AN: Dedicated to my favorite nurse. I don't just write smut for anyone. You're special Mo.
Madam Secretary Prompt: The first time that Henry & Elizabeth sleep together, it has almost nothing to do with their feelings for each other, and was mostly about the fact that one (or both) of them was beyond stressed/anxious and needed a way to relax.
The lounge wasn't a frequent hang out for dorm occupants. The cavernous room was plain; grayish bare walls that had once upon a time been white, boxed in the smattering of industrial upholstered chairs and four person square tables thrown into the space. Students typically studied in their rooms, headed to the library, or even in the commons at the union. There was one exception-finals week. When space was at a premium, any room with enough furniture to gather became a prime location for study groups of two or more.
Freshman, Elizabeth Adams, had planted herself in the middle of one of the dorms reserved for upperclassmen. Anxiety had her stomach tied in knots. It was the Sunday evening before her first finals week. She was one of the few freshmen with almost all upper level courses. It seemed like a great idea to take all of those dual credit courses in high school. Now, she was overwhelmed sitting in the lounge with her Calc II classmates.
The actual math had been difficult, but Elizabeth could work her way through it. If nothing else, she was methodical. This final would be long and tedious, but doable. She just had to concentrate. Her Comparative Government final would be fine as well. It was straight forward. That British literature final research paper was daunting, but she'd already completed the research and written the first draft, she just needed to revise it. Advanced Biology and Art Appreciation were both disasters. With the art class, she could probably bullshit her way to a B, but only a miracle on the Biology final would net her a C in the class.
Just the thought made her entire body stiffen and waves of nausea rolled through her. Elizabeth tried to fight it, but just like her brother, Will, often pointed out, she was high strung. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Suddenly, she was in junior high, her head bent down over the desk, reading and rereading the history chapter, willing the information to adhere itself to her brain. Elizabeth jumped when her father placed his hands on her shoulder. He bent down and whispered, "Come on Lizzie. It's time to take a break. You skipped dinner."
She shrugged him off. "Dad, I've got to know this. I don't have time."
"There's more to life than studying. I've got butter brickle ice cream downstairs. Let's get you some dinner and then we'll eat ice cream straight from the carton so your mom won't know." He tugged at the sleeve of her shirt. "Come on, and besides, the A on the test isn't what makes us proud of you. It's working hard and trying your best. That's what's important."
Elizabeth looked up at her father, blue eyes meeting blue. "Maybe, but the A doesn't hurt." He chuckled and she pushed herself up from the desk and let him lead the way to the kitchen.
"Lizzie. Liz. Elizabeth!" She was ripped from her memories by a jab in her knee. "You alright? You spaced out on us." Elizabeth forced a smile in the direction of the well meaning girl in the study group.
"Yeah, just thinking. Let's get back to it."
It was nearing 2 am and Elizabeth was the only one left in the lounge. When the last couple of people gathered their things to go upstairs and catch some sleep, she offered to go back to her own room. Both told her she was welcome to stay and just let herself out when she was done. So she sat hunched over the table, scouring Biology notes, hoping that the fourth read through would finally make those connections between neurons and she could retrieve the information on command.
The door slammed shut and Elizabeth jumped at the sound in the otherwise silent building. A shadow passed by the lounge entry and she heard the person hit the bottom step, then nothing. Two seconds later, Henry McCord stood in the doorway, staring at her, his mouth slightly ajar, his facial expression giving away his surprise.
"Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" He entered the room and Elizabeth bristled. She didn't want to hold any hard feelings. It wasn't even like she should. They went out a couple times before Thanksgiving and then she hadn't heard from him since. Yet, she liked him and she thought he liked her and then nothing. The anxiety she'd been holding about her classes and finals and now him had her all worked up.
"I'm studying. You?" Her words came out sharp. She surprised herself and Henry stopped in his tracks
"I live here." Standing about 6 feet away, he stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. "Listen. I owe you an apology." Elizabeth watched Henry raise his eyes to meet hers and her look sent his straight back to the floor.
