Disclaimer: CSI: Miami does not belong to me. The characters are full of inspiration, intelligence, and intrigue that I can't help but borrow them a short while. I heartily enjoy the show and its premise. The events of this story are mine, but the characters are definitely not.

Author's Note: For b8kworm, the H/C group. Eternal gratitude to Mr. Hathaway, who made me realize I had a talent I was wasting; my apologies for neglecting to put a note here on all the other stories. To Lauri, because you've made me more vocal about the smut I'm addicted to but can't write; this is as close as I get. Thanks, Marianne, for your enthusiasm and help for my *trudgings*, LoL!

Summary: She could see that control, which kept him just outside her personal space, giving her his permission to seduce to her heart's desire. Just before she did just that, she promised his heart a sincere conversation with hers.

Archives: My site. Anybody else, email me. I like to go visiting.

Pairing(s): Horatio/Calleigh

Spoiler: None, sorry.

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Title: Nights Under the Full Jazz Moon

Author: Laeta
Email: ladylaeta@yahoo.com


Chapter 4: Jazz Urgings

The secluded restaurant sprawled a blink away from the beachfront surrounded by the waning moon's light amidst scattered candlelight. Soft trumpets, lilting pianos, and pulsing cellos echoed the song of the crashing water. Daylight's heat warmed the night while cool ocean air escorted mystery and excitement.

She saw him the instant she exited the hired taxi. In the shifting light, he leaned against the railing that separated sand from civilized tiles and gazed out over the darkened landscape he called home.

She could swear he possessed telepathic powers when he turned in her direction the instant she stepped into the pool of light that illuminated the restaurant's outdoor dining area. Even from this distance, she saw the fire ignite in his eyes as he studied her appearance. Taking care to respect his wish, she had swept her hair into a high pony tail and let the rest cascade down her back. To please him, she wore a black dress, which stopped mid-thigh and flowed off one shoulder while leaving the other bare. Completing the picture were open-toed, low heeled shoes and the perfume he apparently found captivating earlier in the week.

He hooked an arm over the railing and watched Calleigh cross toward him. An arm's length away, he offered the single rose he held. Sweet smelling, she used the time to absorb the darkness shrouded man. Unusual to the norm, he lacked a jacket and sported only a charcoal button-up shirt made casual with the top few buttons left undone. The sleeves were open, too, and rolled up to further aid the appearance of a relaxed evening. Dark grey slacks were missing a gun and shield off his hip; so he was making her a priority tonight.

She smiled her appreciation; who would not like being a man's priority? If it were not for the delicious anticipation pooling through her, she knew she would probably melt merely looking at him. She waited for a cue; a beat later, Horatio pushed away from the railing and managed to restrict himself to a single somewhat chaste kiss before turning into her.

Voice low, private, he greeted her. "Beautiful, as always; perfection on wings."

"Charmer," she replied no higher than a whisper.

"Thank you for coming."

Her smile broadened although her words were in serious tones. "Wouldn't miss this for the world, Horatio. I think we've been coming toward this for a long time."

"Good, I'm glad you think so, too." His timbre echoed hers.

He fell silent, thinking, and Calleigh drowned in his words. "How far would you let me go tonight, Calleigh?"

"What do you mean?"

"First dinner. Would you let me take a walk along the beach with you?"

"What else did you have in mind?" And she did not need for him to answer; she saw everything in his eyes. Eyes he left open and defenseless to her scrutiny. Perhaps another woman may have had several options in response; she had only one - "All the way."

"Perfection on wings." Awe colored the repeated words with hues of respect and need.

He looked as though he was going to fall apart so Calleigh tried for levity. Backed by a flirty grin, she groused him. "Hey, if this is a date, are you going to feed me?"

Then she fell completely for that wry chuckle.


They were seated in a quiet sector of the outdoor eating area. Their waitress well trained, she approached only for their order of wine and dinner; then disappeared until Horatio signaled for her. This left uninterrupted time where she had Horatio all to herself and, of course, vice versa.

By unspoken agreement, they spoke not of work or cases nor of the particulars of their relationship. They kept to so-called safe topics - music, literature, world news. They played the game so well they appeared to be an ordinary couple, relaxing after the work week, getting to know each other. Possibly they were that, but she knew they were already beyond that stage. They were merely attempting to accustom themselves to the newfound physical level of their relationship since they had already connected on all other levels.

For her part, Calleigh received an undeniable prelude to being in Horatio's bed. Throughout the courses, he lavished her with warmth, focused on every whimsical note of her voice. Voice pitched low and intimate, warm molasses in summer sun; fragrant meadows basking in heavy August air, she bloomed under his attention. Courteous, gentle, and cautious were adjectives she would use to describe him that night and she picked up on his desire to go slow. By equal degrees, she could not decide whether to accept the pace or use persuasion to plot another course. In the end, she conceded the choice to him when he asked her to dance.


Their conversation ran smooth as the hours disappeared and they became the only two in the world. Calleigh allowed Horatio to lean close, fill both their wine glasses sparingly, and for fun, snatch pieces of her dinner; she laughed at his lattermost antics. She was pleased to note he relaxed into the atmosphere of candlelight, jazz, and the beach he loved. Then somehow, his craving of another glimpse of her body pressed against his surfaced in her mind. She almost started at the intensity which sprang from him.

When the beginning strains of I've Got to See You Again beckoned, she plainly saw Horatio could avoid the temptation no longer. Brushing hair off her bare shoulder to smooth his fingers against silky skin, she followed his soft pull away from their table into a moonlit dance.

He led her in an easy waltz that, nevertheless, left her dizzy and gasping for breath. Hand on her lower back, the other playing with one of hers, he directed her movements. This dance was completely different from that night almost a week ago at the club. While that had been lust and seduction, this was sweet and romance. This one was Horatio's lead as opposed to the equal pull and follow of the other. She had to admit she enjoyed the traditional atmosphere this dance lent itself to.

She savored the moonlight highlighting individual strands of hair and features on Horatio's face. The darkness mysteriously boasted the color of his eyes and the turn of contentment in his smile. Night's mild breezes shifted candlelight and brought the fire to burn in the foreground. Secure in the strength of his arms, protected by the force of his spirit, Calleigh knew she had to answer his question. For the entire week, he had played it safe and stayed just on that side of propriety; it ate at her that she was not as open and trusting as he that day.

As lightly as possible, she stepped away from the dance. Noticing he did not immediately register rejection for that, confidence ran rivets in her veins. Now or never.

"Horatio? Let's go on that walk now."


Chapter 5: Moonlight Confessions

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© RK 23.May.2003