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geekystudmuffinTitle: Pizza, Beer, and Thou
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
innerslytherin and severity_softly
Pairing: Rossi/Prentiss
Rating: NC-17
WC: ~10k
Summary: On medical leave for two weeks, Emily is bored. Dave has a plan to relieve that boredom, but he isn't quite expecting it to go the way it does.
Notes: This is formicrogirl8225's birthday. Thank you for all your help over at the Rossi/Prentiss comm! The title is adapted from a line in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
It was all Mucci's fault.
Prentiss had been out of work for a week after a case left her with a black eye, concussion, and a badly sprained ankle, and he knew she'd been bored, because she'd been calling him every day to complain about it. A couple of times Dave had heard Reid rattling away facts, theories, and trivia to the telephone, and it hadn't taken Dave long to deduce he was talking to Emily. But so far Dave was the only one she'd called every day and asked if there was anything exciting going on.
Dave had planned something small. Beer, pizza, the Giants/Bears game, and after a couple hours of middle-aged Italian vegging on her sofa, Prentiss would probably be happy to go back to the relative boredom of being alone.
Mucci had ruined all that.
Dave had decided Friday night would be a good time for it because he knew Prentiss had another week of enforced medical leave and Dave wouldn't have to get up early in the morning for work. But Thursday night Mucci was acting listless and didn't touch his food. Friday morning when Dave woke up, the food was still there and Mucci was flopped on the ground at the foot of his bed. Frowning, Dave had decided to come back by at noon to check on him.
At noon, Mucci was moving around and drinking, but he hadn't eaten. Dave swore and loaded him in the truck. Mucci was well-trained and wouldn't be too hard to sneak into his office, as long as JJ agreed to distract Aaron for him. After work, Dave would take Mucci to the vet before bothering Prentiss.
By the time five-thirty rolled around, Mucci was in perfect form, drinking enthusiastically out of the water dish Garcia had brought in and soaking up Morgan's attention when the other man came in to ask a couple of questions on a consult he was working.
Dave shut off his computer and surveyed his dog, then shrugged. What the hell. All she could do was say no.
During their afternoon phone call, he'd subtly made sure Emily would be home--and 'bored out of her skull'--all evening, so he didn't have to worry that she'd made other plans. He picked up a pizza with the works and a twelve-pack, then headed to her brownstone with Mucci.
He had to ring the bell twice, but after the second one he heard her shout that she was coming. There was a thump that he assumed was her dropping one of her crutches against the door. Then a long pause, and the deadbolt slid open. She tugged the door open and looked at him in confusion.
She was wearing a Chicago Bears sweatshirt and plaid flannel pants, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She didn't have any makeup on, her bruises gave her a mottled appearance, and when he glanced down he saw that her toenails were painted bright red--and that her left foot was still a little swollen. He'd never seen a woman look more beautiful in his life.
"Dave?" Emily tilted her head, obviously taking in what he had in his hands, then she sort of hopped backwards, pushing the door further open with her butt. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Mucci chose that moment to force Dave to decide between keeping hold of the leash or keeping hold of the pizza. Dave chose the pizza, so Mucci's leash jerked from his lax fingers as the dog bounded inside without waiting for an invitation. And he was usually so well behaved.
Right about then was when Dave decided this was all Mucci's fault.
Emily had to hop out of the way, and wound up slumped against the wall in her entry way, and Dave hurried in. He set the pizza and beer on the nearest flat surface Mucci couldn't reach, and went to steady Emily. "I just came by to make sure you were properly injured," he muttered, getting her back to being balanced on her crutches. "I brought back up in case you weren't," he added, giving Mucci a sideways glance. Mucci was unfazed and happily sniffing Emily's couch.
She laughed and kept her hand on his arm for a long moment. "Well, at least your partner's good-looking," she said, grinning up at him. "And you brought food. I would never turn away two handsome guys bearing food."
He gave her a lopsided smile. "I like how you think," he said, and glanced back at Mucci. "I hope you don't mind. He wasn't feeling well, so I brought him to work with me."
"Aww, is he better now?" she asked, looking over at the dog. "Hey, you can't have the couch, that's mine," she told him. "Come on," she told Dave. "I was just channel-surfing."
Dave nodded and headed into the kitchen. "Plates?" he asked, not wanting to make her hobble all around the kitchen. "Of course he's better. He just wanted attention," he joked.
"To the right of the sink," Emily told him. "So it's true what they say about pets taking after their owners?" He heard Mucci give a happy bark, and Emily laughed. She must have let him up on the couch with her.
"I resent that," Dave said, but he couldn't help grinning when he glanced over and Mucci was trying to lick Emily's face. "Hey, settle," Dave ordered, and Mucci backed off with a guilty look. "I wouldn't mind a scratch behind the ears, though," he said, going back to what Emily had said.
She laughed and shook her head. "If only you were as well-behaved as your dog," she said, rubbing Mucci's ears.
"At the moment, I am," Dave said, putting pizza on the plates and sticking the beer in the fridge after getting two out for them.
"Hmm." She was watching him skeptically, then let out an "Oof!" when Mucci flopped down and put his head on her chest. "You're heavier than you look," she muttered.
"He's a miniature bear," Dave said. "He's not hurting you, is he?" he asked as he handed her a plate and a bottle of beer.
"He's all right," she said. "Maybe I need to make snuggling Mucci a regular part of my life. He's warm."
He chuckled and settled down in one of her chairs. "That mean you want me to come over more often?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully, then gave a long sigh. "I guess I could put up with you to get more time with your dog." She took a bite of her pizza and then froze for a moment as Mucci whimpered. "My pizza," she informed him.
"And you'd better not give him any, either. He doesn't get people food. Especially after faking a stomach ache for a day and a half."
"No people food at all, huh?" she said skeptically. "But he still keeps trying?" She gently nudged Mucci's mouth further from her pizza and took another bite. "Mmm. Where did you find Chicago-style pizza around here? I need to add them to my list of favorite takeout. I clearly need to eat with you more often if you find places like this."
Dave grinned, watching her. The idea was definitely nice. "Clearly," he said.
"Not to mention getting free beer out of you," she added, giving him a teasing look.
Dave snorted. "I'm starting to feel used."
"Hey, you showed up here without an invitation," she said, grinning. "I just like what you brought with you." She took a bite of pizza and shifted, a pained expression flitting across her face. "But you could have showed up empty-handed and I'd be pleased with the company," she added more seriously.
"I couldn't tell by the way you've been calling me everyday. I take a hint pretty well." Part of him hoped that meant more than just that, though. It wasn't exactly the sort of thing you'd do to just a friend, especially one of the opposite gender who was grumpy about having long phone conversations. Not that he minded from her, and he was pretty sure she knew that.
She shrugged. "We always say we want a week off, but I think we're hooked on the chase. I was going crazy having to sit around and do virtually nothing all week." She smiled and patted Mucci's head. "So yeah, I was hoping you'd take pity on me and want to do something. But you didn't say anything today on the phone. I'd given up on the idea."
Dave made a tutting noise and shook his head. "Never give up on me," he told her, then held her gaze. God, she was sexy. "Maybe I wanted to surprise you."
"Well, you succeeded. It was a nice surprise," she said, watching him. She tilted her head, then said something that surprised him. "There's plenty of room to share the couch, if I push Mucci out of the way." She held his gaze for a long moment as pink spread across her cheekbones, then she let her gaze drop.
Dave's eyebrows lifted a little when she looked down at her hands. Somehow the pink on her face was even sexy through the grey-blue bruises. Was she inviting him over for more than just to share the couch? Was she awkwardly hitting on him? God, he hoped so. It wasn't expected, but it was certainly welcome. "If you don't mind," he said, but didn't wait for a reply before he got up.
A smile crept across her face and she wiggled, nudging Mucci. The dog heaved a sigh and jumped down to the floor, where he watched Dave cross the room. Emily shifted to give Dave room, but he was pleased to notice she didn't leave him too much room. He sat next to her, letting her leave her leg propped up on her other side.
"You're the only person besides Reid who would even take my calls this week," she murmured.
"Mmm," Dave hummed. He didn't really believe her. Well, not entirely. Not anymore. But he did think that she only focused on him for a reason. "I don't mind."
"Maybe you were the only one I really wanted to talk to." She darted a glance up at him, then let her gaze fall to his shoulder. "I'm stuck," she admitted after a moment. Her voice had that funny note it got whenever she had an embarrassing confession to make. "I didn't think beyond this."
Dave blinked at her for a moment, then wondered if she meant what he thought she meant. "Beyond what?"
Emily's tongue flickered out to wet her lips and she gave a funny, embarrassed laugh. "Um. beyond...this." She didn't quite meet his gaze. "You know, issuing an invitation that was supposed to make it blatantly obvious that I wanted you closer to me." She twisted her lips in a self-deprecating smile. "I guess I didn't do it right if you had to ask."
Dave looked at her for a moment, then a smile crept across his face. "No, you did it right." He looked at her warmly for a moment, then faked a stretch and a yawn, letting his arm rest behind her on the couch in a very obvious way. "I didn't think past beer and pizza. And how beautiful you look."
She lifted her gaze to stare at him, then glanced down at herself in disbelief. But she relaxed and laughed. "I don't really do this...you know, ever," she said. "But beer and pizza and the couch is a good start." She cleared her throat and glanced back up at him. "Right?"
"Calling me ten times a day helped," Dave said. "I definitely couldn't help thinking about you most of the day." He finally lowered his arm so that it was resting over her shoulders.
She laughed again and leaned lightly against him. "I hope I wasn't too annoying."
"Extremely," Dave teased.
"Hmm. And yet you showed up with beer and pizza," she pointed out. "And your dog." She tilted her head to look up at him, then apparently it hit her how close they were, because he felt her breath catch and her eyes flickered down to his mouth before returning to meet his gaze.
He knew exactly what that meant, and smiled at her before leaning in to press his lips to hers. What started as a chaste kiss quickly became not so chaste, but Dave was careful to stay gentle so he didn't hurt her. After a moment, he hummed a happy noise into the kiss and slid his fingers into her hair.
She sighed softly and he felt a hand settle on his knee as she flicked her tongue softly against his upper lip. "Dave," she breathed, and kissed him again.
"Mmm, yeah?" he murmured, grinning because he knew that hadn't really been meant to lead to anything. So before she could answer, he kissed her again.
She just made a noise into the kiss and squeezed his knee lightly.
He reached over blindly for her other hand and closed his fingers on her plate. When he was sure he had it, he took it from her and moved to put it on the table beside the couch. She made a funny noise as he put it down, and then she jerked away slightly just before the plate hit the floor and broke.
"Shit." Dave's eyebrows drew together, and he frowned at the floor next to him. "I would have sworn there was a table there."
She stared at him for a moment, then burst into giggles. "You know, you're doing great so far. Your sic your dog on me and then you break my dishes." Her gaze was warm and amused.
"Shut up. It was your fault that last time." Mucci ran over from wherever he'd been toward the broken plate, and Dave said, "Leave it." Mucci looked positively crushed by that, but obeyed anyway, and Dave carefully extracted himself from Emily's arms and started picking up the pieces. "I'll buy you new dishes."
"How was it my fault?" she asked, still giggling. She shook her head. "It was one plate, Dave. You don't have to replace it. It's kinda charming to see this side of suave, sophisticated David Rossi."
