Chapter Twenty-Six (NC-17)

Jason Morgan was the type of man who could sleep anywhere. He'd slept on floors, in the woods, in the backseat of his car, on a couch from the flea market in a little studio. If he needed to get a couple of hours of sleep to give him a little burst of energy that was needed during most of his jobs, all Jason had to do was find a safe place, close his eyes and he was out.

It was a gift he liked, being able to fall asleep once his eyes were closed and waking up just as quickly, alert to everything around him.

But as he stretched out on the couch in Elizabeth's living room, his head resting uncomfortably on the arm, his legs hanging over the other side, Jason couldn't fall asleep. His lack of sleep had little to do with his uncomfortable position and more to do with the woman who was most likely sleeping soundly in the room just down the hall.

He shouldn't be there, he sighed to himself as his legs practically shook with the need to get off of that couch and walk to Elizabeth's room. It wasn't safe, him being there. Not because his life was dangerous, but because he wanted nothing more than to be in that bed with her. Holding her. Making love to her.

But they had agreed to take things slow. It was too soon for the both of them to rush into anything, no matter how much they loved each other.

He thought he was ready to jump right in and be with her in every way possible. But when they had taken their bike ride, Elizabeth had explained to him why they shouldn't do that, and Jason had agreed with her.

Mostly because he really did agree with her, and partly because he didn't want to scare her off. He had just found her again; he wasn't willing to lose her.

She had explained that, though she loved him very much, if they were to go from being with Lucky and Sam to being with each other right away, it could do a lot of damage to their relationship. They both needed to take a step back and take things slow.

He had been worried at first, asking if she regretted ending it with Lucky. He couldn't understand at first why she needed more time. She and Lucky had been over for at least three weeks.

She just smiled, kissed him lightly and said, "I don't regret leaving Lucky. We should have never tried to be together again. I will always treasure the love I shared with Lucky when we were teenagers. But I've finally realized that we couldn't relive that love, which is what I think I was trying to do. I've grown up and both Lucky and I have changed. We're no longer those teenagers."

She stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest. "You've been through a lot these last two months. I just want you to be sure about this."

He wanted to tell her that he was sure, that it was moments like these that really made him see just how sure he was about being with her. But she was obliviously still nervous about starting something too quick, so he didn't say it.

When he had dropped her off that night, he made it known that although they weren't going to take the next step in their relationship yet; he was still going to kiss her whenever he wanted to. And he had done just that, kissing her soundly before making sure she went inside her apartment and locked the door before he left.

That had been a week ago and Jason had about as much time as he was going to need to help him decide what he already knew. He loved her and wanted to be with her.

He was trying to respect her wishes, which is why he always left her apartment at night when things started to heat up between them. It was always the same. He would come over for dinner, spend time with her and Cameron until the little boy went to bed. Then, Elizabeth would crawl onto the couch with him, curling into his side as they talked, sometimes watched a movie. Then the talking turned into kissing, and the kissing turned into heavy petting, and then they would both end up sprawled on the couch and one of them would always stop.

It was slowly killing him.

He wouldn't even be there right now if Elizabeth hadn't been adamant that he spend the night since it was storming and he only had his bike. He hadn't even tried to argue, knowing he would give in in the end.

Sighing, Jason turned on his side, shaking his foot to gain some circulation in it again. Spotting Cameron's motorcycle, Jason smiled. Sitting up, he took hold of the bike, flicking his finger against the wheel to make it spin.

Cameron loved that toy and it made him feel good to know that he was the one that gave it to him. His chest began to burn as he flipped the toy back and forth in his hands, recalling what happened earlier that night.

Elizabeth was cleaning up after dinner while Jason and Cameron played in the living room. The toddler had been running around the couch, making Jason follow him and squealing with glee when Jason would pick him up and toss him in the air.

Elizabeth would laugh as well then warn them not to break anything, her tone of voice motherly.

When Cameron tired of running around, he had plopped down on the floor, immediately reaching for his toy bike. Jason watched him from the couch, putting his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders when she joined him, hugging her close.

Not to be left out, Cameron wobbled his way to them, climbing up Jason's legs with all his might, his motorcycle tucked under his arm.

The three of them sat there for a time. Elizabeth resting her head on his shoulder, Cameron letting his bike wheels run up and down Jason's chest.

A chest that felt so tight, sitting there with Elizabeth and Cameron, that Jason was surprised he didn't burst. And it was in the next instant that Jason was surprised he could breathe at all.

Cameron looked up at him, a cheeky grin spreading his lips wide. "I Cam," he pointed to his chest. Then pointing to Elizabeth, he said, "She my mommy." Jason nodded, smiling slightly. "You," Cameron beamed, poking Jason's chest, "daddy."

Breath caught in throat, Jason stared at Cameron in awe. When the little boy threw his arms wide then threw his body towards Jason's, hugging him, it was all Jason could do to not break down right then and there.

Feeling the sting of tears, Jason placed Cameron's toy down, pressing his thumb and forefinger against his lids. He hadn't realized how much he wanted to be Cameron's father until that moment earlier that night.

Sitting back, Jason closed his eyes, sighing. He was still for several moments when he heard slight footsteps, causing his eyes to crack open.

