Chapter 4

While Booth was getting ready in his apartment, Brennan was frantically chopping, stirring, and boiling in hers. The thought of Booth's arrival created a flurry of activity in the kitchen and a frisson of anticipation in Brennan's heart. Although it was just her partner coming over, a man who had been in her apartment many times, this was the first time he was coming over for an extended period since their return from Maluku and Afghanistan. However, what really triggered Brennan's culinary frenzy was the fact that this was the first time Booth was coming over since they crossed that imaginary line last night. A line put in place years ago by both of them.

The only sound in Brennan's apartment was the continual thud of a wooden object striking stone. Using a twisting motion, Brennan pounded garlic and pinenuts in her mortar and pestle, the smell of garlic filling the space as it slowly became a paste. Satisfied that the nuts and garlic were properly combined, Brennan tossed in some pungent basil leaves and a sprinkle of salt. With a steady rhythm, she worked the pestle until she transformed the leaves into tiny bits. She then added grated parmesan and a generous pour of olive oil to the crushed leaves and garlic nut paste, stirring and pounding until she formed a fragrant, creamy, and green concoction.

Throughout her repetitive actions, Brennan was trying to determine how and when to tell Booth what she felt and how much he meant to her, no matter what happened between them in the future. She was a little afraid to tell the truth, but she learned her lesson. She could not allow herself to wait and then have regrets later. She already went through that once already and did not want to repeat past mistakes. However, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

Wiping her hands on a tea towel, Brennan hastened to her front entrance and opened the door with a bit more force than necessary. She was happy to see Booth standing in the hall, with a duffle bag in his hand.

"Come in. Dinner is almost ready." Brennan stood to the side of the doorway to allow Booth entry.

Stepping in, Booth looked around the apartment and sniffed the air. Brennan could tell from the smile on his face that he was pleased with what he smelled.

"Bones, you didn't have to do this, but whatever it is, it smells great." Putting his bag on a nearby chair, Booth unzipped it and pulled out a bottle of wine. Handing the bottle to Brennan, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "I wasn't sure what to get, but I know you don't cook meat and you mentioned pinenuts, so I figured you were making pasta. I got us some Italian white wine."

Voicing her approval with a quick "Thanks," Brennan took the offered bottle and placed it on the counter. She motioned for Booth to sit down at the table, which was already set with plates, utensils, a bowl of salad, and a basket of bread. She then uncorked the bottle and poured the wine into two glasses. Walking over to the table, Brennan explained, "We've both been through a lot of stress in the past twenty-four hours. Stress causes depletion of magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, and niacin." After handing a glass to Booth, she took a sip and enjoyed the fruity acidic taste of the wine. "So, I've made us some pasta with pesto sauce. The pinenuts are rich in magnesium, zinc, and niacin. Basil is an excellent source of calcium and iron." Brennan looked down at her glass and then up at Booth. "Although there's no meat, I hope you'll like it anyway." She took another sip of wine and then put the glass down on her side of the table before walking back to the stove.

A huge smile appearing on his face, Booth replied, "So you're telling me that not only will this taste good, but it's also good for me?"

As she nodded in agreement, Brennan walked over to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a large serving bowl. Placing the bowl on the counter, she drained most of the water from the hot pasta and added it to the bowl. Then, picking up her mortar with both hands, she poured some of her pesto on top of the pasta before putting the mortar down and mixing the sauce and pasta together. The aroma of the sauce filled the air as she made sure that the sauce properly adhered to the pasta. Carrying the bowl over to the table where Booth was seated, she put the bowl down and took a seat herself. She gestured towards the food on the table and said, "Go ahead, enjoy."

Brennan watched as Booth served himself a portion of everything. She stared at his hands. Booth carefully twirled some pasta around his fork. He raised it to bite into the morsel twisted on the utensil. "Bones, this is amazing." He smiled and then scrunched his eyebrows as he looked at Brennan. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied. "I'm glad that you like it." She then took her own bite of pasta.

"So, how'd you get it to taste so nice? I can tell you definitely did not use any of the bottled stuff from the store." Booth then tried some of the salad on his plate.

Swallowing her food first, Brennan explained, "I used a mortar and pestle for the sauce. The word pesto is derived from the Italian word 'pestare,' which means to pound or to crush. Crushing everything with a mortar and pestle makes for a smoother pesto, more homogenous. Often cooks make pesto in a food processor, but that just cuts everything into small pieces, resulting in a heterogeneous mixture instead." Brennan then bit into a slice of bread.

"Wanna tell me why crushing everything is better?" Booth asked, after taking a sip of wine.

Brennan frowned slightly as she explained, "By crushing the garlic and nuts, they will be changed into a paste which is more pleasant to the tongue than if you merely cut them into tiny pieces resulting in a gritty texture."

"So, you're saying it takes a bunch of separate stuff and turns it into something new, huh?" Booth started twirling more pasta onto his fork. Brennan nodded at him and took another bite of her food. As they savoured their meal, Booth couldn't help but draw a parallel between the ingredients in their food and the uniqueness of their relationship.

