*Hope you enjoy this one…and as always thanks for reading and reviewing.
Chapter 24- Sweet Jane
"Got a hot date?" Frankie bumped Jane's shoulder as he took a seat next to her on the bench in the dugout.
"Something like that..." Jane leaned over to shove her equipment in her bag. "I just don't know why Coach needs me here…"
"Because it's tryouts Jane…and you are the team captain." Frankie tried to reason.
"Yeah, well…whatever." She huffed as she pulled her hat off to smooth down her hair before putting it back on. It was a nervous habit of hers, something that did not go unnoticed by Frankie.
"Hey…what's going on? What's got you so…" He looked at her as he tried to find a word that would best describe her. "Restless…"
"Shit Frankie…it's our first Valentine's Day together…I should be with Maura, not sitting here with a bunch of sweaty oafs…no offense." She grinned at him to lessen the insult.
"None taken and don't you think I would rather be with Cindy…" He gave her a sideways glance, wiggling his eyebrows in a playful way.
"I suppose so…" Jane mumbled as she rested her elbows on her knees and looked down at her cleats. For some reason, her feet seemed just a bit more interesting than what was going on around her.
"I'm sure you'll make it up to her." Frankie lowered his voice so only Jane could hear.
"I'm supposed to meet her after practice…I'm leaving before eight and no one's gonna stop me." Jane all but growled under her breath. "And why Coach has us wearing our uniforms right now I just don't understand." She pulled at her shirt.
"I guess he just wants everyone to feel like a team, kinda give the newbies something to look forward to if they make it." Frankie shrugged his shoulders.
"I won't have time to change before I catch up with Maura…I'll be a sweaty mess, at least I have a change of clothes in my bag and I can change when I get to the boat…"
"You still need a ride, cause I would love to see it…" Frankie perked up at the thought of seeing Maura's parent's boat.
"I do still need a ride, but…um…" Jane hesitated as she thought about having to show Frankie the boat instead of going straight into Maura's arms. "Can I show it to you another time…besides you can probably see it from the parking lot…"
Frankie furrowed is brow as he listened to what she was saying before he understood what it was that she wasn't saying. "I get it…" He said with a crooked grin. "But do you mind if we make a stop, I'd like to get Cindy flowers."
"Sounds like a plan…I was gonna ask you if we could stop anyways." Jane smiled at him.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Frankie leaned back against the dugout wall.
"Um…okay…" Jane said hesitantly.
"Relax Jane…I was just gonna ask if you've done something different with your batting stance. You hit everything that was thrown to you today. You're good, but…" He looked over at her to see the slight pink tint that was coloring her cheeks. "What?"
"Maura gave me some pointers…" Jane shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.
"Maura?" Frankie sat up straighter as he gave Jane a puzzled look.
"We went to the batting cages this weekend and damn Frankie…she hit every single ball…she was incredible." The pride was evident in Jane's voice and smile.
"Has she ever played before?" He questioned.
"Nah…she just read a book and viola…she became Ted Williams." Jane threw her hands up in the air.
Studying his sister very carefully, Frankie wasn't sure he should believe her. He ran his hand across his chin as he contemplated what she had said.
"If you don't believe me, Carly and Ryan were there too." She could see the wheels spinning as he thought about what she had told him.
"Maybe you should ask her to come give us some pointers." He turned his attention back to the field.
The heat that rose to Jane's cheeks caught her off guard as she remembered her lesson under Maura's tutelage. She definitely did not want anyone else to have the same kind of lesson.
When she didn't answer, Frankie looked over at her. "We need to wrap this up…it's too damn cold to be out here, your cheeks are bright red…" He said pushing up off of his seat to stand over her. "I'm gonna tell Coach we need to get outta here."
With a small smile, Jane rubbed her hands together as if she were cold. "I'm right behind you." She said knowing full well that she wasn't cold at all; in fact she could have sworn she saw steam rising off of her overheated skin.
Maura stood at the railing of the 'Argo' looking out over the bay. The sun had long ago set, leaving her in semi darkness as she leaned over the shiny wooden banister to look over the edge at the water. She noticed the way the lights reflected like jewels shimmering on the surface, twinkling with the movement of soft waves as they slapped against the hull.
Even though it was a cold night, she could feel the warmth of the portable heater that sat on the deck close to where she was standing as she waited for Jane's arrival. Her mind wandered to the things she had missed about being with Jane. It seemed as if their time alone together had all but disappeared making her question her decision to encourage Jane to join the baseball team, but she did enjoy watching Jane play. She realized it was a catch 22 for her at this point as she let out a long sigh. It wasn't until she heard the soft click-clack of cleats on the wooden deck that she realized she was no longer alone.
Watching Maura standing at the railing looking out over the water all but lit a fire in Jane as she slowly made her way across the deck of the boat. She did her best to be quiet but when she saw Maura stiffen in anticipation, she knew that her presence was known.
Setting her bag down before she reached Maura, Jane shifted the bouquet of flowers she held in her hand so she could pull out a single red rose before setting the wrapped flowers down on top of her bag. With the single rose in her hand, she moved to stand behind Maura, bringing her hand around to present Maura with the flower as she buried her face in Maura's long honey-blonde tresses.
