WARNING: SECOND LAST PARAGRAPH IS A DEFINATE "M" RATING.

CHAPTER 14

He pulled out onto the road and felt a moment of relaxation come over him. "Thank goodness that is done. Now I just have to ask her," he said aloud, trying to rebuild his confidence. "Ask her!" Damn! His heart started to beat faster; so fast, he had to pull his car over. If this minor anxiety attack wasn't enough, he heard his stomach growl. "Dinner!" I forgot to call her. Seeley, get a hold of yourself, you are only asking her to marry you. Marry me. What If she says no? What if she says yes?

Clutching the ring in his pocket, he reached for his cell phone with the other hand.

"Tempe, it's me. I'm sorry I forgot to call you about dinner, I had a late lunch and got busy with some things."

"That's OK, we had some remains shipped from Iraq this afternoon and Goodman asked that we get a start on them as soon as possible. Hodgins picked up some take out, so I have already eaten. I guess I forgot too. I'm sorry".

He was relieved that she was busy because he needed some time to get things ready at home.
"That's OK, I will see you soon, right?"

She looked at her watch, 7:23 pm. "You sure will, I'll be home in an hour."

"Great, see you then."

"See you then Seeley."

He closed his phone and pulled back out onto the road. He was feeling better, still a bit apprehensive, but better. His mind couldn't help but wander back to when he asked Rebecca to marry him. Her resounding NO was still etched in his mind. Now that Parker was older and he had met Tempe he was thankful they didn't get married, but that NO was still a heartbreaker. He did and still does love her but it is a love based primarily on the fact that they are Parker's parents. He is the most important person in both their lives and that bond of parenthood and what is best for their son, will always be there, no matter what.

As he pulled up in the driveway, his mind came back to reality. He decided he should take a shower and change before doing anything else.

He moved along, as he wanted to be waiting for her when she came through the door. He got side tracked, and was tempted to linger in the hot steam of the shower, the water cascading over his body, relaxing his muscles and mind that had been in knots and over drive since after he and Tempe made love last night. As tempting as it was, he needed to get out and dressed, although the thought of staying in, having her join him and proposing in the shower sounded enticing.

After toweling off and deciding against a shave, he put on jeans, and a sweater. He made his way downstairs running his hand through his damp hair. He double checked himself in the hallway mirror and took a deep breath.

He pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge, two glasses and headed to the living room. He started a fire, got it going then his stomach growled again reminding him that he hadn't had dinner or lunch. He told Tempe he had a late lunch to keep her from asking questions about what he had been doing after work. He was too nervous to eat earlier but now even the apprehensions couldn't over power his need for food.

He went to the kitchen to make a sandwich as Tempe was coming through the front door. She dropped her briefcase on the floor and went to the kitchen to get a drink.

"Hey handsome."

He turned around and licked the mayo off his fingers.
"Hey beautiful." How's about a kiss?" his eyebrows raised and he put forth his best smile.

"With that smile, I will give you more than just a kiss", she teased.

"Promises, promises", he whispered as he put his left hand around her waist and pulled her to him.

They engaged in a kiss that lasted long enough for them to break only because they needed air. It wasn't lustful, it was passionate. He loved those kisses. He liked the lustful ones too, but right now, he needed to keep to his schedule.

"I am going to take a shower. Do you want to join me?" she asked as she grabbed some bottled water and started to take off her top.

He could feel the lower half of his body responding to her proposition and as much as he desired to take her up on it, he had to stay focused. The damn freaking schedule! He could not handle any distractions, and taking a shower with Tempe would be a monstrous distraction.

"I already had one. I am going to eat my sandwich and when you come back down we can sit in the living room in front of the fire and have some wine, relax and unwind."
He flashed her a smile that caused her to smile back despite that fact he had just turned down a shower with her.

It had bee a long and emotional day and Tempe would have loved to start unwinding in a hot shower or bath with Seeley but instead she made her way up the stairs alone.

He felt a tinge of sadness as he hated to see that look on her face but he had to stay focused if he was going to go through with this tonight.

He took his sandwich to the living room and put it on the hearth of the fireplace. He moved the fire around a bit and added two large logs.

