Prompt #28: "I saw that. You just checked me out."
With the weather finally getting nicer Hailey and Vanessa had decided they wanted to finally make use of the little porch and patio they had out back. The only caveat is that their section of the complex was consistently in the sun. And while Chicago is known for its cold and windy winters, people tend to forget how hot and humid it can be in the summer. Not to be swayed from their outside freedom, Hailey went online and started to look at retractable awnings that would block the sun more. And with the promise of free pizza and beer she knew she would be able to coerce her partner into helping her set it up. So that's exactly what they set out to do on this early summer day. She tried to hold back the instant butterflies that arose in her stomach when she heard the doorbell ring. It had been harder and harder for her recently to hide the feelings Jay seemed to rise in her. She took a deep breath and ran to open the door.
"Hey!" Jay said while smiling with his trademark boyish grin, that seemed to occur only in her presence, and holding a six-pack of craft beer under his arm.
"Hey. What's this? I told you I was supplying the beer and food. It's the least I can do." Hailey smiles back as she lets him inside.
"I know, but I figured more can't hurt. Besides, we'll just drink it another time if we don't get to it today." He shrugs. Looking around the kitchen and into the living room, he notices it's oddly quiet. Since Vanessa had started to live with Hailey it was rare she didn't make her bubbly presence known instantly. "Where's Vanessa?" he questions.
"Oh, apparently she decided to go camping with some of her old co-workers. You know her, she loves the spontaneity." Hailey replies.
"Wow, a whole weekend to yourself? Whatever will you do with all the free time? Going to cuddle in and read some of those romance novels you pretend not to enjoy?" he teases.
"Oh please, I'll probably be stuck with you most of today and then somehow you'll talk me into watching golf or another stupid sport over lunch tomorrow."
"So what you're saying is you'd rather have me as your roommate? Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, I won't tell Rojas."
"Oh, shutup!" she tries to scoff at him, but she can feel a slight blush rise to her cheeks. It doesn't go unnoticed by him as she catches him smirk.
Being the gentleman he is for now, he decides to give her an out. "So should we get to this? The Cubs are on at 7 tonight."
Hailey rolls her eyes as Jay puts the beer in the fridge. They make their way onto the porch and Jay's eyes go wide at the size of the box containing the awning.
"Huh, that's bigger than I thought it would be." He remarks.
"Not used to that kind of size, Jay?" she tries to hold back her laughter.
"Cute. Very funny. You know I can just go home and enjoy my rare Saturday off…" he raises his brow at her playfully.
"No, no. Thank you for this, you know you're my hero, Jay Halstead."
"That's better. Now get me the tool box and I'll get cracking."
They smile at each other before she goes back inside to grab her tools. Jay internally knowing there's nowhere else he'd rather be. He'd build Hailey a whole house by himself if it meant he got to spend more time alone with her. With everything that had gone on, they hadn't had a lot of private time together this year. And damn if they didn't really miss each other. When she returned with the tools they could already sense there was a different air about them. The sexual tension seemed suffocating so Jay quickly went to work, Hailey ready to hand him whatever he needed. Before they knew it an hour flew by and Jay was getting ready to attach the top to the brackets he had drilled into the siding. When he reached up to align one of the pieces, his t-shirt rose above his shorts a little giving Hailey a clear view of some back skin. He sensed the warmth of her eyes before he saw them. He tried to contain his cocky smirk as he turned around to face her, but it was no use.
"I saw that. You just checked me out!"
"What? No. Clearly you're delusional." She exclaims, trying to come off appalled but failing.
"Don't deny it. I watched your eyes look me up and down out of the corner of mine."
"I think the heat's getting to your head."
"Like what you see?" he winks at her.
"OH, PLUEASE!"
"I think you enjoy being in denial again. Why can't you just admit it, Hailey? I've been waiting for you to just admit it." He says, his tone getting softer.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Hailey turns to open the sliding door and walk back inside hoping to hide her nervousness. She knows Jay is just going to follow her, but she can silently pray he drops it.
As if on cue Jay comes up right behind her in the living room, the assembled awning long forgotten. "What were you going to tell me that day in the hospital?"
Wow, he's just jumping right to it, she thinks in shock. "Jay…" her voice pleading, but he turns her to face him; leaving his hands gently on her upper arms.
"Please, Hailey? Haven't we danced around this long enough?"
She shakes her head and tries again in warning. "Jay… I have no idea what you're trying to do here."
"Alright." He nods slowly and let's go of his hold some.
Hailey thinks they're back on safe ground until he starts talking again.
"But I think you do, Hailey. I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, you're just too scared to face it, too scared to risk changing this thing that works so well for us. I know what you were going to say that day Hailey because I feel it too, I feel it too… so what are we waiting for?"
He steps closer again, this time enveloping her space completely. This time she doesn't seem to have the willpower to object anymore. Instead of putting his hands on her arms again, he puts them around her waist and brings her body to his. He leans down and starts softly peppering kisses along her neck, feeling her shiver. "Say it, Hailey." He whispers along her jaw.
She gulps, her heart and body incredibly turned on, but her mind still aware of the little bit of fear and doubt. She shakes her head slightly. "I don't want to lose you, Jay. I don't want to lose our friendship. You're my partner." She chokes out, her lip quivering.
He stops his kisses to grab her jaw with one hand while stroking his thumb along her cheek with his other. "You're never going to lose me. No matter what happens you're too important to me to ever allow you to exit my life..." he pauses before continuing, "Say it. Please, Hailey, Please."
He responds gently as they stare at each other. She can see in his eyes all the emotion that lies there and she knows it's a reflection of hers as well. It just about breaks her and she knows this is it.
"I love you, Ja-"
Before she can finish the sentence his lips are on hers rough and hungry. She barely manages to gasp before she's succumbing to the feeling and wrapping her arms around him. A couple minutes later as the passion rises she runs her hands down his chest and makes her way under his shirt. He groans into her mouth, the feeling of her hands on his bare skin is almost too much. He grabs her ass and swiftly lifts her up allowing her legs to wrap around his waist. Without breaking the kiss he blindly and awkwardly walks them to the couch and drops them down on it. Hailey takes it as her opportunity to yank his shirt off; causing them to break breathlessly and start smiling at each other. Jay now runs his hands under her shirt, causing a groan to escape both of their mouths. He leans his forehead on hers.
"I love you too." He whispers against her lips.
She diagonally crosses her hands down to her stomach and pulls her shirt off as well, watching Jay stare with his mouth open.
"I know." She smiles simply before pulling him back into a kiss.
Jay thinks about breaking away to get the last word in, but then he feels her hands on his fly and they both lose all train of thought. It's looking like the porch awning will have to get finished tomorrow. Although, chances are they'll stay in bed all day. Oh well, there's always next weekend… and the weekend after that… and the weekend after that… and the weekend after….
[A/N: Here we go with our 3rd prompt story. This one was requested by 'cb150681' and 'saltlifegirl25.' I'm so incredibly warmed and humbled that you guys have enjoyed these so much this far. You're the best. I'm going to stick with this for a bit before delving into multi-chapter stories again, I hope you don't mind. Works better with my time. But I do have plans for things before the show returns. Thanks again for reading!
*The list of prompts are at the bottom of the first chapter if anyone wants to request one.]