After spending a few hours inside the Van Gogh Museum, Maura could sense Jane's nervous energy. The woman was getting antsy, and it wasn't only because she had to spend the better half of the morning walking around a quiet museum. They were on their way to the restaurant that Maura had chosen, a local eatery with enough fried options to pacify Jane. Today was about celebrating her and Maura figured that they had done enough walking to account for the copious amounts of calories that they were about to consume. It was too early to begin drinking, so Maura settled with sparkling water while Jane drank her soda. The food came out fast, with the steam still rising from the top of a plate of battered cod. There was some color on their plate in the form of cucumbers and lemon slices, which made Maura feel a little better about their indulgence.
"Mmmm, man. That smells so good," Jane says, closing her eyes for emphasis. As they waited for the food to cool down, Maura squeezes some hand sanitizer from a portable container, rubbing it into her hands. Jane picks up a piece of the deep-fried fish, examining it. "Looks kinda like fish and chips." She moves to take a bite, but hesitates, eyeing Maura.
Maura gestures for Jane to go ahead and start without her, as she wanted to figure out what was on Jane's mind before her mouth was full.
"You've been distracted this morning," Maura says, "Is it about the honorary degree?"
Jane takes breaths in, alleviating the burning in her mouth with a swig of her drink. "Sorry," she says, "That was hot. And no, it's not the degree, it's about Casey." She doesn't wait for Maura to say anything as she doesn't want the other woman to get the wrong idea. "It's what he said about Marie. He said he didn't know the woman, but Frost said that the calls were mutual, which means that it was more than simple harassment on her part. Why was he picking up the phone and calling her?"
"The calls could have been work-related," Maura replies, "Without a recording, there's no way to know what the content of their calls was."
Nodding, Jane takes another bite, using the coolness of the mayonnaise sauce to coat the fish. "It's too bad the military is tight-lipped about things. We would never get an answer out of them." Her mind wanders to different resources they could pursue, but she knew that any of them would be a dead end. "You know who else is tight-lipped? The FBI."
Maura straightens up, having been caught off guard since they hadn't discussed Jane's upcoming move to the bureau in great detail for some time.
"What makes you say that?" Maura asks, wondering if Jane had received an update about her employment. For a brief second, she worried that Jane's request for a delay had been revoked, and that was why Jane had been stuck inside of her own head all day.
"I found out the other day that the guy that approved my hire, Director Patel? Turns out, he's being investigated and he's also been on leave for a few weeks. They won't tell me anything about it. I mean, the director? That's a pretty big deal. Must be something bad to warrant such a reaction," Jane says with her mouth half full.
Maura uses a fork to pick up a piece of the fish. She lets the flavors settle on her tongue, swallowing before she speaks again. "What does that mean for your future with them?" She asks.
Jane pauses, wanting to tell Maura the whole story. Still, she hadn't been accepted into the training program yet and a small part of her was worried that she wouldn't be. It was still best to play it safe. "I guess we'll see."
"It does taste like fish and chips, but instead of the traditional acidity found within the vinegar and the tartar, they use mayonnaise and herbs instead. I can see why it's so popular," Maura says, sensing Jane's hesitation in talking about her job and wanting to give her an out by changing the subject.
"It's good," Jane says, praising the food. "What time is our train back tonight?"
Tilting her head back to drink her sparkling water, Maura enjoys how refreshing the carbonation is when paired with greasy food. "It's at 7. I wanted us to have some time to have dinner before we got on."
Jane mumbles her response, wanting to show Maura that she had heard her. However, she found that her mind was continually wandering back to what had taken place on the train. The way that Maura had tasted was addicting and Jane was counting down the seconds until she could have more. Seeing Maura bent over in high heels had done something to her. When they returned that night, Jane wanted to take her time exploring every inch of Maura with her tongue.
Their relationship was in a weird place right now, with sexual tension causing both of the women to cave in and yield to their physical desires. However, Maura still thought that Jane was leaving for Virginia at the end of the month and in all honesty, Jane wasn't sure if her other options would pan out. She knew that this would complicate things, but after eight years of pretending like they didn't want each other, the two women had suffered long enough. It wasn't a casual hook-up, but it also didn't mean that Jane was forcing Maura to put a label on things before they had a better idea of what the future held. As long as Maura was okay with how things were moving forward, then Jane was more than happy to participate as they lost themselves in each other's bodies.
Jane looks at the way Maura's curls settled around her remarkably beautiful face. Her mascara enhanced the potency of her eyes and with rosy cheeks paired with a soft smile, Maura's lips had never looked more inviting. She must have been staring since Maura begins dabbing the corners of her mouth with her napkin.
"Do I have something on my mouth?" She asks innocently.
