:Warning, Warning, Warning: Rated M -cherry lemonade coming your way!-
Your checklist for this week, a pillow and a cold compress!
I'll shut up now and let the chapter speak for itself!
I leaned lazily against the wall in the kitchen of Fairy Hills, watching as my friends went about giving Yukino her fifth cooking lesson. She was getting marginally better every time, and as a reward for cooking her roast all the way through, the Mira had decided to do a dessert lesson. I had no desire to participate since Rogue disliked sweets, but I still enjoyed their company.
At least we were passed all the awkward inquiries about what had happened the night of the Christmas party, between Natsu and I. Erza had been so furious that he had even attempted to touch me that I had to physically stop her from kicking him clear across the continent. That had opened up a fresh wound when Yukino started going off about how horrible it was for him to chose now, that Rogue and I were officially dating to say something so shockingly life changing. They had all been so completely wrapped up in Natsu related issues that I had been able to avoid a much more cheerful matter.
A small smile curled my lips, as I let my hand run across a small faded purple bruise on my shoulder, just out of view under the collar of my shirt. It was only one of a dozen little love bite that my clothing concealed. I had to bit my bottom lip to keep from sighing out loud, there were only a few more days before I was going to head up to Sabertooth again, but I couldn't help missing the feel of his arms around me.
"So Lucy." I looked up to see all of my friends watching me with suspicion. "When are you going to tell us how your first Christmas with Rogue went; it's already been days and I'm dying to know?" Mira asked as she checked the temperature of the oven, sliding in the next batch of sweet confection. Once that was finished she returned to her mixing bowl where she put together the ingredients for a light frosting.
"Please, please tell us! I've been dying to know, too." Lisanna whined from the other side of the room where she had paused in her attempt to secretly lick chocolate off her fingers.
"It was a very nice." I sighed, twirling the long chain that rested on my chest around my index finger.
"We need more than 'very nice' here Lucy-sama." Yukino sent me a wink before checking over the cookies on her baking sheet for a fourth time. "Tell us everything!"
"There is nothing out of the ordinary to tell you, it was a nice quiet day." They all gave me a look of disapproval, and I decided to give them just enough details to satisfy their curiosity. "After we left the guild for the night, Rogue and I took a midnight stroll in the park..."
I took a deep breath as the bells from Kardia Cathedral began to toll.
Midnight.
"Merry Christmas, Rogue." I pulled myself from his grasp and pressed my lips to his in a chaste kiss. "I love you."
Rogue's eyes went wide with surprise for a millisecond before he pulled me into a bone crushing hug, his face buried in my hair.
He was silent for a minute, making my heart pound painfully loud in my ears."I love you, too." When I finally broke out of his grasp, the brilliance of his smile took my breath away.
My knees turned to jelly he brought his hands up to cup my cheeks, pulling me forward, his lips brushing across mine soft and slow, pulling away only to do it again and again. Rogue refused to allow me to catch my breath his kisses grew more intense. His hands worked their way into my loose hair and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders.
We stood in the middle of South Gate Park, snow falling all around us, kissing like no one else in the world existed. For all intents and purposes, in that moment no one else did exist; Rogue and I were in our own little bubble of happiness, completely taken with one another.
I had no clue how much time passed before Rogue pulled back, pressing his forehead against mine. A small relieved laugh broke the silence, as Rogue released me from his hold. I watched with curiosity while he reaching into his pocket to pull out a small box that was wrapped in paper (my favorite shade of blue) with a proper white bow tied on top.
"W-what's this?" Rogue was smiling, like that little box held all the secrets of the world inside, and I wasn't sure what to make of that.
"It's a present." I looked from Rogue to the box in his hand, my jaw dropping open slightly. I felt heat rise in my cheeks, a wave of nervous excitement setting off butterflies in my stomach, when the small item was forced into my grasp. "I was going to wait till the morning, but I changed my mind, please open it now."
With shaking hands I carefully untied the bow and folded the wrapping paper to shove in my pocket, before carefully snapping the dark velvet box open. I swear my eyes must have popped out of my head when I saw what was inside. Laying on a soft pillow was a delicate silver chain and a round pendent rimmed with two dozen tiny rubies.
"Rogue, it's beautiful." I couldn't keep the wonder out of my voice.
"It's special too, look." Rogue reached over and lifted the chain, unhooking the clasp as he motioned for me to turn around. Once it was secured around my neck, he held up the pendent, so that I could see it more clearly in the faint lyrcima lamp light. There, in the center of what I had originally assumed to be a large crystal, was a small black wisp twisting and twirling as if it were dancing to it's own secret melody. I was absolutely fascinated by the sight of such an ingenious little trinket.
"A shadow box pendent." Rogue's smile grew brighter.
"Yes." Rogue turned the pendent on it's side to show me the clasp. "If you're ever in trouble, all you have to do is open this and the shadow will come right back to me."
"I couldn't believe he would come up with something so simple, yet so beautiful." I held up the pendent for the others to see, pride radiating off of me in waves. "See the stones, they are the same color as his eyes." I couldn't help but sigh as I remembered the soft look in his eyes when he said he loved me too, the similarity to the sparkling gems was remarkable. "He had it specially commissioned, too. I kind of felt silly giving him my gift after he told me that."
