Chapter 58
"So," she asks him that night as they're having milk and cookies in her office after everyone has settled for the night. "What do you think of the guest house now it's almost finished?"
All the rooms of the main house are booked tonight and she's worked all day to prepare for all her guests' arrival. None have said they'd have dinner outside. It seems her reputation is now established and people don't only come to her place for the rooms and view. John has said nothing as he cannot expect her to drop everything to be with him at a moment's notice but she hasn't had a moment for him during the day.
"I like it. I'm sure the guys will love it when it's finished." He gazes into his glass of milk and falls silent.
"What's wrong, John?" she worries. He's not that quiet normally.
He shrugs. "Haven't seen you all day. Leaving tomorrow..."
She pouts. "I'm sorry. It's a bummer so many people were coming tonight and I had to prepare so many things for tomorrow as well, but now it's done, I'm all yours," she says with a tired smile.
"Yeah, and you think I'm going to keep you up when you're so tired, uh?" He smiles and stands, holding out his hand. "Come on, I'll tuck you in and crash on the couch," he says, nodding at the sofa sitting in the corner of her office. She used to sleep there when the house was not ready and she would come to survey the repairs.
She shakes her head. "No, you won't. And I want to spend time with you, not know you're in the next room when you'll be gone again for who knows how long."
He pouts. "I know. I'm sorry. But I did put in a request for a longer leave and I think I can come back for a couple of weeks at the end of next month," he says, trying to brighten her mood. "Lorne will be back and can fill in for me. I might even be able to spare Ronon as well and bring him with me." She smiles and looks away. "What?" he asks, seeing her forlorn look.
"I miss you guys, I guess. I'm not complaining or anything, you know. Pretty lucky to have all that," she says, her eyes sweeping the house and its area in general. "I just wish I could see you more often."
He tugs at her hand. "I'm here now so let's make the most of it. We can sit on your bed and watch a movie," he offers, getting his tablet out of his bag. "I've got plenty of new space operas in there," he adds enticingly, waggling his eyebrows.
She shakes her head at his antics but agrees. They get ready for the night and settle on the bed and watch half of the latest Star Trek before she starts nodding off on his shoulder. "I think it's my cue to head for the couch," he says, switching off his tablet and standing.
"Don't," she protests. "There's plenty of room here. We slept in the same bed on Midway Station and it was much more cramped than here."
He hesitates. They've just had this awkward moment this morning. It might not be wise to sleep in the same bed. "Louise, I don't think it's a good idea..."
She huffs. "Why?" She can be so stubborn sometimes and so blind too.
"I'm just a man, damn it!" he growls in frustration and stands abruptly from the bed. "And you're, you're..." he stammers, at a loss for a proper way to put it.
"A woman?" she sniggers, standing too, and rounds the bed to stand before him, blocking his way out.
He rolls his eyes and grabs her shoulders, wanting nothing more at the moment than to shake her to put some sense in that thick head of hers. "No sweetie, I mean yes, of course you're a woman! And you're, how shall I put it?"
"Attractive?" she offers.
"I was going for hot," he barks back, pissed at himself for being so clumsy around her lately, "but yeah, attractive will do."
She locks eyes with him, big light brown eyes wide with the realization of what he's just said. "You find me hot?" she asks sheepishly.
He takes a tentative step closer, getting toe to toe with her. She looks up at him, feeling suddenly very small and stupid. "Hell, yeah," he answers, his eyes turning darker. "How can you not know?" That boggles his mind. Hasn't she looked at herself once in a mirror, especially ever since Michael gave her back almost ten years of her life?
"Oh," she answers not too brightly, the realization of the mess she's in hitting her like a ton of bricks. She gulps. "So, just to make sure I understand what you're saying, I fill your heart with joy and you find me hot?"
He nods once, biting his bottom lip. They've come a very long way from the moment they first met in her kitchen back then and yet, there's still such a long way to go, he realizes. She's still that same person, unsure of herself, convinced that she'll never deserve to mean the world to anyone.
He sees if he doesn't make a move real soon, she's going to run for cover again. He sneaks an arm around her waist and pulls her closer, lifting her chin with his other hand. "Louise, the only question left to be answered is, are you going to hit me if I kiss you?"
She can't help chuckling at the mental image of her slapping him but sobers up when she sees how stormy his eyes look at the moment. She shakes her head shyly so his lips touch hers softly, tentatively first, just to give her time to adjust. He brushes his lips on hers, not kissing yet, just ghosting over them. She opens them just a little and reaches out tentatively so he leans forward and takes her bottom lip between his, suckling just so, and pulls her flush to him. "Louise..." he moans, "God, you're killing me. I've wanted this for so long. Please tell me you're not gonna change your mind."
