We Both Know
He stood outside her door, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. He was nervous, excited. Telling her how he felt, what he wanted, had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done. But now, standing in front of her door, it seemed so much easier. Being here, not really knowing what to expect was infinitely harder.
Gripping the bottles tightly, he reached for the button and pressed it. He saw movement inside and suddenly she opened the door. Her shy smile as she opened the door, calmed him immediately.
"I thought you said a bottle."
Laughing he held them up, "I didn't know what you were cooking, so I brought one of each."
A buzzer sounded from the kitchen. She pointed at one of the bottles, "Why don't you open it while I get the bread."
She turned and walked away. He watched her walk as he crossed the threshold, closing the door behind him. Shaking his head, he tried to drive away the thoughts in his mind. It was unrealistic to expect anything but a lovely dinner.
He'd been to her home before so he easily made himself at home opening the wine. He listened to her in the kitchen moving around. Taking both glasses he made his way to the kitchen.
"Your wine, pet."
She turned to him, a small smile playing at the edge of her lips. She wondered if he was aware of the term of endearment, "Thanks."
Touching his glass to hers, "What's for dinner?"
Taking a small sip of her wine, she smiled up at him, "Pasta and garlic bread."
He smiled down at her, "I seem to recall you making fun of me and garlic bread."
"Yes, I did." Taking a step closer to him, "It doesn't mean I'm not willing to exploit a weakness though."
"It seems I am at a disadvantage Dr. Hobson." Seeing her quizzical looked, he leaned down whispering in her ear, "I don't know any of your weaknesses."
She inhaled sharply at the feel of his breath against her skin. Her only thought was his voice in her ear, whispering to her, could quickly become a weakness. "Then I guess you will just have to figure it out. It's good to have goals, Inspector."
Smiling to himself, he straightened, admiring the pretty blush coloring her cheeks. He had a strong feeling he'd just discovered one of her weaknesses. "Can I help with anything?"
Handing him her glass, "Take this and the bottle to the table, then come back for the bread."
He took her glass, allowing his fingers to brush against her skin as he did. He heard her intake of breath and had to stop himself from leaning forward and kissing her. He'd kissed her the last time, and he didn't want to make an assumption that tonight was about anything more than a friendly dinner, the beginning of more perhaps.
Taking a step back, he smiled down at her. "I'll be right back."
She watched him walk away. She didn't want to push him into anything he wasn't ready for. Telling her he wanted a relationship was one thing, falling into bed was something different. The memory of his lips so close to her ear made her shiver. Perhaps he was ready, but wanted a sign from her. She'd thought an invitation to dinner at her home was invitation enough but maybe he needed more.
Turning back to the stove, she began dishing pasta into bowls. She heard him behind her, taking the basket. Without looking back, "I'll be there in just a moment."
He watched her, could feel her unease. Briefly, he wondered if she was uncertain about tonight, about what he wanted, expected. He wanted her, but he knew she might want things to move slowly. He'd had a lot more time to think about what he wanted.
She turned to him, a bowl in each hand, "I hope you're hungry."
Staring down at her lips, he nodded, "Starving."
His answer surprised her. Was he talking about the food or some other hunger? "Good."
She followed him to the table, placing a bowl at each place setting. They both sat, Robbie placed the basket with the bread between them.
He could still feel her unease. Lifting his glass, he smiled at her, "A toast?" She nodded, "To good friends..."
She interrupted, "Becoming better friends."
Awkward silence settled between them. The only noise in the room was the clinking of the silverware. Finally, Laura broke the silence, "I'm sorry."
Robbie placed his fork on the table and looked at her, "Why?"
"I don't want you to think I expect..."'
"Expect what, Laura."
"This, tonight, to be anything more than dinner." She paused, unsure of what to say. After her call with Ellen, she'd been so certain, now she was afraid. "I mean, I'm OK with taking things slowly."
"Is that what you want?"
"I want you to be comfortable and I'm OK with whatever that means."
"That wasn't an answer to my question, Laura. I asked what you want."
