Smoke & Lightning, Heavy Metal Thunder [INTERLUDE] (READ THE NOTES)
Title: Smoke And Lightning, Heavy Metal Thunder (Interlude: Jeffrey's Date)
Authors: bloody_adorable and eviltwin
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jeffrey Dean Morgan/Stevie Kilworth Yes, folks, it's HET.
Rating: PG all the way to NC-17 in future chapters.
Wordcount: 3,798
Summary: AU. Jared's a classic case of rich kid gone wrong, whose only sense of family comes from his motorbike, the guy he rents a garage from to live in and the precinct cops who know his face better than most already. Jensen's a hard-working student whose family are helping push him towards great things. What happens when their two worlds collide, and will Jared's troublesome nature be too much for Jensen to handle?
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
NOTE: This is entirely a bonus interlude. The next chapter will be posted tomorrow, as usual!
INTERLUDE: JEFFREY'S DATE
He hadn't been this nervous in years.
Clearing his throat, Jeffrey let the black muscle car roll to a stop. He swallowed nervously and swiped a hand over his mouth and chin. Rough beard stubble rasped across his fingers. Shit, he should have shaved. His beard was black, silver in places, so his five o'clock shadow looked more like a week's worth of growth on other guys. He put both hands on the steering wheel and remained still, feeling the vibrations of the horses in the car engine, debating on turning around and leaving or actually going through with the date. The sound and feel of the engine was always calming to him.
"You can do this, old man," he said to himself. "Get your ass in gear."
Taking a deep breath, Jeffrey turned off the car and hauled himself out. He made his way up the cracked sidewalk to Stevie's front door. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock and then stepped back as the door opened and Stevie smiled out at him. He gaped, but only for a moment before he collected himself and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. She blushed at the touch, the grin reaching her eyes as they parted again.
"Hi," she said. "You're right on time."
"You sound surprised.."
Stevie laughed. "I guess I shouldn't be. You look good."
"And you," Jeffrey said, wondering when he got so eloquent. "I mean..you look better than good. Beautiful. Shall we.." He held his arm out in invitation. Stevie let him put his arm around her waist to walk her to the car, shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Nice car," she said, as he opened her door for her.
Surprised, Jeffrey looked at her as he guided her down into the passenger seat. "Thank you," he grinned. "Not many women notice the car."
"Why not?" she asked. She touched the dashboard, moving as if she were petting the car. "Sure it looks a little banged up in places, but that just adds to the charm."
Those were some of the same exact words he'd used before when trying to convince Jared that the car was not a lost cause. It wasn't a piece of junk. It was a baby and it needed nurturing. He only smiled down at her, leaning against the car door.
"I probably forgot to tell you that my Dad used to have a 1971 Mach One Fastback?"
Jeffrey's heart skipped a beat, not only because of the image she'd left him with, but also from those words coming from such a gorgeous mouth. He smiled brighter and feigned a dramatic swoon. "I'm kind of thinking of sending your Dad a huge-ass thank you card."
Stevie giggled, scrunching up her nose as she did. "For the car?"
"For you."
She blushed again and Jeffrey decided he liked making her do so. Her eyes shone when she did and she looked even more beautiful. Man, he thought. I am so done for.
"You want to get in the car?"
It was Jeffrey's turn to feel like an idiot and he closed her door quietly and went round to the driver's side. As he started up and pulled out, she asked him where he was planning to take her. "Well, that's kind of a surprise."
"I figured. Always a hope in asking, right?" She winked at him, patting his knee as he headed into town, which meant he spent the entire journey asking himself how in hell he got so lucky.
When he pulled up outside the restaurant he'd chosen, Stevie gave him a puzzled smile. "Really?" She asked. "You got us a table in here?"
Jeffrey shrugged, tucking his head down in embarrassment. "Yeah. I..the owner was a good friend a long time ago. And I helped on the building, so I get to call in a favor now and again."
"Nice," she said, nodding. "I'm dating a guy with connections."
"Not all of them ones you want to know about," he told her.
"I'm not entirely sure if you're joking or not..."
"Guess you'll find out if tonight goes well." Jeffrey looked across at her with a grin, curious.
He was thrilled that the comment hadn't put her off in any way. She seemed ready and willing to face anything and everything. He hadn't dated much in the years since Jared's mother had passed away, but he could tell that she was a breath of fresh air.
Inside the restaurant, everyone was dressed in suits and ties, cocktail dresses and high heels. Stevie decided that she liked the place, but felt a moment of panic as she looked down at her attire.
"Am I dressed okay?" she asked.
