"Emily, what are your plans for your birthday tomorrow?" Reid asked curiously. It was late in the afternoon on Friday. The team had returned from a case yesterday and was sitting around the bullpen winding down for the week.
Emily didn't get a chance to answer. Penelope replied in a singsong voice. "Being celebrated! A whole day with JJ and me. First a bottomless mimosa brunch, a concert tomorrow evening, and in between those, all the fun you can imagine hanging out with us."
"That," Emily confirmed. "After first sleeping in as late as I possibly can."
Emily deliberately didn't look his way, but she could see Derek smirk in her periphery.
"Sounds fun," Reid said. "Well have a happy birthday."
"Thanks, Reid. Penelope and JJ are spoiling me. Without them, the plans would be pretty thin."
"Without me, the plans would be nonexistent," Penelope said. "I don't know why you're not bigger on birthdays, Emily."
"They were always pretty low-key growing up," Emily said. "I don't mind that. But I'm really excited for tomorrow," she quickly added. She truly was. It was very sweet of her friends to think of her.
"Good!" Penelope said. "It's going to be a fun day. We'll come over early and pick you up."
The clock hit five and everyone started to disperse.
"Happy birthday, Prentiss," Derek said. "See you Monday."
"Thanks, Morgan. See ya." The pair shared a subtle smile.
An hour later, Emily was home settling in for the night. She changed into some comfortable shorts and a loose tank before uncorking a bottle of wine. As she was pulling two glasses down from the cabinet, there was a soft knock on her door. Right on time.
Emily opened the door, Derek Morgan on the other side holding a pizza and a bottle of red.
"I hear someone is having a birthday," he said suggestively.
"Yeah, are you a stripper here for my party?" Emily kidded.
"Party of two, I hope." Derek put his arm around Emily's waist and pulled her in for a brief kiss, the wine bottle he was holding pressing into her back.
"Come on in," Emily said, closing the door behind him. "Thanks for this, Derek. This is exactly my kind of celebration."
"You not looking forward to birthday-palooza tomorrow?" Derek set the pizza and wine down on her kitchen island and saw that Emily already had a bottle open. He poured them each a glass.
"No, I am! It will be great. I just need some time to chill too," Emily said.
Derek moved towards Emily, his hands gently holding her face. Emily wrapped her arms around his middle and enjoyed the feel of him kissing her.
The pair had secretly been seeing each other for a few months now. Who knew what is was. They sure hadn't talked about exclusivity or anything serious, but they didn't leave each other much time to see anyone else.
One of Derek's hands started tangling into her hair and his other one slid down her back, pressing her tight to him. Emily sighed against his soft lips.
Being intimate with Derek had been a whole new experience to say the least. You only had to look at him to know he would be good in bed. But he was selfless and attentive to her. Add to that the fact that it was a secret only the two of them shared. It was steamy and just plain fun.
"Should we eat something first?" Derek asked. Emily nodded and he pressed another quick kiss to her lips.
They settled in on the couch with plates of the pizza he brought and their glasses of wine.
"I thought you said spinach had no place on pizza?" Emily asked before diving in.
"It doesn't. But tonight is everything the birthday girl wants." He had gotten her favorite, a spinach, sundried tomato, and feta pizza from an artisan pizzeria near her apartment.
"Wow. Everything I want?" Emily asked with a suggestive grin.
"Lucky for me, I think I'm going to like everything else you want tonight," Derek said. "Want to pick a movie?"
Emily hit play on one she had seen plenty of times. She knew they wouldn't spend much time watching it tonight. They worked through the first bottle of wine and were on to the second in no time.
Forty-five minutes into the movie, Emily was on Derek's lap. She was straddling him, her chest pressed to his, and his arms wrapped around her hips.
Emily pulled away just long enough to strip his shirt from his muscular body before leaning back in to continue kissing him. She drug her fingers down his strong chest, fingernails teasing.
Derek moved a hand up into her hair and gently pressed his soft lips to hers.
"You're so damn beautiful, Em."
She sighed against him, his words having a similar effect as his hands on her body.
"You make me feel good," Emily said, her voice breathy against his lips in between kisses. "Not just the sex. I mean you being here with me. I feel…" Emily's sentence trailed off as Derek's lips connected with her neck.
Emily started rocking her hips against him. She could feel him hardening through his pants. Their clothing was still in place except for Derek's shirt.
Derek took it upon himself to switch positions, laying Emily down on the length of the couch. He slid his hands up her stomach underneath her loose tank, slowly teasing her, dragging his fingers to the edge of her bra then back down to the waistband of her shorts. Emily gripped Derek's shoulders, anticipating where his fingers were headed next.
