Larabee fully recognized the fact that he had fallen asleep when he woke with a start. 'Something's touching me' his weary mind told him. Keeping his eyes shut tight, he thought quickly. 'The strenuous days labor… the late night… the knock at the door. Kate!'A finger was slowly marking its way along the gentle curve of his hip.
Lying on his side, Chris smiled lazily, hoping she couldn't see.
Reaching his butt, the single digit was joined by its companions, and then, her whole hand.
Trying to remain perfectly still, Chris cussed silently as one part of his body refused that command.
There was a ruffling of the bedding and then the blond felt the wetness of a kiss placed against the small of his back. He stirred, an audible moan seeping from his lips before he could stop it.
Under the sheets, Lansky grinned. She knew her manipulations would give her what she wanted. Her hand continued to snake its way down Larabee's legs as her mouth nibbled its way across his hips. When she'd reached the highest point, her chin urged his body down. She shuffled as he fell towards her, ending up on his back, just where she wanted him.
Chris moaned again as a strong grip tightened on his thigh and soft breath bathed his groin in warmth. He dared not open his eyes, rather, keeping track mentally of the whereabouts of bodies and limbs.
Tenting the sheets above her, Kate settled on her knees and rained soft kisses down Larabee's abdomen, stopping short of his penis when she felt his butt tighten in anticipation. The hand at his hips released a single finger, the digit marking the 'ah ah Aah!' on his skin with a back and forth motion.
She knew he was awake.
The soft growl emitted from his throat was just an added sign.
Blowing on his erection again, she giggled softly as it wavered, looking for attention. Allowing it to 'search' her out, Kate flicked it with her tongue when it came close.
The arm resting between them was drawn up and Chris caressed her body, trying to get his bearings. The hand traveled down her side, resting on her bottom. His mind temporarily disengaged while Kate took him in her mouth, but when lucid control finally returned, his digits snaked between her legs, searching out her moisture.
As his fingers found, and then gentle massaged her clit, the blonde worked him into her mouth, rocking gently to and fro when she'd found a comfortable position. Together the couple toyed with each other for several long pleasurable minutes, until Lansky could stand it no longer. With her own insistent moan, she released his hardness and tossed the blankets aside. Quickly swinging her body around, she mounted him.
If his eyes had been open, Larabee knew they would have rolled to the back of his sockets. A deep-seated groan erupted from his lungs as he sunk into the very heart of her. "God!" the words followed quickly on the heels of his ecstatic, non-verbal declaration. His eyes crept open to see that hers were closed, her body hung above him, clearly adjusting to her new perch.
She wiggled slightly as his hands moved to her hips. Blue pools opened slowly to gaze at him. "Sorry," she teased. "Didn't mean to wake you."
He grinned. "Well… now that I'm up."
With a huge smirk on her face, Lansky began to rock back and forth. It was the only movement for several long minutes. Their eyes didn't waiver in all that time... almost like a dare, neither blinking.
Finally, the lady could stand it no longer; her strokes gradually increasing as her blue pools drifted closed. The additional tempo also marked a change in the angle of her downward thrusts, her hips rotating in a circular motion, drawing her clit against his pubic region as she moved.
Up until that point, Larabee had laid content to her will. Now, sensing her need, his arms wandered up, teasing the skin of her sides as he made his way to her breasts. Just as he had felt it during their first lovemaking sessions, the blond easily perceived the difference in texture on either side of her torso, yet he wouldn't allow her to be aware of his curiosity. He made a mental note to pursue the subject later, and continued his climb.
As his hands softly caressed her breasts, Kate's moved up to join them. Together, they provided soft stimulation to the mounds, the woman cupping them so that Chris could tweak her nipples.
Wanting to do more, Larabee sat up, trying to flick the pert buds with his tongue.
"Down, boy," the woman growled as she pushed him flat. Stopping her 'riding', she looked at him mischievously. "This one's mine… you just stay put."
The blond smirked, eyebrows rising, then instantly falling. "Yes, Ma'am."
Having begun her gentle rocking again, Kate stopped, pursed lips showing her displeasure. "Normally I would… complain at that… designation," she griped, "but…" her motion resumed, "coming from you… waaaay down there… I kind 'a like it."
Still smiling, Larabee's eyebrows and chin shrugged his agreement. "Go for it," he urged seductively, eyes closing, his arms returning to her hips.
Her hands joining his, Kate closed her eyes as well. Gradually, her pace increased to its previous tempo, the gyrating motion resumed, too.
Chris lay beneath her, happy in his position, mind carefully focused on not enjoying the sensations too much. Time passed slowly and he glanced up at her on occasion, the contentment on her face made him smile; the deepening hunger and quickening breath aroused him so completely.
Gripping his fingers tighter, Kate neared her apex. She drew his arms up slowly, focusing on her hold and using his to draw her pleasure. When their hands reached up as far as he could go, the woman pushed out, spreading both sets of arms wide.