"You always smell so good…" Jane said inhaling Maura's intoxicating scent as she burrowed her face deeper in the silky locks until she found the soft skin of Maura's neck where she placed a gentle kiss.
"Ummmm…" Maura wrapped her hand around Jane's to bring the rose up to smell it. Inhaling deeply, she sighed at the faint floral fragrance as she leaned back against Jane.
"Happy Valentine's Day beautiful…" Jane breathed against Maura's ear as her lips moved over a delicate lobe causing Maura to shiver at the touch.
"I'm glad you're here…I've missed you." Maura tilted her head to the side to give Jane's mouth more access to her skin.
"Yeah…I know we haven't had much time together. But I actually got my Ma to let me stay the night, as long as I promise to make it to school tomorrow. Think you can give me ride?" Jane sighed as she wrapped her other arm around Maura's waist to pull their bodies closer.
"I suppose I can accommodate you…" Maura smiled at the thought of spending the whole night in Jane's arms. "What changed your mother's mind?"
"I think she realized it was futile to try to get me home by curfew so she conceded, just this once…" Jane smiled against the warmth of Maura's skin as she continued to trace her lips up and down Maura's exposed neck.
"Well, whatever the reason I'm glad she agreed to let you stay." Maura turned in Jane's arms to face her. She smiled as she took in Jane's appearance. A baseball hat sat atop Jane's head tilted slightly farther back than normal with her hair pulled up in a ponytail. Her baseball jersey was buttoned to cover a long-sleeved t-shirt and her white pinstriped pants were slightly baggy on her lean frame.
"Sorry, I didn't have time to change." Jane frowned down at her attire as she felt Maura inspecting her. "I just wanted to get here to you." She tried to defend her decision not to change first.
"Do you realize how adorable and incredibly sexy you look in this uniform?" Maura ran her fingers across the letters on the front of Jane's jersey.
With a shy smile Jane shook her head as she looked down at Maura's hand tracing the red letters that adorned her chest.
"Well you are." Maura's fingers moved up to softly caress Jane's cheek. "How was practice?"
"Cold…" Jane pouted as she tilted her face towards Maura's warm hand. She closed her eyes against the soft touch as Maura placed an open palm against her cheek. "We coulda used your portable heater to keep us warm though…but I woulda rather been here with you."
"Jane…can I ask you a question?" Maura said softly causing Jane to open her eyes. The expression on Maura's face was contemplative and Jane cocked a dark eyebrow in response.
"You know you can Maur…what's going on in that big brain of yours?" Jane regarded the serious look on Maura's face.
"Well…um…sometimes when I'm at the baseball field watching you practice…I hear some of the guys talking about girls…" Maura hesitated briefly as she tried to think about what to say. "I've noticed that they use terms like first-base and second-base…to refer to sex. I've figured that these euphemisms are references for how far they have gotten with a girl…but I was wondering if you could explain them to me." Maura's cheeks had a pink tinge to them and it wasn't from the cold evening air.
Blinking a few times as she took in what Maura was asking Jane tried to hide her smile so Maura didn't think she was going to laugh at her. She stood quiet for a moment as she watched the completely innocent look on Maura's face before a not so innocent idea came to her mind.
"How private is it out here?" Jane inquired.
"Very…we are at the end of the dock. The only people that could see are the Armstrong's who own the slip next to us and they aren't out here very often." Maura pointed at a boat about the same size as the one they were on. It was dark, quiet and empty, the perfect shield from prying eyes.
"Do you trust me Maura?" Jane asked with a cocky grin.
"You know I do Jane…" Maura answered as she watched Jane remove her hat.
Jane tossed the hat to where she had set her bag down before pulling the rubber band from her hair, allowing it to fall around her shoulders in slightly messy curls. She ran her fingers through the somewhat tangled mess in an attempt to smooth it down as she shook her head.
"Okay…I wanna try something…" Jane stepped closer to Maura gently pushing her up against the railing. Taking Maura's hand in her own, Jane moved the smaller hand to place it on the rail behind Maura before doing the same with the other hand. "Don't let go…" Jane all but growled as she leaned into Maura and whispered. "Now…close your eyes…" Her lips grazed Maura's ear. "And I'll show you…"
A look of confusion was quickly replaced by uncertainty before Maura realized what Jane was saying. She could see Jane's eyes cloud over with desire as she looked up into the depths of dark brown that shined down at her. It didn't take much for her to comply with Jane's request as she closed her eyes before taking a shaky breath in anticipation.
Jane couldn't stop herself from smiling down at Maura as she watched her close her eyes, tilt her head back slightly and part her lips in expectation of a kiss. But a kiss wasn't what Jane was thinking about as she brought the single rose she was still holding in her left hand up to Maura's mouth before gently skimming the soft petals over Maura's waiting lips.
Maura momentarily stiffened when she felt something other than Jane's lips touching hers. It wasn't until she inhaled the sweet fragrance of the rose that was now lightly moving over her lips that she allowed herself to relax. She let out a soft sigh as the petals lightly brushed against her top lip before moving to the bottom. The silky smoothness moved from her mouth to trace along her jaw and down her throat before coming to rest where her blouse lay open just above her cleavage.
