AN: Thanks so much for the reviews! I hope you all enjoy this chapter!...
Chapter 11
Dave held Erin in his arms. She was such a soft, small bundle—delicate, so different from how fierce her attitude usually was. There as nothing fierce about her at the moment. Her head was nestled under his chin, the silky strands of her ash blonde hair tangling in his prickly goatee. She had a sweetly innocent scent, too, clean and unpretentious, no perfumes or heavy fragrances. Erin was simply straightforward, no-nonsense loveliness.
He was stroking her idly on the back with his hand, his roughly calloused fingers catching slightly on the satin and lace. He couldn't discern what was smoother or silkier: her thick, wheat blonde hair that cascaded down her back, or the material of her camisole top. She felt so good and so right in his arms. She always had, even when she would open her mouth and rip him apart with her razor-sharp words. Ironically, Rossi recognized she still could do that at any given moment, and it was part of what he adored about her.
He would never be bored, that was for damn sure.
What was just as certain was his desire for her. Even after all the fighting and tears, he was still aroused. He had been since the moment he'd picked her up nearly two hours ago. At his age, most men wanting erections lasting that long required the help of a little blue pill. He'd never needed to use that—Grazie a Dio!—and he had a feeling as long as he was with her, he never would.
In fact, as he stood there holding her in her slinky underwear, he realized something that he hadn't done.
"Erin," he drawled in question.
She startled a little bit in his arms. It didn't surprise him; his voice was the first thing to ring out in the quiet little dressing room in many minutes. They'd stood there absorbing each other's warmth without haste. It was as if time had stood still.
She leaned back just slightly, her fine blonde brows drawn down in question. "Yes?"
He avoided smirking, even though her tone was just slightly suspicious. Trust between them was a fragile thing that would always need nourishing. "We're official now, aren't we?"
A look of amusement passed over her face. "I would say so."
"Maybe not," he said.
Her suspicious frown now included narrowed blue eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"I think we need a formality," he said, still teasing her, even though she was in the dark somewhat still. Erin needed to be teased, and often. It was good for her.
"A formality?"
"Mmm hmm," he said. "Something to seal the deal."
"What do you suggest?" she asked archly. "A blood contract?"
Dave did laugh that time. She'd hinted at his shady past for years now, and to finally call it what it had been was simply priceless.
"No, cara," he said, bringing his hand up behind her neck. "I was thinking something else highly Italian..."
Understanding lit her eyes—she was one of the fastest thinking women he knew—and she moved even closer. "And that is...?"
"Un bacio." He gave her a slow smile that was meant to promise her much and said, "Let me show you."
Dave drew her closer with both hands and then lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers. It was soft and sweet and delicate, like she was at that moment. It was an innocent exploration, an almost holy, nearly chaste kiss meant to show great affection.
It was also one tiny speck of the kiss he intended on giving her. After all, holy and chaste were not words to describe what was between him and Erin.
Like the pirate he was, he took her mouth a moment later, all that sweetness and fire she had building up. She gave a slight gasp of surprise, and then a moan of acquiescence came, along with her fingers threading in his thick hair.
"Yes," she whispered against his mouth as she drew him down for more plundering, a pirate queen of her own right. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, and she suckled on it.
The fire in Dave's body surged, and he found himself moaning as his blood thrummed wickedly, scorching him from the inside out. This was growing out of control, rapidly. He thrust his tongue again and reached for her panties, wanting to feel the dual wetness—
"Excuse me?" Brekka the salesgirl said. "Is everything okay in there?"
They pulled apart with the words. Dave couldn't speak. He simply watched her, puffy, kiss-bruised lips and tangled hair, and a lump of lust the size of a grapefruit formed in his throat.
"We're—" Erin paused to cough a little at the raspy, husky sound of her voice. "We're fine. We'll be out shortly."
"Okay, ma'am," the girl said, a touch of humor in her words. "Thank you, ma'am."
A moment later, Brekka's laughter was distant, but there.
Erin groaned. "How can I go out there?"
Dave touched her chin. "With your head up and proud, Erin."
She scoffed. "Because I was making out with you?"
"No," he said, reaching a hand up to brush back stray silky tendrils from her face. "Proud because you're the most desirable woman in that store—real or mannequin."
She smiled at him. "You really can be sweet sometimes."
He grinned back. "I just want to get you in the sack."