The first telltale signs were her whimpers. Accompanying the strangled cries were a face contorted in ecstasy and a grip so powerful, he thought she'd break his fingers. His hands now directly above his chest, Chris pushed back, allowing the lady to dig deep for each and every wave of the orgasm that swept her body.
Continuing her exaggerated motion, yet slowing her pace, Kate gradually came down from the heights she had attained. The road down was gentle.
Releasing his fingers, she allowed them to drift back to her hips. Her hands descended softly to his torso.
After what seemed like an eternity, her movements finally ceased and she settled gently to his chest, allowing his beating heart to lull her own.
Bring his hands up to tenderly massage Kate's back, Chris allowed her all the time in the world to recover. He hugged her tight as her breathing slowed, enjoying the warmth and weight of her body on his. He was content for a time, and probably would have remained that way until he felt her inner muscles squeeze him tight. A small moan escaped his lips.
Sitting up slowly, the blonde looked down on her new lover as his hands moved back to her sides, "Well," she sighed coyly, "That about does it for me." With that statement, she attempted to remove herself from her perch.
"Whoa!" Larabee complained loudly. His hands gripping tightly to her hips, effectively holding her in place.
"Yes?" Kate eyed him questioningly. "Something wrong?"
Her face was the epitome of innocence and Larabee had no clue what to do. He was annoyed at the very idea that she would arouse him, riding him vigorously and then leave him 'high and dry'. Yet, for all his irritation, the man had no real idea as to whether she was 'playing' with him, or whether she was serious.
"Well?" she asked, again trying to lift her body from his.
"Tell me you're joking," he stated bluntly.
With a straight face worthy of a certain southerner she knew, Lansky looked at the blond and wiggled her hips. "If you don't mind… Morning's coming, I think I'll go for a run," she said casually.
Spying her suspiciously through a narrowed gaze, Larabee tested the waters. "And suppose I do mind?"
"Oh… well… I don't see why you would."
Bringing his knees up rapidly, Chris forced the lady forward, still holding her hips so she didn't go too far. "Might have something to do with you getting me hard… and then using me," he spoke in a low tone as she readjusted herself above him. To emphasize his resentment, he brought his pelvis up, driving into Kate's body.
Attempting to maintain composure, rather than allow herself to react to his wonderful intrusion, she frowned, "Oh?" Crooking one elbow into his shoulder, she drew the hand to her cheek, a finger tapping lightly at her temple. "I guess… I… I never thought of that."
At that point, Larabee knew he'd been played. He pushed upwards again, gaining a small moan from his companion. "Well, maybe you should think about… me," he accented with another thrust, "more often."
As he drove into her a few more times, Lansky tried desperately not to close her eyes. If there was one thing, she knew she enjoyed, it was the deep gratification she got from being pumped after she had attained orgasm. It seemed to relax her body even more, almost like a tranquilizer. "Maybe… I should," she managed to respond.
With her perched above him in perfect position, Chris continued his rhythmic actions. Seeing true indulgence in her eyes, the blond playfully kept up their conversation. "So… where exactly were you going to run to… so early in the morning?"
Immersed in the feeling visiting her body, Kate smiled. "Kind 'a early for a run… don't you think?"
Larabee frowned, not sure, if she'd mis-interrupted his words, or was purposely playing on them. "Yep," he thrust harder. "Way… too… early."
As their communication disappeared, the blond continued his pumping, pleased in the knowledge that she was enjoying it by the tucked chin and certain 'contented' noises coming from her throat. His hands tightened their grip as he drew closer to his release. He thrust harder and deeper, watching sporadically as she jerked above him.
Totally enveloped in the feelings assaulting her senses, Lansky heard Chris pant as he exploded into her. A deep moan and strangled whimpers followed the jerky motions of his climax. She allowed him free reign of her body, smiling as his movements slowly ceased.
Realizing he still had her hips in a death grip, Larabee let go, massaging gently before she settled her weight to his torso again. They simply held each other for a time, relaxing in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
A long steady moan accompanied Kate as she lifted the far leg and rolled back to her place on the mattress. She breathed heavily, in then out before continuing the roll to retrieve her towel from the floor.
As the material drifted across his torso, Chris was about to clean himself up when the lady took his softening organ in her hands and wiped the whole area down. He smiled as she reached up to adorn his lips with a quick kiss.
Displeased with the size of the towel, Kate sighed, shrugged, and tucked it between her legs. Pulling the blankets as she settled, the blonde found her pillow and curled into it.
Matching the arch of her body, Larabee spooned her, laying one arm across the valley of her waist. "Night, Kate," he whispered. A kiss quickly found her shoulder.
Pulling his wayward arm up to cuddle it, the lady took another deep breath. "Night, Chris," she responded contentedly.
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
Warmth from the body beside him gradually drew Larabee from a blissful sleep. He surrounded her, practically encompassing her entire frame with his. A realization hit him as another level of consciousness was attained. He wanted this. He so missed waking up with someone in his arms and no woman satisfied that yearning like Sarah did.
