"So what do I have to do to get you to convince Xander that someone else needs to be assigned to the party next year?" Janice asked as they entered her apartment. Cole laughed. He was sure Xander would do it, but Cole knew that one of his siblings had to have a twenty riding on whether or not he would ask a favor from Xander for Janice. One would think they had something better to do than make wagers on his life, but Cray still had that stupid notebook with the odds written in it. One day Cole was going to get that thing from the little jerk and burn it.
"I think we could come up with some adequate compensation," he teased, making her laugh at him. All she would have to do was smile at him and he would put himself in Xander's debt willingly. Besides, it was very possible that next year they would….they? He was thinking "they" thoughts? Were they a couple? They were dating, and he wasn't seeing anyone else, and neither was she. They hadn't slept together, but he knew that sex was not one of his criteria for being a couple. He liked being with her. Maybe that was the criteria. He actually liked her.
Cole sat on the arm of Janice's sofa as he watched her move to a side table, putting down her purse and keys. There was just something about seeing a woman dressed up like she was, especially when it was the first time you got to witness that event. She took off her coat, hanging it in the closet, simple, everyday things, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. For a moment her back was to him, and there was something decisively sensual about that expanse of bare skin. It would be so easy to slide up behind her and put his arms around her, undoing the clasp that held the satin material around her neck and…
"Take it off," Janice said, shaking Cole from his thoughts.
He jerked, looking up at her with a little shock. How the hell had she…? "What did you say?" he asked.
"Your jacket," she enunciated slowly. "Hand it here and I'll put something on it to keep that wine from setting in." She was looking at him like he might have just lost his mind.
"Oh, yeah that," he muttered, standing. He took off his jacket and handed it too her. Janice slid it onto a waiting hanger and took it into the kitchen. She stripped off her own gloves, tossing them casually onto the kitchen table before hunting in a cabinet for a second, pulling out a bottle, and then she sprayed the wine stain. She glanced at the instructions.
"Allow twenty minutes to set, and then sponge off," she read. Janice looked at Cole apologetically. "My mother just gave me this. She swears by it, but it's the first time I've used it."
Cole shrugged. "Won't be the first time I've had clothing dissolved by acid," he said. He reached up and took off his tie. Stupid thing had been bugging the hell out of him all night. Ah, much better. Janice was watching him from the kitchen entryway.
"Want something to drink while you wait?" she offered. He wasn't tired, and she didn't sound like she was ready for him to leave.
"Yeah, anything without alcohol in it would be great," he said. He had already had enough to drink tonight. He had never been a heavy drinker, usually just a couple of beers with Xander were his limit, and he had enough at the party earlier. She sat down on the couch next to him a second later with a couple of glasses of white grape juice.
"Pre-processed wine," she announced, handing one to him. He grinned. She had the weirdest sense of humor. She grabbed the remote for the sound system and pressed a few buttons. Music started to flow into the room, playing softly.
They were both sitting at an angle so that they could see each other. Janice had only flipped on a lamp by the door when they walked in, so the light was still dim in the room. She knew Cole wasn't bothered by low light, and she actually preferred the dark. Even with her coat, she had been cold outside, but now it was warm, and the whole setting should have seemed seductive, but it was more comfortable than anything. She propped her right elbow up on the back of the couch, resting her head in her hand.
"You know," she said softly, "this was the fourth time I had to attend this thing, and it was the first time I enjoyed it." He smiled back at her.
"Glad to be of service," he replied, keeping his voice low as well. It just didn't seem right to talk loud at that moment. Without meaning to, he touched her hair lightly, brushing the side of her face. Janice closed her eyes, absorbing the sensation. His fingers rested lightly on her chin for a second, and she opened her eyes again. There was an intensity to his gaze that made her breath catch in her throat.
"I enjoyed being with you too," he said simply, his blue-gray eyes softer than she had ever seen before. Janice was having a hard time breathing. A healthy dose of lust she could deal with. That was easy. This was getting too intense for mere lust, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.
A great deal of pre-Pulse music had recently come back in style with the songs being remade for a new generation. One of her favorite remakes started to play. Janice stood up quickly and held her hand out to Cole. "We didn't get to finish our dance earlier," she said. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to have him dancing close, but she had to do something.
