He came back into the room, gently rubbing his damp hair with a towel after the shower. He smelled good, he was smiling and he was looking at her. He used his fingers to comb his hair back from over his eyes. She liked that he was not too vain, but still made an effort. She recognised his fresh t-shirt from over the years she'd known him, and it suited him, practical yet very much him. It accentuated the curves of his upper body and clung to his arms in a way that made her think about him differently. Her eyes followed his movements from where she was standing in front of the sunny window, making him smile. She stepped towards him, her hands reaching for his jaw, stroking the line of his stubble, lightly making contact. His eyes still watched her; she could see him trying to read her intent. Impulsively, not fully knowing why, she leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. He smiled then, and kissed she him again. He responded and the kiss drew out, both of them exploring the feel, in no hurry, full of a new curiosity.
She had known him a long time, had held his body close before in grief, in happiness, in anger, had kissed his cheeks, but never his mouth, up to now. She enjoyed the sensation, with her friend, her colleague, this man she respected and who knew her so well. Her hands moved to explore his body, his shoulders, those arms. He too, ran his hands through her hair, her neck and across her back, his face showing how he was feeling, full of lust and need. She shivered with pleasure and felt his lips smile while still on hers. She liked what she felt, his reassuring strong body through the shirt, the feeling of excitement and pleasure that bubbled unexpectedly in her chest. She pulled away to look at his face, smiling at him openly like a happy child. Glancing down, she noticed the unmistakeable swelling of desire in his jeans.
"What?" he asked, catching her looking. "You think I can help that, kissing you? You're a beautiful, brave, intelligent woman. You know I've always wanted you."
"Do you?" she mused, not sure she could believe what he was saying, but enjoying hearing it. "Am I?"
"Of course, Laure. You're irresistible."
She kissed his lips again, and then his jaw and cheeks. She didn't want to stop.
"And why now?"
"Sometimes people just can't see what's been right in front of them this whole time," she said slowly, explaining it to herself, as much as him.
"Are you sure you want this?"
"I want you. A relationship. Your love, maybe?" she responded slowly, head to one side, puzzled by how vulnerable she felt, but it felt good to tell him.
At that, he kissed her again, hard and wet. She inhaled sharply, feeling his mounting desire in his kiss, and it was matched by her own. She pulled his t-shirt over his head and her hands roamed his broad chest. He unbuttoned her top and pulled it off, looking at her bra, and then his hands began to move over her breasts. Before long they were both undressed, and without hesitation they fell back onto the sofa. She liked that he took the lead and his confidence made her wonder about his previous relationships. She knew he had a sort of girlfriend at the moment, but he'd admitted a few weeks ago that he had really wanted a relationship with her, Laure.
They made love, and it was highly pleasurable and they were clearly compatible. Her body tingled with his touch and she smiled with pleasure throughout, something that she'd never done with anyone else before. That she was his boss, that they were on shift didn't matter, nothing did. Their bodies moved together in happiness and lust and it felt good. Afterwards they lay panting, slick with sweat, and she felt his heart beating rapidly next to her. His fingers gently caressed her gold necklace, and he sprinkled her with kisses, unable to stop. She stroked his chest, feeling content and still full of desire for this handsome man who clearly loved her.
"I've wanted that for so long," he breathed into her ear. He remained looking at her. "You are so sexy, I enjoyed that like you wouldn't believe," he commented, his face a vision of a man finally satisfied.
"Me too," she agreed. "Why did we wait so long?"
He shook his head.
They went back to work, and she found that she just wanted to touch him. When they were alone, it was easy, they kissed, hugged and her hands held his. When their colleagues were around, they held back a bit, but she couldn't resist leaning on him, sitting next to him so their legs touched under the table. She wasn't worried if everyone knew, it probably would only be a matter of time before they guessed. They were so close anyway, always paired up, she supposed they had all thought they were sleeping together all along. All these years, she wondered, and why had she only just realised how she felt about him. It was beyond belief. She had to stop herself smiling at that thought, and he caught her gaze and smiled back.
He brought her a coffee and his arms held her. She turned and kissed him. It felt good. Was this love? she wondered. What else could it be?