"I went home for Thanksgiving and some stuff happened and I've just been in my own head because of it. But not calling you was wrong. I've been thinking about you." His eyes went up again and he read the disbelief in her expression. "Really, I have. I swear, but my dad and I…"
"It's fine. Don't worry about it." Elizabeth was usually a master at masking her emotions, so she was more than dismayed when even she could hear the hurt in her voice. She stood to gather her things and as she tried to turn her head, sharp pain went shooting through her body. She sucked in a deep breath and Henry was by her side in an instant.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I've just been sitting too long. My neck is stiff." She tried turning her head again and the pain prevented it. "Really stiff." Suddenly a combination of exhaustion, pain, hurt, and anxiety hit her hard. Elizabeth was beside herself. She couldn't decide what to do. Scream? Cry? Hit something? Run away and hide? All seemed like viable options if she could just get her body to move. Her hand moved to cover her eyes, squeezing her temples between her thumb and index finger, in an attempt to reign her emotions back in.
She felt Henry take her backpack from her and ease her in a nearby chair. Moving behind her, he pushed her hair to the side and placed his hands on her shoulders and pressed into her flesh. Her hands dropped into her lap and she squeezed her eyes shut. His touch was gentle at first but as he worked his way up into her neck and pushed his thumbs into her hairline, making small circles, massaging deeper and deeper, she wanted to cry.
When a whimper escaped her lips, Henry immediately pulled back. "No, keep going," she murmured. He returned to his task, working all of the knots out of her neck and upper back.
Henry stood behind Elizabeth, kneading her tense muscles, and guilt overtook him. They'd been on two dates, three if you counted voting, and he liked her. A lot. Then he went home and fought with his family for four days. They argued over his schooling, his choice to go into the military, his political views, his waning practice of religion, everything imaginable. When he returned to campus, he was drained. He didn't really even have room in his brain for Elizabeth until the past few days, then it seemed like it was too late. He'd put her off and she would probably be angry, or at least have written him off.
And she was angry and had written him off, he could tell. As he worked all of the knots from her neck, her head rolled to the side, baring a long expanse of creamy flesh. Without thinking, he lowered his head and placed his lips there, placing open mouthed kisses from behind her ear to her collarbone, and she froze.
Henry's hands on her were doing something to Elizabeth. As the pain subsided, the muscles in her neck and shoulders loosening, she felt like she was in limbo. All of the emotion was still there. She felt like she was sitting at a crossroads and needed to decide which to prioritize and then his lips were on her neck, sucking that place behind her ear before moving down. It was when his teeth lightly scraped her collarbone and goosebumps erupted on her skin in a wave across her body and she felt a gush of arousal between her legs and she froze momentarily.
Henry immediately stepped back. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have," but Elizabeth cut him off. She held up her hand and then stood, turning to face him. Every bit of pent up angst she'd been holding, funneled itself into desire, a burning lust that needed to be dealt with.
Taking the step into him, she grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him toward her. His grunt indicated that she may have pulled chest hair, but she didn't think he minded too much once their lips connected.
It was fierce and clumsy at first, too anxious. Then he banded his arm around her back and held her close. She controlled the kiss, her tongue in his mouth, leaving him whimpering this time. When she pulled back, she looped her arm through her backpack. Every pulsepoint on her body throbbed and the ache in her core was almost unbearable. "Take me upstairs?" she asked.
Henry's thoughts were all over the place, but he finally plucked one to vocalize. "Is that a good idea?" His voice was higher pitched and sounded foreign to him, but Elizabeth didn't comment on that. Instead, she stepped in close, pressing her chest to his.
"Probably not the best idea, but it's the one I have right now, and you don't seem opposed." Elizabeth moved her hand and brushed against the place where his pants were stretched tight. Henry moaned and his hips pushed into her hand of their own accord.
Henry swallowed, unnerved by her intense stare. When he made no move, Elizabeth walked to the doorway and flipped the switch, sending them into darkness. "You coming?" she asked.