"I am so jealous!" Yukino cried out as she twisted the pendent between her fingers. Mira laughed on the other side of the wooden table as the light haired woman puffed out her cheeks. "I've been seeing Sting for two years (on and off) and he's never bought me jewelry!"
"I like Rogue more and more everyday." Erza commented as she licked the cake batter from her spoon. "He is handsome, intelligent, and handy in a fight. You should definitely keep him around, Lucy."
"I think so too, Erza." I smiled at my friend as she stole a strawberry from the pile while she thought Mira wasn't looking.
"Dammit, I picked the wrong one! Lucy-sama switch with me, just until after Valentine's day!" Yukino tried her best to look innocent, but I couldn't see right through her, she was a terrible little actress. "You can learn a thing or two from Sting and I'll get pampered by Rogue, it's a brilliant plan!"
"No." It accrued to me as the sparkles bloomed around Mira that Yukino was opening a can of worms that would be better left alone, but there was no going back now. "Just teach Sting how to be a proper boyfriend."
"It's been two years and he still hasn't gotten it; that man is hopeless." She threw her hands in the air dramatically then leaned in closer, her big brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "The least you can do is tell me details. Rogue doesn't brag like the other guys so you're just going to have to tell me what I want to know." I went scarlet in the face at her demands.
"Details?" I swallowed, suddenly realizing just how dry my throat had become.
"I want details, too!" Mira sang happily as she mixed the frosting in her bowl. "Big fat juicy details that involve me becoming an aunty."
"Y-y-yes... d-de-tails." Erza's face had gone as red the strawberry in her hand.
"We ha-haven't really-"
"Seriously?!" Yukino stamped her foot, her mouth pulled into a thin line. "You've been sleeping in the same bed for weeks!"
"Wait, you sleep in the ss-s-ame bbb-ed?" Erza stammered as Mira started giggling like a school girl (both their project were forgotten on the counter at this point).
"The key word there is sleep!" Mortified. I was completely and utterly mortified.
"Well, didn't I walk in at the prefect time." Cana snickered from the doorway. "So, little Lucy is still holding out? I feel bad for the poor guy."
"I've only been seeing him for a month!" I growled at the card mage. "Do you really expect me to go from zero to slut just like that?"
"A month is like a decade for Cana." Lisanna snickered behind a hand.
"Lucy-sama, you've been teasing Rogue since the first night you got to Sabertooth!" Yukino's eyes sparkled as brightly as Mira's, nothing good could come of that, not with the current company I was keeping. "I can't believe you haven't finished him off yet!"
"It's not like I was trying to do that." I started looking around the room, desperately trying to formulate an exit strategy. "It just sort of happened." I started fidgeting when I couldn't seem to find an exit that was free and clear of my female friends.
"Why are you so flustered, Lucy dear? We're all adults here, aren't we?" Mira had a sweet smile on her face, while Erza's cheeks went a deeper shade of red.
"I-I'm not flustered." My gaze shifted as memories of Christmas eve came back into my head; I had plenty of reason to be flustered with the current line of questioning.
One wrong move and they would get all the details they wanted, and I wanted nothing more than to keep that all to myself.
Staring at the cookies that needed icing was my best defense as I allowed the memories to wash over me.
I was shocked when the bell tolled one. I wasn't anywhere near finished with Rogue, or his wonderful soft lips, so I dragged him back to my apartment stealing little kisses here and there as we hurried through the accumulated snow.
Once the door was locked behind me I started pulling off my outerwear; Rogue was quick to pick up on the cue. Soon we were both down to normal clothing, our kisses starting to grow more intense again. Slowly we made our way across the room to tumble onto my bed; the air was knocked out of my already oxygen starved lungs.
We laid there panting for a few minutes, just staring at the ceiling, trying to get our breath back before starting up again.
I gasped when his chilled hand slid up under my shirt, running over the curve of my rib cage, and behind my back. Taking charge of the pace, I reached out and undid the buttons on Rogue's shirt as fast as my stiff finger could manage, diving in for a lust filled kiss.
My sweater was roughly tugged off and bra unhooked soon after. Rogue tossed the items to the floor without a second glance, too busy paying attention to the sensitive spot on the hallow of my throat to care. Rogue's mouth worked down over the surface of my exposed flesh, his warm breath sending goose bumps over every inch of skin he could reach.
I was losing my grip on rational thought as his tongue worked over the small purple bruises he had left earlier in the evening, sucking here and there to make them even deeper.
My legs were already wrapped around his waist, and I was aware that my tights were saving me from completely losing what little will power I still possessed under Rogue's wandering hands. I pulled him back up, taking a greedy kiss before letting my own lips trace the tense muscles along his jaw, and down his neck. I stopped at the juncture of his shoulder and sucked the soft skin into my mouth; the soft groan from Rogue sparked my rising sense of bravery.
I allowed my hands to smooth over his chest, diving down over the dips and curves of his finely toned abdominal muscles. Perfection.
Fear, embarrassment, reason: I tossed all three right off the top of my apartment building, not caring if I would feel any of them ever again.
"I want to try something." I wasn't sure if he understood what I meant but since I was already undoing the belt on his pants, he would figure it out soon enough.