"Have I told you how incredible you look?" Jane pulled back just enough to take in Maura's clothes. A red silk blouse was complimented by a short black skirt that stopped just mid-thigh. "Are you cold?" The question lingered for a moment unanswered as Jane's fingers began to slowly unbutton Maura's blouse.
"Not now…" Maura opened her eyes to look down at Jane's hand.
"Close your eyes Maura…" Jane's breath was warm against her cheek drawing her attention away from what Jane was doing with her hand. With a sigh, Maura complied as she closed her eyes again. "Good girl…" Jane's lips slowly moved until they hovered over Maura's waiting mouth. With a patience she never knew she possessed, Jane allowed her mouth to drift away from Maura's.
The featherlike touch of lips grazing over her own caused Maura to lean into the contact, but Jane had other ideas. A frustrated groan was quickly replaced by a soft sigh when she felt Jane's mouth against her ear.
"Are you ready?" Jane asked.
"Yes…" Maura whispered.
"This…" Jane's mouth leisurely moved back over to Maura's. "Is first base…" Her words came out in a rush as she placed her lips against Maura's. The kiss was soft and slow at first as Jane began a gentle exploration of the velvety softness of Maura's mouth. She couldn't stop herself from moaning at the first touch of Maura's tongue against her own as she tried not to rush her intentions. Her tongue brushed against Maura's in a sensual dance that she was determined to lead. The faint taste of strawberries lingered on Jane's tongue from the lip gloss that painted Maura's lips as the kiss deepened. She could feel the heat radiating off of Maura's body into her own causing a fire to ignite deep within her soul. When Jane felt herself on the verge of being consumed by the inferno that was now blazing across her skin, she pulled back just enough so that their lips were still touching, their breaths mingling in a warm caress.
It was difficult for Maura to yield to Jane's lead, but as she did she could feel a smile against her lips before Jane pulled back just enough so their mouths were still touching. Jane's kiss tasted soft and sweet, exactly like Maura would imagine pink bubble gum would taste like. Maura licked her lips in an effort to savor the flavor she was now craving causing Jane to become momentarily mesmerized. It took everything in her to not lean back into the kiss that was slowly causing her body to burn with desire too long unspent. She was so caught up in the feel of Jane's mouth on her own that she almost didn't feel Jane's cold fingers when they grazed the warm skin under her shirt as Jane continued to unbutton the shiny black buttons, slowly revealing what was hidden under the red silk.
Feeling Maura's thoughts shift from their kiss to her hands, Jane leaned forward again to capture Maura's soft lips in another kiss. This time the kiss held an urgency to it that commanded Maura's attention. As Jane's fingers continued their journey down the front of Maura's shirt, she felt herself falter slightly at the warm skin she was now running her hands across. With a need she could no longer contain, Jane playful nipped at Maura's bottom lip in the heat of the moment causing them both to moan. Alternating between sensual open mouthed kisses and soft nibbling, Jane continued her gentle ministrations.
"So soft…" Jane murmured against Maura's mouth as her hands slipped past the silky material of Maura's blouse to trail her fingers across Maura's stomach. She delighted in the way that Maura's muscles twitched under her fingertips as her hands skimmed along hot skin. Pushing Maura's blouse open to reveal creamy white skin, Jane's fingers brushed against the underside of Maura's breasts causing her look down to see that Maura was not wearing a bra. "Jesus Maura…no bra?" She groaned as she felt herself losing the control she was desperately trying so hard to maintain.
When Maura heard Jane's sharp intake of breath, she knew that her little secret had been exposed. Without opening her eyes, she gave Jane an almost shy smile and a small nod as she waited for Jane's next move.
The cold evening air tried to invade their space, but Jane moved closer to keep it away. She let her hands wander over Maura's soft curves until they slipped around to slide up and down her smooth back. The heat they were now generating had warmed Jane's hands as she began to leisurely rub Maura's back.
With a quick jerk, Maura found herself pressed against Jane's uniform. The smooth material felt like cool satin against her overheated skin as she tried to press herself further into the hug. As she struggled for more contact, her breath was all but taken away when Jane kissed her with the intensity of a final release. The feeling of Jane's mouth taking hers with such ferocity had her suddenly feeling dizzy causing her to grab the railing tighter as she tried to steady herself.
Sensing Maura's instability, Jane gently pushed until Maura's back was resting against the railing essentially holding her up. Jane pulled back to break away from the searing kiss and looked down to take in the beauty before her, open and waiting. Replacing her lips with the rose again, Jane traced the petals along Maura's jaw, down her throat before coming to rest between two full, firm breasts drawing a deep sigh in return.
"I'm rounding first base Maur…heading for second. Are you ready?" Jane trailed the rose along the underside of Maura's breasts as she waited for consent to continue.
"Yes Jane…please…" Maura's voice was just above a whisper as she braced herself against the railing behind her for support as Jane continued the onslaught of sensations that had her all but trembling.
"Keep your eyes closed…and your hands where they are…" Jane murmured against soft skin as her lips followed the same path as the rose. She didn't wait for Maura's response this time, her mouth slowly moving lower as she dipped her head towards her intended destination. "You're so beautiful…" Jane's warm breath washed over Maura's skin like a heat wave.