Jeffrey set a hand to the small of her back and motioned for her to follow the maître d'. "You're the prettiest one here," he assured her. "And I don't just say that because I want to know what's under the dress."
"Mister Morgan," she teased. He fell into step beside her, his hand still at her waist, guiding her. "We barely know each other."
He chuckled as they reached the table. Holding her chair out for her, he leaned down to speak into her ear in a low tone that only she would hear. "And I've already felt some of what's under there."
She laughed, watching him move to his own side of the table. "By pure accident."
"Maybe," he winked.
"You're being awful cheeky, Mister Morgan."
"Well, maybe I just can't help myself."
Stevie took the menu she was offered and put it flat on the table in front of her, folding her hands on top of it. Jeffrey tilted his head as she leaned forwards a little and quietly said, "Just how lucky are you hoping to get tonight, Jeffrey Dean?" There was the hint of a mischievous smile and he licked his suddenly dry lips at the thoughts that came.
"Lucky as you let me," he replied. "Really, I'm considering myself lucky so far that you haven't slapped me yet."
"I never slap a date on an empty stomach," she told him, making him laugh. He was glad when she joined in.
"You want coffee?"
Stevie shook her head no. "I think anything else and I'll honestly burst out of this dress. And don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"You just got a dirty look in your eye when I said that. Are you usually this confident with your dates?"
"Not usually. But there's something about you." And it was true; there was. They'd spent the last two hours eating what was said to be the finest food in town and neither of them had been the slightest bit nervous, or too self-aware. Stevie was down to earth; she laughed loudly at Jeffrey's jokes and didn't care who looked round, she flirted just as much as he did, and she enjoyed her food. They'd also talked a hell of a lot about many different things. What got Stevie into teaching, and especially into English. Why Jeffrey owned a Harley Davidson, but barely rode it any more. He talked about Jared and she told him that the only companion she had at home was her cat. He found out that she was as much into cars as he was, which he had suspected from what she'd said about her father, and they talked at length about the merits of their past motors.
In short, they had found themselves able to behave like old friends, without a hint of awkwardness between them. After the first course, Jeffrey had been wondering why in hell he had been so nervous about tonight.
"Something about me?" Stevie asked, cutting into his thoughts.
"Yes. You're...I don't know. I guess I didn't think this would be so easy. Considering how long it's been for me."
She nodded, agreeing. He had told her about Jared's mother and the fact that she had been the last woman he had really had a relationship with. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"If it's been so long for you, and you were so nervous about it, what made you ask me out in the first place?"
He shook his head at her. "I really wish I knew how to answer that," he returned. "People used to tell me that Sherri, Jared's Mom, would send me someone to help with raising him. Unfortunately, that never happened. Well, not when he was young anyway. I could still use some guidance I guess. Anyway, I used to think that they were crazy. Until I saw you. It's...it's cliched and it's really going to sound like B.S., but I really think she had something to do with me finding you. She would have loved the hell out of you."
Stevie smiled as she watched him reminisce. "You loved her a lot, didn't you?"
Jeffrey nodded, his eyes sparkling as he looked over at her and reached for his glass of wine. "I did," he agreed. "Very much."
"Think you could love someone that much again?"
He chuckled, swallowing a mouthful of wine. "I hope so," he said. "Otherwise, what are we doing here?"
"Good answer," she winked at him.
He laughed again, looking down at his place setting. "Thank you," he returned. The waiter arrived then, clearing away their plates. Jeffrey rested his elbows on the table, hands folded in front of him, never taking his eyes off of Stevie while the waiter was there. He didn't speak, instead watching her watch him, an entire world of conversation in their smitten gazes.
"Will there be any dessert tonight?" the waiter asked.
Jeffrey swore, just by the look in Stevie's eyes, that she had thought of the same answer, but neither of them voiced the words. Laughing softly, he arched his eyebrows at her.
She shook her head and set a hand to her stomach. "I'm not sure I can even get up from this chair," she told the waiter. "He's going to have to roll me out to the car."
"I've got other plans for you anyway," Jeffrey told her, fishing a credit card out of his wallet and handing it to the waiter.
"That sounds dangerously suggestive."
He couldn't escape the devilish laugh from escaping him.
"You're kidding."
He openly laughed at her expression. "No, I'm not."
"In this dress? After that meal?"
"You don't have to do much," he told her.
Stevie shook her head. "Oh, no. I just have to keep bending over and twisting."
"You don't want to do it?"
"Of course, I do," she smiled. "I just want to complain a bit first."
"Oh, okay," he chuckled. "Done?"
"I'm good, thanks."
