Chapter 7

AN: Thank you so much for the reviews! They make me smile on these hectic days. I am off to do Bikram Yoga (That yoga in a hot room...), thought I'd post this and heat things up before I go (Hee hee)...

Penelope's heart leapt into her throat as Derek reached out with his firm, strong arm and pulled her into his embrace. She noted she didn't have to tell him where to put his hands. Of course, he was well practiced in this sort of thing! He cradled her in his arms, made her feel safe, warm, and almost immediately aroused. This was not going to be easy, keeping her cool. She knew it was a bad idea to dance with him, she knew it, but she couldn't deny Reid his chance with his dream girl.

And in her heart, more than anything else, she wanted to dance with Derek, even to just once feel like she truly belonged to him.

Slowly, they began to move together, her thighs brushing against his, her breasts pressed against the firmness of his chest. She completely melted into him, all her softness against his hardness. It was dizzying, how well they meshed, so different from dancing with Reid, or any other man, for that matter. She felt light as a feather in his arms, their movements perfectly matched.

"So, we're finally dancing together after all these years," he murmured, and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

She looked up into his eyes and took a shuddering breath, the velvet warmth and heat of his deep brown eyes snaring hers. She couldn't speak, she could barely move; she could only feel his hands supporting her, keeping her from any missteps. She closed her eyes, trying to get her thoughts back, and felt the world begin to spin again. He stroked her back softly, slowly, easing tension like she was an overexcited kitten.

"You dance beautifully, Penelope," he whispered softly, and she felt the world melt away. It was just herself and Derek, like it was always meant to be.

He leaned forward, and her arms to looped higher around his shoulders. He moved his thigh between hers, allowing her body to press closer. Moving one hand down to her bottom, he guided her movements against his body.

They moved completely as one, the two of them in perfect synchrony. She didn't care anymore that she was supposed to be with a different man, she didn't care that they weren't on the best terms. All she wanted was to be part of him.

She glanced up and gasped. She was practically scalded by the heat, by the amount of desire she could feel radiating off of him. He paused, his head close to hers, holding stock still. She could feel his warm, quick breaths gently fanning across her lips. She noticed his look, hot and dark, staring at her mouth.

"Derek," she breathed, as he brought his mouth forward and captured hers. Like an explosion, the sensations hit her. His lips were firm, dry and warm, and tasted so earthy, so delicious and uniquely him. He played with her lips, moving against hers, exploring. He coaxed her to open her mouth, and pulled her forward to lean against his chest.

And she began to fall even farther under the magic of his kiss.

Spencer Reid was a genius, but it didn't take a genius to figure out what he was feeling was so right. The moment he guided Crystal into his embrace, he felt it. Incredible energy, like photons splitting, that ricocheted throughout his body. It was so different than the pleasant feeling he had dancing with Penelope.

He realized now this was the chemistry Garcia said she felt with Morgan, why she couldn't dance with him and not betray how she really felt. Because right now, he couldn't lie about how he felt about Crystal if his life depended on it.

She had her hands on his shoulders; he could feel the coolness of her palms. She was looking up at him with her bright eyes, dazzling and beautiful like she was. She had the pinkest cheeks, and she was worrying her bottom lip with her white teeth. She was obviously excited, and very nervous, too.

"Don't be nervous," he said, splaying his hand on the small of her back. He felt a slight tremor go through her body.

"I-I'm sorry," she said, her cheeks flushing pinker, looking away from him. "I'm not very good at this."

Reid gave a short laugh. "Neither am I."

"Really?" Her surprised look, her mouth making a little o, made him grin. "You move so perfectly; I would never have known."

"You dance wonderfully, too," he said huskily, pressing her a little closer.

For the first time in his life, he was completely in tune to what another person was doing. He'd never been socially adept, but at this moment, he felt smooth, almost suave. He heard her slight intake of breath, felt her body temperature rising degree by degree, and knew she was totally into him. It was an awesome experience.

Crystal moved her hands behind the strong column of his neck. She swallowed slightly, looking up at him. "Wow... I've never felt like this before."

Her soft whisper made his mind start working again. For awhile, he had the blissful experience of just feeling. It happened so rarely in his life, not to question or think. His returning thought was an ugly one, one that was mixed with jealousy.

He reacted without really thinking. "That's rather astonishing, considering you're dating Derek Morgan."

Her hands immediately loosened, and she frowned.

"Wait," he said, panic rising. She was trying to move away, and he didn't want that. At that moment, if she were to move away, he'd dissolve into nothingness. "I'm sorry."

After a second's thought, she stepped back into his arms. She laid her cheek against his shoulder. "We're just friends, Spencer."

Spencer fought off stiffening, showing how much that comment hurt him. No matter what he wanted with Crystal , she didn't feel the same. He felt foolish, for the first time in his life. What was he thinking? He was no Morgan. He didn't have a suave or cool bone in his body; how in the universe did he think he could compete?

He sighed heavily and answered, "I've discerned that we are."

"No," she said, shaking her head against his chest, "I meant that Derek and I are just friends. I'm new in town; we went out, but I was more like a kid sister to him."

"You're jesting."

"He's my friend. Not like you and Penelope; she seems to really like you." She looked up at him, and then glanced away, but not before she could hide her full lower lip. "I'm happy for you; truly I am."

His heart was completely singing. He stopped moving and caught her blue eyes with velvety brown ones. "She's my friend, too. An exceptionally good friend to be sure, but that's all."

Her smile was brilliant. "Now you're the one who's jesting!"

"Would you care to leave, so we can discuss this further?" His grin was infectious.

She looked like she was ready to happily run away with him, which absolutely made his day. However, she stopped quickly in her tracks. "What about Derek and Penelope?"

Reid turned to see Morgan and Garcia in a relatively heavy lip lock. He wanted to cheer: mission accomplished!

He was still smiling when he looked back at Crystal and pointed over to them. "I think they're otherwise occupied."

Crystal smiled and put her hand in his, and they headed towards the door. Reid glanced over at the table where the team was sitting. JJ had a beaming smile, Prentiss was giving the thumb's up sign, Rossi was clapping, and Hotch was shaking his head, chuckling.

He waved sheepishly; there was no fooling a table full of BAU agents.