She chuckles and slides her hands up his chest and around his neck. "Not going anywhere. But damn it, Colonel, stop talking," she mocks him. He wraps his arms tightly around her waist and shoulders, his eyes twinkling with mirth, and finally kisses her soundly. It's her time to moan, her body tingling with warmth. All those times they've allowed themselves to enjoy a moment of affection have not prepared her for what she's feeling right now.
She pulls him towards her, letting him explore her mouth at will, begging for more, her eyes shutting close as his mouth leaves hers to trail wet kisses down her neck, making her whimper, when his phone starts buzzing insistantly in his pocket.
He relunctantly retrieves it and abandons her neck to answer it, his eyes murderous but his arm still wrapped tightly around her waist, keeping her flush to him, making her blush as she feels him harden against her.
"What?" he barks in the phone after having checked the caller ID. "Yes, I got that. Can't it wait until tomorrow?" He rolls his eyes in exasperation, listening intently as the person explains something to him. "Uh, uh," he says from time to time, taking advantage of the long speech the caller is giving him to trail silent kisses up and down her neck again, making her squirm and giggle.
"Yes, well, might not be alone, McKay," he finally replies. He rolls his eyes but doesn't let Louise out of his grip, seeing her blush as she realizes who's on the phone with him. "Alright, now listen, Rodney, because your life depends upon your answer," he growls sarcastically. "Can that wait until tomorrow? Cuz I'm in the middle of something here and I hate unfinished business."
He listens to the answer. "None of your business, buddie. Alright, listen. I need to tie a few loose ends so give me a few minutes to get my stuff and say my goodbyes. You can beam me up when I get the transponder from my bag, alright? Stand by," he tells him before ending the call and stashing the phone back in his pants pocket, clearly pissed.
She looks at him in alarm. "McKay is on board the Daedalus and ready to beam you up?" she asks.
He nods. "Sorry, sweetie. It can't wait but it also means if everything goes according to plan, I'll be back sooner than expected," he apologizes.
She gulps. "So you mean you've just told Rodney you were in the middle of something and he knows you're at the B&B?" she groans in frustration.
He bites his bottom lip. "I see your point... Sorry, I didn't think. My mind went blank when I started kissing you." He looks sheepish.
She huffs. "Wonderful! I'll never hear the end of it."
He rubs his nose against hers. "Hey, let's not worry about this now, OK? I just have a few minutes ahead of me and I need to make good use of them. Come here," he says, wrapping his arms around her once more and kissing her, not asking for permission this time. When he relunctantly lets go, her lips are swollen from the searing kiss he's given her and her heart beating as if it were going to leap out of her chest.
He closes his eyes briefly, schooling himself to cool down before he can be beamed up on board the ship. He chuckles as he stashes his belongings in his bag. "Wow, never had so little time to come down from a high before having to stand in front of any of my superiors. Caldwell need not know you can turn me on in the blink of an eye, sweetie," he says with a wink, heading for the bathroom to change back into his day clothes. He returns barely a minute later and she sees him hesitate but he reaches for her hand and kisses it then slides the transponder in his shirt pocket. "Will see you in a bit, hon'. You won't even have time to miss me," he assures her before he's beamed up.
But miss him she does and worry too. He's said he'll be back sooner but days turn into a week and then two weeks have passed and she hasn't heard from him so she calls from her secure phone and is told all is well and not to worry by Woolsey himself.
It's been almost three very long and lonely weeks when he finally appears on her doorstep one evening as she's putting the finishing touch to her dessert – crepes filled with orange marmalade and topped with chocolate then flambé with orange liqueur. She prefers to do it in front of the guests because it's quite a show and he waits patiently as she finishes serving everyone around the table – all four people staying at her B&B that night.
She hasn't seen him but has felt his presence. He's leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest to give himself countenance. He briefly greets the guests and grabbing her hand, excuses themselves and pulls her in the kitchen, closing the door shut impatiently. He wraps his arms around her and buries his head in her neck, breathing her in. "God, I've missed you," he sighs and starts kissing his way up her neck.
Her mind shuts down from the surge of want she feels is building up in her stomach. "What happened back there?" she mumbles.
"Later," he mutters impatiently and takes hold of her lips with his and she almost forgets to breathe.
It takes her a few minutes to finally come down from her high and force him to stop kissing her. "John, I have guests in the dining-room, please. I need to attend to them."
He growls. "Not fair. I don't want to have to share you," he protests. "Not now." She gives him a chiding look. "Alright. I'll do my best to be polite," he relents.
