Alright, I would have finished the story had sassy Joss not decided to speak up and tell me what was on her mind with her man. I can never deny sassy Joss. So, I guess this is going to be a three chapter story. I hope there aren't any complaints.
Love Songs, Candlelight, and You
Reese knew there was something different the moment he opened the door of the motel room and stepped inside. Snow covered and chilled to the bone, he tried to catch his breath as he looked around. On every available area, lit candles flickered to illuminate the walls in a yellowish glow.
Setting the soft drink bottles and bag of snacks on the windowsill, he shrugged out of his coat and hung it up. "Joss?" he called out to the empty room. He went on high alert. Where was she? "Joss?"
His eyes flicked to the bed. Were those rose petals? Picking one of them up, he rubbed it between his fingers. Where had those come from? He threw the petal on the bed. Nothing was making sense.
He saw a bottle of wine resting in the plastic ice bucket on the dresser. Okay, he was definitely intrigued, but also flummoxed. Where was Joss?
"Joss?"
"Hi, John," Joss greeted from the doorway of the bathroom.
Reese blinked. "Joss?" Was that the conservatively dressed detective wearing something he had once seen at a Victoria's Secret? He took a step forward, then stopped. "What are you wearing?"
"I thought I'd get into something a little more comfortable while you were gone." She leaned seductively against the wood frame and tried to play it cool. She had waited for this night for so long, she wasn't going to ruin it by passing out.
Teetering on four inch heels, she walked past Reese slowly enough to let her perfume weave around him. It had been guaranteed to bring any man to his knees. But this was John Reese, so she was going to have to wait and see. Then again, if his sharp intake of breath was any indicator, her fifty dollars had been well spent.
"Where did you get all of this?" Reese gestured toward the candles.
"My go bag."
"You keep this in your go bag?" He had been under the impression that women carried many things in their purses, but it never crossed his mind that they carried wine and candles.
"Only on special occasions." Joss walked over to the dresser. Pressing a couple of buttons, the soft strain of Jonathan Butler's guitar filled the room. "Better." She picked up a glass. "Wine?"
"What?"
"Wine. Would you like some?" she purred, but inside she was shaking like a leaf.
"Uh, sure."
Joss poured the dark liquid into the plastic cups. "Sorry for the glasses, but it was all this place had." She handed it to Reese. "What?"
"I…wasn't expecting…this, Joss," Reese said slowly.
"That I would have plans for our entrapment?" She brought the rim of the cup to her lips.
"I was thinking more along the lines of seduction," he contradicted.
Joss chuckled. "Your CIA training is coming in handy, John. I thought I would have to try a little harder to get my point across."
"I'm not quite that dense."
Joss shrugged, sipped. "But you have taken a few beatings." She set the cup down. "So, do you like it?" She stepped back and struck a pose.
Reese swore he swallowed his tongue along with the wine. "It's…" He searched for the correct word, but nothing came to mind. "…provocative."
Joss rolled her eyes. "Hmmm… I was hoping for something a bit more complimentary, but that will do. I got it for you."
"You don't say."
"If you had done what I had hoped you would when you first saw me in it, I wouldn't have had to say anything." Turning toward the mirror, she fluffed her hair. Okay, she thought to herself, the man is completely clueless. On to Plan B.
"Dance with me."
Reese raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
She shot him a saucy look. "You know: Hold each other tight and move our feet to the music. Dance."
Reese took a huge swallow and tried to think of a good excuse - or at least one that wouldn't get him shot.
"I can't."
"Can't, what?"
"Dance."
"Are you serious?"
"Unfortunately…yes."
Joss thought about it for a moment. "Wow. I didn't see that one coming."
"Disappointed?"
"Hardly. But I figured with all of your talents, you might have a knack for twirling a girl around the ballroom."
"What I do on the ballroom floor can hardly be described as 'twirling'," Reese grimaced. He still had the memory of Homecoming when his attempt to do a basic dance move with his date had ended in disaster.
"When was the last time you tried to 'bust a move'?" Joss wondered. Her plans for a seduction were being blown away by the very blizzard that had trapped them. She was hoping she wasn't going to have to rely on Plan C. At least, not yet.
"Twelfth grade. Why?" Reese took a step back. He wasn't sure about the gleam in Joss's eyes, but he was sure that what ever she had on her mind, it was going to involve him. And ultimate disaster.
"Come here," she ordered and took his hand in hers. She gave thanks for the high heels that brought her closer to his height - though not by much.
"Now, take this hand and put it around my waist," she directed and guided Reese's left hand to where it belonged. "Now, step back. Too far. Right there."
"That's not too bad," Reese stated with relief. Everyone was still in one piece. That was a good sign.
"Listen to the music and move your feet. Look at mine." She made a couple of steps. "Like that."
Reese followed her lead.
"See? No damage inflicted. Now, pull me close."
"Joss…"
"Here." She pulled him to her so his body melded with hers. "Better." Gently they swayed to the music that filled the quiet room. The song finished and changed to another.
"See?" Joss praised. "You did it, and my toes are still intact."
"Not through lack of trying. You know that saying about old dogs and new tricks?"
"Hey! You finally got a saying right. That earns you this." Standing on tip-toe, she pressed her lips to his. Joss felt her knees go weak. Just the electricity alone from their lips meeting was enough to restore the power to the room - if not the area. Pulling back, she drank in his features.
"That's for not stepping on your toes?" Reese asked, his throat suddenly dry.
"Yep." Turning around, she pressed her back to his front and wrapped both of his arms around her waist. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Safe and secure, Joss didn't care what happened next.
"So, what do I get if I do this?" Brazenly, he twirled Joss, but he held his breath. He watched as she spun around in a full circle. Only after she remained upright, did he remember to breathe.
Joss's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Whoa! I wasn't expecting that!"
"Beginner's luck," he boasted.
"Well, then, mister, you are ready for step two." She smiled wickedly and pressed her body to his. "And…" She traced his lips with her finger. "…your next lesson begins now."