And just when you thought it was safe, a monkey wrench! :)
Hide and Go Steele - Part IX
Laura pulled back quickly. "Don't be, I almost forgot about your chest. Are you all right?"
"My chest is throbbing, and that isn't the only thing that is," Remington grinned. His eyes darkened with desire as he raked his gaze over her body.
"Oh you!" Laura blushed. "You are wicked."
He laughed. "Presumably that's why you love me." He sobered as soon as the words slipped past his lips. He eyed Laura intensely for a reaction. Laura's gaze was somewhere around the level of his chest. He tilted her face up with his fingers so that her gaze squarely met his. She smiled warmly, and Remington saw that his declaration hadn't scared the hell out of her, not completely.
"This is still new to me," Laura admitted, hesitantly.
"To me as well. It still sounds foreign to my lips. But don't ever doubt Laura that those words have been inside me for years," he clarified.
"I know. Me too. I've practiced them so often while in the shower that I should be a pro by now."
He gathered her lightly in his arms. "Well, if you'd feel more comfortable, I'd be happy to shower with you. That way you can tell me how you feel."
She rubbed his shoulders. "I don't think so Mr. Steele, you aren't supposed to get those bandages wet," Laura cautioned. "Besides, I don't think I'll ever withhold that important affirmation from you again; life is too precious to waste time." She leaned closer to him. Her expression grew serious. "I love you, Mr. Steele," Laura said slowly testing the words on her lips. "I have for quite some time."
With eyes the color of storm clouds, his gaze rooted her to the spot. "And I you, Miss Holt. There now was that so painful?" Remington grinned.
Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. "Nothing was or ever will be as painful as seeing you get shot and lying in a pool of your own blood." Laura shuddered. Tears began to drift down her cheeks.
He placed two fingers to her lips. "Hey, let's not talk about that right now, okay? We can be morbid later." Remington stifled a yawn. "My apologies," he said quickly.
"No need, and you're right. We should talk about everything later. "Right now you need to get some rest." She stood up and leaned over to kiss him again. "Holler if you need me, okay?"
Remington agreed and watched her leave the room before he settled himself against the pillow and allowed himself to sleep.
A few hours later, Laura was setting the table for dinner. She hadn't heard anything from Remingtin since she'd left him. She decided it was a good time to check on him. Going upstairs, Laura walked softly into the bedroom. Gingerly, she sat down on the bed next to him. Remington didn't move. He was still asleep, but his cheeks were tinged red. Laura felt his cheeks and yanked her hand back as though she'd been burned. Jumping off the bed, Laura ran to the table to get her purse. She opened it and fished through until she found the card Remington's doctor had given her. She dialed the number and waited. It rang several times before someone picked up. It was an answering service. Laura left a message asking the doctor to call her immediately. She hung up and went straight for the bathroom. She dowsed a washcloth with cold water and went back to the bed. She wiped Remington's hot face with the cloth before placing it on his forehead. Though asleep, he had begun to move restlessly. Laura cursed herself for not checking on him earlier.
When the phone rang, she answered on the first ring. She breathed an audible sigh of relief when she heard the doctor on the other end. She informed him of Remington's fever and asked if she should get him to the hospital. The doctor told her to find a thermometer so she could get an accurate reading and give him an over the counter drug to try bringing the fever down.
She could've kicked herself for not actually taking his temperature, but she'd been freaked out at how hot he'd felt. "Shouldn't I bring him in?" Laura asked, nervously.
"That may not be necessary, Miss Holt. This could be something minor. You mentioned before he doesn't have any allergies that you know of, correct?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"What about food? Is there something he ate today that he could have been allergic to or was tainted?"
She looked over at him worriedly. "I don't think so, but I can't be certain. We both ate the same thing."
"How do you feel Miss Holt?"
"So far just fine, doctor."
"Well let's try to get his fever down using a normal fever reducer. I want you to try that tonight and if his temperature gets over 104 degrees bring him in immediately."
