Author's note: Bold, italics are B&B's thoughts.
God, I'm losing my mind! Booth jumped into his SUV and drove away as fast as he could from the institute. After a couple of hours of endless driving, he pulled over the side of the road.
"Temperance Brennan."
"Hey, Bones, it's me."
"Booth? Thought you had plans with Parker."
"Uh, plans changed. So, how about we go grab something to eat after you're done work?"
"I really do have a lot of paperwork to do. I was planning on working late tonight at home. I've just started on a new book."
"Come on, Bones. You've got to eat sometimes. How about I bring the food there?"
There was silence. Because of those dreams of hers, she really hadn't wanted to be alone with him. She was frightened for him. What would his reaction be if she was the one who jumped on him first?
"Bones? It's just dinner. So, what do you feel like eating?"
You. Stop that! Hesitantly, she agreed. "Surprise me."
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They were just two friends who had planned on a quiet dinner at the privacy of her own home. Their dinner menu consisted of Cesar Salad, toasted rolls and Positano Rigatoni. Booth helped himself to seconds.
"Hey, I'll clean up and you can continue with your book. I'll bring in dessert in a few minutes."
Temperance was busily on her second chapter when Booth walked in.
"Gelato?" He stuck a spoonful into his mouth. "Here, have some. Say, ah." She opened her mouth, but, stared into her monitor engrossed in her writings. The anthropologist surprised him when she unknowingly allowed him to have spoon fed her from the same utensil.
"More?"
She nodded, like a baby, she opened her mouth again. "Hmmm. Delicious." Temperance moistened her lips and continued typing.
Does she really have to do that? Booth scraped the bottom of the bowl and got up.
"Sit," she demanded. She scooted over just a bit from her chair. He sat beside her, although there was barely any room for him.
"Look, here. Read this piece. Tell me what you think of it. Honestly." He had been so close to her that Temperance felt the stubbiness of his unshaven face as she pointed to the monitor. She held her breath, closed her eyes. Her heart thumped loudly that she stood up quickly.
"Coffee? I can make some," she blurted out.
The FBI agent had a confused look, but also, relieved. If she had not suddenly gotten up, he would have turned her around, pulled her up and held her in his arms.
Booth looked up from his seat. It took him several seconds before he answered. "No, I'm fine, Temperance." He smiled. There was an uncomfortable moment as each stood in silence.
She ran her hands through her hair and waited for something to happen. Their eyes locked. Booth turned away.
"Hey, why don't we call it a night? I must be holding you back on your book. Besides, I need to get some sleep." Quicky, he grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.
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Temperance glanced at her clock. It had been two hours since he left. She stared at her computer screen and tried not to reminisce on the earlier night's events. Her grandfather clock struck twelve when her doorbell rang.
She looked through her peephole. Booth stood at the opposite side of her door.
"Hey, what are you doing back here?" She closed the door and leaned against it. He departed so quickly that it surprised her that he was again at her place.
"Did you forget something, Seeley?"
He answered. "Yes, I did."
"Oh. What is it that you left behind?" Her eyes scanned at her premises. She felt the soft beating of her heart. 99.5 percent told her he had gone back to have finished up their evening together.
Seeley Booth had never been tongue-tied before in his life. "I...um...". It didn't help any since Temperance had changed into a scantily red silk top and shorts.
He swallowed hard. She stood with the look of innocence and pretended not to know what he had returned for. But, yet, she thought for a split second she could have been wrong.
"Bones?"
"What, Booth?" Her sky blues glistened into his chestnut-colored eyes.
"This. I forgot this." Courageously, he drew her into him, wrapped his arms around her slender body. Her arms went around him as he embraced her tighter. Their lips touched lightly. He kissed her passionately, then hungrily.
Temperance had never known what breathless had meant until that very moment.
TBC - Chapter 4
