Yeah, I'm startin' to see
Yeah, I do believe
Rattle Snake Smile ~ Christian Kane

After they got the rental car, Nate and Sophie rode in it while the other four of them were in the van. Katie leaned against some pillows and let Eliot relax against her. She forced him to take some Tylenol that she had in her purse. Then as she played with his hair distractedly, he fell asleep, exhausted and in pain.

He woke up when Hardison pulled into the hotel parking lot. Katie had drifted off to sleep as well and he smiled at how innocent she looked. Sophie walked up to the van, telling them she'd get them a couple of rooms.

"Three," Eliot corrected her. Sophie's eyes were full of disapproval and he waited for her to argue.

"Doesn't it make more sense for us to stay in fewer rooms? More secure?" she asked with a pointed look.

"It makes the most sense for Katie to be separate from the rest of the team and me being there to protect her," he replied evenly before adding, "unless you feel like I need a chaperone."

She waited half a beat before responding and he wondered if she was going to continue arguing. Finally, she sighed. "Have it your way then."

When she walked off, Eliot rolled his eyes. He didn't need her to pull her mother act with him. That shit might fly with Parker but he wouldn't tolerate it. Nate knew better than to treat him that way. Sophie meant well but he was a grown man.

"She's just trying to make sure you're not…distracted, you know?" Parker said, turning to look at him. She spoke softly as to not wake Katie. "So are you? Going to be too distracted, I mean."

Eliot glared at her. "What the fuck does that mean?"

Parker glanced over at Hardison, who appeared the only one not willing to start this shit with Eliot, which he appreciated. The blond shrugged. "I'm just saying…"

"What exactly are you saying, Parker?"

"You're acting funny around her. I mean, not like on our regular jobs." She appeared to realize that she was venturing into a bad territory with him. "Even with Aimee you weren't so…" Pausing, she gave him one of her looks. One of the looks she thought said it all but he rarely understood.

Eliot ran his hands through his hair. He knew he should have handled this on his own. Now he had to deal with them questioning his relationship with Katie at every turn. Wait…his relationship? When did he start considering it a relationship? Sure, they slept together and it was great, but he knew they had no future. Once she got her money back and her name cleared, she'd be gone again.

The thought bothered him. And the fact it bothered him, really bothered him.

Parker was still watching him. He sensed she needed reassurance so he nodded at her. "It's nothing to worry about." She seemed satisfied.

"Okay, our rooms are in the back," Sophie said before getting back in the car with Nate. They drove around the hotel and parked, then the others began to get out and stretch. Eliot sat up with a groan and woke Katie.

"Let me help you," she said, trying to help him get up. He shot her a glare.

"Eliot?" Nate and Hardison were standing there waiting to help him as well.

Damn, he hated feeling like he needed to lean on anyone for anything! Choosing the lesser of two evils, he let the guys help him out of the van. Once he was on his feet, he resisted any further attempts of 'help' from anyone. But when he tried to take his bags, Katie shook her head.

"We got two rooms on the third floor and one on the second," Sophie said holding up the keys.

"Hardison and I will take the second floor," Nate took the key.

"Oh, I thought they were a couple," Katie said to Parker.

"They're in denial," Hardison muttered quietly to her, then with a wicked grin, he called out, "Parker and I can share a room if you want, Nate."

Sophie turned to glare and Hardison attempted trying to look innocent. "I mean…you know Parker and I are night owls and all."

Nate appeared to be thinking about it. Eliot grinned and he couldn't resist adding. "Yeah Nate. You could put us kids on the top floor and the two of you could have some 'adult' time."

"Oh, that would be fun!" Parker exclaimed. Turning to Katie, she asked, "Do you like heights?"

"No, Parker," Eliot growled. "No stunts from you."

"You're so cranky after a fight," she snarked as they all began to climb the stairs.

"Imagine that," he muttered. By the second floor, he was beginning to wish his room were on that level. He stopped and took a few ragged breaths. Katie came up beside him and put her arm around his waist. She made it seem affectionate, but he knew she was attempting to help him. He let her. It hurt too bad to resist.

"I'll come up there in a few minutes to bandage your ribs," Nate told him as he began walking toward his room.

"I got it," Katie replied. "You don't grow up on a ranch and not learn the basics."

"I'm starving," Parker commented, following Sophie. She had the amazing ability to eat more than all three men combined most of the time.

"I'm sure we can find an all night diner close by. Hopefully, edible food," Sophie replied.

"Can you bring us something back? I think Eliot needs to lie down," Katie pointed out, ignoring the dirty look he gave her.

Sophie turned to study him before speaking. "You took quite a beating. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? Hardison can fake some insurance cards or something."