She swallowed, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. "You, I want you. I want us and all of what that encompasses. But, at whatever pace makes you comfortable."
"And what pace would make you most comfortable?" He laughed as he saw her eyes widen, a blush creep across the exposed skin of her chest. Who knew he could shock her?
"I...I just meant..."
He reached across the table, taking her hand. "We've danced around each other for a long time, Laura. I think we are both mature enough to know what we want and when we want it."
"And what do you want?"
Standing, he walked to her side of the table, pulling her up to stand in front of him. One hand moved to caressed her cheek, the other went to her waist, pulling her against him. Lowering his head, he whispered against her lips, "You, Laura. And not just for tonight. I want you for as long as you will have me."
All of her doubts and insecurities disappeared. She pushed up, pressing her lips to his. Suddenly words were longer necessary. As the kiss deepened, she wrapped her arms around his neck and stopped thinking altogether.
The desperate need for air pulled at them both. As they separated, she took his hand guiding him to the one room in her home he'd never seen. He followed her willingly.
At the threshold of her bedroom, he pulled her to him. Her back to his front, he wrapped his arm around her waist before burying his face in her neck. He rumbled against her ear, "I don't think I've ever told you how beautiful you are."
He felt her inhale, a slight gasp as she tried to turn in his arms. He held her fast, tracing his lips along her neck. "Or that the way you smell fills my dreams." She pulled against him, desperate to turn to him. His free hand moved up to cup her breast as his lips continued their assault on her neck. "And I've never told you how many times I've woken from those dreams aching with need for you."
"Robbie..."
His thumb traced her hardened nipple, causing her to gasp, "Say it again."
Need was thick in her voice as she said his name again, "Robbie, please..."
"Please what, Laura?"
"I want you." Finally she felt his arm loosen and she turned in his arms. Her fingers flew across the buttons of his shirt, lips finding naked skin with each button. She pushed the shirt back, desperately trying to get it off. A groan of frustration erupted from her when it caught at his wrists.
He smiled down at her indulgently as he held up his arms so she could unbutton the sleeves. As she finally slid it off him, she tossed it across the room. Smiling up at him, she started backing across the room, beckoning him to follow.
Reaching behind her, she unzipped her dress, then let it fall to the ground. A surge of desire ripped through her at the growl from Robbie when he saw her naked except for a small piece of lace.
He closed the distance between them in a single step. Pulling her to him, he captured her lips in a bruising kiss. She matched his enthusiasm, wrapping her arms around him as she continued backing toward the large bed behind them.
Reaching it, she lifted one leg, easing onto the bed. Her hands reaching between them, nimbly unfastening his belt and trousers. She could feel him toeing off shoes as she pushed his trousers and underwear down in one stroke.
Pulling back from him, she fell onto the bed. Lust filled eyes stared up at him as he stepped out of his clothes and placed a knee on the bed. His hands found the waist of her knickers and started sliding them down. She lifted her hips, helping him.
Tossing her knickers over his shoulder, he crawled up her body, pausing occasionally to kiss her bare skin, delighting in her soft sighs and moans.
He felt her leg wrap around him as her arms pulled at him. Looking up at her, he was mesmerized by the desire in her gaze. "Hard and fast is the pace I want." She kissed him, wrapping her legs around him as he slid into her. Before they started to move, she pulled away slightly and whispered against his lips. "You can pick the pace next time."
They all say it, all the ones who made it
Once you find the one you claim it
But youre gonna have to fight
When I think it back, the things that threw us off track
We handle like a heart attack cause we didnt see the light
Uh-uh-uh and ... We both know our... own limitations
Thats why were strong
Now that we spend some time apart
Were leading each-other out of the dark,
Cause we both know From this moment, forget what we were scared of
Say youre never giving up
Say youll always try to be my helping hand
Try to be the one who understands
When things dont go as you planned
Were still worth it all
Uh-uh-uh and yeah, now
Gavin Degraw & Colbie Caillot - We Both Know
This brings us to the end of the plot. Let's just assume they had a very enjoyable evening, with several different paces. Next we return to single shots.