"O-ok." His slight hesitation sent a sense of savage satisfaction through me that had my inner devil cheering and doing little back flips.
Cana began to poke me in the cheek, breaking me out of my daydream. She must have been talking to me that whole time, but I didn't hear a word of it.
"What?" I nearly growled at her for interrupting at the best part.
"Oh god, you have no clue what to do, do you?" Yukino and Mira laughed as I started to stammer, still caught up in the wave of heat from my memories. "Wow, I guess we have some work to do."
"N-No, I'm fine!" I waved my hands in front of myself trying to ward off the women who were now baring down on me.
"I'm at your service, ask whatever you want!" Mira sang leading me over to the table to sit down. "I'll do whatever it takes to speed up the process of spoiling beautiful babies!"
"Don't feel bad Lucy-sama, I'm pretty sure you're not the only twenty-something virgin out there!" I felt the vein in my temple pulse with irritation. "I guess Rogue's into the whole purity kind of thing, good for you!" Mira smacked Yukino upside the head before I could get to it.
"Stop being rude, we want to help, not insult." Yukino shrank under the frosty gaze that I was sure everyone associated with Mira's demon side. The slightly frightened Celestial Mage uttered a stuttered apology and decided to keep her comments quiet for the time being.
"So, first off, we need to desensitize you so that you can handle the more brutal training." Cana had a sadistic grin at that point, as she rubbed her hands together.
"W-what? No. No. No. I'm perfectly fine!" They all gave me a look that said, without debate, that I was not fine. "I have books! Lots of books; I know all I need to know!"
January had been the most excruciatingly embarrassing month of my life, and February wasn't looking like it would be much better. Mira and the others took it upon themselves to make sure that I was well versed in everything that was considered 'the duty of a good girlfriend', and of course everyone had to throw in their two cents.
There was an awkward moment on the first day where Cana had announced her intentions to the whole guild, (I had been bound and gagged before entering, so my whimpered protests fell on deaf ears) where Natsu stopped mid punch in the middle of his fight with Elfman and Gray to storm out of the hall, leaving a path of smoking foot prints in his wake.
It only took a minute once the crackle of his flames died down for the silence to break, the rest of my friends descended on me in a whirlwind of advice, questions and I think there was some rather awkward suggestions from Laki (I couldn't be positive because of how many people were speaking all at once).
No matter who it was speaking, the message was the same. It is better to be prepared, no matter whether I decided the right time was next week or three years down the road. I would have expressed how grateful I was for the understanding were it not for the gag in my mouth.
Cana on the other hand was extremely pushy about my need to 'seal the deal' to make the whole relationship concrete. She made it her goal in life to brow beat me into admitting that I had spent enough time thinking it over, and to emphasize just how strong the attraction between us was. Even the younger members (to my horror) were agreeing that I was just running scared.
It took two weeks of torture and constant ridicule on my person for Cana to get her way; the second I said the phrase 'I'm waiting for a special time', my lessons got a rating increase. Diagrams and video lycrima were introduced, and my eyes were forcibly held open as my tutors 'helped' me learn all the necessary parts and their specific functions.
There were things that you just can't un-see; I shivered as images flashed through my mind.
My friends were pervert, compete and total perverts!
It was going to be hard to look at melons... and cucumbers without burning up, that's for sure.
Two more weeks had been spent teaching me about things that I wished I didn't know, including but not limited to, Cana's preference or lack there of, Mira's vast knowledge of bondage related knot tying, Evergreen's favorite lingerie store, and things that my male friends valued above all others in the bedroom.
"I mean it's not that hard to please a guy, we are pretty straight forward." Bixlow folded his arms across his chest, a superior smirk curling the edges of his lips. "Women are the needy ones."
"That's not always true; there are some guys that won't even touch you till you get down on your knees." Cana sneered over her barrel of wine.
"Eww, come on I don't want to hear this!" I wanted to run away, but Mira had tied me to the chair. Damn magic canceling ropes! "Let me out of this right now!"
"There is nothing wrong with wanting a little work up before hand." Bixlow shot back.
"A little foreplay is fine, but I'm not going to give if I'm not receiving right back!" The two glared at each other while I continued to struggle against my restraints.
"I agree with Bixlow on this one. There was this thing that, that Elizabeth chick I dated... what was it... four years ago? Anyway, she did this thing with her tongue..." Gray made a sound that I never, ever wanted to hear again. "Once you get a taste of that, it's hard not to want it again." I struggled against my ropes, not even caring that Juvia was caught in between rage and her own fantasy world. Some of the other guild members were more cautious though, and started to make a move for the door.
"PLEASE just stop talking! Let me out of here! Help!" No one came to my rescue though...
The men went into a heated debate about tongues and fingers and something they referred to as 'deep throat' after Gray popped the top off that topic. The second I managed to wiggle my way out of the restraints I took three random jobs off the board to get the hell away from them. I wasn't gone long enough though, because they just picked it back up when I returned.
Of course during this whole time they tried to stay discreet when Rogue dropped by to see me. He asked about the eerie silence and jealous stares a few times but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that they were grooming me.
I shivered again, knowing it had nothing to do with the chill in the air.