Shaking her head, Jane grins. "No, you're all good. I was just taking my time to admire how stunning you are."
A blush settles over Maura's face as she suddenly finds herself feeling shy under the endearment of Jane. Maura puts her hand on Jane's thigh, wishing that the thick denim was not separating their bare skin from being able to touch. Tonight could not come fast enough.
Maura had planned a few surprises for Jane, among which included a new set of lingerie that she was sure the other woman would drool over, as well as a night in one of the most lavish hotel rooms in Paris.
With the excitement of the night hanging over them, the rest of the day passed by quickly as they visited the Albert Cuyp Market, where Jane bought a few souvenirs for her family, including some cute Dutch toys for TJ. He was still a toddler, but Jane was already spoiling him with toys and games that were much too advanced for his current age. Maura also dragged Jane into one of the shopping neighborhoods, where they bought Jane a new winter coat, a long, dark blue, trench coat that made her look irresistible. As promised, they had also paid a visit to the Heineken Experience, where Jane drank beer of all types as they toured the brewery. Dinner was at the A'DAM Lookout, where they shared a meal on top of an observation deck near the harbor. With urging from Maura, Jane had remembered to pack a black dress for the occasion, which she wore as she sat across from an even more elegantly dressed Maura. They toasted to Jane's degree and new experiences, and Maura found herself looking more into Jane's eyes than she did at the breathtaking and panoramic view around them. With the exhaustion from the day settling in, the two women had fallen asleep in their seats before the train had even left the station. Maura's head was tucked under Jane's arm and against her chest as Jane's arms wrapped delicately around her. Jane's legs were long enough to place on the seat across from her, while Maura opted to wrap her legs around the taller woman. With an alarm set for two hours and 40 minutes from now, the two women had fallen into a deep and peaceful slumber.
As Jane steps off of the train, she extends an arm out to Maura to help her get down. Once Maura's feet were on the ground, Jane looked around them, scanning the area for one of the Isles' vehicles, looking for Elias.
"He won't be picking us up tonight, Jane," Maura says as she double-checks that all of their suitcases had made it off of the train.
Raising an eyebrow, Jane turns. "Is he off early tonight or something?"
Maura tugs Jane in the direction of a taxi, flagging down the driver before she helped Jane put their luggage into the trunk. Once they were settled in, she turns to Jane, speaking in a soft voice.
"I planned a surprise for you tonight and part of it includes us staying in the Shangri-La Hotel, one of the most exquisite hotels in the area. We will have a balcony with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower, as well as heated floors and a bed with body-contouring technology," Maura says, finding delight as she sees Jane's eyes widen. "There's also a deep-soaking bathtub for us to use," nudging Jane with her shoulder, Maura flirts, "You know, in case you wanted an excuse to have me naked."
Jane's smile fades into a focused look as she leans in close to Maura's ear. "I don't think I'll need an excuse." As she pulls back, she takes ahold of the other woman's hand. "You really didn't need to do that for us. I love your mother's place and don't mind where we stay. But thank you."
"I thought we deserved a little getaway," Maura says. "Besides, I didn't want our first time to be in some random guest room inside my childhood home. It should be somewhere neutral, where we can create memories for ourselves instead of being haunted by ones that I grew up with."
Jane looks intrigued as she hears Maura's admission. "Oh? So we are having our first time tonight, are we?"
In response, Maura slides up her dress a few inches, revealing a black garter wrapped around the circumference of her thigh. She only lifts it far enough for Jane to get a taste, but at the sight of Jane's reaction, she knows that the other woman knows what is in store for her. "Well," Maura says coyly, "I didn't wear this for nothing."
With all moisture from Jane's mouth disappearing, she gulps as she thinks about what Maura must look like under the confines of her designer dress. She hoped that the dress wasn't as expensive as some of the other ones hanging in Maura's closet, as there was a good chance that it would get ripped off of Maura as soon as they entered the hotel.
Jane begins running on autopilot for the rest of the drive, handing the driver a tip mindlessly before retrieving their luggage. As the hotel bell hopper delivers their belongings, Maura checks in at the concierge as Jane thinks about how glad she was to have shaved the night before. Their room was on the 23rd floor, which placed them just at eye level with the widest part of the Eiffel Tower. The terrace, as Maura had described, was astounding with views of the city, but was still high enough to be far enough from the noise. The rest of the room was spotless and Jane had excused herself to the marble-clad bathroom to freshen up as soon as they had entered. Checking her breath and hair, Jane was relieved that remnants of her cologne still lingered on her clothes. When she exits, Maura is by the desk in the room, reading the note that the hotel staff had left. By its side sat a bottle of wine that looked expensive, especially since the year labeled on it was in the 1990s.
