Fluffy chapter, I have been lacking the motivation to write more smut, but I still plan on it. Hopefully once I get off these long work days I'll have more energy for shenanigans!
Light was barely peeking through the drawn curtains on the far side of Maura's room when Jane's eyes fluttered open. She rolled over and found another body beside her. The night before rushed back to her as she took in the sight of Maura sleeping beside her. Jane felt her heart swell, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept. Her gorgeous face was so peaceful, honey waves cascading over her neck, and partially obscuring her forehead. Jane smiled at the sight, in disbelief she was there, waking up beside Maura in such a capacity. Of course, they'd shared the same bed before, and woken up together before. But they both lay there, naked and serene, after an intimate night together.
Wanting to reach out and touch her, to be sure this was real, the backs of Jane's fingers gently caressed Maura's cheek. Maura stirred slightly, rolling closer to Jane and snuggling into her warmth. Jane smile, wrapping an arm around her and gently placing a flat hand against the small of her back. Her skin was warm and soft beneath her calloused hand, and Jane couldn't help but to rub soft circles into the dip of Maura's back.
Maura was gently and wonderfully coming to reality, the blanket of sleep lifting from her and allowing her to be aware of the sensation of Jane's touches. Maura inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of Jane. "That feels so nice," Maura mumbled softly, her words muffled in Jane's shoulder. Jane looked down, surprised by Maura's sudden awake state, but smiled. She continued her motions before pressing her lips to the top of Maura's messy hair. "Good morning," she whispered. After a few moments Maura looked up from the warmth of Jane's body and into the eyes of her best friend. "Good morning," she replied, smiling happily. It certainly was a good morning.
They enjoyed the closeness of each other for a few more minutes before Maura groaned and crawled out of bed. "My bladder is insisting I empty it," she grumbled before padding her way to the bathroom. Jane sat up in bed, trying to keep her jaw from going slack as Maura walked out of the room, completely naked. God that was a sight she would never get enough of. Maura returned within a few minutes, giving Jane a full frontal view as she reentered the room. "God you're gorgeous, Maur," Jane whispered, her eyes wandering up and down Maura's body, appreciating every curve and dip of it. Maura blushed, allowing Jane to drink her in with her eyes. "Would you like to join me for a shower?"
Two minutes later they were stepping beneath a spray of hot water and wrapping their arms around each other eagerly. Jane pressed her lips to Maura's in a soft kiss that was meant to be short, but as Maura deepened it and held her closer, she couldn't resist parting her lips and granting the ME access. Their tongues danced momentarily before Maura nipped at Jane's bottom lip, her hands slowly roaming the detective's wet body. Jane's arms were rested on Maura's hips, pulling her body closer. They spent some time like this, just holding one another as they kissed, enjoying the feel of each other as the hot water fell over them, easing away the tenseness of their muscles.
Jane was the first to pull away, though her eyes remained on Maura. "I can't believe this is real," she admit in her soft rasp, reaching over to grab the body wash off the ledge. Maura sighed softly, leaning against Jane as the other woman's arms encircled her again before she began to wash Maura's back gently. "I can't either, I never thought you'd feel the same… I was so scared asking you would ruin our friendship."
"I would have been too scared to ask you. I'm so glad you're braver than me,"
"I'm not, Jane. I just hoped that if I made it sound scientific, you wouldn't read into it so much…"
"Am I not supposed to read into it?" Jane's movements stalled for a moment as she pulled away slightly to look down at Maura, her brows knitting in confusion.
"No, I just meant I hoped you would think it was innocent and not get scared away."
Jane smiled down at Maura, kissing her forehead gently, "well I'm here now, and I'm far from scared."
Maura laughed lightly, gazing up at Jane with so much adoration she thought she might burst. She got what she wanted, she got Jane.
They finished up their shower, actually focusing on cleaning themselves, before they stepped out into the bitter air and wrapped themselves in towels. Maura retreated to her yoga room to follow her morning routine, which had quite the break in it thanks to Jane- though that was something she would happily add to her routine. Jane found herself uncharacteristically in the kitchen, making breakfast for them both. Though she hated anything domestic and normally lived off coffee, and maybe a donut or two for breakfast, she wanted to make something for Maura, and still knew how to make some pancakes to die for from her childhood cooking lessons.
Jane was so focused on flipping pancakes and determining the perfect second to get the right shade of golden brown, that she didn't hear Maura enter the kitchen. Maura came up behind the cooking detective, wrapping her arms around Jane from behind and pressed her cheek to Jane's back. "That smells delicious, I didn't know you cooked, Jane." Jane hummed softly, enjoying the feel of Maura's arms around her, "well I'm capable of it, I just usually don't." Maura chuckled, kissing Jane's shoulder softly before retreating to the cupboards, "I'll set the table and get some coffee going."
Jane turned around, spatula poised in midair as she watched Maura pull plates out of the cupboard and balance them in one hand as she reached up for some mugs. "Hey Maur," Jane's sultry voice echoed softly in Maura's ears and she turned to look at the detective. Jane opened her mouth, the words dying to come out. She needed to say it, to say those three words. They'd been building in her for years, raging inside of her since last night. But they caught in her throat, refusing to come out. She refused to ruin a good thing.
"Yes, Jane?" Maura asked, setting the dishes down on the kitchen table carefully.
Jane chickened out, unable to bring herself to say what she wanted to. "Thank you," she whispered, hoping Maura could read beneath the simple words. Maura, of course, could. She gave Jane a loving smile, then focused her attention on grinding espresso beans to start their coffee.