Chapter 11

"Wait," Alex said. "Do you want a coffee, or a tea? Something else to help you warm up?"

Deliberately, he shook his head. He leaned toward her, and the blanket dropped a little, revealing the rest of his bare chest. Her eyes drifted down a moment, then back up.

"You… you're interested in me," Bobby said. It wasn't a question. He was using his detective skills now, something he rarely did in their personal relationship.

Alex said nothing. She couldn't deny it, but she wanted to know what Bobby felt, first.

He picked up her hand and held it between both of his. "I didn't realize…and even last night…"

"I don't remember last night," she admitted.

"Oh, nothing happened… nothing like that."

"I know."

"I just… you were sleeping, and when I tried to wake you… you said my name."

One corner of her mouth curled into a smile. "What about you, Bobby?" Alex asked.

He squeezed her hand, then took one of his away to rub the back of his neck. "I… I don't know. I don't understand…" He looked her in the eye. "I don't want to screw everything up."

"I don't care about your self-doubts, Bobby. I want to know… how do you feel?"

He dropped his free hand against the blanket on his leg. "I… Alex, I feel…something." His face was distraught. "But I don't know what the feeling is."

"You're not sure if you love me?"

He nodded, then shook his head, then nodded. "My father…"

"You're not anything like your father, Bobby."

"But sex addiction is hereditary."

"Oh, please. You're a sex addict like I have compulsive eating disorder. I like to eat; it doesn't mean I'm compulsive about it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You're not your father, Bobby." She turned and leaned her back against the couch. "Look. What kind of feeling is it?"

"Desire."

He said it so quickly, it surprised her. She looked into his eyes, and felt a twinge of her own. "Desire, how? Tell me more." She licked her lips and swallowed, trying to keep a detached manner about it all.

"I want you. What else does desire mean?"

"Sexually."

"Of course. And… protectively."

This gave her a smile. "You want to protect me?"

"But that could just be, you know… the partnership, the job."

"Or friendship. Or love."

"You see how confusing it is."

"Tell me more. What else do you feel?" She asked, very aware that his fingers were gripped tightly around her hand.

"I don't know. That's the big one."

"What else? How about when I didn't call you back? Any feelings then?"

"Fear."

"Fear of what?"

"That… that I lost my chance. That I lost you."

"That doesn't sound anything like sex addiction. A sex addict would just find someone else." She looked over at him. "What else? What about right now?"

"I'm terrified."

"I can see that."

"And… I…" His face drew closer and his mouth moved over hers, working open lips and tongue, exploring, giving her a glimpse into the depth of what he was feeling. He broke away, and his hand gripped hers tighter than ever.

"I…I can't… all my relationships fail," he stammered.

"It takes two to make a relationship work," she said. She placed her hand on his heart, the same way she had in the street the other day. "You're a good man, Robert Goren. You don't believe it, but I've seen it. I just saw it again yesterday, with Ronnie Stiles' girlfriend and his kids."

"I've made so many mistakes," he said, shaking his head and looking down.

She raised her hand from where it lay on his chest and cupped his cheek. "What's done is done. This is something new, here. A new beginning." She leaned in, and he finally released her other hand, slipping his around her back. She kissed him lightly on the lips and he drew back.

"I can't lose you, Eames. I can't screw this up."

"You won't lose me Bobby. Whatever happens, I promise we will always be friends."

"I can be an ass sometimes."

"I know." She kissed him again, and placing both hands around her, he hugged her close.

She slipped her left hand to the back of his head and her right slid back and forth on his thigh. They paused a moment, and Bobby yanked the blanket off, tossing it to the floor. "I think you've warmed me up, now," he joked.

"Mmmmm," she said, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. She caressed his bare chest. "There's something wrong here," she said.

"What?" He asked.

"You're the only one out of your clothes."

Bobby grinned and released her from his grip. He watched her muscular arms as she pulled her shirt over her head. He studied the lace design of her bra while she shimmied out of her pants. "Now, that's better," Alex smiled at him.

"It's not quite… fair yet," he said, and he dipped his fingers under the bottom of her bra, tugging at it. "I mean, I'm not wearing anything above the waist."

Alex reached back and released the clasp. He pulled her bra from her arms, letting it drop to the floor as he stared at her voluptuous breasts.

She watched him watching her, and a smile graced her lips. She leaned forward, inviting him to let his hands explore. He was happy to oblige.

"Beautiful," he whispered, as his hands danced over her curves. Their mouths met again, and Alex's hands journeyed over his skin, too.

Moaning their pleasure, worries faded away as they focused entirely on discovering each other.