A/N: Oooh, finally a little smut. Just a little but I guess it's better than nothing, lol. But...you will hate me by the end of the chapter. Sorry. Blame the hat. You must have seen it coming...
It is a shortish chapter but, the next chapter will not be long in coming. It's done and waiting to be beta'd. This one just HAD to end where it did. If you know me, you will know why.
Thank you, as always to SSC for the beta. I'm still trying to work out which out of the two of us is the most evil writer. Lol. Love you hun.
Thank you all for your continued support with this story and your reviews. Keep them coming please. We have passed the final ¼ now but still some to come yet. Your heart may beat at the end of this chapter but I will ensure I am in a very good hiding place by the end of the next...
Enjoy!
Chapter 109
A whimper escaped Sara's throat as his lips completely smothered hers. Every pore, every cell, every nerve ending in her body tingled as her finger nails dug through his jacket, up his back until her hands reached his arms to grab firmly onto his biceps.
His tongue, slowly and softly sought hers and another whimper came when he found what he was looking for.
Sara melted into him now, her arms moving to encircle his neck.
For the first time, in a long, long time, her mind went to a good place. The happy place. A place where she felt safe, warm…wanted…loved...
It was as if she was back in Alexandria, back in his bed, back in the comfort of her own desire for a man she truly wanted to spend the rest of her life with. And that thought…being with him until the end of days, made her happy.
One thing she had forgotten or on the other hand, pushed away, was how much she really, really wanted him. She'd convinced herself so much that she was so unworthy that she'd forgotten exactly how good he could make her feel.
But, he'd never pushed her away. All of that was her own failing and for the first time, as his lips continued to slide over hers, she fought the demon that lay within her. That demon that would not allow her to move on and fight the past.
But just as her body convinced her that her prior fears were unfounded, that Hank hadn't destroyed her totally, Grissom's hand slid across her ribs to cup her right breast. The gesture wasn't forceful or rough, actually a soft caress but her brain surged in fear and before she could think, she was instinctively pushing him away.
Immediately he removed his hand and pulled back, his lips leaving hers. He knew he'd gone one step too far and instantly regretted it.
"Sara…I'm sorry…" he gasped a little breathlessly as she stared up at him, her eyes now hinting a little fear rather than the pleasure which had overcome her for a few moments.
He swallowed hard as he waited for her to answer.
Eventually, a faint smile appeared on her lips. He wasn't sure whether it was a true smile or not. "It's okay," she panted, as she too attempted to catch her breath.
Blowing out a breath, he pulled his entire weight off her now and stood. "I'm sorry," he apologized again, a slight blush creeping upon his cheeks now. "I think I got a little…you just…" He swiped a hand over his slightly perspiring forehead, "…have that effect on me…"
She didn't make much of an effort to move yet and just gazed up at him while he looked down to her. His confession made her feel conflicted. "Just…a little too much…a little too soon…" she then admitted.
But the look on his face was pained, and it made her heart hurt to see it. So she forced a smile, albeit a weak one to alleviate his turmoil.
Slowly, she held out her hand. "Help me up?" she asked softly. "Probably time for us to get back before Father and Mother realize we are not on the hay ride…"
He nodded, took her hard and gently pulled her from the blanket.
His strength still amazed her. He pulled her up with such ease…
"Are…you sure you're alright?" he asked, watching as she attempted to flatten the creases which had formed in her dress.
She smiled at him again. "I'm fine," she responded even if it was quietly. After a few moments she laughed at the worried look on his face. "Really, Gil…" she reassured taking his hand and squeezing it "…I'm okay." She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips, just to prove to him that she was.
"Forgive me?" he asked softly.
"There's nothing to forgive," she insisted.
He pouted, his left brow rising.
A genuine smile graced her face and she sniggered before pulling on his hand. "Come on…"
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
They arrived back at the party swiftly but before they were met by anyone Sara pulled Grissom aside and whispered in his ear.
"Give me a few minutes?" she asked.
He frowned at her and she placed a gentle hand on his arm. "It's nothing bad," she reassured again. "I'd just like to freshen up a little…brush my hair…" She ran her free hand over her head feeling a little bit of a frizz.
Grissom smiled and leaned forwards, pulling a strand of stray straw from her locks. His brow rose. "Maybe…that's not such a bad idea…"
She grinned slyly at him now. "Wouldn't want those kind of questions being asked now, would we?"
He licked his lips. "Certainly not…"
A giggle escaped her lips before she kissed him on the cheek. "I won't be long." Her hand ran down his arm as she stepped away and headed for the house.
He watched her, from top to bottom, his eyes scanning over the stunning woman walking away from him. The way her hips swayed all the way up to where her hair gently floated in the nightly breeze. Never would have he imagined, having such a woman in his life. He felt so immensely lucky.
With a content sigh, he turned and headed around the side of the house to rejoin the guests.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Sara entered the front door, so entranced in her own little world that she was paying little attention to where she was walking.