His breath caught quickly as the cruel reality of his life set in. It had been over four years since his wife had lain in his arms and that harshness hit him hard. He bit his lip to keep his emotions in check. 'God!' How he hated feeling this way.
He cuddled his lady closer and he tried to focus on the difference he knew too well. He would have to remember these distinctions if this were to continue... 'And I so want it to' he reinforced.
Clearing his thoughts, he made mental notes…
Sarah was taller, but not by much.
She had long brunette curls where Kate's natural hair was his color and had the same wave to it when it got too long.
But… they were so much more than statistics…
Breathing in deeply, Larabee's mind drifted again. Sarah had tamed him. A little later in life than most men maybe, but she was the woman he had fallen so desperately in love with. She completed him, defined him as a man… Stole his heart… and returned his love willingly, ultimately giving him the greatest testament to her love… a child.
Rubbing his cheek against the softness of her shoulder, the blond shook away the painful thoughts and tried to think about Kate. The first thing that came to his mind made him smile. 'So much like oil and water'
Yet, she meant so much to him. She was a unique gift, especially for such a hard man. She refused to take any of his crap, no matter what the cause or reason. She could be as tough as nails or a tame as a kitten. She'd won his friendship and more importantly, his respect. She was there for him when he needed someone and they'd grown closer as their trust grew and strengthened. Now, here she was, lying in his arms, accepting implicitly a man who didn’t deserve her trust.
'So different…'
Larabee couldn't help but recognize how contrarily he'd just thought about the two women. He'd 'fallen so desperately in love' with his wife and… Kate had 'won his friendship and respect'? Readjusting his cheek against her shoulder, Chris frowned. 'Well… I was different back then' he reasoned. 'I was… more open with my feeling… Hell, I HAD feelings!'
'And, you don't now? Another part of him responded quickly.
Cussing without words, he heard his doubt again. 'Maybe that's why she doesn't want to hear you say you love her, you idiot! Because you don't!'
'Sure I do!'
'No you don't'
'Yes I do… but… maybe, just not in the same way, is all'
'Then you don't love her'
'I must… I mean I do… It's… just… different…'
Eyes closing tight, Chris swallowed hard in a desperate attempt to chase away the battling entities of his consciousness.
A soft moan distracted him and he refocused as Kate migrated in her sleep. He felt her try to straighten and Chris readjusted, too, moving as she turned to lie on her back. He lay there staring at her for a time. The woman he saw here… now… was so different. Calm, peaceful and sated. 'More like Sarah…'
A finger reached out slowly to trace the softness of her cheek. 'So gentle…'
Chris quickly withdrew his hand as she 'shooed' away the 'tickle' and settled back into her slumber.
Only a few moments passed before the hand returned to her skin, softly trailing the lines of her shoulder down her slender arms. 'So small' he studied her wrists and hands. Wrapping his fingers around hers, he inched lower and adorned them with a kiss.
Another soft moan saw Kate pull her arm away and turn slightly.
With the shifting of the covers, Larabee could see one complete side of her body; the sheets lay across the curve of the opposite breast, diagonally to the hip on his side. He smiled, looking at her nakedness, yet, he accepted without question that it wasn't just her body that he desired. Chris needed Kate's tenacity. 'More than a need' he argued with his thoughts again. 'Her strength… keeps me in check'
Yet, with desire and need firmly set in his mind; Larabee's blood began to stir.
Adjusting up and over, the blond blew warm breath across the exposed nipple. He grinned as it rose to attention. 'She's not so different' he mused. Leaning closer, her graced the bud with his tongue, feeling it go rigid as he teased.
Trailing soft kisses to the gentle valley between her breast, Chris tracked a path of glistening wetness down across her abdomen. When his mouth encountered the bedding, his hand moved across to set it aside.
Exposing most of her body to the cool air made Kate stir and Larabee backed off a little, allowing her room to move. When she settled again, he waited a few minutes, simply watching her sleep and admiring her soft lines.
When enough time had passed, Chris blew warm breath on her body again, this time across the mousy curls of her pubic region. When he received no response, he did it again, this time moving closer.
Leaning down, Larabee took in her fragrance and his body reacted knowingly. His tongue darted out and carefully disappeared into the nest of ringlets. He got a reaction this time. The whimper hit his ears and went straight to his hardening organ.
Nudging her thigh with his chin, the blond was pleased when she moved it a little. Again, he nuzzled her mound, this time his tongue wiggling in explorations. Kate's unconscious noises made Larabee want more. He twisted around, rose to his knees, and tried to slip one of his legs between hers. A second nudge and she moved. He tapped again, this time to make room for his body. When the lady complied, Chris moved into position, his mouth over her center.
The corner of his lips curled as he discarded the bunched-up towel below them. Settling to the mattress, he forced his hips down and his shoulders snuggly in. Glancing up, Larabee saw no signs of consciousness and he smiled again. 'Must really be content' he surmised. His head dipped and Chris happily resumed his pleasure.