On my 'graduation day' the ladies added a small charm to the chain on my necklace, a ward, against impregnation... Mira protested to the point that she and Erza got into a screaming match. Mira was screaming about babies so loud that I was sure every single person in Magnolia was wondering who was expecting.
Death by embarrassment was looking more likely by the day... or a mass homicide that would make the great wars look like a tea party, by my hands of course.
I tried my best to push all of that out of my head as I hopped out of the carriage, but I kept going back to it, imagining how Rogue would react to the information that had been forcibly planted in my head.
I was beginning to feel like Juvia, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality to form something wonderful, exciting and terrifying, all at once.
Deep breaths Lucy, take nice calming deep breaths.
Rogue isn't expecting anything, he doesn't even know I'm going to be there!
Oh, who the hell am I trying to kid? This is the craziest harebrained plot I've ever attempted in my life, and that's saying something!
It could very well end in utter failure and doom any chance I have of ever, ever looking him in the eyes EVER again!
Why did I agree to this?
My stomach had twisted itself into knots as I stopped my the grocery store in town, gathering everything I would need for my surprise. I tried my damnedest to keep my mind on the schedule as I walked up the rocky path, accounting for every last detail at great length. I would leave nothing to chance, not with something this important.
When I reached Rogue's house I let myself in, going through the motions now that it had become my second home.
I would rather die a thousand deaths, than tell Cana and Mira just how far the relationship had progressed since my little proclamation on Christmas; I vowed to keep all those details to myself no matter what method of torture they used on me.
Honestly though, I found it nearly impossible to spend more than a week without traveling to Sabertooth if Rogue hadn't come down to Magnolia to see me. Things were starting to feel strange when we spent too much time away from one another, and I was even more addicted to his mysteriously intoxicating scent than ever before. The second I opened that door the faint hints of bergamot and chilled winter woods, made me relax. My earlier thoughts were washed away and my mind started to narrow in on the task at hand.
I gave the first floor the once over, and as soon as I was sure Rogue wasn't home yet, I set to work.
Everything was planned for the absolute perfect night. Mira and I had even worked out a special menu practically designed for the romantic holiday. I dropped the bag of supplies on the table and summoned Virgo with the rest of what I needed. She got to work on the decor as I began fixing the meal that would take long enough in the oven for me to get ready.
I set the timer on the counter and took off my apron before heading up to the shower.
Virgo knocked on the bathroom door, letting me know that my clothing was set out in the spare room. I thanked her profusely for the help as I rinsed my hair; she went back down to the kitchen after I denied her request for punishment. I stepped out of the shower, drying myself off and wrapping a second towel around my hair before making a mad dash for the spare room.
Time was a precious commodity, and I didn't want to waste any of it.
My Spirits were finally on the same page; Virgo and I had a long chat about interrupting at the worst moments, and how important is was that she stopped doing it. To my surprise she admitted that she was interrupting us on purpose. Apparently she had hoped that Natsu and I would make things right, so she did her best to keep me from making the last step in the process of falling head over heels for the dark haired man who was actively trying to steal my heart. Virgo's assessment made me smile, her intentions were misplaced, but sweet. After that I made it clear to every one of my friends that this was a very special day for me, and to my surprise, Loki gave me his full support, without so much as a hint of flirting.
I was certain that if nothing else went right, at least we would have an interruption free evening.
All those thoughts needed to get put to the back of my mind for a while longer, there were still things that needed to be done.
Walking over to the pile of clothing on the bed I made the choice to just let it happen the way it was going to happen. I was fully prepared.
Taking a deep calming breath, I used one on my new tricks, a simple spell called Changing Magic to save time. It would have taken far to much time to do it the old fashion way. I walked across the room and straightened the lines of the tea length black gown before summoning Cancer to help me finish off the last little bit.
All of my friends had chipped in to make the plan for my very first Valentine's day the best it could possibly be, even young Wendy, who had picked a beautiful ruby red rose pin for my hair to match the pendent the lay nestled between my breasts. I was torn between embarrassment and gratitude for the help.
Cancer made quick work of turning my damp mop of unruly blonde hair into a work of beauty. The soft curls were all pulled to one side, spilling over my shoulder, the rose pin tucked just above my right ear. The spirit cried tears of joy as he stepped back to look me over, then he decided I was missing something. I was pushed gently onto the bed as he gathered the next set of supplies.
When Cancer was finished, he steered me to the tall mirror smiling proudly before he disappeared.
I'd never thought of myself as a vain person, but as I let my eyes roam over my refection, I felt as though I was at my peak; I had never seen myself look so radiant before. My entire life I'd been told that someday I would want to look like a proper lady in order to please my father and eventually my husband, and I had spent my whole life rejecting that idea. I wanted to be wild and free not some pretty doll that was placed up on a shelf, but standing there in front of that mirror I knew that my view had changed. I was proud of the way Rogue's favorite colors looked against my pale skin, along with how I seemed to radiate an aura of contentment.
I wanted to look like this for Rogue, and only for him.
I adjusted my skirt again, making sure the red tulle of my petticoat was peaking out just underneath the skirt. I gave myself one last glance in the mirror with a bright smile before heading back down the stairs to wait, singing a happy song that had been stuck in my head for days (A/N: Pieces of Me by Ashlee Simpson).