Making his way to her, he slid his hand down her back, resting it low. His eyes met hers and he silently asked the question. She nodded. "I need this."
He responded by guiding her to the stairs. They silently made their way down the second floor hallway to the room across from the bathroom. Henry slipped his key into the lock and turned it. He pushed the door open, letting Elizabeth in first. They walked into a sitting room with a room to the left. Elizabeth shot him a confused look.
Henry grinned. "Perks of being an RA. It comes with an apartment."
Elizabeth hummed her approval as she dropped her coat and backpack at the end of the couch. Spinning to face him, she licked her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Where were we?"
Henry was about to ask if she really wanted to do this, but she stepped toe to toe and had his jeans unbuttoned and was sliding the zipper down. Acquiescing, Henry threaded his fingers into her hair and kissed her hard. He controlled the kiss until Elizabeth managed to wrap her fingers around his cock and slowly begin pumping him.
His breath was taken away and he ripped his lips from hers. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath and his hips chased her touch. Henry nudged her in the direction of the bedroom, tugging at her clothes along the way. By the time they stood in Henry's room, articles of Elizabeth's clothing made a trail, her hoodie on the floor in front of the couch, t-shirt in the doorway, bra on the footboard post.
She unbuttoned her own jeans while Henry kneaded one breast with his hand and had his mouth on the other. Then he shifted, his large hands, sliding down her down her sides, beneath her panties and he took both those and her jeans to the floor. She kicked out of them and, and pushing the covers to the side, lay down on the bed.
Henry shoved his own jeans down and stepped out of them. Tugging his shirt over his head, he found Elizabeth, her legs splayed wide, touching herself. He stared at her, half in awe and half annoyed.
He climbed between her legs, sitting on his heels. "If you're going to get yourself off, why bother having me here?"
In the light from the streetlight outside, he could see her arch her brows and she grinned, maybe a little guiltily, he couldn't be sure. "We'll call it being proactive."
Henry watched Elizabeth for a few more seconds before he batted her hand to the side. "Give a guy a chance, will ya?" He didn't give her the option to respond before he fell, face first, into her pussy. He skipped over any build up that may normally have occured, figuring Elizabeth had started without him.
Licking one broad stripe through her slickness, he hummed. "Damn, you taste good," he mumbled. He settled his upper lip against her clit, the stubble providing extra stimulation as he sucked her arousal before plunging his tongue inside her.
Elizabeth had her fair share of mediocre sexual experiences and had learned that she wanted to get off, she had to take control of her own pleasure. She'd almost scoffed at Henry's proposition until his face was buried between her legs and she couldn't string two coherent thoughts together.
When her hips rocked into Henry's face, he reached under her thighs and around, laying one arm across her, pinning her to the bed. His free hand danced up her side, his fingers manipulating her nipple, sending shockwaves through her body.
"Oh God," she mumbled, followed by a string of hums and gibberish as her legs picked up the movement her hips were denied, shaking uncontrollably.
"Fu-" she gurgled, swallowing the rest of the profanity and she went rigid, the orgasm taking over her body. As her body began to relax, Henry moved to lay beside her, his erection stabbing her hip.
He kissed her, softly at first, and she tasted herself on him, and a new wave of arousal began to build. He intensified the kiss and she met him where he was at. "Ready for number 2?" he asked, his hand pushing between her legs, landing squarely on her clit.
"Shit." She let out a shuddering breath and within seconds, another orgasm was building. His tongue trailed along her jaw before sucking lightly behind her ear. His pace was quickening, the circles getting tighter as she ground against his fingers.
Henry watched her writhe next to him. He was so hard it hurt, but he couldn't stop. He was mesmerized. Leaning down, Henry dragged his tongue along Elizabeth's collarbone, from her neck to her shoulder. On his return path, he stopped and sucked her skin, marking her, while slipping his fingers down and inside her. He curled them relentlessly, stroking her spot. She shook, let out a guttural moan, and her muscles clamped down on his fingers making everything stop.