She giggles. "And charming," she adds. "They're going to turn in early anyway. They're leaving at dawn to head for Yosemite. And after that, I have no one for several days. You're staying, right?" she adds, suddenly worried.
He grins at her. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm all yours and this time, I mean it. I've told them they'd have to find someone else should the Wraith appear in orbit. No house calls for two full weeks."
She introduces him to the guests who try hard not to smirk, having surmised John is not just "a friend". She fixes him dessert as he says he's not really hungry but the crepes look too enticing to resist them. She makes coffee and tea and they all sit in the den and talk about the area and what they're planning for the rest of their vacation. They soon retreat to their rooms, having been assured by Louise they'll get breakfast before they leave.
She fills the tray with the cups and pots to take them back to the kitchen and tells him she won't be a minute. He takes it from her hands and to the kitchen then leads her out to her room. "I haven't finished, John. I need to clean and prepare the table for tomorrow."
He shushes her. "We'll set the alarm clock earlier and I'll help you. I've been gone three weeks, Louise, and all that time all I could think about was you. Don't deny me that moment."
She relents and wraps her arms around his middle, laying her head on his chest. "I thought maybe you'd changed your mind..." She lets it hang in there, the confession that she's still not sure this is real.
He snorts. "Louise, now I've got you where I want, you'll never get rid of me."
She's the one to initiate the kissing this time, trailing small kisses on his chest and fumbling with his shirt buttons. At first he lets her have it her way but soon her lips are sealed to his and they're both breathless, her body flush to his, making him know how hungry she is for his touch.
He pushes her gently away from him and makes her sit on the side of her bed. He crouches in front of her. "Louise, wait! Sweetie, this is going way too fast," he whispers, his eyes dark with want. He breathes out. "I need you to slow down or this will be over before it got started."
She groans in frustration. "Too fast? You got to be kidding me, right? Five years we've known each other, John! And during the last two years you've flirted with me on a regular basis, making my life a living hell. And now you want to slow down?" she exclaims. "Now, that takes the cake!" He sniggers at seeing her so wound up. She glares at him and stands then starts pacing. "I can't believe it! I missed you, waited for you, and now you want to take your own sweet time?" He knows when she's pissed there's no way you can stop her. She's on a roll and needs to vent off her anger before he can put his two cents in. She turns to him. "Get out!" she growls, pointing at the door. "Get out before I say something I'll regret."
He hangs his head but leaves quietly. She needs time to regroup. He walks to the hallway and steps out on the front porch. The night is clear and chilly. It will warm up soon though with the summer and she'll be able to use the gazebo he's built for the evening meals. She steps outside and closes the door behind her. She wraps her arm around his waist. "I'm sorry," she whispers.
He turns to her with a smile and takes her in his arms. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to anger you. I just don't want to jump the gun. Well, actually, I do," he chuckles, making her giggle, "but I want it to be just how I'd imagined it and having guests in the house is not part of the picture," he whispers in her ear.
She blushes. "Oh, so, is that because you're a screamer?" she can't help teasing him.
He stares her down. "I don't see what's wrong with that, sweetie, but actually it was more to make sure I wouldn't have to hush you when you screamed," he banters back.
"Uh, uh, not a screamer," she replies cockily.
He sniggers. "Believe me, when I'm done with you, you will be," he replies smugly, making her snort and dissolve into laughter.
"So what do you propose we should do?" she asks. "Cuz if you offer to sleep in another bedroom, I might as well stay up all night, John," she pouts.
He shakes his head and leads her back inside, seeing she's shivering from the cold night air. "I was going for cuddling all night and kissing a little – and falling asleep in the same bed," he adds, seeing her look of disappointment. "And when your guests have departed and we're all alone..." he adds enticingly, nuzzling her neck, "we'll have all day to test that theory of yours you're not a screamer."
He ends up sitting in the armchair by her bed with her on his lap and they talk in hushed tones about her plans for the summer – having a chicken coop built and finishing the vegetable garden. The time she's spent with Katie is a blessing as she now knows more things about plants than she'd ever dreamed she could learn. She looks wistfully in the distance and he sees she's sad for her friend. "Have you heard from her recently?" he asks.
She shakes her head. "An email last year saying she missed our conversations and my food. I know she's still working with Stargate Command though but I've no idea where."
"You should invite her here. I mean, when Rodney is not around," he adds, wincing.
She sighs. "It's a good idea. I'm just sad it didn't pan out the way she wanted. Though I do like Jennifer very much," she adds.