"My rib isn't broken through and through. I just need a shower," he murmured, taking their room key from her hand. "It'll heal on its own."

He pretended not to hear Katie whisper to Sophie, "I'll call you guys if he gets worse."

Unlocking their door, he came into the room and automatically checked it out. He didn't remember it being such a dump, but Nate was right, it was fairly secure. There was a large window in the sitting room area that overlooked the stairs and parking lot. No other windows though.

"Not exactly the Beverly Hills Wilshire, is it?" he smiled.

Katie glanced around and he could tell she was trying not to be negative. "It's a little rundown but it seems clean. At least, it beats sleeping in the van."

She threw the bags down then began to unbutton his shirt. He moaned, as he let her slide the shirt down his arms, "Katie, this really isn't the time."

Rolling her eyes, she replied, "I'm trying to help you so you can take a shower. Believe it or not, I'm not just interested in sex."

"Just getting me naked," he grinned. A groan of pain escaped his mouth when she had to pull his tank top over his head. He propped himself against the door as she moved on to his belt buckle.

A knock startled them but they heard Parker say, "Guys, I got ice for you."

Eliot looked out the window to make sure that she was alone and opened the door. Her eyes filled with amusement, but she said nothing.

"We're going to get something to eat. What do you want?" she asked Katie. They knew well enough what Eliot would and wouldn't eat.

"I'll eat anything, except pickles or onions," Katie said. She reached into her purse and grabbed some money. Parker snatched it with a grin before Eliot could say anything. Usually Hardison handled their traveling expenses and they split everything up at the end.

With Parker happily on her way, Eliot resumed his position against the door and Katie helped him undress the rest of the way. She was examining his swollen eye really closely when she casually asked, "So is she a former lover?"

"Who? Parker? No, definitely not."

She rolled her eyes. "You know who I mean, the gorgeous, exotic chick that did this to your face."

"She's a hired killer."

"Yeah, I got that much. But you seemed to have history with her…" she trailed off and blushed, glancing away.

Eliot didn't know what to say. He didn't want to lie to her but how could he explain that it was just one night of random sex without it seeming like he was saying he and Katie were more than that?

"Never mind," she said, turning away. "It doesn't matter." He heard the flare of anger in her voice and a smile tugged at his lips.

"Then why did you ask?"

"Just wanted to know if she wanted to kill me just because of the money or was there an added benefit? A woman scorned or whatever." She wouldn't face him and he grew more amused.

"You assume she was scorned."

That made her pause. He saw the tension in her back, wondered if she'd throw something at him again. She walked away, into the bathroom. She came back out and thrust towels into his arms before turning away. He grabbed her arm.

When she kept her back to him, he whispered, "It was one night. We crossed paths on a job. Trust me, she only wants the money. She just said that about me to get under my skin."

Eliot debated the sense in his urge to comfort her but felt better when she relaxed. He carefully drew her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers. She kissed around his swollen eye gently, delicate brushes of her lips. He hated that it made him feel...something…because he didn't want to feel anything. She wasn't even here for 24 hours and he's already comforted by her presence.

"Do you need help in the shower?" she offered.

He grinned wickedly. "I think I'd end up hurting more in the process."

Katie laughed. "I meant, me actually helping you. You're such a dirty old man."

Eliot kissed her hard, his tongue dueling with hers before he began nibbling on her lip. "Who are you calling old? If I wasn't in this condition, I'd wear your young ass out."

"Since you're in this condition partially because of me, I'll give you a rain check." She ran her tongue lightly over his lips before taking his hands and walking backwards in the direction of the bathroom. "Come on. Shower."

"Don't answer the door no matter who it is," he commanded before ducking in the bathroom.

After washing his body and shampooing his hair, Eliot let the hot water pound down on his aching muscles while he leaned against the tile wall. Today had been brutal. Mikel Dayan almost got the better of him since he was already injured. At first he'd held back a little, always uneasy about hitting a woman, any woman. But when she got him pinned down, he'd unloaded on her. He couldn't believe she had been hired for the hit on Katie. He'd expected the mob to handle things internally and usually they deal in guns, he had a scar to prove it. Of course, having a one-night stand at his own apartment with a woman willing to kill anyone for the right price had been stupid and careless on his part. He was going to have to move.

The water had started to cool so he reluctantly got out of the shower, wrapping the towel around his waist. He wiped off the mirror and examined himself. He'd looked worse before. Annoyed that a woman had done most of the damage, he turned away from the mirror. Women were going to be the death of him.

"Let me help you," Katie said from the doorway. He allowed her to bind his ribs without too many complaints. He pulled on some sweatpants and then allowed her to sit him down and put ice on his eye.

"You need a naughty nurse outfit." He grinned as she fussed over him. Grabbing her behind, he pulled her to him.