Dave stopped what he was doing to look up at her with a glare. After a moment he looked back down to pick up the smaller pieces and decided to respond to that in a less than suave manner. "No really, I want to buy you new dishes. These are hideous." He thought he did a very good job of suppressing his smile.
She glared back at him, though he was fairly certain she was still amused. "Those were a house-warming gift from my great-uncle. Of course they're hideous. But one of these days you need to learn that a simple 'I'm sorry' goes a lot further than 'I'll pay for it' does."
"Nnn," he said, then carried the pieces to the trash in her kitchen. He got a paper towel, dampened it, then went back to wipe up the floor. When he got back to the kitchen, he threw it out and said, "Do you want another slice?"
Her gaze was warm and inviting. Her words weren't. "I don't know, are you going to throw it at me again?"
Dave tilted his head and gave her a flat stare. "Keep talking like that, and I'll dump a beer over your head at no extra charge."
"Mmm, such a gentleman," she murmured, and held out a hand to him.
Dave's expression faded into a smile, and he walked over and took her hand. "How do you feel?"
"A lot less bored with you here," she said, smiling up at him. She tightened her fingers around his but didn't actually tug him down. "So what were you planning to do to entertain me?"
Dave's smile slid into a smirk. "What ever you're able to handle," he replied.
"And here I thought you were just interested in my plasma TV," she teased. "I don't know if I'm up to much, honestly, but I'm definitely willing to find out."
Dave leaned down and kissed her slowly over the back of the sofa, stroking a hand over her hair. "Gorgeous," he murmured.
"I'm a mess," she protested, but the breathless quality of her voice suggested that she believed he meant it.
"Possible to be both at the same time," he whispered.
"I'm pretty sure I adore you," she whispered back, her fingers curling into his hair. "Why don't you come back and sit down?"
He hummed a noise of agreement and moved around the sofa. He sat and shifted to pull her comfortably against him. His fingers stroked through her hair. God, it felt good to have her in his arms.
"Mmm, this is nice," Emily murmured. She was quiet for a while, then said, "I'm aware there's a big game on tonight. If you were hoping to watch it."
"Only if you don't mind waiting for more kisses until commercials," he said, kissing her softly.
She laughed. "Well, I do try not to be too demanding," she replied. "As long as you don't mind that I'm a Bears fan."
"I might have to call this off before it even starts," he teased.
"Hmm. In that case we won't watch the game and I won't cheer for anyone," she teased back. She tugged him in for another kiss. It was surprising how comfortable this was.
He kissed her slowly, then pulled away. "You could cheer for me. You'd look good in one of those short skirts."
She snickered. "I'm afraid I'm not up to bouncing around enthusiastically just yet."
"Faker."
"Your dog just about knocked me on my ass earlier and you think I'm faking it?" she poked him gently in the ribs.
He shifted away from her finger with a frown. "Maybe you both just want the attention."
"I got your attention by calling you every day," she said. "I don't need to fake anything for it."
"Stop logic-ing me," Dave muttered.
She laughed and kissed him slowly. "I was just trying to say I wouldn't be offended if you wanted to watch the game, Rossi," she murmured.
"I was trying to say I would rather kiss you," he breathed. "Especially if you're a Bears fan."
"Mmm." She pulled away and beamed at him. "That's really all you had to say." She kissed him again.
He deepened the kiss, relishing the slide of her tongue against his and how soft her lips were. "Can we go somewhere more comfortable?"
She grinned at him. "My bedroom's upstairs, so you'll have to give me a head start."
He snorted, then let her pull away enough to get her crutches for her and pull her to her feet gently. He kissed her again slowly as she steadied herself. "You know, I just thought lying down would be easier on you," he said, knowing she'd know full well it wasn't the only reason.
The look she gave him was amused, though he thought she looked a little nervous too. "If you wanted to carry me up the stairs it would be even easier on me," she teased, and leaned against him for a moment to kiss him once more. Then she pulled back and looked down at Mucci. "Sorry, buddy, you're not invited upstairs."
Dave grinned then moved aside to let her start to hobble toward the stairs. Mucci started to follow, but Dave held up a hand and said, "Stay." Mucci gave him a pathetic look, but then jumped up on the couch and curled up. Dave turned to see Emily awkwardly going up the stairs, her crutches in one hand and her other hand on the banister. He walked up behind her and put his hand on the small of her back as she moved. "Hurry up, slow poke."
She snorted, then wobbled a little and had to steady herself. "I'm just trying to draw out the moment here," she teased. She didn't look back at him as she moved up another step. Then she paused and glanced over her shoulder to give him a warm look.
He returned her smile and stepped up to the step behind her. He slid his arms gently around her waist, looking up, and then kissed her shoulder blade. He was glad she wasn't looking as nervous, but who knew if that would last.
The hand on the banister lifted to brush through his hair, then she laughed. "Let's save making out on the stairs for when I can stand on both feet." And right on cue, there was the nervousness back, like she was afraid she'd said something wrong.
"Mmm, I can't help myself," he murmured. He could help doing a lot of things he really wanted to do right now. He wanted to slide his hands up to cup her breasts or down to feel the curve of her hips. God, he wanted that. But he had a feeling if she was nervous about this, then she would be more nervous about doing more. He kissed her shoulder again and then let her go.
She smiled at him again, then made her way slowly up the rest of the stairs. When they reached the top, she paused and turned awkwardly, then rested her crutches against the wall so she could slide her arms around his neck. "This scares me," she said frankly, and then kissed him.
"I could tell," Dave murmured, then lifted a hand to stroke it down her cheek. "I'm a pretty good profiler." He tightened his arms around her waist. "We don't have to do anything but lie down and kiss. Or not kiss at all."
"That isn't what scares me. What scares me is that maybe this is all a huge mistake and we won't be able to work together." She paused, then said, "I really like the kissing."
Dave pulled back to look at her. "That hadn't even crossed my mind," he said. He slid his fingers into her hair. "Emily, I'm still the same man I was before I walked in that door, and you're still the same woman. Whatever happens happens, but I love what we have no matter what."
Her lips pulled to one side and she said, "Yeah, but you've never seen...look, I just get all weird and self-conscious and...and stupid when I'm in a relationship. It's just..." She stopped and bit her lip. "Unless we aren't talking about a relationship. We haven't really been talking about anything." She made a hopeless noise and dropped her forehead to his shoulder. "See what I mean?"
Dave chuckled. "Relationship? Yes. I'm beyond the point of fooling around for kicks." He turned his head so that his lips brushed her ear. "Ask me anything."
She shivered and tightened her arms around him. "Not that I would mind that, if...but I'm glad." After a pause, she laughed and kissed his neck. "I'm not that desperate for sex, you know. I just would take you any way I could get you." Her fingers slipped into his hair and he could feel her tense at making that confession.
He tightened his arms around her. He didn't think it would have been good for them to just sleep together, mostly because they were so close otherwise. But he couldn't deny the thought was very tempting. He couldn't even say with all certainty that he wouldn't have gone for it, if presented with the opportunity, because he probably would have. "Luckily, you get me any way you want," he whispered.
Her sigh tickled the back of his neck, then she lifted her head, smiling, and kissed him. "I'll probably still get a little neurotic on you sometimes," she warned him, but she grabbed her crutches and led the way to her bed.
"You're a woman," he countered, following her.
"Chauvinist," she replied, not sounding in the least like she meant it. She settled on the edge of the bed and set the crutches down on the floor, then looked up at him.
He smiled at her. She was beautiful and she was sitting there for him. Just for him. "Emily," he murmured, and got down on his knees in front of her to kiss her.
Her hands came up to cup his face as they kissed, her lips parting in invitation. He hummed a pleased, encouraging noise, kissing her slowly. His hands slid up over her thighs to her hips, closing his fingers around them gently, and then they slid up under the bottom of her shirt, hoping she wouldn't tense at that.
He felt her breath catch, but she slipped her fingers up into his hair, kissing him more hungrily. Her legs spread slightly, letting him shift in closer.
"God," he whispered. He could feel the heat of her excitement against his body. His fingers slid around to stroke the small of her back, and he felt her shiver.
"You're so gorgeous," she breathed, trailing her lips up his jaw. She shifted and whimpered, but whispered, "I'm fine. Don't stop." Then she took his earlobe between her teeth gently.
He let out a low groan at that and slid his hands up her back. He was tempted to unsnap her bra, but he wasn't sure just how fine "I'm fine" meant. Instead he slid his hand underneath the clasp, his fingers pressing along her spine.
"Yes," she murmured, trailing one hand down his back. She drew her teeth off his earlobe, then licked teasingly. "I like your hands." He could hear a smile in her voice.
He chuckled. "I do too. Quite convenient." His knees were starting to ache, so he decided to unhook her bra while she was still sitting up to make it easier. When he slid his hands over her sides where the bra covered, she shivered. "I love your body."
"Mmm." Her other hand slid down to join the one already pressed against the small of his back, then she curled her fingers in his shirt tail. "Off."
He made an amused sound and lifted his arms to let her pull his shirt off, then sat back a little, watching her look him over. Her eyes were somehow hungry and overwhelmed too. He slid his hands to her waist again and nudged her back, crawling onto the bed behind her.
She shifted over onto her side facing him. "Is it strange to say I never thought this would happen?" she whispered. She splayed her fingers against his stomach, watching her hand slide up to rest possessively on his chest. He liked the expression on her face.
"No," Dave said. "Short-sighted, but not strange." He kissed her, then trailed his lips down her throat as one hand slid up her body. His fingers pushed under her loose bra and he cupped her breast, squeezing gently. He let out a low groan and bit her skin. God, he wanted her. He had for so long.
She moaned faintly and pressed against him, her hand sliding down so her thumb brushed against his nipple. "But now it feels inevitable," she said. She cupped her hand against his jaw, guiding him up for another kiss.
He hummed a noise of agreement into the kiss. His body was humming with desire and need. He drew a deep breath, pinching her nipple and feeling her arch under him, and then let out a gusty breath against her neck. "You need to stop me now if this won't go much further," he panted.
"Oh God," she breathed, shivering. "I want you." But he could feel her pulling back, reining herself in. She shifted to meet his gaze, her eyes dark with desire and regret. "But I want to be able to give everything when we have sex. And tonight..." She sighed. "I probably couldn't. I'm sorry."
He let out another gusty breath, disappointed but understanding. It would probably be better for both of them if she was fully functional. "Gimp," he muttered, but there was too much affection in his voice as he slid off to her side and kissed her again.
"If I'd had proper backup, we wouldn't be in this position," she teased. She sat up long enough to pull her sweatshirt off over her head. Then she shrugged out of her bra and pressed against him, slipping an arm across his chest. "So blame Morgan." She kissed his jaw.
Oh God. Dave almost missed the end of what she was saying because of the feel of her body pressing against his, skin against skin. "God, I might have to shoot him," he groaned.
She chuckled and brushed her nose along his jaw. "I really do adore you," she whispered. "Will you stay tonight?"
"If you let me borrow some toothpaste," he whispered, but he couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "Actually, even if you don't, I'll stay, but you might not want to kiss me tomorrow if I don't attempt a pale imitation of brushing my teeth tonight."
"Mmm. I even have an unopened toothbrush you can use," she said, laughing. "You should have heard my dentist when he saw the black eye. But he was pleased to pronounce none of my teeth loosened. I'll let you have the toothbrush he gave me."
"Oh, good," Dave said. Her pulled her close for another kiss, lingering and wanting, but had to pull away when he felt his body tingle with excitement again. "God," he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face.
