Erin stared at herself critically in the mirror of the dressing room. The lighting wasn't the best in there, but it suited her purposes, as it allowed her to critically assess the dress she had chosen to try on. It was daring, almost too much so for her, but she wanted something decadently sinful to potentially catch the eye of the person she had wanted from the moment they had haltingly started making amends in New York City. It had taken John Curtis nearly killing her to speed up that process, but the end result had been the reawakening of feelings that Erin had thought she had buried deep in her heart to never resurrect once again.
Her phone jangled in her purse, and she pulled it out, looking at the display to see David's face staring up at her. Hurriedly, she accepted the call and brought the device to her ear, the smile on her lips filling her voice. "David! You called at the perfect time. I need your opinion on this dress, and I know that you'll give me the right reaction."
"Is this for the gala on Saturday?"
"You know me all too well. I know that she's going to be there, since I overheard her speaking with Agent Jareau about the event, and how it would be her first as a single woman."
"And so you're seizing your chance. That's my girl."
She chuckled beneath her breath as she shook her head. "I am far too old to be considered a girl, David."
"I know, but you're still my girl, even if we're not together."
Rolling her eyes a little, she turned the call on Facetime and turned the camera around so that it was facing the mirror. "That's all well and good, but what about this dress?"
Erin watched the way his eyes widened and he swallowed thickly as he looked her up and down. "That is a rather lowcut neckline."
"And there's a slit that extends halfway up my thigh. You'll have to dance with me at least once, so that you can see it in motion. If this is the dress that I choose."
"If you don't choose that dress, there's something wrong with you, Erin. She won't be able to keep her hands off you once she sees you in that. Though I don't know what bra you'll wear beneath it, since it's so…"
"Revealing?" He nodded. "I was thinking of how to solve that. There are a few options out there, and I'm certain that the saleswoman will be able to help point me in the right direction. All right, I will see you Saturday night, in this dress."
He nodded and Erin turned the camera back onto her so that she could look into his face. "I want to claim the first dance, and then we'll manage to get you in her arms. From there, it will be all up to you and how you might charm her."
"That's going to be half the battle," she murmured in response, catching the small shake of his head, hoping that meant he thought she was being too hard on herself. "All right, see you later." Before he could respond once more, she ended the call, and took a few more looks at herself in the mirror. She did look good, but she knew that she'd have to get new lingerie to complete the entire look. Stepping out of the dressing room, Erin went over to the larger set of mirrors at the end of the hall and looked at herself critically once more.
"You look amazing."
Erin looked up in the mirror to see that the saleswoman who had helped her to pick out the assortment of dresses to try on. This had been the first choice, and from the positive reactions she had gotten from David and now the saleswoman, Erin knew that this was definitely the right dress to show up to the gala in. "I just feel a little overexposed in this dress, like I'm showing off a little too much leg."
"Are you looking to spend the night with the person you're buying this dress for?" Erin nodded. "Then you are not showing off enough leg. He won't know where to look first, your chest or your legs. You have this air of sensuality in that dress, and it belongs to you."
"You don't have to tell me twice," she murmured as she smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "All right, I'll take it. Would you mind unzipping me so that I can change into my street clothes?"
The woman nodded and quickly did as asked, Erin holding the neckline of the dress tightly to her chest as she went back into the dressing room and shimmied out of the dress, putting it back on the hanger before slipping into her blouse and skirt. Once she was dressed, Erin carried the dress out into the store, heading over to the woman who had been helping her out that morning. "All right, what else can we help you with?"
"Everything else. I'll need lingerie, shoes, and a matching clutch to go with this dress, and make the overall look that much more amazing."
The woman gave her a quick nod before leading Erin back into the store, and she began to think about her next stop, which would be Sephora, in order to get makeup that would match the dress, as she didn't really have anything that would complement it. After that, it would be up to her to style herself in a way that would catch Alex's attention and perhaps help her achieve her deepest desires. She just had to play her cards right, and make it so that everything fell neatly into place.