Elizabeth's eyes were squeezed shut as she rode the wave, but Henry was transfixed. He'd never seen anyone so beautiful. He hoped he hadn't missed his opportunity and this was the last he'd see of her.
She relaxed and her breathing evened out and slowed. Henry pulled his hand away from her. Thinking she'd fallen asleep, he got up, and headed toward the bathroom,his hand already wrapped around his cock, desperate for his own release "Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked.
Henry spun around. Elizabeth's eyes were still closed, but she was obviously not asleep.
"I, uh, was just going to take care of something." At that, Elizabeth leaned up and propped herself on an elbow. She adopted a playful, but slightly accusing tone.
"So I have to give you a chance, but I don't get the same courtesy?" Her eyes traveled from his shocked expression down to where he was slowly pumping himself. Elizabeth licked her lips greedily and rolled off the bed, padding the six feet across the floor to meet him.
One hand delicately wrapped around the base of him, dislodging his hand. The other moved lightly up his chest, wrapping around the back of his neck to pull him down to her. She kissed him and then pulled him closer and whispered, "I've never in my life had more than one orgasm in a night. Humor me." He felt her lips curl into a grin against his ear and her hot breath made him moan.
Banding his arm around her back, he moved them back to the bed and he sat down on the edge. Elizabeth immediately fell to her knees and took him in her mouth. Her tongue curled around his shaft, as his tip hit the roof of her mouth and he shuddered. Her hand and mouth worked together in unison and Henry had never felt anything so good in his life. He was a little dismayed when she popped off of him and moved to stand.
"I want you inside me," she said simply, and moved closer, kissing him. "Do you have protection?"
Henry nodded and leaned to the side, prying the edge of the mattress up, retrieving an unopened box of condoms, which he quickly opened and after removing one, tossed the box on the floor. "Are you sure?"
Elizabeth smirked, "I've already had your tongue and half your hand in me. This seems like a natural progression." He had no rebuttal for that, especially as he was craving his own release. He watched her snatch the foil packet from him, open it and roll it down over his length. He shuddered.
Elizabeth stepped back, giving Henry enough room to scoot toward the middle of the bed before she climbed on top of him, straddling his hips. Up on her knees, towering over him, Henry released a shaky breath. She was a goddess.
Bending forward, her hair fell in curtains on both sides of her face, framing his, as she kissed him. Then she rocked back and slowly slid down onto his cock. She was fully seated but waited for a moment to get acclimated to the fullness. Then she started moving up and down.
Henry moaned and a litany of curses fell from his lips as her muscles squeezed him, in and out, in and out, until he could no longer speak, reduced to the noises coming from the back of his throat. She switched her movement, grinding into him, back and forth, stimulating her clit and her need started building again. She picked up the pace and Henry fought to hold off his own pleasure. His hands cupped her breasts, teasing the nipples into peaks, propelling her ascent.
Bracketing her hips, Henry held on as she rode him hard and just when he could hold off no longer, she moaned loudly, arching her back. The sound was so primal that it sent Henry spiraling. The moment ended all too quickly for Henry, as Elizabeth collapsed in the bed next to him.
He disposed of the condom in a nearby trashcan and pulled up the cover that had been kicked to the side. She stayed still for several minutes and then murmured, "I should go home."
Unwilling to break the spell, Henry asked, "What time is your first final?"
"11," she mumbled drowsily.
"Then stay." Elizabeth opened her eyes and met his, questioning him. "It's quarter to four. Stay. Sleep. I'll make sure you get up in time to shower."
Elizabeth offered a wary expression. "You don't need-"
"But I don't want you to go." Henry paused and thought about what he should say. Finally he took a deep breath. "I should've called. Really. I haven't been in a good place, but it wasn't fair to you. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
"You're lucky. I'm feeling forgiving." She murmured drowsily. Elizabeth yawned, and she drifted off.
Henry reached around and turned on the alarm clock and then he watched Elizabeth sleep for several minutes before succumbing to his own exhaustion.
