A/N: I'm not a fan of this episode, but making a part of it what I wished it could've been is definitely a nice thing. The ghost was boring to me and the people surrounding him were just bland. Enjoy! xx Mariah
It was late at night, past nine o'clock.
Jim was making himself something to eat during his late shift tonight, and Melinda was working late on the books for the store. She was crunching the numbers, tapping away at her calculator and penciling things into the book. Andrea had also suggested they store the information on a hard drive so she had to type it up after.
Melinda wiped her brow, writing in another large sale she'd made in the last week on a nightstand and vanity set.
"Andrea has nerves of steel, I mean, I can't imagine anything scarier than having to get up in front of a bunch of people and make 'em laugh." She said as she wrote things down on her paperwork. "Could you do that?"
"Me? No." He answered as he tried to decide which apple to pick. "Heck I was Linus in a third-grade production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown and I almost blew chunks of Snoopy."
"Wow!" She exclaimed as she looked on her laptop, scrolling through this month's profit.
She didn't expect to make that much this month.
There had been some expensive spending when it came to fixing little things at the store. Like the door handle broke and needed to get that fixed, the lights were flickering and she had to get that under control, and there had been an estate sale where she went over what she and Andrea budgeted for a larger piece.
But fifteen thousand dollars.
Fifteen thousand dollars was definitely more than her usual profit of maybe a couple thousand to sometimes when she happened to get a nice furniture set.
"That's not about my third-grade play, now is it?" He asked as she jumped from her seat and raced into the kitchen.
"No, it's about the store. I'm doing the numbers and it looks like this month we are turning a profit! The store is turning an actual profit!" She exclaimed from the kitchen doorway.
"Really? Congratulations!" He took a step toward her, his smile growing as he saw the excitement on her face.
He loved seeing his wife no matter what, but seeing her overjoyed and happy was his favorite. Well, one of his favorites. He also enjoyed when she wasn't wearing very much clothing.
Tonight's outfit she was wearing was rather hot. Her blue tank top clung to her and he didn't realize she wasn't wearing a bra until now. Her breasts flattened against his chest as they hugged quickly and she smiled big at him.
As she pulled back, he really wished he didn't have to work tonight.
"It's right there in black and white. That's fifteen thousand dollars in profit, Jim." She squealed, squeezing his side as she held the paper up for him to see. "We should celebrate, my treat."
"Definitely," he whispered and hugged her tightly again once he read it. "It's amazing, honey. I'm so proud of you and Andrea and all of your handiwork."
"Thank you," she whispered in a kiss against his cheek. "I couldn't have done it without all your endless support. I love you."
His pants tightened as she nibbled on his ear and ran back into the dining room saying something about calling Andrea to join.
After dinner that transitioned to more than a few drinks, Jim had driven Andrea back to her apartment, then he and Melinda arrived home. Jim was pretty sure Melinda had fallen asleep, not only from waiting for him to bring Andrea up to her door but from the alcohol she'd drank throughout the night. Jim smiled at her as he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning across the center console to press a kiss to her exposed neck.
She hummed sleepily as he kissed her neck again, sucking a little at her skin this time. "Melinda," he whispered, nudging his nose up against her jawline. "Honey... we're home."
"Mmm," she turned her head to look up at him. "We are?" Her hand touched his face softly as a smile graced her face. "Oh, we are. Did I fall asleep?"
"I think when I went to bring Andrea in. She broke her heel walking up the stairs. That's why it took so long," he shrugged and went to open his door. "Do you need any help walking?"
"I think I'm okay," she unbuckled slowly and grabbed her purse from the floor by her feet. She slowly got out, stepping down onto the driveway and smiling when she saw Jim walking around the front of the car. "Hey, I'm fine." She closed the car door and grabbed onto his hand that he held out. "I really am."
"I know," he said. "I sill want to walk inside with you. I had a good time tonight."
"Me too," she smiled into his arm as she leaned into him as they walked up the steps of their porch. "I can wait to let my hair down and get out of these jeans."
"Can I help?" He asked, putting the keys in the door.
"Of course," she winked as he opened the door and stepped inside first.
They made their way upstairs and despite Jim asking to help her out of her clothes, she told him to wait on the bed while she freshened up in the bathroom. Melinda drank a sobering up of water before she slipped out of her jeans and blouse. She ran her hands through her hair and fixed her lipstick before she went to open the door. Melinda immediately wished she hadn't let Andrea talk her into this as soon as she walked out of the bathroom.
Jim was already in his pajama pants and sitting in bed, flipping a page of the book he had opened to read. What was she expecting anyway? She's not this type of girl. She doesn't wear things like this. She wore Jim's old shirts and leggings or the occasional nightgowns to bed, not lacy stockings and corsets.
She was just about to turn around and change into something more Melinda-appropriate when Jim's eyes looked up suddenly, the bright blue eyes found her in an instant. His eyebrows nearly disappeared behind his over-long black hair as his gaze moved over her body.
"Babe, what are you wearing?" He asked.