She laughed faintly and stroked her fingers against his shoulder. "I could put my shirt back on."
"No," he said immediately, then thought better of it. "Actually, that's not a bad idea." He sighed.
She laughed again. "My pajamas are in the bottom drawer. Would you get me a shirt?" She made a face. "It's easier than me fumbling shirtless with my crutches."
He drew a long breath, watching her as his hand trailed along the side of one breast, thumb flicking out over her nipple. She sucked in a breath and bit her lip, and then he had to shake his head and get up. "Damn shame to cover up something so beautiful," he muttered, then tossed her a shirt.
She gave him a lopsided grin and sat up. "I promise you'll get to see them again," she said, tugging the shirt on over her head. "Come back to bed."
He hummed a noise that was still a little disappointed, but got in bed anyway and kissed her.
"You're incredibly handsome," she whispered, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Even if you do have bad timing." She grinned at him.
Dave made another noise that was grumpier, but just kissed her again. "You're lucky I like you," he said, then rolled onto his back and pulled her against him.
She made a pained noise and rearranged herself, then laughed. "I know I am," she murmured. She settled against him, resting her head on his shoulder and holding on to him.
Dave wished his cock would behave. It was begging for attention that he knew it couldn't have. He bit his tongue and shifted closer. "Hmm... sleep," he murmured.
Emily laughed. "You know, it's really a bit early to be in bed," she said. "We should have brought the pizza and beer and we could watch the game in bed."
"Hey, you're dating an old man who's a morning person now. Get used to an early bed time," he teased, then bit her shoulder lightly. "You go get it while I tell my body to behave."
"You do realize I have to go up and down the stairs on my butt if I need to carry anything, right? You need to teach Mucci to fetch." She grinned at him.
Dave sighed. "He'd fetch the pizza just fine, but bringing it to us would be the problem." He kissed her and stood. "Anything else?"
"Mmm, just you back and quickly," she said, watching him warmly.
Dave snorted, then headed downstairs. Mucci hopped up and followed Dave, and Dave grabbed the beer, then picked a piece of sausage off the pizza. He gave it to Mucci, whose tail started wagging furiously. "My lucky night, might as well be yours too." He patted Mucci's head, then headed back up the stairs with the pizza.
Emily was sitting up when he got back, and she'd flipped on the TV. She smiled when he appeared. "I'm glad you decided to come over tonight."
"So am I. Totally out of the goodness of my heart," he said. He handed her a beer and climbed into "his side" of the bed, putting the pizza down between them. "It's cold," he added, but he didn't care. "Say one word about the Bears and I go downstairs and watch this by myself."
"Mm, cold pizza is good," she said. "And at least I got one hot piece before you threw it on the floor." She leaned over and kissed him.
He gave her a look. "I thought there was an end table."
She giggled. "I thought it was cute," she said, and kissed him again.
Cute. She thought he was cute. Why did women he was involved with always think he was cute? "Game's on," he muttered.
"Mmm." She leaned her head against his shoulder and turned the volume up. Being injured didn't seem to have done anything to her appetite; by halftime they'd finished the pizza entirely and Emily was nursing her beer, snuggled against his side. She seemed to be shifting her leg a lot though, and he had to wonder if it was hurting her.
He lifted a hand to cup her jaw, then turned his head to kiss her hair. "How can I make this more comfortable?"
She grunted and shifted again. "There's painkillers on the vanity in my bathroom," she said. "I probably ought to take one, if you don't mind getting them?" She gave him an apologetic look. "I'll probably conk out on you before the game's over though."
Dave gave her a lopsided smile and shifted out of bed again. "When did I become your gofer?"
"Wrong term," she said, grinning at him. "Knight in shining armor, definitely."
"I though there was glory and adoration involved in the whole knight thing," he said, heading for her bathroom.
"I already told you I adore you!" she called after him, laughing.
He snorted and went to find her pills. He read the directions and shook the appropriate amount into his hand. He took them out to her and got her another beer. A few moments later, he was settling in bed with her again. "And the glory?"
"I'll start telling everyone I meet that you're my hero," she promised, taking the pills.
Dave laughed. "I'll hold you to that," he said, settling more comfortably when she put her beer aside.
"It's true," she murmured quietly, slipping her arm around his waist. "You are my hero, and not because you're the legendary David Rossi."
He hummed a noise and looked at her. "You're on drugs."
She snorted and pressed her lips to his neck. "You've been my hero ever since you called the Vatican for me."
He pulled back to look at her. He hadn't really expected her to be serious, but he supposed if she was bringing up something that really happened, there was some truth. And 'call the Vatican' had been born out of both the desire to see a serial killer put away and the want to protect Emily. That case had been so hard on her. "Technically, Aaron called," Dave breathed, but he didn't manage a joking tone. He stroked his thumb down her cheek, then kissed her slowly.
She hummed into the kiss and tightened her arm around him, parting her lips to deepen the kiss. "You're a kind, intelligent, sexy man, David Rossi," she breathed when the kiss ended. "I'm so very happy."
"I can already tell my ego is going to be out of control if this continues," Dave breathed, smiling against her lips.
"Your ego's already out of control," she said, and kissed him again.
He returned the kiss, then pulled back to give her an annoyed look. "Lay down and pass out already."
She laughed and snuggled down in his arms, resting her head against his chest.
***
The next several days were simultaneously fantastic and frustrating. They spent the weekend together and Dave got to show off his cooking skills and his mama's recipes for Emily...but she was still healing, and the painkillers made her groggy. He had spent so much time wanting to touch her that he found it frustrating that they'd finally come together right when touching was so difficult.
But finally she was able to get off the crutches and start moving carefully around without them, and she said her ankle only hurt when she was on her feet too long, instead of all the time. She pushed herself, though. She always did. She was helping him cook dinner (slowly) when he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, nosing at the back of her neck. "I'm going to miss your sexy bruises," he murmured.
She laughed. "Oh, yeah, sure," she said, shivering and then leaning back into him. "Since they've been stopping you from gettin' some?" She turned her head to kiss him softly.
Dave grinned against her lips. "I said the bruises, not the crutches."
"I don't know, bruises are hard to cover with makeup, you know? I might scare people when you take me out for dinner."
"Don't care," Dave said. "It would ensure that I had little competition." He pulled back and looked at her. "And who said anything about taking you out?" he teased.
"Hey, I like you, but I'm not going to be the girlfriend you hide," she replied, slipping a hand down to swat at his ass. "Anyway, you know you don't have any competition. No one even comes close."
"I guess that's an advantage of being friends first. I don't have to convince you of that, since you already know." He grinned and kissed her.
"Along with the fact that we already know each other's scary dating and ex-wives stories?" she added.
He laughed. "Not all of them. I could write a novel."
"Oh lord," she said. "Maybe you'll spare me some of them." She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm just a little bit jealous that they had those years with you that I didn't," she whispered.
"They knew me longer," Dave reasoned. "Get off your feet." He started walking her toward the couch without letting her go.
She giggled faintly as she tried to keep from falling over, but she tightened her arms around him. "Doesn't matter, I'm still jealous. I've never liked sharing. Why did I have to fall for a guy with three ex-wives?" Her voice was teasing, but he could tell she meant it.
He kissed her and didn't mention that he also had an ex-fiance years ago. "You aren't sharing."
"Damn right I'm not," she murmured. She kissed him again, more hungrily. "Just remember that."
He didn't answer, he just settled her on the couch, then kissed her, returning her hunger as he leaned over the couch.
"I mean it," she insisted. "I carry a gun, and I'm a jealous bitch." She laughed and slid her fingers into his hair as they kissed again.
He slid a hand down to her waist. "I do mean it. Past relationships or not, I tend toward the jealous side myself," he breathed.
"I know you mean it," she murmured. "But I wanted to make my point." She grinned at him and tugged him closer. "You know, I sort of think dinner can wait, don't you?"
"I'm sort of hungry for something else anyway," he said, then settled next to her, nudging her to climb up in his lap.
She straddled his lap and kissed him slowly, one hand stroking through his hair.
Dave thought for a moment, trying to remember if they'd actually turned on any of the burners. He didn't think they had, so he deepened the kiss, sliding his fingers up under the bottom of her shirt and running his hands along her waist.
"Mmm, you are so incredibly sexy," she murmured breathlessly against his lips. She trailed kisses along his jaw, running her fingernails lightly over his skin.
He sucked in a breath as that sent a thrill through him. "How much are you up to?" he breathed. It had become a fairly regular question after he'd allowed his body to get too excited for comfort the first time they'd gone to bed together.
She pulled back and grinned slowly at him. "How much do you think you can handle?" she murmured, and nipped at his lower lip.
Instead of answering, he captured her mouth with his and kissed her fiercely, with a groan of satisfaction. He tightened his arms around her, letting himself fully take in the feel of her breasts pressed against him and the heat of her body. Her fingers tightened in his hair enough to tug and she gave back all he was giving into the kiss.
She whimpered happily and shifted her hips against him, sending a burst of pleasure through both of them, considering the noise she made. "Want you so much," she breathed, and kissed him again.
"Mmm, yes, Emily," Dave whispered. "Floor or bed?" He pulled back and gave her a half hungry and half mischievous grin. "Or would you rather just sit on my lap here?"
"So it's true what they say about Italian men," she teased, and slid a hand between them to fumble at his belt buckle as she kissed him again.
"In my case at least," Dave breathed. "I've never slept with an Italian man, so I can't speak for all of us." He licked his lips and pushed up at the bottom of her shirt as she got his belt open. She pulled the belt out of the loops and tossed it on the floor just before letting her arms up so he could get her shirt off. He hummed a pleased noise at the sight of her, and leaned in to suck at her neck.
"Good to know," she murmured, her voice going up in the end with his mouth on her skin. She tilted her head for a moment, giving him more access. Then her fingers moved from his waist, working their way up the buttons of his shirt. She leaned back, watching eagerly as his chest was revealed. "God, you're handsome," she murmured, pushing his shirt off his shoulders.
Dave shifted a little to get his arms out of his shirt, but the left it trapped between him and the couch. "Thank you," he said, sliding his hands up to cup her breasts. He could see through the fabric that her nipples were hard, so he brushed his thumbs over them. "Condoms?"
She shivered at his touch, still watching him. "Somewhere," she said, shifting her hips against him. It made her groan softly and she rocked against him. "Don't go anywhere. I'm on the pill."
"How long has it been?" he asked. And have you been tested since? was the unspoken question. He really didn't want to stop to ask questions, but he felt like he should, even if he trusted Emily completely. Still, he slid his fingertips under the top of her bra.
"Mmm, how long have I known you?" she murmured, and leaned in to kiss him, her lips soft against his.
Dave let out a long breath, and then couldn't help but lean in to lick her throat. "Long time," he murmured.
"Mmm, s'been longer than that," she said, and ran her fingers through his hair. "You?"
Dave started working open the button of her pants, scraping his teeth over her skin. "At least a year ago... year and a half. Been tested since."
"Good," she said, her tone not quite as distracted or pleased as it had been, but she just teased her nails lightly against the back of his neck. "Feels good," she breathed.
Dave thought maybe the best way to deal with her sudden insecurity was to ignore it until it became apparent that it wasn't going to go away. He hoped that wouldn't be the case. "Em," he whispered, nipping at her skin and unzipping her fly. "Need you."
