Alrighty…not as long, but short and sweet, I hope. More to come…and as always, thanks for reading, reviewing, following, etc…
Chapter 21- Alone with you
The late afternoon sunlight slipped past the horizontal blinds painting a pattern of yellow and orange along Jane's back as she lay across Maura's chest sleeping. Maura studied the alternating colors of yellow and orange interweaved with a shadowy slant as her fingers lightly grazed the bare skin beneath her hands. With the lightest of touches, she traced the lines that filtered the contrasting of light and dark as they mixed with the colors of the setting sun.
Slow and measured breaths caressed Maura as Jane continued to sleep under a gentle exploration of fingers and eyes. As Maura mapped out the contours of the body that lay atop her own, she felt a contentment she had never known before. Dark hair was spread out over Jane's shoulders and across Maura's chest in black waves of silky softness. Lifting her head so she could see Jane better, Maura noticed that Jane's dark hair shimmered in the fading sunlight with a bluish undertone she had never noticed before. She shivered at the memory of that dark hair moving over her skin, leaving a trail of fire only to be fueled by Jane's unyielding mouth reigning down on her.
It had been nearly two weeks since they had last been together like this and the anticipation had nearly killed them both. The fact that her mother was going to gone for the weekend, leaving her alone for the first time since she had come home from Paris was enough to send Maura's spirits soaring. Not only was her mother going to be gone, but Berta was also off for the weekend. She had asked Frankie to slip a small note into Jane's gym bag earlier that day with a simple message scrawled across the paper.
Home alone…I'll be waiting...
M.
When Jane showed up at her house that afternoon, all of the pent up desire they had kept at bay had all but exploded in the hallway before they could make it to Maura's room. A reckless abandon had pushed Jane past any barriers she had once been hiding behind. The shock of being taken on the stairs just steps away from her room had caused Maura's head to spin. Jane had taken her with a ferocity she hadn't expected. Any reservations that Jane may have had before were completely gone as she brought Maura's world crashing down along with a few pictures that had once hung in the stairway.
With gentle strokes, Maura combed her fingers through Jane's soft hair allowing it slide over the back of her hand and across her arm. It was the same luxuriously sleek feeling she had experienced traveling the length of her body before eventually moving to the inside of her thighs. The lingering feeling of Jane moving with an urgency that matched her own as they crested together, clinging to each other filled Maura's thoughts as she continued to watch Jane as she slept. Her skin still burned from Jane's touch and with each breath she took, Maura's need to feel it again grew stronger.
As Maura continued to brush her fingers through Jane's hair and then down her back, she felt a gentle kiss within the hollow of her throat. She could feel Jane's smile against her skin as the body above hers shifted slightly so they could look at each other.
"What're you doin'?" Jane murmured placing gentle kisses along Maura's neck until she was hovering over Maura looking down into her eyes.
"Ummm…just enjoying the view..." Maura responded quietly as she continued to lightly run her fingers over Jane's back.
"I'm glad I'm finally alone with you cuz I really like using you for a pillow…you're soft, warm, and you smell really good…" Jane sighed happily as she watched the green in Maura's eyes darken a shade. Holding Maura's gaze, she found herself transfixed by the depths of soft hazel and dark green. The colors shinning back at her were so deep that Jane felt herself drowning. She had never anticipated being so willing to drown until that moment.
"I'm glad I could accommodate you…" Maura quipped as she wiggled under Jane's body. The skin on skin contact caused them both to moan.
Suddenly turning serious, Jane reached up to caress Maura's cheek with the back of her fingers before slowly trailing them down her jaw line and her throat before stopping just above her breast. Moving slowly but with a controlled determination, Jane's lips skimmed across hot skin before settling upon warm lips. "I don't want to stop…you're so beautiful when you open yourself up to me…" She whispered against Maura's slightly parted lips. She could feel warm breath wash over her as Maura's breathing came in short pants before kissing her softly. Pulling away from Maura's mouth, Jane brushed her lips along a soft cheek before stopping to whisper in her ear. "Please, Maura…I need to hear you say my name…I need it more than the air I breathe."
"Jane…my sweet, sweet Jane." Maura whispered back into Jane's ear as her hands wound their way into dark locks. Jane's touch, light and delicate held an intensity that had Maura getting lost in the feel of skin and desire melting into her.
