Chapter Three - Devotion

Michelle rolled over and checked her alarm clock. It was just after nine. Groaning, she buried her face further into the pillow. She hadn't been sleeping well for the past week. Every night she lay awake, dreading those hours where she couldn't control her thoughts, where she knew she would sooner or later be woken up by some horrible nightmare. The dream was always the same; she was surrounded by the bodies of all her fallen co-workers. Last night had been no exception, but Michelle hadn't awoken this time. Slowly, the nightmare had turned into something considerably more pleasant, as her brain rattled through potential circumstances regarding her date with Tony the following afternoon. It was as if scenes had been clipped out from a movie. She couldn't remember exactly what had happened but was thankful that she wasn't waking up with tears streaming down her face and trembling like crazy.

She rolled out of bed and made her way over to the dresser, pulling out a pair of black leggings and a white workout tank. A few short minutes later Michelle had laced up her running shoes, grabbed her headphones, and was making her way out into the early Saturday morning sun.

She returned, almost an hour later, sweaty and breathing hard. The already fitted top clung to her like a second skin. After a quick check of the clock she peeled off her clothes and hopped into the shower, letting the warm water pound against her inflamed muscles. She let down her hair and stood directly under the spray, letting it saturate every inch of her skin. There was no way she'd last the three hours left until their date without going insane.

Tony had just dragged himself out the door for his own run when Michelle clamored out of the shower. The memorable jitters he'd experienced the previous night had returned the second he'd opened his eyes that morning. Hopefully the run would help eliminate them…at least until he went to go pick up Michelle. His legs pounded the pavement hard, but he felt practically weightless as his thoughts drifted back to their goodnight kiss. It was perfect, utterly perfect. Michelle's lips had molded flawlessly against his own, and were just moist enough that Tony could still feel them pressed against his when he went to bed that night. He kept running, absorbing the sights, glancing around as people walked their dogs or rode bikes. The weather was exactly right for whatever outing he and Michelle decided on for the day. Mild, breezy, and not the least bit stuffy. The time spent at the movies the previous night came back to him now. He remembered Michelle shivering. That simple action had led to her cuddled up against him resting her head on his chest. He inadvertently smirked as he wondered if Michelle would "forget" to bring a jacket again this time and that the night would be cool. Realizing he must look like a complete idiot running hard, in obvious pain, but resembling someone who had just been told a very funny joke, Tony relaxed his mouth. He just had to get through the next few hours and then he could smile to his heart's content.

Michelle did not spend the same amount of time staring into her closet that she had the night before. Instead she settled on a pair of faded jeans and a crimson v-neck t-shirt. She decided she'd leave her hair down for once. Makeup was kept simple, just moisturizer, mascara and a bit of gloss. She checked her watch. It was only 12, despite the leisurely breakfast she'd had in front of the TV. Disappointed it wasn't time yet Michelle sat down on the couch and began flicking monotonously through the channels, finding that no matter what she settled on, her mind was somewhere else.

Tony was shaving carefully in front of the mirror in the bathroom that was still full of steam from his shower. When he finished he dabbed on a bit of cologne and pulled out a pair of jeans and a moderately fitted black t-shirt. Combing his hair quickly he realized if he didn't leave soon he'd be late in picking up Michelle, something that though she might forgive, would be entirely unacceptable as far as Tony was concerned. He dressed and grabbed his wallet and keys, still struggling to tie his shoes as he toppled out the door.

When the buzzer went this time Michelle's hand wasn't trembling with nerves, but with anticipation. Now that they'd progressed past the awkward first date she wondered what would happen on their second. Plus this was two dates in two days. It didn't get much better than that. She slipped on her shoes and idled in the kitchen while she waited for Tony. A knock. Michelle quickly flattened her hair and then opened the door.

"Hi."

"Hey." Tony grabbed her hand and pecked her on the lips. He hadn't planned on doing this, it had simply happened when he saw her. "How'd you sleep?"

"Fine." She wasn't in the mood on elaborating on her insomnia right now. Especially since Tony had just kissed her again in such a casual way. "How about you?"

"Good."

Michelle was suddenly very aware that Tony was still squeezing her hand tightly.

"So what did you want to do today?"

Tony paused. He hadn't exactly decided himself yet.

"Well…what if we just went for a walk at the pier and then we'll see if we can think of anything better?"

Michelle's face lit up. "Sounds great." As far as she was concerned a walk around the pier with Tony was virtually as good as it got.

Tugging gently at her hand, Tony led Michelle into the hallway and refused to let go, except when he helped her into the car. Once they got driving he immediately scooped it up again, drawing circles against it with his thumb. This time when they drove they were chatting amicably about a variety of things, favorite books, songs, movies...with no end in sight.