Saturday came much too soon, and Erin nervously took one last look at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before smiling and tucking the one strand of hair that she had left loose from her chignon behind her ear and then turning and heading into the bedroom. Grabbing her hotel key, she shoved it into the clutch that she had purchased. Taking a deep breath, Erin left her hotel room and made her way out to the elevator bank, pressing the down button before waiting. A few other people attending the gala joined her in waiting, and she gave them a small smile before checking her phone to see what the time was. The gala had begun six minutes ago, and while she was anxious about not being there right on time, Erin knew that she wanted to make an entrance, to potentially catch Alex's eye from the moment she stepped out onto the ballroom floor.
Finally, the elevator came, and they all stepped inside, Erin making her way to the back of the car and began to run through a quick meditation exercise in order to calm the suddenly rapid beating of her heart, since she knew that the first impression that she wanted to make on Alex would be diminished if she looked nervous or bothered. When the door reopened, Erin had found her center once more, and she stepped out of the elevator with her chin tipped up at an almost regal angle. It was easy to sweep into the ballroom by herself, waiting for the clump of people to move so that she could the center of attention for just the single moment that she needed.
Coolly, her eyes swept over the crowded room as she looked for Alex, knowing that she'd find her anywhere in the crowd. And so it was easy to clock the exact moment that Alex saw her, as the other woman delicately licked her lips as a soft blush spread out across her chest. Erin recognized that reaction very well, and she allowed a sensuous smile to spread across her lips as she moved deeper into the crowd, deliberately choosing to walk away from Alex, wanting her to follow after Erin. That move allowed her to bump into David, and he grinned as he looked her up and down.
"You went with the turquoise, I see," he said lowly, and she nodded as he wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her out onto the dance floor. "I know, you probably wanted to share the first dance with Alex, but I have the feeling that we need to make her a little jealous before she dances with you." She gave him a quizzical look and then let out a little gasp when he pinched her ass.
"David!"
"What? You still have it, bella. And this way, she'll know that she might have competition."
Shaking her head, Erin allowed him to dance her closer and closer to the back of the ballroom, expertly weaving through the couples that were occupying the center of the room so that they were in a more secluded space. "You planned this on purpose," she said as the temperature dropped a little from the lack of people surrounding them.
"Well, if you're going to make your move, you need a little bit of privacy."
She chuckled as she stepped away from him to glance over his shoulder, seeing that Alex was hovering near them, but still trying to blend into the group, so as not to appear too eager. "And now I think that it's time you returned to that blonde you were hitting on before I waltzed over to you."
He nodded before pressing a quick kiss to the side of her neck, his goatee tickling the sensitive spot he still knew on her body. "Enjoy tonight."
"I will make certain that I do," she replied as he stepped away from her and made his way through the crowd once more. Erin turned to the windows, looking out at the night sky as she waited for Alex to make her move. It didn't take too long to feel her step up behind her, and Erin shifted her focus from outside the glass to the reflection of inside, a smirk curving her lips upwards when she saw that Alex was staring at her back in open desire. Turning around, she arched an eyebrow as she waited for Alex's gaze to rise up to her face. "I think I made the right choice with this dress. Yes?"
Alex nodded dumbly as she stepped closer to Erin, licking her lips once more as she blinked, clearly looking for words to say. "It is a lovely dress on you, and turquoise was always your color."
"It always held a tinge of sadness, though. For things that should have been, but never were." Another nod from Alex before the woman wrapped her arms around Erin's waist and pulled her flush against her body. The relatively thin material of their dresses did little to disguise the heat from their bodies, and it was so difficult for Erin to concentrate on anything when she could feel Alex's body against hers. That feeling of distraction was further compounded when she felt the woman's fingers lazily draw patterns up and down her bare back. Erin knew that the woman was deliberately using only the tips of her fingers in featherlight touches that only served to arouse Erin, but she didn't mind the pleasure those digits brought.
"But we can use tonight to make it a happier colour?" Alex breathed in her ear as they swayed in time to the music.
"That was the plan," she gasped out when Alex's hand drifted down to cup her ass, pulling her ever closer to her side. "But perhaps a little more dancing first?"
"You were always good at torturing yourself, Erin."
"I prefer to think of it as building the anticipation, Alex. Good things come to those who wait, after all." She made certain to add a purr to her voice, remembering that that had always driven Alex mad. "Or are you still all about instant gratification?"
"How long did I bide my time before returning to the BAU?" Alex growled as she took hold of the wrist that bore the scar from John, bringing it to her lips and kissing the scar delicately. "How long did you wait for me to back down from my anger?"