Maura tilted her head back when she felt Jane moving down, pushing herself out towards the wandering mouth that set her skin ablaze. She began to shake when the feeling of soft, silky strands of Jane's dark hair brushed up against her hardened nipples causing her to ache for more.
"So fucking beautiful…" Jane growled as her lips grazed over one erect nipple before traveling over to the other.
Oh God…Jane…" Maura moaned when she felt Jane envelope her in the warmth of her mouth. Her legs started to buckle as she tried to keep her hands on the rail, fighting the instinct to run her fingers through Jane's hair. She could feel herself floating away on a cloud of ecstasy as soft, gentle strokes of Jane's tongue teased and taunted her. It wasn't until Jane's hands slipped up under her skirt, lightly brushing the insides her thighs that Maura felt herself come back to the here and now.
As Jane continued to pay homage to Maura's breasts, she dropped the single rose she was holding as her hands reached for the last barrier that separated her from her final goal. Hooking a finger on either side of Maura's lacey underwear, she slowly pulled down as she kissed her way lower until she was kneeling, looking up at Maura. She could see that Maura was holding her breath as she waited to see what was next so Jane leaned forward to kiss the exposed skin of Maura's stomach just above her skirt causing Maura to gasp when she realized where Jane was heading.
"Hold onto my shoulder…" Jane said as she helped Maura step out of her underwear. Taking note of the black lace, Jane smiled as she slipped them into the back pocket of her uniform pants. "Nice…" She sighed against the tight grip Maura had on her shoulder. "I'm gonna take third base now Maura…and I don't think I have it in me to wait for the third base coach to wave me in…I just might try to steal home…" Jane started to push the fabric of Maura's skirt up and over her hips, exposing her final destination.
When Maura realized what Jane was doing she could no longer keep her eyes closed. Looking down at Jane, kneeling before her filled with a confidence that Maura had never seen before, she let out a shuttering breath. Her world all but collapsed around her when Jane bowed her head to worship at her most intimate place.
If the sight of Jane bowing to her need wasn't enough, the feeling of a warm, wet mouth rocked Maura to her core. Nothing existed but the two of them in that moment. Maura reached down to run her fingers through Jane's hair as stroke after gentle stroke almost brought her to her knees. Before she knew what was happening, she was moving in tandem with the rhythm that Jane had set. As their pace quickened, Maura couldn't stop herself from seeking more contact by pushing herself into Jane's mouth.
Sensing the impeding peak that Maura was cresting, Jane quickened her strokes. The feeling of Maura's fingers gripping her head tightly indicated that she was close as Maura rocked her hips against Jane. Jane couldn't stop herself from smiling as she reveled in the power she was feeling when she brought Maura to the edge with one last, firm stroke of her tongue. The sound of her name falling from Maura's mouth almost brought her to the edge as well, but she fought back as she concentrated on bringing Maura to the point of no return.
Maura knew she was close when her legs started to shake. She leaned back against the rail that was now the only thing holding her up and pushed herself one last time against the pleasure she knew was waiting for her. When her eyes slammed shut, she was rewarded with a display of falling stars showering down on her as her body stiffened for a brief instant before everything exploded in lights and colors behind her closed lids.
"Oh Jane…my sweet, sweet Jane…" The words were ground out through Maura's clenched teeth as her body shook with release. In that breath-taking moment, everything around her ceased to exist causing her body to threaten to give out on her. When Maura felt Jane's arms encircle her, she finally allowed herself to fall into the strength that now surrounded her.
Resting her chin on the top of Maura's head, Jane willed her heartbeat to slow down. Having that much power over Maura was an exhilarating experience for Jane, something she knew she wanted to experience again. Jane realized that being the one responsible for bringing that much pleasure was addictive. She could feel that Maura was still trembling in her arms as she tightened her hold on the smaller body she was now holding against her.
"You okay…?" Jane mumbled against the top of a honey-blonde head. When she felt Maura nod, she pulled back so she could see Maura's face better. "Are you sure?"
"That was incredible…" Maura tilted her head back so she could look up at Jane. "I'm not sure what I was expecting…but that went beyond anything I imagined."
"Yeah…?" Jane grinned sheepishly. "I guess you could call that an inside the park homerun…"
"Oh yeah…definitely a home run, but I think I'd like to even up the score." Maura hugged Jane tighter. "The only problem is that I don't think I can get to the bedroom on my own."
"Wrap your arms and legs around me baby…I'll make sure you reach your destination." Jane said as she lifted Maura up allowing her do as she asked.
"Have I told you that I love you?" Maura sighed into Jane's neck as she nuzzled the long, dark hair she was currently burying her face in.
"Not today…" Jane murmured against the top of Maura's head as she carried the smaller body towards the bedroom.
"Well I do…" The words were almost lost as Maura began to kiss Jane's throat.
"Me too…happy Valentine's day beautiful." Jane sighed as they disappeared down the stairs.
Rolling over onto her side so she could look at Maura, Jane propped herself up on her elbow. She pushed her sweat tangled hair out of her face so she could see Maura lying next to her, a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
"Proud of yourself are you?" Jane did her best to smirk back.