Somewhere in the blissful realm of sleep, Lansky shivered. Her skin felt the soft sting of cool air, yet… From her depths sprang a moan and she was suddenly aware of warmth, too. The cold didn't seem so important anymore.
In trying to readjust, she encountered resistance and a frown crinkled her face. A familiar need made her want to curl into a ball, but…
Larabee continued his adventure unabated by her movements.
Unconsciously, Kate smiled at the dream she was having. She could feel wakefulness pulling at her, demanding her attention. She fought it though, not wanting to abandon the wonderful illusions that were scattered in her brain. A touch so soft and inviting, bringing her body to the peek of ecstasy.
Her mind conjured up these fantasies sometimes. She always chalked it up to an over-active imagination, and being single, of course. This dream, however, was beyond wonderful. She could feel the desire in her body knotting her stomach. She wanted to curl into the touch, let it travel the recesses of her soul and maybe even give her the pleasure she was clearly thinking about.
'Hard not to think about it when it's so… so… real'
"Oh, God!" she whimpered. Realization hit like a thousand explosions. Her eyes shot open as her head darted up off the pillow.
The plea was so strangled that Chris couldn't help but lift his head. "Hey there, beautiful," he smiled in the semi darkness.
Those same eyes rolling slowly back in their sockets and Kate's hands quickly found Larabee's hair. She took hold firmly, "Don't stop," she begged, pushing his head back down.
"Well… if you insist," he nuzzled.
"Less talk," she growled, "more tongue."
"But…" The blond didn't get a chance to finish his rebuttal. His head was pushed down again, and he guessed she was close. He'd been busy for a while. Her gentle moans had grown steadily. Her movements had come and gone and Chris understood that his tongue action was having the desired affect. Wondering when she'd finally come around, he'd continued patiently, wanting her to experience the pleasures a sleepy haze can bring.
With Larabee snuggled between her legs, Kate could feel his hands gently clearing the way for his mouth. She squeezed her limbs, carefully urging him on. The fever burning within her depths was intense. With its beginning in fantasy, nurtured lovingly by her subconscious, the woman had little doubt of what was to come. "Don't stop," she begged again.
Larabee had no intention of ending his foray. His tongue lapped vivid semi-circles, up one side of her and down the other. After several tender journeys, he would rest at the top of the circuit, carefully teasing her clit with his whole mouth. This was the activity that caused the greatest reaction and, at this point once more, Chris allowed his tongue to dart around the sensitive pebble before drawing it into his mouth. Sucking gently his tongue joined in the manipulations.
The high pitched whimper that erupted from Lansky was unlike any Chris had heard. His green reflections opened long enough to see the tightness in her jaw and the exquisite agony building in the balled-up features. As her chin tucked deep, Larabee smiled inside and went back to concentrating on the task at hand.
The tingling sensation that built steadily in the center of her world, suddenly exploded with so much fury, Kate didn't know what to do. Lost on the infinite landscape of nothingness, her fingers gripped tightly, a lingering memory the only connection she had between what she held in her hands and the intangible torture that she never wanted to end.
The sound that crept slowly from her lungs conveyed such a powerful image. Firstly, a strangled cry for help, then, the successive tones seemed to allude to a pitiful whimper. Yet, the final pitch yielded the true nature of the noise. Simply, glorious release echoed throughout the room and the panting whine continued.
"Oh, God, Chris…"
The stranglehold she had on his hair didn't relent for more than a minute, and in all that time, Larabee simply continued his strong, yet gentle manipulations of her clit. He was lost in the rapture just as she was, and it gave the blond great satisfaction to know that he could share in her pleasure by gifting her this way.
When the hold on his locks finally relented, Chris slowed his tongue, carefully easing it into a soothing rhythm. His ears noted the suppressed whimpers as they, too, slowed. The pant of her breath gradually edged back to its rightful place.
With every nerve in her body on fire, Kate took longer than normal to regain control. Her fingers slowly massaged his scalp when she realized how tightly she'd held it, unrelenting in her burning need. "Damn," she cussed. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…"
"Shhh," interrupted her train of thought.
Hands snaked up her body and tucked under her armpits. As the fingers joined behind her head, Kate found herself lifted to meet the lips that demanded her silence. Still in the recovering stages of her explosive orgasm, the woman wrapped her arms around her man and pulled him down.
Chris used the strength of his forearms to stop his weight from landing full force. Yet, his mind quickly switched tracks as her mouth claimed his with so much desire he felt ready to burst.
Tasting herself on his lips sent a flurry of new sensations to Lansky's clouded mind. She pulled him even closer, their mouths working each other vigorously. Somewhere in the haze of sightless wonder, she felt his hardness pressing against her. "Please," she begged, her legs spreading more.
Larabee quickly became lost in her desires. The fever he'd built so purposely in her was merciless in its quest for dominance and spilled freely into his body, devouring all comprehension in its path. Already at her entrance, he savored the extra room and moved quickly to discover the warm, wet tightness that her body could provide.