When his fingers dipped below her waistband and sought her wet center, she gasped, unable to stop the way her hips rocked forward with want.
Emily wanted his hands everywhere at once. She stripped her tank off while Derek slid her shorts slowly down her legs, leaving behind goosebumps.
She was down to her bra and panties. Derek took in the sight of her appreciatively before their eyes met, blazing. He didn't look away from her as his fingers connected, the black lace-edged cotton still between them. Derek traced gentle circles over her, feeling her soak through her panties as he teased her. He knew she needed direct contact to come. He was just trying to work her up. To get her as hot and turned on as possible.
Emily looked at him pleadingly, a silent question in her eyes. Derek knew what she wanted. He picked her up from the couch, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to her bedroom.
He sat Emily on the edge of her queen-sized bed. She was quick to lean forward and unbutton his pants then gently push them down his hips, his underwear going with them.
Derek's hard cock twitched at the thought of Emily leaning forward and wrapping her lips around him as she so often did. But tonight was about her.
"Lie down, Em." She did as she was asked and watched Derek watching her. He slid his hands under her back and undid her bra as she arched at his touch. He tossed her bra aside and trailed kisses down her body, hot breath raising her nipples.
Emily wanted to slide her own panties down and wrap her legs around him. She was desperate for more, her body on fire. But she tried to be patient, knowing he would get there in due time.
Derek laid his body down on hers, her panties thoroughly soaked through and his hard cock pressing into her stomach. He kissed her again, his lips warm and needy.
She pushed her hips up into his, craving his sex. He knew exactly where he was bringing her.
After some more time spent kissing her, his hands roaming her body, Derek couldn't hold off any longer. He pulled himself away to hook his fingers around the lace on her hip bones and slowly drag the panties down her legs and all the way off.
Derek took in the sight of her, her arousal so ample she was visibly slick with it. He wanted to be buried inside of her but planned to give her his mouth first. Derek leaned in, reaching to push her legs open.
"Derek, I just want you to fuck me," Emily pleaded. As good as his lips would feel, right now his cock would feel better.
Derek was eager but feigned indifference. "Whatever you want," he said, his voice low and smooth.
He pressed his body to hers, her legs spreading underneath him. As Emily angled her hips toward his, Derek pushed into her, sliding into her slick warmth with ease. They let out a collective moan, their bodies crying out in relief.
"Deeper," Emily begged. "You feel so good."
Derek looped an arm around her waist, pulling her body closer as he fucked into her. Emily was gasping, her head tipped back. Derek connected his lips with her exposed neck. He kissed and gently sucked on her skin, only encouraging her sounds of pleasure.
Emily's hands sought him, gripping his hips and firm ass as he thrust into her. Derek's pace increased, racing to the finish and unable to slow down.
She again adjusted the angle of her hips, her body begging for him to go deeper. She found the perfect position, the head of his cock hitting just the right spot. Emily's gasping became louder and uncontrolled. Derek could tell she was incredibly close. He sped up the thrusting of his hips, just slightly, being careful not to change the angle one bit from what she was clearly loving.
Emily cried out, her pleasure reaching its peak and crashing over her. She shuddered in his arms and her walls pulsed around his cock, bringing him there with her. Derek moaned as he spilled into her.
Emily's chest rose and fell rapidly as she took in breath after gasping breath.
"That was incredible, Derek," Emily said, her voice breathy.
"You feel so fucking good."
Derek rolled off of her, slipping out completely spent. He pulled Emily to him on her side and captured her lips and a gentle kiss. They were still breathing hard against each other's mouths.
"How does this birthday rate?" Derek asked, his voice cocky.
"Pretty fucking high," Emily said. She leaned back in to kiss him again.
…
The next morning, the morning of Emily's actual birthday, they woke up somewhat early. His hands were quick to wrap around her body and hold her to him.
"Good morning," Emily said. Her morning voice was crazy sexy.
"Morning, birthday girl."
"You know, I've never been huge on birthdays, but you might have changed my mind last night."
"Good?"
"Mind blowing," Emily confirmed.
"The night doesn't have to be over," Derek said. "Or the morning, I should say. When is your brunch?"
Emily rolled towards the clock on her back, Derek enjoying the sight of her full breasts as she did so.
"It's in two hours. So I probably need to kick you out and get in the shower in about one hour," Emily said.
"Plenty of time." Derek kissed her again, his hand sliding down her back and landing on her hip.
Emily threw her arms around his neck and enjoyed the feel of his naked body pressed to hers as he kissed her. His lips moved against hers, gently, his tongue tracing across her bottom lip briefly and then pulling back. Clearly he wanted to take his time turning her on again.
Emily reached down, seeking his cock, planning to repay some of the pleasure.