Jeffrey got out of the car and headed to her side, opening the door and holding a hand out to her. He helped her from inside the vehicle, closing the door after her. "Shall we get our putters, Miss Kilworth?" he asked, offering him his arm.
Stevie looked around the miniature golf course and smiled. She took Jeffrey's arm and nodded her head with determination. "Absolutely, Mister Morgan."
She couldn't remember the last time she had been mini-golfing. The set-up Jeffrey had taken her to had been something he'd had a hand in, he admitted.
"Is there anything you can't do?" she asked, after the third hole.
He waved away her words, blushing. "Really, all I told them was to put in that waterfall there."
She leaned in closer to him to see where he was pointing to. The waterfall was enormous, hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water gushing over man-made rock.
Jeffrey almost faltered when he felt the gentlest whisper of her hair brushing against his cheek. He looked down to see they shared the same space, and his heart pounded in his chest. He could smell her perfume and a slight hint of the shampoo she had used. The world seemed to slow to a stop for a moment when she looked up at him in return. Jeffrey didn't think that moments like this would exist for him any more; not after Sherri had died. But the kiss that followed was one such moment. Stevie seemed to melt at his touch even though, as he pulled away, he noticed she was shivering.
"Maybe it's too cold for this," he said, quietly touching her cheek.
"I'm fine. Besides, you already paid for-"
"Doesn't matter," Jeffrey told her. "I can think of other things I'd rather be doing."
"Oh.."
Jeffrey returned their putters and quickly led Stevie back to the car. She sat close to him, telling him to head to her place, and kept one hand on his knee throughout the drive.
Jeffrey pulled into Stevie's driveway and cut the engine and lights. Almost as soon as he had, Stevie had her seatbelt unfastened and was twisted around, holding his face in her hands as she kissed him. It was surprising and relaxing at once, as Jeffrey felt his heartrate quicken. He turned to make it easier, wrapping both arms around her neck and teasing his fingers into her hair.
"I really don't usually do this," she murmured against his mouth. "But you're..I don't know."
"So are you."
"I feel like I've known you for ages. It's just that... You want to come inside?"
"I don't know if I'll be able to help myself if I do," Jeffrey confessed.
"Maybe that's the idea," Stevie replied, winking at him as she moved back and opened her door. Jeffrey sat, momentarily lost for words as he watched her get out and head for her front door. She unlocked it and turned to look at the car, one hand on her hip as she beckoned him with the other to follow. "You coming?"
Jeffrey nodded, quickly getting out and closing up his car, locking it before joining Stevie in the hallway. She shut the door behind them and, as they wrapped their arms around one another and kissed, there was a soft meow and Jeffrey felt something winding around his ankles. He let go of Stevie, looking down and laughing.
"I'm sorry. She's kind of an attention-seeker." Stevie bent down and patted the cat away with one hand. "Go on, peabrain. Go curl up." The cat protested, but did as it was told. Stevie straightened and gave Jeffrey a soft smile. "Where were we?"
Jeffrey curled his fingers beneath her chin and pushed gently upward, the kiss more of a promise than a real touch. "What do you like?" He asked.
She blushed, ducking her head. "Whatever you want."
"God, whatever I want...you may well slap me."
"Try me."
He backed her against the wall then and pressed his body against hers, wanting her to feel the effect her words were having on him, what effect his own imagination was having on him. She didn't stop him as he pressed his mouth to hers, hard, and pushed his tongue inside. She encouraged him, lifting one leg between his and bending her knee to plant her foot against the wall. His breathing stuttered when she did that and he moved his hands, cupping her breasts in his palms and rubbing inward with his fingers. She moaned into his mouth, but still didn't stop him. He pulled away, reluctant, and looked down at his hands.
"I feel like...Like we shouldn't be doing this. I mean, it's a first date and you hardly know me, not really, and just. Damn. I have some pretty serious history going on, you know? I should go home and take you out again a few more times before I even think of..of.."
"Jeffrey?"
He looked up, meeting her eyes.
"We're both adults and if I didn't want you to take me up those stairs to my bedroom and ravish the hell out of me, I'd say so. But..I kinda do."
"It's...been a long time since I did any ravishing."
"Maybe you should show me what you've remembered then," she told him, lifting her knee to press firmly between his legs. He sucked in a breath at the contact, then smiled devilishly.
"I'm sure I'll remember as we go along." He inched low enough to reach under the hem of her dress and slid his hands up her thighs. He planted kisses along the front line of buttons up to her neck and jaw, his hands tugging the dress aside enough for him to pull both her legs around his waist.
Her back was against the wall, the pressure there holding her up as well as Jeffrey's hands around her ass. "You going to do me right here?" she asked, wrapping both arms around his neck.