Cole stood up, looking down at her, their eyes meeting squarely. He wished he could tell what she was thinking. Unless she wanted him to know, she kept her privacy. Maybe that was what made her so interesting. No, more than interesting, fascinating. He'd come to realize how few people ever really were allowed to look into her eyes and see how expressive they could be, like they were right now. She was nervous about what was happening between them, and he had to admit, so was he. If they ended up together that night, it was going to change things between them. Maybe for the better, maybe not. Only once had Cole cared enough about a relationship to not want to fuck it up royally, and feeling that old desire to actually want to make a woman happy was foreign to him.
Janice liked having a man near her that was taller than she was. Most men were shorter than she was, especially when she was in heels. Cole was normally a couple of inches taller than she was, and in heels they were eye to eye. His arm wrapped around her waist as he took her right hand in his. Janice's head drifted to his shoulder as they began moving in time to the music.
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope; I'll be your love be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.
I will be strong I will be faithful 'cos I'm counting on A new beginning.
A reason for living. A deeper new meaning.
Cole was holding her so closely. She could feel his cheek against hers, and the light touch of his breath against her neck. She lifted her head a little. Their eyes met, and then so did their lips. Her hand left his so that both arms could intertwine around his neck, and she could feel him wrapping his arms around her back, keeping her as close as possible to him.
I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...
They were still moving slightly to the music, their kiss becoming longer and more passionate. Janice knew enough about men to know that there were damn few that could make her feel like this, all liquid and strong at the same time. Cole was exciting; he was different, and not just because of DNA. He didn't try to treat her like a man; he didn't try to treat her like a fragile piece of china. Janice knew she didn't want him just as a good friend. She wanted him as a lover too.
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry.
The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you.
Janice finally had to pull away from their intense kiss. She did need to breathe a little more often than Cole did. Again their eyes met, the sheer desire in his eyes would have been a little frightening if it hadn't been tempered with so much tenderness there too. They didn't need to speak to understand each other at that moment. For once Cole didn't need any extra ability to know the person he was with. He wanted her so much, needing to be with her. For all his strength and ability, there was no way he could tear himself from her arms, from those incredible eyes that were asking him to stay with her.
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...
Their eyes still locked, he reached up behind her neck, and undid the clasp holding the material together. He was trembling at the feel of her soft skin under his hands. It was a little embarrassing that he couldn't be suave and debonair at that moment, but emotion was clouding his usual coolness. Her eyes never left his for a moment, even as his hands slid down her back, unzipping her dress and letting it slide to the floor in a silken puddle around her feet.
Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes 'cos it's standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come...
Janice had never experienced anything in her life as intensely arousing as that moment was. She was down to underwear (so glad she took her sister's suggestion and took a little trip to Victoria's Secret the day before) and stockings and heels as they danced in her living room. They kissed again, bodies pressing even tighter together, and oh, yes, it was very obvious Cole was enjoying himself as well. He better be.
I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do...
Janice pulled herself away from his mouth, and trailed hot kisses down the side of his neck, assaulting his earlobe for a moment, making him shiver, and then continuing back down his neck. He made the strangest sound; if she didn't know better, she would swear it was a purr. Her hands came from around his neck and started to rapidly undo the buttons on his shirt. The material of his clothes was irritating to her sensitized skin, and she wanted to feel his bare flesh against hers.
I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...
For a second, Cole wanted to stop Janice, stop all of this and just go. He couldn't let himself lose control in any situation. Even if her skin felt like warm silk under his fingers, and her mouth was doing incredible things to his neck, and even if he didn't have to worry about her seeing the back of his neck as she took his shirt off he couldn't lose control of himself. He didn't have the ability to get emotional about what should just be a physical experience. Janice pulled his shirt off, and somehow his undershirt too at the same time, and the moment he felt her against him, he knew then without a doubt that it was already too late. If it was just physical, he could leave. Hell, he wouldn't care enough to leave. He'd be gone in an hour. But with her…he knew whatever she demanded of him, he would give freely. In that moment of exquisite contact, she had him whether she knew it or not.
Janice wasn't sure for a moment if something was wrong, or very right with Cole. He held her tightly against him for a moment, only the thin silk of her strapless bra separating them. She pulled back from him just a little, concerned to see his expression. For a moment, he seemed like he was in pain, and then pulled her back to him in an incredible kiss that made her forget everything else. Whatever was bothering him seemed to melt away in the incredible sweetness of their contact.
Her fingers traced down his shoulders and arms as they kissed. He wasn't bulging with muscle, but he was very well toned, and she knew full well the strength in his body. He could easily overpower her if he wanted to, but she wasn't afraid of him. He was letting his kisses and caresses coerce her into surrender, and they were doing a damn fine job of it.