Jane points to the wine as she sits down at the edge of the bed.
"You don't have to open that unless you would like any. I would like to be completely sober tonight."
Maura smiles, glad that Jane had felt the same way. "Actually, I was also hoping to refrain from partaking in any numbing agents tonight as well. I want to be able to remember every single detail," she says as she begins slipping her coat off.
Maura struts towards Jane, her walk confident as she approaches the taller woman. With her hand resting on Jane's abs, she stands on the tip of her toes before doing what she has wanted to do all night. Their lips met and for a moment, time stood still. The flutter in Maura's stomach intensified as her heart began pounding at the smell of Jane and how her arms wrapped around Maura's smaller frame. The kiss is so delicate and full of devotion that it multiplies Maura's desire by magnitudes, encouraging Maura to unzip her dress and step out of it as she stands on display for Jane's eyes and her eyes only. Jane takes her time studying the woman before her as she stares, her eyes moving from Maura's tight legs to the obliques on her abdomen. As she watches Maura's chest rise and fall from her breaths, Jane admires how in shape the other woman's body was, with tight muscles and plentiful curves in all the right places. Jane felt drawn to Maura, with Maura's smooth skin as an enticing prospect. Her body aches as it registers how much it is missing the feeling of Maura against her and Jane pulls Maura forward by an arm, leading her between Jane's legs.
This time, the kiss possesses more intensity, making Maura curl her toes as her body begins feeling faint. They found themselves unable to separate as tongues danced around each other and hands removed items that stood between their bare bodies coming into contact. Maura had helped Jane remove her clothes and her body shuddered as it met Jane's exposed skin. Strong hands slipped behind Maura's back and within seconds, her bra was removed, and replaced with a warm mouth. Jane swirls her tongue around Maura's nipples, making the woman cry out from the connection. As Jane shows the other side the same affection, Maura feels her arousal growing. Lifting her arms below Maura's legs, Jane tosses Maura on the bed without any difficulty. She lays on top of Maura, pinning her arms above her head as their eyes meet. Maura's lips were intoxicating and Jane found herself unable to pry away for more than a few seconds, utilizing those moments to catch her breath. With Maura looking up at her through her long eyelashes, Jane felt a craving surge through her.
She moves her kisses down the length of Maura's body, paying special attention to the side of her neck. When Jane gets to Maura's legs, she looks up at the other woman for permission and receives it in the form of begging from Maura. The woman wraps a tight hold around Jane's wild curls, raising herself up to meet Jane's warm mouth as she relinquishes all sense of control. Jane kisses the inside of Maura's thighs, taking her time to touch the areas that are most sensitive. At this point, the lower half of Maura's body is practically off the bed as she raises her hips to meet Jane halfway, pleading for contact. When Jane's tongue finally touches the folds between her legs, Maura's hands have to grasp the sheets under her to keep her grounded. The taste of Maura is so exhilarating and succulent that it makes a low groan emit from Jane's mouth. With Maura grinding hopelessly against her, Jane continues to flick her tongue, encompassing the entirety of Maura's flesh. The two women find compatibility within a pattern and before long, Maura is seeking more, digging her nails into Jane's hair as she does so.
"Jane, I'm so close," Maura cries.
Jane slips her fingers inside of Maura, with her depths being so slippery from her arousal that Jane is able to seek an entrance with two fingers instantly. She begins slowly, pushing into the inviting space before curling them up to the sky. The movement causes Maura's eyes to roll back as she stops breathing, her hips unable to sustain the weight of her body. As Jane removes her fingers halfway, she thrusts herself in again, this time curling with even more force. The tip of her fingers feels a different texture than the soft, slick walls of Maura and Jane knows that she is hitting the woman's G spot. Maura opens her mouth to moan, but no sounds come out, as the feeling of Jane inside of her has brought a sense of fulfillment that has taken away her voice. Jane keeps herself inside as she moves her body upwards to kiss Maura, their mouths holding on to each other as Maura feels the power behind every stroke. Maura feels her hearing leave as her body becomes conscious of the force behind every heartbeat, her ears filling with blood from the rush. With Jane on her lips and between her legs, Maura holds on to Jane's back as if her life depended on it, using the other woman as an anchor in the sea of pleasure that she was riding through. The bed rocks back and forth against the impact of their bodies being fused together and one of Jane's strong arms is wrapped around Maura, keeping her in place. It is beginning to get more difficult to move her fingers around and as Maura clenches, Jane can feel the contractions happening inside of her as Maura's core seeks to push her out. She pushes down on Maura's stomach, keeping herself inside while continuing the pace, curling and straightening her fingers continuously as Maura rides out her climax.