"I'd say the score is even now." Maura responded by touching Jane on the tip of the nose with her index finger.
"Better watch were you put that finger…you might lose it." Jane pretended to try to bite the straying finger. "Anyway…we're not even yet…or did you forget about earlier up on the deck?"
"Ah…yes, how could I forget. I guess you just took me by surprise." Maura's cheeks colors slightly as the memory of what Jane had done earlier came to mind.
"I take it you liked it…" Jane shifted her body closer to Maura's.
"Very much so…spontaneity is a good thing." Maura's smile was coy as she ran the backs of her fingers across Jane's arm. "Very good indeed..."
"Tell me something Maura…" Jane cleared her throat nervously as she hesitated briefly. "Do you ever fantasize?"
"About us?" Maura looked surprised by the question. "Of course…we seem to have a lot of down time between moments like this. I have to find relief somehow…"
"Would you tell me one?" Jane whispered shyly.
"Okay…" Maura nodded as she thought about what she wanted to share with Jane. "I've always had this fantasy that I would take you in the locker room after a game…" Jane's eyes widened as she tried to imagine what Maura was saying. "Sometimes I imagine that I slip in without you seeing me. I come up behind you as you were taking off your uniform. When I wrap my arms around you, you don't even flinch because you already sense my presence. You take my hands, and guide me to help remove the rest of your clothes." Maura's breathing picked up as she described to Jane what she was seeing as she closed her eyes. "Without a word between us, you show me where you need me the most…and I happily oblige…right there up against your locker…fast and furious…"
"Wow…um…just wow…" Jane stuttered slightly as the images of what Maura was describing flashed before her eyes.
"What about you Jane…?" Maura asked. She wasn't about to let Jane get away without giving an answer of her own.
"Um…well…" Jane started to stutter again. "I'm not sure…" She tried to put Maura off.
"Oh no…you're not gonna get off that easy…" Maura started to say.
"Well according to you I will be…" Jane tried to joke, but stopped when she saw a very stern look from Maura and a question in her eyes. "Oh alright…give me minute." Jane sighed as she gathered her thoughts.
Maura watched as Jane closed her eyes in concentration. The look on her face was serious but then suddenly a smug grin crossed her lips as she opened her eyes and looked right into Maura's. The bold and confident shift in Jane's attitude had Maura's stomach fluttering in anticipation.
"I've always had this fantasy of you giving me a strip tease…" Jane paused for a second to see what Maura's reaction was going to be. When Maura raised an eyebrow in question, she continued to describe her fantasy. "I would be sitting in a chair and you would dance around me removing one piece of clothing at a time to reveal your beautiful body to me little by little. I would reach out to touch you, but you would move away, just out of my reach as you tease and taunt me. Just when I think I can't take anymore, you straddle my lap finally allowing me to touch you as you grind against me to the rhythm of the music."
The surprise was evident on Maura's face as she thought about what Jane had described. A coy grin spread across her face at the images that Jane's words had brought up. She could see that Jane's cheeks had started to flush slightly. "Hummm…perhaps we should work on making some of these fantasies into reality."
Jane shook her head and laughed in response before dropping down onto the pillow so her and Maura were eye to eye. They were surrounded by a comfortable silence as they regarded each other. As quiet minutes ticked away, fatigue started to slowly creep in around them but Jane wasn't ready for the evening to end.
"Tell me something you love about me…" Jane asked in an almost shy way.
For another quiet moment, Maura studied Jane's face before smiling. Reaching over to push a stray tendril of dark hair away from Jane's eyes, she tucked it behind an ear.
"Well…I'd have to say your eyes." Maura started to say. "They are so expressive…so beautifully expressive."
Unconsciously Jane ran her fingers over a dark eyebrow as if the action would somehow reveal to her what Maura was seeing.
"I've never liked my eyes…" Jane hesitated. "Murky brown like mud…" She closed her eyes as if trying to recall a memory. "Someone once told me the reason my eyes are brown is because I'm full of shit…" The crooked grin couldn't hide the hurt the statement had caused. "I guess it stands to reason…I kinda am…you know." She tried to laugh, but it came out as strangled cough.
"Oh Jane…" Maura leaned forward to place a tender kiss on each closed lid. "I love the color of your eyes." She paused as she waited for Jane to open her eyes again. When Jane finally did open her eyes, she looked down at her hands and not at Maura. "Hey…look at me…" Maura quietly pleaded. "Please…" Hesitantly Jane moved her eyes up until they locked onto Maura's. Only when Maura was sure that she had Jane's full attention did she continue. "Did you know your eyes change color with your mood?"
Jane shook her head and sighed as she waited for Maura to explain.
