Okay, so I'm totally falling in love with Steve and Shauni now. It's so unpredictable….and who knows what is going to happen….but I'm really starting to love them together. Hope you like this chapter. Reviews are welcome.
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Holding Joanie in one arm, Steve reached around to grab Shauni's hand as she scooted down off of the counter before making introductions, "Shauni, this is my sister Mary."
Feeling a little embarrassed at being caught wearing only Steve's shirt…..even though it fell to her knees and covered more than enough of her body….. Shauni reached her free hand forward to shake Mary's hand, "Hi, Mary. It's nice to meet you. Steve's told me a lot about you."
Mary looked more than a little shell shocked, "It's really great to meet you too. Wow…..I mean….Holy freaking cow!"
Mary looked curiously at Shauni wearing her brother's shirt before turning back to Steve. He knew what she was thinking, so he quirked an eyebrow, smirked, and non-verbally dared Mary to say anything more. Mary seemed to take the hint and kept her mouth shut.
Shauni wanted desperately to turn this awkward moment around, so she looked towards Steve and Joanie, "And you must be little Joanie." She reached out and tickled her belly gently. Joanie giggled and looked back adoringly at her uncle before planting another kiss on his cheek. Steve lifted her up in the air causing her to squeal in delight.
"How much do I love you?" he asked her.
Joanie reached her arms up high as if reaching for the sky, "Da moon an back!"
Steve pulled her down to kiss her belly which caused her to giggle again.
"To the moon andback…..one hundred times." Steve corrected.
Shauni watched in awe and tried her best not to get teary eyed at the sweet scene playing out in front of her. This was a side of Steve she definitely hadn't expected to see, but it warmed her heart. Steve McGarrett was such a dichotomy: Tough Navy SEAL and commander of Five-0, but also a sweet, romantic lover who was great with kids.
She was falling. Hard. And she feared there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.
Mary's voice broke into her thoughts, "So…what are you doing here?"
Shauni and Steve both turned to look at Mary before her face turned apologetic, "Sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
"It's okay." Shauni offered graciously, "I've been working here the last few days and Five-0 has been handling my security."
It was obvious this was more than "security", but when Mary caught sight of Steve's warning glance, she decided not to say anything to embarrass Shauni or give her brother a hard time. "Yeah, I saw some of what has happened to you on the news. I'm really sorry. I didn't realize Five-0 was involved, though."
Mary paused for a second, "By the way, I'm glad you're okay. Steve is the best, you know. He won't let anything happen to you."
Steve smirked and cast a sideways glance towards Shauni, "Yeah…..as long as she listensto me." He quipped causing Shauni to look at him remorsefully.
Mary jumped to her defense, "Hey….don't sweat it. If there is one thing I know, it's that my brother can be overbearing. But….as much as it pains me to admit it, he usually knows what's best." Then looking back at Steve, she continued, "And if you EVER tell anyone that Isaid that, Steve McGarrett, I will hurt you."
Steve couldn't help but chuckle.
Mary looked back towards Shauni once more, "Sorry we snuck in on you. I guess I should have called."
"It's okay, Mar. Don't worry about it." Steve offered.
"Well, like I said, it's great to meet you, Shauni. Shocking….but great."
"You too, Mary. We were actually just getting things ready for dinner. Are you staying?"
Mary knew she had intruded on an intimate time, so she decided to help Steve out. "No. Actually, I think maybe Joanie and I will go visit a friend tonight and come back tomorrow. Is that okay, bro?"
Steve looked so grateful Mary couldn't help but go to him for a hug of her own. He handed Joanie back before kissing Mary's cheek, "Sounds good. Thanks, Mar."
Before Mary could leave, Shauni invited them to come to the house she was renting the next day so they could all visit more.
"Seriously?" Mary looked at her incredulously.
"Sure. It'll be fun. We would love to have you and Joanie over."
"Who's 'we'?" Mary asked for clarification.
"Oh…..uh…my Mom and Dad are here…And so is my sister. They're flying back to L.A. tomorrow night, though."
"Your dad…as in Derek Steele?"
Shauni was use to the wide appeal her dad had on people. He was a movie icon, and although Shauni knew him as a big softie, she knew it could be intimidating for some to meet him, "Yep. That would be him." She offered Mary an encouraging smile hoping to ease any nerves she might be feeling, "Please join us. That way you and Joanie can visit Steve, too. Besides, my mother loves babies and will be more than happy to take Joanie off your hands for a while. It might give you a nice break."
So Steve is already "in" with the family, huh? Interesting. Mary mused. Even though Steve may be providing security for Shauni, Mary was wise enough to realize something else was also going on. After all, Shauni was standing in the kitchen wearing only Steve's shirt…and he looked happy. Truly happy. It was a look she hadn't seen on her big brother for a long time and she wanted it to stay. So, before agreeing to go with them the next day, Mary looked to Steve for confirmation that they wouldn't be intruding. It was as if he read her mind, so he nodded his head in agreement.
"Okay then. That sounds great. Thanks!" Mary answered.
They agreed on a time to meet back at the McGarrett house the following morning so they could travel together to the house where the Steele's were staying. Steve saw them to the door before returning to the kitchen where Shauni had gone back to finishing the salad. He came up behind her and put his hands on the counter on either side of her to "trap her" before leaning down close to her ear. "Have I told you how terrific I think you are?"
"Maybe a time or two….but you can tell me again." She joked.
"You're amazing. Seriously, It's really nice of you to invite them over tomorrow. Thank you."