Primed for his entry, Kate's folds expanded as he drove home in one powerful thrust. She cried out at the penetration, her inner sanctuary contracting around his shaft. A deep purr took up residence in her lungs, signaling the gratification of her lover's return.
Chris, too, was more than happy to be home, his body completed several quick thrusts before his mind registered his actions. Releasing the blonde's lips, his eyes opened to meet the twinkling blue of hers. "Hey," he panted.
For a few seconds her gaze faltered, subservient to the sensations ruling her body. "Don't, Chris," she finally looked back at him. "Don't stop… don't ever stop," her voice was barely a whisper. "Take me… make love to me… please!" The extension of her fingers slowly relaxed, gripping his neck in a forceful, yet incredibly gentle way.
The pleading of her eyes gradually faded behind her lids and Chris willingly took control. He rose above her, his pelvis continuing its strong pumping, his arms rising to support his weight. With a desire reminiscent of that that had claimed him so early on Friday morning, Larabee answered her request. He didn't stop. He took possession of her body and claimed it for his own. Driving forcefully into her depths with all the tenderness, he could muster, and every ounce of power he had.
With knees slightly raised, Kate relaxed her hands, letting them drift leisurely down his arms to rest on his biceps. A soft moan burst from her lungs each time Chris thrust into her, the resulting shock wave tapped out a multitude of covert signals to every nerve ending in her body, wrapping them all into one focus. "Faster," she decreed.
Orders received and understood clearly, Larabee complied more than willingly. He could see the desperation in her expression and feel the thunder in his veins. Each stroke drew him closer to the brink, without which, he knew he'd go mad. So, too, would the lady with whom he shared this journey... a pilgrimage to a place of awe and wonder that that both fought so desperately to make.
Desperate for his touch, Kate's lips found the flesh of his arms. Her mouth sucked readily, his skin moist with perspiration, his scent heavy in her lungs. With her tongue exposed on his arms, she begged again, "Oh, Chris."
It was all too much for the blond. His blood boiled with fever. Her tightness drew him back repeatedly and the passion in her words sent him spiraling over the edge. The fervent growl that erupted from his lungs was menacing, demanding in tone, and so strong. Declaring, without reservation, that Chris had attained orgasm. As his seed spilled into her depths, his movements became sporadic for a moment, the sheer force of his offering so completely…
Overwhelming…
And so it was for Kate, too. As Larabee's climax milked him, the tiny spasms transferred to her flesh, igniting the burning embers of her soul. Her voice joined his in its cry of ecstasy, the joyous choir announcing to their small corner of the planet, that they were truly alive, and experiencing every second of their orgasms together.
Lansky held on tightly to Chris' arms, pawing at his flesh and letting him know she was still there.
The blond continued his thrusts, yet they decreased steadily, both in intensity and voraciousness. Gradually, the couple became aware of each other's existence again. They exchanged coy smiles as their breathing became less labored. Chris rained gentle kisses down on his lady.
Some time passed before all movement ceased. Kate pulled him to her and they shared yet another passionate embrace. As comforting as it was, however, his warmth and weight eventually proved too much. "Off,' she demanded with a resounding huff. The coolness of the surrounding air brought much relief to her heated flesh.
Larabee withheld the majority of his laughter, smirking as he rolled away. He, too, reveled in the cool breath of fresh air that attacked his flesh.
Arms crossed at each other's abdomen, the pair lay blissfully in the twilight of morning's first glimmers.
Breathing slowly returned to normal and Chris found that he could talk again. "So?" he questioned, "Was it good for you?"
A swat across his belly was the first reply. The deep-seated contented moan was the second.
"I'll… take that as a yes," he smiled.
Kate was too exhausted to swat him again.
Silence reigned as the couple grew weary. Gradually, they drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
Stopping short of the parking area on the opposite side of the stable, Buck leaned forward on the steering wheel and frowned.
JD looked at his roommate quizzically. "What?" he inquired, not sure why Wilmington had halted in the middle of the drive.
Staring at the large main doors to the barn, the ladies' man huffed. They were still closed and none of the horses were out in the corral. "That's strange," he checked the time.
Still a little confused, Dunne looked at his watch, too. "Almost nine thirty," he confirmed.
"Lazy son-of-a…" the rogue grumbled as he put the truck in park, turned off the ignition and climbed out of the cab.
Exiting on the other side and quickly making his way around to his friend, JD scowled. "You know Chris don't like us to park here, Buck. We're supposed to…"
"Well, he's just gonna have ta get his sorry butt out here and remind me himself," Wilmington grinned mischievously. He knew full well that Larabee would 'advise' him in a heartbeat. There weren't too many rules around the ranch but parking out back of the barn just happened to be one of them.
"Maybe he's sleeping in," JD offered. "Everyone's got 'a do it once in a while."