"I guess some things are not meant to happen and some are. Period," he answers with a smile. "Look at us. We could have grown apart time and again but here we are, finally." He kisses her, making her sigh with content. He chuckles. "Ya' know, I'll never grow tired of hearing those sighs," he says, kissing her again. She wraps her arms around his neck and shifts on his lap to get a better angle, making him moan. "Lord, Louise, don't do that! Have mercy on me. I've been trying to keep my cool for over an hour but if you're not careful, you might have a very horny man on your hands," he threatens her, making her giggle. He glares at her. "Louise, so help me God..." he rumbles.
She giggles some more then holds her hands up away from his body as a gesture of goodwill. "Sorry," she amends, trying hard not to laugh.
He shakes his head in disbelief. "If someone had told when we met you were nothing but a little brat, I would never have believed them. Now though..."
She smirks smugly, but gets up and holds out her hand. "Come on, it's late and we have to get up early. I think it's time we hit the sack."
He stands and wraps her in his arms then moves her slowly backwards towards the bed. "How am I gonna wait until tomorrow, I have no idea," he mutters to himself then helps her get under the covers and climbs in next to her.
"Today," she corrects him. "And you need to sleep if you want to make me scream," she whispers in his ear and drops a light kiss on his lips before turning on her side with a sigh.
He scoots closer and wraps his arm around her waist, his other arm on her pillow, sighing too. "You fill my heart with joy," he whispers, kissing her neck, "and my body with desire," he adds, his body pressing against hers to make his point.
She giggles. "Same here," she sighs before drifting off to sleep.
They've barely had a few hours of sleep – not enough to feel rested but she shrugs it off because for the next fourteen days and nights, he's all hers. They've gotten up at the crack of dawn to prepare breakfast for the departing guests. At least, she has, because he's spent most of his time with his arms wrapped around her and his chin on her shoulder, making her squirm. She's finally set her foot down and sent him to sit at the island top contending she can't focus when his body is flush with hers. He's tried to use his best puppy look on her but she rolled her eyes and ignored him.
He sniggers. "You know you're gonna pay for that, Léger. As soon as those people's cars have disappeared round the bend, I promise you you'll have to make amends for punishing me like a schoolboy."
She tilts her head, defying him. "Used to be a teacher, remember. Habits die hard, I guess," she says cockily, getting a slap on her butt as he stands to get a second cup of coffee.
She yelps. "You're so gonna pay for that too, Sheppard!"
"A tit for a tat," he drawls cockily.
"I made you scream," he informs her smugly, a few hours later. "And moan... and beg for more..." he adds, dropping kisses on her nose as he adds to the list, his arms on both sides of her head. His hazel eyes are twinkling, filling her heart with happiness for the joy she sees there. She's exhausted but utterly satisfied.
"You turned my bones into mush," she sighs with content. "I don't even know how I'm ever gonna be able to move from this bed."
He settles next to her and laces his fingers with hers. "You don't have to."
"Aren't you hungry? It's almost two," she says, glancing at the clock on her bedside table.
He jumps from the bed in alarm. "What?! Oh shit, I forgot!" He grabs his clothes from the floor where they ended up in a heap this morning and throws hers at her. "Get dressed, Léger. We're late!"
She looks bemused but doesn't budge. "Why? What's going on?"
He looks sheepish. "I might have made an appointment for us and forgotten to tell you about it. There's that guy who's gonna drop by."
She props her head on her hand but doesn't make a move to get up. "What for?"
He turns and sees her watching him as he gets his jeans on. "Enjoying the view, Léger?" he teases her sarcastically.
She giggles. "Yeah. And I must say it's quite to my liking, Colonel," she answers cockily.
He doesn't know why but it turns him on every single time she calls him that and not John. John is for whispers and moans and screaming too, he smirks inwardly, remembering how wonderful it had felt this morning to discover she indeed loved everything he did to her. But Colonel, she keeps that for when she wants to tease him and turn him on.
"Not fair," he warns her, waggling his finger. "He'll be here any minute now." He walks to the bed briskly and pushes the comforter away from her, making her shiver, and offers himself a couple of seconds to pause and enjoy the view. "You're beautiful," he sighs then snap out of it. "Now, get dressed, lady. There's a surprise for you." They hear a car in the driveway and he gets downstairs, letting her dress as he opens the door. When she reaches the hallway, they're outside.
The man tilts his cap at her. "Ma'am. Nice to meet you," he says, extending a hand. "I'd heard about your place but hadn't had time to check it out. It's a beautiful plot of land you have here and a very nice house too. Plenty of room for the little one to explore and roam freely. That's good," he tells John with a smile.
She narrows her eyes at John. "Sheppard," she says warningly. "What have you done? And who's that little one?"
