Chapter 13: Orinthophobia
"Get back here, you stupid bird, so I can love you." - Sheldon
Carly felt like she was closer to Penny and Bernadette after that weekend with them in Vegas. They ended up staying up late, cheered Penny on at a slot machine, danced to their heart's content, and saw male strippers at a club. Carly had to admit that she hadn't ever experienced something so invigorating before.
Sheldon had texted her the whole time, making her so relieved that they were still together. After confessing their love for another, Carly felt like maybe they stood a chance to stay together. For the long run. She sincerely hoped so.
She had told the girls of this revelation between them during a large glass of wine. It had been the only alcohol she had let herself drink, which honestly just made her very chatty and giggly, then just straight up sleepy.
Penny and Bernadette had been so happy for her and Sheldon, telling her just how she had changed him. Carly hadn't meant to change him. She accepted him for who he was, it had just happened.
To be fair, he had changed her too. Finally- she felt like she could trust again. After everything that had happened in her life, building up to this point, she had held herself together by a thread. She hadn't realized this until she had met Sheldon. Until he brought emotions and feelings out of her that she hadn't assessed before. She was a little embarrassed that she had come to him as a downright mess, but he was healing her heart.
She hoped that she could do the same for him. He'd had a difficult life himself. The world hadn't been welcoming to a genius like him.
oO0Oo
"Can I ask you something?" Penny spoke up after a long silent pause while styling Carly's hair into a pretty half do. Her long brown hair waved around her face and she had placed a white little bow around the small ponytail at the back of her head.
"Sure, of course," Carly said with a smile, staring at her reflection in the mirror she was holding up to her face. She still couldn't believe she was going on an actual date with the man she loved that day.
No longer a surprise, they had planned a whole day together and she couldn't wait. Penny had offered to help get her ready, teasing her that she needed to look her best on her first date with him.
"I can't help but notice that since you've started dating Sheldon that you've been rather... well, insecure. Has someone hurt you before?"
Penny's intuitive observation took her by surprise. She dropped the hand mirror to her lap and stared ahead as Penny performed the finishing touches on her hair.
"Oh," Carly murmured. It wouldn't hurt to tell Penny, she was her best friend now. She trusted her. "Well, it's kind of a long story."
Penny shrugged. "I've got time," she encouraged gently, and then moved to the chair at Carly's table. She sat across from her and gave her a small smile. "I just worry about you is all."
Carly's heart tightened at that. No one except her Grandmother had ever cared enough to worry about her. The fact that both Penny and Sheldon did nowadays was amazing.
Carly took a deep breath. "Well, when I was growing up I didn't talk. Like ever. My grandmother thinks it is because of what happened to my parents and I have to agree that it makes sense. However, because of that, I didn't make friends. I was always alone. The ones I did make always had other, cooler friends to hang out with most of the time, so I really couldn't count them.
When I got to college, I wanted to try to make actual friends. I put myself out there, joined clubs, and I made one. She was nice and hung out with me. We studied a lot together and I will always be grateful for the help on my thesis... but then I met John and everything changed."
Carly bit her lip, trailing off and seeing Penny hanging on to every word she said. Carly continued hesitantly, her eyes going off to a distant memory as she spoke.
"John was kind, gentle. He rode a motorcycle which intrigued me because he was so different from other guys. He took an interest in me right away and I was stunned. Up until then, no man had ever looked twice at me. I was terrified. He kissed me a few times, closed mouthed, and tried to do more but I was so shy and scared that I constantly put him off.
Then, I found him and my so-called friend together in an empty study room. They were-" Carly broke off, a strange emotion bubbling inside of her as she thought about it. "Well I'm sure you can figure out what they were doing... in one instant, I lost two of the people I had leaned on the most.
So I decided to stop caring about friends or love for a long time. I had put myself out there before and I had gotten hurt, so I didn't think I could go through with it again. I finished my master's, worked at a library in Burbank, and took care of my Grandmother. That is until she convinced me to move out and try to have a life of my own, outside of her. She told me that it would be good for me. So I did, and well- you know everything else."
Penny whistled lowly at the story, shaking her head. "I've been cheated on before- I understand. That's why it's been hard for me and Leonard. You know, he's a great guy. Amazing even. So smart- but so unlike any man I have ever been with. He makes me scared because I don't want to ruin what we have. I worry about it all the time because I've had a horrible track record with men. If what Leonard and I have gets damaged, I don't know what I'd do."