The blare of the alarm roused Henry and he slapped the top of the clock, silencing it. Elizabeth lay sprawled across him, her head on his chest and her hair, everywhere. He blew it out of his mouth and swept it away from his face. He thought about the previous night and was shocked by their actions.
He most certainly wasn't the kind of guy to just take someone to bed, and he didn't think Elizabeth was either. But, he smiled, it was the best sex he'd ever had, and he hoped she had been satisfied. His expression faded into concern as he wondered what she would think when she woke up. Would she regret what they had done? Would she think he had taken advantage of the situation? Had he? He didn't think so. Henry wished he knew her better. This is why you don't jump into bed with people, he berated himself.
And then she began to stir. The alarm sounded a second time and Henry reached out to silence it as Elizabeth's eyes blinked open. She kept her head on Henry's chest and thought about where she was and how she got there. She swallowed hard as she realized what had happened. Elizabeth took a deep breath and pushed off of Henry and met his gaze.
"Good morning," he said, softly as he pushed her hair back over her shoulder.
"Hi." She searched his eyes trying to figure out what he might be thinking, but came up empty. "Listen, I want to apologize for last night."
"No.i should apologize," Henry started, but Elizabeth spoke over him.
"I was in a weird place and I shouldn't have thrown myself at you like that." She broke her gaze and her cheeks pinkened.
"I didn't think that. I don't want you to think that I just go around sleeping with women, because I don't." Henry moved his head slightly to catch her eyes, making sure she was listening. "I really don't."
She grinned. "I know. You had to open the box of condoms. That screams prepared, but not expected to be used." It was Henry's turn to blush, and it caused Elizabeth to laugh. "So you didn't intentionally blow me off?" Her expression changed to one of caution.
Henry shook his head. "By the time I dealt with my family fallout it had been a whole week. I didn't know how to call and tell you that, so I just didn't call at all." He focused his gaze over her shoulder and waited for her to get up and leave.
She thought about that for a moment. "Don't do it again," she murmured, pushing herself up, landing against his lips. She kissed him softly. "Also, I don't think we should do this again either."
Henry's mind raced. "Ever?" he asked, trying not to sound as dismayed as he really was.
"Well, at least not for a while. Not until we know each other better." She looked up at Henry, hoping that it would be alright with him.
He sighed his relief. "I'm on board with that." He kissed her cheek. "But I want to start right now. Go shower and I'll take you out for breakfast before your final."
She smiled. She felt settled for the first time in a while. "Waffle House?"
Henry nodded. "I think we can make that happen. Now go." He gave her a playful shove and she tickled him before climbing out of bed and sauntering to the bathroom, not bothering to hide her nakedness. Henry watched her go and let out a ragged breath. Was it awful that he hoped they learned about each other quickly?
He climbed from the bed and put his underwear back on and set about gathering Elizabeth's clothes. When she emerged several minutes later, Henry's towel was wrapped around her. Henry pointed out her clothes that he had put at the end of the bed, which was once again made. And then he went off to shower.
When he emerged fully dressed, Elizabeth was in his front room pouring over her notes. He stood in the doorway and watched her. Elizabeth's still wet hair hung down, hiding her face as she feverishly flipped through note cards.
He approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come. Let's go eat pancakes. You've studied hard. You'll give it your best effort. That's all anyone can ask."
Elizabeth remembered her father's words and she slowly closed her book, tucking her note cards inside. As blue eyes met brown, she smiled and said, "Maybe, but the A doesn't hurt." Dropping her books into her backpack, she zipped it and then stepped close to Henry. Pushing up on her toes, she kissed him. "Thanks for getting me out of my head last night. That isn't the way I normally choose to take care of things, but it worked surprisingly well," she smirked. "I can't wait to do it again."
Grinning, she stepped away and pulled his door open. "C'mon McCord. You're buying."
Henry grabbed his keys and his coat. He was going to have to do quite a bit of chasing this woman, and he couldn't wait.