As Maura feels pulses rippling through her, her vision goes black as oxytocin floods her system. Maura is screaming Jane's name, not caring how loud she was being right now as her brain had completely short-circuited, feeling zaps of pleasure as every conscious thought left her mind. Their lips are still together, so Maura's breath trembles against Jane's as Jane collapses down onto her, kissing her neck and ears. They lay there like that for a few seconds, catching their breath as Maura attempts to return to Earth. As she looks up from where her head was against the bed, Maura can't tell if the lights dancing in front of her vision are from her orgasm or from the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the glass sliding door on their terrace.
"Oh my God," Maura says when her voice finally returns to her. "That was indescribable."
Jane lays down beside her, gazing up at the night sky. Although their room's lights were off, the glow from the landmark illuminated their room. "You are so incredibly sexy, Maur. That was one of the hottest moments of my entire life."
Maura turns on her side, using her hand to brush Jane's face. "You are really good at that. Almost too good. I have never come that hard before."
With a grin spreading across her face, Jane feels relieved. "Honestly, I was worried since that was my first time being with a woman."
"You knew how to touch me in all the right places and the right ways," Maura said, referencing the familiarity that the two women have with each other, both emotionally and physically. "One of the benefits to us waiting for years before our relationship progressed."
Jane turns towards Maura as well, putting her leg over the woman. "True," she agrees.
Having regained the ability to feel her legs again, Maura signals for Jane to move back on top of her. They begin kissing again, with swollen lips and remnants of each other's taste still on their tongues. Jane straddles Maura and the height difference makes things a little awkward, but Maura's assertiveness takes away any doubts. Maura traces the outlines of Jane's body with experienced hands, pinching Jane's nipples between her fingers. When Jane moans, the noise is much more high-pitched than usual, and her voice is laced with bliss. She could not believe that she was sitting on top of Maura Isles' lap. Jane rolls her hips against the other woman to generate enough friction to find gratification for the throbbing between her legs. Maura's hand raises as she brings it down with vigor, slapping the area on Jane's butt that her hand had been gripping a second ago. With her skin stinging, Jane feels herself wanting Maura even more. As the two women continue to seek solace in each other's mouths, their kisses get sloppier as Maura moves her hand around, diving below Jane's legs. Jane lifts herself up a bit, allowing enough space for Maura's hand to get to the opening of her sex.
"Maura," Jane gasps, "I've never been fucked like this before."
The sight of Jane, with her mouth open and her eyes low, is enticing to Maura, as she had never seen her best friend drop her guard completely before. Jane looked submissive with her desperation for pleasure evident. As Jane bounces on top of Maura, her breasts move wildly, heightening the experience for Maura even more. As her fingers move inside of Jane with a mind of their own, Maura finds her hand getting soaked. With the force of her weight coming down against Maura and the skillful bending of Maura's fingers, Jane felt her legs begin to shake as she comes closer and closer to the peak. A throaty sound comes from Jane as she ceases all movement, tightening around Maura's fingers as she comes. Maura, wanting more, continues thrusting inside of Jane, causing the other woman's body to go limp. Maura withdraws even more of her hand each time, which allows her to re-enter Jane with even more energy. Jane's body convulses against hers, with her legs wrapping around Maura, willing the woman to stay inside of her.
"Maura, I'm gonna, I'm gonna-," Jane cries as her entire body twitches.
Maura remains within Jane's core as she spasms, still feeling the effects of that second orgasm. When all activity has ceased, she withdraws leisurely, trying her best to not overstimulate the other woman's sensitivity. Jane collapses back on the bed, her curls wild from sex and her face flushed. With her eyes closed, Jane thinks about how unfathomable that entire experience had just been. She had fantasized about what having sex with Maura would be like, but there was nothing that could have prepared her for this. Maura had always been open with her attraction to women, but either Maura was more experienced than Jane was aware of or her skills in bed were just another thing that the woman had a natural talent for.
In the past, Jane had always had to guide her partners in making her feel good. Even Casey, who had a quite few notches in his bedpost, had been relatively clueless, often being either too aggressive or too rushed. With Maura, Jane had achieved the pinnacle of enjoyment even without having to move Maura's hands or give commands. In every aspect of Jane's life, from relationships to work to what happened in the bedroom, she had to possess authority and guide others. For once, it was refreshing to not have to do that. Maura knew when to take control as a self-assured woman, allowing Jane to flourish in her femininity. With sounds crescendoing around her, Jane can feel her hearing return as her body stabilizes from a blinding high.
Jane leans her head into Maura's, not wanting to speak as words could not convey the near-religious experience that they had undergone. The two women exchange soft kisses, falling asleep just as the Eiffel Tower begins sparkling during its final show of the night before blending into the darkness.