Carly nodded, completely getting it. "It's the same for me, in some ways, with Sheldon. I'm terrified of losing him. What if I do something that just scares him away one day? He's so particular. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't yet."
Penny shrugged. "Sheldon is like a two-year-old. He's super possessive of things that he enjoys. Comic books, his whiteboards, heck- even his friends. You've become one of his most treasured possessions, Carly- it's only natural for him to behave the way he does when it comes to you."
Carly knew she was referring to the bachelorette party fiasco. "I know. And don't get me wrong, I love that he feels that way about me. It's just... there's so much pressure to be perfect for him. I don't feel like I'll measure up to his standards the longer we go on."
Penny sighed with a sympathetic smile. "I wouldn't worry about that, Carls. I can't talk for him but he wants you, perfect or not."
Carly bit her lip and looked down at her lap in thought. That was true. He was in love with her, even after all of her meltdowns. If that hadn't scared him off, she didn't know what would.
"All right! Let's stop with the sad stories," Penny said standing all of a sudden and Carly looked up to see the grin on her face. "Go get that dress on!"
Penny had let her borrow a baby pink eyelet dress that dropped to her knees, and she planned to put a simple white cardigan over the top of it, with matching sneakers.
Carly grinned, feeling a wave of excitement and nervousness at what the day lay ahead for her. She got up with purpose and went to get changed.
Upon exiting her bedroom, all dressed for the day, she grinned at Penny- who put her hands on her cheeks and smiled at her like she was the cutest thing in the world.
"I feel like Sandy from Grease," Carly admitted, swaying her dress a little. Penny laughed.
"If you were blonde, you'd probably look just like her," Penny told her happily. "You look so great! He better love it."
Carly's heart jumped when she thought of Sheldon, arriving any minute so they could leave. "I'm so nervous and I don't know why."
Penny waved her off. "Oh sweetie, you're gonna have a great time. Sheldon loves spending time with you, you know that."
Carly nodded, feeling breathless with anxiety. "Yeah, you're right. We will have a good time."
Penny grinned just as three familiar, consecutive knocks rapped on her door. Carly jumped and turned to it.
She glanced at Penny who gave her two thumbs up. "You got this!"
Carly grinned and went over to her door, opening it to see Sheldon standing there wearing a pair of dark jeans, a gray and white striped button-up shirt, and a black blazer over the top. He didn't wear a tie, but he didn't need it.
He looked so different than any other time she'd seen him, almost like a different person. Gone was the superhero shirt and the pushed-up sleeves, and there stood a mature, handsome physicist.
Her handsome physicist.
"Carly," he said softly after eyeing her attire as well. "You look pretty."
Carly's heart jumped at his compliment, a smile growing on her face. Ever since Comic-Con he never missed the opportunity to tell her what he thought of her appearance. "Thank you, Sheldon. You look so very handsome."
Sheldon smiled back down at her but then caught sight of something and looked over her head. He frowned. "Penny? Why're you here?"
Penny appeared at Carly's side, handing Carly the white purse she had prepared with a long shoulder strap, then looked at Sheldon. "No need to get all weird on me, I was just helping her get dolled up. I hope you guys have a great time."
Carly smiled appreciatively and Sheldon gave a boyish grin. "Oh we will- I have it all planned out." He reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a small notepad. "We better get going if we don't want to miss them feeding the sharks."
"Oh that's right, you're going to the aquarium first," Penny remembered and moved past them with her hands up. "Well don't mind me. I don't want to hold you guys up."
"Thank you, Penny," Carly told her gratefully and the blond flashed her a grin before running up the stairs.
"Shall we go?" Sheldon suggested as Carly looked over to him, still surprised by how well he cleaned up.
"Of course," she said with a smile and closed her apartment door and locked it, before following him down the remaining flights of stairs out of the building.
He still held the notepad in his hand as they got into her car and put on their safety belts. She glanced at it as she pulled out of the parking spot along the curb and headed for the Pasadena aquarium.
"Did you write down everything we're going to be doing today?" She wondered and he gave her a grin, clearly excited she had noticed.