As Jane's hand continued it slow journey along warm skin, she grazed an erect nipple begging to be caressed. She watched in wonderment as Maura moved, arching into the touch as the sound of her name falling from Maura's mouth sent ripples of new sensations throughout her body. Dragging her eyes back to look at Maura, she saw the power she held over the smaller body beneath hers, a power she found herself craving with each brush of her fingertips. Jane moved her mouth over Maura's lips again and with a tender touch she kissed Maura, savoring the sweet anticipation of things yet to come.
"Are you ready for me Maura…?" Jane whispered against Maura's mouth. "Can you feel me touching, wanting, craving…?" Her fingers began to trail down along Maura's stomach causing the muscles to twitch gently as they continued downward only stopping when Maura opened herself fully to Jane's now confident touch. "I like feeling you surrounding me…" Jane's breathing became uneven as her movements quickened. Moving her thigh so it was pressed against the back of her hand, she used it as leverage to press deeper as Maura called out her name.
"Jane…oh…Jane…" Maura called out, reaching the consummation of a love that had been too long denied over the last two weeks. She clung to Jane as ripples of pleasure coursed through her body bringing forth bursts of colors behind her closed eyes.
Jane watched Maura in breathless wonderment as she crested before falling back into the safety of Jane's strong arms as she wrapped them around Maura in a tight hold. "I love watching you…you are so beautiful…it's feels so…" Jane hesitated as shyness took over.
Opening her eyes, Maura saw Jane smiling shyly at her. "It's okay Jane; you can tell me anything." Maura encouraged softly.
Ducking her head slightly to avert eye contact, Jane took a shaky breath. She paused as she tried to find the right words to express what she was feeling. "There's just so much I want to say, so I much I want to do…sometimes I don't know if it will ever be enough…"
"Jane, look at me…" Maura reached up with her hand; putting her fingers under Jane's chin she pulled wondering eyes to meet her own in a steady gaze. Using her other hand, she pushed some dark hair away from Jane's brow, tucking it securely behind an ear so she could look into dark eyes. "It's enough. Every touch, every kiss, every word uttered from your lips…it's enough. Do you understand?"
Jane sighed deeply, a feeling of complete ease surrounding her at Maura's words. "I…um…like being inside of you Maura…it makes me feel powerful, knowing I can bring you so much pleasure. It's almost like I am a part of you…" Again a shy smile curved her lips as she searched Maura's eyes for an unspoken promise. Resting her forehead against Maura's, Jane pressed herself into the body under hers drawing a deep exhale of breath from Maura.
"We really need to get ready or we'll be late for dinner…" Maura shifted her hips until she could feel Jane's leg brush against a particularly sensitive spot.
"I love how your body responds to my touch…" Jane started to say as she began a slow, steady rhythm against Maura. "Especially when I use my mouth…" The words came out in a low growl as Jane took Maura's mouth with her own in a forceful kiss. Jane couldn't hide the smirk that played across her lips as she pulled back to look Maura in the eyes. She could see and feel the effect her words were having on Maura as she continued a slow, almost torturous grind against the hips beneath hers.
"That smirk certainly becomes you…hmmmm…." Maura started to say as she attempted to match Jane's movements. "But…oh…only when…it's…directed at someone else…" Feeling Jane's breath quicken, Maura bent her leg so she could make better contact where Jane needed it most.
The urgency of their movements quickly carried them both over the precept bringing their final release in a sudden rush of pleasure. The power of that final release held the intensity of emotion that had them both shaking. When Maura felt Jane's body finally go limp in her arms, she turned her head to place a soft kiss against Jane's temple. "I suppose you're proud of yourself…" Maura whispered. She smiled when she felt Jane nod against her as her fingers found themselves wrapped in a tangle of dark hair.
"I donwanna move…" Jane mumbled into the crook of Maura's neck. "But…" She said as she pushed herself up on shaky arms. "I suppose we should shower and get ready." There was a playful twinkle in her brown eyes. "Wanna conserve water and shower together?"
There was barely enough time for Maura to nod before she found herself being plucked from the warmth of her bed, dragging her towards the bathroom. Her mind was already working on excuses to explain why they were late for dinner when Jane's arms wrapped around her waist and pulled into the shower stall. She yelped in surprise before relaxing in Jane's embrace as hot water cascaded over their already overheated bodies. The last coherent thought to pass through her mind was 'We are definitely going to be late…'
"Only twenty-two minutes late…not as bad as I thought." Jane said as she reached for the doorbell.
"That's only because I wouldn't let you…" Maura started to say before she found herself being silenced by Jane's hand covering her mouth.
"Don't you dare…"Jane raised an eyebrow in admonishment. Her face was quickly turning a dark shade of red at the promise of finishing what they had started later that night when they got back to Maura's.