"You can't handle that right now so be good."

Eliot really wished he could argue that point but she was right. Hardison and Parker came up, talking with them while they ate. After dinner, Katie urged him to go to bed as the other three sat up for awhile playing poker. He drifted off listening to them and some God-awful music Hardison was playing on the radio.

Waking up when Katie shut and locked the door after the others left, he watched her as she got ready for bed. In just a t-shirt and panties, she appeared to be ready to climb into the other bed but he grabbed her hand.

"I didn't want to disturb you," she whispered, before running her fingers through his damp hair.

"I want company." She carefully climbed into bed with him, resting her head against his arm. He paused a minute before he clarified. "Naked company."

"You're not in any condition for 'naked company'," she laughed softly.

"I just want to feel your skin against me," he murmured, still half asleep. She hesitated, then sighing, she sat up to remove her clothes. He put his arm around her and she snuggled into his un-injured side, draping her leg over his thigh.

Eliot wrapped his hand around the curve of her hip, pressing his lips against hers. It was a gentle kiss but grew more intense and heated within moments. She seemed resistant at first, most likely because of his injuries, but she soon allowed him to ravish her mouth hungrily. God he wanted her again. He cursed his body for his lack of control. Every time he'd feel like he finally had reined himself in, she'd move a certain way or make a tantalizing sound, driving him crazy.

Finally she pulled away from his lips, breathing heavily. "We should stop…"

"I don't want to stop." He brought her hand down to his throbbing cock and when she moaned softly, he kissed her hard.

Katie pulled away, protesting, "You need to rest."

"No, right now, I need you," he began moving her hand up his cock slowly. "Deny you want me and I'll stop."

Eliot heard the hitch her breath like she meant to speak but her hand moved a little faster. He allowed her to stroke him for a few minutes, intently, like she silently compromised with a hand-job, but he'd be damned if he'd come in a beautiful, naked woman's hand. She began sucking on his neck then moving her hot mouth to his shoulder. When her thumb circled the head of his cock, he groaned loudly.

"Climb on top," he commanded.

She ran her tongue along his ear before whispering, "I don't want to hurt you."

"This is hurting me," he growled, squeezing her hand to stop it from moving. "You do the work and I won't get hurt."

Finally relenting, Katie sat up and straddled him quickly. He could still see her by some lights filtering through the curtains. When she slid slowly down over him, he wasn't surprised to find her as hot and wet as she was. He buried his fingers into her thighs, bruising her.

"Ride me, sweetheart."

Katie tightened around him before she asked, "How fast do you want it baby?"

"Slow," he whispered, loving the feeling of her around him. She rose up almost completely before tightening again as she slid back down. The way she massaged him with her inner muscles made him throb.

"I could fuck you all day," she gasped.

"When I recover, I'm going to tie you to the bed for a week and test that," he responded.

"Mmm…that sounds good to me honey." He could tell she was getting more turned on.

"I'm going to do things you never dreamed of," he promised, biting back a moan.

"You'd be surprised at the things I dream. I'm not as sweet and innocent as I look."

God he had visions of all the things he'd do to her. "Faster," he moaned. He was surprised when she stopped and grinded against him.

"How bad do you want it?" she teased, clenching down hard as she moved her hips in circles. Leaning forward, she came inches away from his lips and whispered, "Do you want it enough to beg?"

Eliot bit his lip trying to regain control. Two can play this game. And he could play it better.

He quickly grabbed her by the back of the neck with one hand and her throat with the other. "I'm not good at begging. But I'll take what I want from you and I won't be gentle."

"Oh, I know you won't," she whispered continuing her little dance on his cock but he felt how wet she was getting.

"Is that what you want, Katie? You want me to hold you down and fuck you so hard you can't breathe?"

"Tell me you don't burn with the thought of burying your cock deep inside my mouth as you come." Katie licked his lips.

"You'd love that wouldn't you?" He flexed inside her and she gasped.

In between panting breaths, she moaned, "Yes, I want to taste you."

"You're tired of those nice guys panting after you like puppies. You need to being reminded who is in charge." When she started to move again, he grasped her throat a little harder, though careful not to actually hurt her.

"Oh fuck," she whispered and he sensed she was close to coming.

"You're addicted to the rush already, aren't you? The danger of me losing control with you, hurting you…you don't want pain, but it makes you so hot to live on the edge, wondering how far you can push me."

"Oh god, yes," she replied desperately trying to move against him but he held her firmly.

"You're close aren't you baby?" he teased her lips with his teeth. When she moaned and nodded, he turned her words around on her. "Do you want it enough to beg?"

Katie stiffened and he felt her refusal for a few moments. He grinned wickedly, wondering if her passion or stubbornness would win out.

