Chapter 8! A bit of filler/smut but I felt it was needed to explore some feelings after last chapter. Next few I plan to pick up the pace somewhat. Please review if you can, feedback keeps me motivated! Thanks x

*Update - edited for punctuation, grammar and repetition - don't write when tired folks ;)

Driving back to the loft, the car was silent. Both were tired, it was nearly 4am, and inside their heads they were each reviewing and processing the evening's events.

Nick couldn't believe what had happened. He was still kicking himself for drunkenly telling Jess he loved her, not exactly romantic, he thought. Honestly, he was realising he had been falling in love with her for a long time; long before this thing had started between them. Still it was too early. Although she had reciprocated, he worried they were moving faster than was wise. If I could, I would be racing through this at twice the speed. Nick had been in love before. He had been crazy, head over heels in love. But this was so different. The closeness they had developed as friends had deepened the meaning of everything that had happened in the preceding weeks. Still, he was scared this was going to spiral out of control and end up becoming a disaster. But she had said she loved him too. It had been so unexpected and his heart did a little jump every time the memory ran through his mind.

Jessica's mind should have been on the road, but the lack of traffic at this early hour allowed it to wander and consider the evening in silence. She was shocked. Shocked by what Nick had said. Shocked by what she had said. Were they crazy? Was it too early? Or, did almost 2 years of prior friendship mean they could skip a few steps in the relationship game? The answers to these questions evaded her. There was no doubt in her mind that she did love him. It was a fragile, fresh, new love and she hadn't herself realised until that moment in the cold, dreary car park. But it was there: the burning feeling in her stomach when they kissed, the electricity that ran through her when they touched and the way her heart leapt a little when he held her. Even moreso, the way he made her laugh, was always looking out for her and could be so caring, made her a goner. Gently she shook her head, how had it taken her this long to realise?

Inside the loft, they paused in the corridor that connected their rooms. They still hadn't quite coordinated their sleeping arrangements and there was no way they would be sleeping alone tonight. Jess smiled a shy smile; they hadn't really spoken since they had got into the car. "I don't know why I am feeling so nervous all of a sudden," she said, leaning against her bedroom door.

"Thank God it's not just me," Nick replied sounding relieved, "I feel like I'd just sort of got used to this and then we've, well, changed all the rules." Jess bit her bottom lip and looked up towards Nick.

"I feel like I should pretend I'm still mad about earlier, but I'm not. I know you Nick. I know, your - faults," they both winced slightly at this honesty, "And they are part of you and I accept that." She leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "Just don't leave me alone at a party again or I will get you when you least expect it."

"Yes ma'am," he replied and leaned down to give her a soft kiss, one arm wrapping around her waist and the other opening the door behind her. Inside, their kiss continued as they began to remove their clothes, he unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the ground and she unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it away from his body, as she took in the strong muscles of his arms. The early morning air was cool and Jess shivered, "You're cold," he said, gently rubbing her skin with his hands to warm her. But she was unsure whether it was the cold or her anticipation that caused it. Nick led her to the bed and they moved close under the blankets, using their body heat to warm each other.

They turned on their sides to face each other. Her eyes searched his face for some clue as to what he was thinking, "Nick," she began, "What we said earlier, I think we should keep that private, for now." She paused for his reaction. He wasn't sure where this was coming from. Did she regret it? "I meant what I said, I am falling for you, but I don't want people interfering and telling us what we can and can't do…This thing, it's new," she looked at him with pleading eyes. He thought he understood, she was being cautious. The knot of insecurity inside him tightened a little but he tried to force it to relax.

"Okay," he said, "I understand. Other people could be weird about it. We don't need them interfering in our business." She smiled, relieved. "But only on one condition," she raised her eyebrows quizzically, what did he have up his sleeve? "I want to make love to you," her breath caught in her throat, she opened her mouth but no words came out. He continued, "So far we've had a lot of sex, a couple of times I think we'd even struggle to call it that," She blushed at the memory of their rough and vigorous activities the night before. "But now, I want to make love to you." The voice he used was deep, slow, confident and oh-so sexy.

Her pupils dilated and she could feel her heart begin to beat heavier in her chest. Nodding, she replied quietly, "I'd be okay with that." This response made him smile and he moved closer to her, bringing their lips together in a slow, gentle kiss. He began to caress her body carefully; as though she were made of glass. Sliding across her skin, his fingers passed tiny jolts of electricity through her, causing her breathing to come in ragged breaths. Dragging her finger nails gently across his back, she began to let go and let herself be swept along.

Silently, he rolled her onto her back, looking her petite figure up and down; he returned his gaze to meet hers and the raw look in his eyes made her shiver once more. The yearning and need for her was clear, but tonight, he was going to take his time, savour this moment. He slipped the straps from her lacy blue bra over her shoulders and began to kiss and trace his fingers along the light marks where they had been. Gently, he slipped one lacy cup down over her breast so it's hard, pink nipple was exposed, before covering it with his warm mouth. He suckled softly, slipping his fingers into the other cup and gently massaging the contents, until she began to let out a soft moan. He pulled the bra down a little until both breasts were exposed, "Beautiful," he whispered and continued his exploration of their soft curves; his gentle touch and kisses felt like heaven upon her skin.

