Relax! or else

[Lovely]

Sept 24, 2008
Massenia Massage Parlor


wiggles fingers..."are you tense?"

"Tense? Me.. nah... no time to be tense"

"Yeah sure."

What? I'm a busy guy... look.. if I had time to notice that I"m tense.. I'm doing two things wrong.. the first being that I sat still long enough for someone to comment.. the second being that I wasn't paying attention

She smiles. "You're here for the deluxe treament Mr. Dumaire... so you can just sit down, shut up, and let me do... what I do well."

He was about to protest, but her hand on his shoulder pressing him down into the chair changed his mind. He looked her in the eye and growled teasingly. "I can't stay long."

"Mr Dumaire.... your boss called me personally to make this appointment... I have strict instructions." Her smile slightly wicked. "You are not to leave this room until you are thoroughly relaxed." Her hands slid under the shoulders of his jacket and she rubbed lightly as she pushed the jacket back.

"My boss...?" His eyes snapped to her gaze. If Milo put her up to this... He sighed. It was likely he did... he could hear the ass chuckling to himself now. He made note of something about paybacks and sank into the chair, watching her icy blue eyes scan over him as she removed his jacket.

"Yes... and if Milo calls and personally asks me to take care of someone... well once I pick myself up off the floor from shock... I take care of... you."

His head thumped back onto the cushion of the chair. He looked her over and smiled, "Shock, huh?"

"It is a first you know... He's never asked me to give personal attention to someone... He kicked in for the Deluxe treatment and asked me to very thorough.... apparently he feels you are wound up tightly." Her hands on his shoulders were firm and she smiled. "Judging by the shoulders..he is correct. Take off your clothes." She stepped back and waited for him to do so, grabbing a soft white towel for him.

"What?" He chuckled, shaking his head and reaching for his jacket as he stood.

"You heard me." She held up the towel and pointed to the massage bed. "What were you thinking?" She smirked, with a raised eyebrow, moving to grab his jacket before he could. "Where do you think you're going?" She folded his jacket over her arm.

"Leaving.. or at least I was. Milo's got some sense of humor. May I have my jacket... miss.... ?"

"I told you I have my instructions... you're not going anywhere." She moved and hung his jacket, walking back to stand in front of him. Her eyes gazed intently into his. "The name is Wesley... now that we are so friendly, are you doing it... or am I going to have to undress you?"

He was chewing the inside of his cheek, watching her, a curious grin curling as he stood there, denied the right to leave. Boss's orders... he heard that loud and clear, but what was Milo's deal? Mile knew what was on his plate... what he needed to get done. What was this all about? "I can be friendlier... Wesley. Nice name. So drop the front.. what did he really say, hm?"

"His exact words? Hmm..ah..'Wes my little chickadee.. do an old man a favor... take care of this one... special case... I want you on him... and Wes, don't you let him leave that room till he is good and f*cking relaxed!"

That earned a chuckle and he leaned back on his heel. "That f*uckin'...." he shook his head and looked at the floor, fighting the grin. He looked up at her, a warm flash running through his eyes, "He just gave you a challenge you won't soon forget."

"Yes.. I am getting that impression." She laughed softly. "Are you going to make this at all easier on me.. or do I have to undress you?"

He shrugged and tucked his hands in his pockets, grinning at her, "You tell me."

[Lovely]

She sighed and walked closer to him, coming to stand nearly against him. "Alright then.." She purred, her eyes sparkling as her hands ran over his chest. In a blink of an eye her foot went behind his legs and she swept his feet out from under him. With a thud he was flat on his back with Wes straddling him. His shirt buttons undone in a matter of two seconds and his belt button and zipper following suit. Her long hair brushing his chest lightly as she leaned over him. She grinned at him. "Relaxed yet?" She teased.

He caught his breath, "Not particularly... your floor's a little hard. Listen, you treat all your clients like this?" He grinned lightly, but he was pissed he'd let his guard down. Maybe Milo was right.. he wasn't paying attention.

"Most floors are hard." She shrugged and shifted down to pull off his shoes and socks, setting them aside. Then she stood up, reaching for his hands and pulling him up after her. Wes smiled and pushed his shirt off his shoulders, letting her hands follow it down his arms. Light yet firm her fingers moved over his muscles, easing slightly and gauging how tense, tight and knotted up he was.

He stood rigidly, letting her disrobe him. Her eyes followed every line as she moved her hands. He was intrigued by the attention and intrigued more by the strength in her fingers as her hands slid back up. He let his shirt fall off to one hand and reached to lay it on the table. Looking back at her, he grinned. "Alright... I'll humor you. What do you want me to do?"

Her hands moved up to his shoulders and her eyes came up to meet his. A soft, playful smile perked her lips. Her fingers brushed down his chest and lightly over his abs. Stopping at his waist for a moment, her eyes still on his, her thumbs hooked under the waist of his pants and whatever sort of underwear he wore underneath. "You're so stiff... loosen up." It was half teasing, since her job was to relax him. She pushed and pulled down, making him completely bare. Wes smiled and patted the massage bed. "Hop on up here darlin'.." Her voice was warm and friendly with hints of seductive in it naturally. She took his pants and shirt, folding them neatly and placing them on a chair.

"Hardly seems fair," he said, looking her over. He wasn't at all shy about being bare in front of her.

"What's not fair?" She brushed some hair behind her ear and turned to give him a warm smile.

"Well, being here like this with a highly attractive woman, whether you're on duty or not... usually I need to send flowers and candy first."

"Flowers die and candy rots your teeth... and we're not dating, so no need for tokens of affection." She smiled. "And I am nothing above average..." She shrugged and held up the towel. "Do you need it for modesty's sake...or are you comfortable enough to do with out it?" He certainly looked comfortable.

"Depends on how easily offended you get..." He took the towel and laid it over the table. "Meet you halfway, ok?"

She tipped her head. "okay.." She said slowly, watching him. "I am rarely offended by any thing." She added lightly.

"Rarely? Alright then, amused... since I can't exactly hide how attracted I am to you," he said, raising an eyebrow as he slid up on the table in better view.

She chuckled softly. "You're attracted to me? Now that in itself is amusing.." Her eyes traveled over him slowly, pausing as some evidence of his attraction was on display. Her eyebrow raised, her tongue running over her lips. "Now that... is not amusing... it's very impressive." She smiled and shook her head. "I was going to start with your back... but it might be a little uncomfortable to lay on that." She couldn't help the small smile on her lips. Her hands went to his shoulders, gently pushing him back. "You're going to get me in trouble... I'm supposed to be relaxing you.. not getting you worked up."

He shrugged and grinned, "Told you I'd be a challenge."

"Did I mention..I love a challenge?" She winked at him, moving to get some mildly scented oils. Putting some into her hands she worked the warm oil into his skin as she rubbed him over. Starting at the crook of his neck and shoulder, working down one arm slowly. Her fingers expertly moving over muscle and pressure points to ease the tension from him... all the way to each individual finger.

[Lovely]

He craned his neck and moved to watch her as she traveled from one spot to the next. "So do we get to trade places any time during this little soiree?"

"Me naked on the bed?" She chuckled. "Would that help you relax?"

"After a while, sure," he chuckled.

She shook her head. "For that... you'd have to go with the flowers and chocolates... most likely dinner as well... good conversation, some fine wine.." She smiled warmly, continuing to work on his other arm.

