Invitation Only and Grand Farewell

Chapter: 4

Rating: M-ish

The seminar was only slightly boring. And perhaps it would have been more intriguing if she would have kept her mind on the subject. Instead the only thing that filled her somewhat scattered thoughts was Lou Grant.

How they were going to be able to continue working together she didn't know. Each time she thought of him now he was no longer the mentor in the office to the right of her desk. He was the man who she had been so intimate with the night before. And from now on that's how she would see him.

His lips on hers, his breath hot in her ear, his quiet exploration of her. And most importantly the promise he would return to her after her seminar was over.

Mary found herself watching the clock. Counting the minutes, the seconds even, until this slow torture was over. Until she could see him. As the ticking hands on the clock drew nearer her need for him only grew stronger. And she prayed the seminar didn't run past schedule.

The previous nights encounter was surprising. Very surprising. She didn't expect to see him in her hotel room. And she surely didn't expect things to go as far as they did. But she found herself sorry that they didn't go any further. That he wouldn't go any further.

It was almost five o'clock when Mary returned to her hotel room. The seminar had ran over schedule by almost an hour. An hour which felt like an eternity. But hopefully she was about to be well rewarded for her patience.

Lou was sitting in lamplight sipping champagne. "What took you so long?" he asked.

She closed and then locked the door behind her. "The seminar ran a little long." she stepped out of her heels.

"It's a damn good thing I'm a patient man then. Someone else may have left."

Mary made her way over to him. "Mmm." she sighed. "I wouldn't be doing this with anyone else."

"I guess that makes me a lucky man." he held his glass out to her. "Champagne?"

"What's the occasion?" she took the glass from his hand and took a sip.

"I thought it would help set the mood." he reached out for her. "And I know you like it." he drew her down into his lap so that she was astraddle him. "You're classy like that."

Mary smiled. "What kind of mood are you trying to set?"

He brushed her hair back away from her face, his fingertips lingering against her soft skin. "The kind that gets you out of that dress and into that bed."

"Smug, aren't we?" she sat the empty glass down on the nearby table.

"With very good reason." he smiled. "I remember last night very well."

"So I do. You should have stuck around a little while longer."

"Come here." his hands on her face pulled her to him. And the kisses that followed were slow and sultry and sensuous. Luxurious even. "There is a method to my madness." he told her as he ended their kiss. "You won't be left wanting."

"Unlike last night."

His fingertips teased at the bare patch of skin just above her knee. "You seemed very content to me." he said. "You just got a little greedy towards the end, that's all."

"I wanted you to stay."

"Well, I'm here now." his touch was feather light against her thigh. "Maybe I can make it up to you."

"I was hoping. I did suffer through that awful seminar."

"And I'm guessing it gave you a lot of time to think."

"It did." she reached for the buttons on his shirt.

He studied her. "And?"

"I want this." several buttons of his shirt were undone and she tugged at the fabric until it was untucked. "Whatever this is. You. Us. Together."

His hands stopped hers. "You mean that?"

Her eyes danced with something akin to mischief. And she saw an opportunity to take the upper hand. "How can I prove it to you?"

Lou reached around and unzipped the back of her dress. The sound was positively electrifying. It reverberated throughout the silent room. "Take this off for me."

"Take it off of me."

"That almost sounds like a challenge."

"Perhaps." she stood up and waited for him to follow.

He was quick to his feet. And very diligent at his task. The worrisome garment was removed. A purple puddle on the floor. He stood marveling for several long moments. And then he took her hand in his and led them the few steps over to the bed.

He wasn't about to ask her if she was sure. She was. He knew she was. And besides that was terribly cliche. And Lou Grant wasn't cliche.

"I want you." her voice was barely above a whisper. And dripping with need.

It was all he could do to restrain himself. "Patience."

That was reminiscent of the night before. "No." she said firmly. "I don't want to wait." she pushed his shirt from his shoulders. "Please don't make me wait."

"I'll take care of you." he repeated his promise. "I just want you to relax and enjoy this. Me."

She tugged at his belt. "Get undressed."

"That's not important right now."

"Yes it is." she continued to undress him. And he let her. "I want to make sure you don't take off on me again."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You say that now."

He toyed with her bra strap. "You're mine for the entire night."

"I still want you naked."

She drove a hard bargain. And he hated to deny her. "Okay." he said, simply.

Mary smiled, content she was getting her way. "It's so much easier when you just give in."

"Remember that." he was down to his boxer shorts.

"Now that sounds promising." she leaned in to kiss him. Lavish, provocative kisses.

The remaining clothing between them were shed and his body was covering hers. She shifted to accommodate his weight finding him warm and hard against her. It took everything she had not to cry out in sheer need. She couldn't remember ever wanting someone so much.

She kissed him. Once. Twice. Thrice. "You know our working relationship is completely ruined."

"Mmm hmm." he placed a kiss at her ear. "Our friendship too."

"I think I'm okay with that." she could barely string her thoughts together. "Are you?"

"God, yes." he said. "I have a feeling this is going to be so much better for us."

His hands glided over her with gentleness and then with a sense of urgency. He liked touching her. Her skin was silky smooth under his fingertips. He could touch her, just like this, forever.

His lips grazed at her neck, trailing decadent kisses down to the swell of her breast. His tongue swirled and soothed and teased. She arched her back against the sensation, wanting more. He moved to the other breast, repeating this divine torture.

"Lou." her voice was low and breathless.

And he knew. He knew exactly what she was asking. Just what he had promised the evening before. He kissed down her stomach, taking his time. Committing her body to memory.

His lips grazed her inner thigh. And he heard a sharp intake of air inflate her lungs. Still he was determined to take his time. To continue this slow burn.

He teased relentlessly. His lips and his smooth tongue and his warm breath against her. It had been his intention to absolutely devour her. She was close, he knew it, but he didn't want her to fall just yet. He pulled back kissing her thighs with delicacy.

Her breathing had steadied considerably. And she was ready. She was exactly where he wanted her. His mouth covered her again, laving unforgivingly. The last artful stroke of his tongue drove her undone. His name echoed from her lips like a bittersweet symphony.

And just when she thought she couldn't possibly take anymore he started all over again. He ravished her completely, slow and thorough to the point of sated exhaustion. The second time she came it was short and sweet, paling in comparison to the first, but gratifying nonetheless.

But still he lingered, pressing soft kisses against her. "Lou." it was almost a whimper.

"Hmm?"

"Too much." she exhaled. "I can't take anymore. You're killing me."

He moved up until they were face to face. "Sensitive?"

"Mmm. Very."

Lou smiled, pleased with himself. "Good."

She immediately sought him out. And he groaned at her touch. He needed this, he needed to be touched. And by her. "Oh, Mary. That's perfect. Just like that." he was completely lost in her touch.

A smile tugged at her lips. "You know I could torture you the way you tortured me."

"Or you could show a little mercy."

"I could." she was deliberate in her exploration of him. Sometimes instant gratification was a necessary evil. And he had suffered long enough she decided. He had been kind and very generous. Putting her needs first. Several times in fact.

He eased over onto his back, taking her with him. She nipped at his neck, her tongue following behind to sooth the salty flesh. What she was doing to him was downright sinful. And he loved every moment of it.

His hands tangled in her hair as she moved down his body. "Mary..."

"Shhh." she whispered. "Patience."

tbc...

Thanks for reading! Please leave some feedback!