1 TITLE: One in Ten Million: Chapter 5

AUTHOR: Kansas J. Miller

PAIRING: CJ/Simon

RATING: R

SUMMARY: She was technically leading him on, and if CJ didn't say something soon, she knew that his hurt would only be worse.

SPOILERS: None

***

Simon laid quietly in an unparalleled bliss, hugging CJ tightly to his chest. She'd nodded off two hours earlier, her beautiful face nuzzled against his neck, her hand on his chest. Her left hand, he smiled, on which she wore his ring.

It had been unbelievably expensive, but it hadn't phased Simon one bit—he wanted to give CJ the very best he could manage. And it was a serious diamond, Simon thought with a grin, bright and glowing on her long slim finger.

Simon sighed, thinking how pleasantly strange the night before had been. CJ was an emotional roller coaster, one moment telling Simon that she couldn't handle a marriage—the next spent in the process of frantically undressing for sex… and then CJ had silently accepted his offer, wearing the ring while they made love in her bed. And CJ was wearing it still as she clung to Simon in her sleep; it officially qualified him as the happiest agent in the Secret Service.

Smiling into the darkened room as he gently squeezed CJ closer, Simon was unable to help but thinking of the future. He had never been engaged before—all of the dangerous, time-consuming jobs that Simon had taken in his life never provided time for someone else, a family. What's more, no one had captured him the way CJ had; she made him feel like there were more important things in life—she had opened his eyes to life beyond the Secret Service.

What a wonderful irony the threat of a stalker had been. If not for the perceived danger in CJ's life, Simon would never have walked into her office; Simon would never have fallen so much in love with this woman. Mysterious ways, he thought with a grin, God works in mysterious ways.

***

Waking up slowly, CJ slid out of Simon's arms and headed for the bathroom, the cool air comfortable on her naked skin. Groggy, she flicked the switch and looked in the mirror, her mind entirely sleep filled. Her reflection offered a tousled head of hair, and as CJ moved her hands to smooth it down, the glittering rock on her left hand exploded into view.

Stopping in her tracks, CJ felt the night before flood back to her. Simon's proposal, her fear of it, their desperate lovemaking, the very real way she'd taken and worn his ring. Staring down at it in disbelief, reticently aware of how much it must've cost him, CJ's jaw dropped. Just what had she gotten herself into? Wearing this ring meant that she wanted to get married. Had she said so to Simon? CJ couldn't remember words, but as a new panic enveloped her heart, she realized that Simon's assumptions were as such.

Marriage. Marriage. God, marriage? CJ's mind screamed as she hit the hot water in the shower, waiting a moment before stepping in. She couldn't marry him. Plain and simple, she couldn't marry anyone…she didn't want someone to smother her; CJ didn't want anyone controlling her days and nights. Marriage. Marriage. No…CJ shook her head, shivering despite the steam that was beginning to fill the bathroom.

Guiltily as she stepped into the big shower stall, CJ pondered ways to walk back her agreement. God, she thought with a palm against the wet wall, she would be breaking Simon's heart. She couldn't do that to him! The ring…the beautiful ring…but God, marriage? Breathing in the steam from the shower, CJ forced herself to relax. The water cascaded down her hair and back, dripping warmth over her body, surrounding her in a momentary respite from the miserable worry.

***

Simon heard the shower start, and quickly leaving the bed, he decided to join CJ. It was six o'clock, early for a Saturday, but a shower with CJ sounded like a great reason to get up early.

She was leaning against the shower wall when Simon entered the bathroom, her sexy figure outlined through the cloudy glass door. Taking a moment to admire her slim form, a rush of possession surged through Simon—that beautiful woman was going to be his wife. It brought an indulgent smile to his lips, and opening the shower door, Simon confidently stepped into the stall

Turning quickly, CJ started before allowing Simon's arms around her waist. "You scared me," she laughed nervously, swallowing some of the panic that was going through her head. Fuck, CJ thought as Simon's soft lips played down the length of her neck, I may not want to get married but I'm sure as hell not giving this up…

"CJ," Simon murmured, not really wanting anything other than to say her name aloud, a reminder of what was in front of him.

"Mmm," CJ sighed, the combination of water and his hands flowing over her skin; her senses were aroused and Simon was being so gentle with her, worrying her nipple to a peak with a sort of reverence. How could she tell him that she couldn't marry him when all she wanted was for his hands to be on her body? How could she say no to a man who did such amazing things with only a touch, with only a word?

As Simon's talented hands moved below CJ's waist, she captured his lips in a deep kiss; her tongue thrust past his smooth lips and immeasurable guilt consumed her. She was technically leading him on, and if CJ didn't say something soon, she knew that his hurt would only be worse.

But as Simon whispered his love into her ear, the sound of his voice transcending the rushing water, CJ knew it wouldn't be easy—she loved Simon too much to intentionally wound him. But his love was also a trap; she was bound by his serious feelings. As her body screamed out for more of him, CJ's mind begged for Simon to stop, knowing that the further things went the deeper into him her emotions would be. *