"I figured on carrying you up to your bed and doing it properly, Miss Dirtymouth..."
"Only dirty 'cause you're encouraging me. Do it.."
With a low, needful growl, Jeffrey pushed away from the door and awkwardly carried her up the stairs. He almost tripped at one point and Stevie gasped, her arms tightening on him. "Oh, my God, don't drop me," she laughed. He chuckled in her ear, slight beard stubble on his cheek brushing against her face. "I won't," he assured her. His legs burned from the exertion to get all the way up the stairs with her in his arms, but he felt valiant almost. As if he had earned her attention after that. He set her down upon the mattress, falling down with her and nearly sinking into both her and the soft mattress, her arms wrapped around his neck and he kissed her.
It had been so long. His hands shook as he reached up to unbutton the front of her dress. He didn't realize Stevie was watching him until she reached out to stop him. Her eyes, when he brought his gaze to hers, instantly calmed him. She silently told him she understood, and she wanted him, so there was nothing for him to worry about. He stayed where he was, his hands resting against the soft curves of her chest as she reached up and brought him back down into a kiss, so loving and tender that it made his chest constrict almost painfully for a moment. Stevie pushed her hands inside the sports jacket he was wearing and inched it off of his shoulders. And once the jacket had been shed, it was as if his nervousness went with it.
Little by little, warm skin was exposed. They alternated between making soft, gentle love to each other, to letting a slightly darker side form. Her fingers dusted lightly across his back one minute, and then paused to dimple the skin a moment later. Kisses were deep and breathy, biting and scraping. Jeffrey wanted to feel her body go loose, go rigid, and just plain go underneath him, atop him. He loved the feel of her legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper as he filled her as much as he could. He adored the sensation of her moving on top of him, coaxing him closer and closer to the edge.
It seemed like forever, and yet like they had just begun, when she finally completely let herself go. One hand rested at the back of her head, Jeffrey looked down at her as she came. Her neck was craned back and the column of her throat exposed, where he set his lips to both hear her voice and feel it vibrating against his mouth. Her nails clawed at his sides, and his fingers tightened on one of her hips, steadying her. It was his turn to let go, and he did so with his mouth pressed against her throat, his own voice vibrating against her skin.
Perfect. Everything was perfect as he came down from his euphoric high. His head pounded as blood rushed through his system. Their sweat smelled of a mix of her perfume and his cologne. Her legs twined around his in comfortable angles, and she was fine with his weight resting atop her, pinning her to the mattress. Flashing through his head was the need to whisper three words in her ear as he lay collapsed on top of her. He quickly dismissed them, telling himself that he was being ridiculous.
Stevie slid her hand up his back, slippery with a thin layer of sweat. Her fingers eased into his short dark and graying locks, brushing gentle waves back away from his face. "Wow," she smiled.
Jeffrey finally raised his head and looked down at her. "Wow yourself."
She giggled and watched him roll off of her. He settled onto his back and heaved a great sigh, tugging the sheets up to his waist. When had they gotten under the covers? He couldn't remember. His arm slipped around her as she propped herself up on one elbow, slipped one of her legs between both of his. All he could think of was how perfectly she fit there. How right it felt.
Stevie gazed down at him, her blonde hair tousled and looking otherwise adorable. She liked how he looked up at her, his eyes sparkling in the lamplight. "You look at me like I'm a lot better than I really am," she told him.
"I do think you're pretty damn fantastic," he nodded. "And you're worth that thought."
She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes at the compliment, even though she adored it. "Are you glad you stayed?"
He nodded again. "Immensely."
It was dark when Jeffrey woke up again, his internal clock somehow knowing that he needed to go. He kissed Stevie's shoulder, waiting while she stirred. "Hey.." His voice was a low rumble in the quiet room.
"Mm..You have to go, right?" She asked, and yawned as she turned to face him.
"Yeah. I should get back before my boy wakes up. Got a school run to do."
"You just don't want him to know what a dirty stop-out you are," Stevie smiled, blinking sleepily.
"That too. I'll call you later. Maybe I can see you again tomo..tonight?"
"God, you better."
Jeffrey braced himself on one arm and kissed her one last time before he made his way around the bedroom, collecting his clothes together and getting dressed. "I'll..thank you. I'll see you later."
Thankfully the garage was quiet when Jeffrey walked into his home. He hadn't woken anyone. He'd been careful anyway, parking by the road rather than pulling right up onto the driveway, for fear the sound of the engine would wake Jared up and he'd have to explain why he was getting home at four in the morning. He locked up in darkness, not turning any lights on, and shrugged off his jacket, kicked off his shoes, before he collapsed on the sofa and slept through to his alarm.
