A/N: Some good old fashioned down and dirty time for Katie and Ned in the morning. It's truly my specialty. I hope you all enjoy xx Mariah
In his thirty-eight years, Ned Banks had experienced quite a lot and yet, somehow, a part of him couldn't help thinking he would never find anything on Earth quite as beautiful as Grandview in June – with one notable exception.
He sighed, his eyes shining as he took in the sight before him. Katie laid fast asleep a few inches away from him, her body draped under a single thin sheet, sunlight dancing off her face in the morning light.
It was still early, not even seven yet and he'd just gotten back from a double shift. He'd driven home half asleep and hardly made it through his shower without nodding off, but still managed to go around to see if either Asher or Willow were awake, but they weren't.
He'd been surprised to find his wife still in bed upon his return, accustomed by now, after over fourteen years of marriage, to the sight of her already showered and dressed in the kitchen when he came into the house, a newspaper in her hand and a cup of steaming coffee pressed to her lips. She hadn't stirred as he'd slipped in next to her, her chest rising and falling with every breath.
He watched her as she slept, a sense of contentment deep in his soul. This was always the perfect way to start or end his day, especially after as long of a shift as the one he just worked. Her skin was luminous in the early dawn light that parted the bedroom curtains, her hair the color of chocolate.
She looked angelic lying next to him, her lace-edged nightgown reminding him of the many times he had pushed it from her shoulders, no defense against their passion for each other. He was not a very poetic man, but he felt an inspiration he'd never felt in his life when he was with her.
Ned could lie here watching her for hours, then leisurely wake her, coax her to awareness and love her. If he could, he would stay in this place with her forever, but their responsibilities and daily routines would only remain at bay for so long.
Quietly he lifted his hand to caress her face, his thumb barely stroking over the smooth skin of her temple. He threaded his fingers through her hair, his thumb gently stroking the outside edge of her shell-like ear. She shifted slightly as he pressed his lips to her warm forehead, her arm now sprawled around his waist. He snuggled closer, their legs becoming entwined in a mess of limbs.
He could feel the softness of her skin pressed against him under the covers, her body nearly bare besides only her nightgown, the weather warm enough to preclude her favored thick-cotton pajamas. He brought another kiss to the side of her head, inhaling deeply as he took in the smell of her perfume and felt her stir beside her.
"Good morning," he said as he smiled, his fingers in her hair as he held his wife close to him.
"Hmmm," she murmured, stifling a yawn as she returned slowly to consciousness. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the sight of him beside her and his adoring expression. The trace of a smile started to spread across her features as the intimacy of their positions dawned on her. "Good...morning," she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep.
He felt her smile as he pressed his lips against her mouth, his tongue just barely touching the seam of her lips. Her full lower lip parted with a soft breath and he responded instinctively, his arms wrapping around her waist.
Katie grinned, her hands framing his face as she murmured another hum of pleasure. She was still slightly out-of-it but rapidly became more alert as he caressed her mouth with his eager tongue and even moaned lightly against his mouth, a sound that was more felt than heard.
Languid kisses followed much slower and deeper ones, all their focus on their attuned bodies and their breath mingling sweetly in this intimate connection. Buttons were quickly undone, his shirt was pushed from his shoulders and replaced by her stroking hands.
Without speaking, they knew they had a little time, that they would take each other leisurely, completely, but would have to try to be as silent as possible if they wanted this to last. Waking their children could derail their plans until later, and then they both would be left tense and unfulfilled all morning.
Moving his mouth along the edge of her jawline and down her neck, Ned slid his hand over her collarbone and teased open the buttons at the neckline of her nightdress. The light fabric slid away from breasts, which were already resting tight against the fabric, and her arms slid out of the straps.
Silent, she let her head fall back, giving him access to the line of her throat, thrusting her breasts up to implore his hands to touch her. Happy to oblige, he took the firm round flesh in his hand, his palm barely grazing over its taut pink peak.
She threaded her fingers in his hair, showing him where she wanted his mouth, her hips rocking slowly against his body. He felt her leg tense, her toes pointed and he grinned greedily against her rosy nipple instead of taking her hint.
He could do this forever, he thought, laving her sweet skin, sucking and tugging gently with his teeth. Soon, he knew, she would slide her tense leg around him, her need to be closer to him driving her. Her hands eased his bottoms over his swollen erection and down past his hips and he wavered for a moment.
She tasted so sweet, he wanted to take his time, but there was, in fact, only so much of it. They couldn't prolong this for too long. While he knew he would be happy touching all of her, loving every inch of her with his mouth, that would have to wait for another time.
Tonight, perhaps?
He would have to bribe someone to watch their kids, but that wasn't too hard to do when he wanted the idea of a totally free night with the love of his life.
Deciding, he reached back up and kissed her fully on her mouth as his fingers slowly coaxed the nightie up the length of her thighs. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close in a deep soulful kiss as she lifted her hips.
Ned's hand paused at her hip, slowly sliding to grab her ass while their tongues swirled over and over each other. He squeezed gently, kneading the soft flesh, then slid his palm down across the front of her thigh, his thumb stroking the smooth surface as it made its way to his goal.
The slight catch in her breath made him laugh silently. Lightly, he slid his forefinger along the crease of her core, slowly easing into her. She was warm and moist there, and he grew harder, knowing it was her desire for him that made her so.
Katie's body was tight with tension, and he bent down to taste her, finding the nub that was the center of her whole being in that moment. He caressed it with the tip of his tongue, making small, tight circles just the way he knew she loved it.
Her head was thrown back, her chin in the air, breasts thrust out as she spread her legs wider. She was hot and tight, the walls of her core clenching around him. He could feel his own response, throbbing against his leg, but he pushed the thought to the back of his mind, trying to concentrate on eliciting more of those delightful sounds from his wife.
Ned watched, captivated as she tensed in his arms, biting her lip as her breath came out in short bursts. It never failed to amaze him that he could do this to her. Katie, who was so beautiful, so soft, kind, and brave – his wife.
He groaned, struggling to control the exhilarated wave threatening to drown him. Even after all this time those words still sounded like half a dream. He gazed at her, his hand firm and rhythmic as he moved, his fingers pushing deeper into her tight center.
"Now," she gasped, her voice thick with lust. "God, Ned… please."
He knew she wanted him inside her by the sound of want in her voice and slowly rose from where he laid between her thighs, then was where she wanted him. Her feet slid up along his hips, opening her even wider to accept him.
Finally, he was buried in her as deeply as he could go, and they lay still together, focussing all energy on that one special place of union. Cheek to cheek, her breath in his ear, his in hers, they began to move, their quiet rhythm slow and measured. He felt as well as heard her deep exhales as he moved inside her.
This morning, the intense focus, the deep connection both physical and emotional, made them aware of every burst of feeling. Their eyes locked together, seeing things only they could see. They moved together as one, slowly giving and taking until they peaked together.
Her legs held him close to her, their fingers interlaced against the pillows as their movements gradually became languid, sated. As their breathing calmed, Katie lightly kissed his ear. "Good morning," she whispered to him again.
He laughed, wishing he could tuck himself even farther into her. "The best morning," he whispered back.