"Come on Katie, tell me what you want." Releasing her throat, he moved his hand down her body, rubbing her nipples, her stomach until he reached between them and stroked her clit once.

She moaned louder and he did it again. She attempted to grind against his hand but he continued to tease her, using every ounce of self control he had. If he thought he physically could, he would have flipped her over and fucked her so hard she couldn't walk for a week. When he thumbed her clit the third time, she finally whimpered and he knew he had her.

"Please Eliot!" she pleaded. When she broke, so did his resistance. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her up and brought her down hard on him a few times. Katie sat up and rode him faster. She arched her back, clamping down on him as she screamed his name.

Eliot felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest. He kept burying himself in her over and over again before he finally came so hard it left him breathless. He couldn't move without his ribs killing him so he lay still trying to regain his senses.

It took him a moment to register someone banging on the door. "Eliot! Are you two all right?"

'Parker!' he thought but he couldn't speak.

Katie finally caught her breath and yelled back in irritation, "We're fine."

"But I heard a scream."

"Damnit Parker! Go to bed," Eliot yelled in response.

There was a long silence then Parker asked, "You're sure? I'd feel better if I saw for myself."

Katie started laughing. "Parker!"

Eliot watched the window and didn't see Parker's shadow walking away. He groaned. "She's not going to leave until she's sure we're okay."

"Are you serious?" Katie waited a moment then got off him and threw her shirt on. "I can't believe this." She shook her head laughing. Throwing a cover across him, she wrapped his towel around her waist, unable to find her panties in the dark. She unlocked and opened the door a few inches. "See? We're fine."

"But you screamed," Parker argued attempting to look over her head at Eliot, finally pushing the door open further. "I thought something happened to you."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so loud," Katie responded with a touch of guilt.

"What were you doing?" Parker's question caught her off guard and when she didn't answer, the blond looked her in the eyes for a minute. "Oh! You were…"

Eliot had never seen Parker so flustered and he tried not to laugh at her. "You can go back to bed now." She quickly left the door and rushed by the window.

Katie relocked the door and leaned up against it. "Your friends are..."

"She means well." He sighed.

"I know. It's kind of sweet in a very annoying timing kind of way." She tossed the towel onto the other bed and pulled her shirt back off. Easing into bed beside him, she sat up on one elbow. "That was…amazing by the way."

"Yes it was." He grinned. "I was hoping for a quickie but you far exceeded my plans. I had no idea how naughty you were."

Katie pouted, her eyes widening innocently making him chuckle. "Don't even pretend that you didn't start this!"

"I just wanted you to make love to me," he rubbed his hand down her side. "Not drive me insane."

"You bring that out in me," she whispered. "It's a complete rush to lose control."

"You know I'd never hurt you though right?" he asked, concerned.

She leaned forward and kissed him. "I trust you. That's why I can let go."

"Katie…" he whispered, at a loss for words. This was too intense. The way she looked at him, the way she made him feel, the way she surrendered herself to him completely, it made him want to promise her the world but he knew he couldn't deliver it.

"I know. It's just sex," she replied. She shrugged, but he could hear the hurt in her voice. She lay on her back no longer touching him. And he ached to have her touching him.

Damnit. Shit. Fuck!

"It's not just sex," he said finally. "I don't know what it is." He looked at her before he added, "But I can't…I shouldn't…damnit!" He turned to glare at the ceiling.

"What? You can't or shouldn't what?" she demanded.

"I can't give you what you want. I'm not the kind of guy you need."

She sat up slowly before turning around to glare at him. "Oh I see. Because I'm rich and you're still just that poor kid from the wrong side of town, huh? You're not good enough for me? Wake up Eliot! I'm not rich anymore and you grew up," she fumed before getting off the bed. He attempted to stop her but she slapped his hand away.

"You know what? Fuck being happy. I'll just learn to shut up and marry well like everyone planned for me to. Thanks for letting me slum it and using you for my personal fuck toy today." She stormed into the bathroom and locked the door.

"Jesus Christ!" he yelled at her. He didn't know whether to strangle her or pound his head against the wall.

Katie stayed in the bathroom for an hour. Eliot watched the time change on the digital clock beside the bed. She came out and climbed into the other bed, turning away from him.

"Real mature," he muttered.

"Fuck you." She kept her back to him.

"Are we really not going to talk about this?"

"Nope."

Eliot had to count to ten to prevent himself from getting off the bed and grabbing her, due to the most overwhelming urge to turn her over his knee. Spoiled brat. She really knew how to push his buttons. That was for sure. He hated that. Fine, if she wants to give him the silent treatment, he'd let her.

After he realized she had gone to sleep and really intended to not talk to him, he sighed under his breath. This was going just fuckin' great.