Butterflies had taken up residence in my stomach as I set to work on the last preparations for the night, leaving absolutely nothing to chance.
"On a Monday, I am waiting
Tuesday, I am fading
And by Wednesday, I can't sleep.
Then the phone rings, I hear you
And the darkness is a clear view
Cuz you've come to rescue me."
I danced around gathering up the last of my supplies.
"Fall... With you, I fall so fast
I can hardly catch my breath, I hope it lasts"
I grabbed a candle stick as I started shouting the lyrics jumping up on the bed to dance.
"Ohhhhh! It seems like I can finally rest my head on something real; I like the way that feels.
Ohhhhh!
It's as if you know me better than I ever knew myself; I love how you can tell.
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me...
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me...
I am moody, messy
I get restless, and it's senseless
How you never seem to care
When I'm angry, you listen
Make me happy it's your mission
And you won't stop til I'm there
Fall... Sometimes I fall so fast
When I hit that bottom
Crash, you're all I have
Ohhhhh!
It seems like I can finally rest my head on something real; I like the way that feels.
Ohhhhh!
It's as if you known me better than I ever knew myself; I love how you can tell.
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me...
How do you know everything I'm about to say?
Am I that obvious?
And if it's written on my face...
I hope it never goes away... yeah
On a Monday, I am waiting
And by Tuesday, I am fading into your arms...
So I can breeeeathe!
Ohhhhh!
It seems like I can finally rest my head on something real; I like the way that feels.
Ohhhhh!
It's as if you've know me better than I ever knew myself; I love how you can tell.
Ohhhhh!
I love how you can tell!
Ohhhhh!
I love how you can tell
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me..."
I had to laugh at myself as I wiping my hands on my dress, satisfied with the results of my operation.
Ten minutes had already passed and Virgo had just pulled the steaks out of the oven to settle on the counter when I heard a commotion at the front door.
"You said Lucy was going to be out of town... th-that, she wasn't going to be here at all this week, you liar!" I fought against my amusement when I placed the angry voice as belonging to Sting. "Just for that, I'm going to eat your portions too."
"You are not coming in, there is no way in hell I'm letting you past this point!" I walked over to stand in the entry way, trying my best not to laugh as I straightened the skirt of my dress. "You have a perfectly good girlfriend, take her some where else or do something else!"
"B-but Lucy made steak, real steak... and potatoes... with butter, and oh God is that c-cake? Please, I'm begging! Let me have some too!" There was a loud thud before the door opened. I struggled to keep my laughter quiet as I watched Yukino drag Sting's lifeless form down the road towards her apartment. She directed the two Exceeds to go and find Orga for the night since he was companion-less at the moment. Lector seemed to have a much better understanding of her meaning than Frosh, but they both followed the miffed woman's orders without question.
Rogue kicked the door closed and looked up at me, his beautiful eyes wide with surprise just like I had hoped. He dropped his bag on the floor, his mouth open slightly as if he wanted to stay something.
"Welcome back." His gaze traveled up and down, hunger burning in his wandering eyes. In a split second Rogue had already crossed the small space, not bothering with his outerwear as he wrapped his arms around my waist. His lips descended on mine an instant later, gently so he didn't smear my lipstick all over the place.
"I don't think I'll ever get tired of coming home to this." He kissed me again, and I couldn't help but wrap my arms around him in response. He had no idea how much those words meant to me, and it was something I couldn't properly express in words.
"I sure hope you don't." I pulled away, giggling when Rogue groaned in protest. "Go clean up, while Virgo and I get dinner on the table."
Rogue reappeared just as I sat down in my seat; his smile grew even wider as Virgo said her goodbyes, promising that she would not come back unless I called for her.
"Did you plan all this out?" He raised an eye brow as he settled into his own seat.
"You've met Mira, right?" He laughed at the obviously sarcastic question.
"Ah that explains, what your friends were being all secretive about last month."
"I guess you could say that." I could feel the blush rising on my cheeks, finding it nearly impossible to kick the now exceedingly tempting fantasies out of my head. I tried my best to focus on the plate in front of me, wondering why I was more excited than nervous about the rest of the plan.
I rushed through clearing the dishes, excited to have Rogue try the desert that Mira and I had slaved over for weeks, trying to figure out a way to make it less sweet. I was insanely proud of how beautiful it looked, with the lush strawberries and tart raspberry that I had soaked in one of Rogue's favorite red wines. The thicken liquid cascaded down the sides of the miniature angel cake on his plate, the berries shining like little jewels. I watched, holding my breath as Rogue took a bite, and then another.
"This is better than the coffee cake." Finally I let go, filling my lungs with fresh air.
"It took me three weeks to get the recipe just right." I let myself giggle as he finished the rest of the cake. "I thought it would be a super special Valentine's day surprise."
"Definitely." He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as he gathered the rest of the plates, insisting that he's take the dishes.
The wait was the longest fifteen minutes of my life. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously as I waited for Rogue on the couch, gathering up all the courage I could muster. When he was finally finished and made his way over to me, I didn't give him a chance to stop and sit down.
Springing to my feet, I reached out to grab his hand, letting Rogue know that I wanted him to follow me.
