Chapt 9: Dining with Dreams II
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Back in his apartment Spencer's head was spinning. It had been one of the most intense nights of his life and considering his chosen profession there were many intense nights to chose from. He could still smell Ashlyn's scent all around him, though whether it was real or his memory playing delightful tricks with his senses he couldn't be sure. What's more, he didn't care.
Sleep was doomed to be a questionable state given his current mind set, nevertheless, he went through the motions. As he lay awake, his thoughts spiraled through the nights events and the possible events of tomorrow. Eventually, his body's need for rest won out over his speeding brain.
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Blissfully the hours leading up to their dinner date passed swiftly; at least they did once Spencer worked out what they'd be eating. He opted for something relatively safe- chicken, it was less cliché than steak and more formal than either his or Ashlyn's standard fare.
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Their meal progressed smoothly much as it had the previous evening, save for the emotional breakdown- an omission both were happy to allow. They made carefree small-talk, discussing film continuity as a lost art, the loss of hard-copy card catalogues, his work as a profiler, hers in research, and whether or not anchovies really belonged on pizza.
Eventually, as they nursed tea on Spencer's couch, the conversation turned to more personal topics.
"So, how is it that someone like you winds up spending their weekend with a library student?"
Spencer flushed imperceptibly, "It's a much more entertaining and pleasant option than either of my usual weekend activities." He'd been referring to being alone or tracking down psychos, but as he heard himself speak, he knew it came out wrong. He avoided looking directly at Ashlyn for fear of her reaction. It was the first time since she had asked him to dinner that he'd felt truly uncomfortable around her.
She must have noticed something because she laid a hand on his thigh and squeezed. "Hey, I didn't mean to hit a sore spot." She exhaled softly considering the best tactic to absolve the situation. "I just can't understand why someone as beautiful, intelligent, and charming as you doesn't…" her voice trailed off as she felt Spencer's eyes turn on her.
"Doesn't, what?" He took her hand in his.
Ashlyn stared intently at their interlocking hands. So intently in fact that she didn't realize she'd begun to answer him, "…doesn't have… …someone."
Spencer almost laughed- it was more a depreciating chortle. "Freak. Creepy. At best awkward and weird. That's the kind of reactions I've always gotten, even from my friends."
That made her jump. "But.." her confused and mystified eyes were boring into his, "those are things that make you fascinating and attract me to you. You know so much. You notice so much. You're remarkable." Her head ducked down, "You noticed me," she said barely above a whisper.
Cupping her soft face in his hands, he brought her head up and kissed her. Pulling back from the tender kiss he asked, "How could I not?"
Ashlyn knew what she wanted and hoped Spencer wanted it, too. Gulping audibly she slid her hands around his waist as she spoke, "It's been a long time."
She waited anxiously as looks of bewilderment, concern, and eventual understanding passed in rapid succession across Spencer's features.
Suddenly, Spencer found himself incredibly nervous. He needed to say something, more importantly, he wanted to, but he had yet to figure out how.
He pursed his lips, his eyes seemed to narrow slightly and still manage to flare as he confided, "I'm a bit lacking in that area myself."
Half of him expected Ashlyn to recoil. What he wasn't expecting was the vehemence with which she reacted.
Her green eyes ignited as she pulled him to her, lips pressing firmly to his.
His hands flowed over her, mapping every curve, angle, flat and valley of her body, while hers mirrored his actions. Their kiss was deep and passionate, lips pressed hard together, tongues tasting and exploring their new surroundings. They finally broke the kiss, foreheads pressed against each other as heavy breaths passed between them. Ashlyn was in his lap, one hand clutching the nape of Spencer's neck, the other resting on his chest fingering the uppermost buttons of his shirt. No words were exchanged, just the heat of their bodies and the fire in their eyes.
As Ashlyn pulled back their eyes locked and she released her grip on his neck. Her hands reached for the base of her shirt and in one swift motion sent it off over her head.
She felt Spencer's warm long fingered hands caressing her back, hesitant and wanting. He tugged her close and the shared another heavy, heartfelt kiss.
Though their pulses rushed , they didn't. They felt, touched, breathed, explored, and enjoyed each other slowly. As the time slipped away the obstacles between their skin did as well.
Spencer now lay on top of her, flesh to flesh, save for the few undergarments not yet discarded. He raised up getting off the couch and held out his hand to her. She took it lovingly and he led Ashlyn to his bedroom.