Cole slipped to his knees, for a moment pausing with his forehead against her stomach, inhaling the scent of her skin mixed in with the lightest aura of jasmine. He wanted to pull her down and take her right there on the floor, he wanted to spend hours exploring every inch of her body, he wanted to stay just like he was, holding her close for the rest of his life. Her fingers threaded through his hair, feathery touches against his ear making him jump a little. He had no idea he was so sensitive there.
The sheer eroticism of the moment wasn't lost on Janice. She had an incredibly strong, powerful man kneeling in front of her, leaning on her, his hands on her hips. Even the barcode glaring off of the back of his neck, the only thing marring the perfection of his neck and back, was strangely erotic. He moved slightly, and then she could feel him press several butterfly kisses across her stomach. Every muscle in her stomach jumped at that contact, and for a moment she thought she was just going to have to pass out.
Cole ran his hands down her long, long legs, feeling the smooth nylon of her stockings under his hands. Pantyhose weren't sexy. Stockings were, especially when they ended covering slim high-arched feet that were wearing incredibly sexy heels. He tugged at the elastic top of the stocking, pulling it down slowly, letting his mouth and tongue follow, kissing the exposed skin. Janice let out a little gasp as his tongue traced across her inner thigh. He lifted her leg, vaguely feeling her grab his shoulder for balance, and continued to remove her stocking and shoe.
Janice wasn't sure how they were managing to keep up with the gymnastics with her on one foot and him on his knees. By the time he started taking off her other stocking and shoe, she didn't care anymore. Had she ever been this turned on in her life? His teeth scraped against her thigh lightly, making her cry out, and then he had her foot in hand. He looked up at her with an almost mischievous grin and then took her toes into his mouth. The sensation was a strange cross of arousing and tickling at the same time, but after a few seconds, she decided that arousing had won over tickling.
Janice pulled away from him just a bit to regain her footing. Yeah right he didn't have a thing for feet. He could have more time with her feet later. She wanted his hands and mouth all over the rest of her as well. One finger caught him under his chin, tilting his face up to hers. She pressed up gently, and he got the hint, standing up slowly, his body rubbing against her exposed skin. She shivered, her eyes closing to absorb the sensation. They really hadn't done much at all and she was already aching with desire for him.
They kissed again, and Cole wasn't surprised in the least when she guided his hands to the clasp of her bra. She wasn't the shy type, and he knew she wanted this. He was a little embarrassed fumbling with the clasp for a second, making himself resist the urge to just to rip the thing off. He could feel her grinning against his neck at the slight awkwardness. That was enough. With a little growl, he grabbed the elastic beside the clasps and yanked hard, ripping the hooks out and solving the problem the direct way.
Cole let the bit of silk and lace flutter to the floor as he finally began to fondle her breast. God, her skin was so soft there. Her breast made a generous handful in his palm as he ran his thumb over her nipple. Janice knew if he were to let go of her for a second she would melt into a puddle on the floor. He was doing everything so right. She hated it when guys just started pawing and pinching. Cole's light touches were so much more arousing. She couldn't help a soft cry of pleasure when he leaned over and took the hard peak into his mouth.
It was her moan that did Cole in completely, totally. There was nothing fake or contrived in that. The honest passion in her voice and face was too much. Most of the women he'd been with were so false. They were going through the motions, taking whatever they could from him, and giving nothing of their real selves in return. Cole didn't need to read Janice's mind to know that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. It wasn't a physical thing. Not anymore. He needed her. Not a warm body, her.
Janice felt Cole scoop her up into his arms easily. They stood there for a moment, kissing passionately and then he carried her into her bedroom. Janice wasn't sure if she'd ever had a man do that for her before. When she was younger, boys never thought of that, and after she was an adult, most men had a hard time picking up a six-foot tall woman. Cole didn't seem to have a problem doing it. Janice didn't have a problem with him doing it. It was terribly romantic in an old-fashioned sort of way, especially how he kept kissing her even as he laid her gently on the bed.
Cole was still standing as he slid his hands down her body, catching her panties and peeling them off so that she was totally nude. There was a little light coming through the window from a streetlight, not that it mattered to Cole, but she liked being able to see him. He couldn't stop staring at her.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered before he knew he was going to. There was something in his voice that moved Janice. He sounded so young for a moment. She sat up in bed, taking his hands in hers.