"That's what Saturday is for," Wilmington complained with a smirk. "Come on, kid. Let's get them horses out 'a the barn. They deserve some fresh air on such a beautiful mornin'."
Following as his roommate headed towards to wooden doors, the young man smiled. "Yep, then maybe we can ride out to the pond and do some of that fishing we came for."
"Sure thing," Buck replied. Unlatching the smaller entryway, he headed inside.
JD was hot on his heels.
After all, Sunday was 'Team' day at the ranch. Chris had extended a standing invitation when The Seven first formed. All that wished to, could spend part or all of their day at the house and surrounding lands, doing whatever they chose. All of the men took advantage of the offer on occasion, sometimes in groups, and from time to time, with company in tow.
Meanwhile, inside the ranch house, Kate stirred and rolled over. Encountering the warmth of Larabee's body, she curled into his side, setting her head on his chest and pulling the sheets up snuggly.
Lazily, one arm wrapped around her, the other drew across his face to shield his eyes.
"Good morning," she tapped on his chest.
"Morning," he responded. Looking down at her, his head rose enough to kiss the top of her head.
Taking in a deep breath, Kate let it out slow before glancing at the alarm clock. "It's late… You, eh… get enough sleep?"
Chris grinned, licking at his lips. "Well worth the sacrifice, if I didn't." His curled arm pulled her closer, tapping her hip as he snuggled. "How about you? Did you sleep okay?"
Sated in the comfort that she felt, the lady smiled, curling tighter into his body. "When I got around to it… I did." Kissing the flesh below her cheeks, her concentration seemed to lapse. The words rolled from her tongue, yet Kate couldn't help but think about what they were basing this newfound relationship on. Sure, she'd come to him this time. She'd initiated their first sexual encounter earlier… and had been thoroughly immersed in the second. But…
Playing with the sheets between her fingers, the blonde's mind wandered to the past few days and her eyes closed at the recollections. 'Yeah, you're comfortable now' she chastised. 'But, what happens when you get out of this bed? What happens tomorrow?' Sucking in her bottom lip, the lady sighed. 'What the hell are you doing, Lansky? Too much confusion in all of this… terms to accept, on both sides. And what if he holds up his side of the bargain? What kind of relationship could we possibly have?'
When those stray thoughts had crossed Kate's mind in the past, she'd always been stuck on the same problem. Probably why she'd only ever thought about 'being' with Larabee before, and had never actually done anything about it.
Still… moving into this phase of their relationship wasn't ever going to give back what Chris had lost. He was a man with part of his soul missing and in her heart, Kate knew he wasn't ready to say goodbye to his wife. He'd had no real reason to, and she sure as hell wasn't planning on being the one to ask him to do that.
Not that she was the marrying kind, mind you. She wasn't about to become all domesticated, settle down and… have kids?
Pursing her lips, Kate backed off a little. 'Does he even want that anymore?' And at what point were they supposed to have that conversation? Before, or after they eventually got around to Sarah…
Deep down, Lansky felt that she and Chris had become too close. He'd told her things about the way he felt. Things that tore him up inside… regular, everyday happenings that no one really noticed; yet they struck a nerve in him. She knew, probably better than almost anyone alive, that the Chris Larabee of now, wasn't the same man that Sarah Connelly had fallen in love with.
Listening to his strong heart beating below her ear, the woman finally spoke, "Chris?"
Opening his eyes, the blond looked down at her again, "Yeah?"
Turning on to her belly, Kate kept her chin on his chest, tucking one arm below her body, the other remained strewn across his abdomen. Looking up into his smile, she studied the man carefully. Her free hand reached up to trace his features. The dirty blond of his hair, and the darker shade that colored his eyebrows and the scruff of his unshaven whiskers… the straggle of those same blond wisps as they covered his forehead and the tops of his perfect little ears.
'Such a wonderful sparkle' she looked into his pale green eyes! She smiled as her hands drifted over his eyelids. They fluttered closed, before opening again as she passed. 'So damn sexy' she mused. 'And this is so easy…'
As her fingers felt their way down the bridge of his nose and around the end, Chris wiggled it in protest.
Kate subdued the smirk that threatened; instead focusing on the succulent lips that protruded below. Although one might assume otherwise, Larabee's mouth wasn't big. Instead, it was the perfect size for his appearance and produced such a beautiful smile… 'When he let's it…' A smile that lights up his entire face.
"Is this… really what you want, Chris?" the lady finally continued her question.
The blond frowned, "Of course it's what I want."
Her hand pressed against his lips before he could say anymore. "I don't just mean the sex, Chris," Lansky rose on one elbow. "The sex… well, it’s the easy part, remember?" 'So right… so easy' she thought with a sigh.
An eyebrow rose and he smiled. "Was a little more than just sex, don't ya think?" he questioned, grinning when she smirked coyly at him. "I remember what you said," he graced her cheek with his hands. "And I remember what I said having a piece… any time I want. But, it's… like this was meant to be."