The blush started on her chest, pouring it's way up to fill her cheeks as she ducked her head. "I don't know," she muttered embarrassingly. "It was silly. Andrea said it was a thing- that you would probably like it, but I don't know what I was thinking. I've never worn something like this before... not since our wedding." She wished the floorboards would separate and swallow her up, never to be seen or heard from again. And this damn tight corset doesn't really help the situation at all.
He cleared his throat as he sat up, pulling the blankets with him as he let his feet find the floor next to the bed. "I don't like it." He said softly. "I love it."
Her gaze snapped up from the floor to find dark pools surrounded by thin rings of blue as he heatedly observed her from his seat on the edge of the bed.
"Really?" She asked, her voice surprised.
He extended a large hand out towards her with a tender smile. "You look beautiful, Melinda. You always look so sexy," he practically moaned. "Come here."
She shook her head in disagreement but allowed her hand to find his anyway. Jim guided her toward him slowly, his eyes still roving over her form, lingering on the garter straps that peek out beneath the material of her corset. Once she was near enough, he wrapped a hand around the back of each thigh, his thumbs rubbed gentle circles just above the ends of her stockings. He nudged her closer, moving her so she stood between his knees before he leaned forward and let his face come to rest against the flat of her stomach.
Her fingers found their way to the soft curls of his hair naturally, a path they've forged a thousand times. Jim huffed a heavy sigh against her and the material of her corset did little to cover her skin from the gentle warmth of his breath. She shivered and knew he'd felt it. They were too close for him not to have noticed the way her body reacted to him. A tiny moan slipped past her lips when he suddenly pressed an open-mouthed kiss against her stomach, a circle of damp heat finding it's way through the thin fabric to her skin.
A moment later, Jim balanced his chin against her so he could peer up at her with a grin. "Do you have any idea what seeing you in these does to me?" His fingers played with the garter straps, snapping them against her skin light. "Is this something you bought when you went to the city with Andrea for that estate sale last week?"
She nodded her head wordlessly, a shy smile played at her lips. "Yeah. So you like how it looks on me?"
He watched her, his pupils dark pools of lust as his hands glided up her thighs and under her. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her thighs. His gaze met hers again after a long moment before he huskily admitted, "It makes me want to fuck you over and over again."
Warmth tingled through her limbs as she shifted nervously onto the balls of her feet and bit her bottom lip to hide the grin spreading across it. "Then do it," she challenged, earning an impish grin from him as he moved up and over her.
His erection pressed eagerly against her and she ground her hips down against him. He released a guttural groan, eyelids fluttering shut for a moment. "Fuck, Mel." He whispered and his lips eagerly captured hers.
His tongue flicked lightly against her bottom lip as he pulled it between both of his, earning a pleasure-filled sigh. Jim didn't hesitate for a moment before his tongue delved past her lips, stroking the roof of her mouth as she melted in his arms. Her fingers twined through his hair, pulling him closer, ensuring he couldn't get away. Her body filled with a languid heat that pooled in her veins, lighting her desire with each moan she earned from him.
She moved against him in a slow rhythm, his fingers dug into her hips as he dropped his lips to draw a path of heated kisses along her jaw, down her neck, across her collarbone. Slowly, his hands slid down her thighs, fingers fumbling with the clasps of the garter straps as he blindly attempted to unfasten each one. Melinda bit her cheek to keep from laughing at the little frown that took over his face when he pulled away and focused his attention on the tiny metal contraptions.
A frustrated sigh escaped him when his fingers fumbled and failed to release the same clasp for the third time. She couldn't stop the tiny chuckle that made it's way past her lips earning a playful glare from the stunning man between her legs. Leaning forward to sit up quickly, she pressed a kiss on the tender skin where his jaw met his neck, sucking gently until she felt him relax with a soft moan. She wanted this to be enjoyable, not some puzzle to frustrate him.
When she pulled away, her eyes never left his. She slid from underneath him as he laid on his side and tried not to think about her general lack of sexiness as she quickly fiddled with the remaining clasps on her stockings, releasing each one easily. Jim's gaze grew dark with want once she finished and he got up off the bed, allowing the comforter to open at his movements, bringing her back to the bed and pinning her under him.
It's only a moment before his hands tugged down the corset to reveal her breasts, taking one under each palm as his fingers work deftly against the tender skin. She gave him a little whimper, arching up against his touch. His hands broke away for a brief moment as he found the hem of her corset. She leaned forward, allowing him to slip behind her and untie the knob and slip the corset over her head before he pressed her back into the bed, his lips moving desperately with hers. He shifted slightly over her and she wiggled beneath him, seeking a release for the heat coiling and settling lower in her abdomen.
She let out a breathy gasp when her core made contact with his thigh, earning a smirk from him as he pulled away from her. A scowl made it's way across her face before he even had the chance to stand again and Jim let out a deep laugh before reaching a thumb forward to smooth out the crease in her brow.
"You're so damn cute when you're pouting," he chuckled like a gleeful little schoolboy. "Even now."