Shauni turned around to put her arms around his neck and look into his crystal blue eyes. "You're welcome. It will be fun to get to know Mary better. She seems like fun!"
Steve rolled his eyes good humoredly, "You have no idea."
"Yes, well, I think she seems great. We'll have fun. And my parents are going to be so excited to spend some time with Joanie too. That little girl will have them eating out of her hand in no time."
The love he felt for his niece showed in his eyes, "Yeah, she has that effect on people."
Shauni leaned up to kiss him. "Now let's get dinner ready. I'm starving!"
They spent the next half hour getting dinner ready before taking everything outside to eat. Steve also brought out a bottle of Pinot Grigio that was perfectly chilled for them to have with dinner. It was a beautiful evening and they were able to see the sun setting while they talked and enjoyed their meal. It was another moment in the day Shauni would have frozen and kept forever if it were possible.
Shauni got up from her seat to start clearing the table when Steve pulled her down onto his lap. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Cleaning everything up and getting us some dessert."
She saw the twinkle in his eyes, "It can wait."
"But I made my Gram's peach cobbler….and let me tell you, it is killer. There is nothing like a Southerner's cobbler."
"Well, that may be so, but I still say it can wait. I want another dessert right now."
He pulled her mouth down to his as his other hand seductively squeezed her ass. Shauni had had boyfriends and lovers before, but no one who awakened the passion inside of her like Steve. One look….one touch…one kiss…..was all it took to practically send her over the edge. His touch was gentle as he moved up her waist, her back, and finally moved around to take one of her breasts in his hand. Never breaking contact with her mouth, Steve's fingers teased her relentlessly as they ran over the thin lace of her bra. Shauni could barely breathe. It suddenly felt tight and she wanted it off. She wanted everything off.
Steve felt Shauni shiver under his touch and smiled as he continued to taste her. He loved how responsive she was to him. It was all he could do to maintain control and try to take things slowly. He finally broke contact long enough to reach down and pull her shirt up and toss it on the ground. Then, as if mesmerized, he just stared at the lacy black bra. "You're so beautiful."
He was looking at her so reverently she found it impossible to speak. Not wanting to break the moment, she reached back to unfasten her bra and dispose of it beside her shirt on the ground. Steve swallowed visibly before his tongue made its way down her neck and chest in a slow sweet torture before taking her nipple into his mouth.
Within minutes, they were making their way back into the house and leaving a trail of clothes behind them.
When they were both sated, sweaty, and breathless, Shauni curled herself into Steve's arms and sighed contentedly. They lay in silence and complete happiness for a while before the silence started to bother Steve.
"You're awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?" The deep vibrato of his voice as her face rested on his chest made her tingle all over….again.
"Nothing."
"I don't believe you. Everything okay?"
Steve heard her sigh, "I don't want to ruin the moment."
"I'd say that's pretty impossible." He gently stroked her back, "Come on….What are you thinking?"
Shauni propped herself up to look at him giving him another great view of her beautiful, naked chest.
"This has been one of the best days of my life," she said quietly, "I wish I could just save it….and never have it end."
Steve's hands moved down to grab her and pull her up so she was straddling him again. His strength amazed her because he did it with seemingly no effort at all.
"I know the feeling." Steve's tone grew serious. "Let's just take it a day at a time and see what happens, okay?"
Shauni rolled her eyes at him good-naturedly, "You sound just like my mom. She said the same thing."
They cuddled with each other a while longer before Shauni excused herself to take a shower. When she got out and Steve took his turn, she made her way downstairs to get both of them some of the peach cobbler she had made earlier. Making love to Steve certainly worked up an appetite! Passing the dining room on the way to the kitchen, she saw a guitar propped in the corner by Steve's desk. She eyed it curiously. Did he play?
Not able to resist, she went over for a closer look. It was beautiful, and upon closer review, an expensive one. She picked it up and put the strap over her shoulder as she sat down in one of the dining room chairs facing the ocean. Loving the feel of it under her fingers, she began to strum out a melody. After a few chords, she found herself playing and singing lyrics to a song she had always loved but had never recorded herself. It was as if her subconscious knew exactly what she was feeling and it brought this "favorite" song to mind.
(Credit to Chantal Kreviazuk, "Feels Like Home")
Something in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself.
Makes me wanna lose myself
In your arms.
There's something in your voice makes my heart beat fast.
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life.
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone.
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done.
It feels like home to me…Feels like home to me….
Hearing the floorboard squeak behind her, Shauni turned to see Steve watching her with his arms folded across his chest. She suddenly felt embarrassed at being caught playing his guitar.
"Sorry…..I hope you don't mind. When I see a guitar or piano, I can't help myself…and then I get lost in the music."
"Don't stop." Steve said, "You sound beautiful." He took a couple of steps towards her before moving one of the dining room chairs around to sit down with her.
"Do you play?" She asked.
"I use to. I use to love it, but then I gave it up."
"Why?"
"It's a long story. BUT, when Danny heard the story a couple of months ago, he bought me another one. He says I need to relax more."
"I think Danny's right," Shauni agreed, "So are you playing again?"
"A little. But I'm nowhere near as good as you."
Shauni looked at him affectionately, "Maybe you can play for me someday? I'm sure you're better than you think. No one owns a guitar like this unless they can play it."
"Okay…..maybe …..some day."
Shauni seemed to be happy with that answer, so she put the guitar back into it's stand and they went into the kitchen to get the peach cobbler and going outside to enjoy the cooler night air.
Then, they came back in and went for round three….and maybe some more.
They both finally fell asleep feeling completely content.