When they reached the pier this pattern continued as the strolled comfortably together amongst the crowd. Tony had to chuckle at what an odd sight this would be if anyone from work were to see them. The lighthearted behavior was totally abnormal for both participants.

"You look gorgeous by the way." Tony whispered to Michelle when there was finally a break in the continuous babble. He spoke with his lips brushing against her ear lightly. "I like your hair like that." Cheeks growing warm again, Michelle wondered if she would continue to react this way every time Tony said something like that to her…

Soon the conversation turned to families.

"It's just me and Danny." Michelle explained. "My parents lived in L.A. until my mom died a few years ago, my dad moved in with my aunt and uncle when it happened. He was devastated. They live in DC. I don't see him as much now. I feel bad…y'know…it's hard when you want to be there but you can't…"

Tony nodded solemnly. "How old was your mom?"

"55." And then noticing Tony's surprised expression Michelle added: "Stomach cancer…"

"I'm sorry."

"It's just one of those things." Michelle shrugged it off, deciding that death had been talked about enough in the last week.

They walked silently a little further towards the water's edge before Michelle began to speak. "What about your family?"

"Three sisters; all younger. One, Rachel, lives in Boston, some big ad executive. She's married. The other two, Lisa and Amy, live in California. Amy's just finishing up school and Lisa lives with her boyfriend in Santa Carla." Tony cringed a little when he said this.

"You don't like him." It was a statement, not a question.

"She's changed since they started going out. She's not as…driven as she used to be. Keeps saying she'd be happy to just have kids, stay at home, and let him work. And I mean I'd have no problem with her thinking that if it wasn't a total 180 from how she was before. She was like Rachel…her career was the most important thing in her life. He just seems too…demeaning." Tony shrugged. "She could do better."

Michelle took a few seconds to admire his protectiveness over his sisters. It brought a smile to her face.

"What about your parents?" she probed.

"Back in Chicago. My mom finally got my dad to retire. He was a bit of a workaholic growing up. I swore I wouldn't be like that. It always felt like abandonment….and now look at me…" he laughed flatly.

The silence was a little uncomfortable after that, so Tony made his way towards the railing at the water's edge, taking Michelle with him. She propped her elbows against it. The weather was still really nice. The sun beat down gently on the back of her neck and the water glittered as they looked over it. Tony released Michelle's hand and wrapped both arms across her stomach from behind, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Any ideas?" he said softly in her ear. The warmth of his breath caused a shiver to course through Michelle's body that Tony couldn't help but notice. He squeezed her a little closer to him.

She sighed. "I'd be happy just staying like this all day."

Tony pressed his lips into Michelle's shoulder which made her tense a little before relaxing against him.

"Well then…what if we grabbed some lunch and then maybe…head home?"

Michelle's heart skipped a beat. What had happened to their whole day together?

"I mean…we could just go back to…y'know…your place or my place and keep doing…nothing?" he suggested.

"Oh." Michelle turned around in his arms with her fingers still resting on railing. "That might be a good idea…I'm still a little rundown from the week anyway."

Tony nodded and pulled her waist in towards him so that their lips were inches apart. Michelle moved her hands so they were now wrapped around the back of his neck. Tony kissed her firmly, pulling her body right up against his. When he broke the kiss he left his forehead resting on Michelle's.

"I'm not really that hungry." She told him breathlessly.

Tony laughed a little. "Me either."

He kissed her again, gently tracing the outline of her lips with his tongue. Michelle made a small noise, so Tony broke the kiss again. Taking her hand they walked quickly back to car and at once decided on Tony's apartment. It was closer.

It had to be the longest car ride of Michelle's life. She wasn't entirely sure of what was going to happen when they got indoors, but she was definitely ready to find out. Michelle's fingers gently grazed Tony's arm teasingly as he fumbled with his keys trying to put them in the lock. Finally the door opened and Michelle followed him inside. Tony went to put his keys down on the counter and Michelle took the opportunity to look around the apartment. It was definitely neglected. You could tell Tony didn't spend a lot of time there, and the time he did spend was done either sleeping or eating. Michelle was admiring the mismatched furniture, hovering in the doorway of the den, when Tony snuck up behind, placed his hands on her shoulders and began kissing her neck. Michelle smiled and touched her hand to his cheek. Eventually Tony spun her around and kissed her slowly on the mouth, pacing himself. He half-carried her back to the couch and sat down beside her. This time Michelle pulled him in for a deep kiss and made a barely audible moan when Tony pushed her lips open with his tongue. The kiss grew more passionate and Michelle leaned back on the couch, with Tony resting on top of her. Tony's lips moved from her own to her neck. Michelle gasped in some air before propping herself up again and pulling Tony back in for another kiss. His fingers were tracing the bottom of her shirt and Michelle felt her muscles spasm slightly when they finally touched her bare skin. In response she kissed him harder, running her hands across his back. Tony trailed his lips to her chin, her neck, and then her collarbone. They grazed the top of Michelle's t-shirt. Michelle lifted her hips slightly and dug her fingers into his back. Tony groaned at this and then suddenly, to Michelle's dismay, lifted his body off of hers.

