Cole. As the music softly entered the room, she recognized the artist and tune. Michael Buble had become an all time favorite of Crane's and she had also grown to love him. Once setting the music to a level where they could hear and enjoy it but still converse over it, Crane walked back towards the couch. He slid on to the couch and turned to face her. He leaned back while propping his head up on his left hand and pulled his left knee up on to the middle of the couch. " Thank you." Abbie whispered her gratitude for the simple yet exact way Crane could know her request without her voicing it.
"My pleasure." Crane smiled. The two sat quiet for a few moments relishing in the sweet love song playing and each other's company.
Crane started to fidget with his tie, unable to release the knot from around his neck. Struggling Crane huffed out a breath.
Abbie stifled a laugh then leaned towards him, reaching for his collar to loosen the tie. First she had to release the buttons on the collar. As she did so, her fingers and hands grazed the skin on Crane's neck, causing him to swallow hard. Abbie saw his adam's apple bob on his neck and stopped another laugh from bursting from within her. Her lips raised on one side of her face, knowing that her touch was altering Crane in some form.
Once freed of the collar, Abbie feed one finger on her left hand between the tie and collar of his shirt. After tugging slightly on it, she feed another finger behind the knot and gripped the other side with her right hand. She can feel the softness of the shimmering silk tie as she tugged it from around his neck. The tail of the tie slid out of the knot and Abbie continued to pull on the tie until it no longer was around Crane but puddled in her palms. She could still feel the heat on the tie from where Crane's body had warmed it. "Thank you." It was Crane's turn to whisper his gratitude.
Abbie was still leaning towards him. She reached up and loosened the top button of his shirt, unsure why it felt natural to do this for him. Her eyes glided up his neck, over his jaw and cheeks and up to his eyes; stopping only for a moment at his lips. Staring intently at each other, both held their breath. Scared that just one thing would release the spell of this moment.
Just inches from one another, Abbie's tongue slipped out to moisten her lips as she watched Crane swallow again. The corners of her lips tugged upward again as she gazed on the reaction Crane was having to her.
His eyes drank in the softness of her skin, the plumpness of her lips, the richness of her eyes. He noticed a slight rose tint appear on her cheeks as she realized that he was studying her face. He wanted to add the memory of her in this moment to the many he collected tonight, in order to recall her beauty right now at a later date.
Crane could feel the pull she had on him, drawing him closer to her. Inch by inch, the two partners eased into each other. "Abbie?" Crane whispered but it sounded as if he had actually breathed her name out.
Abbie pushed forward, ending the standoff and closed the gap between them. As her right hand cupped his left cheek, Crane had instinctively leaned into it. Doing so had lined him up perfectly so all Abbie had to do was lean her head to the left and line up their lips. Softly her lips connected with his, fleeting delicately over his. He could feel the tenderness of the plump lips he had been scrutinizing just moments before.
It had started softly, Abbie afraid to overwhelm Crane but as the kiss continued, Crane raised his hands to cup both sides of Abbie's face. His long fingers sliding into her gentle curls around her ears and neck. Just as Abbie thought that he would push her away, she felt him tug briskly on her head, drawing her closer to him and deepening the kiss all at once.
Abbie slid her tongue out and was met with Crane's as his lips parted. She licked across his lower lip before entering his mouth. She could feel the heat of his breath and taste the champagne they had enjoyed earlier off his lips and tongue. She felt Crane move his fingers deeper into her hair. A soft moan escaped from deep in her chest as her heart pounded there. Her body was getting warmer as each second passed.
After several moments, Abbie pulled away but Crane did not let her get too far, resting his forehead to hers. Panting, Abbie could not stop the smile that planted itself on her face and would never leave again. "Wow." she whispered quietly, as if talking too loud would wake her from this dream.
All she heard as a response was a low chuckle from Crane that she matched with a sweet giggle. As he opened his eyes, Crane was greeted with a contented smile that graced Abbie's lips. Her eyes were still shut but he could see such a deep joy on her face that his heart leapt again, just like it had when he first saw her that night. "Abbie." Crane pleaded for her to open her eyes with just her name. He needed to see all of her.
Slowly Abbie raised her eyes to him. She saw such a deep happiness dancing in the green orbs that stared back at her but it was mixed with a bit of fear. Could he really think she did not want him to kiss her? Abbie questioned as she reached for him again, needing the feel of him desperately. She ran her hand over his cheek, feeling his beard scratch at her palm.
"Are you regretting that Abbie?" Crane's voice pulled her out of her study of his features. Now she could see more guilt and pain in his eyes than she had ever seen before. "I do deeply apologize if my actions brought you any discomfort. I know that my actions, my advances, may not be expected or warranted." Crane started to pull away from her. He slipped out her grasp and was standing by the stereo in a moment's notice. His back towards her, head bowed down, and Abbie could see the tension build in his shoulders.