This one shot takes place in a universe where Elizabeth never met Henry until she became the Secretary of State. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! And look forward to more one shots in the future! Enjoy!
Elizabeth sighed, looking at the email that flashed in front of her.
Can't wait to see you for our lunch date!
It was from Joe, her boyfriend. Or soon to be fiancé…? Technically she hadn't said yes to him. She hadn't said much to him in the last two weeks since he proposed. It wasn't that she didn't like him, she did. He was a great guy. But… she wasn't sure if she loved him. Sure she had been single most of her adult life, choosing career over love, but she couldn't remember the last time she was actually in love. She couldn't remember the last time someone set her skin on fire just by looking at her or gently touching her. She couldn't remember the last time she continuously thought about someone, waiting anxiously for the day to end so she could see him. She couldn't remember the last she was even interested in someone talking about anything that related to a personal life.
That last one was a lie. She had met someone who she found interesting enough to talk to. He was new to her world and she still didn't quite know what his job was but she occasionally ran into him at the White House and found his smile pleasant. She remembered the firm handshake he gave her, while telling her his name: Dr. Henry McCord, professor of ethics and religion. She found that fascinating about him. She found the tingle that handshake gave her fascinating as well.
They had a few chances to talk while passing by in the first week he was here, but things really got going between them when they had a working dinner. It was the day after Joe had proposed, and her mind was a jumbled mess of trying to figure out what she was going to do. She didn't even know why she agreed to go out to dinner with him. But she did and she actually had a great time. Although the "work" part of their dinner didn't happen so they decided to go back to her place for working drinks, which just turned into drinks with them talking until 1 in the morning about anything and everything. She didn't know why talking to him was so intoxicating but she could sit and listen to him talk for hours and actually talk to him as well. It created a weird sensation inside her that she wasn't used to but found addicting.
It was different with Joe. He was quiet and predictable. She liked that. Or had grown comfortable with it. Her life would be easy with him no doubt, but she just wasn't sure if she wanted to be with him. But she needed to give him an answer and the email staring at her wasn't helping at all.
She closed it, pushing it out of her mind and looked down at the paperwork in front of her, sighing again. Another thing she didn't want to deal with was this deal about trade in some country she could barely pronounce the name of. And as the clock continued to tick forward, her annoyance about the day climbed higher. She wished she could just be sitting on her couch, in pajamas, glass of wine in hand, watching a movie. She also didn't mind if she had another dinner with Henry, her fascination with him growing by the second.
But she shouldn't be thinking of him. Why was she thinking of him? She should be thinking of Joe. But why did even thinking of Henry erupt butterflies in her stomach? Were those butterflies? How long had it been since she had butterflies?
She sighed for the third time, leaning back in her chair as she shook her head. She had to figure out what was going on, and she had to do it fast. Her work was suffering, which meant the entire country was suffering. Maybe she should just call Henry, maybe hearing his voice would help her figure something out. She reached for the phone, and then thought better of it. She was with Joe. Joe the kind man with… sad taste in restaurants and didn't know the difference between riding western or English.
Maybe a small chat with Henry couldn't hurt… at least he knew how to fish…
Just then, her office door burst open, Henry standing in the middle of the room with Blake running after him. "Sorry, ma'am, I couldn't stop him. Dr. Henry McCord."
She looked at the man now in her office, startled. It took her a second to gain her composure but once she did, she cleared her throat and then nodded at her assistant. "It's okay, Blake. Go ahead and close the door."
Blake nodded and scurried out of the room, leaving Henry and Elizabeth alone. She took a long look at him, the way he stood there, his hands in his pockets and eyes glaring at her with a fiery passion. She wondered what had happened to the calm natured man she had conversed with so often and why he looked as if his lid was about to explode with anger or excitement, she couldn't tell which.
She took off her glasses and placed them on her desk, stand up and walking around the wooden object, leaning on it with her arms crossed once she was in front of it. She didn't want her desk in between them and she didn't feel like sitting down either. Whatever was going through his mind felt like something she needed to deal with by being at eye level with him. "Dr. McCord," She said, her business voice on. "What can I do for you?"
Henry smiled at her and laughed slightly, suddenly acting sheepish. He opened his mouth and then closed it again, not sure how to put his thoughts into words. When Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at him though, he was able to form at least one sentence as he fear of losing his courage and losing her attention ate at him. "I um… I just wanted to say that I've had a really good time hanging out with you. I mean, a really good time."
She shot him a confused look, expecting more of a serious business conversation with him instead of something personal. But she smiled anyway, unfolding her arms and placing her hands on either side of her on the desk. ""I have as well, you make good company."
