Author's Note: Rated M for smut / lemons. Also...there is a fair amount of schmaltz. Thanks so much for the likes, follows, and as always comments. I hope you enjoy!
Luke and Penelope wake up early by mutual agreement - they have to catch their shuttle at 1 pm - and they still want to explore the boardwalks and exhibits at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
So far, they have gone back to keeping things light - nothing too serious or emotional.
They send funny selfies to their friends on the team - sometimes getting a passerby to snap a shot or two for them.
Luke and Penelope making silly faces at the endangered snails that live in the springs!
Penelope and Luke pretending to box each other on the boardwalk!
Luke and Penelope pretending to lean against a mountain peek in the background!
Penelope sitting across Luke's lap both looking distinctly grumpy on a red Adirondack chair!
Luke sitting across Penelope's lap on a red Adirondack chair making ridiculously hard to believe kissy faces!
Everything is laughter and friendship until the end of the outing...
It happens after they grab a quick lunch and are finishing up their visit at the gift shop.
They are looking at a jewelry case that is filled with pieces made by local Indigenous artisans when - at the same moment - they see a pair of rings.
Luke stills.
Penelope's breath catches and she leans forward to peer more closely.
The rings are bold and unique - exquisitely crafted from layers of white, yellow, and rose gold.
On each there is a mountain range with a trail switchbacking up to the summit.
They are not identical but clearly made as a matched set.
One is sized for a man, the other for a woman.
Just then the shop attendant bustles up and following their gaze, takes the rings out of the case laying them on a piece of black velvet.
"Beautiful pieces aren't they? Mare by a local jewelry maker from Canmore. Would you like to try them on?"
Neither of them make a sound but they both reach out and pick up the ring meant for the other
Avoiding each others eyes, first one then the other slip a ring onto the other's ring finger.
With this ring...
Each fits perfectly.
"Beautiful" breaths the attendant.
Luke and Penelope finally look up from their joined hands - catching each other's eyes - each raise an eyebrow in question.
Imperceptibly - unbelievingly - they both nod.
"We'll take them. I will pay for his."
"I'll pay for hers. Can we wear them out?"
They hold hands as they wordlessly make their way back to the hotel to gather the bags they left at the front desk.
Amazingly all through collecting and loading their luggage - climbing into the shuttle bus - finding a pair of empty seats - this time Penelope gets the window - they still haven't spoken a word to each other - only to the hotel concierge for the bags and the driver as they presented their tickets - but they never let go of the other's hand - not once.
They sit - still joined by their clasped hands - both gazing out the window - not speaking a word for almost the whole trip.
When the shuttle nears the airport - Penelope turns away from the window and catches that Luke has not been looking out the window - but at her.
In a smooth motion he leans forward and they kiss - deeply - but still controlled and appropriate for a couple in public.
They split briefly when they arrive at the airport to washroomize.
They had planned on spending the five or so hours or so the tour had built into the schedule to accomodate for weather and traffic delays browsing the airport shops and getting a bite to eat...but when they meet up again in the concourse - Penelope - still wordlessly - draws Luke by the hand through the airport and across a skywalk until they reach the front desk of the in-terminal hotel.
She quickly checks them into a room.
They ride the elevator - hand in hand - facing forward.
They still haven't spoken with more than looks since their eyes landed on the rings ..
They have barely let go of each other's hand.
They find the room and use the key-card to let themselves in.
When the door clicks shut - they leave their bags in the room's vestibule and then Penelope leads Luke into the room - she extricates her hand and heads over to the window to close the blinds - turning back to him when the task is done.
They are both wearing their most serious expressions.
Finally, he opens his arms to her - offering a hug and she hustles towards him so that she can step into the circle of his arms.
Penelope slips her arms around his middle as he tightens his arms around her shoulders - then they burrow into each other - the picture of two souls seeking comfort.
They hold onto each other for a long time.
Finally, neither can stand it anymore and each speaks:
"Penny?" "Luke?"
They laugh - happy some of the tension has flown away.
"We've done it again, Newbie."