"Well…when you're nervous or anxious they turn a deep rich mahogany color, bright with uncertainty that almost breaks my heart." Maura reached over to cup Jane's cheek in the palm of her hand. "When you're angry…they turn dark and intense almost fierce like a storm with the threat of destruction to anything in its way." With her thumb, Maura gently caressed the skin under Jane's eye. She could see Jane's expression harden at the description of her anger. "But when you're happy and relaxed they melt into liquid amber. When you smile at me, sometimes your eyes sparkle with golden flecks…kind of reminds of gold dust swirling around in butterscotch. The light that shines through warms my soul with its strength. Sometimes I feel myself getting lost in the depth of emotion I see looking back at me." She smiled as Jane's expression softened causing her eyes to soften as well. "But I think my favorite is when I see that brown I love so much deepen to a dark rich chocolate, warm and sweet with desire. Sometimes it's pure torture when I see you looking at me like that and I can't touch you." Maura continued to gently run her thumb along Jane's skin. When Jane blinked, her long dark eyelashes brushed Maura's thumb, sending sparks up her arm.
"You really see all of that?" Jane asked as she took Maura's hand to kiss her open palm.
"And more…" Maura smiled at the feeling of Jane's lips against her skin. "You know they say that the eyes are the windows to our soul and sometimes when you look at me, I swear I can see your soul looking back into mine."
"And what do you see in my soul?" Jane asked as she turned Maura's hand around so she could now kiss the back.
"I see my forever Jane…" Maura's words were shaky as she struggled to speak. She could see Jane's eyes cloud over with the dark rich mahogany color of uncertainty. "Please don't be afraid Jane." Maura whispered as she watched Jane blink a few times.
It wasn't that she didn't feel the same way, but Jane wasn't ready to share her thoughts with Maura just yet. It had taken her by surprise when she heard the declaration, so much so that she was now completely mute as she watched Maura fidget nervously under her silent gaze.
When Jane finally snapped out of her daze, she smiled lovingly at Maura in an attempt to reassure. "Please don't doubt my love for you Maura…I'm just not sure I'm ready to hear that yet…" Jane looked into Maura's eyes imploringly. "I want to believe in forever with you…really I do…but we are just so young…so much can change. You could find someone better…" Jane's voice faltered slightly.
The words hit Maura like a ton of bricks, making her realize how deep Jane's insecurities ran. Her fear that Maura would find someone else was holding her back from expressing her deepest feelings with words, but Maura took comfort in the fact that she could still see it in Jane's eyes. With a resigned nod of her head, Maura conceded to Jane that she understood even though it still hurt. She did her best to disguise the hurt behind a smile.
Jane could tell that her words had hurt Maura. The hazel-green eyes that looked back at her were filled with a resigned sadness that filled her with regret, but she just couldn't bring herself to admit what she was trying so desperately to hide. Her fear of losing Maura to a life she could never compete with was something she just couldn't fight.
"Just for the record…I could never find anyone better than you…" Maura looked at Jane with a serious expression. "And one day you will realize that…now…" Her voice turned playful as she attempted to return to their earlier banter. "Tell me what you love about me…"
The smile that tugged at Jane's lips was filled with mischief as her eyes traveled over Maura's body as if she was trying to make a difficult decision. "Humm…well…I'd have to say…your mouth." The playful smile turned into a smug grin as she leaned forward to hover over Maura's mouth. "So soft and sexy…" She said as she cupped Maura's face in her hands, running thumb over Maura's bottom lip. "When you kiss me…I can taste the strawberry lip gloss you use. I find myself craving strawberries all the time now…" Jane replaced her thumb with her lips as she gently kissed Maura. "Yum…" She sighed as she pulled away licking her lips. "The faint taste of strawberries still lingers on your lips…among other things…" Her face colored slightly at what she was implying drawing a smile from Maura. "And that smile…it takes my breath away. When I see you smile at me like that and I can't touch you…the fire that smolders under my skin all but burns me alive with need." Jane smiled at the surprise on Maura's face as she continued. "Sometimes when I'm alone, I close my eyes and I can feel you…your lips skimming across my skin, seeking out places you know will know will render me speechless. I crave you Maura, more than anything I have ever wanted in my life. You make me need in a way I never thought possible…" Her lips pressed against Maura's again in a slow, sensuous kiss as her tongue traced a bottom lip. "And when you bite your lip…" Jane sighed against the kiss. "I all but lose the control I can barely contain when I'm around you." When Maura bit down on her lower lip out of reflex, Jane grabbed her hand and moved it where she needed it most. "Can you feel what you do to me Maura?" Jane's words were swallowed by the passionate kiss that Maura was now in control of.
"For someone who claims they aren't good with words…you make me tremble…" Maura sighed into the kiss as she allowed Jane to guide her hand to where she needed it most. "I love feeling you Jane…the way you smell…" She gasped at what her fingers discovered. "The way you taste…" The words traveled on a shaky breath as Maura tried to regain some control. She knew what Jane needed and she was going to make sure she complied.
"Slide into home Maura…even the score…" Jane pushed herself against Maura's hand and the release she was waiting for.
Early morning sunlight streamed in through the half closed blinds painting a palate of yellows and oranges across Jane and Maura as they lay wrapped in a tangle of arms and legs. It was Jane who felt the first rays of the sun warm her uncovered body as she tightened her grip on the honey-blonde snuggled against her. Blinking away the sleep that threatened to pull her back into the land of dreams, she let out a long slow sigh as she stretched her lean body while still holding onto Maura. Their night had been filled with rediscoveries of each other's bodies as they continued on long into the early morning hours. Fatigue tugged at Jane as she contemplated just staying in bed and letting the day slip away, but she knew that if she didn't go to school her mother would never let her spend the night with Maura again. So against her better judgment, Jane gently shook Maura from her sleep before placing a kiss on the top of her head. When Maura didn't stir, Jane took a moment to admire the soft, curvaceous body that was presently pressed against her own. The sheet that had once covered them had strayed down leaving them partially exposed from the waist up. The warmth of Maura's skin pressed against her own started to stir feeling in Jane she knew they didn't have time to explore, so with some effort she forced herself to slip from Maura's arms and out of bed. With a heavy sigh, she headed towards the bathroom and the shower, far away from where she really wanted to be.