"Shut up!" she fired back, the scowl returning instantly, "I'm not pouting. At least I wasn't trying to... I thought you wanted to fuck my brains out."
His smile fell as a primal look washed over him, sending a shiver through her. "I do," he said softly, his tone meaningful as his fingers hook in the band of one stocking. "I always do."
He leaned forward, pressing a warm, soft kiss to her inner thigh and creates a trail along her leg as he slowly pulled the thin layer of stocking away. Her thighs clenched when he repeated the same motion with her other leg, wetness gathered between her thighs as he did. Her eyes fell shut when he lifted her foot from where it rested and pressed a kiss to the sole of it. Her toes curled at the sensation, almost ticklish, but too enjoyable to pull away from his grasp.
Her thin piece of panties was the last to go and he tugged them off eagerly, settling between her thighs the moment her feet are free of the constricting material. The look that washed over his face, the one that he always wears when he was in this position, is one of awe and desire. Splaying one hand over her stomach, he lifts one of her legs over his shoulder so he can latch his arm around it. Her muscles tightened when he came close, letting out a warm breath against the sensitive, heated flesh between her legs, but he doesn't touch her as she wanted him too.
She lifted her hips, but he pressed her back against the mattress with the hand still resting on her abdomen. "Jim, please..." She begged.
He gave her a toothy grin before finally lowering his mouth to her, licking greedily at her warmth. Her breath hitched as the heat in her belly grew hotter and moved lower. Her fingers grasped at the smooth linens on the bed as she rocked against him.
"Oh," she sighed softly. Jim groaned when he found her sweet spot and she grasped at his hair. "Jim, oh, that's good. Right there... yes, oh yes..."
He lapped eagerly at her, letting his tongue delve just enough inside, but not far enough – just enough to drive her mad with want. She tried to move her hips closer to him, to hint at what she needed, but he held her down firmly in place and showed no intention of adding his fingers to the mix. She could feel his smile against her as he worked and the twinkle in his eye was a dead giveaway as well. He was intentionally winding her up but denying her release.
"Please, oh please, Jim." She finally panted after he swirled his tongue against her in what seemed to be a never-ending game for him.
He straightened up, a devilish grin spreading across his lips that shine with her arousal. "Please what?" He grinned.
She glared at him, but he didn't relent like he usually will. He was going to make her say it, beg for it. "Just- oh Jim." Her thighs shook. "Make love to me already, why don't you?"
The snort he let out breezed over her, only adding to her desire for him to be buried between her thighs as his lips were on hers. "Such the romancer," he crooned, sliding up her body and pressing a kiss to her lips.
He tasted like her. That's a feeling that she'll never get enough of like she marked him as hers. She waited until he broke their kiss before she added, "I need you."
A soft smile played at his lips, "That's better, baby."
Melinda was the first to reach down, taking him in her hand and guiding it to her entrance. He watched silently, staring at her hand wrapped around him. She let out a deep sigh once he pressed into her, burying himself in one slow thrust. He pressed his face against the crook of her neck, breathing in her soft scent as he began pumping into her, slowly at first, but building. He braced his arms on either side of her shoulders as her arms wrapped around his back, fingers dug against the smooth skin of his ass as he moved rhythmically against her.
Her moans guided his pace and his eyes never left hers once. He drove into her relentlessly, clearly having meant what he said about making love to her senseless. She didn't think she could have a coherent thought that didn't involve Jim right now. Her thighs began to quiver and she knew her orgasm wasn't far off, he could feel it building, spreading along every nerve fiber in her body. She let out a sound lost somewhere between a moan and a growl as he sped up, his movements became more spastic as he throbbed inside of her.
The hand still on his back clenched, unconsciously scratching his skin as she cried out, shouting something akin to his name, arching against him as her thighs clenched and her muscles fluttered around him.
"Oh shit. You feel so damn good." He whispered as he thrust once more before spilling inside her. "Oh, Mel... how did I deserve you." He collapsed on top of her, his head rested against her chest like a child's as his weight held her from floating into a million pieces as she reveled in her post-orgasmic bliss. She played gently with his hair, now damp with his sweat. "I love you." He let out a boyish giggle after a long silence only filled by their heavy breathing.
"What?" She asked in confusion, suddenly self-conscious and wondering what she must have done to amuse him so.
He lifted his head, resting his chin against her sternum so he could meet her worried gaze. His smile set her somewhat at ease. "And here I was thinking we were going to turn in early tonight at first. I love these stockings." He admitted softly, his fingers tracing where the thin material had been not long ago. "You should wear them again."
"Hmm." She sighed contentedly as she relaxed again. "I will."
"But, Mel?" He whispered.
She arched an eyebrow, too tired to be bothered with words. He frowned, his brows pinched together as though he had a nasty taste in his mouth.
"Next time don't bother with those stupid garter straps. Those things are like a damn Rubik's Cube." He shook his head.
She laughed but nodded, "Next time, just the stockings then."
"Good," he whispered and he knew her well enough to know she would literally only wear the stockings. "And we'll keep them on while we make love next time... maybe even some heels."
"Deal," she smiled against him.