A thought instantly came to her mind and almost spilled from her lips, yet, just as quickly, she stopped herself from saying those words. Cupping his hand in hers, Kate kissed it, her eyes closing as she did.
Breaking the lingering embrace, she finally looked back into his eyes. "Sex is still the easy part… This could get comfortable real quick, but…"
There was a lingering silence.
He frowned. "But what?"
'But… there's a ghost between us!' Taking a deep breath, she shook her head gently. No, she couldn't say that. "This isn't easy, Chris…"
Larabee could see the thoughts calculating their way through Lansky's mind. She always got a certain look on her face when she was thinking too much, and right now, the blond knew she was doing just that. "I said no topic off limits, Kate," he smiled. "That means for both of us… if you're planning on accepting my terms, that is."
Slowly, her head drifted to his chest, lips pursed tightly together, eyes firmly closed.
With one arm wrapped around her, and the other resting softly at her temple, Larabee scowled. "But what, Kate?"
As Larabee shuffled below her, the woman moved off a little, giving him room to get the pillow tucked under his shoulder. Now, partially propped, she readjusted herself, settling her cheek on his abdomen. "We've been colleagues for a long time, Chris. Over two years."
"Yeah?" he nodded, a slight questioning tone hidden in the confines of the reply.
"We've been friends for that long, too."
"Good friends," he interjected.
"Good friends," she repeated slowly.
There was another moment of silence before a slight hint of the blond's temper started to get the best of him. "You got a point here… You always do."
"Yeah… I do," she confirmed slowly. Lying there on his body, Kate could think of a thousand reasons to just let this happen. It would be so easy to forget her doubts and fears. Forget the reason why this 'wasn't' meant to be and pretend, just like Chris did, that he was ready to move on. Misleading others was easy… but misleading yourself could be a very dangerous thing. 'But… maybe… for just a while' she considered…
Outside the front door, JD looked at Wilmington rather exasperated. "You think we should be doing this, Buck?"
Pulling the wallet out from his back pocket, the rogue opened it and searched around for the spare key he kept safely hidden there.
"What if the alarm's on?" Dunne questioned as his roommate found the key and proceeded to slide it into the door, and turn.
"Got it covered," the older man grinned. "Can't ever forget that code," he snickered. Edging the door open, he quickly lunged at the keypad when the warning buzzer sounded. Knowing he'd have twenty seconds to enter the correct sequence, Buck punched in the code and sighed when the panel signaled the all clear.
"Maybe he's in the shower." Dunne voice was barely a whisper. He looked around nervously as they ventured down the short hallway that branched left, to the living room and right, to the kitchen.
Looking down the main hall, Wilmington smirked. "I'm bettin' he hit the hay this mornin' instead 'a last night and now he's sleepin' it off," he replied in same quiet tone.
Always the peacekeeper, JD tried to reason things out. "Well, maybe we should put on some coffee in case he needs some."
"Good idea, kid," Buck smiled. "I could use a cup myself." Clapping the younger man on the shoulder, the two headed for the kitchen.
Looking at the closed bedroom door, Chris frowned, "You hear something?"
With her mind on other things, Kate shrugged. "Nope," she looked up at Larabee again.
Chris was distracted, too. "So, you gonna tell me what's on your mind?" he took a deep breath.
Kissing his bare chest again, the lady sighed. 'Nope, we're not having this conversation now' she decided. "Just thinking, that maybe we should keep this our little secret, for now," she smiled. "As long as you're sure this is what you want," she added. "I'll go along with it."
"You make it sound like this is all my idea," he objected sternly.
"No," she shot back. "No… there's definitely two people in this bed that want this."
Larabee grinned. "Kind 'a like the sound of that."
She looked at him questioningly.
"Two people in this bed," he repeated. His expression suddenly went blank; his green pools drifting down to focus on nothing at all. A few moments passed before he spoke again. "I've been sleeping alone for too long, Kate," his eyes reacquired hers. "There have been others… since Sarah… but… To be honest, it was usually like… like I was with you, the other night. Well, the other morning."
Slowly, Kate nodded her understanding.
"I was… too rough… too demanding. There was no passion."
A hand reached up to caress the lips that made the quiet confession. "Those women didn't understand."
"Didn't give me the right to treat them like that," he cut her off.
With only their eyes doing the communicating, Lansky drew hers away when she saw the doubt in his eyes.
"Or you!" he added.
As her reflections moved back to his, the blonde closed them briefly, her head shaking softly. "Don't, Chris," she urged. Her voice slowly became commanding, "You better get one thing straight right now, mister. I understand why. I know the pain and anguish in your heart and I understand more than you may give me credit for. But… and don't you ever question this, alright?"
Larabee frowned.
"I wanted the other night, as much as you did. I enjoyed every moment of… and the…" There was a strange silence at Kate licked at her lips. "The morning… The strength… the power that you… showed. Guess…I have… I wanted… I…"
The confusion in his expression slowly waned as she searched for her words. A cocky grin took over and Chris finished the sentence that his lady couldn't seem to, "wanted to be dominated?"
