Chapter 29
After 'the lunch', Maura quickly went back to work, watching the clock, accepting that, regardless of good intentions, she was going to leave early. Butterflies teetered between her chest and stomach. Her mind kept going blank, losing track of Jason's training. She was agonizingly mindful of her poor concentration, often mumbling insincere apologies. At three o'clock, Maura conceded defeat, and told Jason to go home.
It wasn't just the upcoming hotel interlude with Jane that had her twisted and jittery. The possessive declaration which decisively concluded lunch, said for clarity and simplicity, zigzagged in her mind like a drunken sailor on furlough. Rational thought, as she knew it, had simply been turned off by overwhelming feelings, by her body's natural biological urges. No excuse, no fear, and no reason had a voice within the debate over whether to sleep with Jane or not. It had been decided, perhaps as long ago as the jazz club she would eventually give in to what her body desired. Weighed and measured, the consequences were now of little importance.
As Maura gathered her things to leave, she didn't hesitate nor second-guess her decision. The time to meet Jane was slowly approaching and she had many things to do before that fateful rendezvous.
Constance was arranging orchids in a crystal vase when her daughter opened the front door.
"Darling, what a lovely surprise!" She resumed clipping off the ends of a white cymbidium stems at varying lengths. "I popped in over at the flower district and couldn't help myself!"
"They're beautiful, mother." Maura straightened her spine. "I'm going out tonight and it's possible…I won't return until tomorrow morning."
Constance's busy hands never betrayed her inner conflict as they continued to arrange flowers. "How nice for you, dear, but you must know you can do better."
Maura paused on the bottom step of the stairs, one eyebrow arched, her face impassive.
"She's…brash, disrespectful, and uncouth."
The moment demanded a categorical response from Maura. "And sexy. Beautiful. Intelligent. Kind. Confident….I'm going to sleep with her, mother, because of those things and because I want her."
Maura climbed the steps, not looking back to check her mother's expression. Had she taken a moment to evaluate the day's events thus far, she would have been astounded by the level of backbone she displayed. What occupied her thoughts, however, was selecting an outfit then soaking in a luxurious bath.
Jane skipped out on work early. Frost's wink and Korsak's knowing look were lost on her as she left the bullpen without so much as a wave goodbye. There were tasks to accomplish before her date with Maura. Apprehension was on the peripheral of her consciousness like a shadow in the dark, the difference between the shades barely discernible. Thoughts of what might happen never entered her mind. She had fantasized about Maura for weeks and now, those thoughts were on the brink of reality. No amount of thinking was going to pacify the physical need coiling like a snake in her abdomen.
She had reserved a suite at the Regis yesterday and confirmed it had a small refrigerator. The details seemed endless and like any well-prepared detective, she wanted to account for all contingencies. She stopped at a store on the way home and purchased a rich Merlot with Etorki cheese. A small overnight bag was packed with sleepwear, casual clothes for the next day and toiletries. Jane deliberated on whether to pack a few sexual toys but deemed it a little presumptuous. Next, she pillaged through her wardrobe, easily absconding with the perfect ensemble: a two-piece Armani gray-suiting flannel with white pinstripes, the one and only extravagant suit Jane owned.
Noticing the time, she jumped into the shower.
The bath was absurdly tranquil. With a sigh of wistfulness, Maura stepped out of the high-back claw-footed tub. Scented water beaded downward, collecting as it went, creating weaving patterns over her skin. Hair still damp tendrils, escaping the messy chignon she had quickly knotted, were shaken loose. Naked in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, Maura assessed her body's silhouette, pleased with what she saw. Rosy from the heat of the bath, her skin was nearly blemish-free except for a smattering of light freckles across her shoulders and chest. She applied a profuse amount of expensive lotion over her body, taking particular care around her hips and shapely ass, elbows and knees.
Once the more personal grooming was taken care of, Maura applied a light stroke of mascara to her eye lashes, a thin line of black liner across the tops of her eyelids. The minimal jewelry she had chosen was laid out on the bathroom's counter. She absentmindedly turned off the CD player, the soft strains of piano silent. One more look in the mirror confirmed her suspicions. Her body looked poised for possession, nipples erect and skin flushed. The ravenous look in her wide, stormy green eyes had nothing to do with food and all to do with the night ahead.