The words 'we don't have to' trembled on her lips. She wanted to, God knew she wanted to, but not if it wasn't going to be right. She liked Cole, liked him very much. Maybe even more than liked him. She wanted this to be right between them. She didn't have to say it. He leaned over and kissed her so sweetly instead. It almost reminded her of their first kiss, him just touching her neck, and lasting and lasting. When they parted, the confusion was cleared, and she knew for sure that he wanted this to happen as much as she did.
She smiled up at him, and deftly undid his belt and then the buttons on his slacks, sliding down the zipper. Cole could feel his breathing getting ragged as she undressed him completely. His clothes slipped to the floor and he kicked them off, trying to keep from shoving her back and taking her right then and there, especially when her hands were caressing him lightly.
Beautiful, Janice thought as she ran her hands over the most intimate parts of his body. He was like a living sculpture. Simply perfect. It was so erotic to hear his gasps and moans of pleasure as she stroked his hot flesh. Before she even knew she was going to do it, she leaned over and took him into her mouth, his immediate cry of "oh my God" and hand clinching in her hair proof enough he liked it.
Cole finally had to gently disentangle Janice from him, pushing her back onto the bed and kissing her as their bodies stretched out together. God, she had no idea how close she had come to making him lose it. It had literally been years since a woman could do that to him. She was so soft under him, wrapping around him, hands all over him, encouraging him, making him shiver when she brushed his ear.
He finally broke off from her mouth, kissing his way down her body, pausing for a moment to enjoy her perfect breasts before slipping down her stomach. Janice seemed to know what he was planning, her body arching up slightly to meet his mouth and tongue. So beautiful, he thought as he finally closed in on his target, tasting her, feeling her pleasure in her movements and echoing in his head, one magnifying the other.
(cole I want you to, oh god baby, please…oh jan yes, need you too sweetheart)
"Cole, please!" Janice heard herself cry out, her need for him overwhelming. His mouth suddenly moved away from her, and then she felt him entering her body, possessing her completely, more than any man had managed to before in her life. He was everywhere, in her body, in her mind, and there was no way she could deny him anything. It wasn't like the time before when she felt him in her head, that brutal intrusion, this was so much a part of the physical act, it was like they were always meant to be together, a completed circle.
The last thing Cole was expecting was to have her totally open herself to him, body and mind. He couldn't stop himself from getting so incredibly caught up in her, not wanting to let her go, to ever release her. It had been so long since he'd ever spoken back when he "heard" someone mentally, and in those moments of closeness, he felt as though Janice could hear him, maybe not the words, but the feelings and emotion ripping down all walls and barriers.
One by one the barriers between dimensions fell, mental and physical, real and unreal, spiritual and earthly, they all collapsed in on themselves leaving Cole alone with Janice in a place akin to Heaven itself. The only thing that mattered to him was her, her voice, her skin, her pleasure. For a moment their eyes locked, and time seemed to stand still. So much there. So much passion…caring…more than caring maybe.
The world suddenly seemed to shatter all around them as the pleasure suddenly broke. Janice could feel every muscle in her body contracting in a white-hot wave, her nails digging into Cole's skin, not caring about anything except for this wonderful man and what he was doing to her body. For a moment she couldn't breathe and somewhere thought she was going to faint, but then she heard Cole's sob of sheer pleasure, and felt his climax deep inside of her body.
For someone genetically engineered and trained to run miles in full gear without breathing hard, it was amazing to Cole how hard he was gasping for breath as they lay together, their limbs intertwined. There hadn't been any holding back, no reserves at all with her. Out of habit, he was briefly annoyed with her for being so clingy and not letting go of him. Then he realized that he was the one holding onto her like a life raft in a storm. Normally he would move away and lie in bed for about fifteen minutes, maybe a half an hour, and then be out the door.
He couldn't make himself let her go. There lips were still meeting occasionally as breathing took on a more regular rhythm, his hands drifting all over her body, but still holding her close. Janice rested her face against his chest; her body limp with satiation, feeling closer to him than she had ever felt with anyone before. There was still that soft, gentle presence of him in her mind, but she didn't care what he might see in there. There was something so right about it all. Her eyes closed, his strong arms around her making her feel so warm and protected. Within seconds she was sleeping against his body.
Cole felt Janice sleeping in his arms, and knew he couldn't move. He was tired for once. And she felt so good against him. He was half asleep already, and she was so soft. He could still smell her, still taste her. Her leg was wrapped around his, her pretty toes touching his ankle. Should go. Couldn't. Not this once. Wouldn't matter. His lips pressed lightly against her hair, and he slept, still cradling her against him.
