Author's Note: Yes, I know Puck is probably way too young for the Fast Times reference, but I couldn't resist. Sue me.
God she was beautiful, he thought as he looked down at her. Puck wasn't quite sure how it had happened, how she had ended up here, standing in his bedroom. He did know that he wanted her and that she wanted him. She wanted him… that part amazed him. Even before he kissed her after the game, she had planned on giving herself to him. He had no idea why, but that made him happy. Not 'yeah, I'm the man' happy, but just… happy. It was an odd feeling.
Puck wanted to hear her say it. He was glad he had decided to forgo the beer, because he wanted to know that when she said it, she meant it. Why was that important? It never had been before.
"Tell me Rach…"
Please, he thought to himself, just say the words.
"Tell you what?"
God, how could she tease him at a moment like this? He needed to know…
"Tell me why you lied… what you were thinking about… what you want…"
He stared into her eyes, and he could see it… he knew. He just needed to hear her say it.
"You"
That was he heard, all it took for him to pick her up and carry her to the bed. His mind stopped functioning and all he could do was feel… Feel her lips against his, the soft smooth skin under his hand. He paused long enough to slide the shirt over her head and when he looked down at her… Jesus, it was better than he ever could have imagined.
"Jesus Rach… you're beautiful."
And she was. Not hot, not smoking, not gorgeous… beautiful. The intensity he felt, the desire… it scared him more than a little.
"Noah… I…"
He couldn't wait. He kissed her again… he needed more, needed all of her.
She was kissing him back… but it wrong. Something was wrong. He stopped cold, and pulled back from her.
"Rach?"
"Noah… I…"
The look on her face terrified him. What had happened? What had he done wrong?
"I can't"
He didn't understand. How could he have been so wrong? He had seen in it her eyes. She wanted him.
She didn't want him.
He pulled it all back. Every emotion, every desire, everything that had been pouring out of him less than a minute ago, he pulled it all back and shoved it back down inside.
"Fine" he said, and rolled over. "Never mind"
She sat up, her arms crossed across her chest self consciously.
"Noah…" she said hesitantly.
He didn't want to look at her, afraid that he'd fuck up more than he already had.
"Noah, I…" she started to reach out to him, but pulled back when she realized it would leave her exposed.
Looking around the room, he saw that the sweat shirt was a good 10 feet away. Growling, he sat up and yanked his shirt off. She flinched and he saw the fear creep into her eyes. Angry that she would be afraid of him, he tossed the shirt in front of her.
"Here," he said gruffly, "cover up."
She looked surprised. Why would she be surprised? It's not like he was a complete asshole. He wouldn't hurt her, or make her do anything she didn't want to do. She wanted this, he'd seen it… she'd said the words… He hadn't forced her to say them.
He hadn't, right? Maybe he helped her out a little, led her down the path… But he couldn't make her do anything she didn't want to do, right? Sure, maybe he'd thrown her a little off balance, but…
"Fuck" he said, putting his head in his hands.
"What?" Rachel asked.
He looked up and saw she had pulled the shirt on.
"Rach… I'm… I'm…" Damn it, why couldn't he say the words? "I'm…"
She took his face in her hands, and searched his eyes.
"I know," she said quietly, "but why? Why are you sorry?"
"For this," he said, sweeping his hand across the bed, "For making you… You didn't want this."
She laughed. "Of course I do."
His head snapped up. What the hell was she talking about? Women were fucking nuts, all of them.
"I want this, I want you, just… slower."
His heart lurched.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
He thought about what she'd said.
"Like, how slow?" he said with a wicked grin.
She picked up a pillow and threw it at him.
"You're a pig Noah Puckerman," she said laughing.
He tackled her and pinned her down, tickling her.
"So I've been told."
They lay on the bed laughing for a minute, and he suddenly he sat up.
"Seriously, Rach, I get the slow thing, and I can't believe I'm fucking saying this, but I'm cool with it, I think. There's just one thing…"
"What's that?"
"I've got to know, are your panties white lace and pink ribbons, too?"