When Ryan opened the door, she was greeted by a very red faced Jane and a smug looking Maura. Her eyes traveled from the self-satisfied smile on Maura's face to the full on blush that Jane was sporting and she raised a blonde eyebrow in question.
"Did I interrupt something?" Ryan ventured to inquire.
"Um…no." Jane said as she slipped past Ryan, leaving Maura standing at the door.
Maura just rolled her eyes as she followed Ryan into the small but well-appointed apartment. The living room, dining room and kitchen were all one open space, almost like a studio apartment. It was an intimate space that suited Ryan and Carly giving off a welcome and homey feel.
"Hey guys…" Carly looked up from her spot behind the kitchen counter where she was working. She smiled at Maura and Ryan before turning her attention to a sulky Jane. "What'd I miss" Dark eyebrows disappeared under even darker bangs as she looked from Jane to Maura and Ryan with a quizzical expression.
"Sorry we're late…here." Jane shoved a bouquet of flowers at Carly, her face turning another shade of red when she heard Maura's barely contained laughter. Glancing over to where the offending sound was coming from, she dared Maura to elaborate with a steady glare.
"O-k-a-y…thanks." Carly took the flowers with a crooked grin, not at all sure what she had missed. She glanced over at Ryan for help but all she got in return was a shrug of the shoulders.
The confused look on Carly's face and the knowing smile on Ryan's face had Maura moving across the room to stand next to Jane. Putting her hand on Jane's arm, she could feel how tense Jane was. "Relax Jane, we're among family here." Maura leaned in close to Jane before whispering. "And I'm sorry for teasing...I'll make it up to you later, I promise."
Realization dawned on Carly's face as she watched as yet again Jane's face flushed red at the whispered words from Maura. "You were late because…" She started to say but quickly shut her mouth when Ryan shot her a look that told her it would be in everyone's best interest if she stopped.
"Sorry…" Jane mumbled as she looked down at something interesting on her feet. She wasn't sure why she felt so embarrassed in front of Carly and Ryan. It had only been an hour ago that she was doing and saying things that she had never dreamed of before she met Maura, but here she was turning beet red at the merest hint of what they had actually been doing. "I guess I'm still kinda getting used to all of this." She said taking Maura's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Hey, we've been late to a few dinner parties ourselves." Ryan winked at Carly causing her to turn bright red this time. "You are far too easy to tease…both of you are."
"Yeah, yeah…" Carly waved her knife in the air as if to dismiss what Ryan was saying.
Jane couldn't help but smile at the playful banter between the two older women. She started to relax as she watched Carly moving around the small kitchen putting the flowers in a vase.
"Hey, why don't you take them on the grand tour?" Carly arranged the flowers before setting them on the table.
"'Kay…" Ryan said. "This is the kitchen, living, and dining room." She held out her arms to indicate the open space they were standing in. "Next…" She turned towards a long, narrow hallway. "If you'll follow me…"
Jane and Maura fell in line behind Ryan as she led them down the hall to a door at the end. "This is the master bedroom…" She opened the door to reveal a small but nicely decorated room. Turning to a door on the left, Ryan pushed it open to a small bathroom. "And this is the bathroom." She cleared her throat nervously as she shut the door. "Okay…it's small but affordable."
"I think it's lovely." Maura smiled at Ryan. "Don't you Jane?" She turned questioning eyes to Jane.
"Yeah…it's really nice Ryan." Jane sighed as she thought it was the perfect place for two people in love to live.
Maura had seen the wistful expression on Jane's face and as they turned around in the small hallway, she intentionally brushed up against Jane in a not so subtle way.
"Watch it Isles…" Jane growled playfully.
"Alright then…" Ryan clapped her hands together to get Jane and Maura's attention. "What'll you have to drink? Iced tea, soda, sparkling water…?"
"Um…iced tea will be fine, thanks." Maura gave Jane a gentle nudge towards the kitchen. "Why don't you see if Carly needs some help?"
"What?" Jane asked, surprised by Maura's suggestion. When Maura just nodded her head towards the kitchen to indicate she should just do it, Jane rolled her eyes and let out an impatient huff. "Okay, okay."
Slipping into the kitchen, Jane maneuvered past Ryan until she was standing next to Carly. She leaned against Carly to get her attention as she watched with interest what was taking place on the counter.
"What's for dinner?" Jane inquired as her eyes followed Carly's skilled hands at the chopping board.
