See Ch1 for disclaimers etc…
The drive home was quiet with a wordless understanding that trivial conversation would simply be noise that neither one welcomed. Stop signs, street lights and pedestrians provided mindless distraction from the twists and turns of the day. Now that they were along again, the space between them felt pressurized as the car rolled through the streets of Boston.
It was with a sense of relief that Jane parked in Maura's driveway. Getting out of the car, the fresh air felt like a small release from the turmoil of the afternoon. She followed Maura into the house, making a snap decision as they crossed the threshold. She reached over to lightly grasp at Maura's elbow. "I'm going to take Jo for a quick walk so she can stretch her legs."
It was inane, Maura knew this, but she suddenly didn't want to be alone. Not even so Jane could briefly walk Jo. Feeling absurd she studied the picture in her entry way over Jane's shoulder. "If you wanted some company I could go with you."
The lack of eye contact was not lost on Jane. The subtle barrier nudged her restlessness aside and she dropped her hand to Maura's wrist, needing to feel her skin. "When do I ever turn down your company?"When Maura met her gaze Jane felt a gentle shift in her chest. She gave the wrist she was holding a brief squeeze. "Let me go round up the furball and her gear."
They poured out of the house and onto the sidewalk surrounded by a whirlwind of excited terrier. The crisp spring night washed over her and Jane sucked the air deep into her lungs, letting Jo lead the way. Ecstatic, Jo dashed ahead, sniffing, stopping and darting along the sidewalk, straining hard against the leash. Annoyed, Jane pulled against Jo's harness, lifting the dog's front feet up as she determinedly plunged ahead. "Knock it off Jo!" Jo's mouth was open as she panted with the effort to tow Jane behind her. "Maura, would you do something? My dog has no manners."
Maura simply wrapped her arm around Jane's and leaned against her as they walked along. "She's just excited, give her a moment, you know she'll settle."
"Easy for you to say, you're not he one whose shoulder is being dislocated." Jane pulled back when Jo leapt off to the right, pulling the leash enough that Jane had to step over to keep her balance. "Ow Jo!" She frowned as she rubbed the shoulder Maura was holding. The scowled deepened when Maura laughed.
Maura couldn't stop even with the glare directed at her. She squeezed Jane's arm. "You'll live you big baby." Impulsively, she reached over and kissed Jane's shoulder. "There all better."
Jane's lips twitched against a smile and she stared at her feet. Maura's open and easy displays of affection were a new development. And it felt right. Like something missing had snapped into place. "Somehow I don't think you learned that in medical school."
They exchanged an affectionate smile before Jane let out a sigh, ignoring Jo in favor of enjoying the moment.
Absently, Maura took in the sights of the city on a Sunday night. At the end of the day not many people were out, but the city pulsed with its own active rhythm. They passed lit windows and determined individuals set on courses that passed Maura by.
It occurred to her that she had no idea what each random person faced during the day. Who was facing tragedy or happiness at this second? She didn't know. Nobody walking by Jane or herself would ever imagine what the past day and a half had brought into their lives. To the world they were just two women out for a walk with their dog, forgotten faces before they'd finished passing each other on the sidewalk.
Parallel journeys until sometimes they were not.
Yesterday morning she had decided that they should go out for breakfast because of the rain. Like a game of dominos every action and decision from that point forward had touched and influenced them, each tile triggering the next, reaching out to spiral back at them. She hadn't even known Phyl existed yet somehow the final hours of her life had spiraled Maura's in a whole new direction. A brief touch and then it was just over.
Maura took a deep, shaky breath. Why this was bothering her tonight she couldn't determine. It was wasted emotion. For all she knew turning the block ahead would bring havoc into their lives. Her job had ingrained on her psyche that the future was always precariously undefined. She knew she had to enjoy what life offered, take the good fortune with the bad. She had long made peace with the uncertainty. Like Phyl reminded her, tomorrow never comes.
For a moment the lack of control pressed against her chest and her heart pounded unexpectedly. Maura pulled Jane closer as they strolled along, letting herself be anchored by the touch. But that wasn't enough. Something vital and needy bubbled though her causing a violent shiver to run up her spine.
Concerned, Jane brought her free hand up to touch Maura's cheek. "Hey, why didn't you say you were freezing, let's turn back for your place at the corner."
Maura opened her mouth to deny it, but the thoughts bouncing in her head were too confusing to articulate. She let Jane make the turn towards home, refusing to think about anything but the feel of Jane's arm under her hand until they were back at her front door.
Maura hung up her coat before turning to Jane, helping her out of hers and putting it in the closet. She closed the door with more force that she intended and the sound echoed. Looking at Jane she made a decision. She was tired of fighting her own reactions.
She turned back to Jane, stepping between her legs, relaxing slightly as hands lightly grasped her hips. Running her hands up Jane's arms, Maura squeezed her biceps lightly. "I was thinking we could have something light for dinner. I could cut up some cheese and fruit?"
There was a timbre to Maura's voice and Jane felt the words more than she heard them. Looking into hazel eyes her breath caught, the emotion rolling over her skin. Her fingers flexed along soft curves, drawing her closer. Maura gave a soft sigh at the contact and Jane leaned down to capture the end.