Elizabeth was standing over him, about to place the blanket he had kicked off back over him. Seeing him peer up at her, she froze, blanket still in hand.

"Hi," she whispered shyly. "I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable."

He sat up slowly, not saying a word. His hands cupped around the back of her knees, slowly rising as he sat up straight until his hands rested high on the back of her thighs.

He felt her shiver. "I-I couldn't sleep."

His hands glided higher, over her backside, cupping slightly before moving all the way up to her waist. He stopped there, his fingers spreading out and holding her tight. "Neither could I."

Before she could respond, Jason was pulling her down on top of him, her thighs straddling his waist. She landed on top of him with a grunt, her face just inches away from his.

He didn't move in for the kiss, though he so desperately wanted to. But he leaned closer, his breath dancing against her parted lips.

"Elizabeth," he whispered, staring at her mouth. "Times up."

Her eyes flared, her tongue snaked out to lick her top lip. He felt her inch closer before she sighed, closing the small distance between their lips. "Thank, God," she breathed just as her lips descended on his.

Jason stayed motionless at first, letting her glide her lips against his in that erotic way of hers. Her cold hands touching then cupping his neck pushed him into action. His grip around her waist tightened as he shifted to settle her more deeply on his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist, their bodies touching in every spot possible.

The kiss turned heated, her mouth opening to allow his tongue inside to move along hers. They were breathing each other in, their arms wrapped tightly around the other like neither was ever going to let go.

Jason stood, Elizabeth's arms and legs wrapped around him. He didn't even have to open his eyes to make his way to her bedroom. He knew exactly where he was going and he did not want to stop kissing her.

Elizabeth ran her hands along Jason's back, loving the hot feel of his bare skin. She was mentally running a checklist of everything she would have to remove on him to make him naked before her.

He already had his shirt off, probably taking it off right after she went into her room earlier that night. His jeans were still on, but when she had walked over to him, thinking he was still sleeping, she noticed that they were already unsnapped.

Good, she thought to herself, sighing as she angled her head to keep up with Jason's fierce kiss. The fewer clothes she had to remove the quicker they could get to the love making.

She felt herself being lowered to her bed, Jason's arms loosening from around her, causing her to pout. She liked his arms around her, loved being held by him.

Jason pulled back and when Elizabeth opened her eyes, he was staring down at her, his eyes questioning, his body pausing in all movements.

He wanted to make sure she was ready, that she wanted this.

Her answer was swift, immediate, honest. Slowly, she spread her fingers out, laying them against his cheek before gliding her hand forward to wrap around the back of his neck, tugging him near her.

When their lips met again, it was like opening a dam. Jason rested quickly between her spread legs, her thighs squeezing his waist. He moved his lips away from hers, trailing them down her neck, nipping lightly. Elizabeth could feel him chuckling against her when she moaned in his ear and jerked as he brought his erection in direct contact with her aching center.

Oh… he was good.

Her hands moved down his back until she felt the denim of his jeans. Curling her hands at the waistband, Elizabeth began to push them lower. When they wouldn't move further down, Jason hoisted himself to hover over her, taking his jeans along with his black briefs off.

Elizabeth licked her lips, gazing dreamily at his chest then lower, her eyes widening.

"Oh my…"

Jason's eyes snapped up, locking with hers. He dropped his clothes to the floor with a thud, his forehead creasing into a frown until he saw where she was looking.

And then he grinned.

Moving lower on the bed, Jason tugged her pajama pants low, moving slowly, allowing the cool air to hit her naked skin inch by inch. Elizabeth felt in a state of erotica as Jason kept his eyes on her, watching her every move, every expression as his callused hands glided against her skin.

She helped him remove her pants by lifting her legs, kicking the unwanted garment off. She shivered when he kissed her knees, one then the other, before making his way back up her body.

Somehow, she knew this is how he would be. Loving and gentle, taking care of her. It's how he was everyday, why should laying down with him be any different.

When he finally made his way back, settling against her again, their movement became slower, less heated and more loving. He kissed her again, long and slow as he glided his hands under her tank top, pulling it up.

She pouted as the kiss broke, knowing it had to so her shirt could come off but not wanting to ever stop kissing him. But he was right back, kissing her with such passion she could have died right then.

His hands were all over her, feeling her soft skin, mesmerizing her every curve.

When he finally set himself at her entrance, they both stopped moving, their eyes connected in waiting. He pushed forward, clenching his jaw at the friction. She felt so good it almost hurt.

Their hips began to move slowly as they savored the moment. There would be time to rush later, time to get their sexual frustration from the last couple of weeks out, but right now, in that moment, it was time for them to languish in each other.

Whether it was minutes or hours later, Elizabeth didn't know since everything seemed so timeless, but Jason began to pick up the pace, his hands cupping her cheeks as his thumbs rubbed back and forth. She felt her breathing shallow, coming out in short spurts, hitching every time he pushed forward.

Eyes connected, Jason thrust forward, bringing Elizabeth to the breaking point, causing her to moan in pleasure.

But she didn't close her eyes and neither did he. They stayed open, wide pools of blue shining down on her.

"I love you," he rasped as he surged over the edge, following her.

In his arms, being held so tenderly by the man she loved Elizabeth let her last guard down.

Their love would last forever and she finally truly believed it.

Finally.