Threats

Riley paced back and forth across the bedroom floor on her netbook, chewing her lower lip, and making a frustrating noise every few minutes. Eliot mute the movie he was watching and sat up, just watching her pace before he finally caught her wrist and pulled her into his lap.

He moved her hair to one side, nuzzling her neck and kissing her. "Are you still playing that game with Hardison?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her middle and pressing himself closer to her back.

"He's cheating, I know it," she mumbled as her eyes darted across the screen.

Next to Hardison, Riley was probably one of the only other hackers who impressed Eliot with her skills. He took the laptop that had been in her hands for the past five hours and closed it, setting it on the nightstand.

"Eliot, what are you-?"

He covered her mouth with his hand. "You need to take a break. Too much of that will turn your brain to mush," he whispered, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple before moving down to the side of her throat.

"Eliot, no, I have to go home in an hour," she said, trying to push his hands away. They remained firmly on her waist.

"Hardison won't mind if you're a little late," he whispered, nuzzling her cheek.

He turned her so she was facing him and pulled her back into his lap. She wound her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. He let out a hum of approval.

"How about a shower, hmm?" she asked.

"Sounds great," he answered, getting up.

She wrapped her legs around his waist while his hands supported her. He carried her to the bathroom and sat her on the counter while he turned on the shower. He removed his shirt, tossing it into the dirty clothes' hamper, and his hands found their way to her waist.

"No teasing, Eliot," she told him sternly.

He grinned and slowly started to pull off her sweats, letting his fingers brush the sides of her thighs. He let them fall to the ground as soon as they were past her knees and worked on removing her shirt.

"What's with all the buttons on this shirt?" Eliot asked as he tossed her shirt to the floor.

"I wasn't expecting to have some shower fun," she answered with a smile as she took off his belt.

He pulled off his jeans and tossed them into the hamper before picking Riley up by the waist and stepping into the shower.

"Eliot, we're still in our underwear," Riley squealed.

He only grinned. "It's only a matter of time before they're off," he answered, letting her legs touch the bathtub floor and getting on his knees to pull off her underwear.

"Mmmm…so someone was in an excellent mood today," Riley murmured as she rested her head on Eliot's chest.

"What? We aren't allowed to have shower sex?" he asked.

"No…it's just that, it's unlike you," she answered. "Come to think of it, you have been extra affectionate lately." Riley sat up and narrowed her eyes. "You're pulling a job, aren't you?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah…it's nothing big, just catching a big listed boss," he answered.

"Eliot, you promised no more," she said, getting up.

"Riley, it's not a big deal," he replied. "In and out."

"No big deal?" she asked, pulling on her sweatshirt. "Eliot. We're in the middle of a con! Or have you been hit so many times you can't remember that?"

He sat up. "It's not big deal Riley,' he replied, pulling on his boxers and getting up. "I'm not needed. You guys can finish up the job without me. And why do you care anyway? It's not like we're dating or anything." He shrugged,turning away.

Riley pulled on her sweats and folded up her shirt. "You're right," she said, grabbing her laptop. "You're right. We aren't going out, so I don't care."

He winced at the statement and the noticeable crack in her voice.

"I didn't mean it that way," he sighed, turning around.

Riley stood with her arms crossed over her chest. "You promised Nate no more jobs."

"Riley. Listen to me. Everything will fine. I'll be back in a couple days. You won't even know I'm gone," he assured her.

"Whatever." She waved her hand dismissively as she left the room.

Eliot winced as the door to the bathroom slammed shut and sat down on the bed. She had a right to be angry, but a job was a job and it paid good money. He got up and pulled on his sweats before going out into the kitchen to make a snack.

Ring, Ring, Ri-

"Hello?" he asked, answering the phone.

"Mr. Spencer," Luciano replied with a slight chuckle.

"What do you want?" he growled.

"Just to make sure you have not backed out of the job," he answered.

Eliot leaned against the counter and ran a hand through his hair. "I get what you want and you leave Riley alone."

Luciano chuckled. "Yes, yes. That was our deal."

Eliot nodded. "Anything else?" he asked.

"Tell Riley hello for me," Luciano replied before the line went dead.

Eliot looked at the phone before he set it on the counter and turned on the stove. He looked up as Riley stepped into the kitchen dressed in jeans, a tank top, and a batman jacket, her bag slung across her shoulders.

"Just...just be careful at least. And don't get any more head injuries," she told him.

"I'll be fine," he assured her. "I need this." We both need this.

Riley hesitated before giving him a chaste kiss to the cheek. "I mean it. Be careful."

He watched her leave before turning to face the sink. "I swear that girl is getting to me."