"Yeah. Yeah we have, Pen."
"Maybe we should just skip whatever we were going to say this time. Mine will keep until we're home."
"Mine too."
They share a quiet overwhelmed smile.
"Shall we set an alarm so that we actually leave in time to check for our flight?"
"I guess we'd better."
As Luke goes to his phone to set an alarm and then a backup one one his watch, Penelope says in a small voice...
"Luke - this wasn't what I was going to say - but can we um undress and just cuddle? I know it's a waste of a hotel room..."
He looks up at her - his expression another type of soft smile with just a tinge of bleakness around his eyes.
"Of course, Chica. Anything."
Penelope starts to cry. Huge slow tears escape her eyes.
"Ah Penny..."
Before the 'Pen' of her name is voiced, Luke has crossed to her and has pulled her back into his arms.
"I'm sorry - I just..."
"Shhhhh. The only reason I'm not crying is you are doing it for both of us. Here - let's get on the bed ok?"
"Clothing?"
"Whatever you want."
"Let's take them off. I want to feel your warmth..."
They seperate to undress - Penelope wiping her tear stained face on the hem of her.travelling dress - then they climb on the bed - leaning up against the headboard - lying on top of the comforter.
Penelope snuggles up against Luke's right side and his arm comes around her protectively - they lace fingers over his heart and Penelope finds herself tracing the borders of his new ring.
His voice rumbles and cracks slightly when he breaks the silence:
"I guess we're going to have to take them off?"
"Mmhmm. Unless we make a decision to be together starting now and are happy to let everyone know and the chips fall where they may - but I am not sure I could choose objectively...I want too mu-"
"Me too, Penny."
"It seems silly that both of us wanting it isn't enough...but..."
"Yeah. ... ... Pen - if we are taking them off - is it stupid of me to say that I feel they should be stored together until we...if we...I mean..."
"No not stupid." answers Penelope softly..."Here."
Penelope rolls away from him and goes to fetch something from her bag - when she finds what she's looking for she makes a noise of triumph - and returns to the bed - holding the little wooden box that Luke had first met when she has proposed this whole adventure.
She climbs back onto the bed and sits cross legged - facing back towards him
"We could put them in here? Then one of us could keep them until we..if we..."
Luke nods slowly.
So Penelope reaches for Luke's hand - clearly with the intention of slipping off his ring...
He reacts instinctively - pulling his hand back like she's burnt him - actually leaning back and holding his hand up and away from her - bringing his other hand up in a defensive gesture - like he's afraid she'll fight him for it.
Penelope quirks one eyebrow - raising her hands instinctively in a calming gesture.
"...or not?"
Luke is breathing harshly from the burst of adrenaline that flooded his system.
Get a grip Alvez.
He closes his eyes and consciously slows down his breaths - inhale-1-2-3 - pause-1-2-3 - exhale-1-2-3-4-5-6 - and repeat.
He lowers his hands and forces his muscles to relax.
Smooth - very smooth.
He opens his eyes - but doesn't look up at her:
"um - sorry - um..."
He feels like running away - like anywhere on the planet would be better than this - but he'd better try to explain even though he has no real idea what happened.
"...just um...do you..."
He closes his eyes again as if in pain but continues in a halting strangled voice...
"...do you mind if we...um...wait until...we...um..."
He's bashfully rubbing the back of his neck.
"...wait until we land in DC? I just..."
"Lu-"
"I just.."
"Luke. Stop. Yes - of course."
"Yeah? I'm sor-"
"Yes, Luke. Of course. I think it's an excellent idea. And..."
He finally looks at her.
How does she manage to always look so gorgeous and adorable and sexy and intelligent all at the same damn time?
"Yes?"
She flashes a cheeky perfectly-Penelope smile at him.
"And...I think now is the perfect time for me to finally have that turn as the love-making-leader that you promised me? Don't you agree?"
Luke swallows hard.
No - he most definately does not agree!