--TBC
Authors: bloody_adorable and eviltwin
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jeffrey Dean Morgan/Stevie Kilworth Yes, folks, it's HET.
Rating: PG all the way to NC-17 in future chapters.
Wordcount: 3,798
Summary: AU. Jared's a classic case of rich kid gone wrong, whose only sense of family comes from his motorbike, the guy he rents a garage from to live in and the precinct cops who know his face better than most already. Jensen's a hard-working student whose family are helping push him towards great things. What happens when their two worlds collide, and will Jared's troublesome nature be too much for Jensen to handle?
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
NOTE: This is entirely a bonus interlude. The next chapter will be posted tomorrow, as usual!
INTERLUDE: JEFFREY'S DATE
He hadn't been this nervous in years.
Clearing his throat, Jeffrey let the black muscle car roll to a stop. He swallowed nervously and swiped a hand over his mouth and chin. Rough beard stubble rasped across his fingers. Shit, he should have shaved. His beard was black, silver in places, so his five o'clock shadow looked more like a week's worth of growth on other guys. He put both hands on the steering wheel and remained still, feeling the vibrations of the horses in the car engine, debating on turning around and leaving or actually going through with the date. The sound and feel of the engine was always calming to him.
"You can do this, old man," he said to himself. "Get your ass in gear."
Taking a deep breath, Jeffrey turned off the car and hauled himself out. He made his way up the cracked sidewalk to Stevie's front door. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock and then stepped back as the door opened and Stevie smiled out at him. He gaped, but only for a moment before he collected himself and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. She blushed at the touch, the grin reaching her eyes as they parted again.
"Hi," she said. "You're right on time."
"You sound surprised.."
Stevie laughed. "I guess I shouldn't be. You look good."
"And you," Jeffrey said, wondering when he got so eloquent. "I mean..you look better than good. Beautiful. Shall we.." He held his arm out in invitation. Stevie let him put his arm around her waist to walk her to the car, shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Nice car," she said, as he opened her door for her.
Surprised, Jeffrey looked at her as he guided her down into the passenger seat. "Thank you," he grinned. "Not many women notice the car."
"Why not?" she asked. She touched the dashboard, moving as if she were petting the car. "Sure it looks a little banged up in places, but that just adds to the charm."
Those were some of the same exact words he'd used before when trying to convince Jared that the car was not a lost cause. It wasn't a piece of junk. It was a baby and it needed nurturing. He only smiled down at her, leaning against the car door.
"I probably forgot to tell you that my Dad used to have a 1971 Mach One Fastback?"
Jeffrey's heart skipped a beat, not only because of the image she'd left him with, but also from those words coming from such a gorgeous mouth. He smiled brighter and feigned a dramatic swoon. "I'm kind of thinking of sending your Dad a huge-ass thank you card."
Stevie giggled, scrunching up her nose as she did. "For the car?"
"For you."
She blushed again and Jeffrey decided he liked making her do so. Her eyes shone when she did and she looked even more beautiful. Man, he thought. I am so done for.
"You want to get in the car?"
It was Jeffrey's turn to feel like an idiot and he closed her door quietly and went round to the driver's side. As he started up and pulled out, she asked him where he was planning to take her. "Well, that's kind of a surprise."
"I figured. Always a hope in asking, right?" She winked at him, patting his knee as he headed into town, which meant he spent the entire journey asking himself how in hell he got so lucky.
When he pulled up outside the restaurant he'd chosen, Stevie gave him a puzzled smile. "Really?" She asked. "You got us a table in here?"
Jeffrey shrugged, tucking his head down in embarrassment. "Yeah. I..the owner was a good friend a long time ago. And I helped on the building, so I get to call in a favor now and again."
"Nice," she said, nodding. "I'm dating a guy with connections."
"Not all of them ones you want to know about," he told her.
"I'm not entirely sure if you're joking or not..."
"Guess you'll find out if tonight goes well." Jeffrey looked across at her with a grin, curious.
He was thrilled that the comment hadn't put her off in any way. She seemed ready and willing to face anything and everything. He hadn't dated much in the years since Jared's mother had passed away, but he could tell that she was a breath of fresh air.
Inside the restaurant, everyone was dressed in suits and ties, cocktail dresses and high heels. Stevie decided that she liked the place, but felt a moment of panic as she looked down at her attire.
"Am I dressed okay?" she asked.
Jeffrey set a hand to the small of her back and motioned for her to follow the maître d'. "You're the prettiest one here," he assured her. "And I don't just say that because I want to know what's under the dress."