"We should stop." He said, breathing erratic.

Michelle struggled to conceal her disappointment. "Why?"

"While we still can..." He kissed her neck lightly before sitting up completely. Michelle followed suit.

"I…what if I don't want to…" she said seductively.

Tony chuckled and cupped her face gently with one hand. "Maybe you don't want to right now…but later on…"

"Don't try to tell me what I want." She said coldly.

"I didn't mean it like that Michelle." He was calm.

She hung her head. "I know…but right now …I…I want you." It was a little embarrassing admitting the truth, but a couple of seconds earlier she had been convinced Tony felt the same way.

Tony frowned. "You sure about that?"

Michelle nodded. "Positive."

"We can take all the time you need…I'm in no rush."

"Obviously." She spat. "Are you sure I'm the one you're worried about regretting this?"

Tony sighed, exasperated. "Trust me; I've never wanted anything more."

He said it with such genuine sincerity that Michelle's iciness melted a little.

"That's true for me too y'know." She said quietly. "Do you think it's too fast?"

Tony scratched the side of his face nervously. "I don't know…" he said taking her hands in his. "Maybe…I just don't want to screw anything up."

Michelle smiled now and kissed him softly. "I know…but…I…" Tony smiled at her uncertain response and Michelle kissed him again more passionately. Tony broke it and rested his forehead against hers.

"If you're sure, I'm sure."

Michelle nodded against his forehead. "I'm sure."

Tony kissed her again. "Okay. Let's do this right then."

He stood off the couch and took Michelle with him, leading her to the bedroom. Tony made his way to the window and drew the blinds. Michelle stood awkwardly in the center of the room. Tony walked back towards her and kissed her with all the intensity he could muster.

Michelle's head was still spinning from the contact when Tony disappeared behind her. By the time she regained her bearings and turned to see where he'd gone Tony had whipped something out from behind his back and covered Michelle's eyes with the item. It was one of only two ties that he actually owned.

"What are you doing?" The now blindfolded Michelle questioned. She heard Tony chuckle very close to her ear and felt his hands grip her shoulders firmly.

"I told you." he said with a throaty whisper. "I'm doing this right...You kinda caught me off guard here and I need a few minutes …" He then guided her by her shoulders across the room and settled her down in a chair in the far corner.

Michelle began to speak but Tony silenced her with a kiss. "Stay here…And bear with me."

The next few noises Michelle heard made her wonder what Tony had come up with so suddenly. She wasn't sure exactly what he was trying to do, but more than once he shouted "Goddamn it!", and could be heard tearing through the apartment slamming cupboards closed and banging his uninjured foot into something.

"Are you gonna be in one piece by the time I'm allowed to take this off?" She called out not entirely certain where Tony was at this point.

"Just don't take it off until I tell you to." Tony called from what sounded like the hallway. She heard a distinct snapping noise that she couldn't quite place, and then heard Tony hobble out of the room again. Next there was a faint clicking sound and Michelle felt Tony enter again. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Tony was kneeling in front of her, in between her legs. She felt his hands resting on her knees and placed her own over them as they slid up her thighs. Tony laced his fingers gently with Michelle's and captured her soft, smooth lips in his own. Michelle tilted her head to the side a few seconds later so she could speak. Tony kept kissing her jaw.

"So do I get to see what all the fuss is about yet?" She asked, teasing.

Tony chuckled. "Yeah, hang on I'll untie it." His hands moved to the back of her head and he quickly undid the knot, ultimately letting Michelle see what he'd spent the better part of 10 minutes doing.

There were about 15 white candles situated at strategic points around the room. The lights were off completely now, save for the candles which were lit. A discarded lighter, partially hidden from view, on top of the dresser explained the clicking noise. Michelle walked over to one candle and leaned in. It smelt like vanilla. Another one, shaped differently, a few feet away, smelled like coconut. She turned around and raised her eyebrows a little, giving Tony a half smile.

"Do I even want to know why you have scented candles?"

Tony grinned. "I'll explain it to you later…" He took a few quick strides and crossed the room, gathering Michelle up in his arms again. He lifted her onto the bed and they fell back against the pillows, kissing deeply now.

"What was the snap?" Michelle asked suddenly pulling away.

Tony looked confused. "What snap?"