When Maura finally stirred from her slumber, she immediately missed the body she had wrapped her arms and legs around the night before. Reaching up to wipe the sleep from her eyes, she yawned and then stretched to wake herself up. With blurry eyes, she looked over at the clock on the bedside table; the red numbers almost shouting out at her that she needed to get up. She pushed herself up onto her elbows and looked around for Jane. Hearing the shower running, she contemplated whether there was enough time to join the brunette for one last indulgence. It had been too long since they had had any time alone together, so they had taken advantage of the time they had been granted the night before. If she had gotten three hours of sleep, that would have been a generous estimate. Both of them had been eager to make up for lost time and the more Maura contemplated it, the more she came to realize it might be two weeks before they would have another opportunity. With a flutter in her stomach, she jumped out of bed to join Jane in what would become a long and leisurely shower.
Slipping into homeroom just as the bell rang; Maura couldn't wipe the smile from her face. The score between her and Jane had moved up another two points. The lesson on baseball euphemisms had been a lesson well learned and Maura knew she would never look at the game the same again. She sighed as she looked out the classroom window, already missing the brunette. The early morning sky had turned from golden yellow to a series of pink and orange ribbons streaking across pale blue. As she stared out at the changing colors she thought about the old saying 'Pink sky at night sailors delight; pink sky in morning sailors warning!' and wondered if it was true. It wasn't until she felt a gentle poke against her shoulder that she turned her attention to the room.
"Hey…you Maura Isles?" A short blonde asked.
"Um…yeah…" Maura answered with uncertainty in her voice.
"Here…" The blonde girl thrust a small folded piece of paper at Maura. "Jane Rizzoli asked me to give this to you." She said as she passed the note to Maura before continuing on towards her desk.
Holding the note in her fingers, Maura turned it over a few times before curiosity got the better of her. Slowly she unfolded the piece of paper before smoothing it out on her desk so she could read it.
'I'm not going to practice today…too tired. Please think about coming over after school, we can hang out and listen to some music or do homework, whatever you want. I just want to spend some time with you…please say yes. Love J.'
At the bottom of the note were two boxes. One said yes, the other said no and under that Jane had written 'Please check yes or no…'
Maura smiled as she checked the 'yes' box without so much as a thought. Tucking the note into the pocket of her shirt, she began counting the minutes until she could catch up with Jane in the hall to give her the note and her answer back.
"I'm glad to see you made it to school today, but you look tired Jane." Angela ventured to ask when Jane flew through the front door.
"Um…yeah…practice is really taking it out of me." She mumbled as she threw her book bag down by the front door.
"Did you have a good Valentine's day with Maura?" The question was out of Angela's mouth before she could even think about what she was asking. She knew the answer, it was written all over Jane's face.
"It was nice…thanks for letting me stay the night." Jane said as she looked everywhere but at her mother. It was no big secret between them that she was sexually active in her relationship with Maura, but she wasn't going to rub her mother's nose in it. "Um I invited Maura over, is that okay?"
Angela smiled and nodded at Jane. 'I would never let Frankie stay the night with a girl…' Angela thought to herself. 'But there's just something about Jane and Maura…I don't know what it is…' She looked away as her thoughts threatened to come out. 'I think it would do more harm than good to try to keep them apart…' She stopped her internal musing when she felt Jane's curious gaze on her.
"Is that your uniform?" Angela pointed to the bag Jane was still holding in her hand trying to quickly draw her attention away from her thoughts.
"Yep…would you mind washing it?" Jane lifted it up so Angela could take it.
"Sure honey…" Angela took the bag from Jane.
"Thanks Ma…" A more relaxed smiled graced Jane's face as she turned to take the steps two at a time.
"I'll send Maura up when she gets here." Angela called out.
"'Kay…" Jane called back.
"Can I come in?" Maura asked as she lightly knocked on Jane's open door.
"Hey.." Jane jumped up from her reclined position on her bed. Opening her arms out in silent invitation, she waited until Maura had crossed the room before wrapping her arms around the body she was still craving. Dipping her head, she captured Maura's mouth in a fiery kiss that had them both moaning.
"Jesus, you'd think that after last night I'd be satisfied." Jane rested her chin on the top of Maura's head.
"I guess that makes you insatiable and I like Insatiable Jane…" Maura buried her face in Jane's neck, placing soft kisses on and around the hollow of Jane's throat.
"Insatiable Jane…? Do you have other nicknames for me?" Jane inquired.
"Hum…let me think…of course you already know Insatiable Jane, then there's Puppy Jane when you look at me with those doleful puppy dog eyes and Sporty Jane when you swagger out onto the field with all of the confidence of a star, one of my favorites by the way…then…" Maura stopped when she felt Jane's hands and fingers tickling her.