Jane pulled back, intending to step away until Maura's eyes slowly opened, half lidded, wanting. Jane hesitated for a second, swallowing an icy thrill of nerves until the warmth of Maura's breath on her face sparked an overwhelming urge to feel her pressed against her. Jane's hands slid roughly from hips to cup Maura's backside and pull them together, the pressure pushing away at her restraint.
Jane's voice came out, warm and dark, vibrating against seeking lips "I think…" Maura cut her off with a soft smile and another kiss before Jane broke away. "...that your suggestion for dinner…" Their noses were still touching and Maura's dimples were the last thing Jane saw before she was pulled down again, Maura's hips shifting as she tried to press closer, swaying them side to side. Jane tried again murmuring thickly against parted lips. "I think your suggestion for dinner would make the perfect midnight snack."
Maura couldn't stop the relieved groan at Jane's words and her tongue traced a request that Jane instantly answered, welcoming her in. She reached behind her to take Jane's hand, slipping it under her sweater and pressing it against the bare skin of her stomach. Jane's mouth stilled against hers.
Their eyes connected.
Jane stroked the silk of skin over supple muscle along Maura's abdomen. "Yes?"
The touch rocketed down her thighs. Shuddering, Maura closed her eyes briefly before opening them into a sea of brown. She pressed the hand under hers again. "Yes."
Jane slipped her other hand under Maura's sweater against the bare skin of her back. Fingertips brushed along ridges of Maura's spine. She watched each stroke play across Maura's face, learning the subtle indicators and reactions. The feel of Maura's skin was addictive, soft, warm and smooth. She was running on instinct and every touch increased the need for more. When her hands closed around a narrow waist Maura shut her eyes and bit her lip hard, her breathing quickening.
Liquid, pooling heat was building at Jane's touch and the press of her thumbs started a pounding between her legs. Maura had her hands around Jane's neck, pulling her down, needing to feel something, anything linking them together. Impatient she nipped at Jane's lips, taunting, groaning her approval when Jane's hands squeezed hard at her waist before capturing her mouth. Need rippled over her. She wanted to be consumed.
Maura's hands were tugging at her shirt and at the first frantic brush of her fingers against the bare skin of her stomach Jane broke the kiss to catch her breath, the sudden urge to feel Maura on her and in her conflicting with the sheer drive to possess. Maura's hands smoothed over her breasts, nails pressing lightly at her nipples through her bra, the sensation shooting down to thud between her thighs. With the pressure building Jane was helpless to do anything but pull their pelvises together. She moved her hands to Maura's lower back, massaging the dip with deft fingers, echoing each rub and press against her with one of her own. "We need to move to the bedroom."
Maura heard the words and moved backwards, pulling out of Jane's grasp, her body pounding at every point they had been touching. Jane was breathing heavily, staring at her as she grabbed the bottom of her sweater and pulled it over her head. They both watched it fall to the floor.
The bedroom was a good idea.
Jane felt something snap in her. She didn't remember moving but her lips were on Maura's skin and her hands were running up the bare skin of her back. Vaguely she was aware Maura's own hands were unzipping her skirt and pushing off her underwear before moving to Jane's belt.
The bedroom was the right place to be.
Maura was tugging at the waistband of her pants, unfastening the button. The sensation of her zipper opening made Jane want to drag Maura's hand against and into her. Now.
The bedroom was too fucking far away.
Maura's hands had pushed under her open fly, smoothing along the hollows in front of her hips. Jane shimmied and pulled at her shirt and bra, tossing them aside as she moved with Maura drunkenly across her living room, helping her out of her bra.
Maura tried to slow down her movements to make her hands less frantic as she stroked and tasted whatever part of Jane she could reach but the need to absorb Jane into her was all encompassing. She felt the edge of her couch press against the back of her calves with relief and dragged her hands downward, along Jane's sides to push her pants down over her hips.
They fell on the couch in a tangle of arms and legs. Jane shuddered at the slide of skin and the fit of molten heat on her thigh. Jane broke off a kiss, waiting for Maura's eyes to flutter open feeling their connection deep in her core. She moved deliberately, letting her intuition move her along Maura's body, wanting to telegraph everything she was feeling onto the skin under her fingertips. She dipped down nuzzle against a earlobe, to wetly trace the column of Maura's neck, whispered sounds of encouragement vibrating against her tongue and strong fingers bit into her back, holding her tight as they moved together.
Jane slowly moved up onto one arm, breathing hard. Maura was beautiful, achingly beautiful and open to her touch. She splayed her hand over Maura's abdomen, moving the touch upward, letting their eyes connect, seeing everything familiar and new all at once. The skin of her breast was surprisingly delicate, the shape weighted against her palms.