"Yes," she managed, shifting back to get out of her jeans. "God, Dave." Then she was on her knees over him in just her bra and panties, and the expression in her eyes was hungry. God, she was beautiful.
He nudged her up just enough to shift out of his jeans under her, then kicked them off, sucking in a breath when she settled back down again. The weight of her body was pressing against his cock through the thin fabric of his boxers, and she rocked her hips forward, drawing a little moan from him.
He slid one hand down into the back of her panties, squeezing her ass and pulling her tighter against him, thrusting up against her. The sound she made at that sent a thrill through his entire body, and he leaned forward to mouth at her skin, just above her bra, as his other hand unhooked it.
"Wanted you for so long," she breathed, stroking her fingers through his hair, then down the back of his neck to his shoulders. "So strong and handsome." She touched him as if she needed to memorize his body--shoulders, biceps, chest. When her bra slid down she let it fall down between them and buried her fingers in his hair.
He pulled her down against him and thrust again, listening to he gasp as he sucked a nipple into her mouth. He scraped his teeth against it, his lips curling a little at the way she arched and moaned. "Wanted you too," he whispered. He tossed her bra to the side and slipped his fingers into the top of her panties. He snapped the elastic. "Want these off."
She yelped faintly then smiled and backed off of him. She kept her gaze on his face as she slid her panties down her hips and stepped out of them. Then she just stood there for a moment, watching him.
He grinned and lifted his hips, pushing his boxers off, his cock springing free. Her gaze slid from his face to his cock, and her expression went a little needy. Dave crooked a finger at her. "C'mere."
She made a wanting noise and moved forward without hesitation. When she got back to him she leaned down and kissed him hungrily. "David," she breathed against his lips, and kissed him again.
Dave slid his hands over her hips and pulled her back into his lap, and then it was just skin against skin. He could feel the heat of her arousal against him, and he slid his fingers into her hair, deepening their kiss. He rocked his hips and this time he got a much higher pitched noise. He assumed his cock had brushed over her clit, and his lips curled a little. "Sexy."
"Hell yes, you are," she said, rocking against him. "Oh God." Her breathing was already ragged as she dipped her head to kiss him hard.
He groaned happily into the kiss and rocked his hips again. His hand slid down her body, cupping and squeezing her breast, pinching one nipple, then down over her stomach. His heart was hammering in his chest with excitement, and he reached down to grip himself. She knew exactly what he was doing and shifted up a little so he could align himself with her, then she sank down on top of him.
Pleasure exploded in him, firing through his whole body, and she moaned, arching against him. "Emily," he panted, sliding both hands to her hips and starting to thrust.
She just moaned again, her hands running across his chest, flicking a nipple, then trailing her nails up his arms just hard enough to send shivers through him. She moved with him, her gaze fixed on his. She lifted one hand to trace his lips, then leaned in to kiss him. The shift made her groan into the kiss.
Dave panted, thrusting harder at that noise, and got another whimper from her. God, it had been a long time since he'd done this with someone he cared so much about. Emily was amazing, smart, talented, and gorgeous. His breath was catching with each thrust, his need growing.
"God, David!" she gasped, running her hands down his biceps and back up to his shoulders. "So strong." Her gaze was heated as she watched him, her lower lip caught between her teeth. She lifted a finger to her own lips and swirled her tongue around it, still watching him, then dropped her hand down between them to touch herself. He felt her shudder with pleasure.
He lowered his gaze, barely able to see himself sliding inside her under her hand, which was circling her clit quickly. He couldn't help groaning at the sight, how she was so obviously enjoying this. He slid his hands down her thighs, then back up, paying attention to the way her body bounced over his with each thrust. "Oh, God," he groaned. He could feel his body tightening with pleasure, and he tilted his head back up to kiss her again.
She moaned into his mouth, slipping her tongue against his eagerly. As she drew the kiss out, her free hand found one of his and lifted it to cup one of her breasts. She was whimpering with every thrust now, her breathing hard.
He squeezed gently, then rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She made a noise that was almost a squeak, and every sound she made was just driving Dave's need more. "Where do you want me to come?" he said. He had no issues coming inside her if they were both clean, and she was on the pill, but he wasn't sure how she felt.
"Don't stop," she ordered, which he took to mean she didn't have any issues with it either. Her eyelids had fallen half closed, her gaze on his again, and he could tell she was close too.
He groaned and let himself go, thrusting hard and fast and listening to her moans turn into something more desperate as he did. "Yes," he breathed, his fingers curling against her hip. When he pinched her nipple a little harder and she let out a little cry, his climax hit him hard. He stilled, and then resumed rocking his hips slowly as he came while she continued rocking her hips against him.
She gasped out what he thought was his name, her mouth falling open. Her eyes glittered with pure lust as she watched him, her expression going blissful as her fingers moved more quickly. She arched and tensed, then cried out as her muscles spasmed around him.
He watched her through his haze of pleasure. She was gorgeous, her soft lines tense with pleasure. He hadn't seen anything so beautiful in a long time. When she finished, he pulled her against him, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breath. "You're wonderful," he breathed, turning his head to kiss her hair.
"Mmm, I was just thinking the same thing about you," she whispered. She curled her arm around his neck and moved enough to kiss him slowly. "So wonderful." She rested her head against his shoulder.
He slid a hand up her back, his fingertips barely brushing her skin, and couldn't help but chuckle when she shivered.
She giggled faintly. "Chills," she said, snuggling closer. "Keep me warm."
"Mmhm," he hummed, and pulled her closer, sliding both arms over her back. He realized then that they were still connected, though he was softening. It felt odd, but good, and he didn't want to move, so he just turned his head to breathe in the scent of her hair.
"That was fantastic," she murmured. He could hear a smile in her voice as well as satisfaction.
***
Supper was quiet, but she seemed happy. It had started raining outside, the wind blowing the rain against the window in a noise that made it seem cozier inside. Emily wore a thoughtful expression. Dave was intending to let her be quiet and bring whatever she was thinking up when she was ready, but when they were snuggled up on the couch later with wine and she still looked that way, he finally decided to bring it up. "What's on your mind?"
She glanced up at him, then shrugged. "I'm not really sure." She gave him a self-deprecating smile. "Just thinking."
He snorted. "I'll never understand how women can think so hard about something and not know what it is." he kissed her forehead.
"Mmm." She closed her eyes. "Maybe saying, 'I don't know,' is easier than saying, 'I know, but I'm not sure if it's really something I want to talk about right now, or possibly ever, because it might not be the sort of thing that needs to be talked about now, or possibly ever'." She was smiling faintly.
"Ah," Dave said, stroking her arm. He really wanted to know now, but he thought he'd leave it alone until she decided she wanted to talk about it. If that ever happened. He tried not to be too put out by that possibility, though it was a little difficult.
Finally she sighed. "Is it too ridiculously early for me to tell you that this is the best relationship I've ever had?" The way she spoke made him doubt that was what she'd really been thinking, though he supposed she might be leading up to that.
Dave tightened his arm around her. "It has been wonderful," he agreed. "It's not ridiculous if it's true." Of course, they were still in the "honeymoon phase", but he liked that she felt that way. He had this odd feeling that it would somehow be disrespectful to his first wife if he returned the words, though, so instead he said, "I haven't been this happy in a long time."
"Good." She made a pleased noise and brushed her nose against his neck. "What are we going to do about the team?" she asked after a while. "They'll figure it out."
"Well... let them," Dave said simply.
"Okay," she murmured. He couldn't tell if she was reassured, or if she was still looking for something he hadn't said yet.
"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked, hoping to prompt her to keep talking.
She huffed a little laugh. "JJ and Reid had me figured out a long time ago. It'll be good for my pride to have them realize I'm not just pining for no reason." She sounded like she was joking, but Dave wasn't sure.
Dave chuckled. "A long time ago? I would have liked to have been with you a long time ago. JJ should have told on you." He grinned.
"Hmm." She sighed. "I feel off-balance. I just sort of threw myself at you, and I don't do that. You're probably used to it, but..." She shrugged. "I just...it's..." Finally she sighed again. "I'm wretchedly insecure about relationships. Which you probably already know, of course." She gave a self-conscious laugh and didn't look up at him. "I'm sorry."
He just kept grinning. "I think it's kind of sexy."
She did look up then, to stare at him in disbelief.
Dave leaned in and kissed her. "You never do this, but you did it for me?" he murmured. "That's sexy."
"Hmm." She kissed him back, but didn't look very convinced. "You think that now, but wait until you've had to reassure me half a dozen times that just because I made the first move doesn't mean you weren't interested." Her tone was self-deprecating.
He snorted. "Em, I'm used to girls throwing themselves at me because I'm famous, or because of my money, or because... any number of superficial things. And those girls would have done that for anyone like me. I love that you're different. And I love that you did something you wouldn't normally do for me. I love that... you knew me first and still did it anyway." He paused for a moment and watched her expression.
She met his gaze searchingly, and after a moment, a slow smile crept across her face. "Just for you, David Rossi," she murmured. She pressed her palm gently to his cheek and leaned up to kiss him.
He hummed a pleased noise, deepening the kiss. When he pulled back, he smiled at her. "Besides, if I get sick of having to reassure you, I'll just shout at you."
She rolled her eyes, but just rested her head against his shoulder again. "It's a good thing you're handsome," she teased.
"Tell me about it," he said, resting his cheek against her head.
She snorted and fell silent again, but her silence seemed more contented. She laced her fingers with his, her thumb rubbing lazily across his. After a while the motion slowed and then stopped, and he began to wonder if she'd fallen asleep. That was answered a few minutes later when she murmured, "Let's go to bed."
He drew a deep breath and gave her a little squeeze. "Sounds like a great idea to me."
Authors:
innerslytherin and severity_softlyPairing: Rossi/Prentiss
Rating: NC-17
WC: ~10k
Summary: On medical leave for two weeks, Emily is bored. Dave has a plan to relieve that boredom, but he isn't quite expecting it to go the way it does.
Notes: This is for
microgirl8225's birthday. Thank you for all your help over at the Rossi/Prentiss comm! The title is adapted from a line in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.It was all Mucci's fault.
Prentiss had been out of work for a week after a case left her with a black eye, concussion, and a badly sprained ankle, and he knew she'd been bored, because she'd been calling him every day to complain about it. A couple of times Dave had heard Reid rattling away facts, theories, and trivia to the telephone, and it hadn't taken Dave long to deduce he was talking to Emily. But so far Dave was the only one she'd called every day and asked if there was anything exciting going on.
Dave had planned something small. Beer, pizza, the Giants/Bears game, and after a couple hours of middle-aged Italian vegging on her sofa, Prentiss would probably be happy to go back to the relative boredom of being alone.
Mucci had ruined all that.
Dave had decided Friday night would be a good time for it because he knew Prentiss had another week of enforced medical leave and Dave wouldn't have to get up early in the morning for work. But Thursday night Mucci was acting listless and didn't touch his food. Friday morning when Dave woke up, the food was still there and Mucci was flopped on the ground at the foot of his bed. Frowning, Dave had decided to come back by at noon to check on him.
At noon, Mucci was moving around and drinking, but he hadn't eaten. Dave swore and loaded him in the truck. Mucci was well-trained and wouldn't be too hard to sneak into his office, as long as JJ agreed to distract Aaron for him. After work, Dave would take Mucci to the vet before bothering Prentiss.
By the time five-thirty rolled around, Mucci was in perfect form, drinking enthusiastically out of the water dish Garcia had brought in and soaking up Morgan's attention when the other man came in to ask a couple of questions on a consult he was working.