He waved her off, not wanting to hear some cheesy response. "No, I mean, you're amazing and brilliant and beautiful." He said it without thinking, seeing her face become confused again. But he figured since he already started, might as well finish. "You have no idea how beautiful you are, which makes you even more beautiful." He slowly walked toward her, keeping steady eye contact with her blue eyes. "Over the past few days I realized that I have never met anyone who makes me feel the way you do and I want to continue feeling that, I want to continue hanging out with you without talking about work."
Elizabeth's jaw dropped slightly, completely taken aback by his words. No one in their right mind have ever even thought of talking to her like this. But here he was, sheepishly speaking his thoughts. If she didn't know any better, she would have guessed that he was confessing his attraction and interest in her. Something that she slowly began to understand that she reciprocated. Her heart began to beat heavily, finally knowing why she wanted to spend so much time with him, wanted to touch him and listen to him. She unknowingly had feelings for Henry, and this realization coupled with the fact that he was in her office being vulnerable with her made her lose all sense of language.
Henry smiled again, moving even closer to her. He had finally gathered the courage to express his true feelings for the feisty blonde. "like you, Elizabeth. I really like you. And I'm pretty sure you're the only one for me."
As he finished his sentence, he stopped walking, positioning himself just inches away from her. Her heart was pounding in her chest from hearing her first name on his lips. Thoughts ran through her mind and lightning speed, things she knew she shouldn't be thinking, but having this handsome man in front of her that was making her lose her breath was turning out to be the most important thing. She wanted to reach out and touch him, wanted to feel him close to her, wanted him to wrap his arms around her and hold her up to his body. She wanted him. She didn't want Joe. She wanted him. This sudden realization made it impossible for her to speak any words, a blush rising up her cheeks instead.
Henry chuckled, leaning in close to her so he could whisper in her ear. "And I have a funny feeling that you like me too."
She breathed in a ragged breath, proving him right. He was so close to her she could smell his skin, making her dizzy with want and need. She could feel something deep inside her break loose, flood gates opening to overwhelm her with feelings she didn't know she could possess. Not only was her heart beating uncontrollably from not being able to breathe properly from having him within touching distance, but the coil deep in her stomach that so rarely activated was beginning to tighten, shaking her to the core.
He pulled back, hands now on either side of hers on the desk, smirking. "So, what do you say?"
Elizabeth swallowed. She knew that he knew she was coming undone. And all he had to do was strut into her office and say a few magic words, turning her into a puddle in front of him. Love and romance was weird, and she thought she had written it off a long time ago, but apparently the universe had other plans for her, which made her uneasy. She needed to gain some control back, show him that she was stronger than he thought. She needed him to know that she was still the boss.
"I…" She swallowed again when he looked at her, hazel eyes waiting patiently. Her blue ones darted between his, not knowing what to do, feeling her resolve quickly weaken. How could he do this to her in such a short amount of time? They've only known each other for a few weeks… She took another look at him, realizing she had absolutely no chance in resisting what was happening between them and decided to just let it play out against her better judgment. "I think this is the part where you kiss me, Dr. McCord."
Henry once again leaned forward, placing his lips right next to her ear, whispering lowly. "I'm going to need to hear you say it, Elizabeth." He used her name again, loving the reaction it had on her the first time.
Hearing her name again sent shivers down her spine. It was never like this with Joe or any other guy she dated. This was different. This was special. This was… what she wanted. She knew she couldn't just grab him and kiss him, as that wasn't how this game was going. They were building up the tension, Henry teasing her and making her say exactly what he wanted before giving into what she wanted. She gripped her desk with her hands, her knuckles turning white. She could feel his finger gently ghosting itself on her wrist, sending goosebumps all over her skin. She had to admit that he was good, but two could play this game.
"Say what, Dr. McCord?" She could barely get the words out, her mouth dry, as her breath hitched in her chest.
He was now running his hand slowly up and down her arm, closing the gap between them by pressing his legs up against hers. Her knees were beginning to shake, head going dizzy. She couldn't believe how close he was, how in control of her sensations he was. He loved that she was using his professional name, her voice low and husky as she tried to keep herself in check. He knew she had just a few more moments, one more sentence from him, and she would give up, let whatever was happening between them, happen.
"That you like me." He smirked, hearing her suck in a breath. He didn't dare move anymore than he already was. His finger continuing to dance up and down her forearm.