"How about roses and gardenias, dipped strawberries and my place at 8?"

"Are you asking me on a date or propositioning me for sex?"

"Boss's orders, remember... his special case?" He grinned and did his best impersonation of Milo. " I want you on him... and Wes, don't you let him leave that room till he is good and f*cking relaxed!"

She nodded. "Milo knows me... he didn't intend for me to give you a quickie and get your rocks off." Her voice was still warm and held no anger or irritation. "He wanted a more in depth job done on you... if he just wanted you to get laid.. he would asked me to get one of the girls who does that sort of thing." She smiled, sounding slightly amused.

"Then I guess I'm asking you on a date.. unless you're not interested. Milo knows me, though... obviously... and he knows what I like... knows me damned well," he said quietly, looking her over, settling back at her eyes.

She chuckled. "But if you could get just the sex you would have?" Her hands moved over his chest, re-oiled and sliding smoothly over his skin. "Milo is a character...he seems to know everyone ..better than you think he does... the sneaky bastard." She shook her head, laughing lightly.

"Meaning what? And actually, no. I would've left. I don't go for easy... I go for challenge. You gave the right answer.. thank you."

She paused and her head turned from looking at his chest as she worked to gaze in his eyes a moment."Meaning he knows me better than I realized... Like I said, sneaky.." She chuckled. "You're welcome, for the answer... of course I didn't say it for you benefit." She chewed her lip. "8? How should I be dressed?"

"Cazh... however you want. No one's got any impressing to do here. Just be you."

"So this is fine?" She indicated the faded, but perfectly fitting jeans, tiny black tank and little pink sweater she wore over it, her feet were bare and a silver toe ring adorned one foot. Her hair had been down, soft and flowing when he came in, now it was held back loosely in a clip.

He chuckled and glanced down at his 'status', "What do you think?"

"I think I should change... my job is getting harder by the minute." She teased.

"Long as I get to watch... only fair," he winked.

[Lovely]

"Who ever said life was fair?...and I think that would make my job even harder." She straightened up, looking at her slick oily hands. "Umm actually... could you.. would you mind giving me a hand?" She indicated the buttons of her little cardigan.

"Off?"

"Please."

His glance flicked up to her eyes again and he smiled, gently. His fingers were long, but delicate, undoing each button quickly, with precision.

"Thank you." She smiled, starting to shrug it off her shoulders, not wanting to touch it with her hands.

He sat up slowly and reached to help her. "May I?"

"Yes, thank you." She said softly. Her eyes meeting his.

He held the sweater and let her shrug out of it, folding it for her.

Using her forarms to take the sweater from him, she set it aside. "Now where were we?" She grinned, coming back. "Ah yes.. you naked and making things harder... " She winked, waiting for him to lay back.

He grinned at her, laying back slowly, "Could be here a while."

Wes nodded. "From the looks of it... this is right where you want to be.."

"Close. I meant... tension's still there... could be a while... those knots are permafixed in cement.. they're not coming out easily.. but you're doing well."

"We may miss dinner." She chuckled. "It's going to make working on your back more difficult." Her hands moved over his abs slowly, careful of his sides. "Are you ticklish?" She asked.

"Nope.. not ticklish..except to my sister. That's just weird, but no. Don't worry about my back anyway. I don't like people behind me."

"Are you going to be difficult again?" She smiled. "I was told to use restraints if I had to." She winked.

"I'm being serious. Find another way, but I don't let people stand behind me."

"I was serious." She tugged something on the side of the bed and revealed a leather restaint, the kind one uses in bondage fun. Wes smiled and let it drop. "Another way...ok... I have an idea." She smiled as she moved down to work on his legs. Giving his thighs a deep massage.

He shifted a little as she ran over nerves he wasn't aware he had. It was obvious he did a lot of running and climbing from the definition in his tone, possibly martial arts training if she knew her sets well enough.

[Lovely]

She worked on his thighs for a bit, feeling the muscles under her hands and admiring his physique. "You must enjoy all kinds physical activity." She commented quietly. Wes shifted slightly and lifted his leg a bit, hooking his knee over her shoulder. She worked on the back of his thigh, with deft fingers. He didn't want her standing behind him, so she would find other ways to get behind him.

"It's the work I do... kinda demanding, but yeah."

"I know... Milo and his wife come in... they are two of the few people I work on myself." She smiled. "I meant beyond that... your muscle definition..." She ran her hand under his thigh, in a firm motion. "You have a well rounded routine."

She hit deep tissue that was already sore from a jump he'd miscalculated a few days before, causing an involuntary twitch. "Yeah," he gasped.

"Oo, sorry darlin'." She eased off in that area. Reaching for different bottle , she grasped it in her fingers, still keeping his leg balanced. Putting something on her hands she rubbed gently the area that was sore.

"Not a problem.. s'ok...," he said, unclenching tightened muscles she'd just worked on. He smelled the air and the antiseptic, camphor-like vapor. "What's that stuff?"

"My magic potion." She smiled around his leg at him. "Milo didn't warn you, that I'm a witch?" She winked. She rubbed a little more on, careful and gentle. Slowly testing the area with a little more firmness.

It numbed, whatever it was. That helped. "Stuff works good... must be great at office parties.. put some of that in the punch bowl," he teased.

"You want me to whip you up a batch for your next one?" She smiled, easing his leg down.

"Sure... I'll let Mile try it... bastard...," he chuckled.

"Aww are you mad at him, for sending you to me?" She batted her eyes at him as she moved to lift and work on his other leg.

"No... mad at him for giving me outdated information. I wouldn't have gotten hurt if h...," he stopped and let it drop.

"Well then I'm sorry... and you must let me make up for it." She reached into the front of her bra and pulled out a small disk about an inch diameter. "Milo asked me to take good care of you... this was included.. getting you the updated information. Don't ask how... just accept it with a smile, okay?"

He chuckled and rolled his eyes, taking the disc and laying back, his arm draped over his eyes a moment. "Fine timing he has," he chuckled while he hid.

Wes pouted slightly. "You poor thing." She worked his calves over and each foot, laying his legs gently down when she was done. Her hand slid up his leg as she walked beside the bed, moving toward his head. "You ready for me to do your back?"

He lifted his arm a bit and glanced up at her, palming the disc. "Depends... you stayin' where I can see you? I might not be responsible for my actions otherwise."

"I'm staying where you can see me." She smiled softly. "Trust me.. I have good instincts... How do you feel with what I have done so far?"

He stretched a foot and lifted his sore knee, setting it back down. "Not bad, but far from goal... least what Milo wants anyway. Got some gin? Then we'll talk."

[Lovely]

She tapped his nose, lightly with her finger. "Wasn't expecting it to be easy... I figured after the first five minutes with you... we would be her awhile. We may have to bump dinner at your place and order in here." She winked. "Go ahead and sit up." She moved over to a counter near the wall. "You're under my personal care.. these are my private rooms... I have gin and probably anything else you might want. How do you take yours?" She pulled a bottle from underneath and smiled.

"Um... ice... thanks," he grinned, watching her. "You're something else, aren'tcha?"

"Depends on what something you mean?" She winked, as she opened the small freezer, getting ice and pulled out glasses. She set everything on a rolling cart and wheeled it over. She broke the seal and opened the bottle, pouring and handing him a glass.