Dave shut off his computer and surveyed his dog, then shrugged. What the hell. All she could do was say no.
During their afternoon phone call, he'd subtly made sure Emily would be home--and 'bored out of her skull'--all evening, so he didn't have to worry that she'd made other plans. He picked up a pizza with the works and a twelve-pack, then headed to her brownstone with Mucci.
He had to ring the bell twice, but after the second one he heard her shout that she was coming. There was a thump that he assumed was her dropping one of her crutches against the door. Then a long pause, and the deadbolt slid open. She tugged the door open and looked at him in confusion.
She was wearing a Chicago Bears sweatshirt and plaid flannel pants, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She didn't have any makeup on, her bruises gave her a mottled appearance, and when he glanced down he saw that her toenails were painted bright red--and that her left foot was still a little swollen. He'd never seen a woman look more beautiful in his life.
"Dave?" Emily tilted her head, obviously taking in what he had in his hands, then she sort of hopped backwards, pushing the door further open with her butt. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Mucci chose that moment to force Dave to decide between keeping hold of the leash or keeping hold of the pizza. Dave chose the pizza, so Mucci's leash jerked from his lax fingers as the dog bounded inside without waiting for an invitation. And he was usually so well behaved.
Right about then was when Dave decided this was all Mucci's fault.
Emily had to hop out of the way, and wound up slumped against the wall in her entry way, and Dave hurried in. He set the pizza and beer on the nearest flat surface Mucci couldn't reach, and went to steady Emily. "I just came by to make sure you were properly injured," he muttered, getting her back to being balanced on her crutches. "I brought back up in case you weren't," he added, giving Mucci a sideways glance. Mucci was unfazed and happily sniffing Emily's couch.
She laughed and kept her hand on his arm for a long moment. "Well, at least your partner's good-looking," she said, grinning up at him. "And you brought food. I would never turn away two handsome guys bearing food."
He gave her a lopsided smile. "I like how you think," he said, and glanced back at Mucci. "I hope you don't mind. He wasn't feeling well, so I brought him to work with me."
"Aww, is he better now?" she asked, looking over at the dog. "Hey, you can't have the couch, that's mine," she told him. "Come on," she told Dave. "I was just channel-surfing."
Dave nodded and headed into the kitchen. "Plates?" he asked, not wanting to make her hobble all around the kitchen. "Of course he's better. He just wanted attention," he joked.
"To the right of the sink," Emily told him. "So it's true what they say about pets taking after their owners?" He heard Mucci give a happy bark, and Emily laughed. She must have let him up on the couch with her.
"I resent that," Dave said, but he couldn't help grinning when he glanced over and Mucci was trying to lick Emily's face. "Hey, settle," Dave ordered, and Mucci backed off with a guilty look. "I wouldn't mind a scratch behind the ears, though," he said, going back to what Emily had said.
She laughed and shook her head. "If only you were as well-behaved as your dog," she said, rubbing Mucci's ears.
"At the moment, I am," Dave said, putting pizza on the plates and sticking the beer in the fridge after getting two out for them.
"Hmm." She was watching him skeptically, then let out an "Oof!" when Mucci flopped down and put his head on her chest. "You're heavier than you look," she muttered.
"He's a miniature bear," Dave said. "He's not hurting you, is he?" he asked as he handed her a plate and a bottle of beer.
"He's all right," she said. "Maybe I need to make snuggling Mucci a regular part of my life. He's warm."
He chuckled and settled down in one of her chairs. "That mean you want me to come over more often?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully, then gave a long sigh. "I guess I could put up with you to get more time with your dog." She took a bite of her pizza and then froze for a moment as Mucci whimpered. "My pizza," she informed him.
"And you'd better not give him any, either. He doesn't get people food. Especially after faking a stomach ache for a day and a half."
"No people food at all, huh?" she said skeptically. "But he still keeps trying?" She gently nudged Mucci's mouth further from her pizza and took another bite. "Mmm. Where did you find Chicago-style pizza around here? I need to add them to my list of favorite takeout. I clearly need to eat with you more often if you find places like this."
Dave grinned, watching her. The idea was definitely nice. "Clearly," he said.
"Not to mention getting free beer out of you," she added, giving him a teasing look.
Dave snorted. "I'm starting to feel used."
"Hey, you showed up here without an invitation," she said, grinning. "I just like what you brought with you." She took a bite of pizza and shifted, a pained expression flitting across her face. "But you could have showed up empty-handed and I'd be pleased with the company," she added more seriously.
"I couldn't tell by the way you've been calling me everyday. I take a hint pretty well." Part of him hoped that meant more than just that, though. It wasn't exactly the sort of thing you'd do to just a friend, especially one of the opposite gender who was grumpy about having long phone conversations. Not that he minded from her, and he was pretty sure she knew that.
She shrugged. "We always say we want a week off, but I think we're hooked on the chase. I was going crazy having to sit around and do virtually nothing all week." She smiled and patted Mucci's head. "So yeah, I was hoping you'd take pity on me and want to do something. But you didn't say anything today on the phone. I'd given up on the idea."
Dave made a tutting noise and shook his head. "Never give up on me," he told her, then held her gaze. God, she was sexy. "Maybe I wanted to surprise you."
"Well, you succeeded. It was a nice surprise," she said, watching him. She tilted her head, then said something that surprised him. "There's plenty of room to share the couch, if I push Mucci out of the way." She held his gaze for a long moment as pink spread across her cheekbones, then she let her gaze drop.
Dave's eyebrows lifted a little when she looked down at her hands. Somehow the pink on her face was even sexy through the grey-blue bruises. Was she inviting him over for more than just to share the couch? Was she awkwardly hitting on him? God, he hoped so. It wasn't expected, but it was certainly welcome. "If you don't mind," he said, but didn't wait for a reply before he got up.
A smile crept across her face and she wiggled, nudging Mucci. The dog heaved a sigh and jumped down to the floor, where he watched Dave cross the room. Emily shifted to give Dave room, but he was pleased to notice she didn't leave him too much room. He sat next to her, letting her leave her leg propped up on her other side.
"You're the only person besides Reid who would even take my calls this week," she murmured.
"Mmm," Dave hummed. He didn't really believe her. Well, not entirely. Not anymore. But he did think that she only focused on him for a reason. "I don't mind."
"Maybe you were the only one I really wanted to talk to." She darted a glance up at him, then let her gaze fall to his shoulder. "I'm stuck," she admitted after a moment. Her voice had that funny note it got whenever she had an embarrassing confession to make. "I didn't think beyond this."
Dave blinked at her for a moment, then wondered if she meant what he thought she meant. "Beyond what?"
Emily's tongue flickered out to wet her lips and she gave a funny, embarrassed laugh. "Um. beyond...this." She didn't quite meet his gaze. "You know, issuing an invitation that was supposed to make it blatantly obvious that I wanted you closer to me." She twisted her lips in a self-deprecating smile. "I guess I didn't do it right if you had to ask."
Dave looked at her for a moment, then a smile crept across his face. "No, you did it right." He looked at her warmly for a moment, then faked a stretch and a yawn, letting his arm rest behind her on the couch in a very obvious way. "I didn't think past beer and pizza. And how beautiful you look."
She lifted her gaze to stare at him, then glanced down at herself in disbelief. But she relaxed and laughed. "I don't really do this...you know, ever," she said. "But beer and pizza and the couch is a good start." She cleared her throat and glanced back up at him. "Right?"
"Calling me ten times a day helped," Dave said. "I definitely couldn't help thinking about you most of the day." He finally lowered his arm so that it was resting over her shoulders.
She laughed again and leaned lightly against him. "I hope I wasn't too annoying."
"Extremely," Dave teased.
"Hmm. And yet you showed up with beer and pizza," she pointed out. "And your dog." She tilted her head to look up at him, then apparently it hit her how close they were, because he felt her breath catch and her eyes flickered down to his mouth before returning to meet his gaze.
He knew exactly what that meant, and smiled at her before leaning in to press his lips to hers. What started as a chaste kiss quickly became not so chaste, but Dave was careful to stay gentle so he didn't hurt her. After a moment, he hummed a happy noise into the kiss and slid his fingers into her hair.
She sighed softly and he felt a hand settle on his knee as she flicked her tongue softly against his upper lip. "Dave," she breathed, and kissed him again.
"Mmm, yeah?" he murmured, grinning because he knew that hadn't really been meant to lead to anything. So before she could answer, he kissed her again.
She just made a noise into the kiss and squeezed his knee lightly.
He reached over blindly for her other hand and closed his fingers on her plate. When he was sure he had it, he took it from her and moved to put it on the table beside the couch. She made a funny noise as he put it down, and then she jerked away slightly just before the plate hit the floor and broke.
"Shit." Dave's eyebrows drew together, and he frowned at the floor next to him. "I would have sworn there was a table there."
She stared at him for a moment, then burst into giggles. "You know, you're doing great so far. Your sic your dog on me and then you break my dishes." Her gaze was warm and amused.
"Shut up. It was your fault that last time." Mucci ran over from wherever he'd been toward the broken plate, and Dave said, "Leave it." Mucci looked positively crushed by that, but obeyed anyway, and Dave carefully extracted himself from Emily's arms and started picking up the pieces. "I'll buy you new dishes."
"How was it my fault?" she asked, still giggling. She shook her head. "It was one plate, Dave. You don't have to replace it. It's kinda charming to see this side of suave, sophisticated David Rossi."
Dave stopped what he was doing to look up at her with a glare. After a moment he looked back down to pick up the smaller pieces and decided to respond to that in a less than suave manner. "No really, I want to buy you new dishes. These are hideous." He thought he did a very good job of suppressing his smile.
She glared back at him, though he was fairly certain she was still amused. "Those were a house-warming gift from my great-uncle. Of course they're hideous. But one of these days you need to learn that a simple 'I'm sorry' goes a lot further than 'I'll pay for it' does."
"Nnn," he said, then carried the pieces to the trash in her kitchen. He got a paper towel, dampened it, then went back to wipe up the floor. When he got back to the kitchen, he threw it out and said, "Do you want another slice?"
Her gaze was warm and inviting. Her words weren't. "I don't know, are you going to throw it at me again?"
Dave tilted his head and gave her a flat stare. "Keep talking like that, and I'll dump a beer over your head at no extra charge."
"Mmm, such a gentleman," she murmured, and held out a hand to him.
Dave's expression faded into a smile, and he walked over and took her hand. "How do you feel?"
"A lot less bored with you here," she said, smiling up at him. She tightened her fingers around his but didn't actually tug him down. "So what were you planning to do to entertain me?"
Dave's smile slid into a smirk. "What ever you're able to handle," he replied.
"And here I thought you were just interested in my plasma TV," she teased. "I don't know if I'm up to much, honestly, but I'm definitely willing to find out."
Dave leaned down and kissed her slowly over the back of the sofa, stroking a hand over her hair. "Gorgeous," he murmured.
"I'm a mess," she protested, but the breathless quality of her voice suggested that she believed he meant it.
"Possible to be both at the same time," he whispered.
"I'm pretty sure I adore you," she whispered back, her fingers curling into his hair. "Why don't you come back and sit down?"
He hummed a noise of agreement and moved around the sofa. He sat and shifted to pull her comfortably against him. His fingers stroked through her hair. God, it felt good to have her in his arms.
