Crossed Up
A/N: This is a one shot based on a prompt from LauraWritesFiction.
"We have to be careful of your back, Jess."
"My back is just fine, Doc."
Seth looked at her appreciatively. "Right along with the rest of you."
Jessica laughed, a low throaty chuckle, then pulled his head closer and languidly traced the outline of Seth's lips with her tongue.
"Jessica," he breathed.
"Yes?"
"We have to—"
"I know, I know," she murmured, looking deeply into his eyes. "But you were the one who claimed I was suffering from boudoir boredom."
"Aww, Jess," said Seth sheepishly.
"And you know something?" she asked, as she placed his hand on her breast. "You were right."
Jessica woke with a start, disoriented and…uncomfortable. It had been years since she'd had that kind of dream. Not since Frank died almost four years ago. She'd never dreamt about another man in that way. And for it to be Seth? What could it mean? She dismissed the urge to roll her eyes.
Jessica was avoiding him. Not overtly. Not so as anyone would notice. Anyone but him. He noticed alright. How could he fail to? Spending time with Jessica was the one bright spot in his otherwise average existence. Dull, he corrected inwardly.
Ruth was more than ten years gone. He'd had a few casual affairs back in Portland. He wasn't ashamed…exactly. But he certainly wasn't proud. He'd been fortunate indeed to have had a loving marriage. Ruthie had understood him, accommodated those black moods that came over him from time to time, smoothed his rough edges, loved him unconditionally. For his part, he had loved Ruth completely. He'd been taken with her dark hair and fair skin, compelled by her trim figure and practical attitude. She'd been a nurse for a number of years by the time Seth began his residency. She knew how to handle doctors. That she gave as good as she got was only one of the many appealing qualities she possessed. She'd enjoyed their teasing banter, and it had only deepened during the happy but all too brief years of their marriage.
Jessica was different. Not that she wasn't as pert and lively as Ruth. Jessica was witty, and she appreciated good conversation. She had an excellent sense of humor. And goodness knew she was beautiful. But she was a lady. Refined. Elegant. There wasn't a coarse bone in her body.
He'd known the moment it slipped out of his mouth that he'd overstepped. Other than a slight stiffening, she neither remarked nor otherwise alluded to his thoughtlessly crass remark.
He'd learned long ago the knack for separating patients from their physical appearance. He could give anyone in town a physical, then sit next to them at the diner, eating lunch and chatting companionably. Everyone except Jessica. Not that he indulged in off-color fantasies about her. Not that he couldn't keep his wits about him when she was in her pajamas, but... He had no control over his subconscious mind, and his dreams during her mandatory bed rest were anything but helpful.
He was a professional, though, and he thought he hadn't let anything slip. Until that one day. Boudoir boredom. He scoffed. Immature. Worse than a 14-year-old boy. He was irritated with himself. Angry. And lonely. Jessica was his best friend. Never mind that she had scores of friends and family all over the country. Friends with lots of ready cash, friends with fancy cars and homes, friends who didn't need to lose the odd 10 or 20 pounds.
He had no other friends, not really. He loved Margie, but they didn't get on. Occasional visits were best. He tolerated Amos for Jessica's sake, and Caleb was…well, Caleb. Caleb wasn't the sort of person to elevate him, to challenge him. And besides, no one meant to him what Jessica did. He had to make this right.
Jessica stared out the kitchen window, an empty tea cup in her hand. She was accustomed to being patronized. She'd dealt with disrespectful students, arrogant doctors, rude policemen. It didn't hurt, exactly. Not anymore. But still. Amos and Grady were to be expected. She loved her nephew, dearly, but he wasn't exactly a bright spark. Amos, well. He was solid and reliable, but he was never going to set the world on fire.
But Seth. Seth was different. Or at least she'd thought he was. Thought that together they were different.
She'd come to depend on Seth for…she wasn't ready to name what exactly. So it stung when he made that off-hand comment about boudoir boredom. She'd expected him to be perfunctory in his dealings with her as a patient. He was very strict about crossing lines. But to be patronized and teased, treated as a little woman who had succumbed to cabin fever…well. And then to have her mind and body betray her with that embarrassingly realistic dream. How could she meet his eyes in the diner or on Caleb's boat? Strolling through town arm in arm? She couldn't. Not now.