Jane arrived early, arms burdened with bags. The Regis staff was courteous and discreet, their eyes never divulging a judgment nor thought. Paranoid, she thought they may have suspected her evening plans yet it hardly dampened her mood. The nerves didn't set in until she entered the elevator and looked at her reflection in the mirrored walls. Large, dark eyes shimmered with a translucent sensuality. The deep V of the jacket showcased the high swells of her breasts as it hugged her sides. I look like I'm in heat. The thought made Jane's lips curl in approval.
Jane would have recognized those athletic legs anywhere. Maura was moving towards her with slow purpose, causing the brunette to fleetingly lose all feeling in her body. The outfit she had chosen was devastating. The yellow off-the-shoulder sheath dress accentuated the small waist and the flare of her hips. Its sweetheart neckline invited Jane's undivided attention. Her black eyes boldly fastened on the sight of Maura's enviable cleavage, staking a claim. The black stilettos with twin ankle straps irrevocably brought to Jane's imagination visions of endless, wicked possibilities.
She was seated at the bar, nursing a tumbler of El Dorado 15 rum when she spotted Maura entering the hotel's main lounge. The medical examiner possessed an aplomb worthy of any jaded, seasoned jet-setter. Immediately she had detected Jane's presence at the bar, a faint smile transforming her face. As she grew near, Jane felt her insides sizzle like water on a hot cast iron skillet. In the background, indistinct music played. Jane turned her swiveling barstool in Maura's direction, long legs already unfolding to stand.
"Can I get you a drink?"
Maura inclined her head and took the seat next to Jane's. The scent of Joy from Jean Patou briefly tantalized her senses, the mixture of sandalwood and jasmine apparent.
"Vodka martini with a twist of orange."
After signaling the bartender and giving him Maura's order, Jane retook her seat. Maura leaned forward, the lines of her dress stretching across inviting curves.
"You really wear that suit, Jane." The crescent of a dimple in Maura's cheek bade Jane's lips to explore it. Maura's tone was resplendent with implication. Her gaze sharpened on the hollows of Jane's shoulders, just visible under the jacket. Maura's pink tongue glided across her parted lips.
"You are stunning." Jane's words were husky, bare.
Maura's stomach dropped as a jolt of arousal in her loins nearly had her groaning aloud. "Thank you."
"Have you eaten?"
The bartender inconspicuously set Maura's drink in front of her. Her graceful fingers curled around the fragile glass stem without looking. She brought the chilled drink to her mouth, eyes never leaving Jane's and drew a long sip. The burn of the alcohol felt sinfully gratifying accompanied by the sudden warmth down her throat.
"No."
Jane swallowed, hypnotized by Maura's unwavering stare. Unconsciously her body canted towards the blonde's.
"We should continue this in the room, Jane."
Jane set her glass down and escorted Maura out of the bar.
There remained a safe distance between them in the stifling confines of the elevator. Neither looked at the other directly but stole glimpses in the mirrors. Their breaths grew deeper with each floor the elevator scaled. When the doors finally opened, Jane's body was as tight as a bow. Conversely Maura felt fluid, open. It was unbearable, the need to touch, the powerful urge to slant their mouths across the other's, allow their tongues to slink and taste. Jane snapped the keycard through the reader and when the tiny light turned green, she wrenched open the door. Maura shut it behind her and leaned against it.
Jane was in the center of the room, her back to Maura, struggling for a shred of control. So deeply focused on reining in her wild longings, she didn't hear Maura's soft footfalls bridging the gap between them.
"Sit down in the chair." Her voice was verging on harsh, brooking no argument.
Jane sat down, her nails digging into the armrest. Maura walked around and faced her and their eyes met.
"I've thought about…this, about you…" With each utterance she was unfastening the buttons down the front of her dress. "…at night…during the day…" Another button and yet another slipped from its mooring with a controlled flick of Maura's fingers.
Jane watched, each sound resonant in her brain like the ominous tolls of a bell. Maura finished with the buttons but didn't part the dress, merely allowed it to hang open. The erotic peek of black lace against pale smooth skin was a direct assault on Jane's tolerance.
"…wondering what you would be like…" The fingers of Maura's left hand trailed down the narrow crevice of exposed skin. From the base of her throat, they travelled between the deep valley of her breasts and skimmed down the smooth expanse of her stomach. They coyly flirted with the top of her panties, the tips nudging under the waistband.