"Mmm, this is nice," Emily murmured. She was quiet for a while, then said, "I'm aware there's a big game on tonight. If you were hoping to watch it."
"Only if you don't mind waiting for more kisses until commercials," he said, kissing her softly.
She laughed. "Well, I do try not to be too demanding," she replied. "As long as you don't mind that I'm a Bears fan."
"I might have to call this off before it even starts," he teased.
"Hmm. In that case we won't watch the game and I won't cheer for anyone," she teased back. She tugged him in for another kiss. It was surprising how comfortable this was.
He kissed her slowly, then pulled away. "You could cheer for me. You'd look good in one of those short skirts."
She snickered. "I'm afraid I'm not up to bouncing around enthusiastically just yet."
"Faker."
"Your dog just about knocked me on my ass earlier and you think I'm faking it?" she poked him gently in the ribs.
He shifted away from her finger with a frown. "Maybe you both just want the attention."
"I got your attention by calling you every day," she said. "I don't need to fake anything for it."
"Stop logic-ing me," Dave muttered.
She laughed and kissed him slowly. "I was just trying to say I wouldn't be offended if you wanted to watch the game, Rossi," she murmured.
"I was trying to say I would rather kiss you," he breathed. "Especially if you're a Bears fan."
"Mmm." She pulled away and beamed at him. "That's really all you had to say." She kissed him again.
He deepened the kiss, relishing the slide of her tongue against his and how soft her lips were. "Can we go somewhere more comfortable?"
She grinned at him. "My bedroom's upstairs, so you'll have to give me a head start."
He snorted, then let her pull away enough to get her crutches for her and pull her to her feet gently. He kissed her again slowly as she steadied herself. "You know, I just thought lying down would be easier on you," he said, knowing she'd know full well it wasn't the only reason.
The look she gave him was amused, though he thought she looked a little nervous too. "If you wanted to carry me up the stairs it would be even easier on me," she teased, and leaned against him for a moment to kiss him once more. Then she pulled back and looked down at Mucci. "Sorry, buddy, you're not invited upstairs."
Dave grinned then moved aside to let her start to hobble toward the stairs. Mucci started to follow, but Dave held up a hand and said, "Stay." Mucci gave him a pathetic look, but then jumped up on the couch and curled up. Dave turned to see Emily awkwardly going up the stairs, her crutches in one hand and her other hand on the banister. He walked up behind her and put his hand on the small of her back as she moved. "Hurry up, slow poke."
She snorted, then wobbled a little and had to steady herself. "I'm just trying to draw out the moment here," she teased. She didn't look back at him as she moved up another step. Then she paused and glanced over her shoulder to give him a warm look.
He returned her smile and stepped up to the step behind her. He slid his arms gently around her waist, looking up, and then kissed her shoulder blade. He was glad she wasn't looking as nervous, but who knew if that would last.
The hand on the banister lifted to brush through his hair, then she laughed. "Let's save making out on the stairs for when I can stand on both feet." And right on cue, there was the nervousness back, like she was afraid she'd said something wrong.
"Mmm, I can't help myself," he murmured. He could help doing a lot of things he really wanted to do right now. He wanted to slide his hands up to cup her breasts or down to feel the curve of her hips. God, he wanted that. But he had a feeling if she was nervous about this, then she would be more nervous about doing more. He kissed her shoulder again and then let her go.
She smiled at him again, then made her way slowly up the rest of the stairs. When they reached the top, she paused and turned awkwardly, then rested her crutches against the wall so she could slide her arms around his neck. "This scares me," she said frankly, and then kissed him.
"I could tell," Dave murmured, then lifted a hand to stroke it down her cheek. "I'm a pretty good profiler." He tightened his arms around her waist. "We don't have to do anything but lie down and kiss. Or not kiss at all."
"That isn't what scares me. What scares me is that maybe this is all a huge mistake and we won't be able to work together." She paused, then said, "I really like the kissing."
Dave pulled back to look at her. "That hadn't even crossed my mind," he said. He slid his fingers into her hair. "Emily, I'm still the same man I was before I walked in that door, and you're still the same woman. Whatever happens happens, but I love what we have no matter what."
Her lips pulled to one side and she said, "Yeah, but you've never seen...look, I just get all weird and self-conscious and...and stupid when I'm in a relationship. It's just..." She stopped and bit her lip. "Unless we aren't talking about a relationship. We haven't really been talking about anything." She made a hopeless noise and dropped her forehead to his shoulder. "See what I mean?"
Dave chuckled. "Relationship? Yes. I'm beyond the point of fooling around for kicks." He turned his head so that his lips brushed her ear. "Ask me anything."
She shivered and tightened her arms around him. "Not that I would mind that, if...but I'm glad." After a pause, she laughed and kissed his neck. "I'm not that desperate for sex, you know. I just would take you any way I could get you." Her fingers slipped into his hair and he could feel her tense at making that confession.
He tightened his arms around her. He didn't think it would have been good for them to just sleep together, mostly because they were so close otherwise. But he couldn't deny the thought was very tempting. He couldn't even say with all certainty that he wouldn't have gone for it, if presented with the opportunity, because he probably would have. "Luckily, you get me any way you want," he whispered.
Her sigh tickled the back of his neck, then she lifted her head, smiling, and kissed him. "I'll probably still get a little neurotic on you sometimes," she warned him, but she grabbed her crutches and led the way to her bed.
"You're a woman," he countered, following her.
"Chauvinist," she replied, not sounding in the least like she meant it. She settled on the edge of the bed and set the crutches down on the floor, then looked up at him.
He smiled at her. She was beautiful and she was sitting there for him. Just for him. "Emily," he murmured, and got down on his knees in front of her to kiss her.
Her hands came up to cup his face as they kissed, her lips parting in invitation. He hummed a pleased, encouraging noise, kissing her slowly. His hands slid up over her thighs to her hips, closing his fingers around them gently, and then they slid up under the bottom of her shirt, hoping she wouldn't tense at that.
He felt her breath catch, but she slipped her fingers up into his hair, kissing him more hungrily. Her legs spread slightly, letting him shift in closer.
"God," he whispered. He could feel the heat of her excitement against his body. His fingers slid around to stroke the small of her back, and he felt her shiver.
"You're so gorgeous," she breathed, trailing her lips up his jaw. She shifted and whimpered, but whispered, "I'm fine. Don't stop." Then she took his earlobe between her teeth gently.
He let out a low groan at that and slid his hands up her back. He was tempted to unsnap her bra, but he wasn't sure just how fine "I'm fine" meant. Instead he slid his hand underneath the clasp, his fingers pressing along her spine.
"Yes," she murmured, trailing one hand down his back. She drew her teeth off his earlobe, then licked teasingly. "I like your hands." He could hear a smile in her voice.
He chuckled. "I do too. Quite convenient." His knees were starting to ache, so he decided to unhook her bra while she was still sitting up to make it easier. When he slid his hands over her sides where the bra covered, she shivered. "I love your body."
"Mmm." Her other hand slid down to join the one already pressed against the small of his back, then she curled her fingers in his shirt tail. "Off."
He made an amused sound and lifted his arms to let her pull his shirt off, then sat back a little, watching her look him over. Her eyes were somehow hungry and overwhelmed too. He slid his hands to her waist again and nudged her back, crawling onto the bed behind her.
She shifted over onto her side facing him. "Is it strange to say I never thought this would happen?" she whispered. She splayed her fingers against his stomach, watching her hand slide up to rest possessively on his chest. He liked the expression on her face.
"No," Dave said. "Short-sighted, but not strange." He kissed her, then trailed his lips down her throat as one hand slid up her body. His fingers pushed under her loose bra and he cupped her breast, squeezing gently. He let out a low groan and bit her skin. God, he wanted her. He had for so long.
She moaned faintly and pressed against him, her hand sliding down so her thumb brushed against his nipple. "But now it feels inevitable," she said. She cupped her hand against his jaw, guiding him up for another kiss.
He hummed a noise of agreement into the kiss. His body was humming with desire and need. He drew a deep breath, pinching her nipple and feeling her arch under him, and then let out a gusty breath against her neck. "You need to stop me now if this won't go much further," he panted.
"Oh God," she breathed, shivering. "I want you." But he could feel her pulling back, reining herself in. She shifted to meet his gaze, her eyes dark with desire and regret. "But I want to be able to give everything when we have sex. And tonight..." She sighed. "I probably couldn't. I'm sorry."
He let out another gusty breath, disappointed but understanding. It would probably be better for both of them if she was fully functional. "Gimp," he muttered, but there was too much affection in his voice as he slid off to her side and kissed her again.
"If I'd had proper backup, we wouldn't be in this position," she teased. She sat up long enough to pull her sweatshirt off over her head. Then she shrugged out of her bra and pressed against him, slipping an arm across his chest. "So blame Morgan." She kissed his jaw.
Oh God. Dave almost missed the end of what she was saying because of the feel of her body pressing against his, skin against skin. "God, I might have to shoot him," he groaned.
She chuckled and brushed her nose along his jaw. "I really do adore you," she whispered. "Will you stay tonight?"
"If you let me borrow some toothpaste," he whispered, but he couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "Actually, even if you don't, I'll stay, but you might not want to kiss me tomorrow if I don't attempt a pale imitation of brushing my teeth tonight."
"Mmm. I even have an unopened toothbrush you can use," she said, laughing. "You should have heard my dentist when he saw the black eye. But he was pleased to pronounce none of my teeth loosened. I'll let you have the toothbrush he gave me."
"Oh, good," Dave said. Her pulled her close for another kiss, lingering and wanting, but had to pull away when he felt his body tingle with excitement again. "God," he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face.
She laughed faintly and stroked her fingers against his shoulder. "I could put my shirt back on."
"No," he said immediately, then thought better of it. "Actually, that's not a bad idea." He sighed.
She laughed again. "My pajamas are in the bottom drawer. Would you get me a shirt?" She made a face. "It's easier than me fumbling shirtless with my crutches."
He drew a long breath, watching her as his hand trailed along the side of one breast, thumb flicking out over her nipple. She sucked in a breath and bit her lip, and then he had to shake his head and get up. "Damn shame to cover up something so beautiful," he muttered, then tossed her a shirt.
She gave him a lopsided grin and sat up. "I promise you'll get to see them again," she said, tugging the shirt on over her head. "Come back to bed."
He hummed a noise that was still a little disappointed, but got in bed anyway and kissed her.
"You're incredibly handsome," she whispered, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Even if you do have bad timing." She grinned at him.
Dave made another noise that was grumpier, but just kissed her again. "You're lucky I like you," he said, then rolled onto his back and pulled her against him.
She made a pained noise and rearranged herself, then laughed. "I know I am," she murmured. She settled against him, resting her head on his shoulder and holding on to him.
Dave wished his cock would behave. It was begging for attention that he knew it couldn't have. He bit his tongue and shifted closer. "Hmm... sleep," he murmured.
Emily laughed. "You know, it's really a bit early to be in bed," she said. "We should have brought the pizza and beer and we could watch the game in bed."
"Hey, you're dating an old man who's a morning person now. Get used to an early bed time," he teased, then bit her shoulder lightly. "You go get it while I tell my body to behave."
"You do realize I have to go up and down the stairs on my butt if I need to carry anything, right? You need to teach Mucci to fetch." She grinned at him.
Dave sighed. "He'd fetch the pizza just fine, but bringing it to us would be the problem." He kissed her and stood. "Anything else?"
