Disclaimer: still in the first chapter where it's always been
A/N: Remind me again why I chose to have them on a case? That means I actually have to write a case in! Ugh bad idea...I should stick to PWP stories, it would make my life so much easier. Well here it goes, I hope it turns out okay! (Remember – reviews chocolate)...
Dan awoke to an unfamiliar weight on his chest, he inhaled deeply as he tried to place who or what it was. The sweet smell of jasmine and vanilla invaded his thoughts, oh...right...Zoe. Dan smiled down at the sleeping woman, admiring how peaceful she looked, safe in his arms. Zoe chose that moment to make a noise Dan could only relate to a purr in the back of her throat as she struggled from sleep.
Mmmm...this is nice. Wait...who am I sleeping with! Oh my God! Zoe tried to calm herself, taking a few cleansing breaths, the scent she knew so well permeating her sleepy mind. Okay it's Dan...wait what did we do last night? Better yet why the hell am I sleeping with Dan? Zoe's mind processed, Right, M sent us on a case and we're supposed to be newlyweds... we didn't do what most newlyweds do on their wedding night did we! Zoe's mind raced as she fought to remember the night before, well I'm dressed, that's a good sign...okay think Zoe. We went to dinner, I had a couple glasses of wine we came back here and...oh yeah...I told him didn't I? Well that probably ended any hope of having a relationship with him. I mean what kind of guy is gonna want to be with a woman who is so afraid of having a relationship with a guy she pushes him away constantly? Although he did kiss me...but then he apologised. Then I kissed him and I think he kissed me back...
"You awake Zoe?" Dan nudged her softly. Zoe nodded, looking up into his eyes. "Whaddya say we get up and have some breakfast before we have to get down to work?" Why does she look so frightened? I know she had a little to drink last night but not a whole lot...she doesn't think I took advantage of her does she? What if I did? I mean she was probably a little bit drunk and she'd just told me something she hadn't told anyone before and it turns her into an emotional train wreck and I go and kiss her...great job Dan. Zoe stretched her arms above her head as she sat up.
"Dan about last night..." she started, only to be cut off by Dan,
"Zoe I'm so sorry...You bared your soul to me and I kissed you while you were emotional. I shouldn't have done that and I know you might think I took advantage of you and I'm sorry, I never meant for it to happen like that..." Dan was once again silenced with Zoe's finger to his lips.
"Dan it's okay. I don't think you took advantage of me but I need to know...did you just kiss me out of pity for what happened or was it something else?" Zoe couldn't meet his eyes, she was too afraid of what she might see there.
"Oh Zoe..." Dan sighed, pulling himself into a sitting position, "Zoe that was most definitely not a kiss out of pity. I kissed you because you're a smart, beautiful woman who trusted me with a secret she was afraid of. And I kissed you because I think I'm falling in love with you Zoe. That's why I kissed you..." Dan placed his fingers under Zoe's chin, tipping her face up so he could look into her eyes. He saw the tears making her eyes sparkle as she leaned in to his embrace. She sighed and he felt her muscles relax as he gently massaged her back. "C'mon we gotta get up Zoe..."
"Don wanna...too comfy" she mumbled into his chest, yelping when he scooped her up and stood. She threw her arms around his neck for safety. "Dan! What are you doing!" she couldn't help but giggle as he planted a kiss on her forehead before gently setting her on her feet.
"Getting you out of bed," Dan replied with a grin, Zoe's arms still linked around his neck. He looked down into her eyes, slowly inching their lips closer and giving her ample time to pull away if she wasn't ready. He watched her eyes slip closed and her lips part slightly,
"Dannn..." she breathed his name. "Please..." she hated the way he was drawing this out. Maybe he was lying earlier. Maybe he really did just kiss me out of pity before... All coherent thought left Zoe's mind as his lips met hers. She moaned softly, allowing him to snake his arms around her waist and pull her closer. They stood there, making out like a couple of teenagers, hands roaming everywhere on the other's body. Dan's lips left hers as he trailed kisses down her jaw, pausing to kiss the tender skin of her neck before stopping and resting his forehead against hers. "That was..." Zoe's mind was clouded with passion and she couldn't for the life of her come up with an adjective to fit their kiss. It was so different from their previous kisses. Those had been wild and rushed but this...it had been slow and sweet and so passionate Zoe had felt like her legs were about to give out.
Dan chuckled, "You took the words right out of my mouth. Now we really do have work to do so why don't you jump in the shower and I'll order us some room service okay?" Zoe nodded, releasing her grip of his neck and walked, albeit unsteadily, towards the bathroom.
Zoe emerged from the bathroom half an hour later in a cute flowery halter dress to find Dan sitting on the balcony reading a book. "Whatcha readin?" she asked as she walked barefoot onto the balcony. Dan smiled at her, tossing the book across the table so she could see it, "The Da Vinci Code? What's it about?"
"I'll explain over breakfast okay? I'm gonna jump in the shower." Dan rose from his seat, pausing long enough to kiss the top of Zoe's head before he made his way inside. Zoe sat the book down on the table and leaned back in her chair. Before she knew it Dan was back at her side, along with a cart full of goodies. Zoe's let her curiosity get the best of her and she started pulling the covers off the dishes. To her delight she discovered pancakes along with bowls of fresh fruit and whipped cream, she blushed slightly at the sight of strawberries and whipped cream, her dream from the limo flooding back. "And what are you blushing about?" asked Dan, eyes dancing as they always did when he flirted with Zoe.
Zoe's blush deepened when she realized she had been caught staring at the strawberries and whipped cream and would now have to explain herself to Dan. "Well I uh...I just..." Zoe stuttered trying to find the right words. Dan laughed,
"It's okay Zoe. You don't have to tell me." Being a gentleman meant Dan would never bring up the idea of strawberries and whipped cream again unless he was sure she would be completely comfortable but he stored her interesting reaction in the back of his mind for later use. "C'mon, eat. We've got lots to do." Dan smiled at Zoe as he sat, trying to get her to relax a little more and kicking himself for questioning her blushing and making her go back to the shy and withdrawn Zoe he was used to.
"So what's your book about?" Zoe asked again. Dan began to explain it, telling her he was only a chapter in so he didn't really have a good grasp of it yet. "Can I borrow it when you're done? It's been awhile since I read a good book."
"I'll do you one better Zoe. We can read it together this week okay?"
"Ooh sounds fun!" Zoe took a bite of the pancakes, it had not escaped Dan that she had purposely avoided both the strawberries and whipped cream. "Mmm! I think these are the best pancakes I've ever eaten!" The couple plowed through the pancakes and fruit and once their hunger was sated they prepared for their day of investigating. "So we're looking for someone who's been blackmailing newlyweds out of money. Do we know how he does it?"
Dan smiled as he watched the new Zoe he'd been getting to know dissolve into his partner Zoe, he made a pact with himself to get the new Zoe to show herself again later. "From what M said the clients were reluctant to talk about it, but she told me it involves a secluded cove on the beach and some risque photos." Zoe raised an eyebrow at his comment.
"So you're telling me we have to get ourselves into a 'risque' situation on the beach and hope someone takes pictures so they can try to extort money from us?" Zoe was incredulous.
"Not necessarily. If we can find a couple who is in that position we might be able to avoid that." Dan squirmed in his seat, knowing full well that there was very little chance that that would ever happen.
A/N 2: Ugh I'm having the hardest time figuring out a case for them that I can write out quickly so I can get to more fluffiness! Any ideas on where I can take this? I'll update again soon...I hope...