"Not the usual suspects... not for a place like this. You're a smart woman. Why stick around a place like this? Bigger, better and more out there.. you could probably fight big dogs and win. Ask me how I know," he grinned wider and sipped from his glass.

"Ok I'll bite... how do you know?"

"Arf," he teased. "You know Milo... you know Ari... and now you know me... big dogs."

"Right... Milo is one of those big dogs that is mushy and tries to curl up in your lap all the time." She grinned. "Ari keeps him in line, she can let him off his leash and he still behaves... not so easy to find a dog that loyal."

"What makes you say that?"

"Which part?" She tipped her head to the side.

He chuckled, "Ari keeping him in line... it's all an act. Seriously... what's so hard about loyal? You find someone who fits that groove in your world.. things are going great... everything's fine and you let them off their leash... and you get a lead slug in your shoulder, six weeks of 'he'll never walk again' whispered by the people around you who were counting on you and the loyal one fades off in the night? No.. I don't think I get what you mean."

She shrugged, opening her mouth as if she was going to say something but decided against it. Sighing softly she shifted the cart and arranged the oils in the warmer next to the massage bed. "Everything is on this side, including me. Door is behind me. Feel free to lock it if you want. " She gave a small smiled and undid the button a zipper of her jeans, sliding them down and setting them with her sweater. Black lace almost like little shorts, covered her. "You can see I am not hiding any thing from your view..." She placed a towel next to him on the bed. "If you feel the need... I am fine with or with out... acceptable?"

He shrugged lightly, downing the rest of his drink and frowning lightly. He snapped at her and gave her the whole story in a bucket heavy enough to knock him out with if she wanted. He laid his head back, resting the glass on his chest. "Sorry... it shouldn't have come out like that. Do what you need to... I'm under orders to behave, remember?"

She gently took the glass from his hand, her fingers lacing with his. "Everyone has there reasons for things.." She said softly, tugging him to sit back up.

He complied, but the grin had faded, his brown eyes turbulent and searching as if reliving some dark moment in his past. "Well now you know... loyal... yeah it is hard to come by."

"I already knew... like I said, everyone has their reasons." She whispered, tipping his chin up, her light eyes holding his dark ones for a moment.

"Already knew which? Studying up on me before I came here? Or already knew that loyalty is like alchemist's gold... something unobtainable from any form other than the real thing?"

"About loyalty...I didn't know anything about you other than what Milo told me."

[Lovely]

He nodded, the darkness shifting away. He looked away from her eyes and around, scanning her over again, much like she had to him, following every line as his eyes traced her form. "I should go... I've taken too much of your time."

"Sorry, can't let you..." She let go of his hand and stepped back a little. "All I have is time.... my calander was cleared for the entire day."

He looked up at her, a defeated expression rolling over his brow. He chuckled again, "Damn you, Milo..." He looked up at the ceiling and back to her, shaking his head. "You're good.. both of you. This is some sick test on his part, isn't it?"

She smiled slightly. "I will never even pretend to know what goes on in that man's mind."

"Trust me.. you don't want to. Tell you what. We're under orders and he's already cleared your calendar. Why stay here? I'll make you a deal. Come to dinner with me now.. you have all night, right? He wants me to relax... I'll do that best at home. Deal?"

She crossed her arms and chewed her lip. "How do I know you aren't going to try and pull a fast one, ditch me?" She winked at him.

"Cuz you have my pants."

"You're not going to wear pants home?"

"No as a condition of my behaving, you're giving me my pants and I'm giving you custody of my leash.. at least for tonight until your job is done. What you decide to do on your own time.. that's up to you."

"What if I said I like you without pants?" She teased.

He rolled over to the edge of the table, "Then you can explain that to the nice officer when he gives us a ticket for exposure in public. I am, however, on my time and what I do at home... you might like, then."

"I betcha I could talk the officer out of the ticket." She winked and handed him his neatly folded clothes.

"Like you talked me out of these? We'll get arrested for sure," he winked, sliding his shorts on.

"Hey, I can't help it if I have strange talents."

"Which I'm curious to know more about," he perked up. Milo hadn't mentioned that she might be even more suited for his attention. "Strange talents such as...?"

She shrugged as she grabbed a back pack from one of the cupboards. "I can rub my belly and pat my head, while saying the alphabet backwards." She was teasing, but it was true... she actually could do that. She packed carefully her oils and a couple towels along with an assortment of her 'tools of the trade'. Setting the bag on the bed she moved past him to get her jeans and sweater.

"Something else," he whispered, shaking his head as he got down to refastening his shoes. He actually had relaxed a great deal. Having the disc helped, but there was more to it than that.

She buttoned her jeans and sweater, leaving several of the upper buttons undone on the sweater. Smiling she shouldered the bag. "Mind making a quick stop at my office? My shoes are there." She wiggled her bare toes at him.

He motioned to the door for her to lead and followed along. "What would you like for dinner?"

"Surprise me." She smiled over at him, walking a short way down the hall and into her modest office. She sat in a chair to put on her socks and a pair of sneakers. She had dressed very casual today. Going around the desk, she unlocked the drawer and took out her wallet which had her papers and passes in it. Tossing them into her bag, along with her keys, she stood and motioned toward the door. Pulling the clip from her hair, she shook it out and ran her fingers through it a few times. Shoving the clip in the bag as well. They passed reception and she smiled at the girl there. "Rita..I'm leaving for the day. Have a nice evening." The girl's mouth visibly dropped at seeing Wes leaving with a man. A couple of the girls who were milling in the reception area also turned to look as she walked by, with Darian.

[Lovely]

The drive was quiet and the guardpost check uneventful. They both slid their passes away as he drove forward past the check point. "So... tell me something. Rita.. the receptionist, right? She always give you that look when you go home?"

"She gave me a look?" Wes chewed the corner of her smile.

He glanced over at her and grinned. "Yeah.. you know the one that says someone's putting an extra five in the office pool at your expense. You don't go out a lot, do you?"

"That's the understatement of the century." She sighed softly. "No I don't go out."

"Good to know. So I'm not potentially pissing off any eight-foot tall sumo wrestling boyfriends?"

She shook her head. "No boyfriends."

He turned away and watched the road. The rest of the route to his quarters wasn't far from the shop. He pulled up to the garage and rolled quietly into the underground, taking his spot. "Got a good hold on that leash there?"

"Why? You planning on bolting, when the door opens?" She smiled and made a tugging motion.

"If you mean will I keep you on your toes, then probably," he smirked. "Let's go."

"Good thing I am wearing running shoes.." She slid out of the car, shouldering her bag again.

"Here.. let me get that for you. Humor me.. don't make me look like to much of a jerk in front of the pigeons and rats, okay?"

"Aww Mr Dumaire... are you offering to carry my books to class?" She winked and surrendered the bag to him.

"I am... and please... call me Darian."

"Alright." She smiled. "Tell me Darian... what sort of dark place are leading me off to?"

"Something that Poe would be proud of, I'm sure," he teased. "Just don't pay any attention to the beating heart beyond the walls. I put it there for safe keeping."

"Smart thinking... I put mine in a drawer and I keep forgetting which one it's in."

He chuckled, "Who said it was my own?"

She laughed. "I didn't mean it like that.... but still more useful information for me."

"Just don't open the hall closet.. whatever you do," he teased, opening the door to the garage lift and motioning her inside first. He leaned against the side wall and punched the number for the floor.

[Lovely]

"What's in the hall closet?" She rolled her eyes. "Like you can tell me that and not expect it to be the first thing I do!" She chuckled.

"Maybe because I want you to look, which means now that you won't," he grinned.

"But you could just be saying that, so I won't look... which means now I have to look."

"Well.. you get about 30 seconds to decide. This is the floor," he said as they came to a stop. He punched his code and let the scanner decide whether he was really him or not before the doors cracked open. "After you."

"Uh huh... I'm not going first... something might eat me... who knows what you have in there!"

"These are living quarters.. not living dead quarters," he said, leading her to the main door and unlocking it. He pushed it open and motioned again. "Go on."

She smiled and stepped into his quarters. Walking slowly, not wanting to get too much ahead of him. Letting him show her around as he felt she should be.

"Simple, boring, plain... dark... I think even the raven got ticked off that I'm never here to torment and took off," he said, looking back and up over the doorway.

"Aww thats just horrible." She gave him a look of mock pity, complete with pouty lips.

He closed the door and locked it and took her into the main room. He set down her bag of items and motioned around. The room was large and more ornate than he gave it credit for.

She walked around the room, looking at things and then turned to catch his eye and smile. "It's not as bad as you made it sound... it's really not bad at all."

"Thank you," he said, resting his arm across the back of the chair he sat in. "See? I didn't make a break for it.. still here. Where do you want me?"

"Depends... how strong is that coffee table?"

He leaned forward and inspected it, knocking on it, "Synth-wood.. should be fine."

"Well sit yourself down on it. Think it will hold both of us? So I can be in front of you?" She motioned for him to bring the bag over with him.

"Not as much of a concern here, see?" He motioned to the one wall that was mirror-paneled.

"Aww and I figured out a way to do it!" She stamped her foot and stuck her tongue out at him.

He took her hand and chuckled, "I won't stop you. I wouldn't mind being able to see you in front of me for entirely different reasons."

She arched her eyebrow, moving closer to him. "Tell me which way will be most relaxing for you... Which way you would prefer?"

"An experiment. Start off behind me.. I've got the mirrors. I'm willing to try, okay?"

She sat down in front of him, nearly on his lap. "Are you sure? I have no problem doing it this way... it's my job to make you as relaxed as possible..." Wes smiled. "And I need you to help me a little... give me some clues... feedback if something is working.. suggestions, if you get ideas..."

"What, you didn't have enough feedback before?" he grinned, unbuttoning his shirt.

[Lovely]

"Are you planning on getting naked?" She laughed softly. "Not that I will object... do whatever makes you happy."

"What makes me happy is knowing that I'm inside my own four walls. Having nice company helps."

"Is that what's in the hallway closet?"

"Was.. she escaped and she's sitting on my coffee table," he said, looking up at her.

She looked away a blush hidden in her warm complextion. "Thank you." She took a deep breath. She leaned to grab he bag and pulled out some oil. "Ready?"

"In a minute. Let me get some things going. I did promise you dinner, okay?"

She nodded. "okay." She chuckled. "Knew you were chicken.." She whispered.

"Bwok bwok bwok... bwokbwok...," he clucked with a straight face, raising an eyebrow. "Actually, I'm not, but if I don't start cooking it won't be done in time. Twenty minutes... tops."

She nodded. "In time for what?" She stood and followed him toward the kitchen. "Any thing I can help with?"

"To let you finish your work.. night's only so long."

"Oh dear... thats right...we agreed it was going to take awhile." She smiled, leaning on the counter.

He pulled some items out of the cooler and sliced and diced the makings of a simple stir fry. "Rice or noodles?"

"Rice." She said simply, watching him. Her eyes lingering on his hands... strong yet gentle hands... she shook her head, wondering why the hell she was thinking such a thing.

The steamer was pulled from a nook in the corner and the rice started. "Soon as that's done, we give these a toss. Dinner... okay by you?"

Her eyes had wandered over him again and her thoughts were miles away. "Huh? Oh.. yeah.. it's fine."

"I can find something else," he said, noting her look. His brow knotted briefly and he nodded back to the other room. "Watched pots, you know.. let's go back in there. What would you like to drink?"

"It's fine... looks delicious already." She smiled briefly and turned back to the main room. "Something stiff." She whispered under breath at his question about drink. "Whatever you have is fine."

"Schnapps?" he chuckled. "Rum, vodka, scotch, gin. Or, zin."

"Do you have coke? and is it Captain's?"

"Capt'n, Malibu or 151.. take your pick."

"Wow...I think I just fell in love with you... or your bar at least." She teased. "Haven't been sailing with the Captain in awhile... I think we should have a little visit." She winked.

[Lovely]

Two glasses with ice were brought over along with the bottle and two cans of chilled cola. "I'll let you mix your own. I tend to only color my rum, not really mix it."

"Just a dash for flavor of course." She smiled.

"Exactly." He slid his shoes off by the door, "Tell you what. Let me at least get out of work clothes. I'll be right back." He disappeared a moment and came back shirtless and wearing charcoal sweatpants.

"Comfy?" She grinned, letting her eyes move over him, his bare chest and the way the sweats shifted around him as he moved. She had mixed up her drink while he was in the other room and turned her attention to her glass.

"Moderate. You're the one in charge of ensuring I am, I'm told. I'm just getting it as far as I can without help," he smirked, fixing his own glass.

"Yes indeed... my challenge for the evening." She smiled, leaning on the back of the couch, gazing at him. "I plan to give your back a nice working over... though I know that will not be enough... tell me what you'd like to do.."

"I'm open to suggestions. Part of this is a date, I seem to recall. Dinner.. movie... board game.. bypassing the cola and sucking down a couple of these bottles, though, truth be told, I'm not much of a drinker. Those were all presents." He nodded to the cupboard he'd brought the bottles from.

"A date.. ah yes... I think I remember what those are... " She seemed to ponder the thought a moment. "We have dinner started.." She tapped it off on her finger. "What do you have for movies and games? And I don't know about you... but a few drinks will help me relax."

"Something ironic in this, is that I've been known to provide a rather nice massage myself. I just can't give one to myself. If you're willing, I could return the favor."

"Ask me again, after I've had a couple drinks... I'll be relaxed enough to say yes, then."

"About the hall closet.. testament to my boring life. Take a look... games and movies are in there. Let me check on that rice and we'll worry about the rest as we get to it."

Chuckling she got up and went to look. Taking her drink with her, she sipped it looking over his selection. "What sort of movie would you like to watch?" She called over her shoulder, her face lit up as she scanned his games.

"Any. I like them, that's why I have them."

"Oh you're a big help!" She chuckled.

"Am I? I'm trying not to be," he called.

"Really? Wow.. it doesn't show." She called back. "How about a genre? Action, horror, comedy? Can you give me that?"

The sounds of a sizzling skillet could be heard instead and the rooms filled with the aromas of fresh vegetables and asian spices.

"MULE!" She exclaimed, playfully. She closed her eyes and grabbed a random movie. Wes was shaking her head, laughing softly as she deposited the movie on the coffee table. Walking into the kitchen she smiled. Stepping close to him, she peeked over his shoulder. "It smells amazing...I think you may be a better cook than me... thats it, you have to make me dinner every night from now on." She teased.

"Sorry... comedy's good... but whatever you picked is fine," he said, spinning, stirring, tossing and adding like he had eight arms. "Invitation's open.. seriously.. it's easier to cook for two, than one."

[Lovely]

"yeah." She said softly. "Been cooking for one for a long time... it's gotten to be cheese or tuna sandwiches most of the time." She looked back at the coffee table. "I closed my eyes and grabbed something... I don't even know what it was."

She turned back to find him looking at her directly, an odd grin on his face. "Sometimes that's best way."

"You think it works on anything else?" Her head tilted slightly as she watched his expression.

"Was worth a shot."

"What?" She didn't understand what he meant by that.

"Yes, it applies to other things," he sighed, turning back to the skillet.

"Oh... like what else... because this could seriously be what I have been doing wrong.." She watched him, her eyes moving over the lines of his shoulders and back.

He tapped the skillet with the spatula, and moved it off the heat, freeing his hands for moment. He turned to her and held her shoulders, running his hands slowly down her arms. "Jumping in with both feet... and no, you're not doing a thing wrong that I've seen."

She looked at his face, her eyes searching..for something... "Well there you go. I don't know how to jump..." She said softly. "That must be what I'm doing wrong."

"Can I show you how?" he said softly. His hands had stopped at her wrists and he lifted them to kiss her hands.

Her head was nodding yes but her trembling lips told him something different. "I don't think I can.."

"Okay.. I won't push it, but it's only fair you know, okay?" He said, kissing her palms again and sliding her hands to his shoulders, his own hands to hers. "One step at a time then?"

"Know what?" She whispered, her eyes never leaving his face.

He smiled with a curious expression. "I pretend to know nothing... but don't let that fool you. What?"

She put her hand to her forehead. "I don't know.." She shook her head. "You said it's only fair you know... what did you mean?" She chuckled. "Getting myself all twisted up I think.."

"Ah.. you were asking me, not telling me. I'm the confused one. It's only fair that you know where I'm at.. because half the time I don't even know and how are you going to know what to do with that? I'm not an easy read, I've been told. I don't want to be difficult for you."

[Lovely]

"Okay." She looked at him a little oddly. "Just so we are clear...where are you at?"

"About a foot away from someone Milo was right about and about six inches from getting slapped," he grinned.

"I have no idea what you are talking about... but if it makes sense to you."

"'Where' as in physically.. right here," he said, rubbing her shoulders lightly and pulling her closer. "And emotionally... here." He leaned forward to her lips.

Her heart thundered in her chest, she trembled and her lips responded to his in a shy way. As if they were being kissed for the first time.

The kiss was gentle and warm. He chuckled a little as a bit of spark came off his lip to hers. "Sorry about that."

She laughed softly, putting her hand to her lip. "It's okay."

"So much for keeping my cover. Don't tell anyone," he grinned. "Course.. that means yours is too, now. That only happens if...'

"If what?"

He glanced at her and looked back at the stove, making sure burners were off. "Come in here a minute and sit down, okay?"

"Okay.." She followed him into the other room. She sat down and looked at him, expectantly. Waiting for him to tell her what was on his mind.

He stepped behind and sat on the arm of the chair beside her, rubbing his lip, trying to think of the best way to ask. "Can I try something? I mean.. not try.. like.. may I .. just a little kiss.. a test?"

"Not sure I understand that.. but alright... a little kiss." She took a nervous breath.

It hadn't been static, but a reaction of his gift against hers.. she had one, but what? The charge was less of a shock and more of a lingering tingle, a numbing. He pulled away, licking his lip. "Nice, by the way."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Nice? What is it you are... trying?" She smiled a little, still curious.

"Trying not to send you off into sleepyland. Does your lip feel a little numb right now.. maybe a little buzz beyond the rum in your drink?"

She arched an eyebrow, her fingers touching her lip. "Yeah. It does... I just thought it was me.. it's been a long time since anyone has kissed me."

"You're like me, then... sort of. I can hope it was the kiss, thank you, but there's more than that. You don't know what I do, do you?"

She shook her head. "I know a little about what Milo does... some basics but not all his secrets.. and I know that you work with him."

[Lovely]

"Well.. I just learned something about you.. something that's well hidden and not something just anyone should know," he said, his eyes moving up to hers. "Because of something I have... something that I can do... to know you're like me.. that you have a gift."

She smirked slightly, a light chuckle rolling from her. "I told you I had strange talents." She shrugged. "Did Milo tell you anything before sending you to me?" She shook her head. "Told you he was a sneaky bastard."

"When your boss says 'go here.. pick up this disc.. and stay till she's done with you'.. you don't ask a lot of questions."

"I would ask... especially if Milo was my boss!" She shrugged. "But thats me."

"I've learned my head hurts much less when I don't," he chuckled. "I get him back later, trust me on that."

"Ok..if you say so...how you planning to pay him back this time?"

"I'll figure that out later. He's not here.. but you are.. and that's much more important."

"I'm here to relax you... bosses orders." She made a mock stern face and wagged her finger at him. She was very comfortable with him at the same time feeling uncomfortable..it was a wierd mixed up sensation. She leaned forward on her knees and looked at him.

"Well... I didn't ask him and I found out on my own. I don't know what you do, but I know it's there," he tapped his lip. "That was an automatic response. You'd know if I was doing something on purpose. The average joe normal wouldn't."

"Not totally following you... want to explain what it is you were doing?"

"Let me put it this way. I go by 'Blank' for a reason," he said, brushing her cheek lightly, letting the gift flow through his fingers ever-so-slightly.

She pulled back. "What are you doing?" Her eyes widened. "I didn't to you... not at all.. what are you doing?"

"So you know what is does. Sorry. That was light. It won't last long. It's a cancellation.. an anti-gift really. Part of why I'm as tense as I am and why you likely won't get as far as you would hope to is because I have to keep that in check 24/7. I hit the wrong person the wrong time and my cover's blown."

"You could have just told me." Her hand went to her cheek as if she could rub away the effect. She shifted and looked away from him.

"I'm sorry Wesley. It's what I do. I don't let my guard down often. Even when I should.. or want to," he said, turning away and grabbing his glass to get more ice.

"You.." She shook her head and got up. Moving to get her bag, she took the oil she had pulled out and put it back in. She couldn't just sit at the moment.

He came back and leaned at the half wall that separated the rooms, rattling his ice in his glass and drinking the clear liquid he'd topped off. He watched her and spit a cube back into his glass, "I am... sorry... but if you want to leave, I understand. I hope you stay.. I mean that even more."

"I don't know what I am supposed to do..or what Milo expected out of me.. with your power.. how in the world am I supposed to do anything for you?" She sighed, lifting her head to look up at him. "I don't let my guard down either... it just really bothered me.. what you did... you caught me off guard... that just doesn't happen... I'm always on guard."

[Lovely]

"So I guess we're even," he said flatly, taking the last of his glass and reaching it back to the counter. "No one has ever managed to drop me on my back in ten seconds... or manage to get my pants off without a bottle of wine," he chuckled.

"Not really even... I didn't use my gift on you... Can't help it if I am just so great I charmed the pants off you."

"Nope you can't.. and you did... have to say it would be pretty damned easy for you to do it again, too. Kinda why I don't want you to leave... get to know you better... but I blew it and I'm sorry."

"You're supposed to letting me help you relax... not getting to know me better, besides, what you see is what you get." She shrugged.

"Then tell me if I'm wrong," he said with a gentle grin, walking back to her slowly. "What I see is... a beautiful woman with a strong spirit and a stronger sense of self... independent, but friendly... shuts herself off from the world a little.. maybe out of defiance.. maybe out of fear of what's out there.. maybe out of pain from the past... someone who knows what they want... not sure of that all the time and wants to reach for the brass ring, but for some reason doesn't quite feel she's worthy of it... although she's all that and more."

"Your wrong... I shut myself off from the world alot... and I am not all that.. definitely not more."

He chuckled lightly, "And you're your own worst critic, too. What I see is what I get.. so one of us is lying. Or deluded. Okay.. so maybe I am, but I'm happy with that picture. You still hungry? It's going to get cold."

"Cool isn't so bad.. have it too hot and you'll get burned." She said softly.

"I get the feeling you're not talking about dinner."

Wes smiled a little. "Now what would make you think that?"

He chuckled, "Just a hunch.. and neither one of us have burns yet, but it could happen. I'm willing to wear mitts.. how about you?"

"Mitts? Hmm never really thought about that... of course I have had no reason to." The corners of her lips tipped up. "Danm sneaky bastard... he knows doesn't he? He did this on purpose, didn't he?"

"Now are you talking about Milo or me? See? Two mitts right here.. I can wear gloves... or... you can take me at my word that I'm sorry and won't do it again."

"Wasn't talking about your gift at all... just you in general with the mitts..." She shook her head. "The sneaky bastard is in direct reference to Milo.."

"Who said I was talking about my gift either? And I know.. sneaky is him.. I'm not that sneaky."

"Oh.. so you don't want to have any effect on me?"

"I want any affect I may have.. if I could be so lucky.. to be real.. not because of this," he said, rubbing his fingers and thumb together, causing a small, but visible arcing.

"There's one way to find out." She said softly, hardly believing she was.

[Lovely]

He came forward and leaned over her chair, holding the couch and not her, so she wouldn't jump and he wouldn't numb her. He concentrated on pushing his power back so he wouldn't spark and met her lips gently at first, a quick peck, then back again, holding her there a long moment.

She trembled, but held to his lips, kissing him softly. A bit timidly, her hand came up to his cheek, encouraging him to stay where he was. Her lips lingering on his, it had been so long she had pretty much forgotten how good this could make her feel. Damn it had been way too long. Moving like she had back at the 'office' her foot curled behind his leg and she knocked him back to the floor. She moved with his fall, landing on top of him, straddling him. Her mouth coming down on his with a more demanding and hungry kiss.

He chuckled beneath it as she flipped him again and landed him, pinning him down. Less than armor clad in his sweatpants, he took the brunt of a rug rash on his shoulders as she pushed him down beneath her.

What the heck was she doing? Jumping... yeah she was jumping. Scared and excited and wanting him in ways she had not felt in years. What was happening to her? She was going to kick Milo's ass. Her hands rested on his chest as she leaned down to his lips.

He looked up at her and rested his hands over hers, breathing deeply, but slowly. He uncurled her fingers and held her palm below his shoulder over his heart. The scar was still noticeable under her fingertip where the fragment had come through and stopped there, scarring deeply under the surface. Beside it, his heart thundered, his voice rasping quietly below it as he chuckled, "Comfy?"

"Kind of... are you?" Her lips brushed over his. She looked at her hand, feeling his heart, her own was doing much the same. She brought his hand to her chest to feel one of the effects he was having on her.

"See what you are doing to me?" She whispered with a slight smile.

"Even yet, ya think?"

"Kinda comfy... kinda at a disadvantage... but I'll tell you, it's working. I think I'll be relaxed by the end of the evening if you keep trying to break me," he teased.

"Sorry.. I was taking your advice... jumping." Her eyes shone with quiet amusement. "I'll get off, if you want me to."

"Don't put words in that aren't there.. actually I want you a little bit closer... where I can reach you. Come down here."

"What do you want to reach me for?" She teased, leaning back a little more.

He nudged against her as she leaned back, "That works too."

She tipped forward, her hands coming down on either side of his head. Bringing her lips down to brush teasingly over his, she whispered. "Any suggestions yet on what to do to help you relax?"

"Plenty," he whispered, reaching up to kiss her back.

She enjoyed the kiss, letting it linger for a long moment. "Care to share your ideas?" She smiled, softly.

"I'll let you work on my back if you let me work on yours."

"Alright." She gazed into his eyes, not moving off him. "Who's first?"

"Dunno.. I kinda like it here, don't you?" He shifted his hip a little to take the strain from his outstretched knee. Folding an arm behind his head, he smiled, "Yeah... not sure I want to move just yet."

"I would think the floor might not be that comfortable.." She smiled, looking down at him. Her hands rubbed over his shoulders and arms lightly.

[Lovely]

"Not so bad, really." He reached for one of her hands and pulled her knuckle to his lips then kissed her palm again. "But I can think of a few places a little more helpful.. comfortable."

"Hmm where? And should we try them and see?" She smiled as he kissed her palm, her fingers catching his and lacing with them. She looked up at the couch a few feet from them. "See there...the couch isn't far..looks pretty comfy...but not alot of room to move with two people on it." She said, musing playfully. "Would make the back even harder to reach..."

He looked at her, watching her eyes. "If you're not okay with this... Milo gave you the night off because of me... you've done a great job.. not your fault I'm stubborn as a wet mule."

She stopped, seemed to freeze a moment and then pushed off him. "I'm sorry." her face clouded and then all her emotions slipped behind the pleasant mask. "I shouldn't have... I don't know what i was thinking. I'm sorry." She ran her hands through her hair as she moved to grab her bag.

"What? Whoa, hang on...," he said, getting up and stopping her hand as she picked up the bag. The jolt wasn't expected and he jerked away from the invisible spark. She'd apparently recovered quite quickly from the influx of his dampening gift. In the spark was confusion, pain, longing, curiosity... fear... and a certain pleasant undertone that might have been her desire to stay. "Don't be... I mean.. don't leave... don't be sorry."

She turned as he jerked and looked at him, concerned for a moment. Then shaking her head. "Look at what I am doing..I'm not helping...Milo asked for my help..and I am probably making you more tense." She sighed, closing her eyes. "He obviously likes you, to ask me to do it...he knows me..." She shook her head. "Apparently so much better than I realized..."

"You are helping. God... Wesley.. you have no idea... I wasn't kidding you back in your... your office... and I'm not now. I want you to stay."

"Why?" She asked softly, folding her arms. "How about you give me an idea.. what am I doing here?... how am I helping?"

He reached for her hands again, unfolding her, expecting the shock this time. "You're helping me by keeping me company... that in itself is more relaxing than I can put into words. I don't get many visitors... I don't usually want them by the time I'm done for the day. Batteries get kinda drained, but not with you... feels altogether different. I have to say I like it."

She looked to him, her eyes searching his. Wes didn't know what different meant, exactly...but he said he liked it. "And your gift? I seem to be doing something..I'm shocking you.." She closed her eyes.

He chuckled, "You're doing fine enough of a job that that was me letting my guard down. That's a good thing, Wesley... I don't mind. It didn't hurt, if that's what you were wondering. Not at all.. actually kinda enlightening."

"Enlightening..how?" Now she was starting to get curious.

"If I don't block it, I get it... full throttle as it's intended... quite a zap it was, too. Let me explain... you have nothing to fear from me.. if you're curious, ask.. if you're worried, don't be... if you're in pain, let me help... and I really do want you to stay... and come back... hang out... maybe see what happens after that."

She looked at the floor chewing her lip, she shifted her feet. "I did say I don't date..didn't I? When you asked about why Rita looked at me the way she did, right?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, you kinda mentioned it," he said, unfolding her arms with no ill effect and holding her fingers in his. "And I was kinda ignoring it, hoping you'd make an exception."

[Lovely]

"You'd be the first..." She closed her eyes. What was she going to say? The first since my asshole husband cheated on me and got Jane and my children killed? ...oh yeah that was a sure way to make him want to date you. Wesley... you are an idiot to think you can do this without screwing it up!

His head tilted with curiosity, a smile curling on his lip. He chuckled, gripping her fingers a little, "What? The first....?"

"Ok fine. I'll just say it. It will save us both time and you can run off now rather than later." She took a breath. "I haven't been with a man in any way for over seven years. Before that I was married... he turned out to be someone who didn't know what loyalty was. Because of him my best friend, my son and the child I was carrying all died... I was nearly killed myself." She blurted it all out with barely a breath. She looked at him, ice blue eyes full of sadness.

She'd said it all so fast, he nearly couldn't keep it straight... seven years.. friends.. child? God, she'd lost a child... what worse pain could she possibly feel? His brow knotted briefly and the look of sorrow for her filled his eyes. It washed clear quickly as he looked at her expression, seeing her struggle against the desire to leave and run away and the desire to stay. "I... I'm sorry, Wes I didn't know. Milo didn't... he didn't bring it up."

"Of course not.. he wouldn't.. he'd just stick me in a room with you asking me to do him this big favor and help you relax.. tell me how badly you needed to. All the while knowing that I would like you... That you would get me to drop my guard.. even if it's only for five minutes at a time." She shook her head. "He's like that... knows people.. how to play them, where to place them... and damn it if I have ever seen him be wrong. How does he do that? How does he know? God.. I didn't know I'd want.." She took a deep breath. "How does he know you, me, today.. and my world is shaken up?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. She'd said it all, right on target. "Come'ere," he smiled, holding her in a gentle hug, moving her hands around his back. "He's just Milo, damn him to hell and back.. and that stupid white horse of his."

She leaned her head on his shoulder, her fingers lacing together behind his back. "You want to help me kick his ass later?"

"Ewww.. that'd mean I'd have to burn off my foot after.. no thanks," he teased, kissing the top of her head. "Hey.. can I interest you in some cold rice and soggy veggies?"

She laughed softly. "You still want me to stay?" She lifted her head to look at him. "Even after I just blurted all that out on you?" Her eyes questioning.

He craned down and nipped at her gently, "Yup."

"Well then.. where are my soggy veggies and cold rice?"

"In there, but there's a problem."

"What's the problem?"

He shrugged gently, pulling her into a deeper kiss for a long moment before saying. "We're out here... that'd mean letting go."

She smiled, her eyes slowly lighting up. "I'm not that hungry, are you?"

He smiled and hummed, "Ummm... yeah, sorta... but not for rice."

"What do you want?" She asked softly.

[Lovely]

If the kiss took her breath away like it did him at that moment as he leaned to her... he sighed within the kiss, pressing her hip to his, dancing, rocking gently against her.

She caught her breath as the kiss continued. Her hands let go of each other and slid up his back, resting just below his shoulder blades. Wes leaned more into him and returned his kiss with building desire.

His back sparked gently under her touch like so many tiny shivers under each finger tip, his own hands resting on her back over her hips as he held her close, again not hiding an ounce of the desire he was feeling.

"Forget dinner... you want to see the rest of the apartment?"

She laughed softly, kissing his neck. "Alright.."

He smiled and in a blink he had her arms around his neck and his arm beneath her knees, "You can leave the shoes here... you're not gonna need them for a while."

"Sweeping me off my feet?" She smiled, using her foot to push the shoe off the opposite foot, then switching and repeating. Her sneakers fell to the floor and she wiggled her sock covered toes. "Better?"

"You tell me...," he chuckled. He moved with her down the hall where he'd disappeared earlier to change, bringing her into his room and setting her gently on the unmade bed.

Wes smiled at the unmade bed as he eased her down onto it. Her eyes turned back up to him. Her hand slid to his cheek as her lips brushed over his.

He knelt beside her on the bed a moment, leaning down into tender kisses. "Get comfy.. I'll be right back."

"I'm pretty comfy." She murmured as he left. She laid back on his pillows and waited.

He brought her bag in for her along with her shoes, setting them by the door within reach. He also carried the video she'd picked out, holding it in his teeth like an obedient puppy carrying the morning paper. He juggled an unopen bottle of wine and two more glasses, managing to set all down without any damage. "Pick up where we left off... and much more comfortable than the coffee table."

Wes smiled and sat up to help him, but he juggled and set everything down, without needing help. She was on her knees and shifted so she was sitting, near the head of his bed, curling with one of his pillows. "Sounds good to me." She started slowly working on the buttons of her sweater and then shrugged it off, her socks came off and she stood to go set them with her shoes.

He watched the buttons come undone and her toes become bare, her toe ring shimmering a little in the dim light. She deposited the items by the door and his arm reached to curl her up to him. "Whatever you would like to do... it's your call. Sky's the limit, okay? Best thing for me.. helping me relax and all.. is to help you enjoy your stay as best I can... okay?"

She smiled softly and leaned to kiss his lips, lightly. "Put the movie in, pour some wine and meet me at the bed... we can figure the rest from there." She kissed him once more and undid the button and ziper on her jeans, sliding them down and setting them with the rest. The tank top and lace being all that covered her again, she walked back to his bed and sat on it with her legs curled under her. She watched him move around the room as she snuggled into his covers and waited for him to come join her.

[Lovely]

Following his instructions, the movie was turned on with the volume low, the chilled wine poured and delivered with himself beside her, pausing to dismiss the sweats before sliding beside her beneath the blankets.

Curling herself closer to him, she laid a feathery kiss to his lips. "How are we doing so far with the relaxing?"

"Matter of perspective," he said. "Most of me is pretty darned relaxed, but ya know...."

"Some part of you not relaxed?" She bit her lower lip and stretched out along him. Her arm sliding around his waist. "Well..what can we do to get you fully relaxed?"

"That...," he whispered.

"This?" She stretched more and cuddled to him, her head resting on his shoulder, she turned her lips and kissed his skin lightly.

"Mmmhmm," he smiled beneath the kisses. "Thank you." She stretched alongside him, the gentle scratching of her lace as she brushed past him sending chills down his chest. "Hmmm.. you know what they say.. two steps forward one step back.. or is it one forward and two back...," he whispered as she hovered near his shoulder. "Either.. is that to reach a goal worth obtaining, you have to make sacrifices, hm? I'm willing to sacrifice a little of that relaxation right now, to give you... one helluva hard time," he teased.

She shook her head. "Oh..I think you are enjoying making this hard on me."

He chuckled softly, "Think so? You say that like it's a bad thing."

"As long as you are enjoying yourself.." She smiled.

"Aren't you?"

"I don't remember saying I wasn't." She lifted her head to look at him a moment. "This.... feels nice.." She said softly, sincerely.

"Yeah... yeah it does. Seven years? Guessing we are about even," he said quietly, searching her eyes. "Don't think I want to make it eight."

"Are we?" She rested her chin down on his chest and looked up at him. Wes sighed softly. "I've been alone for so long.. I forgot what it feels like to be near someone.. to be close to someone." She meant physically and emotionally, her eyes held a bit of sadness and perhaps a glimmer of hopefulness.

"Up for a refresher course?" He grinned, hugging her gently, letting the sparks play off the surface of her skin, but no deeper.

She thought about the question and how to answer it. A soft sigh, blew across his chest. "I think I would like that."

"Hmmm... does feel nice," he said, the chill from her breath rolling through him, taking him 'another step back' in delighted tension as he rolled beneath her, letting her balance on him.

She held herself up on her arms, hands pushed into the bed on either side of his head. She looked down at him questioningly. She kind of didn't know what to do with her legs, so they wiggled a little and then she forced them to stop.

[Lovely]

He smiled and reached, tapping her thighs, pulling her gently to straddle him like she had earlier, the blanket rolling away as she rose up a little.

She let him move her legs, still holding herself up on her arms. She watched his face, for some indication of what he was thinking.

"Pssst... c'mon down here.. not gonna bite unless you want me to."

Had it been so long..that she simply did not know what to do with herself? Was she missing something? She felt awkward, just sitting on top of him...and if she moved her arms, she'd be laying in an odd and more awkward way.

He smiled up at her, "Houston.. we have a problem." He reached up and grabbed her wrists gently, sliding his hands beneath hers, holding her up still, guiding her to rest back on him. "Think.. like you'd just dumped me on my sorry ass like earlier... that... was nearly perfect."

"What?" She rested on her forearms, now, much closer to him. "That...I wasn't...I.. " She shook her head. "I'm sorry." She whispered softly.

He chuckled, caressing her shoulders after letting her hands go, "Sorry for what?"

"For being a complete idiot, mostly."

"You're not... don't confuse anxiety with idiocy... you're fine... comfy?"

"No." She looked at the bed, near his shoulder, rather than his face. "Not really. I feel like I'm doing something wrong...or that I'm supposed to be doing something and I'm not...and not getting what it is."

"Wesley... c'mon back down here where you were.. c'mon," he nodded her over to his side. "First.. apologies stop... under threats of merciless tickling... even if you're not ticklish. Second.. you're doing nothing wrong.. not a damned thing," he whispered gently.

She sighed softly. "I'm sorry." She whispered as she shifted off him and back onto the bed next to him. She started to shake her head. "I'm so--" She 'grred' and laid on her back. "Now I'm saying I'm sorry...for saying I'm sorry.." She put her arm over her eyes and 'hid'. "I'm so bad at this...I should just be shot before I hurt somebody!"

"No... you're too cute," he chuckled, sliding an arm over and around her, nudging her arm away from her face. "I mean that."

"Have you suffered any hard blows to the head recently?" The corners of her mouth tipped up. "Because I am not cute."

"Nope," he said softly, running an index finger lightly over her lace in patterns.

"Good you agree, I'm not cute." Her voice faltered a little as a slight shiver ran through her. His fingers running over the lace at her hip, sent chills over her.

"You are, though. I meant I haven't had any debilitating injury." He smiled and slid his finger gently beneath the seam, touching skin.

Her hand found his neck and she played lightly with the hair at the back of his head. Her eyes watching his face as she let his finger roam a bit.

[Lovely]

She was the one who was supposed to be giving him a full massage and though the distractions he tried were delightful, eventually she got 'control' over herself and the situation and was now doing what she was supposed too. It seemed they were both enjoying it and she felt much less awkward when she was the one directing things. The movie continued to play and the time passed quietly, each moment making her less anxious and more comfortable with him.

*stretches... still kinda trying to watch the show*

She slid behind him, her legs wrapped partially around him and draped over his. Her hand kneading and working firmly over the muscles of his back. "Anything not fully relaxed... you tell me, okay. Orders are every inch.. so if any inches need more attention.." She spoke at his ear, the teasing smile in her voice and her breath warm against his neck.

It took a moment for the words to work down into the range of his brain that was paying attention to anything. That didn't sound right and he turned to look at her over his shoulder. "What? Did you... You didn't just say that." The angle and the way he was propped was suddenly painful and he turned back face down. "No. No, this isn't working."

Wes moved and ran her hand gently over his back, leaning down some so he didn't have to crane so much to see her. "What's not working? What would you like me to do differently?"

"Wesley, I appreciate it. I do, it's just not... ," he stammered to a halt, his hand coming up to the back of his head to scratch the tickle away from her close, chilling whispers. "Differently. Yeah, I think so. Could you... um.." He didn't really want her to move, but he couldn't see her. What she was doing was amazing but her comment... there wasn't anything she could do to relax him completely while he was laying face-down.

She propped on one arm and smiled softly, her eyes moving over his shoulder to his face. "I could.. but you might need to show me just what you'd like.. 'um' is very vague." She winked, willing to move and position to something more comfortable for him, but he hadn't said how that would be.

"Um is about as detailed as I can get... at the moment cuz um... ," he shifted to the left and intended to keep rolling that way whether she moved or not. The show they'd been watching was momentarily forgotten when his shoulder twinged among other things. "I can think of a dozen ways to be more comfortable and I hadn't thought about this way in a very, very long time."

She didn't move away, though her eyes held a slight fear of the moment -of letting go, but it was fleeting as he came closer. Wes watched him carefully, sliding her hand over his shoulder and welcoming him into an embrace if he came a touch further. "This way.. " She smiled softly again, understanding about not thinking in such ways for a very long time. "If you show me.. I might be able to help with that.." She whispered, leaning closer to him.

"If I show you, you better help," he sighed, turning a shade of pink he couldn't avoid. He let out a nervous chuckle that before wouldn't have escaped past his ribcage. It lit up his eyes as he reached to keep her close where she was. "Not a word to Milo. None, kapeesh? If he gets any ideas... I don't want him to. It's not supposed to be his idea that I like this. It's supposed to be my idea and I'm definitely getting ideas. So, stop it already and help me."

"Consider me officially off Milo's clock.. and on yours.." Her lips curved into a warm smile as she shifted partially under him, letting a shaply smooth leg caress along his as she did so. "Can I give you ideas?"

"You are... wait, does that mean before you were on Mile's clo-.....," he looked up at her, choking back the word in a sudden breath, stopping in midthought as her leg sent sparks and shudders through him he wasn't prepared to offset. His eyes shuttered as the small shocks and tingles showered over his skin, felt, but unseen. "I'll be giving you more than just ideas if you do that again..."

She giggled softly. "Let's just not talk or think about Milo for the rest of tonight." She leaned up to kiss away any more talk of his boss. Her leg slid along his again, waiting to see what his reaction would be.. and what he'd 'give her' for tempting and teasing him so.