Maura's eyes slammed shut again when her nipples scraped between Jane's finger tips and her nails raked along Jane's back, digging in when Jane replaced her fingers with her tongue, the touch tentative. She let herself move freely, kneading her fingers into Jane's backside to pull Jane's weight and thigh against her center. When Jane's mouth enveloped her breast carefully the sensation rocketed to her clit. Thrusting upward she couldn't keep the pleading tone out of her voice. "You won't hurt me Jane. I promise you are not going to hurt me"
Maura's voice combined with the seeking thrust of her hips was twisting a wet hollow ache between Jane's legs, erasing any other thought except the need to just take and she let instinct take over. Guttural moans guiding her as she explored each nipple with her mouth, playing the tip against her teeth, drawing out sound and motion with each pull, nip and tug.
Suddenly Maura's hand was over hers, pushing her downward. Jane lifted her head, drowning in soft hazel want, absorbing each minuscule change as she traced outside wet folds for the first time. Maura pressed upward silently asking and Jane saw everything at once. Permission, acceptance, love and friendship reflected back at her as she pushed one finger in and then another. She drew out and pushed back in, the sensation making her own body pound and her clit twitch in time to her pulse. She pushed in more forcefully and hands pulled her closer, a leg moving upward to draw her in.
They were kissing deeply, moving and sliding together. Tongues tasting and touching whatever skin was in reach. Heat built between them. Friction increased with blind thrusts. Jane brushed over and around Maura's clit, drawing out an expletive that made her crave more. She reached down to capture Maura's mouth again, swallowing her shocked gasp when she pushed a third finger in. Maura was physically pulsing around her, vibrating wetly. Jane touched their foreheads together. "Is this okay?"
Maura could only nod, feeling her body adjust to the intrusion. It was as if Jane was over, around and swallowing every bit of her. There was a gentle thrust and it ripped over her thighs and made her curl her toes as she arched up, seeking more. Another thrust and there was pressure and pleasure pooling and coiling, making everything hazy. She ground upwards, meeting each movement, the exquisite pressure climbing, making her push harder and faster.
It was if the moment was suspended in time. Desperate hands pulled and Jane moved away from Maura's breasts, letting Maura pull her down for a deep, gasping kiss. Maura made eye contact with her, the look unfathomable, pulling her in as the pressure built around her fingers. Maura's eyes slammed shut, her entire body arching them up off the couch, suspended for long drawn out seconds, before releasing, her voice echoing in the room.
Jane couldn't move, did not want to move. Maura's limbs were wrapped around her, holding her close. Their breathing thundered between them. Gently she pulled her fingers out. She kissed her forehead, leaving her lips pressed there, breathing the scent of Maura in.
Maura reached up to cup the side of Jane's face, guiding her down for a languid kiss. Every inch of her still pounding sharply. Alive. They parted and shared a knowing smile. A low chuckle broke out between them and Maura couldn't help but kiss Jane again. This time when they broke apart Jane's eyes flashed darkly and she reached a hand out to trace the contours of her face.
There was a fledgling confidence between them. A shared, knowing smile. This time Maura pulled Jane down for a kiss that held the hint of a promise as she brushed her hands along Jane's sides, feeling a twitch at her touch.
Maura continued tracing her fingers along Jane's sides, moving in light teasing circles over her hips and backside. There was a soft groan when her thumbs pressed along the juncture of Jane's thigh and hips twitched against her leg. Jane's mouth was hot and demanding against hers. Maura smiled and their teeth hit gently, the laughter almost a shared moan. She shifted, pushing and moving until they were both sitting up, the kiss not breaking as Maura reversed their positions.
Ending the kiss Maura sat up, cupping both of Jane's breasts in her hands. She rolled stiff nipples between her fingers, leaning down to swallow a curse as the body under her pushed up.
Jane returned the kiss before breaking away roughly. "Fuck Maura, no teasing."
Maura smirked, reaching over to map the contours of an ear with her lips. Scratching her nails lightly against Jane's ribs her voice was low muffled against Jane's neck. "I think you had better tell me what you want then Jane."
By the time Maura had made her way down to draw Jane's nipple into her mouth there were flashes of white hot need running over her body. Air was coming in short gasps and Maura slid up to kiss the side of her mouth, her fingers moving down to trace lightly against Jane's stomach. "Trust me."
The words still hung in the air and Maura was kissing her way down Jane's torso, fingers lightly pressing in against swollen folds before sliding out, never offering more than the most superficial touch. There was a gentle kiss to the top of one thigh and then the other, tender kisses, traveling downward, pressing her open until soft lips pressed against her clit and her hips bucked in response. Fingers pressed into her, slid out of her, returned again. In minutes her world caved in on itself until she was only aware of moving harder against the pressure on her clit, grinding her hips against insistent, thrusting, fingers until with a twist Maura pressed upward and she flew apart in a million pieces.
Jane was pulling at her desperately and Maura moved up, covering her body and squeezing her tightly, whispering reassurances in her hair. Maura kissed her temple and held her closer. She buried her face in brunette waves trying to absorb the emotion between them.
Their breathing slowed and Jane tugged at her until they made eye contact, words superfluous.
She was Jane's.
Jane was hers.
They met in a kiss, a soothing, possessive kiss, before arms and legs entwined tightly again.
A/N – Worth the wait for those of you who voted for "M"?
Welcome to all the new followers... I was surprised when I noticed how many people wanted to see the new update to S&S.
PS…Reading the past two chapters with this might add a bit to the full impact.