Jane released a labored breath, her expression raw.
Maura's expression showed the gravity of her desire. Devoid of artifice, she stepped between Jane's legs then shrugged off the dress. Before it could fall into a pile at her feet, Jane shot out of the chair and grabbed either side of her head with long fingers. Their opened mouths met as Jane's fingers threaded through Maura's upswept hair, scattering hairpins.
Soft, so soft the liquid heat passing between them. Maura's fingers undid the front of Jane's jacket, pushing it off the wide shoulders once it was opened. The knowledge that Jane hadn't worn a bra inflamed Maura, causing her to grunt, push up against the tall brunette. Maura's nails scraped against hard nipples, pinching and pulling then cupping with a soothing palm. Jane roughly released the hook of Maura's bra, quickly divesting her of it.
"Fuck…Maura…" Jane groaned, slipping a hand under the flimsy material covering Maura's firm ass. When the blonde took a fistful of Jane's long hair and sharply tugged her head back, Jane's eyes slammed shut. Maura's mouth hungrily sucked on her neck, teeth grating downward. When the blonde's ragged breath drifted over Jane's breast, Jane's entire body tensed, her fingers digging into Maura's back and scalp. The feel of Maura's tongue flicking over the rigid nipple made Jane whimper. She yanked the blonde closer. Maura's mouth closed around it and sucked with enviable strength, causing them both to groan deeply.
The motion freed them of the last of their control. Maura's hand unzipped Jane's pants, greedy fingers, expecting a boundary and finding none. They simultaneously froze, heartbeats in limbo, the shock of wetness, of heat utterly consuming and excruciating. Two of Maura's fingers slid between swollen lips. Jane's inhalation died in her throat. Her hips bucked, legs parting. Maura's forehead rested against Jane's chest, eyes squeezed shut as she bit down on her lower lip. When Maura's fingers pushed into her Jane's knees nearly buckled. The jacket fell from her rolling shoulders. The blonde jerked back suddenly, removing her hand from the apex of Jane's trembling thighs. Jane made a strangled noise of protest.
"The fucking pants, Jane." Maura barked.
She shucked them, kicking the pants aside then kicking off her shoes. Unceremoniously Maura pushed Jane back into the chair then knelt between her parted thighs. She hooked Jane's knees over the armrests, spreading her wide. Jane scooted forward until her ass balanced on the edge of the cushion. Maura raked her nails down the backs of Jane's thighs causing Jane to grab onto the back of the chair with both hands. Completely vulnerable, she couldn't feel anything but need. Maura's head descended, her hands spreading Jane further, opening her as her tongue licked a very slow, very thorough stroke. Before she reached Jane's hard clit, Maura pointed her tongue, parting the folds, lifting the skin until Jane's clit was poised on the tip of her tongue. Jane sobbed, her knees squeezing around the armrest as she lifted her hips, unashamedly begging. Then Maura flicked her tongue over the bundle of nerves. She repeated the action, over and over as Jane's vagina became more engorged, agonizingly empty. Jane withered and gasped for breath.
"Please…please…Maura…I can't..."
Maura thrust two fingers into Jane and buried them to the last knuckle. She began a smooth rhythm, unhurried. A light sheen of perspiration erupted on Jane's skin as her stomach muscled convulsed, her legs strained as she met each lunge. Jane's inner muscles sucked in Maura's fingers, tightening.
"More…I need mo-"Maura inserted a third finger then twisted her wrist, rocking her entire body forward into Jane.
Jane surged forward into Maura's thrusting fingers, her orgasm spiraling out of control when Maura's teeth carefully grazed her clit. Everything went white, the roar in her ears deafening. Her legs dropped off the armrests, one falling onto Maura's shoulder the other stretched out. The rolls of pleasure made Jane's back arch as it travelled down her spine, continuing long after Maura withdrew her fingers.
Maura gently suckled the folds of flesh around Jane's clit, her tongue delving into the saturated depths. Jane's heel dug into Maura's back as her body raised to meet Maura's mouth.
"Again." Jane whispered hoarsely, her fingers running through the damp strands of Maura's hair. Maura moaned in assent. "Just…your fingers."