This was the tricky part, the part that could ruin it all if I messed up, so carefully I pushed open his door and lead him over to the large bed. He sat down, but my attention was now on the other items I had placed all over the surfaces of his furniture. I walked around, my fingers gliding over the wicks, using the little bit of fire magic I had learned to ignite the candles one by one.
Elfman had been dead set against this plan, saying that it was a man's duty to seduce his woman; Evergreen took care of his argument by simply turning him to stone. Mira didn't even seem to mind, saying that a woman who seduces her man is far more likely to enjoy the whole experience. I took that to heart, since in essence I was in control of our physical relationship.
Tonight however, I was handing over the reins.
When the last candle was lit I came to stand in front of Rogue trying my very best not to shake like a leaf. It was clear the moment I looked up to make eye contact, that no amount of 'training' could have prepared me for that moment. Rogue was just watching, waiting for me to explain what I was doing, and I was watching him trying to find the words to do just that.
"I-" The thought was there, but the words weren't coming out.
I was partially aware that my tongue had moved on its own to wet my dry lips, along with the fact that Rogue was now showing signs of nervousness himself.
"Come here." I was pulled onto the bed, mesmerized by the way the flickering candles threw shadows across Rogue handsome face. I reached out a hand, letting my knuckles glide across his high cheek bones, then let them trail down his jaw line. Pulling myself forward, I pressed my lips to the thin scar on the bridge of his nose, then moved to kiss his soft lips.
"I love you." It came so naturally that I felt as though it had always been true.
"And I love you." I let the rest of the world fall away while Rogue tucked his thumb under my chin, holding me in place as his warm lips pressing the faintest of kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, then finally captured my mouth again. "You have no idea how much." And just like that the anxiety melted away.
"Is that so?" A small smirk tugged one corner of his mouth upward in response to my narrowed gaze.
"It is." Without a further explanation I was completely surround by him, one of Rogue's legs on each side of me. He grabbed me by the wrists, pulling my arms above my head, pinning them to the bed where they were completely useless. He only needed one strong hand to hold me in place, letting the other wander down to play with the mass of curls splayed out across his pillows. I shuddered as he ran the tip of his nose down my throat and across my collar bone, following the silver chain down into the valley between my breasts. I was already panting by this point, and failed to realize that he was inspecting the new addition to my necklace. "This was a gift huh? It still smells like whiskey and stale beer." He turned the charm over, inspecting it from every angle.
"Cana forced me to take it. She insists that every girl should get one at birth and never, ever take it off." Rogue shook his head, a lighthearted laugh echoing in the quiet room.
"You have some very 'special' friends, you know that right?" I leaned up and brushed his bottom lip with the tip of my tongue before settling back into the mattress.
"They mean well... most of the time." Rogue leaned down, pulled my bottom lip into his mouth and bit down lightly, knowing that I had a weakness for the feel of his sharp canines dragging across the sensitive skin.
"Most of the time." He repeated, the smoky rasp in his tone made my mouth dry, and my heart pound in my ears. Rogue trailed torturous light kisses across to my ear, seeming to savor every little sharp breath it drew out of me.
He enjoyed teasing me more than I thought he should have, or maybe it was me who enjoyed this torture more than I was supposed to.
The sharp bite of his teeth closing around my earlobe forced my eye closed, a small whimper bubbling up in my throat as he started to pull on it, ever so gently. A hum of approval tickled my skin as Rogue's tongue gently swept down my throat. He didn't seem to mind my sudden writhing as the rough surface of his tongue left a wet trail down the side of my neck.
No, he wanted to drive me completely insane.
Rogue pulled back blowing warm air across the trail he had left, sending an involuntary shiver from my outer limbs into the core of my body, igniting the inferno that only burned for him.
"You smell so good tonight." A chill of apprehension ran down the length of my spine as he nipped at the soft skin, burying his nose behind my ear.
Instinct had me biting my bottom lip as I felt his teeth drag across my pulse point; his free hand moving down to cup the small portion of my breasts that were exposed over the top of my gown. I whimpered a little louder this time when he brush against the fabric covering the nipple of my left breast, simultaneously biting into the soft flesh at the juncture between my shoulder and throat. He was gentle as always, being careful not to bite to deeply.
He had no idea how badly I want him to just let go, to do what ever he wanted: to touch, feel and taste!
Struggling against his grip on my wrists in breathless defiance, I tried my damnedest to free myself, panting and whimpering as his free hand stoked the flames. I was finished with being the only one to feel this helpless sense of unsatisfied need. My breath was caught in my throat when Rogue pulled back, his gaze locking with mine.
The bright ruby red of his eyes had darkened to smoldering garnets; they screamed danger.
My pulse began to race even faster as he pulled me up into a sitting position. Rogue reached around to pull the end of the red sash that was tied in a bow at the base of my spine, and then the room filled with the sound of clicking as my zipper was slowly pulled down.
Rogue gestured for me shift so that I was now kneeling on the bed in between his thighs. I stayed silent as he slowly pushed the sleeves down my arms and tugged the fabric to expose my under garments, letting the satin gown pool around my knees. His eyes never left mine as he maneuvered me so that the black satin was free to be tossed on the floor, along with the bright red tulle of my mini petticoat.