Laura thanked him and hung up. She turned to look at Remington. He was moaning something that wasn't coherent, and he was still asleep. Laura quickly went downstairs, put her dinner away, got a bowl with ice cubes and a glass and returned to the bedroom. She filled the bowl with water, found a thermometer and got some advil from her travel bag. She bathed Remington's face in cold water hoping it would rouse him so she could to take his temperature and give him the advil. After a few minutes, Remington came to long enough for her to do what she needed to. He collapsed back on the pillow while Laura read the thermometer. His fever was at 102 degrees.
Laura sat by his bed and continued to watch him. She drifted off and by the time she woke up, and hour had passed. Remington wasn't awake this time so it was more difficult to get a reading. Laura looked at the numbers and bit her lower lip, it was 103.5. She put the cold washcloth on his forehead and headed for the bathroom. She found some rubbing alcohol and put that in the water and sponged him down. Laura decided to take a break when her fingers starting getting numb with cold. She stood up and stretched her aching body, looked at her watch and grimaced, it was after nine. She decided to call the doctor again just to be sure. When he called back, he told her to keep monitoring him and that with all the steps she was taking, his fever should run its course.
"It could be awhile, Miss Holt, but I think eventually, he'll improve."
Laura went to the bathroom, changed into a pair of cotton pajama pants and a t-shirt, and brushed her hair and teeth. She checked on Remington, he was sleeping peacefully for the moment so she turned the lights out and laid down on the chaise lounge. She couldn't believe this was happening. It was bad enough he'd gotten shot, now a fever of unknown origin had complicated his recovery. Laura sent a silent prayer heavenward that Remington would be fine. When Laura felt herself sliding into sleep she welcomed it.
Sometime later, she was brought abruptly out of her slumber by a moan. She sat up and looked at the clock, it was two in the morning. Laura got up and padded over to Remington. She felt his head, it was warm but nowhere near as bad as it was earlier. She wrung the washcloth out and wiped his face. He moaned again, and instinctively she soothed him.
"Shhh, it's all right Remington, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," Laura whispered.
Remington was restless and continued moaning something, but Laura couldn't make out what he was saying. She continued murmuring words of endearment as she stroked his damp hair. She leaned in and kissed him on his cheek. As she sat back she was suddenly grasped around the arms and pulled forward. Laura gasped and looked down at Remington, his eyes were open but they were glazed over.
"Where are you going?" He asked, hoarsly.
"I'm..I'm not going anywhere, I told you I wouldn't leave you," Laura said softly.
"Don't leave, not tonight, not ever," Remington said as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
His lips covered hers and Laura felt the heat from his body seep through her clothes. His mouth was warm and demanding. Laura tried to pull back, but his arms moved to hold her head and body firmly against him.
"Sweet; you taste amazing. I can't seem to get enough of you." He stared at her.
His eyes were bright and feverish. Laura wasn't sure if he was fully cognizant of his actions. His next words confirmed it.
"You're a witch, Laura: you taunt me by day and haunt me at night. You've cast your spell and I can't seem to pull away. Tell me you love me. I want to hear the words, Laura—I need to hear them," he demanded.
"I love you Remington, I always have," Laura assured him.
He ran his hands up and down her arms. She closed her eyes.
"Tell me you want me like I want you. You're everywhere I look, I can't escape you, not even in my dreams. In my dreams, that seems to be the only place I can have you. The only place you won't run from me, Laura," he said hotly, running his hands over her body. He pulled her down against him. He roamed his hands over her backside and seared her mouth with fervent kisses. They were like no kisses he'd ever given her before, they were hot, wet and completely unyielding.
Dear God he was dreaming! He wasn't even awake and he was evoking feelings in her that were so intense Laura thought she'd burn to a cinder. She listened to him and heard the desperation in his voice. How many times had she dreamt of him, dreamt there were no barriers, nothing stopping them from the passion she knew they felt for each other. Laura heard him moan her name and she opened her eyes to look at him. The look he gave her rattled her to the tips of her toes. His eyes were still glazed, but the hue had changed to a deep blue, dark and penetrating. In that moment she saw it all, his unadulterated love and desire.
"God you're beautiful and you're all mine! Come to me Laura. Now." Remington said, burying his face in her hair.
He leaned up and she eased him back down. Dream or no dream she didn't want him hurting himself. Laura felt Remington's hands on her hips and before she could bat an eyelash he had pulled her up to straddle him. Laura felt her nightgown riding up and the heat emanating from his body. His desire for her more than evident as he held her firmly against him. Laura found herself in a strange perdicament; she was caught up in a wave of passion and was pulled so taunt with wanting she thought she'd snap in two. Her sensible side told her to pull herself away from him immediately before it was too late. He was caught up in a dreamworld where he was determined to make love to her.
He's in another place and won't remember any of this. She should pretend it never happened and stop it now before they went too far. Her reckless side told her to stop listening to her sensible side. She and Remington were bound to make love, they'd just declared their feelings. It was inevitable now. She shouldn't deny him, or herself anymore. She should let it happen and have no regrets. Everyone's first time sleeping with someone is awkward, why not get it out of the way now without recriminations? Her mind told her. She looked down at him again and faltered. He won't even remember this. Her sensible side screamed. So remind him. Her reckless side chimed in. Laura made up her mind.
"You are my world, Remington Steele. God you have no idea how much," she whispered, tearfully.
She didn't know if he heard her or not and didn't care as she leaned down and kissed him firmly. She heard him moan and repeat her name. She was lost then, caught up in the tempest of their desire and she submitted fully and completely. She felt Remington pulling at her shirt so she removed it. The pants were the next thing to go. When she returned, his hands splayed over her body like a sculptor with a new mound of clay. Laura moaned at his expert ministrations and moved closer to allow him better access. Remington found her breasts and gave them all his attention. His fingers and his mouth sought her out again and again as he licked and kissed her sensitive flesh. She arched her back and expelled a breath she hadn't known she was holding.
"This is crazy," she breathed aloud. The feelings he evoked flooded her senses. In seconds, Laura felt a slow warmth building within her. She'd dreamt about him doing these very things to her for so long. Now that it was an actual fact, her body screamed with joy and welcome as it moved slowly against his. When she felt him bulging against her warmth, Laura reached down and took him in her hands. Remington gasped and closed is eyes.
"My little witch lays me prostrate with the lightest touch," he murmured.
Laura's curiosity about him got the better of her. Unable to help herself, she began to explor his body. She loved the feel of him. Sure she'd been close to him and had been locked in warm embraces countless times, but this was so different. It was important for her to give him as much pleasure as he was giving her. Remington began moving restlessly under her as she kissed and caressed his body. Her own was screaming for release, but she didn't want to rush these glorious feelings she'd waited so long to experience with him.
Remington must have been of the same mind because seconds later, he moved her forward and firmly positioned her against his manhood. He applied steady pressure and Laura was more than ready to accomodate him. When he finally entered, the feelings were so intense Laura had to grab hold of him to keep herself falling backwards. The illusions she'd had of them making love were so far from the actual thing she didn't even bother recalling them.
At first, Remington's pace was slow as he adjusted himself to the tight fit of her body. When her body obliged him fully, his body naturally picked up the pace. Laura found his groove and matched it effortlessly. She was holding him tightly as he thrust into her repeatedly. She could feel her muscles tightening and her passion building. She writhed above him as she edged closer to her release. When it did come, Laura's body switched into overdrive as her inner core exploded.
Remington gripped her hips and kept her perched right at the edge oblivion. She cried out over and over as wave after wave washed over her tense body. Shifting suddenly, Remington turned her over so that he tood the lead. Concern for him shook her as she tried to stop him, but it was pointless. He came into her with decisive force and Laura grabbed his shoulders and clasp her legs around his waist in an effort to steady herself. A few minutes later, she felt the tension building in her again. She felt her hold on his back tighten and her breath quicken. Remington moved with determination and Laura could feel his body tensing. Seconds later, he pushed them both over the edge and Laura's cries of passion were mingled with his as the world burst forth in blinding colors before her eyes.
Remington shuddered a final time and collapsed against her. She pivoted and pushed until he rolled over on his back. His breath was raspy as he pulled her against him. She relaxed and felt sleep beckoning. She felt his forehead to make sure he wasn't any warmer than he'd been before. Happy to see that he wasn't, Laura sighed loudly and drifted into an exhausted sleep.