"Yes!" Then he proceeded to read off the schedule he had created. "At 10:30, we will watch the feeding of the sharks. At 11, we'll walk around the aquarium and then at 12- lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, then at 1, walk-off our meal at -"
"Hey, Sheldon?" Carly cut him off, with a sudden thought. She glanced at him as they drove and he looked perturbed that she had interrupted him. "I'm sorry to cut you off, it's just that I was thinking. Maybe we should go to the mall again after lunch. I know you don't like walking around parks... because of the pigeons and the ducks."
Realizing what she was saying, he conceded, defending himself unnecessarily. "They're overly friendly there- they just come right up to you!" He huffed then looked over at her, apologetically. "You wanted to go to the park though."
Carly shrugged. "I know but it's totally fine with me if we don't. I'd rather you be comfortable. It's not just about me, silly."
Sheldon frowned and looked out the window. "I know it's not, it's just... I know that being with me can be difficult."
Carly knit her eyebrows together in concern and she reached over and took his hand. He looked down at it then trailed up her arm to her face. His eyes looked sorry.
"I told you, it's not a big deal," she told him firmly with a smile. "Plus! It can't be easy for you to date me. I cry every two seconds."
She tried to laugh it off but good lord was it true.
Sheldon shook his head. "You don't, though. You only cry when you get upset and I know what to do now."
Her heart melted at his words and she gave him an appreciative grin. He smiled back but then slid his hand out from underneath hers while giving her a stern look.
"Now no hand-holding while driving! I want to make it to the aquarium in one piece otherwise all of this planning will have been for nothing."
Carly put her hand back on the wheel and laughed. He was too cute.
oO0Oo
"I can't believe they kicked us out!" Sheldon complained as they walked down the sidewalk and to the parking garage where Carly's car was.
She bit her lip, feeling embarrassed but trying to keep it together in front of her boyfriend who didn't realize what he had done wrong.
"Well you were banging loud on the tank while they were feeding the sharks," she tried to explain to him but he just huffed indignantly.
"I was trying to tell them that sharks have been around for more than 450 million years- not 450 thousand years. If they're going to spout shark facts to people they could at least get the numbers right!" He told her, still fuming, clearly bothered.
She glanced down with slight disappointment. She knew he was just trying to correct them, he was trying to stop the spread of misinformation. Which in all honesty was great but...
They got into her car and buckled up. She stared at the dash, wondering what they were going to do now. Sheldon peered over at her for a moment and she sighed softly. She heard him turn towards her in his seat.
"Are you mad at me for getting us kicked out of the aquarium?"
He sounded so sad, apologetic, and upset with himself that her first instinct was to set him at ease. She took a deep breath and looked back at him.
"No, I'm not mad. I just am a little disappointed. I was looking forward to the jellyfish," she admitted with a sad smile. "But it's fine, Sheldon. We can... do something else if you want?"
Sheldon stared at her, trying to dissect her words and figure out any hidden meaning within them. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head and smiled at him. She didn't want him to feel guilty about it anymore. What was done was done. "Don't apologize. It's okay. I know you were just trying to help."
Sheldon sighed and took his notepad out, gazing down at it in contempt. "It's almost eleven... what should we do for the next hour?"
Carly tilted her head, thinking about it but came up with nothing. She supposed they could go to the train store or something, anything to keep him happy-
"I want to go to the park."
That threw her. She snapped her eyes to him in stark surprise. "What? You hate the park-"
Sheldon shook his head quickly. "No, I want to go with you. I already ruined the first part of our date, let me make it up to you."
"You don't have to Sheldon, we can just go to the train store or th-the comic book store or something," she suggested, trying to think of a place he'd enjoy. She didn't want him forcing himself just because he felt bad about the aquarium.
Sheldon's face turned rather serious, and firm. "No. Please, Carly, let me make this right."
Carly eyed his determined eyes and gulped. "Okay," she conceded. "If you're sure."
"Without a doubt," he told her immediately, with no hesitation.
Carly bit her lip and tore her gaze away to turn the car on. "All right, let's go then." She wasn't so sure about it though.
She drove them to the city park and parked by the curb, seeing many families enter the park. It was a sunny Saturday mid-morning and she had figured the park would be busy.
This probably wouldn't end up good.
She turned the car off and looked at him. He was taking his seat belt off, a look of trepidation on his face that he was trying to conceal from her.
"Sheldon, we don't have to do this," she told him, wishing he didn't feel obligated.
He looked over at her, his hand on the door handle to exit the car. "I want to. Now hurry up, let's go so we can scale the whole park before lunch. I want to make it count."