"Too long," she breathed out, her tongue darting out to lick her lips as she stared into Alex's eyes. "You're not supposed to undo me like this. I was the one who wanted to seduce you."
"Why don't we both seduce each other?" Alex nipped at her ear before stepping away from her. There was such clear lust and longing in Alex's eyes, and Erin nodded a little as she clasped the woman's hand and allowed her to pull her through the throng of people. From the corner of her eye, she could see other members of the BAU paired off and dancing with each other, and she smiled at David as he twirled Penelope around in his arms. They would make a good couple, she knew, but she was going to have to smooth things over with the Director. Then again, she was probably going to have to do the same for herself, if things continued to go so well between her and Alex. "What floor are you on?"
"I'm sorry?" she asked, shaking her head to clear out the unnecessary thoughts and turning her focus back to Alex. "Oh, I'm on the fifth floor. Did you rent a room here as well?"
"I did, though I did not plan on using it in quite so pleasant pursuits," the woman responded as she pressed the up button. While they were waiting for the elevator, Alex tugged Erin close once more, running her hand up and down her hip. "I love the feel of this fabric."
"That may have also been a reason why I went with this dress. Though I'll tell you the main reason when we reach the privacy of my room." Alex nodded through her frown, and Erin chuckled as they stepped into the elevator, knowing that the sweetest part of the night was yet to come. Somehow, they managed to end up in the elevator alone, and Erin let out a low gasp of pleasure as Alex backed her into the corner before lowering her head to the spot on her shoulder where the dress gave way to bare skin. Her lips were electricity against her shoulder, and she shuddered as Alex's facile tongue glided along the edge of the strap. "Alex," she whined.
"That worried about someone watching the elevator cameras?" Erin nodded, and Alex chuckled before nipping a small piece of her skin and then standing up, slinging her arm around Erin's waist and drawing her flush to her side as the elevator continued upwards until it stopped at the fifth floor. Stumbling out together, Erin led Alex down to her room, fumbling with her clutch to pull out the key and let them in. It didn't help that Alex's hand was again drawing patterns on her back, slipping beneath the fabric to brush against the swell of her breast and the dip of her waist.
"I'd forgotten this," she said breathlessly when she was finally able to get the door open, and they stumbled inside before Alex kicked the door closed and then turned Erin and none too gently pushed her against the door before capturing her lips in a torrid kiss. "Your lips undo me every time."
"Is that the other reason why you bought this dress? So that I could bury my face in your chest, since it puts your breasts on such magnificent display?" Alex asked as she kissed a trail of fire down the column of her neck before tracing her tongue along the line of Erin's decolletage.
"No. I bought this dress so you could take it off."
The frank words caused Alex to pause and stand up fully, pulling away to look at Erin. Her pupils were large with desire, and Erin licked her lips a little as she arched an eyebrow. "You were that confident of the outcome?"
"Perhaps. Like I said, I knew how much you loved me in turquoise, and I want you. I've been looking for this moment since I broke up with David, and James went back to Boston without you, and this gala was the perfect opportunity to see if lightning could strike twice. I think that it has?"
Alex nodded as she took hold of Erin's hand and tugged her closer to the bed. "I think that I want to examine this a little more fully, though. Starting by taking this dress off." She nodded in kind and closed her eyes in anticipation as she felt Alex's fingers fumble with the bow that tied the straps around her neck. It was truly the only thing holding the dress against her body, and she let out a pleased smile to hear the gasp that flew out of Alex's lips when the bow finally came untied and the fabric pooled around her hips where the zipper was hidden. "You didn't wear a bra tonight?"
"Did you notice one when you were feeling me up in the elevator?" she teased back, and Alex shrugged a little before leaning in and pressing her lips to the pulse point of Erin's neck. Alex's hands weren't still, however, as they slipped up her torso to cup her breasts and tweak at her nipples, causing Erin to squirm and coo in pleasure. "Lexie," she whined as the woman dragged her lips down her chest before pulling one tight nipple between her lips and sucking it insistently. The dampness between her legs told Erin that she was growing closer and closer to an orgasm, and they hadn't even done anything yet, truly.