"Kinda like us, dontcha think? It's like how we're different, but together we create something entirely unique," Booth mused. "A force to be reckoned with." He lifted his fork in a mock salute and took a bite of his meal.

Brennan shot Booth a brief smile, but the corners of her lips quickly turned downwards as she held back her emotions. She grabbed the wineglass off the table and swallowed the remaining liquid in a single gulp. Looking Booth directly in the eye, she told him, "I am not avoiding the subject of what happened between us last night. We will talk about it, but I need a bit more time before adequately discuss the matter. Do you understand?"

Booth cast a serious look in Brennan's direction before his eyes dropped to his plate and then back up to meet Brennan's. "Yeah, sure Bones." He, too, finished the rest of his wine in a single swig. The conversation between them died down and they concluded the meal in relative silence.

Once they finished eating, Brennan stood up, cleared the table, and put away any remaining food. Booth quietly helped her by passing her dishes to put into the dishwasher. Once Brennan clicked the dishwasher closed, she spun around to face Booth, who was still standing behind her. She stared at him intently, trying to gather the courage to say what she was feeling. She felt her heart pump erratically as she thought of how her words could affect their relationship. Inhaling deeply, she searched for the right combination of words that would explain her feelings, but she was still unsure if it was really the time to share them. So, she simply blurted out, "I don't want to revert to a platonic relationship with you. I want to move forward. I need to move forward… with you."

Booth stood there, his unfocused gaze pointing in Brennan's direction. His brows knit together, and his mouth opened slightly as his mind tried to process Brennan's words. Slowly, he raised one finger and pointed it at Brennan, who watched with eyes wide. The corner of Booth's mouth turned up on one side of his face, and a half-smile lit up his features. He then closed the distance between them, his gaze fixed on Brennan's expression. She felt the sensation of his hand on her waist and the other gripping her neck. He yanked her close and muttered, "Me too, Bones, me too" before his lips smashed into hers with incredible force, causing Brennan to crash into the counter behind her. Her hands shot up to clutch at fistfuls of his t-shirt as if to prevent Booth from moving away from her.

Brennan quickly let go of his shirt and pulled away, their kiss ending. She looked at Booth and between her heavy breaths confessed, "You need to know. I wanted to tell you yesterday, but didn't know how." She paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "I love you." She had no clue why, but she was jumpy, like it wasn't the right time to tell him all. She watched Booth's face again, trying to determine what he was thinking. She heard him exhale as a rush of air left his mouth. He lifted his hand from her neck to stroke her cheek. He then kissed her temple and kissed her lips with the lightest touch. He pulled back, his eyes closed, and in a low voice, "I love you too, Bones."

Booth opened his eyes and kissed her again, different from moments ago. Now he was gentle; the forceful creature from moments before gone. Last night, Brennan had needed the man who could be tender with her, but tonight she wanted the man who challenged her boundaries and pushed her. She wanted the man who called her a cold fish, who said cops solve crimes, and that she belonged in a lab. She craved the one who demanded that if she asked for more of him, she would have to give him something of herself in return. And when she punched a judge? Instead of being critical of her, he was aroused by her. The strong-willed man was just as much a part of Booth as the one who was so gentle, and that was what she desired most this night.

With her need bubbling up within her, Brennan swiftly grabbed some of Booth's hair and kissed her way up his neck. Her tongue wandered from his neck to the sensitive spot under his ear. She couldn't help herself and before she knew it, she bit into that spot, her teeth grazing against his skin. The sting of her bite was light, but was still strong enough for a low growl to vibrate in Booth's throat. The rumble captivated Brennan, so much so that she couldn't help but smile. Her mouth found its way back to his lips, and she kissed him. Their kiss was deep and passionate, but all too brief. She then dug her teeth into Booth's bottom lip, causing him to gasp in surprise.

Pulling back, he asked, "Do we still have to discuss what happened last night?" his voice was a mixture of both fear and desire.

Brennan wrapped her arms around his neck and caressed his hair. "I've said all I wanted to say. What about you?"

"Me? Nope. I want to be with you and I love you. That about covers it from my end." Booth cooed as he nipped at her neck.

Brennan tilted her head back and uttered a low moan, pressing herself closer to him. "Good," she whispered. She tugged on his belt buckle and pulled him along as she as she walked backwards. "Let's go to the bedroom now."

Booth grinned at her boldness, allowing her to lead him to the bedroom. Once in there, he pressed his lips against Brennan's as her hands roamed up under his shirt while he slid his fingers through her hair. They stumbled towards the bed, kicking off shoes and leaving them scattered in their wake before collapsing onto the mattress with a thud. Booth hovered over Brennan, bracing himself on his arms as Brennan's hands continued their exploration of his body. Not able to hold back, Booth's hands roamed Brennan's exposed skin. Upon realising their hands were free to explore, they grasped their clothes and continued to explore without any impediments. Brennan's blouse was the first to go, followed by her bra. Booth's t-shirt quickly joined the pile growing on the floor until they were both bare from the waist up. Brennan stroked his chest, feeling its firm strength under her hand, while he bent down to lavish kisses on her breasts.