Then he threw open his door and climbed out, leaving her to gape after him. The whole park? Geez.
Collecting herself, she grabbed her purse and got out of the car, meeting him on the sidewalk. They assessed the situation one last time before he headed for the entrance and she had to quicken her steps to follow after him.
He had pretty long legs and could move quicker than she thought.
They fell into step with one another after a moment and she looked around, watching families play on the grass and have picnics. Some throwing bread into the ponds to feed the ducks. A few loners reading books on the benches or under trees.
It was nice. She looked up at Sheldon as they walked, seeing him look uneasy but his gaze was rather hard. Like he was trying not to let any of it bother him.
Carly wondered if she could get his mind off of it so they could enjoy themselves. She bit her lip in thought and figured why not try. "Hey, wanna play a game?"
Sheldon looked down at her with sudden interest. "Sure! What kind of game?"
She grinned, glad that it was working. "Um, what about... twenty questions?"
A flash of confusion passed over his eyes but then he seemed to recognize the game. "Very well- I'll go first. Which of Newton's Laws state that 'for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction?'"
Carly blinked at his question, then laughed lightly. "Oh, I meant questions about us. Like our lives or something. For example," she threaded her fingers together. "What was your favorite thing to do growing up?"
Sheldon perked up. "Oh... I see. You're proposing we ask questions about one another to learn more about ourselves."
She nodded with a smile. "Exactly."
Sheldon gave her a nod of understanding, "All right. I'll answer your question then- but just to let you know, the answer to my question is 'The Third Law of Motion'."
She grinned and said for his benefit, "I'll remember that."
He smiled at her and then looked ahead. "When I was younger, I liked to create things to prove or disprove theories."
Carly smiled, trying to imagine a younger version of Sheldon. "That must be why you became a theoretical physicist."
He smiled down at her. "Most definitely." Then he sobered. "What about you, what did you do? Read books?"
Carly laughed at the assumption. "Something like that. I didn't have friends in school so I made up for it with characters in books."
"I understand that. Spock was my only friend for a long time. He was the only one who I related to the most."
Carly smiled, thinking of him in his Spock costume. He was so cute. "Okay! Next question: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?"
Sheldon's response was readily and instantaneous. "Mars."
Carly's eyebrows shot up. "Mars? Interesting choice. To be honest I was thinking like Canada or Maine."
Sheldon's nose wrinkled at the examples. "Definitely not. Maine is the third coldest state in the country and don't get me started on Canada."
Carly chuckled. "You don't like the cold?"
He shook his head. "I don't mind it seasonally, but all year long is just mundane."
"I suppose that's true. I do love the sunshine," she said thoughtfully.
They continued to ask each other questions about one another, learning more and more about their childhoods and such. Carly enjoyed it and she was also glad that Sheldon's mind was off of the impending birds and crowds.
She thought that up until they reached a large pond that was nearly covered in ducks, with a couple of geese. She noticed it before him and realized that he would panic when he did.
She suddenly grabbed his hand, taking him by surprise and he looked down at it before looking up at her questioningly.
"I just thought it'd be appropriate since we're on a date," she told him, which wasn't exactly a lie- but she didn't want him freaking out too much when he saw.
At first, he seemed to protest for some reason, but then he visibly relaxed and gave her a warm smile. "Very true. I'm under the impression that couples do hold hands like this when they're on da-"
And that was when he noticed.
Briefly closing her eyes in chagrin, she peeked over at him and he looked horrified. She tightened her grip on his hand and he walked a bit closer to her instinctively.
"Carly, do you see-"
"Yes, I know. We can get past them quickly," she encouraged and tugged on his hand a little, willing him forward.
He nodded and visibly gulped, unsettled being an understatement. Glad that he was allowing her to help him, they sped up and tried to move around the pond as quickly as possible.
And then the unthinkable happened.
More than forty or so ducks flapped their wings and took flight above them.
With the loud, flapping sounds and the whoosh of wind- Sheldon yelped and let go of her hand to throw his palms up over his head, crouching down on the ground in terror.
Stunned, she looked between the ducks flying above their heads and her boyfriend cowering in fear at her feet. Her protective instincts moved her into motion and she grabbed her small umbrella from her purse. She opened it quickly and knelt next to him, covering him and her with it like a shield.
