The wind had picked up, and as a gust rattled the tree outside the window, Robbie stirred. She was still curled, naked, in his arms. The moonlight had been clouded out by the incoming storm, but the streetlamp offered a little illumination in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her hair was fanned out across the pillow and it glistened in the orange light. Gingerly he stretched, careful not to disturb her. His back ached slightly, and his shoulder was on fire. He smiled to himself. There was life in the old dog yet. In spite of his injury, they had spent several hours making love, exploring each others bodies for the first time. It had been tender and passionate in equal measure. Her confidence had surprised him, thrilled him. He wasn't sure what he'd expected. They had danced around each other for so many years, the friendly flirting, the companionable lunches, he had been nervous that she would be disappointed by the reality. But there had been none of the awkwardness that he'd feared, just a playful familiarity.
He turned carefully, rolling onto his back, and drawing her with him. He had slept a few hours, but was unsurprised to be awake again. His shoulder was a regular companion now, and in the light of the evening's exertions… But it wasn't that or the wind which had woken him, not really. It was the unfamiliar closeness of the woman beside him. It had been many years since he'd last shared a bed with anyone. Laura's palm slide across his chest, burrowing under his arm, caressing him in her sleep. It had been worth the wait.
The early morning sunlight was slipping under the curtains when Laura's eyes flitted open. She was wrapped in Robbie's arms, tight against his chest, her chin tucked into the curve of his neck. His breath was calm and steady, and it soothed her racing mind. She pressed her lips gently against his warm skin, a slow kiss. Last night she had momentarily questioned the sense of this course, of rushing things too soon. Now she simply basked in the knowledge of him. There was no way they could go back to being friends now, they had shared too much. He had shown her his strength and his vulnerabilities, had trusted her. And she had opened herself to him in return. There had been others before, of course there had, but it had been nothing like this. She loved him. For the first time in months, she felt no need to rush forward, to start her day. Vaguely she wondered about how she might conspire to wake up every morning like this. She smiled to herself. She would need to speak to Leo about recruiting a replacement soon.
Eventually she tired of waiting for him to wake up. Running her finger up his thigh, she traced a path across his stomach, dipping lower to…
"Laura"
She smiled, thwarted,
"Good morning"
His eyes were sleepy, but there was no regret at having been woken,
"Yes it is, my love"
Her hand stilled on his stomach, and she reached up to press a kiss to his cheek, her lips lingering on the stubble.
"My love?"
He smiled as her lips teased his cheek, the shell of his ear…and nodded,
"Mmm…do you mind?"
She smirked, her lips finally finding his,
"No, I'm just cross that you got in there first…"
He chuckled, kissing her soundly, cupping her face, his thumbs stroking her cheeks,
"Are you always this competitive?"
She kissed his nose playfully and stuck out her tongue,
"Always"
Her body was pressed against him, and he felt his body respond. His hand traced the line of her back, caressing the curve of her bottom, holding her against him,
"God help me then…"
A/N After an epic hiatus, I've picked this up again. Is anyone still out there? Where would you like this story to go? Would you like it to go somewhere? Should this be happy ever after, or do I get to torture them some more? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts!