"Hey…enough I get it…" Jane laughed as she began to tickle Maura through her sweater. Before she knew it, Jane had thrown Maura down on her bed as she continued to try to find places to touch to make Maura squirm.
As Maura struggled against Jane's relentless tickle assault, they both started to laugh. Maura was finding it hard to catch her breath as she continued to wiggle under Jane who was now straddling her so she couldn't get away. It wasn't until she felt Jane's warm hands sneak up under her sweater to make contact with her skin that they both stopped. The silly moment had passed, only to be replaced by a palpable tension that threatened to consume them both.
Jane couldn't stop herself from leaning down to place a kiss on Maura's slightly parted lips. Her body began to hum with desire as she pushed Maura's hands up above her head and pinned them down against her bed. As her lips moved over Maura's, she hesitated before moving to skim her mouth up Maura's cheek coming to rest against her ear.
"I think we'd better stop before things get out of hand…" Jane whispered into Maura's ear.
Unable to find her voice, Maura nodded her answer against Jane's lips. Feeling Jane's weight on top of her was doing things to her body she was having trouble controlling. The haze of desire returned causing her to roll her hips up into Jane's. A low moan washed over her skin as she felt Jane's control slipping as well.
"We have to stop Maur…" Jane was almost pleading.
The knowledge that someone could walk in on them at any time caused Maura to concede to Jane's quiet plea. It took considerable effort for her to push Jane off with a frustrated sigh that matched the same level of frustration in Jane's groan as she rolled off of the bed to stand over Maura. Pushing herself up towards Jane's pillow, Maura propped herself up so she could watch what Jane was doing.
Smiling down at Maura, Jane shook her head at the relaxed state of Maura's body as she got comfortable on her bed. "I wanna play something for you…" She said as she turned around to rifle through her records. As she sifted through the pile on the floor, she stopped to look over at Maura. "Ah…I was wondering if maybe sometime we could take Frankie for a tour of your dad's boat."
"I think that would be okay…maybe we could make a day of it when the weather warms up. We could invite Carly and Ryan and Frankie could bring Cindy…"
"Yeah? That'd be great." Jane said as she turned her attention back to her search. "Here it is…" She quipped as she pulled out an album.
The album was too dark for Maura to make out who it belonged to so she laid back to wait for Jane. The sound of soft pops and crackles as the needle moved across the vinyl floated to her. Jane dropped down onto the bed next to her just before the first note filled the room.
As the hypnotic melody washed over her, Maura could feel herself being wrapped in Jane's arms. The volume was up, but the velocity of sound was tender as each note touched her. It was if she could feel the music moving within her body, carrying her away in a rush of soft, temperate waves.
"It's called Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies…" Jane whispered.
When Maura heard the first strains of melody drift to her in the lead singers haunting voice, she closed her eyes to let it wash over her.
Anyone who's ever had a heart
Wouldn't turn around and break it
And anyone who's ever played a part
Wouldn't turn around and hate it
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
Yeah sweet sweet Jane
Maura all but melted into Jane's embrace when she heard the words she herself had called out on many occasions. The richness of the voice on the record soothed her like a balm as she snuggled against Jane's body, seeking more contact.
"This song always reminds me of you…" Jane whispered as they continued to listen.
You're waiting for Jimmy down in the alley
Waiting there for him to come back home
Waiting down on the corner
And thinkin of ways to get back home
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
Yeah sweet sweet Jane
"Do you know what it does to me when you say my name that way?" Jane pulled Maura closer so she could rest her head on Jane's shoulder. Neither said anything the song continued to play.
Anyone who's ever had a dream
Anyone who's ever played a part
Anyone who's ever been lonely
And anyone who's ever split apart
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
Yeah sweet sweet Jane
Maura was so caught up in trying to pay attention to the sound coming from the turntable that she almost missed the soft, rich sound of Jane's voice in her ear as she began to sing along.
"Heavenly wine and roses, seem to whisper to me when you smile, heavenly wine and roses, seem to whisper to me when you smile…La la la, la la la," Jane's voice trailed off as the song came to end.
"You have a beautiful voice Jane…" Maura murmured against the strong shoulder she was resting her head against.
"Yeah…?" Jane sighed as she ran her fingers through Maura's hair. She closed her eyes as the next song filled the room with its soft melody. "What say we rest our eyes for bit?"
"Ummkay..." Maura mumbled.
Jane could tell that Maura already slipping into the beginning stages of sleep and she knew it was just a matter of time before they were both asleep. With a gentle squeeze, Jane snuggled closer to the smaller body that was now entwined with her own before drifting off.
Angela stood in Jane's open door looking at the two young woman wrapped around each other sound asleep. She couldn't stop the smile that found its way to her lips as she quietly contemplated whether or not she should wake them for dinner. It was then that a sudden realization came to her mind 'when I look a Maura…I see Jane's future…sometimes I think I can see my grandchildren in her eyes…' she thought to herself. That last thought all but took her breath away as she turned to leave them alone. With one last look over her shoulder, she knew with absolute certainty that she was right.