At the movement and the sudden protection, he looked up and she realized just how close they were. His eyes were as wide as saucers and his mouth was parted to allow heavy, harrowing breaths.
She bit her lip, hoping that this was helping. It seemed like it was.
A quack from above had his hands shooting out and clutching her to him, the umbrella swaying but managing to stay upright around them in her hand. Her face pressed up against his chest, his arms around her tightly as he held on for dear life. He smelled familiarly of baby powder and soap, which she melted into after getting over her mild surprise.
She missed being so close to him. She didn't want him to ever let go. She closed her eyes and smiled, nuzzling into him as his face pressed into her hair, his breath coming out in pants against her neck as he struggled to compose his fears.
The sound of the birds' wings flapping in the air faded and she opened her eyes, realizing they must be safe now. She lifted her head and he slowly loosened his hold on her, his face moving from her hair reluctantly.
They were inches apart and she felt his breath on her face as he spoke next. "Is it safe now?" His eyes were still wide and he looked nervous.
She glanced down at his mouth absently. "I think so," she murmured, her eyes lifting back to his. "I don't hear them anymore."
Sheldon nodded idly and then his eyes changed. She watched as the anxiety left him and in its place, curiosity.
She gazed silently at him, wondering what he was thinking.
"Thank you," he said, his voice in awe. "Yo-you saved me."
She felt like that was an exaggeration but maybe that was how he saw it. A smile broke out on her face. "I'll always save you," she told him and she meant it.
His eyes softened and he glanced down at her mouth once. Her breathing picked up, noticing the look. She bit her lip absently and that broke him.
Swiftly, he leaned forward the couple inches and captured her mouth with his. Her eyes closed with the kiss, savoring the moment. She had missed this too.
Heart racing, she kissed him back, deftly responding with the words she couldn't express to him.
Then it was over and he was pulling back, and she opened her eyes to see his fluttering to look at her with a half-lidded gaze.
Her heavy breathing mingled with his and he shifted in his crouch. "We should go," he told her, his voice breathless.
She nodded, mystified and they stood. She dropped the umbrella and made a show of closing it, putting it back in her purse with fumbling fingers. His kisses always left her dazed.
He cleared his throat beside her. "Not that I'm complaining, but why did you bring an umbrella? I checked the weather this morning and it's not supposed to rain."
She threw him a sheepish grin. "Someone taught me to always be prepared."
His eyes flashed. "Someone?"
Carly laughed lightly. "You, Sheldon."
"Oh." He grinned with pride, realizing what she was saying. He then caught sight of his watch. "We should go if we want to make it to lunch by eleven. The Cheesecake Factory is on the other side of town."
She smiled with a nod, holding the strap of her bag happily. She was glad they had decided to go to the park after all . "Let's go then."
oO0Oo
Sheldon had been disturbed by the fact that Penny wasn't working, and therefore wouldn't be their server for their meal. Carly, trying to reassure him, ordered for them- telling them exactly how Sheldon wanted his burger. He had been skeptical until he saw that his food had been perfectly prepared for him. Much to her delight.
Carly listened to Sheldon talk about his work, finding it fascinating and just reminding her over and over again how smart he was. It was moments like that she felt inferior to him. Like they weren't of the same species and she wondered if he saw her like that.
But, she didn't need to. He loved her. He had told her that one time and she held onto it ever since, reminding herself that she had nothing to worry about.
After their lunch, they decided to call it a day, thinking they'd had enough fun. Carly would look back on that day fondly, even with the fact that they hadn't enjoyed the aquarium as she had envisioned. It was fine with her though.
Upon reaching her floor, they paused and she was surprised to have her hand be taken with one of his. She looked up at him and saw his uncertainty.
"What's wrong, Sheldon?"
"Nothings wrong... it's just," he licked his lips nervously. "We have a whole hour before our date was supposed to finish and well-" he broke off and she smiled, thinking him adorable.
Thinking quickly she gave him a hopeful smile. "Do you want to come in for a while? I'll make tea and we can watch something on tv."
Sheldon visibly relaxed and gave her a nod, releasing her hand with a small smile. He followed her into her apartment and sat down in the only seat he deemed appropriate to sit in. She sat her purse down on the table after closing her door.
She handed him the remote and began making the water in her kettle, giving him a few glances as she did so. He idly changed through the channels, trying to find something suitable to watch.
As the kettle began to whistle, she turned to fill two mugs and placed tea bags in them from her little tin on her counter.