"Mmm, just you back and quickly," she said, watching him warmly.
Dave snorted, then headed downstairs. Mucci hopped up and followed Dave, and Dave grabbed the beer, then picked a piece of sausage off the pizza. He gave it to Mucci, whose tail started wagging furiously. "My lucky night, might as well be yours too." He patted Mucci's head, then headed back up the stairs with the pizza.
Emily was sitting up when he got back, and she'd flipped on the TV. She smiled when he appeared. "I'm glad you decided to come over tonight."
"So am I. Totally out of the goodness of my heart," he said. He handed her a beer and climbed into "his side" of the bed, putting the pizza down between them. "It's cold," he added, but he didn't care. "Say one word about the Bears and I go downstairs and watch this by myself."
"Mm, cold pizza is good," she said. "And at least I got one hot piece before you threw it on the floor." She leaned over and kissed him.
He gave her a look. "I thought there was an end table."
She giggled. "I thought it was cute," she said, and kissed him again.
Cute. She thought he was cute. Why did women he was involved with always think he was cute? "Game's on," he muttered.
"Mmm." She leaned her head against his shoulder and turned the volume up. Being injured didn't seem to have done anything to her appetite; by halftime they'd finished the pizza entirely and Emily was nursing her beer, snuggled against his side. She seemed to be shifting her leg a lot though, and he had to wonder if it was hurting her.
He lifted a hand to cup her jaw, then turned his head to kiss her hair. "How can I make this more comfortable?"
She grunted and shifted again. "There's painkillers on the vanity in my bathroom," she said. "I probably ought to take one, if you don't mind getting them?" She gave him an apologetic look. "I'll probably conk out on you before the game's over though."
Dave gave her a lopsided smile and shifted out of bed again. "When did I become your gofer?"
"Wrong term," she said, grinning at him. "Knight in shining armor, definitely."
"I though there was glory and adoration involved in the whole knight thing," he said, heading for her bathroom.
"I already told you I adore you!" she called after him, laughing.
He snorted and went to find her pills. He read the directions and shook the appropriate amount into his hand. He took them out to her and got her another beer. A few moments later, he was settling in bed with her again. "And the glory?"
"I'll start telling everyone I meet that you're my hero," she promised, taking the pills.
Dave laughed. "I'll hold you to that," he said, settling more comfortably when she put her beer aside.
"It's true," she murmured quietly, slipping her arm around his waist. "You are my hero, and not because you're the legendary David Rossi."
He hummed a noise and looked at her. "You're on drugs."
She snorted and pressed her lips to his neck. "You've been my hero ever since you called the Vatican for me."
He pulled back to look at her. He hadn't really expected her to be serious, but he supposed if she was bringing up something that really happened, there was some truth. And 'call the Vatican' had been born out of both the desire to see a serial killer put away and the want to protect Emily. That case had been so hard on her. "Technically, Aaron called," Dave breathed, but he didn't manage a joking tone. He stroked his thumb down her cheek, then kissed her slowly.
She hummed into the kiss and tightened her arm around him, parting her lips to deepen the kiss. "You're a kind, intelligent, sexy man, David Rossi," she breathed when the kiss ended. "I'm so very happy."
"I can already tell my ego is going to be out of control if this continues," Dave breathed, smiling against her lips.
"Your ego's already out of control," she said, and kissed him again.
He returned the kiss, then pulled back to give her an annoyed look. "Lay down and pass out already."
She laughed and snuggled down in his arms, resting her head against his chest.
***
The next several days were simultaneously fantastic and frustrating. They spent the weekend together and Dave got to show off his cooking skills and his mama's recipes for Emily...but she was still healing, and the painkillers made her groggy. He had spent so much time wanting to touch her that he found it frustrating that they'd finally come together right when touching was so difficult.
But finally she was able to get off the crutches and start moving carefully around without them, and she said her ankle only hurt when she was on her feet too long, instead of all the time. She pushed herself, though. She always did. She was helping him cook dinner (slowly) when he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, nosing at the back of her neck. "I'm going to miss your sexy bruises," he murmured.
She laughed. "Oh, yeah, sure," she said, shivering and then leaning back into him. "Since they've been stopping you from gettin' some?" She turned her head to kiss him softly.
Dave grinned against her lips. "I said the bruises, not the crutches."
"I don't know, bruises are hard to cover with makeup, you know? I might scare people when you take me out for dinner."
"Don't care," Dave said. "It would ensure that I had little competition." He pulled back and looked at her. "And who said anything about taking you out?" he teased.
"Hey, I like you, but I'm not going to be the girlfriend you hide," she replied, slipping a hand down to swat at his ass. "Anyway, you know you don't have any competition. No one even comes close."
"I guess that's an advantage of being friends first. I don't have to convince you of that, since you already know." He grinned and kissed her.
"Along with the fact that we already know each other's scary dating and ex-wives stories?" she added.
He laughed. "Not all of them. I could write a novel."
"Oh lord," she said. "Maybe you'll spare me some of them." She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm just a little bit jealous that they had those years with you that I didn't," she whispered.
"They knew me longer," Dave reasoned. "Get off your feet." He started walking her toward the couch without letting her go.
She giggled faintly as she tried to keep from falling over, but she tightened her arms around him. "Doesn't matter, I'm still jealous. I've never liked sharing. Why did I have to fall for a guy with three ex-wives?" Her voice was teasing, but he could tell she meant it.
He kissed her and didn't mention that he also had an ex-fiance years ago. "You aren't sharing."
"Damn right I'm not," she murmured. She kissed him again, more hungrily. "Just remember that."
He didn't answer, he just settled her on the couch, then kissed her, returning her hunger as he leaned over the couch.
"I mean it," she insisted. "I carry a gun, and I'm a jealous bitch." She laughed and slid her fingers into his hair as they kissed again.
He slid a hand down to her waist. "I do mean it. Past relationships or not, I tend toward the jealous side myself," he breathed.
"I know you mean it," she murmured. "But I wanted to make my point." She grinned at him and tugged him closer. "You know, I sort of think dinner can wait, don't you?"
"I'm sort of hungry for something else anyway," he said, then settled next to her, nudging her to climb up in his lap.
She straddled his lap and kissed him slowly, one hand stroking through his hair.
Dave thought for a moment, trying to remember if they'd actually turned on any of the burners. He didn't think they had, so he deepened the kiss, sliding his fingers up under the bottom of her shirt and running his hands along her waist.
"Mmm, you are so incredibly sexy," she murmured breathlessly against his lips. She trailed kisses along his jaw, running her fingernails lightly over his skin.
He sucked in a breath as that sent a thrill through him. "How much are you up to?" he breathed. It had become a fairly regular question after he'd allowed his body to get too excited for comfort the first time they'd gone to bed together.
She pulled back and grinned slowly at him. "How much do you think you can handle?" she murmured, and nipped at his lower lip.
Instead of answering, he captured her mouth with his and kissed her fiercely, with a groan of satisfaction. He tightened his arms around her, letting himself fully take in the feel of her breasts pressed against him and the heat of her body. Her fingers tightened in his hair enough to tug and she gave back all he was giving into the kiss.
She whimpered happily and shifted her hips against him, sending a burst of pleasure through both of them, considering the noise she made. "Want you so much," she breathed, and kissed him again.
"Mmm, yes, Emily," Dave whispered. "Floor or bed?" He pulled back and gave her a half hungry and half mischievous grin. "Or would you rather just sit on my lap here?"
"So it's true what they say about Italian men," she teased, and slid a hand between them to fumble at his belt buckle as she kissed him again.
"In my case at least," Dave breathed. "I've never slept with an Italian man, so I can't speak for all of us." He licked his lips and pushed up at the bottom of her shirt as she got his belt open. She pulled the belt out of the loops and tossed it on the floor just before letting her arms up so he could get her shirt off. He hummed a pleased noise at the sight of her, and leaned in to suck at her neck.
"Good to know," she murmured, her voice going up in the end with his mouth on her skin. She tilted her head for a moment, giving him more access. Then her fingers moved from his waist, working their way up the buttons of his shirt. She leaned back, watching eagerly as his chest was revealed. "God, you're handsome," she murmured, pushing his shirt off his shoulders.
Dave shifted a little to get his arms out of his shirt, but the left it trapped between him and the couch. "Thank you," he said, sliding his hands up to cup her breasts. He could see through the fabric that her nipples were hard, so he brushed his thumbs over them. "Condoms?"
She shivered at his touch, still watching him. "Somewhere," she said, shifting her hips against him. It made her groan softly and she rocked against him. "Don't go anywhere. I'm on the pill."
"How long has it been?" he asked. And have you been tested since? was the unspoken question. He really didn't want to stop to ask questions, but he felt like he should, even if he trusted Emily completely. Still, he slid his fingertips under the top of her bra.
"Mmm, how long have I known you?" she murmured, and leaned in to kiss him, her lips soft against his.
Dave let out a long breath, and then couldn't help but lean in to lick her throat. "Long time," he murmured.
"Mmm, s'been longer than that," she said, and ran her fingers through his hair. "You?"
Dave started working open the button of her pants, scraping his teeth over her skin. "At least a year ago... year and a half. Been tested since."
"Good," she said, her tone not quite as distracted or pleased as it had been, but she just teased her nails lightly against the back of his neck. "Feels good," she breathed.
Dave thought maybe the best way to deal with her sudden insecurity was to ignore it until it became apparent that it wasn't going to go away. He hoped that wouldn't be the case. "Em," he whispered, nipping at her skin and unzipping her fly. "Need you."
"Yes," she managed, shifting back to get out of her jeans. "God, Dave." Then she was on her knees over him in just her bra and panties, and the expression in her eyes was hungry. God, she was beautiful.
He nudged her up just enough to shift out of his jeans under her, then kicked them off, sucking in a breath when she settled back down again. The weight of her body was pressing against his cock through the thin fabric of his boxers, and she rocked her hips forward, drawing a little moan from him.
He slid one hand down into the back of her panties, squeezing her ass and pulling her tighter against him, thrusting up against her. The sound she made at that sent a thrill through his entire body, and he leaned forward to mouth at her skin, just above her bra, as his other hand unhooked it.
"Wanted you for so long," she breathed, stroking her fingers through his hair, then down the back of his neck to his shoulders. "So strong and handsome." She touched him as if she needed to memorize his body--shoulders, biceps, chest. When her bra slid down she let it fall down between them and buried her fingers in his hair.
He pulled her down against him and thrust again, listening to he gasp as he sucked a nipple into her mouth. He scraped his teeth against it, his lips curling a little at the way she arched and moaned. "Wanted you too," he whispered. He tossed her bra to the side and slipped his fingers into the top of her panties. He snapped the elastic. "Want these off."
She yelped faintly then smiled and backed off of him. She kept her gaze on his face as she slid her panties down her hips and stepped out of them. Then she just stood there for a moment, watching him.
He grinned and lifted his hips, pushing his boxers off, his cock springing free. Her gaze slid from his face to his cock, and her expression went a little needy. Dave crooked a finger at her. "C'mere."
She made a wanting noise and moved forward without hesitation. When she got back to him she leaned down and kissed him hungrily. "David," she breathed against his lips, and kissed him again.
Dave slid his hands over her hips and pulled her back into his lap, and then it was just skin against skin. He could feel the heat of her arousal against him, and he slid his fingers into her hair, deepening their kiss. He rocked his hips and this time he got a much higher pitched noise. He assumed his cock had brushed over her clit, and his lips curled a little. "Sexy."