"No, not today," Derek said. "I said this weekend would be all about you and there's one thing I haven't done for you yet. One of your favorite things," he added with a cocky smirk.
Derek gently pushed her onto her back and started trailing kisses down her body. He planned to bury his mouth between her legs until she absolutely had to go get ready for her day.
…
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" JJ whispered to Penelope.
"Yes! She's going to be sleeping during it anyway. We'll be in and out in 15 minutes And then she gets to wake up to some birthday decorations and a nice latte."
"She is well trained with a gun," JJ said jokingly, but still unconvinced.
"It's fine." Penelope pressed a finger to her lips, telling JJ to be quiet. Then she put the key in Emily's door and turned. "From cat sitting Sergio," she explained.
The two moved inside stealthily and sat down their bag of goodies. They could see Emily's closed bedroom door so they thought it was likely she was still asleep. Just as planned.
JJ started draping a banner across her fireplace.
"You said you had a birthday banner," Penelope whispered loudly.
"You're looking at it," JJ whispered back.
"That's for a three-year-old. Literally, that's from Henry's birthday."
"I'm going to cut the dinosaurs off once it's hanging up. This whole concept is practically for a three-year-old. They don't make birthday banners for women in their thirties!" The pair bickered back and forth lightheartedly and in hushed voices.
"True. It's okay, I'm channeling a kids birthday vibe anyway. Sounds like she didn't get much of that growing up. Well a kids birthday plus alcohol."
"So you want me to leave the dinosaurs?" JJ asked.
On Emily's kitchen island, Penelope started arranging a couple presents with a pom pom garland twirled around them for effect.
"I'm glad she at least had some wine last night, Penelope said, pointing to the empty bottle. "It didn't sound like she had much planned."
Next thing they knew, the pair heard what sounded like a moan coming from behind Emily's door. Their eyes shot up, looking at each other silently.
"A yawn?" JJ whispered to Penelope hopefully. "Maybe she's waking up. We need to hurry and get out of here."
But then they heard another noise that left a lot less room for theorizing.
"Oh my God!" Penelope whispered loudly.
"This was a terrible idea," JJ said, panicked. "We need to go."
"A little birthday solo?" Penelope asked.
JJ looked around the room, her eyes locking on some dark gray fabric. "Is that a man's shirt?"
Penelope's eyes flew around the room, flustered. All the while the noises behind Emily's door were getting louder.
Then they heard a sound that was distinctly male. A deep groan mixed with Emily's gasping breaths.
JJ and Penelope didn't have to talk. They started gathering up all their stuff as quickly as possible, flitting around the room as quietly as they could.
Then they heard something nothing could have prepared them for.
"Derek," Emily cried out with a moan. "Oh my God!"
JJ and Penelope paused movements again, their eyes meeting each other's equally wide, their faces bright red with embarrassment.
"Get our shit. We're leaving now," JJ whispered harshly. "She can never know we were here."
"Okay, you were right," Penelope said. "This was a bad idea."
Racing around gathering stuff into her arms. Penelope moved towards JJ to help her get the banner down from the mantle. Then the worst happened. With their speed and fluster, they bumped into each other and in turn, bumped into her standing lamp, sending it crashing down onto the ground.
The noises from the bedroom halted.
"Sergio, you think?" A deep voice asked Emily. It was definitely the voice of Derek Morgan.
"He doesn't normally climb on stuff," Emily replied.
"Maybe he's mad you're still in this bed and haven't fed him breakfast yet," Derek said jokingly.
JJ whispered as quietly as she possibly could. "Sounds like we might still be able to go. We leave the lamp and they'll think it was Sergio."
The two started creeping toward the door, desperately wishing they were closer to it.
Then they heard a loud gasp, stopping them in their tracks. A gasp of pure shock, not the kind of gasps they were hearing a few minutes ago.
Penelope and JJ slowly turned around, bracing for what was to come.
Emily was standing in her bedroom doorway wrapped in a blanket, face bright red.
"How long have you been here?"
"Not long," Penelope lied.
Emily's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the remnants of decorations. They clearly didn't have time to thoroughly clean. She knew they had been there long enough to hear more than enough.
"What the?" Derek muttered as he climbed out of bed and pulled on some sleep shorts.
Emily was pissed off. But she also was really touched by the gesture. Most of all, she was embarrassed.
Derek joined her in the doorway, his eyes confirming what he thought he heard.
"Oh no," he said.
"How long?" Penelope's sentence dropped off.
Derek pushed past Emily and grabbed his shirt off the floor, pulling it on.
"Derek and I just…" Emily was at a loss for words as well.