It frustrated her to be so consumed by these thoughts. Perhaps she'd just been alone for too long. Perhaps the dream was only an indication that she missed the warmth and companionship of a lover. A lover who just happened to be Seth, whose voice vibrated so deliciously against her chest, whose warm hands…she shook her head, as if by doing so she could loosen those thoughts from her mind.
Maybe it was time to take another trip. She hadn't seen Pamela since the wedding. Maybe she'd arrange a visit. She stared blankly into the gloomy dusk.
"Jessica?" Jessica jumped and the tea cup she'd been grasping clattered loudly as it fell into the sink. "Jessica? Are you alright?" Seth turned her gently, taking her hands in his and scanning them for cuts or burns. The room suddenly swam before her eyes. "Jess?" said Seth, even more alarmed as he moved to grasp her shoulders to keep her upright. "You're not alright. Why didn't you call for me?"
Jessica shook her head, mute.
"Can you walk?" He was relieved to see a look of irritation cross her face. "Then let's go into the living room, Jess."
This will never do, she thought as she let Seth lead her through the kitchen and settle her gently on the couch. He sat beside her and took her hands in his. They were cold, ice cold, and he began to massage them in an effort to improve her circulation. He risked a glance at her face. She was pale save for two bright spots of color on her cheeks, and she wouldn't meet his gaze. He began to be very afraid.
"Jessica, what's wrong?" She shook her head. "You can tell me anything. Has something happened? I know you've been avoiding me." He cleared his throat. "I wanted to apologize for my comments the other day. I had no business saying something so vulgar in your presence, in your room." Jessica began to laugh almost hysterically, and Seth felt the blood in his veins turn to ice. He dropped her hands and grabbed her shoulders, hard. "Jessica, what is it?" He shook her almost roughly, and she turned to look at him, the laughter dying in her throat.
She held his gaze for what felt like an eternity, then she leaned forward and kissed him. And what a kiss! It was somehow slow and loving and rough and passionate. She pressed against him, and he felt himself adjusting his hold on her, attempting to pull her on top of him. He turned his face from hers abruptly. They were both breathing heavily.
"Seth," she murmured.
"Tell me what you want, Jess." He looked at her, and the hope and fear in his eyes was almost her undoing. "Tell me what it is you want from me."
"Everything," she said simply.
Seth drew in a sharp breath. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want it all, Seth. I want it all from you." She smoothed his hair. "I love you."
"You love me?" repeated Seth dumbly.
Jessica nodded. "I do. I have for some time now."
"I thought…I thought you were avoiding me because of what I said while you were on bed rest."
Jessica arched an eyebrow. "Boudoir boredom?" Seth nodded and turned his face from hers. She put a gentle hand to his chin and turned his face to hers. "I'm glad you said it."
"What?"
"I'm glad. If you hadn't made such a suggestive comment, I might not have had such a suggestive dream, and it might have taken even longer for me to realize that I love you. That I'm in love with you." She laughed as Seth drew her into a bear hug. "Seth! I do still need to breathe!"
He released her immediately. "Sorry, Jess. I'm sorry. I'm just…"
"Well?"
"Well what, woman?" She raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Oh! I love you, too, Jess. I have done for a mighty long time." He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. "Now I can start wooing you properly."
Jessica smiled tenderly and stroked his cheek with her fingers. "Seth, you've been wooing me almost from the moment we met. I think we're well past that stage."
Seth shook his head emphatically. "Jessica, we'll never be past the stage of my wooing you." He kissed the tips of her fingers. "It's just going to be more…overt."
Jessica laughed. "I look forward to it!"
"From now on, woman, I'm going to do my best to make all your dreams come true." Seth watched as another, curious look came over her face. "What?"
"I have no doubt you will, darling," she said, as she leaned in for another kiss.
A/N: Gosh, I hope you enjoyed this impromptu entry into Laura's Crossed Up challenge. Lately it's felt a bit like I've lost my mojo. I'm hoping things are starting to turn around.