Wrapping her fingers into his hair, she pulled him back up towards her and hooked her right leg around his. She kissed him urgently; with shuddered breath, exploring his mouth with her tongue, as though it were the first time, as though it were the last time. Moving his hands behind her waist, he turned them palm up, pushing her closer to him. Finally he broke away from their kiss, drawing his mouth along her jaw, down the middle of her throat and across the soft, creamy skin of her stomach. At that moment, she began to become acutely aware of the harness in his underwear, pressing against her thigh. She wanted him. "Oh, Nick, please…" He looked up at her across her body.

"Patience," he whispered, using every ounce of his own.

His fingers traced the outline of her panties, gently teasing her,before he slipped them cautiously into the lacy material. His thumb began to gently caress her clitoris, she was already damp in anticipation and he had to fight the urge to rush on. Foreplay had not been his forte before, but the way this was driving Jess wild, he was beginning to like it. Pushing her underwear down, his mouth moved lower and took over the work of his thumb; he began to taste her sweetness. Slipping two fingers inside her, he slowly began to move them, twisting them and stroking her sensitive spot. Her soft moans increased with ever stroke and he could feel her coming closer. "Come on baby," he whispered to her. Without warning, she felt herself losing control, tipping over the edge of pleasure.

As she fell back into herself, he removed his underwear and made his way back so they were face to face; quickly retrieved and unraveled a condom. Unclasping her bra, he looked at her flushed cheeks and glowing eyes, feeling amazed that he was allowed to do this. How is it that Jessica Day is allowing me to make love to her? He left the question in his mind, as he asked her, "Are you ready?" She nodded her approval, still unable to speak, "I love you Jess," he said as he slowly entered her.

She could feel every delicious inch of him as he slid gently inside until he could go no further, "How does it feel when I'm inside you?" he asked, gazing into her eyes.

"I feel, I feel," she breathlessly replied, "Complete, whole, filled, agonised -ohhh," she was interrupted as he slowly began to withdraw, so slowly she could sense every feeling in reverse. "God Miller, how did you get so good at this?" she asked.

"Just lucky, I guess," he responded as he resumed their kiss.

Taking his time, he began to increase his speed, pivoting his hips so all parts of her were stimulated. He wrapped one hand in her hair and with the other he grasped her hand within his, moving it above her head. One at a time, her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him deeper and closer; their sweat covered bodies sliding against each other. Slipping his hand under her back, he moved them both onto their sides so their faces were level. Looking into one another's eyes, he began to thrust a little harder, a little faster, "Jessica, you're amazing, I can't believe…"

She stopped him by placing a finger on her lips, "I love you Nick Miller," hearing Jessica say those words took away whatever restraint he had left and his stokes became quicker, more urgent. She rocked her hips to meet his, increasing the power of each motion. "Nick... Nick," she cried and this was his cue. Staring deep into her eyes, he moved into the last stretch, faster, harder until he could see her face begin to contort, feel her body tighten; her eyes squeezed shut then quickly reopened - just as his own release happened. Their gaze continued as the last of their orgasms rode through their bodies and then he slowly rested his head on the pillow next to her.

They remained intertwined for a few minutes before he started to withdraw. She put a hand on his arm, "Stop," she began, "I want to feel close to you," her blue eyes were clear and honest, so he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, hearts beating together. "That was, that was, incredible Nick." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Every time with you is incredible Jess," and gradually they drifted off, entwined in each other's arms.

They awoke a few hours later as the early morning sun began to fill Jessica's room with warm, yellow light. Gently she yawned and stretched her arms, still stiff from the hours of waiting at the hospital.

"Good morning gorgeous," Nick smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Good morning to you to," she replied with a giggle, before adding, "That was some night!"

"Indeed it was. Come here," he said pulling her close to him in a tight embrace. She tried to fight him.

"Morning breath!" she screamed.

"Ah, I've smelt much worse," he countered before pulling her into a kiss. After breaking free she sat up, holding the covers to retain her modesty. "Hey, nothing under there I haven't seen before," he pointed out.

"Ha ha, Miller, like I've told you, I'm a little old-fashioned."

"I'm not sure what we did last night was old fashioned," he replied, fixing her with a knowing expression that made her cheeks redden. In response she dived under the covers and tried to tickle him, attacking the sensitive spot behind his knees.

"Truce, truce," he yelled. They settled back down next to each other. "Jess," Nick began, "Can I ask you a question?" She swallowed, unsure of what this was about.

"Okay…"

He took one of her hands in his, rubbing his thumb across her palm, "Would you be my date for Jamie's wedding? It's next month. I've been meaning to ask you for a few days, I was just a little nervous."

She felt relieved and her lips curled into a sweet smile, "I'd be honoured, you know I love weddings." Yes, yes he did.

"Great, it's just, you know, family wedding, I'm one of the groomsmen… I guess it means it's serious if you come to this."

"Yeah, I guess it does," she echoed, her mind filing with possibilities.

Coming up - Another visit to Chicago - what could possibly go wrong? Also, what's been happening with Schmidt, Cece and Elizabeth!

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