She slid her shoes off carefully by the couch as she walked over with the mugs. He took one from her gratefully and she sat down, feeling happier than she had in a long time.
The cloud of despair and uncertainty had seemed to lift from her at some point throughout the day. It was like she was finally at peace.
She glanced to the tv and saw he had stopped the television on some sci-fi show she didn't recognize. They watched it with comfortable silence for a few minutes until he suddenly leaned forward to put his mug on her coffee table.
She looked over at him and he glanced at her while in thought. "What is it?" She asked, worried. Was something wrong?
He shook his head and turned to face her. "Carly, I've been meaning to tell you something but I was uncertain on how to say it."
She frowned and placed her mug down as well, giving him her full attention, nervous it would be something that would cause her to regret feeling as happy and safe as she had.
Then he said something she never in a million years would have expected him to say.
"I've had a difficult time with this if you can imagine, but after going back and forth in my head about it- admittedly since you were intoxicated that one night- I've decided that I think it's time to experiment with something I've never thought was possible for me."
She was completely confused by that point and could only stare at him, hoping he'd elaborate. He did after a deep breath, thankfully.
"Carly," he said then paused for effect, his eyes imploring hers in a very serious manner. "I want to have coitus with you."
At that moment, Carly wished she knew what 'coitus' meant. Instead, she stared dumbly at him as he looked back at her in a meaningful way- as if she should realize that this was a huge deal.
After a moment of wracking her brain on what the heck coitus was, she cleared her throat. "Sorry I- what's coitus?"
Sheldon's eyebrows rose and it was written all over his face that he had seemed to forget she wasn't accustomed to his vocabulary. "Oh, pardon me- coitus meaning sexual relations."
Carly couldn't help it, she gasped. No, no way. He did not mean that, did he? "S-Sex? You want to have se- with me?" She couldn't bring herself to say the word again. This couldn't be real. "Is this a bazinga?"
Sheldon's eyebrows furrowed. "This isn't a laughing matter, of course, it's not a joke. I mean it."
Carly gaped, then suddenly had a frigid thought. "You do? I- wait, right now?"
It was Sheldon's turn to look stunned. "Right no-? No! Of course not right now. I meant that I'd be open to it. Think in terms of, say... three months from now? Maybe a year?"
Carly blinked. A year? Wait, had she been hopeful? "That's a long time from now."
Sheldon shrugged and then straightened in his seat, looking uncertain all of a sudden. "Well if the particular occasion arises, then I won't protest it- but I've just come to terms with the idea, I don't think I could go through with it so soon." He shook himself like he was afraid of the thought, then looked to her seriously. "I just wanted you to know where I stood on the subject."
She had to admit, she hadn't expected any of it. Also, the fact that he had been thinking about sleeping with her all this time made her head spin. But... she was elated. He was wanting to further their relationship. That was an amazing thing.
Especially for Sheldon.
Carly bit her lip and looked down thoughtfully. She couldn't believe this was happening. "I appreciate it. I'm glad that you told me. I'll admit though, I'm sort of relieved you aren't ready to have... that, right now. I've never you know, done it either and so I'm really nervous."
Sheldon shifted beside her and she glanced up at his anxious face that was looking within middle distance. "Yes, I am too." Then he looked at her, catching her gaze. "We can experiment together."
The way he said it, the way he looked at her, put her at ease. Together. They'd do this together. She couldn't help it, she smiled softly at him.
"Together," she confirmed, nodding at him. His lips curved upwards.
"I have to confess, this is the first experiment I've done with a librarian- do you think you can do the math?"
She caught onto his joke and grinned. "I'll try not to let you down."
He grinned boyishly at her and it made her want to kiss him. With the new revelation on her mind, she scooted over to him and saw how he tensed from the closeness.
She looked up into his face, bringing hers close to his and he glanced down at her mouth once, before licking his lips and saying, "I-I said not right now-"
She shook her head, cutting him off. "I'm just going to kiss you."
He relaxed and then gave her a firm nod, almost businesslike. She smiled at him and then leaned in, covering his mouth with hers.
At first, he was a little hesitant and she wondered if he was still worried she'd push the issue now that she knew about his desire for her. But she wanted to make sure he knew that she was only going to do things that were comfortable for both of them.