She rolled her eyes and swatted at him, but she was smiling as she opened the door. "Get out so I can get dressed."
Ah! He was proud of her, recognizing his tease. He kissed her softly again and then made his way out to the waiting area. He smiled to himself; this thing between them was going to be damned good!
As he'd promised, Hotch was walking JJ to her car. Although he'd been somewhat worried about dating a subordinate, a resounding thought went through his logical mind, over and over—they were a good pair. Her personality and his meshed well, and they had similar moral values and backgrounds. Hotch couldn't help but notice that even their steps were evenly matched. They were a good pair.
The less logical side of his mind noticed her shining blonde hair that he longed to touch and that she wore jeans and a T-shirt like no other woman on Earth. Outlining her curves to perfection, she made the mundane look sexy. Even Kevlar looked good on her. He wondered how she'd look in a bikini, or in a negligee, waiting for him with a seductive smile like she'd had in class—
Before his mind went too far in the gutter, he reigned himself in. Hotch did not appear, for all intents and purposes, to be a passionate man; however, he truly was. He was known for being in charge of his emotions and was labeled "stoic" by many people. That was a misnomer. He simply valued having personal control.
He glanced at JJ. Yes, he was definitely passionate.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Your plans for this weekend are...?"
"Henry has karate and tumbling on Saturday morning, and I have to visit a few friends on Sunday," she said softly as they walked amiably. "What are you plans?"
"Jack has a T-ball game on Saturday, but that should be over by seven," he hinted.
She smiled over at him, a touch of seductress in her look. "I could clear a spot..."
Hotch quirked a half-grin that she didn't see. She continued to look forward, walking with that cat-like smile on her face. He'd learned something new tonight; Jennifer Jareau was a definite tease.
As they approached her car, she turned to face him, and he arched a brow at her. "Could clear a spot...or would clear a spot?"
JJ leaned against her car. "That depends," she drawled, looking down at his chest and then slowly raising her sky blue eyes up to him. "What are we going to do?"
"I have a few ideas," he began.
"Such as?"
He smiled at the eagerness in her voice. The market on teasing was not cornered by her...
"I was thinking perhaps dinner at Chez Daniel," he said.
Her pretty pink lips turned into an O of surprise. "Pretty snazzy…"
"Followed by a walk in the park, under the lights," he continued, stepping closer to her.
She bit her bottom lip to prevent smiling. "That might be worth clearing a schedule..."
"And then," he said softly, reaching for her hands and drawing her into his chest, "I thought we could do a little of this..."
Cupping her face in his large palms, Aaron lowered his head and began to kiss her. He kissed her slowly, luxuriously, as if he had all day and all night to just explore. He brushed his lips over hers, savoring them, the silky feel of her mouth, the slight catch of her breath as he did it again with more pressure.
He loved kissing; it was a forgotten art by most men, but not by him. It was the tempt, the tease that brought the most pleasure. Plus, he could prove easily: the market for teasing was not just cornered by her.
As he felt her fingertips sink into his shirt while she sank further into his kiss, he adjusted his angle and approached from a different side, testing and sampling her lips in every way. He licked her lip, and Aaron felt her breathy sigh as she opened her mouth for more of his kiss.
The heat started to rise between them as he dove into the sweetness, licking into her mouth. She was sweet and velvety, and her tongue toyed with his. He lowered his hands to her waist and drew her even closer to him, wanting to feel more of her lithe body. He wanted to push against her, but she was next to the chilly metal of her car. With a deft movement, he twisted with her so that he was leaning against her car and she was leaning on him, her sweet body lined up with his.
They kissed and kissed, entwined around each other, drinking and drawing from their mouths with equal fervor. When he finally broke the kiss, he heard her whisper, "Wow... Lightening."
Hotch raised his head and looked into her passion-glazed eyes. "What was that?"
The corners of her mouth lifted the slightest bit, and then she began to grin. "Nothing."
He smiled back at her and arched a brow. "How does that sound?"
"I'm pretty sure I can open a slot in my schedule," she said, winking at him.
"That is satisfactory," he replied, but internally, he was turning cartwheels.
Opening her car door, she climbed in, and then he shut it. Still grinning, she said, "See you tomorrow, Aaron."
"Goodnight, JJ," he replied, and she sped away.
Hotch was still smiling, too, as he tossed his keys in the air and caught them before heading to his car to pick up Jack from his Aunt Jessica's.