Booth devoured every inch of Brennan's body, eager to satisfy the hunger that had been building between them. His lips trailed a fiery path along her neck, leaving marks that would serve as reminders of their passion. Brennan shivered with delight, running her hands over his body and pulling him closer, desperate for more. They explored each other with an urgency that bordered on desperation, relishing every touch, every kiss, every breathless moment they shared. The electric connection between them sparked and crackled, igniting a wildfire of desire that consumed them both. With every article of clothing that fell away, they felt the freedom of being naked and vulnerable with each other. In this moment, nothing else mattered but the joy they found in each other's embrace.

Brennan wanted to take control, and Booth was more than willing to let her. She scrambled on top of him, straddling his lap as they kissed passionately. He ran his hands up and down her body, feeling her as she moved against him. Brennan rocked gently at first, teasing Booth with the promise of what was to come. He groaned and grabbed her hips, pulling her closer as he intensified their kiss.

As Brennan quickened her pace, their bodies moved together in perfect sync, and pleasure washed over them both. Booth's hands roamed over her skin, exploring every inch with a hungry intensity that was both thrilling and intimate. They devoured each other in a heated frenzy, moving faster and faster until they finally crashed together in a simultaneous cry of pleasure. As Booth held Brennan in his arms, her body finally stilled and her breathing returned to a steady rhythm. The weight of the day's events seemed to melt away as they lay together in peaceful intimacy.

Brennan rested against Booth, feeling content and safe, and the soft beating of his heart lulled her into a sense of calm. The warmth of his body against hers and the faint scent of his cologne further enveloped her in a cocoon of tranquillity. After a few moments of silence, Brennan looked up at Booth and smiled. He smiled back and held her tighter against him, relishing in the connection they shared. As they basked in the moment, the world outside their embrace seemed to fade away. Eventually, their exhaustion caught up with them, and they drifted off into a deep slumber, cocooned in each other's arms.

For the second time in as many days, Brennan woke up to a large hand covering her right breast. However, this time her groggy mind immediately knew that Booth was the owner of that hand. Placing her hand over his, Brennan lightly squeezed his hand against her breast.

"Morning, sleep well?" Booth murmured against her ear.

"Yes, very." Brennan slowly shifted her body, rolling onto her back and extending her arms up above her head in a long stretch. She was aware of Booth's eyes on her breasts when she shifted and her torso rose up from the bed. She couldn't help but giggle as she propped herself up on her elbows and noticed his gaze following her the entire time.

Booth remained unfazed by Brennan's amusement and flashed a cheeky grin. "What? I'm a breast man. Specifically, your breasts." His hand shot out with remarkable speed, returning to its former position. Brennan, enjoying this playful and sensual side of Booth, dropped back onto the bed and rolled over to face him. As she stroked his forearm from his wrist to elbow, the warmth of his skin gave her comfort. However, a feeling of unease began to settle over Brennan as the morning light brought a sense of sobriety. She searched for the source of her discomfort while Booth's hand remained in its proprietary position. The shift in mood from playful to uneasy reflected the complex emotions and dynamics of their relationship.

Booth removed his hand from her breast and turned to look at Brennan. A look of concern crossed his face as he saw her furrowed brows and lack of a smile. 'Bones, are you okay?' he asked, taking her hand that had been stroking him and pulling her towards him in a comforting embrace.

Brennan snuggled into Booth's neck, her mind racing with worry. She knew she needed to confide in him and express her fears. With determination, she lifted her head and met his gaze. "I'm scared," she began, her fingers tracing the outline of Booth's arm as she spoke. "I'm afraid that I'll do something to push you away."

Booth furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean, Bones? I know you better than that."

Brennan took a deep breath. "All my relationships have ended. None of them have lasted, and you expect permanence in a relationship. I'm worried I can't live up to your expectations."

Booth's expression softened. "You and I are alike in some ways. We both plan. You plan for failure, and I plan for marriage."

"But all my relationships have failed, and you've never been married."

"Exactly. Our plans have left us alone and lonely. So, maybe we shouldn't plan at all." Booth gave Brennan a quick kiss on the cheek.

Turning to face him, Brennan was incredulous. "Not plan? What about going to a restaurant that only accepts reservations or planning a vacation?"

Booth chuckled. "I mean that I'm going into this relationship with no expectations. I'm going to take it one day at a time." He nuzzled his cheek against her hair. "There's a saying about doing something over and over again expecting something new to happen."

Brennan caught on. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

"Exactly. So, I won't expect anything from you except your love. And you can expect the same from me. I promise to love you today and tomorrow. That's all I expect from you. No promises of forever or weddings. Just today and tomorrow."

Brennan pondered Booth's words. He had a point. Maybe it was time to try something new. "Today and tomorrow," she murmured.

"Today and tomorrow," Booth repeated, and they held each other close, ready to face the future without the weight of expectations.

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