Still kissing him, she managed to get onto her knees next to him and put her hands on his shoulders for support. In response, he put his arm around her middle and held him to her, kissing her back while getting more into it.
She inwardly smiled as her heart began to pound heavily in her chest, loving the way he held her possessively each time they did this and how his mouth fit hers perfectly and knew exactly just how to kiss her to make her want him.
His other hand rose to her head, holding her hair and face to him, while their tongues found each other as the kiss became more passionate. The sound she made at the sudden touch of his tongue, made his hands on her tighten and she was almost unable to breathe by how crushed she was to him.
To get more comfortable in this kiss, she moved her leg over him and straddled his hips, to which he lowered his hand from her back down to her waist. Her hands went to his hair, needing to feel him. Their tongues swirled with fervor as her mind spun with desire.
Needing to breathe, she abruptly broke the kiss and exhaled sharply against his chin. His eyes opened slightly and she took the dazed moment from him to lean down and press a kiss to his jawline. He smelled so good, felt so good- she needed to consume him.
Not thinking clearly in the slightest, she trailed hot kisses down towards his ear, making him squirm against her but not push her away. His breath came out in little pants against her ear as she continued her way down his neck to where the collar of his shirt began. She wanted to kiss more of him.
Her hands fell from his hair to his shoulders, and then one dropped to the buttons of his shirt and unfastened the first two, giving her immediate access to the rest of his neck and collarbone.
Her mouth attacked it, tasting him and loving it. He gasped against her, his hand on her hair tightening and holding the strands messily.
"C-Carly-" he choked out and it only spurred her on, the sound of her name on his mouth encouraging her.
But he pushed her away slightly and she felt disappointed, not wanting to stop- But he surprised her by taking her face into his hands and kissing her hard and fast. She gasped against his mouth and he took advantage, thrusting his tongue into her open mouth and taking advantage of her shock.
She clutched his shoulders tightly, holding herself up as she felt dizzy and unsteady. His hands were warm on her cheeks, keeping her to him and sending fiery sensations through her body and lingering in-between her legs.
When he finally broke, they were panting and she stared blankly at him, unable to think anything past how his eyes were glazed over and his mouth flushed.
Wordlessly, her hands loosened on his shoulders and his hands dropped back to her waist, their highs coming down around them.
Or so she thought.
"M-May I try something?" He asked anxiously, the desire in his eyes not lessening. She breathed harder at his question.
"Okay," she breathed, a little scared and a little thrilled by him.
His hand dropped from her waist to her thigh and it wasn't until then that she realized that with her straddling his lap, her dress had risen, exposing her bare legs. His hand felt big, the span of it taking most of her thigh. She sucked in a small breath and he paused, his eyes taking in every part of her reaction.
He was experimenting. This was the scientist in him.
She closed her mouth and tried to compose herself. She wanted to see how far he'd go. Her heartbeat loud in her ears, but she composed herself and gave him an encouraging nod.
Sheldon then moved his empty hand over her other thigh, then proceeded to gently squeeze them and caress, as if never touching legs before.
She tried to control herself, her breathing, her heart- because his eyes were sharp. She stared back at him, trembling slightly- she had never been touched like this before. She felt vulnerable, exposed but at the same time, straddling him with his hands on her bare thighs- so close to the place that ached between them, was invigorating.
He drew in a ragged breath and then leaned forwards, somehow feeling comfortable enough with her response to continuing. He dropped his head on her shoulder and turned his face into her hair. He inhaled her scent then breathed a long exhale, it reaching her neck through her hair.
He removed a hand from her thigh to gently move the strands from her neck and then scooted his mouth up against it, sending electric tingles from where his mouth touched down her body. She shuddered and suddenly realized her breath had quickened loudly in her living room- the only other sound was the low voices of the tv program they had been watching.
His hand fell back down to her thigh and he slid both of them up the sides to her hips, with his mouth opening and pressing hot kisses along her neck and collarbone, any skin he could find.
It was driving her mad with need and she absently pressed herself into him. Normally, when she did this on accident, he would pull away- the magic ending, but instead, it caused him to groan lightly onto her neck. It was the hottest sound she'd ever heard.
His own growing need pushed itself up towards her, letting her know just what she and his actions were doing to him. They were both a mess with arousal.
Mouth still assaulting her neck and drawing ragged breaths out of her into the air around them, his hands slid down over her derrière and grabbed it, pulling her flush against him. His erection jabbed her warm center, his pants, and her cotton underwear the only thing between them.