"I heard a snap." She said propping herself up on her elbows and looking at him seriously.

Tony thought back to what the source of the noise was. It was a few seconds before it finally came to him.

"Oh right…I uh… I changed the sheets." He said and then went to kiss her again.

"You changed the sheets?" Michelle moved her mouth out of range, looking completely shocked.

Tony smiled and kissed her quickly. "Uh huh…these ones are uh…they're supposed to be softer." He looked embarrassed.

Michelle smiled widely as she cupped his face gently and brought his lips to her own, sinking back against the bed again.

Michelle slid her hands underneath Tony's shirt as they continued to kiss. She rubbed them up and down his back a few times before moving to pull the shirt over his head. Tony sat up and assisted her, throwing it beside the bed before resting his weight back on Michelle. Michelle lifted her hips off the mattress and Tony dragged the covers out from underneath them. He planted soft, wet kisses all over Michelle's neck and when he reached her shirt this time he made to pull it off. He pressed his lips gently against her bra and continued to kiss all the way down her stomach, stopping at her jeans. She moaned as he unbuttoned them and slid them over her hips, not stopping the kisses until he reached the top of her underwear. Michelle felt her stomach muscles contract when his hands grazed the inside of her thigh. Tony sensed this and slowed himself down, moving back to her lips. Michelle relaxed now. She was undeniably nervous. Moving her hands down his sides Michelle went to work unbuttoning Tony's jeans. Tony lifted his hips off of her so that she could slide them down to his ankles. He broke the kiss and tossed them off the bed before turning back to Michelle. It was slow and precise. They weren't in a rush. Tony suckled gently on Michelle neck while she ran her fingers through his hair.

"You're right…" she mumbled distractedly feeling the back of her thighs against the sheets. "These are soft." Tony smiled a little but ignored the diversion and instead continued kissing her.

When he eventually looked up he saw Michelle leaning back on the pillows, eyes wide. He brushed his fingers over her back, hovering past the clip for her bra mischievously before finally undoing it. Michelle felt the sides of the fabric loosen around her and she sat up to let the straps fall down to her elbows. She held Tony's face and kissed him slowly before letting him pull the straps over her hands and throw the piece of clothing to the floor. Michelle felt Tony pressed against her, hard now. She moaned his name softly, moved her hands down his boxers and stroked him gently. She heard Tony's breath catch and smiled. A thin gloss of sweat covered both bodies and Tony took each of Michelle's hands in his and intertwined his fingers with her own before leaning in and kissing her again…Sweetly this time, replacing fervor with tenderness. He brushed a stray piece of hair off her forehead and then pressed his lips against her temple.

"You're beautiful." He whispered. She looked so different from how he was normally used to seeing her. Dark curls were splayed all over the pillow, contrasting with the cream colored sheets. Her eyes were soft and her lips in full pout. It was in this moment of vulnerability that Tony truly recognized the two very different sides of the woman lying beside him. Michelle was tough, strong, independent, but there, in the dim candlelight, all he saw was how much she needed him. He took a moment to take in their surroundings. Michelle's skin tasted sweet, he intended to kiss every inch of it, even if it took him forever.

With that thought playing in his head Tony slid Michelle's last remaining article of clothing off and allowed her to do the same to him. He worked his way all over her body, determined to leave no patch of skin untouched by his lips. Michelle's moans were growing louder now and she squeezed his hands a little more tightly. Tony covered her lips with his own and eased her legs apart, entering her slowly. Michelle moaned and Tony fought to control himself. Michelle felt a few beads of sweat fall down her forehead and grasped the sheets, closing her eyes. They climaxed together, and then Tony collapsed into Michelle's arms. They lay there, unmoving until their pulses slowed once again.

Tony rolled off Michelle and lay on his back, pulling her up against him. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. Michelle nuzzled into his chest, relishing in the fact that she was lying there, with Tony, like that. It had been different with Tony. The passion was intense, which she'd had her share of before, but Michelle had never experienced it with that same tenderness, at least not simultaneously. Tony's hand moved gently across her stomach and Michelle pressed alongside him more tightly. She had felt as though she could almost sense that Tony had been taking in every movement as it occurred. That he was cherishing every touch, every sensation, the same way she was. It was this feeling of interconnectedness that told Michelle that that, above anything else, had made it perfect.

Michelle breathed in deeply taking in the scent of fresh love making that hung in the air. Words weren't necessary at that point. After a few minutes she couldn't stand it any more. She threw a leg over Tony and sat up, straddling him, and kissed him again, flecking her tongue along the brim of his lips.

"Again." she managed in between kisses.

Tony felt himself stir and buried a hand in her hair, kissing her more deeply, and flipped her over onto her back. They began to make love again and again after that, for once willing the day to never end.