"Emily, we're so sorry," JJ said. "It's none of our business. We just wanted to surprise you for your birthday, but I'm seeing now this was a really rude way to do it."
"Oh yeah, happy birthday," Penelope said weakly. JJ gave her a stern look. "What? I haven't said it to her yet."
"Anyway," JJ said. "We'll go." They turned towards the door.
"Oh wait!" Penelope turned back briefly and handed Emily the latte they had gotten her. It was still warm in her hands. She watched them walking away.
"Wait," Emily said, against her better judgment. "Stay and hang out."
Interesting choice, Derek thought, but didn't vocalize.
"I have to believe this is going to be a really funny story one day," Emily explained. "If I don't believe that, I will die. As in literally pass away right here in this blanket."
"I'm going to go get cleaned up," Derek said, wincing at his own word choice. He moved past Emily into her room towards her bathroom.
Emily's eyes met JJ's, then Penelope's, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.
"Oh my God!" Penelope mouthed.
"We've just been hooking up for a few months," Emily said in answer to the question written all over their faces. "Let me get dressed then I'll make a pot of coffee."
When Emily disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door behind her, Penelope and JJ began their whispered conversation.
"A few months!" Penelope started.
"Just hooking up?" JJ replied.
"I never would have guessed."
"That girl keeps secrets well."
Emily raced towards Derek where she found him washing his face over the sink.
"What do we do?" Emily asked him. "I can feel my insides turning upside down and jumping up into my chest."
"Not invite them to stay!" Derek joked.
"Well I thought it might be good to clear the air early rather than send them on their way to talk about it." When Derek didn't reply, Emily continued, whining. "They heard me practically screaming." She covered her reddened face with her hands.
"Damn my skilled tongue!"
"Derek! It's not funny. I'm so embarrassed."
"I am too. Trust me, I am. Just joking to try and convince myself it wasn't as bad as it was."
"Yeah." Emily was flushed and wore a worried look.
Derek moved toward her, his fingers gently pushing the blanket aside, finding her waist. "You better get dressed before I really give them something to talk about."
Emily managed a laugh before pressing a light kiss to his lips and saying she was going to get ready for the day.
Derek came out of the bedroom, freshened up.
"Em decided to take a shower," he said to JJ and Penelope. He moved to the coffee pot and started making some for them. "And stop looking at each other behind my back. I can practically hear your eyes rolling around in your heads."
"Can you blame us?" Penelope blurted out. "You and Emily?"
"Look, I would've kicked you two out," Derek said jokingly. "We've just been having fun."
"I'll say," JJ said.
"Is it really so surprising?" Derek asked.
"Yes!" Penelope answered for the two of them. "I mean, not in the sense that you've always gotten along so well. But this is…"
Derek filled coffee mugs for the three of them and they all settled in on the couches. He spent the next few minutes attempting to dodge questions.
"Can we talk about anything else?" Derek asked. Since he came back out of the bedroom, they were either asking him questions about him and Emily, or they were silent. And if they were silent, all he could think was that they were replaying in their minds what they had heard. That made the silence even more embarrassing than talking about it.
"I'm just at a loss for any other topics," Penelope mumbled.
"Where are you guys taking Emily to brunch?" Derek asked.
"Ada's," JJ answered, offering up no other information he could use to steer the conversation.
Emily came out of her room, dressed and with wet hair. She sat down on the loveseat beside Derek.
Penelope looked at them adoringly. JJ looked just as uncomfortable as Emily and Derek felt.
"I am so telling the story at your wedding!" Penelope said.
"Whoa! Slow down, babygirl," Derek said.
"You guys can't say anything to anyone," Emily said. "I'm pretty sure Strauss would be pissed. I would apologize for putting you in the position of having to keep a secret, except that I didn't."
"We are so so sorry," JJ said for the millionth time.
"I know," Emily said. "I just had to give you a hard time. It will be funny one day."
"One day," Derek agreed with a sigh.
A few minutes later, Derek decided to leave, telling them they needed to get to their plans for the day. Emily walked to the door with him.
Derek decided he didn't care what JJ and Penelope would see at the door. They had already heard Emily and him in the throes of passion — nothing he could do in the next sixty seconds could be embarrassing in comparison.
Emily watched him open the door then turn back to her. Her heart twisted with longing, praying this day wouldn't make things weird between them for the future.
Derek reached out, his hand cupping her jaw and holding her face gently. He kissed her sweetly before speaking softly. "Have a good birthday, Em. Don't worry about this morning. Call me later." After one more brief kiss, he was out the door.
Emily kept her back to her friends a few seconds after the door had closed, dreading facing them. When she finally did turn around, they were chomping at the bit.
"Holy shit, tell us everything!"
This was certainly a birthday Emily would never forget.