Truth or not, Kate reacted. Her mouth hung open; the shock stopped the breath halfway to her lungs. She slapped him hard, yet the playfulness was evident.
Curling into the strike, Larabee grabbed at her hand when she came in for the second attempt. "Hey… truth hurts," he teased. "Don't mean we've got 'a get into hitting each other."
"Oooh," she growled, fighting playfully against his hold.
As their 'wrestling' grew more combative, Chris took both arms and spread them apart, drawing her mouth to his as she collapsed into his grasp.
"Let go," Kate demanded, her lips only inches from his.
"Why?" Larabee teased. "Thought you liked this?"
"I like to play games," she smirked back, "But I don't like to be held."
Chris smiled at her words. "Now that… can have several connotations, can't it?"
Pulling at the arms that restrained her, Lansky wiggled playfully, purposely rubbing her body against the hardness she felt growing beneath her body. "I can see we have many things to discuss, Larabee," she growled.
Reaching up to peck at her mouth, Chris raised a questioning eyebrow. "Is that right?" he kissed her again. "Well, we'd best get to discussing it, don't you think?" Again, their lips met.
Still fighting his arms, Kate repeated her previous demand, "Let me go!" she growled.
Larabee grinned. "Make me!"
As an all-out, yet playful battle ensued in the bedroom, Wilmington's eyes rose from the percolating coffeepot as he heard the muffled noises. "You hear that?" he asked of Dunne.
JD listened intently, a frown gracing his face. Suddenly, he heard a muffled, angry voice and his expression widened in horror. "Sounds like a fight!"
Buck heard the yell, too, and was moving before the kid had fully reacted. Quickly sliding to the drawer over by the fridge, he snaked a hand to the back and pulled out a pistol.
"You think someone's in there with him?" Dunne asked, the worry was evident on his face.
Checking the magazine and loading the chamber, the rogue moved quickly to the hallway. "Don’t know, kid," he answered. "Didn't see any signs of another vehicle but it sounds like a struggle. Stay close." With that instruction, he put his back to the wall and made his way cautiously down the narrow hallway.
JD followed close behind.
As they reached Larabee's bedroom door, they heard a loud grunting noise from inside… one that they both recognized as Chris. Buck waved a finger in the air as the kid signaled for them to rush into the room. Pressing that same digit against his lips, he then tried the handle to see it if the door was locked. When Wilmington realized that it wasn't, he again indicated for JD to be quiet. He held up three fingers and then nodded.
Immediately realizing that they would go on three, the kid replied with a comparable nod. He watched intently as Buck made the count. JD's hand readied at the doorknob so that he could force the door open, thereby allowing his teammate to keep both hands on their only weapon.
Inside the room, Chris and Kate we embroiled in a battle wrought with sexual tension. After several exhausting tries, Larabee had finally managed to get the woman on her back, yet he was having trouble getting her limbs to submit to his 'conquest'. Their play was more than consensual. Their expressions exchanged a constant air of enjoyment, their movements kept things 'goading' and very playful.
With his back to the door, his naked form bent over Kate as she nipped at his mouth, Larabee was startled, to say the least, as the door crashed open, and a voice yelled 'ATF, freeze'!
Larabee and Lansky did as they were instructed; desperate frowns searched each other's faces.
Wilmington's eyes grew wide.
JD was horrified. "Oh, jeez," he blurted out. Looking from the couple to his fellow agent, Dunne quickly turning his back to the bed.
Buck just stood there with his mouth open as a set of blue eyes looked up from underneath her man's shoulder and scowled the wickedest look the ladies' man had ever seen. His eyes grew as big as saucers as realization hit hard. 'He was dead!'
Recognizing the familiar voice, Larabee slowly turned to look at his oldest friend. The expression on his face was worse than anything Wilmington had ever seen. "You planning on using that thing?" Chris snarled at the gun aimed at his back.
"Oh… jeez," Buck repeated Dunne's words, quickly lowering the weapon. Hiding it behind his back, he simply stood and stared at the couple.
As Larabee looked back at her, Kate's expression softened as her eyes shut tight, the embarrassment finally hitting home.
Glancing back at Wilmington and Dunne, Chris cooled his anger and said simply, "Do you mind?"
Eyes still wide, Buck stuttered out, "Oh… oh yeah," as he pushed Dunne out of the room. Quickly grabbing the handle, he closed the door safely behind them. Not knowing what else to do, he slapped the kid across the shoulders as they headed back to the kitchen.
"Hey! What was that for?" JD complained as he followed.
Inside the bedroom, Chris and Kate hadn't moved, except to relax their 'fighting' stance. Propped on his bent elbow, the blond held a portion of his weight off the lady as he looked into her amused blue eyes.
"So much for keeping secrets!" Lansky huffed.
THE END
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Continues in
First, You Stumble . . .
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