"Mister Morgan," she teased. He fell into step beside her, his hand still at her waist, guiding her. "We barely know each other."
He chuckled as they reached the table. Holding her chair out for her, he leaned down to speak into her ear in a low tone that only she would hear. "And I've already felt some of what's under there."
She laughed, watching him move to his own side of the table. "By pure accident."
"Maybe," he winked.
"You're being awful cheeky, Mister Morgan."
"Well, maybe I just can't help myself."
Stevie took the menu she was offered and put it flat on the table in front of her, folding her hands on top of it. Jeffrey tilted his head as she leaned forwards a little and quietly said, "Just how lucky are you hoping to get tonight, Jeffrey Dean?" There was the hint of a mischievous smile and he licked his suddenly dry lips at the thoughts that came.
"Lucky as you let me," he replied. "Really, I'm considering myself lucky so far that you haven't slapped me yet."
"I never slap a date on an empty stomach," she told him, making him laugh. He was glad when she joined in.
"You want coffee?"
Stevie shook her head no. "I think anything else and I'll honestly burst out of this dress. And don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"You just got a dirty look in your eye when I said that. Are you usually this confident with your dates?"
"Not usually. But there's something about you." And it was true; there was. They'd spent the last two hours eating what was said to be the finest food in town and neither of them had been the slightest bit nervous, or too self-aware. Stevie was down to earth; she laughed loudly at Jeffrey's jokes and didn't care who looked round, she flirted just as much as he did, and she enjoyed her food. They'd also talked a hell of a lot about many different things. What got Stevie into teaching, and especially into English. Why Jeffrey owned a Harley Davidson, but barely rode it any more. He talked about Jared and she told him that the only companion she had at home was her cat. He found out that she was as much into cars as he was, which he had suspected from what she'd said about her father, and they talked at length about the merits of their past motors.
In short, they had found themselves able to behave like old friends, without a hint of awkwardness between them. After the first course, Jeffrey had been wondering why in hell he had been so nervous about tonight.
"Something about me?" Stevie asked, cutting into his thoughts.
"Yes. You're...I don't know. I guess I didn't think this would be so easy. Considering how long it's been for me."
She nodded, agreeing. He had told her about Jared's mother and the fact that she had been the last woman he had really had a relationship with. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"If it's been so long for you, and you were so nervous about it, what made you ask me out in the first place?"
He shook his head at her. "I really wish I knew how to answer that," he returned. "People used to tell me that Sherri, Jared's Mom, would send me someone to help with raising him. Unfortunately, that never happened. Well, not when he was young anyway. I could still use some guidance I guess. Anyway, I used to think that they were crazy. Until I saw you. It's...it's cliched and it's really going to sound like B.S., but I really think she had something to do with me finding you. She would have loved the hell out of you."
Stevie smiled as she watched him reminisce. "You loved her a lot, didn't you?"
Jeffrey nodded, his eyes sparkling as he looked over at her and reached for his glass of wine. "I did," he agreed. "Very much."
"Think you could love someone that much again?"
He chuckled, swallowing a mouthful of wine. "I hope so," he said. "Otherwise, what are we doing here?"
"Good answer," she winked at him.
He laughed again, looking down at his place setting. "Thank you," he returned. The waiter arrived then, clearing away their plates. Jeffrey rested his elbows on the table, hands folded in front of him, never taking his eyes off of Stevie while the waiter was there. He didn't speak, instead watching her watch him, an entire world of conversation in their smitten gazes.
"Will there be any dessert tonight?" the waiter asked.
Jeffrey swore, just by the look in Stevie's eyes, that she had thought of the same answer, but neither of them voiced the words. Laughing softly, he arched his eyebrows at her.
She shook her head and set a hand to her stomach. "I'm not sure I can even get up from this chair," she told the waiter. "He's going to have to roll me out to the car."
"I've got other plans for you anyway," Jeffrey told her, fishing a credit card out of his wallet and handing it to the waiter.
"That sounds dangerously suggestive."
He couldn't escape the devilish laugh from escaping him.
"You're kidding."
He openly laughed at her expression. "No, I'm not."
"In this dress? After that meal?"
"You don't have to do much," he told her.
Stevie shook her head. "Oh, no. I just have to keep bending over and twisting."
"You don't want to do it?"
"Of course, I do," she smiled. "I just want to complain a bit first."
"Oh, okay," he chuckled. "Done?"
"I'm good, thanks."
Jeffrey got out of the car and headed to her side, opening the door and holding a hand out to her. He helped her from inside the vehicle, closing the door after her. "Shall we get our putters, Miss Kilworth?" he asked, offering him his arm.
Stevie looked around the miniature golf course and smiled. She took Jeffrey's arm and nodded her head with determination. "Absolutely, Mister Morgan."
She couldn't remember the last time she had been mini-golfing. The set-up Jeffrey had taken her to had been something he'd had a hand in, he admitted.
"Is there anything you can't do?" she asked, after the third hole.
He waved away her words, blushing. "Really, all I told them was to put in that waterfall there."
She leaned in closer to him to see where he was pointing to. The waterfall was enormous, hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water gushing over man-made rock.
Jeffrey almost faltered when he felt the gentlest whisper of her hair brushing against his cheek. He looked down to see they shared the same space, and his heart pounded in his chest. He could smell her perfume and a slight hint of the shampoo she had used. The world seemed to slow to a stop for a moment when she looked up at him in return. Jeffrey didn't think that moments like this would exist for him any more; not after Sherri had died. But the kiss that followed was one such moment. Stevie seemed to melt at his touch even though, as he pulled away, he noticed she was shivering.
"Maybe it's too cold for this," he said, quietly touching her cheek.
"I'm fine. Besides, you already paid for-"
"Doesn't matter," Jeffrey told her. "I can think of other things I'd rather be doing."
"Oh.."
Jeffrey returned their putters and quickly led Stevie back to the car. She sat close to him, telling him to head to her place, and kept one hand on his knee throughout the drive.
Jeffrey pulled into Stevie's driveway and cut the engine and lights. Almost as soon as he had, Stevie had her seatbelt unfastened and was twisted around, holding his face in her hands as she kissed him. It was surprising and relaxing at once, as Jeffrey felt his heartrate quicken. He turned to make it easier, wrapping both arms around her neck and teasing his fingers into her hair.
"I really don't usually do this," she murmured against his mouth. "But you're..I don't know."
"So are you."
"I feel like I've known you for ages. It's just that... You want to come inside?"
"I don't know if I'll be able to help myself if I do," Jeffrey confessed.
"Maybe that's the idea," Stevie replied, winking at him as she moved back and opened her door. Jeffrey sat, momentarily lost for words as he watched her get out and head for her front door. She unlocked it and turned to look at the car, one hand on her hip as she beckoned him with the other to follow. "You coming?"
Jeffrey nodded, quickly getting out and closing up his car, locking it before joining Stevie in the hallway. She shut the door behind them and, as they wrapped their arms around one another and kissed, there was a soft meow and Jeffrey felt something winding around his ankles. He let go of Stevie, looking down and laughing.
"I'm sorry. She's kind of an attention-seeker." Stevie bent down and patted the cat away with one hand. "Go on, peabrain. Go curl up." The cat protested, but did as it was told. Stevie straightened and gave Jeffrey a soft smile. "Where were we?"
Jeffrey curled his fingers beneath her chin and pushed gently upward, the kiss more of a promise than a real touch. "What do you like?" He asked.
She blushed, ducking her head. "Whatever you want."
"God, whatever I want...you may well slap me."
"Try me."
He backed her against the wall then and pressed his body against hers, wanting her to feel the effect her words were having on him, what effect his own imagination was having on him. She didn't stop him as he pressed his mouth to hers, hard, and pushed his tongue inside. She encouraged him, lifting one leg between his and bending her knee to plant her foot against the wall. His breathing stuttered when she did that and he moved his hands, cupping her breasts in his palms and rubbing inward with his fingers. She moaned into his mouth, but still didn't stop him. He pulled away, reluctant, and looked down at his hands.
"I feel like...Like we shouldn't be doing this. I mean, it's a first date and you hardly know me, not really, and just. Damn. I have some pretty serious history going on, you know? I should go home and take you out again a few more times before I even think of..of.."
"Jeffrey?"
He looked up, meeting her eyes.
"We're both adults and if I didn't want you to take me up those stairs to my bedroom and ravish the hell out of me, I'd say so. But..I kinda do."
"It's...been a long time since I did any ravishing."
"Maybe you should show me what you've remembered then," she told him, lifting her knee to press firmly between his legs. He sucked in a breath at the contact, then smiled devilishly.
"I'm sure I'll remember as we go along." He inched low enough to reach under the hem of her dress and slid his hands up her thighs. He planted kisses along the front line of buttons up to her neck and jaw, his hands tugging the dress aside enough for him to pull both her legs around his waist.
Her back was against the wall, the pressure there holding her up as well as Jeffrey's hands around her ass. "You going to do me right here?" she asked, wrapping both arms around his neck.
"I figured on carrying you up to your bed and doing it properly, Miss Dirtymouth..."
"Only dirty 'cause you're encouraging me. Do it.."
With a low, needful growl, Jeffrey pushed away from the door and awkwardly carried her up the stairs. He almost tripped at one point and Stevie gasped, her arms tightening on him. "Oh, my God, don't drop me," she laughed. He chuckled in her ear, slight beard stubble on his cheek brushing against her face. "I won't," he assured her. His legs burned from the exertion to get all the way up the stairs with her in his arms, but he felt valiant almost. As if he had earned her attention after that. He set her down upon the mattress, falling down with her and nearly sinking into both her and the soft mattress, her arms wrapped around his neck and he kissed her.
It had been so long. His hands shook as he reached up to unbutton the front of her dress. He didn't realize Stevie was watching him until she reached out to stop him. Her eyes, when he brought his gaze to hers, instantly calmed him. She silently told him she understood, and she wanted him, so there was nothing for him to worry about. He stayed where he was, his hands resting against the soft curves of her chest as she reached up and brought him back down into a kiss, so loving and tender that it made his chest constrict almost painfully for a moment. Stevie pushed her hands inside the sports jacket he was wearing and inched it off of his shoulders. And once the jacket had been shed, it was as if his nervousness went with it.
Little by little, warm skin was exposed. They alternated between making soft, gentle love to each other, to letting a slightly darker side form. Her fingers dusted lightly across his back one minute, and then paused to dimple the skin a moment later. Kisses were deep and breathy, biting and scraping. Jeffrey wanted to feel her body go loose, go rigid, and just plain go underneath him, atop him. He loved the feel of her legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper as he filled her as much as he could. He adored the sensation of her moving on top of him, coaxing him closer and closer to the edge.
It seemed like forever, and yet like they had just begun, when she finally completely let herself go. One hand rested at the back of her head, Jeffrey looked down at her as she came. Her neck was craned back and the column of her throat exposed, where he set his lips to both hear her voice and feel it vibrating against his mouth. Her nails clawed at his sides, and his fingers tightened on one of her hips, steadying her. It was his turn to let go, and he did so with his mouth pressed against her throat, his own voice vibrating against her skin.
Perfect. Everything was perfect as he came down from his euphoric high. His head pounded as blood rushed through his system. Their sweat smelled of a mix of her perfume and his cologne. Her legs twined around his in comfortable angles, and she was fine with his weight resting atop her, pinning her to the mattress. Flashing through his head was the need to whisper three words in her ear as he lay collapsed on top of her. He quickly dismissed them, telling himself that he was being ridiculous.
Stevie slid her hand up his back, slippery with a thin layer of sweat. Her fingers eased into his short dark and graying locks, brushing gentle waves back away from his face. "Wow," she smiled.
Jeffrey finally raised his head and looked down at her. "Wow yourself."
She giggled and watched him roll off of her. He settled onto his back and heaved a great sigh, tugging the sheets up to his waist. When had they gotten under the covers? He couldn't remember. His arm slipped around her as she propped herself up on one elbow, slipped one of her legs between both of his. All he could think of was how perfectly she fit there. How right it felt.
Stevie gazed down at him, her blonde hair tousled and looking otherwise adorable. She liked how he looked up at her, his eyes sparkling in the lamplight. "You look at me like I'm a lot better than I really am," she told him.
"I do think you're pretty damn fantastic," he nodded. "And you're worth that thought."
She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes at the compliment, even though she adored it. "Are you glad you stayed?"
He nodded again. "Immensely."
It was dark when Jeffrey woke up again, his internal clock somehow knowing that he needed to go. He kissed Stevie's shoulder, waiting while she stirred. "Hey.." His voice was a low rumble in the quiet room.
"Mm..You have to go, right?" She asked, and yawned as she turned to face him.
"Yeah. I should get back before my boy wakes up. Got a school run to do."
"You just don't want him to know what a dirty stop-out you are," Stevie smiled, blinking sleepily.
"That too. I'll call you later. Maybe I can see you again tomo..tonight?"
"God, you better."
Jeffrey braced himself on one arm and kissed her one last time before he made his way around the bedroom, collecting his clothes together and getting dressed. "I'll..thank you. I'll see you later."
Thankfully the garage was quiet when Jeffrey walked into his home. He hadn't woken anyone. He'd been careful anyway, parking by the road rather than pulling right up onto the driveway, for fear the sound of the engine would wake Jared up and he'd have to explain why he was getting home at four in the morning. He locked up in darkness, not turning any lights on, and shrugged off his jacket, kicked off his shoes, before he collapsed on the sofa and slept through to his alarm.
--TBC