"Hmmm…caeser salad, pasta carbonara, and garlic bread…" Carly responded as she continued to chop.
"Oh…I love pasta carbonara…is it Nonna's recipe?" Jane smiled at the thought.
"Yep…" Carly continued to concentrate on the task before her.
"And for dessert?"
"You'll have to wait and see." Carly bumped her shoulder against Jane's in a playful way.
"So, um…how are things going…you know…" Jane struggled to find the right words.
"You mean with my parents?" Carly stopped what she was doing and looked at Jane. Her light blue eyes darken with a shadow of sadness.
"Yeah…" Jane turned serious as she watched Carly's expression harden.
"Well…" Carly picked up a dish towel to wipe her hands on. "My Mom has actually been really great about it…but my Pop…that's a whole different story." Her shoulders sagged as she tried to smile at Jane.
"What happened?" Jane stiffened at the implications of what Carly was saying.
"He hasn't spoken to me since I told him…guess he isn't taking it well." Carly tried to nonchalantly wipe at her eyes as tears threatened to fall.
"I'm sorry Carly…maybe he needs some time." Jane pulled her cousin into a hug.
"Maybe…" Carly mumbled against Jane's shoulder.
Ryan and Maura watched the quiet interaction between the two cousins with a mixture of sadness and curiosity. Ryan gave Maura a sad smile as they continued to watch in silence.
"How 'bout you? How are your parents handling things?" Carly pulled away to look at Jane.
"My Ma's been good…you know…but my Pop is still struggling a bit. He is trying though." Jane's tone held the hint of an apology.
"I'm glad Jane…" Carly sighed. "My Mom came to lunch last week. We had a nice time…her and Ryan get along great." She smiled over at her girlfriend. "But then again who wouldn't love her."
"Well…." Ryan sauntered over to where Carly was standing. "As long as you keep me fed…I can be rather grouchy and hard to live with when I'm hungry… So get to cookin'…" She gave Carly a gentle hip bump to emphasize her statement followed by a quick kiss and the word 'please.'
"Gotta feed the beast…" Carly laughed as she gave Ryan's stomach a quick pat. "Won't be but a minute anyway…wanna put the bread on the table and Jane can get the salad."
Both Jane and Ryan nodded in confirmation as they scrambled around to gather the things Carly had asked for.
The conversation was light and easy as they enjoyed dinner and each other's company. When dessert was served, Ryan's attention turned to Jane. Jane felt herself shifting uncomfortably under Ryan's scrutiny before finally raising an eyebrow in silent question.
"I was just thinking…" A mischievous grin spread across Ryan's face as she looked from Jane then to Maura. "Seeing as you were late to dinner tonight…I guess you've…"
"Ryan!" Carly all but shouted, startling everyone.
"What? I was just curious…that's all. I guess Jane doesn't have any questions that Maura hasn't already answered." Ryan tried to sound innocent.
A bright red blush rushed across both Carly and Jane's faces as Maura roared with laughter.
"I'm glad to see that you don't embarrass easily…" Ryan smiled sheepishly at Maura.
"Sorry…Ryan doesn't shy away from any subject…" Carly tried to apologize to Jane.
"What's to apologize for? We all seem to share the same taste…" Ryan started to say but was silenced when Carly reached over to cover her mouth.
The irony of the situation did not get past Maura. She smiled as she thought about Jane doing the same thing earlier. It was apparent that Carly and Jane were very similar in how they handled things. Both were easily embarrassed by outward displays of affection as well as talking about sex.
"Okay, okay…" Ryan threw her hands up in surrender.
"So when does baseball start?" Carly attempted to change the subject.
"Um…we've started tryouts, but practice doesn't start until the beginning of February." Jane said as she leaned back in her chair.
"I love baseball…are you going to play?" Ryan asked.
"Um...yeah…" Jane gave Maura a sideways glance to see what her reaction was going to be. She continued when Maura smiled reassuringly at her. "I think I'd really like to play…"
"Great…we'll have to go to the batting cages sometime. I used to play softball in high school and some in college." The excitement in Ryan's voice was barely containable.
"And she was very good…watching her play was one of my favorite things to do." Carly smiled over at Ryan.
"I think I would enjoy watching you at the batting cages." Maura looked over at Jane, a coy smile on her face.
"And I would love to see you…" Jane smirked.
"Are you insinuating that I don't know how to hit a baseball?" Maura leaned over her dessert plate to glare at Jane.
"Um…maybe…I don't know." Jane shrank back from the intense stare.