He is so raw. His body still hasn't shaken off the intense urge to fight or flee...he's not sure he can just lie back and be passively pleasured. His brain forms the thought like a sneer. He is so confused and it hates it. He doesn't want to disappoint her...he doesn't want to prove himself the macho asshole she suspected - accused him - of being when they first met.
Fuck - fuck - fuckity - fuck - fuck.
Penelope watches Luke's face intently as she waits for his response.
Most people would probably just see a stoic-stony-unchanging-emotionless expression, but after the last few days she somehow can detect meaning from miniscule shifts in his countenance.
When he had first raised his eyes, she had seen his attraction to her - his love for her - and then when she made her suggestion - it was like the crack of a starters pistol prompting him to run the gambit from a flinch of revulsion to a hint of anger then a flash of shame - to a lashing of confusion - to raw want - to tenderness - to acceptance.
He was going to agree.
Good. Because she knew just what to do to please him...
She just had to wait...
Finally - certainly a beat or two later than Penelope anticipated he would answer - Luke speaks.
"Yes. um. Please?"
"Of course, my love - my Luke."
Penelope leans forward and strokes his face - then kisses him - pushing firmly on his chest as an indication that she wants him to lie back and relax.
She feels him strain to deepen the kiss but she moves the kiss to his throat - not letting him take control ..
She needs to not rush this...but she also is very aware how on edge he is...and therefore she also needs to not prolong getting to the crux of things too long.
He makes a strangled sound - and fists handfuls of the comforter to keep from grabbing her and rolling her over.
If this is what she wants - he damn well is going to do it for her.
But he is not happy. Not happy at all.
You can do this Alvez!
A beautiful woman...your beautiful woman wants to pleasure you...you are damn lucky...so just fucking relax and let it happen.
This is do or die, soldier!
Penelope can read his tension and his thoughts as though he just shouted them.
She'd better hurry up.
Penelope lets her hands trail over his chest.
He closes his eyes again like she's causing pain not pleasure...but doesn't say anything or resist.
Luke is such a self-sacrificing doofus - but he's her self-sacrificing doofus.
Maybe she should skip to her end game now...
Penelope kisses his cheek.
His eyes fly open.
She kisses is other cheek.
He grits his teeth tighter.
She kisses his forehead - the tip of his nose - he tips his head back in anticipation of her kiss on the lips - so she joins her lips with his - firmly but briefly.
He whimpers.
So instead of moving to the part where she kisses his palms and finger tips - she puts her cherry red lips to his ear and whispers:
"Luke - I want your cock in my mouth - and I am going to love riding you - but right now - there is one thing I want even more...do you want to know what?"
Luke's eyes are shut tightly again - his jaw is clenched - he can't help but strain against the hand she has placed on his chest.
He wants to reply with words... something smooth and sophisticated like "Yes." would probably do...but he's not sure he can manage even that...so he just gives one tight curt nod.
She reaches for the other thing she brought from her bag.
Her voice is still quiet but firm and loving.
"I love you so much, Luke. Can you please...lie me back on this bed and take me as hard and as fast and as deep as you can? Right now? Please?"
It takes a heartbeat for her request to register but when it lands - his eyes snap wide open - he sharply intakes his breath when he sees the condom she's holding up - then heartful thanks spreads up his body from his toes to the tip of his brain - he could fucking sing he is so happy.
Why is she so amazing?
She is opening the package - reaching down to smooth the condom over him - her touch is almost too much - he bucks up against her but then forces himself into holding still for her.
"You don't have to if you don't w-"
"I want."
Luke rolls Penelope onto her back - spreading her legs - rubbing his hand down over her breast.
She is smiling at him in a way that makes him feel like baying at the moon.
His torso is overtop of her - but he keeps his legs still to one side - if he shifted between her thighs in this moment it would be all over. Too fast...Too fast...Maybe even before he could push inside her.
So he plays a another game of keep away - this time with his nether regions instead of his ring.
He begins by kissing her face - her lips - her throat - her breasts - muttering thanks and love and admiration for all that she is.
She moans his name loudly.
Luke is ready for her but he can't imagine she's ready for him...no matter how wanton she sounds.
