WARNING! I'm changing the rating because I expanded on the middle section of this story a bit. After reading it through again, I realized it needed to be fleshed out a bit more (no pun intended). It's not explicit, but it's intimate enough that I feel the rating should change for my own peace of mind.
Penny is trying not to become too emotionally invested in Sheldon, but she's not having much luck.
Sheldon smiled as they walked around the museum. Of course, the museum always made him smile, but this time, he had the added delight of knowing that Penny was enjoying it, as well. She studied the English pamphlet intently as they made their way to the small café for a break. Karissa carried Whack in her arms (since when did he make friends so easily? Traitorous pup!) while telling Penny about the first time he had come here. He groaned and tried to silence his friend by glaring at her. Of course, she ignored him.
"..so when I finally caught up to him, he was literally 10 seconds away from being escorted off the premises by an irate staff because he kept correcting them on the purpose of various levers," Karissa blabbed.
Penny was laughing so hard, she gave a snort. Tears were pouring down her face and she kept clutching her ribs. "Oh my god! I can just see it!' she gasped out. "Oh, Moon Pie! That's so you!"
Sheldon almost stumbled a step and his heart jumped in his chest. Moon Pie. Hope beat through him at the use of his nickname. He hadn't even realized how much he missed that. He drew the chair to a stop, unable to act casual. Both women looked at him curiously, but he just reached forward to tilt Penny's head back. He bent and kissed her deeply.
Penny stiffened for a heartbeat, stunned by this kiss' intensity, but as his lips moved against hers, she couldn't help but feel a familiar warmth spread through her chest. She wasn't sure which was more surprising, the fact that he was kissing her so passionately in public, or the fact that she was enjoying it. A lot. When he pulled away, she couldn't help leaning up slightly, to follow. She blushed at the ardent look in his eyes.
Slowly he grinned. "You called me Moon Pie," he said softly. "I have missed that." Penny's blush intensified and he smiled wider. "Oh, and only Meemaw can call me that," he reminded her as he resumed their walk.
Neither of them noticed Karissa putting away her phone silently. She grinned to herself. She was absolutely positive now that Penny loved Sheldon. Maybe she would print out that picture and present it to them as a wedding present.
XXXXX
Penny nibbled on her bottom lip as Sheldon changed into his pajamas. Until today, she had paid little attention to him changing in front of her. But now, after that intense kiss at the museum, she found her attention drawn to him. Lean muscles flex in his back as he reached for his top. He turned slightly, and her eyes traced the slight six-pack. Slowly she looked up his torso, reaching his face. Sheldon was watching her, his eyes wide. The top hung from his shoulders loosely as he watched her watch him. Tentatively he turned and moved closer.
He stopped a couple of inches away and Penny licked her lips nervously. She raised her right hand to lightly touch his jean covered hip. She looked up at him and took a shaky breath. "Kiss me," she demanded gently.
Sheldon got down on his knees so they were almost eye level and pressed his lips to hers without hesitation. She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Sheldon's blood was on fire. He slid his arms around her and held her tight to his chest. He had no idea how long they kissed, his entire being focused on the sensations rampaging through him. He finally broke away to catch his breath and was shocked to find them laying across the bed. He was pressed against her thigh, his erection throbbing. Penny's eyes were wide, her breathing erratic. He started to pull away, but froze when Penny's hand moved between them to brush against his hard length.
He closed his eyes tight as she did it again before closing her hand over him. "P..Penny.."
"Shh," she whispered softly. Her free hand drew his head down to the crook of her neck and she stroked him firmly. He groaned and pressed into her hand. He breathed in the soft scent of her vanilla soap and tried to keep from bucking hard against her pliant body. He was so lost in the pleasure of her touch he almost didn't hear the sound of his zipper being undone.
He grabbed her wrist instinctively, raising up to look into her eyes. Penny hesitated a heartbeat before using her other hand to draw him down for another kiss. Slowly he sank into the kiss and his hold on her wrist loosened. He moaned and pulled away from her mouth as her hand slipped inside his clothes.
Ever since he was a hormonal teen, he had taken care of his sexual needs himself. It had always been a perfunctory task, as necessary as eating or bathing, for his body's optimal maintenance. And while ejaculation did result in temporary pleasure, it was not something he gave much time or thought to.