He ran his hands up and down the lace baby doll chemise, his lust filled eyes finally wandering to take in the level of undress I was now in. I shivered under the intensity of his appraisal, a fresh wave of nervous excitement setting the butterflies back into flight.
I reached over and pulled the hem of Rogue's shirt up over his long torso, tossing it into the small pile the instant it was over his head. Reaching out a shaking hand, I ran my fingers over his taunt muscles working my way down to the line of his pants. The slight tremor under my wandering hands sent a wave of courage coursing through my veins. The pulsing fire in my lower belly flared as I reached out to undo his belt.
"I think you know what I want to try tonight." I focused on the sheets as he finished pulling off his pants.
Rogue tucked a finger under my chin once he was back on the bed, forcing me to look up into his face. Our gazes met and the rippling intensity of his beautiful eyes seemed far beyond comprehension. I suddenly felt cold as the heat between my thighs intensified, the throbbing growing increasingly more uncomfortable. My wicked mind could only find one solution to my current problem, and that was to remove the last barriers between us.
"Are you sure?" The uncertainty in his voice made it all the more difficult to stay put as I reached across to grab his hands.
"I'm sure." I laced his fingers with mine, pulling him forward for a long slow kiss. "More sure than I've been about anything else in my life."
Rogue untangled our hands, and reached up to take the rose from my hair, along with the small bobby pins that kept my curls to the side. Once my hair was loose, he focused on the nighty. He simply pulled it over my head, tossing it with the rest of our clothing.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I waited for the feel of his hands to melt away into a dream, just as it had on all the long lonely nights before this one.
They didn't disappear, the rough texture of his hands moved down to slide my stockings off, one at a time.
A ragged breath rasped into my lungs when I felt his long fingers hook around the band of my lace underwear. My eyes fluttered open as he pushed me back into the pillows so that he could work the fabric over my thighs.
It would be the first time that both of us were completely naked at the same time, and the butterflies in my stomach reacted viciously, tearing at my insides as though their wings were made of tiny razorblades. I watched, holding my breath in the steadily thickening atmosphere, waiting for that last barrier between us to completely disappear.
"You're absolutely sure?" Rogue seemed to be second guessing himself as his hands hovered at the waist band of his boxer briefs. This piece of vulnerability drove me completely over the last edge of my sanity.
"I've wanted this since the first time we danced, now stop making me wait." My hands moved with lightning quick speed, yanking the elastic band down to his knees. Rogue laughed, light and airy as he kicked the last piece of fabric to the floor.
"Is it creepy that I've wanted it longer than that?" His confidence was coming back as he forced me back onto the pillows. He wrapped a hand around each of my ankles, pulling my legs to the side so he could slide up between my thighs. I raised an eyebrow in question to his comment, turning over what he could mean.
"Why would you think that's cr-creepy?" I stuttered as his warm hands loosened on my ankles, sliding up, gently ghosting over my body till they rested on the under sides of my breasts. Rogue didn't reply right away, choosing to leave a trail of lust filled, wildly hot kisses from my navel to the taunt peeks of my breasts. I started to forget that I had even asked a question when his hot tongue ran over the sensitive tip of the right nipple with the palm of his hand brushed lightly over the left.
My back arched into the him, my head falling back as a soft whimper slipped past my lips.
"I've been watching you for years, Lucy." His mouth captured mine, the pulsing heat against my thigh sent an involuntary shiver up my legs. Rogue ran his palms down my sides, leaving a trail of white hot fire the way he always did, the rough texture of his calloused skin skimming over every indent and curve. His fingers traced the fine scars that I had accumulated over the years, ones so faint no one other than Rogue knew they were even there. "God, you are so beautiful." His gaze was starting to eat away at my insides, consuming any sense of modesty I had been holding onto.
"I love you." I hardly recognized my own voice at this point, the low and lush sound was laced with desires that I could never fully voice. My hands ran up Rogue's washboard abs, lightly dragging my finger nails across his chest and neck, before burying them in his hair. "It's time to stop waiting." I tugged him forward, covering his mouth with a kiss that was eager and exuberant, my tongue dragging across his bottom lip, forcing him into a frenzy. His hands moved with renewed purpose down to cup my back side.
My eyes rolled back into my head as his finger worked their way back around the swell of my hips.
Teasing and torturing wasn't our goal tonight, Rogue bypassed what had become normal foreplay, merely running his thumb over the sensitive bundle of nerve endings to drag a deep lust filled sigh out of me before he moved onto the part I had been waiting for. I forced my eyes open, taking in every detail as he guided himself towards the slick folds between my thighs. There were no words to describe the emotions that ran through me when the soft warm mass of his swelled head brushed against me.
"Keep going." I untangled my hands from his hair making a mad dash to wrap them around his back, my legs wrapping around his hips to keep him from trying to back out. "I want you so badly it hurts, please don't stop." I bit my bottom lip when he let the velvet smooth flesh of his erection slide down to my opening.
"I won't." His hands moved to lock around my hips as his rocked forward. All the air rushed out of my lungs as he pushed his length into me, a deep throaty groan pushed past his clenched teeth. He stayed still for a moment, the tension in his shoulders seeming to double. "I-I don't know how long this will last." I watched his tongue dart out to lick his dry lips before he dared open his eyes.