They have barely touched...but at least now he is doing something so he feels more able to hold back just a bit longer.
He scoots down and kisses the underside of her breasts, then her belly, pressing a special loving kiss to the scar from where she was shot - his hand smoothing her curls and then dipping into to her folds - stroking her clit.
He is going to pleasure this woman - his woman.
But the sensation and emotion is more than enough for Penelope - she hooks her arms under his and hauls him up and over to where she wants him between her thighs - his weight pinning her to the bed.
Grounding her to the earth - connecting her to the galaxy.
"Now Luke! PLEASE!"
He rolls onto her fully then, lines up his cock and pushes into her hot wet sex.
He literally sees stars.
She feels so gloriously full - it is as though the sun and the moon and the stars have all found a home within her.
"Penelope. I love you so much and listen to me - I am not going to last - so we are going to both cum in 20 strokes - ok? Count with me Penelope - cum with me. I need you. Love you. Ok? Ok?"
"Ok. Love you - oh! One!" "ONE-uhh"
"Two" "T-TWO"
"Three!" "THREE"
"oh go-FFour" "mph -FOUR"
"ah ah FIVE." "FIVE."
"SIX" "SIXXX!"
"SEV-ENN". "SEV-NNNN!!!"
"EIGHT!!!"
"NINE". "NIN-OH-LUkE - I... I ... I AM NOT...MAKE IT...OH TEN! NOW! TEN! TENNNNNNNN!"
They rack up the last ten thrusts he had promised as they orgasm together - her nails digging into his back - their voices ringing out the other's name and strangled "love you-ohhhs".
Finally they come to rest - cuddling.
Luke has found his good humour again and now it's his turn to be cheeky:
"So Chica...how about a shower in a few minutes and what were you saying about wanting to take my extremely handsome and delicious cock into that beautiful mouth of yours?"
Penelope only has two words to say to that:
"Race you!"
By the time Luke's alarms go off - Penelope has throughly pleasured Luke.
She made sure to pay attention to his whole body not just his cock in the shower - washing him - massaging him - kissing and sucking him - he was in heaven...and when he was starting to feel like he was in danger of cumming again - he pulled her out to the main room - dried them off with all the towels - rolled on a new condom and - sitting up on the bed - pulled Penelope into his lap so that she could ride him while he suckled her nipples and licked her breasts
As she had gotten close - she had reached down and touched herself just above where they joined and that was it for him - he had thrusted up into her - exploding with a cry of her name and her breasts in his hands and against his lips - and she had come for him - beautiful and wild and his.
They leave the hotel room as tidy as possible - then make their way back across the skywalk - through security - browsing the shops and getting a nosh at one of the restaurants - making to their departure lounge in perfect time.
They board the plane - enjoy chatting, the views, and holding hands.
This time the flight crew do not seem as concerned about potential in-flight canoodling - but they still - of course - behave.
When they land, they remove their rings and put them in the little box which Luke will keep and bring with him - hopefully tomorrow night when he comes over for dinner and the Big Discussion.
Emily picks them up at the airport as arranged even though they had told her like a million times it would be too late and they could just get a couple of cabs. So while Prentiss tries to get a read on whether anything of the "OR" variety happened between her agents - Penelope and Luke tell her anecdotes about the hike and the Cave and Basin visit - so Prentiss gathers that nothing dramatic happened and is relieved to see that they just seem a bit more comfortable with each other.
Luke gets dropped home first - he hops out with a friendly wave and a "Thank you! See you tomorrow, Emily. Garcia - it was fun. Glad you could come with. See you at work!"
Emily tries to subtly grill Penelope a bit more as they wind through the city to her apartment - but Penelope's fluffy armour is firmly back in place.and all Emily can get out of her is a begrudging:
"Well he's not that bad - I guess - but I am happy to be home! I can't wait to see Sergio!"
So Emily gives up - at least it doesn't look like she'll need to contact H.R.
She'll leave it to the rest of the team to uncover if there are any juicy details to be learned about what went on between those two in the mountains.
Unit Chiefs are far too busy for that sort of thing.
To be continued...
