FIVE

Back in their warm suite at The Drake, Jerry and Elaine spent the rest of the night watching old movies on one of Chicago's local channels. When Elaine finally left to take a shower and freshen up, Jerry was left sitting on the extravagant couch in the extravagant suite that he would probably have to do several extra gigs to pay for. Not that he minded. This time alone with Elaine was fun, relaxing. The only regret he had was that he hadn't yet made any sort of move. But he didn't really even know if he should. What gave him the right? He spent so long attempting to remain friends with the woman. Why would he ruin that in one night? But still, the thought that he would, in fact, be sleeping next to her, though probably quite some distance apart, excited him to no extent.

Elaine spent a half an hour in the shower, making sure that she looked and smelled as good as she possibly could. The same thoughts were swimming through her head. Would she be able to control herself? What if, in the night, she accidentally rolled over onto Jerry and didn't even realize it. Waking up lying on top of him might prove to be a bit embarrassing…But at the same time, she couldn't help but to wonder what it would be like…

When she emerged from the marble bathroom in only a towel, she immediately regretted it. Jerry turned, almost slowly, to lay eyes on her. His heart nearly stopped.

After composing herself and unfreezing from her spot in the bedroom, she hurried over to her suitcase and pulled out whatever nightgown or robe she could find first. Quietly clutching the items to her chest, she just as quickly hurried back into the bathroom and shut the door.

Jerry was left sitting on the couch with wide eyes. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her with a towel before. Hell, he had seen her naked before…But somehow the way she walked and looked now made his head spin.

"Your turn," she said a few minutes later as she once again emerged from the bathroom, this time in a baby blue silk robe and matching nightgown tucked away underneath. It wasn't overly revealing at all, but Jerry still gave her a once over when she leaned down to put her brush back.

"My turn for what?" He asked, cocking his head slightly.

"A shower…or do you take them in the morning? I always thought you took them at night…at least you used to…" Her voice trailed off as she thought about the territory she was beginning to cover with her words.

"Oh, yeah…" He managed, still slightly transfixed by the sight of her in a nightgown. "I'll go now…" He quickly hurried away before he could make any more of a fool of himself.

He took one last peek at her as he inched the door shut and threw his shirt on the ground.

…………………………

As Elaine climbed into bed that night, it took all the willpower she possessed to not jump on Jerry. She propped her pillows up on the far right side of the bed and plopped herself down into the velvety covers. She felt as if she was being swallowed by the gargantuan mattress. It was actually a comforting feeling. She felt especially safe with Jerry climbing into the bed next to her. Why was it she didn't feel this way with other men?

Jerry awkwardly positioned himself across from her, attempting as hard as he could to not touch her in any way. Not that he didn't want to touch her. No, he dreamed of it. He then turned his head strangely and stared into her eyes, trying to find something to say…'Sorry about this?' No…'Have a good sleep?' No…

"Well…" He murmured. "Goodnight." He had the urge to kiss her on the cheek, but he quickly decided against it and laid down on the far left side of the mattress, turning his back to her.

"Goodnight…" She whispered.

…………………………

She inhaled deeply as his lips somehow found that perfect spot on her neck. Placing her hands firmly on the back of his head, she fought the urge to moan. Her hands slid down to his shoulders, massaging. She squirmed as she lifted her leg over his.

When he turned up to look into her brown eyes, she took the chance to kiss him deeply on the lips. He moaned as her hands found the top button of his shirt and lifted his body up some to help her find easier access.

Her head spun as his strong arms grabbed her around the waist, pulling her flat against him and halting her progress with his shirt. The small whimper of protest from her was muffled as his lips covered her own so quickly that she didn't have a chance to breathe. When he reached down to begin unbuttoning her own shirt, she squeezed her eyes shut and saw only whiteness.

…………………………

Elaine woke with a start, seemingly in a pool of her own hot sweat. She didn't know where she was, the dark room foreign to her. Rolling her body over, she then remembered. There he lay, back still to her, completely oblivious to the dream she had just encountered. Her heart was beating rapidly against her chest still, and she swore that she could still feel his arms around her, pulling her close in safety. She didn't think she had ever dreamed so vividly.

Just as suddenly as she had woken, her eyes rolled back in sleep.

…………………………

Jerry rolled over slightly is his sleep, trying to change positions to relieve his cramped up leg. What he found when he tried to move, however, was a body blocking his way. In his sleep, he wrapped his arm around the unknown person and pulled her to him, causing her head to gently rest on his chest.

Elaine's eyes fluttered open at the feel of movement. At first she remembered Luke, her last boyfriend, but then recalled just who she was lying against. With a single hard pound to her chest, her heart fluttered. Slightly petrified, she wondered exactly how she had ended up in this position. Trying as best she could to silently and slowly move away from him, she felt her heart beat more rapidly. She thought the sound alone would wake him. In his sleep, Jerry's arm grabbed her own and Elaine jumped at the sudden movement. And then, his eyes flickered open.

In the dark, he had to focus to see the woman lying against him. His arm was still clutching her own, and his eyes focused back and forth between her face, her arm, and her body leaning against his. Tingling sensations shot up and down his body as he felt her weight begin to set in. The thin nightgown she was wearing was doing little to block the touching skin.

"Jerry…" Elaine whispered. How would she explain this? She didn't even know how she had ended up like this…

"Shh…" He replied, covering her mouth with his index finger. She lay perfectly still, staring into his eyes, searching for some answer.

"Jer…"

"Shh…" He repeated, trying to savor as much of this moment as he possibly could.

When his head began leaning forward, she became so dizzy that the room around her seemed to spin to life. And yet, he remained perfectly in focus.

When he became so close that she could feel his breath on her face, Elaine thought she might as well die right then and there. Finally, so slowly, his lips covered her own. She whimpered as he so lightly touched her lips.

"Jerry…" She murmured, voice catching somewhere in the back of her throat. All coherent thoughts had left her.

He lifted his head, lips leaving hers. His eyes looked questioningly into her own, searching for the silent okay that he had been waiting for. What he saw was pure passion.

And so with that, he gently flipped her body under his, pushed her hair back from her flawless face, and leaned into her. His lips grazed hers once again. But this time, not in question. His second kiss was passionate, not as gentle as the first, and he felt the weight of the world lifting off his shoulders as her arms tantalizingly slid around his neck. That was all he needed before he fervently pressed his lips forcefully against hers.

THE END