"Hell yes, you are," she said, rocking against him. "Oh God." Her breathing was already ragged as she dipped her head to kiss him hard.
He groaned happily into the kiss and rocked his hips again. His hand slid down her body, cupping and squeezing her breast, pinching one nipple, then down over her stomach. His heart was hammering in his chest with excitement, and he reached down to grip himself. She knew exactly what he was doing and shifted up a little so he could align himself with her, then she sank down on top of him.
Pleasure exploded in him, firing through his whole body, and she moaned, arching against him. "Emily," he panted, sliding both hands to her hips and starting to thrust.
She just moaned again, her hands running across his chest, flicking a nipple, then trailing her nails up his arms just hard enough to send shivers through him. She moved with him, her gaze fixed on his. She lifted one hand to trace his lips, then leaned in to kiss him. The shift made her groan into the kiss.
Dave panted, thrusting harder at that noise, and got another whimper from her. God, it had been a long time since he'd done this with someone he cared so much about. Emily was amazing, smart, talented, and gorgeous. His breath was catching with each thrust, his need growing.
"God, David!" she gasped, running her hands down his biceps and back up to his shoulders. "So strong." Her gaze was heated as she watched him, her lower lip caught between her teeth. She lifted a finger to her own lips and swirled her tongue around it, still watching him, then dropped her hand down between them to touch herself. He felt her shudder with pleasure.
He lowered his gaze, barely able to see himself sliding inside her under her hand, which was circling her clit quickly. He couldn't help groaning at the sight, how she was so obviously enjoying this. He slid his hands down her thighs, then back up, paying attention to the way her body bounced over his with each thrust. "Oh, God," he groaned. He could feel his body tightening with pleasure, and he tilted his head back up to kiss her again.
She moaned into his mouth, slipping her tongue against his eagerly. As she drew the kiss out, her free hand found one of his and lifted it to cup one of her breasts. She was whimpering with every thrust now, her breathing hard.
He squeezed gently, then rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She made a noise that was almost a squeak, and every sound she made was just driving Dave's need more. "Where do you want me to come?" he said. He had no issues coming inside her if they were both clean, and she was on the pill, but he wasn't sure how she felt.
"Don't stop," she ordered, which he took to mean she didn't have any issues with it either. Her eyelids had fallen half closed, her gaze on his again, and he could tell she was close too.
He groaned and let himself go, thrusting hard and fast and listening to her moans turn into something more desperate as he did. "Yes," he breathed, his fingers curling against her hip. When he pinched her nipple a little harder and she let out a little cry, his climax hit him hard. He stilled, and then resumed rocking his hips slowly as he came while she continued rocking her hips against him.
She gasped out what he thought was his name, her mouth falling open. Her eyes glittered with pure lust as she watched him, her expression going blissful as her fingers moved more quickly. She arched and tensed, then cried out as her muscles spasmed around him.
He watched her through his haze of pleasure. She was gorgeous, her soft lines tense with pleasure. He hadn't seen anything so beautiful in a long time. When she finished, he pulled her against him, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breath. "You're wonderful," he breathed, turning his head to kiss her hair.
"Mmm, I was just thinking the same thing about you," she whispered. She curled her arm around his neck and moved enough to kiss him slowly. "So wonderful." She rested her head against his shoulder.
He slid a hand up her back, his fingertips barely brushing her skin, and couldn't help but chuckle when she shivered.
She giggled faintly. "Chills," she said, snuggling closer. "Keep me warm."
"Mmhm," he hummed, and pulled her closer, sliding both arms over her back. He realized then that they were still connected, though he was softening. It felt odd, but good, and he didn't want to move, so he just turned his head to breathe in the scent of her hair.
"That was fantastic," she murmured. He could hear a smile in her voice as well as satisfaction.
***
Supper was quiet, but she seemed happy. It had started raining outside, the wind blowing the rain against the window in a noise that made it seem cozier inside. Emily wore a thoughtful expression. Dave was intending to let her be quiet and bring whatever she was thinking up when she was ready, but when they were snuggled up on the couch later with wine and she still looked that way, he finally decided to bring it up. "What's on your mind?"
She glanced up at him, then shrugged. "I'm not really sure." She gave him a self-deprecating smile. "Just thinking."
He snorted. "I'll never understand how women can think so hard about something and not know what it is." he kissed her forehead.
"Mmm." She closed her eyes. "Maybe saying, 'I don't know,' is easier than saying, 'I know, but I'm not sure if it's really something I want to talk about right now, or possibly ever, because it might not be the sort of thing that needs to be talked about now, or possibly ever'." She was smiling faintly.
"Ah," Dave said, stroking her arm. He really wanted to know now, but he thought he'd leave it alone until she decided she wanted to talk about it. If that ever happened. He tried not to be too put out by that possibility, though it was a little difficult.
Finally she sighed. "Is it too ridiculously early for me to tell you that this is the best relationship I've ever had?" The way she spoke made him doubt that was what she'd really been thinking, though he supposed she might be leading up to that.
Dave tightened his arm around her. "It has been wonderful," he agreed. "It's not ridiculous if it's true." Of course, they were still in the "honeymoon phase", but he liked that she felt that way. He had this odd feeling that it would somehow be disrespectful to his first wife if he returned the words, though, so instead he said, "I haven't been this happy in a long time."
"Good." She made a pleased noise and brushed her nose against his neck. "What are we going to do about the team?" she asked after a while. "They'll figure it out."
"Well... let them," Dave said simply.
"Okay," she murmured. He couldn't tell if she was reassured, or if she was still looking for something he hadn't said yet.
"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked, hoping to prompt her to keep talking.
She huffed a little laugh. "JJ and Reid had me figured out a long time ago. It'll be good for my pride to have them realize I'm not just pining for no reason." She sounded like she was joking, but Dave wasn't sure.
Dave chuckled. "A long time ago? I would have liked to have been with you a long time ago. JJ should have told on you." He grinned.
"Hmm." She sighed. "I feel off-balance. I just sort of threw myself at you, and I don't do that. You're probably used to it, but..." She shrugged. "I just...it's..." Finally she sighed again. "I'm wretchedly insecure about relationships. Which you probably already know, of course." She gave a self-conscious laugh and didn't look up at him. "I'm sorry."
He just kept grinning. "I think it's kind of sexy."
She did look up then, to stare at him in disbelief.
Dave leaned in and kissed her. "You never do this, but you did it for me?" he murmured. "That's sexy."
"Hmm." She kissed him back, but didn't look very convinced. "You think that now, but wait until you've had to reassure me half a dozen times that just because I made the first move doesn't mean you weren't interested." Her tone was self-deprecating.
He snorted. "Em, I'm used to girls throwing themselves at me because I'm famous, or because of my money, or because... any number of superficial things. And those girls would have done that for anyone like me. I love that you're different. And I love that you did something you wouldn't normally do for me. I love that... you knew me first and still did it anyway." He paused for a moment and watched her expression.
She met his gaze searchingly, and after a moment, a slow smile crept across her face. "Just for you, David Rossi," she murmured. She pressed her palm gently to his cheek and leaned up to kiss him.
He hummed a pleased noise, deepening the kiss. When he pulled back, he smiled at her. "Besides, if I get sick of having to reassure you, I'll just shout at you."
She rolled her eyes, but just rested her head against his shoulder again. "It's a good thing you're handsome," she teased.
"Tell me about it," he said, resting his cheek against her head.
She snorted and fell silent again, but her silence seemed more contented. She laced her fingers with his, her thumb rubbing lazily across his. After a while the motion slowed and then stopped, and he began to wonder if she'd fallen asleep. That was answered a few minutes later when she murmured, "Let's go to bed."
He drew a deep breath and gave her a little squeeze. "Sounds like a great idea to me."
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no subject
Date: 2010-08-26 03:54 am (UTC)*pant pant pant* *deep breath*
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Omigod! I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved this!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much.
Dave bringing Mucci? Brilliant! And it is so him to blame the dog so he could have an excuse to see Emily. I could totally see Emily bugging everyone on her medical leave. Speaking of that, yay strong woman! You didn't turn her into a whining, sniveling crybaby. She was still eager to get to work.
All of the kissing made me all melty. Especially when they snuggled in bed. You hit one of my biggest kinks there. I almost forgot the pizza and beer! I mention it because I love the pizza and beer and had it for my bday dinner.
I also liked how insecure Emily was. You guys really made her all the more endearing when she was trying to tell Dave about her insecurities. I can see her trying so hard to not mess things up and Dave still finding her adorable.
Their back and forth back banter was too good. They already seemed like an old married couple.
The sex...GUH! That was all sorts of hotness. A wonderful combination of sensual, sweet, and downright HOT!
Thank you both, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can't thank you both enough for this. I am down right honored to receive one of your fics. You made my night :)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-26 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-26 03:27 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you liked this, and liked the banter. Banter is one of my very favorite things to write.
Thank you! And happy birthday!
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Date: 2010-08-27 12:14 am (UTC)I am a sucker for snuggling in bed, and
I'm really very glad you liked this. *hugs*
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Date: 2010-08-26 02:53 pm (UTC)Microgirl is one lucky girl. You gave her a wonderful gift!
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Date: 2010-08-26 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-27 12:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-26 03:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-27 12:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 11:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 11:41 am (UTC)What an amazing story. All the kissing, "chaste and not so chaste" is so emotional. (It caused me tonight to dream about making out with Dave. YEAH!)
Your characterization is great, so very well done. I like Emily feeling bored and enerved by her forced off-time but also insecure about their relationship. And yeah, Rossi, the lady´s man. I plainly love how he´s acting and reacting, Old School and manly. Mucci is just adorable.
Well, and the sex. Hot, sexy, erotic but tender and sweet! Great.
The little Giant/Bears story perfectly fits in and makes this story much more adorable.
Great work, ladies! I´m almost sad that my birthday is soooo far away;-)
Editing: Maybe I should learn to read through my comments before posting;-)
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Date: 2010-08-30 01:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 12:01 am (UTC)LOL The lady's man who breaks dishes when he's trying to be smooth. ;)
Thanks!
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Date: 2010-08-30 01:30 am (UTC)This is SO wonderful...it just feels so natural, so organic that it happens this way. I love how it flowed so gently from thought to relationship.
I think this is just lovely...I have been so starved lately for Dave/Emily and this was just such a wonderful fix. It was sweet and hot and lovely.
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Date: 2010-08-30 01:49 am (UTC)I'm glad you like this. Saying that it feels natural & organic is a lovely compliment. :D
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Date: 2010-09-01 12:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-30 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 12:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 04:21 am (UTC)I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the whole Dave/Emily ship. I basically really, really dislike you for making me fall in love with them, especially this late in the game. But I just can't stay mad at you because you (both) write them so freakin' brilliantly.
I absolutely adored this! It was the perfect "honeymoon phase" fic. It was tender, and sweet, and funny (OMG---I think the dish part might have been my favorite). And the serious moments were tempered just right. And there was just so much WIN in this that I am all out of words now...
*squeeeee*
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Date: 2010-09-03 01:17 am (UTC)I'm also glad you liked this fic. We had fun writing it, and that dish part is probably my favorite as well. :) Thanks for commenting!
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Date: 2010-09-03 09:58 pm (UTC)*cough*
So glad you liked it! :)
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Date: 2010-10-01 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-03 03:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-05 12:55 am (UTC)