"I-I couldn't ask before, but... is this your first time too?" He nodded his head, biting his bottom lip as he made an experimental push forward. Another groan slipped out as he steadily filled my insides. I tried my best not to cry out as my passage stretched to accommodate the pulsing blade of flesh, that was now buried hilt deep inside of me. "I'm all yours, do whatever feels right." My cheeks burned at my brazen words, and the husky wanton tone of my voice.
I nearly melted from the intensity of his kiss, moaning into his mouth as his hips slowly pulled back then rocked forward filling me completely again. Rogue began repeatedly whispering 'I love you' between kisses as his pace became more demanding, pumping in and out, each pass sending a fresh blast of lightening strikes from my neither region, pulsing all the way to my fingers and toes.
Books and diagrams never could have explained this feeling, the way my heart swelled with joy as we moved together. None of my previous worries mattered, my whole existence was now tied to those three little words, and the depth of their meaning. I smoothed my hands over Rogue's back, delighting in the ripple of muscles under my fingers.
"You're - so - soft." Rogue's hands wandered over my skin, raising goosebumps in their wake. It was like we had never touched each other before, or like we might never get to again. I found myself unable to keep from kissing every part of his upper body that I could reach. I nipped and suckled his neck and shoulders as Rogue thrust into me over and over.
Harsh ragged breaths filled the space between us as I rolled my hips into his, pulling a hiss out of the man who was already struggling to control himself. Black wisps started to coat his skin along with the sweat from exertion, it was a sight that I couldn't fully process in my lust hazed mind, but I knew without a doubt that it was sexy as hell.
The constant building of pressure in my neither region was becoming unbearable, I didn't think I would survive to see the end as I struggled to breathe. I was caught up in the fever of the moment until I felt Rogue shift, his hands hooking around the backs of my knees, forcing me to unlock my hold. I was already panting, but when he pushed my legs toward my stomach, revealing a space he hadn't reached inside me before, the world shattered.
"Oh my Star. Yes!" I threw my head back as he snapped his hips against me, burying himself over and over against that sweet spot that had me crying out without any control. "Yes, yes, right there Rogue." He pressed my knees back into the bed, and I wildly began tossing the pillows out of the way so I could get a hold of the head board. I cried out again and again encouraging him to continue with this new, amazing form of torture.
We shifted slightly again, Rogue pulling my legs up to rest on his shoulders while his hands wrapped around my hips once more. His thrusts became more forceful, and demanding, as he pulled my body forward diving even deeper than before. Deep grunts and moan mixed with my nearly hysterical whines and the sound of slick flesh pounding out a reckless rhythm.
The air was thick with the smell of sweat and Rogue's unique earthy musk, making my head swim with the feeling of intoxication.
Rogue's fingers digging into the soft flesh of my backside as his rhythm increased, pulled a string of curses out of my mouth.
My head felt so light, the pace had me completely breathless.
I felt as though I were going to burst, my heart surely couldn't continue to beat so fast without exploding!
My head dropped back, my eyes closing in an effort to last just a little longer before coming completely undone.
I didn't think there was anything else he could do to drive me further up this the wall, but I was wrong. Oh so very wrong.
Rogue dove in, his jaw locking around the juncture of my throat and shoulder, sucking the tender skin into his mouth. I screamed out his name when I felt the bite of his sharp canines piercing the thin flesh of my throat.
A shower of stars burst behind my eye lids, sending millions of sparks raining over my whole body, forcing me to arch into his chest.
Somewhere in the haze of my bliss I felt Rogue tense, a deep growl of satisfaction echoing through the room.
One final shiver ran through his body before he completely relaxed, releasing his mouth from the wound his teeth had inflicted. My throat was dry, but at least I had finally managed to some what catch my breath when he rolled to the side, pulling me with him. I reached out and brushed back his sweat soaked bangs so that I could get a clear view of his face.
"You're stuck with me now, you know that right?" He whispered as he shifted to press his ear against my chest, just over my heart, his arm winding around my middle.
"I think I'll survive." I absently ran my fingers through his hair while we both let ourselves come down from the new high.
Summer rolled around faster than I ever could have imagined, and things had stayed nice and calm. Of course Cana decided that she was going to start tagging along with Happy and I during missions, and I suspected the only reason was so that she could tease me about my late night calls to Rogue when I was out of town for several days at a time.
In June Sorcerer did their annual shoot for the swimsuit addition, and I was honored to get the center fold a second year in a row. Mira was ecstatic the day she picked up her copy, I didn't want to know what she was planning this time around, but I let it all go.
This year was going to be a little different, I realized as my birthday came an went. I managed to handle visiting my father's grave in March without bothering Rogue too much, but July was something different.
We had both lost a parent that day, so I took him along to the place where my parents were buried, setting a fresh bouquet of flowers on my mom's grave. It was comforting to have him there, to share the feelings with my parents. I was sure my mom would have loved Rogue just as much as I did, and my dad would have learned to. It was had to walk away, but I knew that lingering would only make me miss them more.
That night Rogue officially asked me to give up my apartment in Magnolia, and with out hesitation I said yes.
TBC...