Elizabeth knew she couldn't hold on for much longer, and decided to give him a small win. She was losing the battle in her self control anyway. "I like you, too, Henry." She felt him smile next to her ear as she whispered it, her right hand moving to touch his fingers that were still solidly flat against the desk. She returned the touches he was giving her, only using her nails to add an extra dimension to the sensation.
He finally moved his head so that it was back in front of her, see how her blue eyes became dark with arousal and hunger. He smiled as she looked at his lips and then back up to eyes, breathing heavily. "What should we do now?"
She smiled at him and then bit her bottom lip. He was letting her take control now, easing some of the obvious tension she was struggling with. "Say my name again."
He leaned his forehead onto her, his breathing and heart beat now just as erratic as hers. He made sure to lower his voice, adding a gravely touch to it. "Elizabeth."
She almost let out a moan right then and there, her hand stopping her movements on his arm. Hearing her name again sent the familiar tingles up and down her spine, making her physically shiver this time. She was done playing the game now, and wanted him to finish what he had started. "Kiss me."
Henry did as he was told, capturing her lips in a soft and gentle kiss, feeling her sigh into it as she put a hand on his chest. She kissed him back as he lifted his hands to tangle in her hair, her hand going down his chest and undoing the button of his suit jacket. She then broke the kiss to push herself up onto her desk, sitting on top of what she was sure to be important papers, but she didn't care. She opened her legs wide, silently thankful that she opted to wear a pantsuit today. She grabbed both sides of his jacket and pulled him into her so his hips were up against hers, resuming their kiss.
Her hands roamed his shirt covered chest and sides, his hands running down her back and holding her hips. She loved the way he kissed, how graceful he was in the five and take, their lips dancing together perfectly. Everything between them seemed to make sense, as this just felt right to her. And she knew he felt the same as she felt his tongue run along her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Just as she granted it and opened her mouth, she heard Blake's voice.
"Ma'am?"
She quickly waved him off, continuing to play with Henry's tongue.
"Ma'am?" He said again, louder this time.
She realized that his voice was coming from the intercom. Upsettingly, she broke the kiss with Henry, turning her head to hazily see the phone. She found the button that allowed her to speak to him on speaker and pressed it. "Yes?" She answered, breathlessly.
Henry didn't protest when she broke the kiss, instead moving his lips to her neck to kiss, bite and suck up and down the exposed skin. Elizabeth had to bite her lip to keep from moaning, one of her hands pulling his hair at the nape of his neck, the other fisting his shirt tightly.
"The motorcade is ready to take you to lunch." Blake spoke.
Elizabeth let out an audible groan, completely forgetting about her lunch date with Joe in the minutes she spent with Henry. She suddenly had no interest in Joe at all, not wanting to go to the lunch or marry him. The man she had her sights set on now was currently driving her inside with his lips, something Joe could never dream about doing.
"Change of plans. I'm ordering in." She answered quickly, moving her neck more so Henry could get to more of her skin, his hands beginning to move her shirt out of the way.
Blake responded immediately without any judgment in his voice. "Shall I order the usual for you and Joe, Ma'am?"
She shook her head, eyes closing as she was beginning to lose herself to what the man in her arms was doing. "Just mine." She breathed, moaning a bit, knowing full well her assistant could probably hear her. "Add a few extra things in there. Enough for the team and my guest."
Blake is silent for a bit, taking in what he was hearing, and Elizabeth began to push Henry's jacket off his shoulders, wanting him rid of anything in the way of her being able to feel his skin. "What should I tell Joe, Ma'am?" Blake finally asked.
She smiled, finally knowing the answer to Joe's question. "That my answer is no and I'll talk to him later." Henry growled at her answer, knowing what it meant, and she laughed at his reaction. "And Blake," she breathed, trying to keep her mind clear for one last order. "Make sure I'm not disturbed until one. Bring the food in quietly and don't ask any questions about what you see."
When she finished with her order, she pulled Henry's face back up to hers, kissing him fiercely as she wrapped her legs around his waist, her hips beginning to buck against him. His arousal was easy to feel through his pants, and she wanted him to know just how much she enjoyed what was going on as well.
"Yes, ma'am." Blake hung up the phone and and Elizabeth waited a half second after the click before she let out a moan, throwing her head back as Henry began to move his hips to match hers, his lips back at her neck.
She was certain, in that moment, this man was the one for her. And she had to make a decision quickly on whether sex in her office in the middle of the day was appropriate.
She decided to decide once the food came, promising to stop whatever physical was happening between them to eat. The two of them had the foreseeable future to explore each other's body properly anyway.