Unfortunately for her, she didn't see the servant who was walking by with a tray of champagne. Her eyes focused a little too late and the smile on her face turned to a grimace of surprise as she clattered into the man, sending him tumbling backwards.
The champagne glasses went flying in all directions, most tumbling to the floor, the crystal shattering upon the hard floor. But one glass managed to launch itself in her direction, sending the contents splashing all over her dress before the glass came to crash at her feet.
The server managed to catch himself before he lost his balance and the tray remained in his hand even though there was nothing left upon it. He quickly straightened up and with shaken, wide eyes, looked at the damage.
Sara stood a little shocked, not entirely sure what had just happened but it didn't take her long to work it out as her eyes passed over the poor employee she had almost just knocked off his feet.
"Miss Sara…" he began, "…I'm…so…so sorry…"
Looking down at her dress, Sara assessed the damage with a gentle sigh. She would definitely need to change.
The worker looked mortified.
"It's fine," Sara whispered, wiping at the wetness on her clothing. "My fault…I wasn't paying attention…"
Rana came rushing from behind. "Oh, Dear Lord," she announced seeing the mess. "What have you done, Parker?"
"I…umm…"
The housekeeper shook her head then turned her attention to Sara. "Oh Miss…."
Sara held out a hand. "It's okay," she reassured. "It…really wasn't his fault. I…
"He should be paying more attention, Miss," Rana argued, glaring at her helper for a second.
Parker bowed his head.
"Well don't just stand there," Rana growled. "Get a broom and clean up the mess!"
He nodded quickly. "Yes, Ma'am…sorry Ma'am…" He rushed off in search of cleaning equipment.
"Let me get a cloth to wipe you down, Miss," Rana suggested.
Sara shook her head. "That won't be necessary," Sara argued, looking over her dress again. "I'll…need to change." Another sigh escaped her lips. "No point in trying to dry it…"
"I'll help you." Rana stepped forwards, trying to avoid the glass on the floor.
"I'll be fine." Sara pointed to the floor. "May be a better idea to help with the glass in case someone comes along and hurts themselves?"
Now Rana sighed. "I…can do that, Miss. But, will you not need help fastening up?"
Sara smiled, carefully manoeuvring over the glass towards the stairs. "You can see to me after this is settled. And please don't blame Parker. It was my entire fault."
Rana nodded as Sara began climbing the steps. "Yes, Miss."
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Grissom had been caught by Brass when The Captain and Laura found him. The Sheriff had popped by to offer his congratulations even though he had previously declined the invitation due to work commitments.
"There you are," Laura said as she came up behind him.
The rancher turned to his future in laws and he offered them a smile.
"Glad to see you made it, Jim," the captain followed.
Brass nodded. "I suppose it's impolite to miss a party, especially one that means my good friend is finally dedicating himself into being an honest man." He slipped an arm around Grissom shoulders. "Right?"
Grissom blushed. "Sure…"
"I love pulling your leg, Gil," Brass continued grabbing a whiskey from a passing waiter. "You just bite so easily."
"Just watch it," Grissom joked. "Or I may bite a bit more than you want…"
Now Brass laughed.
Laura looked around. "So where is that daughter of mine? Did you do the hayride?"
"Um…" Grissom looked around too and then pulled his pocket watch from his inner jacket pocket. "No…we…just took a walk…" He checked the time. Sara had been a lot longer than he expected. "Sara went to…freshen up a little…"
"Oh…" Laura exchanged a glance with her husband.
"I'll…" Grissom slipped his watch back into his jacket and began walking away, "…go see where she's got to…"
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Sara had changed. Her clean dress still needed to be tightened but Rana would be up shortly once she had sorted her hair. She laughed to herself when she looked through the mirror on her dressing table and saw exactly how messy her hair actually was.
It was worth it.
As she made the final few strokes through her long brown locks she heard the door open and presumed it was Rana. "I'll just be a second," she said, brushing one more time before putting the brush down.
But then, as her eyes caught the reflection behind her in the mirror a silent gasp escaped her lips and she froze.
He closed the door and stepped forward with a grin. "No hurry, my dear…"
Now Sara shot to her feet, spinning around with such speed she even surprised herself. She leaned back and her fingers clenched the dressing table behind her as he took a few more steps closer. The beat of her heart become so fast…so quick…she couldn't even hear herself think.
Her head slowly began to shake as his grin broadened.
"You…you…you…" Her words came stuttered, panic flooding through her. "…can't be here…
Taking off his hat, he took a mock bow. "I thought you would have learned…" he began, "Jeffery McKeen…never leaves a debt unpaid…."
***"And what do you suppose, you conceited female...that the worth of YOUR prayers may be? Name the price that you put YOUR prayers at!"***
***- Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Paragraph adapted).
A/N: Dun...dun...duuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnna.