Casa Caliente

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Chapter One

The case had been—WAS, maddening. Five good clues that didn’t add up to a damn thing in any sense of logic: a battered copy of The Kama Sutra, a bag of Legos, a melted beeswax candle, fifteen left sneakers and a small dead, dried guppy.

All of them had clear prints—that weren’t in any of the databases. All of them a first glance SEEMED to be second-hand garbage, fished out of trash or dumpsters around Vegas. But they had been recovered from the Topsy Turvy’s hotel vault using a key found clutched in a slaughtered man’s hand as he dangled head first from a 200 foot overpass on the Vegas Arroyo—

Gil rubbed his eyes and felt the ache in the small of his back. He’d pushed the team hard on this one, wracking everyone’s brains and getting on their nerves until in a private moment, Catherine had glared at him.

“We are ALL doing the best we can, so back off a little, all right?”

“Well our best isn’t getting the job done, Catherine. We’re no further now than we were two days ago!”

“We’ll get it—eventually,” she tried to assure him, but he’d growled at her.

“Eventually isn’t good enough, damn it!”

And she’d looked at him with that slow impatient scorn of hers, the kind that made most men quiver. Catherine had let the words fly, low and direct, her voice harsh.

“God damn it--you know Gris, you really, REALLY need to get laid—“ she’d thrown at him before stalking off.

He’d stared at the file before him after that, face red, unseeing, feeling the hot flush of shameful realization move through his system.

It was true. He’d kept his distance from Sara, put his focus back on the job and the status quo as they’d agreed. The arrangement had worked—or so he thought. Six weeks of concentration of cases had been good up until this last one, when the edges of his frayed patience had begun to unravel with a swiftness that startled everyone including himself. And the hell of it was that he knew it had been coming.

Sara was the consummate professional at work. She kept her distance and her smiles were very PC. Only once in a while would he look up to see a flash of dark heat in those brown eyes, a smoldering hint that stirred his libido and made him suck in a breath as memories stiffened his cock. Those little moments drove him back to his office, to brood.

His cell phone rang; impatiently he fished it out and flicked it open, his voice terse.

“Grissom.”

“Sidle. I can’t come in this weekend. I have a shipment of furniture coming from my old storage unit in San Francisco and I’ve got to find some place to park it.”

Gil paused, looking through the glass walls of his office to see Sara standing there on the other side, her long slender back pressed against the clear panes. He leaned back in his chair.

“You’re looking for storage?” he echoed, mind racing. He watched Sara nod instead of replying, amused that she knew he was looking at her spine.

 Along with other things.

“Yeah—I was supposed to have a place rented for it by now, but I’ve been—busy—“ she responded, her voice surprisingly gentle. Grissom had enough grace to bite his lower lip. He got up and walked towards her, standing on the other side of the glass wall, looking at the back of her neck as he spoke into his phone.

“I have—a solution.”

Sara turned, finally.

“Tell me more—“ she arched an eyebrow at him. He shoved a hand in his pocket, voice dropping lower.

“I’ve got a place you can use—it’s empty right now, but—“

Sara took a step back from the glass as a tech passed by, then shot a quick look back at Grissom, who was watching her face carefully.

“—A place to store furniture? You ARE a man of surprises, Gris. What sort of place are we talking about?”

“Off of Sahara, west of the fifteen. There’s a little road about ten miles out—Caliente Way. Turn north and you’ll see a few houses. The fourth one about eight miles down is set back from the road by a gravel driveway. 10867 Caliente Way.”

Sara stared first at him, then at the phone, clearly puzzled, but a small smirk was lingering on the corner of her mouth, and seeing it, Gil felt a shiver of hope filter through him.

“Let me get this straight—you’re offering me the opportunity to store my furniture in somebody’s garage?”

“No, not quite. It’s—complicated. But the place is empty, and if you’re in a jam time-wise, it’s available. I need to go out and check the circuit breakers after work anyway—interested?”

He tried not to make his voice sound anything other than casual, but Sara leaned toward the glass wall and nodded.

Then, in a sultry move she planted a kiss on the smooth surface, her mocha lipgloss making a perfect impression of her mouth there. She walked away, leaving Gil to stare hungrily at her kiss on the glass.

***   ***   ***

Sara reached the house first. The cool sunlight of autumn dawn in Nevada was stealing over the land as she pulled up the long gravel drive, worried about the degree of neglect evident along the way. Caliente Way was an older neighborhood, and the houses were miles distant from each other, more rural than urban. Only one had been modernized; the others were small bungalows from the Thirties, single story houses set on huge four-acre lots. Sara wondered if Gil knew someone out here, an older acquaintance perhaps who owed him a favor.

Other, more lascivious thoughts overrode those however, and Sara glanced at her purse guiltily. Nestled deep in it was a brand new box of condoms, purchased in a moment of utter optimism three weeks back, when she caught Gil studying at her chest halfway through a debriefing Catherine was droning through. That desperate glance had been enough to renew her hopes and rekindle her patience with the enigma that WAS Grissom.

She’d been good. Superb even, if you considered every opportunity she’d bypassed in the name of their agreement. No re-enactments. No private moments in his office or the staff room. Professional deportment for professional zones—oh she’s been a saint all right, patiently hungering for the moment he’d drop a pair of pantyhose on her desk.

And now this—offer. Store her furniture? Was this some coded message, or worse—exactly what he meant? She tried not to assume the worst, but the lingering fear that their single night at the Desert Inn would be all there were was, haunted her. Sara climbed out of the car slowly and walked to the front porch.

The bungalow, despite the neglect, was charming, a low brick and wood structure surrounded by tall hedges and pines. Someone had set brick flowerbeds along the front, but there were full of weeds now. An air of empty desolation hung about the place, and Sara moved cautiously; if anything it looked exactly like a crime scene.

Snorting at this thought, Sara stepped up onto the porch and over to one of the two bay windows, peering through dusty grey curtains into an empty room. Hardwood floors, plain plaster walls—wait, there were—bookcases. Lots of them. She started counting and reached five when she heard the sound of an SUV coming up the drive. Turning, she caught sight of Gil’s Tahoe pulling up behind her car. Forcing herself to be casual, she came down off the porch towards him, arms crossed over her chest. He climbed out, sunglasses on, mouth in a straight line.

“You made it.”

“Yes. Nice place.”

“It’s kind of you to say so,” he replied evenly, striding towards her in his brisk way. At the edge of the porch he reached her, looming close, far closer than he had in a long time and Sara bit back a moan at the scent of him. Gil had no compunctions about crowding her though, and drove her back against the low arched front door until her shoulders thumped hard against it.

“Let me guess—it’s a neutral zo“ Sara barely got out just before his mouth descended on hers and she lost herself in his demanding kiss.

God she’d missed this! Hot and brazen, his tongue slithered between her parting lips, moving in as if it owned her mouth, seeking a sultry dominance here. Sara clung to Gil’s shoulders, slightly dizzy; his big hands curved to cup her ass and slam her up against him.

Oh yes, if the rock hard ridge pressing against her thigh was any indication, he’d missed her too. Sara whimpered into his mouth, busily letting her tongue slide around his, fighting the need to breathe as her fingers dug into his shoulders.

He pulled away gasping, pulling his sunglasses off, eyes searching her face.

“Just over a thousand hours, Sara—that’s the total and complete limit I can reach before loss of control sets in.”

“Total--?” Sara gasped, trying to follow the line of logic that seemed perfectly clear to him. One of her linen-covered legs slid around his, bringing their bodies into closer contact against the front door and Gil groaned at the enticing pressure.

“Limit. NEED you—“ he growled, kissing her again. Sara cupped his face, fingers splaying out to hold it as she felt his mouth on hers again, hot, demanding. Sweet slurpy kisses echoed on the porch, and Sara lost track of how long they stood entangled there, making up for lost time, fighting for erotic dominance in the wet duel of their tongues.

Gradually she pulled back, her head thumping against the wood of the door as she tried to catch her breath. Gil pressed his lips to the side of her neck, apparently just as intent on kissing that as her now slightly puffy mouth.

“So this has all been some sort of test?” she asked, even as pleasure from his lips sent spirals of slinky heat down her spine. Gil hummed affirmatively against her skin.

“I needed to know if I could take it. I’m sorry if it hurts to hear that now sweetheart, but I couldn’t tell if this hunger would die or grow,” he whispered huskily. She blinked back a sting of tears.

“Yeah, well it grew. For me, it grew—“ she told him. Gil let his teeth nip her neck, making her moan.

“Me too. In my case, exponentially,” he admitted with a self-loathing tone in his voice. He pulled away from her and ran a hand through his hair, sending the normally neat grey curls into a slightly tousled disarray.

 The sight of it was enough to drain Sara’s anger and she smirked.

“And this place was the first neutral zone you could think of, Gris?”

“No—in fact mentally I’ve rezoned quite a number of places since—“ he pinkened and lifted his chin, shifting the subject, “—But it was the first place that came to mind when you mentioned furniture.”

He fished out a key ring and unlocked the front door, pushing it open. It creaked, and Sara noted the grime they’d disturbed along the front of it.

“We’re leaving a lot of evidence—“ she teased. Gil looked down, frowning.

“It’s been almost three months since I’ve checked on it,” he remarked, chiding himself as they stepped inside the low doorway.

“It’s very—“ she hesitated. She’d wanted to say ‘nice’ but blurted out, “--dusty.”

“Thanks—I’ve done it in early Addams Family—“ Gil commented lightly as he walked into the living room. Sara trailed after him, moving towards a bookcase and checking out the titles.

“So this is where you keep them all--Spiders of Africa, Stuttgart’s Guide to Insects of Europe, The Mind of the Moth, Cockroach Cookbook—yuck!”

“That one was a gift—“ he mumbled, looking over one of the other cases. Sara laughed. She shifted her weight on one hip and looked at Gil’s back; he was reaching for a dusty volume over his head in another bookcase and the long line of his broad shoulders sent a spike of heat through her.

“Grissom, what is this place?”

“It’s--mine,” he replied absently, opening his book and flipping the pages. Sara came over, slightly miffed at being forgotten so quickly, but Gil looped an arm around her and pulled her close, nuzzling her hair.

“And as you can see honey, it’s got almost no furniture. If you want to keep your stuff here, you’re welcome to, rent free.”

Sara wanted to ask more, but bit back her questions and gave a nod, looking over his shoulder at the layout. A large bare room. An ancient brick fireplace stood at one end of the room, flanked on one side by a windowed door.

“Can I look around?”

“Sure—“ Gil set the book down and waved his arm.

“Living room. That door with the windows leads to the outside and the freestanding garage. Back that way—“ he indicated with a tilt of his head, “The archway leads to the kitchen and bathroom, and the other door is the bedroom.”

Sara cautiously strode off, looking like a curious cat as she peered around the archway into the tiled kitchen. The design here incorporated green and yellow Mexican tile on the walls and had a brick floor, all original to the house; she laughed at the refrigerator with the rounded edges and car door handle.

“This thing’s an antique, Gris—don’t tell me it actually still WORKS—“ she yanked it open to see several bottles of beer chilling alongside a half empty jar of salsa and a Tupperware container.

“Interesting diet—“

Gil loomed over her shoulder, arms slipping around her waist.

“I don’t ever stay here long enough to eat. But the utilities are on—electricity and water.”

Sara glanced over the delicately painted cupboards and down to the end of the galley kitchen, sighing.

“Why?”

“Why not?” he shrugged easily, although his eyes were looking away. Sara slipped out of his embrace and went to the door that led to the bathroom. The frosted glass door swung open when she twisted the heavy crystal knob.

Whoah---“

“Impressive, no?” he grinned at her. Sara stepped in and rested one hip on the high edge of the silver claw-footed bathtub. The tiles here had seashells and Mexican mermaids in teal and pink. Sara shook her head lightly.

“Impressive yes—this place is gorgeous, Gris—a little work and you’d have a stunning piece of property here. You could rent it, sell it for top dollar—“

He held up a hand, his expression bland.

“--Not interested. I’ve got enough money, I don’t need to make any more at the moment.” The look on his face was neutral, but Sara took the hint and shifted her gaze around the bathroom, noting it was cleaner and better cared for than the other rooms. It even had towels out, albeit faintly dusty ones.

“You like your creature comforts I see—Charmin on the roll, under, and bath rugs in good repair.”

“The yard work kills me and I usually clean up before I leave—“ he offered lightly. Sara looked around at the fixtures in the bathroom, realizing something with a grin.

“No shower—strictly baths.”

Grissom leaned against the porcelain pillar sink and nodded. Sara grinned, noting the old-fashioned back brush and moveable wooden tray built to rest across the width of the tub.

“Good clean fun—“ she teased. Gil shot her a glance that could only be described as smutty.

“And fun is always meant to be shared—“ he replied. Before Sara could say anything to that, her cell phone rang and she fished it out of her purse, opening it impatiently. Gil turned and watched her reflection on the medicine cabinet mirror.

“Sidle—yeah, oh, yes, I finally have an address for you—no, no, I understand. I’ll accept the fee—“ Glancing up into Gil’s face, she paused a moment and continued.

“It’s 10867 Caliente Way. Off of the Fifteen, south. Pretty sure it’s on Map Quest, yeah. Thank you. Oh! That soon? Oh—well okay. Thanks—“

She flipped the phone off as Gil cocked his head and spoke up.

“San Francisco is about five hundred and seventy miles from here, give or take. If the van left around five this morning, it should be here at noon. Which means we have six hours to rest up until it arrives.

Reaching for her hand, he tugged her up and led her out of the bathroom, crossing to another frosted door on the other side and pushing it open. Sara followed him into a dim room, smelling a faint, ghostly scent of flowers.

“The only real furniture in the house, and the only true antique, by definition,” Gil murmured, moving to pull a heavy drop cloth off of it. Sara stared, her brown eyes wide at the sight.

“Gris, it’s magnificent—“ she managed, choking a little. He shrugged, folding his arms over his chest.

The bed against the far wall was a full-sized and elegant one with an ornately carved wooden spool frame and tall posts rising from each corner. Despite the faint light in the room, Sara could see it was probably oak, and fairly sturdy despite it’s graceful appearance. She stepped closer.

The spread on it was of—dragonflies, she noted. A delicate pattern of them on what appeared to be a Chinese watercolor background. Quickly she shot a look back over her shoulder at Gil, who was watching her, his eyes sweetly bright.

“Your bed?”

“Now it is, although I haven’t slept in it in about fifteen years. The mattress and box spring are fairly new, custom-made for the frame which is a nonstandard size—between a full and a queen, one of those odd deals,” he teetered a hand back and forth as he spoke.

A theory began to form in Sara’s mind, and she half-smiled, walking over to the bed slowly, patting the mattress with a gentle hand.

“So—was she from your mother’s side or your dad’s?”

The soft smile that flickered across his face was full of love and memory.

“My mother’s side,” he replied in a low voice. Sara moved back to him and slipped her arms around his waist, holding him tightly; after a moment, he hugged her back.

 

Chapter Two

 

Slow and timeless and sensual; Sara felt the aura of passion circle the room like incense smoke the room the minute he sighed. Sara drew in a shaky breath, not sure she could contain herself much longer, but Gil stepped forward and brushed her temple with a light stroke of his fingers.

“I have an important question for you Sara sweetheart—you’ll need to choose wisely—“ he rumbled. Sara lifted her face, feeling the tantalizing brush of his lips on hers, the lightest of delicate kisses.

“W-w-what?” she demanded breathlessly in the wake of the heat surging through her. He smiled against her mouth.

“Bed or bath?”

Sara’s glance flickered over his shoulder and in that little gesture her answer was clear. Gil nodded. He stepped back through the frosted door and to the tub, turning the handles. A thin trickle of tea colored water splashed out, clearing within a few seconds. Gil scooped the rubber plug from the wooden tray and dropped it on the drain, then adjusted the flow to a solid deluge of hot water. Sara started to step out of her boots, but Gil shot her a strict look.

“But—“ confused, she paused and he stood up, coming over to her, hands dropping on her thin shoulders squeezing them.

“You’ll do nothing for yourself—“ he intoned sternly, “Nothing.”

A sarcastic reply began to bubble up within her; Sara wanted to protest that she wasn’t helpless, but Gil bent and sucked her lower lip into his mouth at the same time he lightly twisted one of her wrists behind her back. In that simple pairing of gestures, Sara found herself trapped and held in his lazy masculine strength. He let go of her lip after a soft nip and sighed happily.

“I’m going to bathe you, sweet Sara. Savor the play of hot water over every inch of your bare skin as I get you ready for me—“

She trembled. Even without stockings she felt bound, tied up by Grissom’s matter-of-fact and yet seductive words. He smiled, and knelt, looking up at her.

“You have lovely feet, Sara—“

 He pulled her boots off, along with the thin dress socks, neatly storing them off to the side of the tub, which was rapidly filling. Gil slid his hands up to her waist, finding the side zipper of her dress slacks and slowly pulling it down. Sara shivered at his light touch. The slacks slid to her bare feet with a whispering sound, and Gil helped her step out of them. Neatly, he folded them, laying them on top of the boots.

“This is sort of new in the kinky department—“ she ventured, her voice quaking a little as Grissom turned on his knees before her, blue eyes drinking her in.

“Really? Who’s in charge here?” he asked her as his fingers slid with knowing care under the hip cords of her thong, playing with them for a moment as she watched, shivering.

“Gris, that tickles—“ she warned helplessly, knowing her nipples were hard and aching now, that her skin was alive in ways she never knew it could be. He leaned forward and kissed her bare thigh; she moaned outloud.

“You’re driving me crazy and you’re doing it on purpose—“ came her strangled accusation. Her fingers slid into his curly hair, stroking it lovingly as he let his mouth glide from one thigh to the other.

“That, honey, is the pot calling the kettle black—“ he muttered against her skin. Slowly he hooked his fingers around the cords at her hips and pulled; the thong slid down with a whisper to Sara’s ankles.

She tightened her grip on his hair; not enough to hurt, but enough to hold herself steady as he gave a low, pleased groan.

“Your fair and perfumed garden, Sara, your valley of joy—“ he sighed, lightly brushing the tip of his nose against her soft fur. Sara whimpered.

Swiftly, Gil rose, his hands skimming up her sides, under her bra, blouse and leather jacket. He lifted them all off in one hurried stroke as she lifted her arms to let him. Gil dropped the tangled clothing to the tiled floor, neglected as he tugged Sara against him, hands roaming eagerly along her back and bottom.

Ohhhh“ Sara gurgled, her hypersensitive skin rubbing hard on his clothes, his heavy aroused frame. Gil breathed huskily into her ear.

“Into the water, or I won’t be able to stop—“

She resisted for a second, but a quick glance at his desperate expression made her pull away and totter over to the edge of the tub. Carefully, she gripped the edge and slid one foot into the steaming water, wincing at the heat and wishing there was at least a rubber mat on the bottom. Gil’s hands held her waist.

“Careful—“ he murmured, fingers lingering over the taut muscle of her ass as she slowly unfolded her long legs into the bath. Sara let herself relax into the heat, taking deep breaths as she settled in.

“This actually feels sort of—good, in a way. I’m used to bubbles or at the very least some bath salts, but never in a tub this deep—“ she told him. Gil stood up and took two steps to the medicine cabinet over the sink. He reached in and pulled out a small glass jar filled with pearly marbles of various faded colors. Selecting three, he tossed them into the water around Sara, who watched them sink and begin to dissolve, grinning.

Bath oil? Who uses—? Wait, of course—Thirties house, Thirties beauty regime—bath oil.” She sniffed lightly. “Roses?”

“Roses. Long stemmed American Beauties to match the one already in the tub—“ Gil teased in a light tone that didn’t match the intensity of his gaze. Sara missed it, watching the oil begin to rise and drift on the surface of the water.

“Smells great. A little old-fashioned but—“ She watched as Gil knelt and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong rangy forearms.

“Relax, sweetheart—“ he crooned softly, reaching for the soap, lathering it up between his big hands. Sara tilted her face up in obedience and waited for his touch.

It was gentle, reverent, and intimately sensual. She watched his strong fingers slide over her shoulder, tracing patterns on her skin, following the line of her clavicle and leaving small soap bubbles behind. She hummed in response, shifting to let him flick water on her back, her chest, her neck.

“Every inch of you is magnificent, Sara. Long and lean, strong and sexy. I first fell in lust with your neck. You wore an open collared shirt when we met and I could see the blue pulse of your carotid right here—“ he touched the side of her throat, “—and all of a sudden I had this desire just to rest my tongue on it, FEEL your heartbeat with my mouth—“

Sara’s eyelids fluttered and she sucked in a breath at his hoarse whisper, feeling his exhalation on her wet skin as Gil put his mouth just under her jaw line. The hot syrupy tingles between her thighs were growing stronger with every touch of his hands and the scent of rose oil floated around them in a heady wave. She tilted her head back as one of his hands slid down between her breasts, the other along her spine.

“Gris---“ she sighed, languidly enjoying his touch the way assertive cat would, “Not to rush this, but I really WANT you. We still have a consummation I’d like to get to--?”

Mmmmmmm“ he rumbled against her skin, fingers sliding down her stomach to toy through her silky curls, “—In due time. I’ve craved you for a month and a half, Sara—give me a moment to take pleasure in seducing you.”

“I thought I was seducing YOU this time.”

His fingers brushed the pearl deep between her thighs and she shivered. He laughed low in his throat, shaking his head slowly and he lifted his hot eyes to look at her.

“Think what you will; I know what I am.”

“What’s that?” she sighed, widening her thighs to his deft touch, leaning back in the water.

“--In control, honey,“ came his quiet gruff voice.

Sara’s eyes flew open and she turned to stare at him, a tingle of fear running through her lust now, but he tilted his head and locked his eyes with hers, his expression a bleak blend of desire and yearning.

Passion in restraint.

 And THAT look, she understood.

“Make love to me, Gil, please,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his face, “Deep and slow and hard—“

Her words freed him somehow; Gil reached for her, pulling her up out of the tub and into his arms, ignoring the wet splash of water. Sara wrapped herself around his strong stocky frame, opening her mouth to his in a languid kiss as he lifted her.

“Now.” Gil rasped against her lips, and carried her to the bedroom, sleek and wet. Sara felt herself dropped on the bed, felt the cool shock of silk against her spine. She wanted to protest, but Gil was looming over her, rapidly tugging his polo shirt off. Sara reached for his belt, but he laid a hand on her wrist and shook his head.

“I have to do it—“ he reminded her and she lay back, watching him, wondering if her purse was anywhere close. And then Gil’s hot heavy frame, naked and hungry, dropped on hers and Sara lost herself in the glorious joy of skin on skin.

Considerately he kept his weight balanced on his forearms, planted on either side of her shoulders as he kissed her forehead and cheeks, his chest caressing hers, his hips pinning hers. Sara laughed, low in her throat, reaching to tug one of the curls dangling over his forehead.

“I bought supplies, but they’re in the other room.”

“I’ve got one—“ he groaned, his eyes half-closed. In the dim light of the bedroom, dust motes danced down the shaft of weak sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains on the French doors, and Sara sighed.

“Tie me?”

“No time—“ he admitted, rising up on his knees, lightly nudging her sleek thighs apart. Sara blinked up at him, watching the thin sunlight highlight the silver in his hair, accentuate his skin, so pale where the sun never touched it, so dark where it did. He tore the foil on the tiny packet, but she reached up, her expression tenderly submissive.

“Allow me—“ Sara breathed in a soft whisper, “—please?” He looked down and slowly nodded; she lightly sheathed him in the latex, fingers reverently rolling it down his thick shaft, reaching the wiry grey fur that spread out from it. He dropped his head back and gave a low hard sigh.

“Sara—“ in that single slow cry of her name he lowered himself onto her, hands sliding up to hers, fingers interweaving with hers. With a ruthless gentleness, he pinned her hands over her head, holding them there as he stared into her eyes. Sara trembled. Her thighs parted and she slid her legs around his hips without thinking, feeling the hard nudge of him against the hot folds of her sex.

“Say you want me, sweetheart, say you NEED me---“ he urged, his voice harsh and low. She writhed, but he held still, not moving, just THERE in a maddening tease. Sara growled in a tiny squeak, like a kitten.

“God YES I want you, need you—“ she gasped, mouth busily tasting his chin, his jaw line. He grunted a little.

“It—might hurt—“ he warned. Sara nodded, biting her lip. He pushed forward, barely breeching the ring of muscle and she gasped at the heated heft of him. Gil nipped her shoulder, keeping her hands pinned over her head on the soft mattress.

“You’re—tight. Relax, Sara, please honey—“

She tightened her legs around him thrumming her heels on his back in playful frustration.

“I AM relaxed, I just WANT you so much I’m going insane here!” she blurted, rolling her head back and forth on the pillow. Gil tensed.

“LOOK at me, Sara—“ he ordered in a terse tone. She opened wet lashes to gaze up at him. He shuddered at the sight of her, pinned and beautiful in the soft light.

“Point of no return, sweetheart. When I move, it’s NOT going to be gentle. I’ve wanted you too long for that—“ came his growl. Sara felt his words dance down her spine, making her entire body throb relentlessly with a dark, primal need.

“Take me, TAKE me then—“ she surrendered, arching her neck.

He thrust his hips forward in a powerful plunge, sliding deep and hard within her; Sara gave a cry of pleasure, her fingers gripping his bigger ones tightly as her hips rocked into his. Gil groaned a wild needy sound the perfect counter note to hers. He pulled back, stroked again into her, beginning a deliberate rhythm, the bed creaking under the weight of them.

Ohhhh—“ Lost in the relentless drives of her slender body, Sara locked her long legs around his hips, and using the only leverage she had, tightened them, urging him deeper. His shaft was stretching her, filling her in ways she never dreamed a man’s body could, and the exquisite tug that came with every thrust was driving her ever closer to the molten edge of orgasm.

Gil stared down at her, a single trickle of sweat rolling down his temple.

“Sweet temptress—“ he growled, the tendons on his neck taut, his eyes blazing now, ”God! Sara my luscious glory—“

 Sara’s lips parted as her breathing came in quick gasps. She twisted her hips, seeking more of the wild heat rising relentlessly washing over her in a glorious wave—

Now

Now

NOW---

She tensed, the slow bliss pouring like honey through her, thick and sweet, flavored with musk and sweat and tears. Gil sucked in a sharp breath, his back arching hard as he buried himself deeply between her damp thighs. His big hands tightened their grip on hers, holding them down.

“Mine, Sara honey,” he growled “You. Are. Mine—!“

And dimly, through the warm afterflush of her orgasm, Sara felt the hard throb of his thick cock pulsing as his body covered hers.

Her tears overflowed and ran down her face; his tears trickled hot and wet along her cheek, stinging and welcome.

 

Chapter Three


Sara rose through layers of sleep slowly, regaining consciousness without opening her eyes, letting her other senses have their say. A smile crossed her mouth as she took stock of her situation: warmth of a larger body holding hers, damp silk under them. The sweet scent of mingled sweat and musk hung heavy in the air. The call of a mockingbird from outside rode over the rustle of wind through the pines—

“I know you’re awake,” came the soft, amused voice in her ear. Sara opened her eyes, turning to look at Gil. He had his head propped up on one hand, the other cupping her breast lightly.

She smiled. He looked slightly wild with his tangled hair and faint stubble evident on his cheeks.

“What time is it?”

“About eleven—we’ve been asleep for about four hours. Your furniture is going to be here soon.”

“Oh God, that’s right—“ she blinked rapidly, trying to sit up. The big hand on her chest didn’t let her though, and she shot Gil a puzzled look.

“First things first. Are you—okay?”

She took a moment before answering, flexing and stretching, sensing the deeper question in his eyes. Sara lifted her chin.

“I’d like to think I’m BETTER than okay, given the amount of moaning you were doing—“

He blushed. Sara bit back a giggle at the sight of Gil Grissom flushing with embarrassment as he lay naked with her in the midday heat in the cocoon of the bedroom. His mouth twisted in a wry grin.

“I distinctly recall a duet of voices, Ms Sidle.”

“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” she sighed luxuriously, smile flashing out as her hand came up to rest on his over her breast. Gil gave an answering smile of rare sweetness.

“I want you to know I’ve never FELT—so utterly—“ she stumbled, shying away from admitting the L word, not sure of its reception even now in the aftermath of their union. Grissom’s mouth twitched a bit.

“—Consumed by the bright essence of another’s soul?” he teased, but lightly. Sara arched an eyebrow, not sure what to say. He laughed.

“I read that little phrase in a Harlequin Romance in this very house almost thirty six years ago. As an unimpressed ten year old I thought it was an incredibly corny way of announcing the characters had had sex. But now—“

“YOU read a Harlequin Romance?” Sara bit her lips at the very thought of Grissom as a boy hunkered over a yellowing paperback, rolling his eyes and thumbing through it. He gave in to her amusement and laughed.

"I was trapped here, caught without my standards of Gray’s Anatomy and copies of Mad. All the reading material that was available in the living room bookcase that first summer consisted of Harlequin Romances and ancient Sunset magazines.”

“Tough choice.”

“Tell me about it—a summer full of Blaines and Cathys falling into each other’s arms,” he sighed with a hint of melodramatic emphasis. Sara propped herself up on her elbows, her gaze taking in the room once more.

“So are you going to tell me about this house?”

“I have every confidence you can put the clues together and figure it out yourself, Sara. A keen mind to go with your delectable body—“ as he spoke, Gil let his thumb rub lightly over her rosy nipple; Sara felt it stiffen eagerly against his touch. She let her head drop back for a minute and savored the sensation.

“This house used to belong to a woman, that’s pretty clear—“

“And you can tell that from--?”

“The décor mostly. The little touches like glass knobs and flowerboxes and Harlequin Romances. And the bath oil of course. So given what few hints you’ve dropped, I’d say that this place was either your aunt’s or grandmother’s house.”

“Very good,” Gil praised, hand sliding from one breast to the other. Sara bit back a moan and tried to stay focused.

“And by your own admission you spent time here as a kid, probably your summers since that would be both logical and likely—“

“Top of the class so far, honey—“

“—And if you don’t STOP that I’m going to have to jump you—“ she warned. Gil laughed, dropping his mouth to her nipple, letting his tongue circle it before pulling away reluctantly.

“Tempting as that is, we’ve got a few things to do before we indulge again. How much furniture are we looking at, Sara?”

She bilnked, running through a mental inventory as she rolled her head from shoulder to shoulder.

“Three sofas, a chinese armoire, coffee table, some rugs, assorted household goods I threw into boxes mostly without labels—and bookcases of course. A few other things.”

“No bed, appliances, Christmas ornaments?” came Gil’s curious tone. He sat up, letting his glance linger over her nude form. Sara dropped a shielding hand between her thighs in the age old gesture of modesty.

“Probably, and keep your roving eyes to yourself, Doctor Grissom—“

“Too late. I have breeched the gates of paradise and fully intend to do so again, Sara my sweet.”

She looked up at him, meeting his clear pellucid gaze and in that moment heard him whisper it in soft wondering tones. Her eyes stung and she dropped her head, overwhelmed. Gil took her chin in his hand, raising her face, smiling at her.

“Surprised?”

“—Yes,” she gulped. He drew her close and kissed her forehead.

“We’ve got to get dressed. I’ll go pick up some groceries and a few amenities for us, all right?”

Sara nodded, thinking hard.

“For—the weekend?”

Gil nodded, tugging on his slacks, fishing for his shirt as he replied.

“Yes. Think of this place as a--neutral zone of parity. My house, your furniture.”

“A love nest—“ Sara asked in an odd voice. He lifted his head to look at her, seeing the fleeting expression of confusion and bitterness cross her face. Gil froze as she scrambled off the bed.

“Jesus! I don’t intend on being a KEPT woman, Grissom. That sort of arrangement went out with fedoras and Philco radios! In the twentieth century women aren’t property you know, we HAVE intelligence and wills of our own—“ she tried to push past him to the bathroom, but he snagged her by the waist, reeling her in against his bare chest. She struggled, but he tightened his grip on her, pinning her against the broad hot muscles of his chest.

“You’re not being KEPT, Sara. You’re free to walk out of this house and this relationship whenever you want to,” he admitted thickly, “But this--it’s all I can OFFER you right now.”

Sara tensed at the pain in his voice and looked up, seeing a bleakness cross his face. Gil sighed, his eyes closed.

“The more I want to--control you--the more I realize I can’t. Not without your consent, Sara. And I WANT you so very, very much—“

She swallowed hard, forcing the bittersweet words out.

“I want you too. But I’m NOT your plaything, Gris. I’m a grown woman and I don’t hand myself out on a platter to just anyone.”

Gil gave a nod, a reluctant acknowledgement of her personal autonomy; Sara felt him tense and knew how much that little admission cost him. She tipped her head to flick her tongue along the cleft in his chin, sighing softly, waiting a long moment.

A serious moment.

She sighed.

“And with that being said and understood, all right. You go to the store and I’ll get dressed.”

He blinked, stunned at how quickly the crisis had passed, his blue eyes searching her brown ones wonderingly. Sara smiled crookedly.

“I think you ought to get a bathmat—I’m not about to risk another concussion.”

Jawohl—anything else?” he recovered, letting his grip around her loosen. She kissed his chin again to hide her expression.

“You might think about sports cream—some of the stuff that’s coming is pretty heavy—“ Sara muttered sweetly.

Grissom looked wary.

***   ***   ***

While he was gone, Sara set out to explore the bungalow on her own, holding the key Gil had pressed into her hand tightly. It was slightly rusted, and hung on an ancient Chicago Braves keychain. The date on the back was 1968, and she pictured him carrying it various pockets all those years, the enamel wearing off as it rubbed over time.

The kitchen cupboards were empty, the shelf paper in them a pattern of faded daisies. Sara noted the enamel sink was chipped, but the window over it was utterly charming, opening out on the back yard through thin embroidered cotton curtains. She carefully undid the hook and eye latch for the back door and opened it, looking out onto a broad flat brick patio.

Sara wandered out, amazed. Someone had carefully laid out the brick flowerboxes that bordered the yard, arranging them along the perimeter to make a cozy enclosed area easily bigger than her entire apartment back in town. An ancient towering cottonwood stood in the far back, casting shade over the yard along with smaller pines around it. She looked again.

“Oh my God—“

Through the branches she could see the faint ancient boards of a platform, a rudimentary treehouse high in the branches. Stepping out, Sara felt a sweet shiver run through her at the sight of what had undoubtedly been a young Gil Grissom’s sanctuary. A huge smile crossed her face, and she shaded her eyes.

“Evidence of an actual CHILDHOOD—will wonders never cease—“ she muttered to herself. Walking carefully across the lawn, she kept her eyes on the platform until she stood at the base of the tree looking twelve feet up at the bottom of it.

“I’ll bet you spent a few nights out there, looking at stars between the leaves, wondering about your place in the grand scheme of life, huh, Gris—“ she sighed. She turned to go, and something caught her eye. A strange mark on one of the brick flowerbeds seemed oddly familiar, and Sara squatted to take a look. Overgrown weeds obscured part of it; she swept them back to stare at the brick, seeing a handprint in white paint against it.

A small handprint.

Cautiously, Sara reached out her own palm and laid it over the mark on the wall, her hand engulfing it easily. Looking right, she saw—another. Slightly larger.

And beyond that one, another one.

Along the back wall of flowerbeds half hidden by the weeds was a graphic timeline, moving from left to right in a series of white painted palmprints, six in all, each larger than the last, with the biggest jump between then third and fourth prints. Sara smirked, touching them.

“Growth spurt, big boy. Must have hit puberty with all those raging hormones. I’d say this hand probably started getting a workout right about then—“

Laughing at her own words, Sara rose up and walked back into the bungalow, still grinning.

She scooped some water from the faucet and took a drink, then wiped her hands on her hips and walked over to the living room again, looking at it a bit more critically, trying to place invisible furniture in it. Faintly in the back of her mind she wondered why she felt so off-balance, and a sudden thought came to her in one solid rush, like a punch to the stomach.

//Like newlyweds. Setting up a home. Oh GOD//

She swayed a little, laughing and crying in the same moment, overcome with the idea. Not an apartment, not hotel room somewhere, but a true trysting spot.

A trusting spot.

Panic set in, and she looked around wildly, wondering how Gil would react if she simply left—jumped in her car and drove off, back to the city, leaving boxes and furniture sitting on the porch and driveway in a scatter of debris—

The doorbell chimed, a rusty note that startled her so badly she actually flinched at the sound. Through the curtains of the bay window nearest the door she could see someone trying to peer in. Sara sighed.

“Hey, you got here—“ she smiled weakly at the two men on the porch. One of them was long and lean, with a shaggy mullet. The other was as round as a three tiered snowman, and held out a clipboard to her.

“Ms. Sara Sidle?”

“The one and only—“ she admitted, taking the paperwork and looking it over, trying to hide her jitters. The two men slouched as she checked the sheet.

“We made good time,” the snowman ventured. Mullet nodded. Sara shrugged.

“I guess you did—well, the living room’s ready so, haul away—“

They did. Moving with the practice of an old team in sync, Mullet and Snowman managed to bring in two of the sofas before Sara heard the Tahoe crunching up the drive. Grissom climbed out, staring into the open end of the van with fascination as she slowly walked out to meet him.

“Look at that—“ he pointed to the upper reaches of the interior.

Sara looked. A small yellow and grey spider sat in the middle of a glittering web between buckle straps on the ceiling.

“A spider,” she noted.

“Not just a spider, it’s a House Grey all the way from the Bay Area--Hey, do we have a jar?” he asked eagerly, climbing up into the back of the van. Sara crossed her arms over her chest, holding in the woozy surge of tearful giggles that threatened to rise up again at the sight of him.

 

Chapter 4

 

After the movers left a few hours later, Sara looked at piles of stacked boxes cluttering the living room and dropped her hands on her hips. She glanced over at Gil, who was staring at his feet, hands deep in his pockets. The moment of truth, hot and awkward stretched on between them, and Sara wasn’t sure how to breech it. She ran a hand over the nearest carton to cover her emotions.

 

“You look nervous—“ Gil blurted softly. Sara looked up at him.

 

“I’m standing here wondering if I should just leave everything in the boxes or not—I mean, it’s not as if anyone’s going to LIVE here, so why bother, but I haven’t seen some of this in a few years, so I’m caught between those two conflicting urges—“

 

“Unpack,” Gil urged softly. “Leaving things in boxes doesn’t do anyone any good. You forget what you have, you lose track of WHO you are when your past sits in cartons.”

 

Startled, Sara met his compassionate gaze and then let her glance flick to one of the dusty bookcases. Gil followed her eyes and gave a shrug.

 

“Let me show you something—“

 

Turning, he walked to the side door leading outside to the free standing garage, and Sara trailed after him, intensely curious. He reached for the keyring once again and found the one for the rusted Yale lock that closed the hasp of the garage door.

 

The lock was stiff, but he finally opened it, and pushed the door open, reaching overhead for the dangling chain. A quick pull, and a sickly yellow light from an overhead bulb lit the garage.

 

Sara let her eyes adjust to what she was seeing. She cocked her head at the sight of cartons. Dusty footlockers, drape-covered crates all neatly stacked against the far wall. Gil sighed.

 

“This is the legacy of an amazing, proud, strong woman---all that’s left of my aunt Doreen.”

 

Sara stepped closer to the nearest box, looking at the neat label printed in a curved feminine hand: Native Wildlife Files 1967-68 Buzzard through Gila Monster. Native Wildlife Files 1967-68 Horned Toads through Yucca Mice.

 

The next box held records for 1968 through 69, and Sara could see other years stacked up behind them in other cartons. Gil stepped closer to her.

 

“In those boxes are twenty years of field reports on all native fauna for the Las Vegas area as sent in by various rangers, geological survey teams and conservation workers. Aunt Doreen spent her career compiling them into reports for the Department of the Interior and the Wildlife Commission. First on manual typewriters, then on electric. By the time she retired in 1974, she’d been tracking the rise and fall of animals native to this region for almost a quarter of a century, Sara.”

 

“It’s—“ She began, slightly stunned, but Gil shrugged.

 

“--Sweetly sad. She was dedicated to her work, and good at it, but ultimately it’s all anyone but I remember of her. I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of these copies.”

 

Sara looked at a few of the other boxes, reading labels as Gil moved behind her, slipping his arms around her waist, burying his nose in her hair.

 

“Over and over, the same lesson keeps rolling through my days, Sara, a lesson I THINK I’ve learned until I realize I haven’t.”

 

“And that is--?”

 

“Simply that a vocation is NOT a life, sweetheart. Dedication is well and good, but can never replace the tangible beauty of that heavenly connection to someone else.”

 

Sara swallowed hard. After a moment she spoke softly, glad she couldn’t look at him while the words flowed out of her, the quote she recognized even from the first time she’d seen it.

 

“Yeah I read something about that connection once. It went—‘I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this: where ‘I’ does not exist, nor ‘you’, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep’—“

 

“--Pablo Neruda“ he breathed, his grip tightening around her in a delicious ferocity. Sara moaned low.

 

Wordlessly she turned, wrapping herself about him tightly, pressing as if she wanted to meld with his very frame, and Gil easily lifted her, clutching Sara in an embrace that left them both breathless.

 

“Sweetheart--?” his voice, low and hungry, sounded strained in the dank garage. She said nothing, simply nodding her head in sweet agreement to the unspoken plea in his voice.

 

Acquiescing.

 

 

The light had changed in the bedroom, tinting everything with golden hues of late afternoon as it glinted off the walls. Sara’s huge Chinese armoire sat against one, the beveled mirror on the door reflecting the image of the four-poster bed. Still holding Sara in his arms, Gil turned and studied the glass thoughtfully.

 

“It fits the room.”

 

Sara smiled. She had seen a pair of stockings amid the other supplies Grissom had bought, and a little shiver of pleasurable anticipation ran through her this time, a frisson of eagerness at the thought of being under him again--if not in the literal sense then the metaphorical one for sure.

 

“A serendipitous circumstance, really,” She sighed, snuggling into his neck, which smelled good.

 

“A sign of things to come—“ he corrected with a smile, “Wait here—“

 

Sara did, peeking into the armoire drawers while Gil was gone, delighted to find a few items she’d forgotten were still in there when she’d packed it. Clean underwear for one—certainly a lucky break, she chuckled to herself. Before she could delve further, Gil had returned, a plastic drugstore bag in hand.

 

She arched an eyebrow at him, but he moved closer, driving her along until the back of her thighs hit the edge of the bed. Gil loomed over her as she slowly landed on the mattress and planting his knuckles on either side of her head he dipped his face and kissed her quickly.

 

“Sara, Sara—“ he smiled, his eyes bright and hot; so blue they practically gleamed, “Will you play a game with me?”

 

She held up her wrists, but he merely kissed the pulse points on them and shook his head. Sara frowned.

 

“But--I was starting to—look forward to it—“ she didn’t MEAN to pout but did anyway; Gil laughed, cocking his head.

 

“Stockings yes, but not on your wrists, not this time. I’m giving you a little more freedom than that, sweetheart.”

 

Puzzled but intrigued, Sara rubbed noses with him, drifting into a kiss of delicious intensity that left them both gasping.

 

Ohhh you’re so good at that. Okay Grissom, what’s the game?” she gurgled when she could catch her breath again. Gil smiled.

 

It was the slightly dangerous smile; his anticipatory look of sensual craving that she was beginning to recognize now. He sat up and stroked her cheek.

 

“They say love is blind, Sara.”

 

Licking her lips, tasting him on them, she glanced down at the bag. Slowly Gil fished out a single stocking, dangling it between his fingers, his voice low and soothing.

 

“A blindfold. You won’t see me, but you’ll feel me, taste me, hear me, honey. Think of it as a workout for your other senses.”

 

“Blindfolded?” Sara asked softly, feeling her face flush.

 

“If you think you can handle that,” Gris nodded, watching her expression carefully. Sara reached out and touched the stocking, her skin hot now, tingling.

 

“But I won’t be—tied up,” she quavered.

 

“No, not—physically.”

 

She nodded. Gil waited a slow tingling pulse of a moment, then stroked her cheek again, his eyes locked on hers, brows slightly furrowed.

 

“Good. Take your clothes off for me, Sara.”

 

Fumbling, she pulled her shirt off and shimmied out of her pants, leaving them in untidy heaps on the hardwood floor. Gil didn’t touch her, but the weight of his greedy stare was as palpable as a caress when he sighed.

 

“You’re like a secluded beach, Sara Sidle—long and curved and unforgettable. Cool and hot, a feast for the soul, and a siren’s call to the untamed beast in a man like me—“

 

So saying, he moved behind her and looped the stocking over her eyes, wrapping the stretchy fabric twice around her head before knotting it in the back with the quick release loop and letting the long ends dangle to her shoulders.

 

Sara stood by the edge of the bed, trembling a little, chills racing through her as this outrageous assault on her senses began.

 

The still, warm air of the bedroom. The scent of dust and wood and sex drifting on it. Gil’s breathing, quicker now—

 

He touched her arm and she jumped, lips parting in a gasp.

 

“You’re naked for me, Sara. Alone in a house with a bed and we’re going to use it, aren’t we?” he purred into her ear.

 

“Oh God I HOPE so—“ she laughed nervously, head jerking a little back and forth. Her hand came up, reaching for him but met empty air. Sara sensed him shifting away and around her; she tried to turn but Gil was quicker, coming to press up against her long spine, his clothed heat a lovely shock against her bare skin.

 

Mmmmmm--I love you in your nudity Sara. If I could have my way you’d never wear much in this house—“

 

“That’s going to make winter a little rough—“ she reached behind her, running her hands along his hips, feeling the fabric of his Khakis, the material smooth to the touch. Gil gave a little growl and pushed forward, unsubtly, rubbing himself against her ass. Her fingers cupped the straining ridge of his hard on and she laughed deep in her throat.

 

“Is that a mountain range or are you just happy to see me?”

 

“Why don’t you do a little hiking and find out—?“ he countered saucily into her ear, his hot breath sending quivers down her spine. Sara nodded.

 

She turned around and let her hands slide up to find the buttons on his shirt. Working by touch gave a new sensitivity to her fingertips and she marveled at the sensation of warm fabric and under it, hotter skin. As she struggled with his shirt, Gil’s hands were sliding along her bare hips, stroking her.

 

“Appropriate language for appropriate situations and God, I don’t feel like being polite at the moment, Sara.”

 

She leaned closer, tugging the shirt from his shoulders, pressing her teeth against the flesh there and nipping; he sucked in a laugh. She lifted her face, unable to see him as she smiled her own dangerous grin.

 

“Bad language, Gris? I’ll believe it when I hear it.”

 

His hands guided hers downward, to the zipper of his tented fly.

 

“I’m going to fuck you, Sara, harder than you’ve ever HAD a man before, sweetheart—“ he crooned, ruthless sincerity in his bold words.

 

Sara flushed, delicious shock filling her system. Words like that from Grissom—her fingers twitched, but he pressed them to the tab of his fly.

 

“Show me you want it, honey, make me yours—“

 

She tugged, pushing his slacks down, letting her fingers find the hot pulsing shaft surging up between her palms.

 

“H-hot—“ she muttered feeling the burn of his flesh, the ache of her hard nipples as she stood swaying, caressing his cock. Gil’s breathing rasped against her cheek.

 

“Hot—“ he agreed thickly. “I love it when you touch me Sara.”

 

He guided her down onto the bed, the combined weight making the mattress creak under them, but Sara was utterly caught up in the muscled heat of their bodies pressing together, thighs and hips and stomachs. Not seeing, only FEELING Grissom was a heady experience and her fingers were flying everywhere, touching as much of him as she could while she cataloged his body.

 

Soft tangles of curls at his nape, the warm heavy weight of him pressing down on her, his skin scented of clean musk and ardent arousal. The scrape of his faint whiskers against her cheek, the heat of his breath on her shoulder.

 

“Naked in my bed, oh so sweeeeet, Sara—“ Gil sighed, one hand cupping her chin, turning her face as he lay next to her. His tongue flicked out along the seam of her lips, seeking entrance and she moaned. Sara kissed him eagerly, delighted to taste the silver-sweet flavor of his mouth. Her hips wriggled.

 

Mmmmm“ carefully Grissom cupped her face in his hands; she felt the weight of his stare.

 

“What can you see, honey?”

 

“—Nothing—“ she admitted with a low helpless laugh. She heard him sigh happily.

 

“I can see YOU. No panties on, nothing but satin skin and big hard nipples—“

 

She gasped as his mouth dropped onto one, his mouth slick as porcelain and hotter than a furnace. Arching, Sara slid her arms around his broad shoulders, clinging to him as he suckled one nipple, then the other, his tongue a silken rasp on tender flesh.

 

“God I want you so much, Sara. I want to slide into that lovely slick clench of your body, feel it grip my cock while you make me moan—“

 

Sara fiercely clutched him, her nails digging into his shoulders. He laughed.

 

“Too much bad language?”

 

“Damn it Gil Grissom! I am going to ride you like a rollercoaster—“ Sara growled in a hot squeak, “—One slow fucking incline at a time.”

 

He tensed in her arms, her words delighting him and she took advantage of the moment. Sara snaked a long leg around him and pulled, using her leverage to shift his bigger body under hers. Gil went willingly, a chuckle warming her ear. She slid herself on top of him, enjoying the sensation; Gil was a big man, solid and stocky under her fingers. Sara touched the thick silky tufts of hair under his arms, let her fingers sliding across his chest, pausing over the strong beat of his heart.

 

“God, it’s like a continental shelf,” she blurted, and he DID laugh at that, one big hand sliding down her shoulder.

 

“If that’s a comment about middle-aged spread—“ Sara lunged to shut him up with a kiss. Quietly she whispered,

 

“I’m seeing you through my hands, lover—It’s so different. I never actually realized how big you are, how strong.”

 

His palms glided down the back of her ribs, coming to grip her ass in a tight possessive clench.

 

“And you have NO idea how long I have broodingly lusted for this peach of your ass. One of your dangerous charms, Sara.”

 

“Dangerous?”

 

“I caught Greg eyeing it once when you leaned over a counter and took appropriate action—“ his fingers tightened and Sara moaned, rubbing shamelessly against him. Under her, his cock throbbed against her pubic bone.

 

“A-action?”

 

“Three hour mandatory seminar on sexual harassment in the workplace.”

 

“For looking at my ASS?” shocked and delighted, Sara raised her blindfolded face to him, feeling him flex hard against her fur.

 

“Yes it was petty and jealous and I’d do it again in a moment, Sara. Newsflash--Gil Grissom does not Share Well with Others,” he admitted bleakly.

 

Sara pursed her mouth and tipped her head to one side, unaware of the beautiful picture she presented to him when she did so.

 

“You know--I don’t either—“ came her sultry whisper. He sighed at that, pulling her forward and into a kiss of questing sweetness, enfolding her in his arms. Sara shifted, rubbing herself along the ridge of his cock, letting herself writhe a little and feeling a surge of delight at his low groaning.

 

“Damn it Sara—“ he warned her, his voice shaking a little. She purred, rising up, bracing her hands on his chest, proud of her sense of power.

 

“I WANT you this way-- can I have you, Gris?” she sighed. His hands slid up her long thighs.

 

Yessss“ he growled, his hips bucking her up as he pushed himself against her. She lightly tapped his chest.

 

“We need something—“

 

“—Here—“ Sara felt the little plastic packet thrust into her fingers and laughed again.

 

Ohh a challenge! Think I can get you sheathed with my eyes closed?”

 

“I’m COUNTING on it—“ Gil snapped impatiently. Sara tore open the packet and fingered the thin latex. She rose up on her knees and tilted her head as she brought her hands around her slender spine.

 

“Blindfolded AND behind my back—“ came her brag. Gil groaned loudly as her fingers slid the condom on; he gripped her ass and lifted.

 

“Amazing—here, let me show you my—appreciation—“ Gil rasped as he slid her down onto his thick shaft. Sara lifted her head and a low happy howl rose out of her slender throat. She quickly braced her hands on Gil’s chest, her entire body thrumming with pleasure as she impaled herself on him, savoring the magnificent FULLNESS stretching her from within.

 

Ohhhhhhhhh—“ Gil groaned, thrusting up, surging hard against the counter rhythm Sara made as she bounced on him, little chuffs of delight echoing in the room. She wiggled a little, losing herself in long moments dedicated to the luscious tug and tension, hearing the lovely slick sounds of their bodies striving into each other.

 

“Oh Goddddd“ Sara gasped, feeling the hot spiral of erotic tension tighten relentlessly through her muscles. Her fingers scrabbled on his chest, seeking purchase, trying to hold on as her body rocked harder.

 

“Sara I can see us in the mirror—“ Gil hoarsely whispered, “Naked and wild--honey, you’re going to make me come so hard—“

 

And that did it; Sara shuddered, fingers digging into the damp skin under her hands as the fiery weightlessness of her orgasm rolled through her slender frame, squeezing the air from her lungs and leaving her utterly dazed.

 

SaraSaraSARA!!!”

 

She slumped a little, and dimly felt her hips gripped hard, felt the powerful deep throbs of Grissom’s cock thrumming deep within her, each one like the gift of his heartbeat.

 

She dropped onto his chest and into that twilight consciousness, the wash of afterglow welcome after such exquisite focus. Softly, one of Gil’s hands came up and tugged on the stocking, but Sara shook her head no, and contentedly drifted off into that deep sleep of utter satiation.

 

Chapter 5

 

She woke up alone. Muzzily, Sara peeled the blindfold off and blinked into the darkness, trying to figure out the time. She patted the bed but it was still empty although the sheets were still warm.

 

“Gris?”

 

“Kitchen. Intercourse gives me an appetite—“ came the cheerful call. Rolling her eyes, Sara stretched and flexed, feeling a tiny bit sore but oh so sated. She slid out of bed and reached for the first item of clothing her fingers could find in the dark; judging by the feel of it, Grissom’s shirt. Swiftly she tugged it around her and padded out towards the faint light coming from the direction of the kitchen.

 

Gris was there, his back leaning against the counter wearing his glasses, an ancient grey sweatshirt and his boxers, cheerfully digging into a plastic tub of sour cream dip with a tortilla chip. He offered her the bag, and Sara took it, scooting closer to him as she crunched on a few.

 

“I bought soups and canned vegetables and crackers but forgot plates or bowls,” he confessed, staring into the dip with embarrassment. Sara laughed.

 

“We can always pick some up—this is Vegas, things are open twenty four hours, you know. What I’m more concerned about is clothing, to be honest. I’ve got some clean underthings, but everything else is sort of—“

 

“Permeated with the scent of lust?” he waggled his eyebrows and sucked in his cheeks, trying to look innocent, but Sara swatted his arm lightly.

 

“I’m serious—I’ve washed my lingerie in a sink before, but two day old slacks are just—grungy. Didn’t your aunt have a washer and dryer?”

 

“Yep—had them in the garage. I’d have to hook them up again—“ he paused, cocking his head to look at her, “—if--?”

 

“—If--?” she echoed back uncertainly, nibbling on a chip. Gil stared at her and she could see him weighing his words carefully.

 

“—If it’s something we’re going to need. If Casa Caliente here going to be more than a single weekend for us,” he finished heavily. Startled at his somber tone, Sara set the chips down and looked down at their feet.

 

Both of then were standing on the brick floor barefoot, and she was fascinated with how well formed and strong Gil’s feet were, the tarsals and metatarsals clearly delineated against his pale skin. There was a slight inward turn to his left foot, and she carefully lifted one of her own to caress it with her toes. Gil watched her.

 

“The only aspect of my life with which I’ve been patient is YOU, Grissom. I’ve waited and watched and bided my time and EVERY gain I’ve ever made in regard to you has been worth it so far,” she murmured, letting her arch slid along hi