But this? The feel of Penny's soft hand wrapping around him? The way the pad of her thumb grazed across the head of his manhood? This was madness. This was ecstasy. This was beyond his wildest imaginings. His breathing grew erratic and shallow as he struggled to retain some semblance of control. When she pushed one side of his pants down his hip, he lifted up and shoved the other side down immediately. He sprang free of the restrictive material and she grasped him fully in her hand.
He shuddered against her as pleasure began to build up inside him. He forced his eyes to re-open and locked his gaze on hers. Promise shown brightly in her hazel eyes as she pumped him steadily. His tremors increased as he neared climax. He cupped her cheek with one hand, the other clenched in the covers beside her head. He pressed his forehead to hers, staring deep into her eyes as he peaked.
He slowly tilted his head and kissed her softly. "I love you," he whispered.
Penny closed her eyes briefly and looked back at up at him. "Sheldon, I …I care about you. I …"
He nodded as calmly as possible. "I know, Penny. I know."
XXXXX
Penny tucked the blanket around her legs and looked around the train compartment for Sheldon. For two days things between them had been a bit …weird. It was her fault. They had shared a special moment, something really intimate, and how had she responded? "I care about you." Since then, Sheldon had kept a bit of distance between them. She would not have believed there was a way for them to lay curled in each others arms at night, and still feel like there was a yard of space between them.
What the hell was wrong with her? This was Sheldon! She knew him! Sheldon was hopelessly honest, and reliable. He loved her, and she was fighting him every step of the way. She was just so scared to risk her heart. She clenched her hands tight and leaned her head back against the head rest. For two years she had felt nothing but worthless. Stupid, useless Penny, who was so easily forgotten. It had taken losing her ability to walk to even get his attention.
She sighed sadly. That wasn't fair, she thought to herself. Sheldon had no idea how badly his leaving had made her feel. Of course, he might have known if he had ever read her emails. She turned her head to look out the window. She just felt so conflicted anymore. She felt something for Sheldon that she had never felt before. If she was honest, she suspected that she was already falling in love with him. The physical aspect was the biggest hurdle for her. She liked him. She wanted to be around him. He made her feel special and happy. She even felt desire for him. But how could she act on that? She felt pretty much useless as a woman now.
Sheldon came down the aisle and settled into his seat. "We should arrive right around 6pm," he said as he handed her a cup of coffee. He smiled in a friendly fashion. "I have already arranged for a carriage to pick us up at the station. Are you comfortable?"
Penny turned to face him. "We need to talk," she answered quietly. "About the night before last."
Sheldon's expression closed off and he looked away. "Penny, we do not need to discuss …"
"Yes," she said a bit more forcefully, still keeping her voice low. "Please," she mumbled softly, "I'm sorry." She hesitantly reached out and slipped her hand into his. "I didn't mean to do something you didn't want. I was just …" she broke off awkwardly. She took a deep breath, no longer daring enough to look him in the eye. "I wanted you to feel good. The way your kisses made me feel."
She bit her lip as Sheldon reached over to cup her cheek. His thumb rubbed across her cheekbone and she looked back up. She sucked in a harsh breath at the fire in his eyes.
"I thought you felt like I was pushing you," he said softly. "I don't want you to think I am only after coitus. What happened was beyond description, Penny. You know very well how much I enjoyed it. But you received nothing in return. I have told you over and over that I love you. I mean it each and every time. I am not expecting you to return those words. I don't want you to, unless you truly feel that way. However, I still feel as if I am taking advantage of you and our situation. I am perfectly content to wait, Penny. Sexual relations are not a high priority for me. I just want to be with you."
Penny smiled softly. "Sheldon, you didn't push me into anything. I wanted to touch you. In fact, I want to touch you again, right now. Look, I'm not sure if a physical relationship is even possible for me, but I'm attracted to you, Sheldon. I feel emotions for you that, frankly, scare me. I'm terrified that when this is all over, I'll lose you again. But I want your kisses. I want you to hold me. I want to touch you."
She drew him down for a tender kiss. "If you don't want this, then I'll abide by that. But don't feel bad for what we did. I'm going to treasure that memory for the rest of my life."
After a few heartbeats Sheldon smiled wryly. "We couldn't have discussed this last night? It's going to be hours before I get you back home and into my arms, you know. You, my dear, are a tease."
Penny grinned cheekily and kissed him quick. "Now, tell me more about Santa's Park."