He loved the sound of crackling wood and stood watching it for a moment appreciating its power and warmth.
He checked the pocket on his sweater for what felt like the hundredth time. "Yep, still there."

He rubbed his hands together and did a mental checklist.
Ring. Wine. Fire. Hey what was I so nervous about? We have done this before after dinner several times since we moved here. Heck even when Parker is here we have sat around the fire laughing and talking

As he looked around the room one last time, his eyes halted when he saw Tempe at the bottom of the stairs. She had on those blue baby doll pajamas from their first date.

"Since a shower wasn't putting you in the mood I thought these might."

She turned around and he groaned. Seeley had self-discipline in many areas of his life and prided himself on that characteristic, however, right now, he was fighting with every ounce of will power he had to not grab her, push her onto the stairs and take her right there.

He had to turn her down for a second time tonight.
He bit is lower lip with his upper teeth and motioned her to come towards him.

"Tempe, I want you, I really, really do, but I need to talk to you first about something that is important and it can't wait till later."

Tempe's head drooped down in disappointment again but didn't hesitate to follow him to the couch when he took her by the hand and lead her there.
The warmth of the fire was felt on their faces as they sat and stared at the orange glow.

"Seeley? You needed to talk to me? What is it?"

He slowly pulled out the ring box, opened it and turned it towards her.

Her face filled with astonishment, she opened her mouth but no words or sounds were emitted.

"Temperance Brennan will you marry me?" His eyes were fixated on her face, practically holding his breath waiting for her to say something.

Words were still not coming out. The tears started to roll out of her eyes and down her cheeks in a steady stream. She touched the ring with her forefinger and rubbed the sapphire lightly. It glowed in the light of the fire. It was exquisite.

He waited patiently knowing it had only been a few seconds since he spoke.
He decided to put the ring on her finger. He gently put his hand next to hers and took it out of the case, her hand remaining next to his. He slid it on and it fit perfectly. Damn that Angela is good

As soon as he took his hand away, she spoke.

"Yes, Seeley Booth I will marry you."

He let out a sigh that he lungs welcomed and his heartbeat adjusted to instantly.

He placed his hands on her face and kissed her lips every so softly, then lightly placed his tongue on her lower lip and pressed down. Her mouth opened and let his tongue play with hers.
He could taste the final tears that had ended at the edge of her mouth.
He parted their mouths, leaned his forehead against hers, and smiled his warmest smile.

"I love you Tempe, and I look forward to sharing the journey of life that lay before me, with you."

"I love you Seeley and I am very exultant to be taking that journey with you."

He laughed at her big word knowing that one day he would need to buy a pocket dictionary to carry around with him.

"I needed to stay focused on giving you the ring and proposing I couldn't let you distract me. Do you know how hard it was for me not to do you on the stairs when I turned around and saw you in, this," he admitted while pointing to her pajamas.

"The proposal was much better," she said.

He raised his eyebrows.
"You know what I mean."

He smiled at her and leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Couch or stairs?"

She felt a tingle between her legs. "Both".

He wasted no time. He grabbed her body with both arms and pulled her on top of him. He moved his hands up her body to her face and pulled her down to his lips. The fire was burning high and her skin glowed in its reflection. He took in her beauty with all intensity, savouring every inch of her with his eyes and hands.

What happened on the couch was gentle and tender, their bodies moving in sync with one another. That continued until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Seeley knelt down and grabbed her foot as she started to climb the stairs. With her sudden stop, she turned to face him slumping down on the step below her feet, spreading her legs.

He shook his head. "Not like that," he growled. He grabbed her hips and turned her back around. He was ready and eager. He took his penis and thrust it into her. Being on the stairs like this enraged his hormones to unprecendented levels. His movements were fast and furious. He then slowed for a moment as he reached around and guided a finger in along with a slow entry of his penis. She squealed in ectasy. "Oh my god Seeley!" She then entered one of her fingers, touching him. That moment sent a rush of eroticism throughout her body and with a few more thrusts she was having an orgasm like no other.

They rested a few moments and then made their way up the stairs to their bedroom. The fire behind the glass door was the only fire that burned out that evening.