The man smirks. "He didn't tell ya', uh? He said you loved surprises."
"I do not," she replies through clenched teeth. "And you know it," she adds, pointing accusingly at John.
He roars with laughter. "Firecracker!" he points at her with his thumb for the other man's benefit who snorts and opens the door to his truck.
"Here you go, Ma'am," the man tells her, handing her a small ball of fur who looks sleepily at her. "He's potty trained and will not stray if you teach him right away where the boundaries are. Has no name yet either but you can call him Doggy for the time being." He deposits the puppy in her arms and steps back, crossing his arms on his chest and looking at her intently to see how she's going to react. She looks from the puppy who's currently endeavoring to climb up her shoulder to John who is grinning so much he could power up a couple of ZPMs.
"You got me a puppy?" she finally asks John.
"Uh, uh," he answers. "Stop gaping, Léger. You thought I had forgotten that conversation about how much you wanted to have one someday?" He tilts his head at her knowingly.
"You remembered?" She looks on the brink of tears. "No one has ever done something so sweet for me," she says caressing the puppy who is licking her neck. She walks up to him and gives him a chaste kiss on his lips. "Thank you."
He nods. "You're most welcome, Louise. And that was a selfish thing to do because, let's face it, I wanted a dog too," he adds, winking at the other man who snorts.
"That, he does, Ma'am. He spent an hour trying to decide which one he wanted for you."
John wraps his arm around her waist and caresses the puppy. "He's an Australian shepherd. They like to run and they're faithful companions."
"He'll enjoy the winter weather too," the other man adds. "Some are even used by mushers in Canada. He's robust. He's also had all his shots. I have the paperwork in my trunk," he tells Sheppard who follows him. They retrieve the few items he's asked the other man to find for him – a leash, a mattress and dog food.
"When did you two meet?" she wonders. "you've been gone for three weeks."
He pouts. "I might have come and seen Ray here," he explains, tilting his head towards the other guy, "when I was here last time. You were busy, I was bored, so I took the car and wandered around a bit. I ended up at his place... and fell in love with those little things," he adds with a smile.
"He asked me to train him for you, Ma'am. This little guy here," he says, patting the dog's head, "won't pose any problem. I'll leave you my phone number and address though. I live on the South part of the lake. If you have any question or problem, don't hesitate to drop by or give me a call. And if you don't mind, I'll check on you in a month or so – see how things are doing. I like to keep in touch with my babies," he explains.
She nods, relieved she'll have someone to turn to should anything unexpected happen. "Why don't you come inside," she offers. "It's past lunch time but I can fix us something."
He shakes his head. "Must be on my way, Ma'am. Besides, I think your doggy needs to adjust to you without me around. Call me if you need help, though," he says as he gets in his truck.
They wave at him as his truck disappears at the end of the dirt road. She suddenly feels drained and hands John the puppy. "Wow, now talk about life changes! A man and a dog on the same day," she banters, making him chuckle. They let the dog wander in front of the house just to be on the safe side then get him inside and let him inspect the house. They finish the tour of the place with her office and room. The puppy sniffs around and jumps on her bed, settling at the foot, his little head between his paws, looking so cute she hesitates to say something but John is adamant.
"Now, listen buddy," he says, lifting him from the bed and setting him gently on the floor, "I'll be the one warming her bed from now on so you need to get down."
She shakes her head. "You two are a pair," she teases him, "but I agree with you. Let's find him a place for his mattress. Why not my office?" she offers, wandering around. "We can leave the door open and he won't feel too lonely at night."
John agrees and gets the mattress. "One thing, though," he says to the dog, "your mummy and I, we're gonna spend a lot of time in that room when I'm around so you'd better get used to seeing the "do not disturb" sign on that door."
The dog yelps at John and wags his tail enthusiastically. Louise giggles, but blushes all the same, John's innocent remark in passing triggering memories of that very morning. She fans herself with her hand. "It's hot in here, don't you think?" she remarks, making John snigger.
"If you're so hot, sweetie, you can lose a few layers, ya' know," he drawls lazily, pointing at her clothes.
She bites her bottom lip and blushes some more. "John, behave!"
He lifts his eyebrows. "There's no one here right now so no, I won't," he says before grabbing her waist and pulling her flush to him.
She protests. "John, the dog..."
He chuckles. "Let him wander downstairs for a while. I've closed the doors to the living area. He'll just have access to your office, the hallway and the kitchen. He cannot wreak much havoc. Besides, Ray's trained him. He'll wait for us to come for him. See, all covered. Now, can I get your undivided attention for the next hour or so?" he asks with hopeful eyes.
TBC