"You're drinking more than usual."
He said it more as a fact than an observation, and the look on his face showed concern and morbid curiosity. His words hung heavily in the air, filling her lungs like tar.
"I need a little extra tonight."
She murmured, looking down at her glass.
Spencer walked to the other side of the bar; resting on his elbows on the granite countertop and looking at her, masking his emotions as usual. The silence was thick, just like the saliva in her throat. All she wanted was to feel his arm around her and his soft lips on her temple to drown out the demons in her head.
"Do you really need this? We can find something else to do to distract you rather than poisoning yourself."
Spencer said, tapping his slender finger on her glass.
She rolled her eyes at his statement, she's heard this too many times before and she knew it was a battle she was going to lose. She sighed in defeat and surrendered the glass to him, scoffing at the sincere relief on his face.
"Spencer Reid, hero of men, and dictator of our apartment"
She slurred jokingly.
"It's doctor."
Came his smirked reply.
"Oh sorry how silly of me, DOCTOR Spencer Reid, hero of men, and dictator of our apartment... your highness"
She giggled, sliding off the bar stool and stumbling into the living room.
She knew Spencer hated that nickname. Your highness. It just fueled her to use it more, his face always made it worth it. The clack of his shoes echoed as he followed her, making sure she didn't fall in the process, and helped her sit on the couch. She welcomed the soft suede and leaned her head on his skinny shoulder, watching him turn on the tv.
"Why do you always call me by my last name, Spence?"
She asked.
He glanced at her and silenced the tv. She knew she was about to regret asking, but she was genuinely curious because all she ever wanted was to hear him say her name. He cleared his throat and looked at her with sincerity.
"At work we call each other by their last names. It's just what I'm used to"
He stated simply.
Well, that was anti climatic, but that point raised another question. One that's been eating at her for a while now.
"Why haven't I met any of your work friends? Why don't they come here?"
She asked, nervous of the answer.
Spencer got quiet, like always. His fist tightened a little bit, and he took a slow calculated breath.
"I don't like company."
Don't like company? That's it? Of course not, it never is with him.
"Spence, what's the real reason?"
She asked, fiddling with her long brown hair.
"That's it. Our jobs, can get really personal. When people know every aspect of your life, they can get in your head and pull your weaknesses out. I like a safe place to be with work left at the door"
He replied.
That made her feel better. He was being genuine. That much she could tell. She could tell that he no longer wanted to talk about it, so she dropped it and snuggled up to him and put her legs up on the couch.
"Are you sure you just call me by my last name because you forgot my first name?"
She joked, focusing on the tv.
"I know your name, Cherish. It's just a habit I promise. If you want me to call you by your first name just remind me so I'm in that habit"
He replied.
Her heart stopped. She heard it. Her name rolled off his lips so sweet, it sounds like beautiful bells in harmony. A deep blush seeped into her cheeks and an involuntary smile creeped over her lips. She tried to hide it but he saw. He sees everything. Damn him.
"What's this? What did I say?"
He smirked, lightly tracing her cheeks with his fingers.
Her heart started pounding, his fingers sending electricity through her body. She silently prayed that he couldn't see her melting under his fingers, but she knew he did. He always did. She looked at him shyly, and immediately regretted it. His face washed in the light of the television, he looked like a god.
A god that she wanted to worship. A god that she wanted to sing his praises and bow at his feet. A god she wanted to kiss, and devote her life to.
And he knew that. Damn him, he knew that.
His fingers traced to her ear and down her neck, ever so softly, lighting a fire inside of her. His eyes locked into hers, those beautiful drops of sunshine fixated on her features, no doubt reading her racing thoughts. His breath was tight, the tension in the air was heavy between the both of them. This is all she wanted. All she's ever wanted since she met him at the bookstore. His lips just centimeters away.
She was begging him to finally cross the line, just this once. Please, just once.
...but of course not.
His phone rang. It always rings. His heart belongs to that ringtone. Her soul was crushed. His hand immediately left her face and fumbled for his phone. He answered and immediately started to smooth out his clothing and jumped up from the couch, causing her to fall over and lay on the couch. She let out a wistful sigh and watched him quickly walk into his room and gather his things. He was leaving. Off to be a hero. He barely glanced at her as he waved goodbye and in just a moment he was gone. One moment she was just centimeters from his face and the next she's sprawled out on their couch left wanting more.
She always wanted more.