"Here, let me help you out a little," the other woman growled out as her hand deftly found the zipper to her dress, running it down her hip and then allowing the dress to pool on the floor around her feet. "I know, that probably cost you a fortune, and we're just letting it wrinkle on the floor. But do you really want me to stop?"
Alex punctuated her words with kisses as her lips trailed down Erin's body until she was kneeling in front of her, looking up. Erin drew in a shuddery breath as she shook her head, licking her lips in tandem with Alex as the woman hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties, pulling them downwards as she leaned in pressed her lips against Erin's vulva. That kiss felt so warm and full of lust, and she let out a low groan as she carefully tipped her hips forward, pressing her back tightly against the door in an effort to keep herself standing as Alex began to eat her out. Unconsciously, she lifted one leg and draped it over Alex's shoulder, which gave her a little more balance, as she was able to distribute her weight a little more evenly.
Because she was so close to the edge of orgasm, it didn't take long for Alex to get her off, and then Erin was all boneless body as she slid down the door, panting as she tried to pull herself back together. Alex closed the small distance between them and tugged her into a warm embrace as she captured Erin's lips in a firm kiss. There was something so erotic about tasting herself on a partner's lips, and she deepened the kiss as she crawled into Alex's lap, rucking up her skirt as she straddled her lap. Alex's arms tightened around her torso as they continued to devour each other's lips, and then Erin began to press kisses all over the planes of Alex's face before moving down the column of her neck, her hands scrabbling for the fastenings of Alex's gown.
Somehow, she managed to get them undone and began to tug the bodice off her chest and down her body as they struggled to their feet, and then she was stepping away from Alex to gaze upon her body. It seemed as if the years had been so kind to her, as her breasts were still so generously soft and full in her bra, while her body was still perfectly lush. "I haven't seen you in decades," she murmured as she reached out and slipped the straps of Alex's bra off her shoulders before unclasping the garment and letting it fall to the floor. "You're still so perfect."
"So are you."
Erin blushed as she shrugged. "I don't feel that way, especially after John, but that makes me feel loved." Alex's face fell a little at that admission, and she stepped forward again in order to pick up Erin's wrist and bring it to her lips, kissing the scar there once more. "I thought that we would just end up in bed together tonight. I didn't expect to end up near tears."
"Well, sex was never just sex with us before this, so why should that have changed?" Alex kissed the scar once more before pulling her over to the bed and bringing her down to it, curling her body around Erin's as she hooked her chin over her shoulder, rubbing her stomach in soft circles. "I mean, we can get back to the sex after a little cuddling, I'm all for that, but I think that you need some softness right now. Am I right?"
"Maybe. Though I really did buy that dress with you in mind. You can ask David, since I called to ask him if he thought you'd like it. I went into tonight expecting to stay up until the morning in your arms. Now I feel like being wrapped up in your arms and listening to your breathing in my ear. That sounds so stupid now that I've said it aloud."
"No, it sounds like you haven't aged since our time together in the Academy, and it reminds me of just how much I adored you. Because you were always the romantic one of us. I wish that you hadn't lost some of that over the course of our jobs, but it seems that you're starting to find that side of yourself once more. Maybe that's what's drawn us back together."
"Maybe," she replied as she turned to face Alex, reaching out to run her fingers through her thick hair. "Kiss me?"
"Your kisses are not like a best friend's. They never have been," Alex said with a chuckle as she leaned in to kiss Erin once more. She was right, their kisses had never been chaste, and that was one of the things that Erin had fallen in love with first about Alex. "But maybe we were never meant to be best friends. Maybe we were always supposed to be close like this."
"Well, I've never wanted you like a best friend." Erin hummed a little under her breath as Alex kissed her once more. "Hold me for a few minutes, and then I can bring you the same pleasure you brought me." Kissing Alex's cheek, she then brushed her lips against Alex's ear. "I don't think I ever stopped loving you. That's what made this so easy tonight. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for, Erin." Alex pulled her tightly to her body and then cupped her ass with one hand, encouraging Erin to throw one leg over Alex's as they made themselves comfortable on the bed. "And after we enjoy this hotel room, there's always breakfast and my house." Erin nodded, fighting back the yawn that told her she was fast becoming more tired than she wanted to be, even as she knew that Alex would be there when she woke, hopefully ready to pick up where they had left things off that evening.