"I'll have you know that I know a great deal about the mechanics of swinging a bat. It is very similar to pool. You do remember that, don't you Jane." Maura winked at Jane before sitting back to take a bite of her tiramisu. "By the way, this is wonderful Carly."
With her mouth hanging open, Jane wasn't sure how to respond to Maura's comment. She did indeed remember the last time they had played pool. Maura was quite good even though she had never played before. It had been the day that Jane had finally relented to their growing attraction. She could feel her cheeks growing hot with yet another blush.
"You look good in pink…" Ryan quipped, only to duck her head at the look Carly gave her. "Sorry…" She mumbled around a mouthful of her dessert.
"I do remember being hustled by someone who said that they had never played pool before." Jane raised an eyebrow in accusation.
"It is a simple matter of physic's…we have already discussed this." Maura tilted her head ever so slightly as she waited for Jane's retort.
"Are you saying that you can hit a baseball just using your knowledge of physics even though you have never swung a bat before?" Jane challenged.
Carly and Ryan watched the volley go back and forth between Jane and Maura with growing interest.
"That is indeed what I am saying…care to make a friendly wager?" Maura challenged back.
"Whoaw….I gotta get in this action…" Ryan chimed in causing both Maura and Jane to look at her as if they had just noticed she was there.
"Okay…what's the bet?" Jane turned back to Maura. "It has to be worth my while…" She started to say, but was cut short by the look on Maura's face.
"I can guarantee it will be well worth your while…if you win that is." Maura's eyes held a playful twinkle that had Jane swallowing hard.
"Okay…and what if I lose?" Jane dared to ask.
"Then it will still be worth your while…" Maura gaze was unyielding as she took another bit of her dessert, taking her time to allow Jane to watch as she pulled the spoon from her mouth ever so slowly before licking it clean.
Jane's brain all but short circuited at the sight before her. She tried to clear her throat, but only succeeded in almost choking on the lump that had formed in her now very dry throat.
Ryan started laughing and all but fell out of her chair as she watched the exchange between Jane and Maura. "Damn ladies, did you forget we were in the room too?"
Both Jane and Maura blinked a few times, breaking the intense gaze they had been locked in. Ryan was watching with a keen interest and Carly was all but sinking lower in her chair.
"Um…sorry…" Jane tried to hide the smile that was spreading across her face.
"Hey…no worries…but I am interested in that wager…" Ryan put her elbows on the table before resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
"If I win, you have to take me to dinner and the ballet." Maura started to suggest.
"The ballet?" Both Jane and Ryan huffed.
"And you have to wear a dress." Maura finished.
"What do I get if I win?" Jane ventured to ask as a slow scowl formed on her face at the thought of the ballet.
"You can chose what we do, no arguments from me." Maura looked proud of herself at having come up with the idea.
"Anything I want…" Jane tapped her chin in thought. "Then I want to go camping…"
"You mean like outside…in nature…?" Maura looked horrified.
"Yes…like outside…in nature." Jane smiled smugly. "You know…miles away from civilization, under the stars…all alone…"
Maura contemplated the idea for a second before reaching out her hand to shake Jane's. "Okay…it's a deal. Whoever hits the most baseballs at the batting cage wins."
"And we will be there to count…" Ryan clapped her hands together in excitement. "This is gonna be great…"
All Carly could do was shake her head as she watched Ryan bounce up and down in her seat, her enthusiasm spreading around the table. "Okay…if Maura wins, you…" She pointed at Ryan as she continued. "Get to take me to the ballet and you have to wear a dress."
"What…wait…what do you mean?" Ryan started to ramble.
"You…a dress…the ballet…if Maura wins." Carly smirked at Ryan.
"O-k-a-y…if Jane wins…you…flannel shirt & jeans…sleeping bags…cooking over an open fire…" Ryan smiled over at Carly before turning her attention to Jane. "You got this right?" She asked.
"Um…yeah…I got this." Jane tried to hide her apprehension a she nodded. "I think…" she muttered under her breath after catching the devilish gleam in Maura's eyes. 'Oh shit…what did I just get myself into…?' She thought to herself as she tried to keep the smile firmly fixed on her face.
Maura winked at Carly before reaching across the table to take Jane's hand in hers. "No pressure, but I've already got the perfect dress in mind…" She said giving a gentle squeeze.
"You do know that you're playing with fire, don't you." Jane tilted her head in mock indignation.
"Only if I get burned…" Maura responded with a crooked grin. 'But oh what a way to go…' She thought as she shivered at the anticipation of things to come.