She gasped in shock, her whole body burning to an almost uncomfortable extent. His breath came out in harsh puffs from his nose, his mouth latching onto the skin at her collarbone with sudden intent. His hands-on her held her to him and his hips moved slightly of their own accord, causing a small whimper to emit from him.
He had lost whatever control he had on himself, she vaguely thought. He was taking the experiment seriously.
Mouth dry and needing to kiss him, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back slightly. The look on his face was wild and she saw the lust in his eyes as they regarded her.
The look lasted for not even a second before she attacked his mouth with hers. He returned the passionate kiss with just as much excitement, his hands holding her hips and butt as well as he could as she grabbed the lapels from his blazer to keep him from pulling away.
She rocked her hips into him, needing to feel that friction again now that his mouth was locked on hers. He groaned into her mouth, their noses pressed together harshly. Her hands dropped to his chest, feeling his heartbeat pounding hard. She used what little thought she had to slide her hands under the buttons of his shirt and pull, unfastening a few more, revealing his bare chest to her. Her fingers slid through a slight patch of chest hair and her mind spun, not believing she was touching him, actually touching him-
Then her phone rang.
At the sound, they froze. The familiar melody of her phone continued and she idly recognized what it was. She broke from the kiss and stared mystified at Sheldon as he opened his eyes, the realization of what they had been doing becoming clear on their faces. He licked his red lips, blinking rapidly like coming out of a dream.
"Y-You should get that," he told her, his voice raspy and full of surprise.
She nodded numbly and moved to get off of him, but his hands on her posterior held her still and she snapped her eyes back to him.
"Oh, sorry-" he broke off, a little embarrassed, and released her. She was then able to get off of him and she stood on wobbly legs, going to her purse and grabbing her phone just as it was about to stop ringing.
It was her grandmother.
Frowning, feeling imbalanced from what had just happened, she pressed answer and held the phone to her ear.
"H-Hello?" She didn't recognize her voice and she hoped her grandmother didn't hear it. That would be an awkward conversation.
"Carly! Oh, thank goodness- I was worried I was going to miss you. Do you think you could come to water my plants for me next weekend? Marge and I have decided to go to the coast to get some sun before the summer is officially over."
Carly was relieved that she didn't suspect anything and tried to make herself relax to answer her. "Oh! Yeah of course. I hope you have a good time."
Her grandma laughed, sounding younger to Carly. "Oh, I will. Well, that's all I wanted to ask- I gotta get back to my laundry. I love you, darling. Talk to you soon!" And then she hung up before Carly could respond.
It left Carly stunned, standing with her phone to her ear. She rolled her eyes and she dropped her phone back down in her purse, thinking her grandma must be really excited. That was nice-
Then she remembered. She turned and was surprised to see Sheldon standing by her couch, his hair tousled but his shirt buttoned back up. He looked uneasy.
She swallowed down her sudden nerves. "Are you leaving?" Cause he looked like he was leaving.
He glanced to her door and then back at her, but his gaze wouldn't stay. "Oh- uh, yeah it's getting late. I need to get changed and be ready for dinner with everyone. Leonard and I were planning on playing some of the Star Wars game tonight before I do my laundry."
She nodded dumbly, feeling a little disappointed but also relieved. She was still turned on by him and she didn't think she'd be able to stop herself if he stayed. "Oh, right-"
He nodded in response and then thought of something. Hesitating, he cautiously approached her and she watched him with bated breath.
He looked down at her, his eyes softening. "I had a good time today."
The awkwardness disappeared and she smiled up at him. "I did too. We should do it again- well, except for the almost duck attack."
His eyes lifted at the corners, his smile growing. "Agreed..." the word trailed off and he looked conflicted for a moment, maybe thinking of his next move but she beat him to it.
She leaned up and kissed him softly, then dropped back down to her feet, looking up at him with a cheeky grin. "I'll see you at dinner."
Sheldon looked awed by her brashness and then collected himself by licking his lips and nodding, relaxing in front of her. "Yes. I'll see you then- " he broke off and turned from her, looking forced to do so.
She smiled at his back and followed him to the door, waving at him one last time as he walked away from her - concluding her first date with him.
Thank you for reading! This was one of my all time favorite chapters. Please let me know your thoughts! I hope you liked it! Have a great Valentine's Day and week!