Her turtleneck came off somewhere between the living room area and the bedroom door. She could hear his footsteps behind her as she rounded the bed. He watched her as she took out her earrings, and she saw him swallow hard. He wanted her badly. She could feel it. Feel it with every fiber of her being.

She put her earrings on the nightstand and watched him shrug out of his jacket. It fell to the floor at his feet and he smirked. She returned his smile, feeling like a kid again, like she was finally going all the way with the boy she'd been after for quite some time. She slowly undid the zipper of her skirt and then slipped out of her boots.

Together they watched each other peel back layers of clothing and accessories, and soon they faced each other on opposite sides of the bed. She let her eyes roam over his body, taking in each every inch of his broad shoulders, toned arms and legs. Her gaze skimmed over the hardness of his chest and the softness of his belly. He was just about everything she'd expected him to be and more.

His eyebrow shot up, and a lazy smile crossed his lips as she freed her hair from its ponytail. Without further preamble, she slipped out and her bra and panties and walked over to him. She craned her neck to look up at him with anticipation in her eyes. His lips softly touched hers as her fingers slid under the waistband of his boxer briefs. She impatiently pulled at them till they pooled around his ankles. He grinned as he stepped out of them and kicked them a short distance away.

He bent his head to kiss her lips for the briefest of moments before breaking the sweet contact.

Such a tease, she thought. "Are you nervous?" She smiled against his lips.

"No," he replied and nipped at her bottom lip. Her eyes flickered close as his mouth descended on hers. "I've waited a long time for this."

Her breathy moan turned into a soft squeal as he lifted her into his arms. Her legs went about his waist, and he gently rocked her up and down against the hardness of his erection. Her stomach fluttered as it rubbed alongside her clit. The sensation splintered through her, and she shivered involuntarily.

Already drunk from his kisses, she absently realized that he was slowly walking them over to the bed, and soon her back hit the sheets. He hovered above her for a moment; let his gaze travel the length of her body. It had been a while since she'd been this intimate with someone, and while she guessed she should feel some measure of anxiety about how things would turn out in the end, she felt none.

His mouth moved from her lips to her neck, down her chest, until it rested over her taut nipple. She arched into him as he increased the pressure and rolled the hardened bud along his tongue.

Her fingers moved through his scalp as he moved to her other waiting breast to give it the same attention. His hands felt like they were moving everywhere; over her rib cage, her stomach and hips. He was doing a good job of kindling an intense flame within her. His warm tongue slid just underneath her navel, and she gasped. She was shocked at how quickly she was responding to him and how strongly. Her hands moved over his back, his thighs, over as much of his skin as she could reach. She felt like she couldn't pull him close enough no matter what she did.

Reese told himself to slow down. He'd intended to take his time if they'd ever reached this moment together, but now, the feel of her underneath him was throwing his carefully laid plans out the door.

She'd undressed in front of him, and beneath her skirt and sweater was a soft, sexy, and desirable woman. Her skin was like the colour of the sun during the golden hour; glowing, radiant, and smooth. Her nipples were firm and puckered, waiting for his lips to touch them. Her slim waist filled out to rounded hips and toned thighs, and all he could picture was her legs around his back while he buried himself deep within her.

Now, underneath him, she was a temptress. Her lips moving over his shoulder, teeth biting his chest and her fingers grabbing at him were turning him on in the most delicious way. He told himself to hold back, for just a little bit longer, but she was writing beneath him, entreating him with soft pleas in the form of moans and light touches. He looked into her eyes and saw impatience in those copper brown depths.

"John, please."

He dove into her swiftly, giving her what she wanted. Her gasp upon his entry landed on his cheek. She was soft inside and warm. Like a rose that had opened her petals up just for him. He reveled in her softness, lying still inside her while she adjusted to the feel of him. But he craved the friction of movement and so he started to stroke her deeply.

They moved together, taking and giving, biting and pulling, climbing the peaks of ecstasy and tumbling down again. Their second time took place in the living room area overlooking the New York skyline. The soft rapid snowfall seemed to mirror their coupling, because this time he did what he'd set out to do; he took his time and learned what turned her on by exploring every inch of her body with precision and care.

Her sensitive spot was at her lower back, and he enjoyed pressing his lips there and watching her squirm. He took her from behind, twining his fingers with hers and pressing himself into her soft depths. It didn't take her long to come, and soon he followed, feeling spent, but satisfied. For the moment at least.

He grabbed a covering off the bed and wrapped them both in it as they lay on the couch together. With her snuggled against his chest, he rested his chin of her shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, nudging her shoulder.

She tilted her head to look up at him for a second and gave it a slight shake. "Nothing."

"Tell me," he coaxed.

"I don't want to think. I just want to be here with you and enjoy the moment."

He understood all too well. The night was wearing on, and soon day would come and bring with it everything they'd been keeping at bay during these precious moments.

"Wanna know what I'm thinking about, then?"

"Tell me."

He wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled her closer. "I was thinking how good we are together. I mean, tonight has just been…amazing."

"We were good together, weren't we?" she thought. He realized though, that she thought he was talking about their lovemaking. That in itself was better than he could have dreamed, but he was talking about them, their connection, and what had drawn them together.

"Joss, if things had been different, if we were different, and had met at a different time or place-"

Carter turned in his arms, noting the inflection of his tone and how it'd changed. "You mean if we hadn't met under the circumstances that we did?"

"Yes," he answered, putting a hand on her cheek. "Do you think you'd have been open to this? To us?"

"Yes. I would."

"I think that you are so beautiful. You're one of the most beautiful persons that I've ever met."

She moved up to kiss him, and he ran his fingers through the hair at her nape. He claimed her mouth fiercely, much the same way he'd practically branded her when they'd made love. He'd wanted to stake his claim, leave his mark, and burn the memory of himself into her mind and heart so deep that she'd never forget him. He cupped her face in both hands, pulling her closer, angling his head so he could make his kiss even deeper.

Her lips parted as his tongue sought entry. Sought out her own and proceeded to tease it in a way that caused her stomach to quiver.

She felt alive, filled with desire, and when he took her again, their actions said what their mouths could not. When he kissed her neck she knew that he'd always be there. When he slid his hands between her legs and let his finger slip between her moist folds, she knew that he was telling her that she belonged to him. When he finally slipped his cock inside her and held her gaze with every deep and languid stroke, he was telling her that he belonged to her too.

"Come away with me," he murmured some time later after they'd returned to the bedroom and lay underneath the covers. She smiled sleepily at his proposal. She looked through the window facing the bed and noticed that the snow had finally stopped falling. It seemed fitting that the storm around them had ceased and had left nothing but the quiet of the night behind.

"Where will you take me?" she asked.

"Wherever you want to go. I'll spare no expense. Nothing would be off limits. We leave everything behind, and it'll be just the two of us, Joss."

"I'd love to, John," she answered. His arms around her grew tighter and he softly kissed her bare shoulder. "I'd love to."

She drifted off to sleep then, a slumber so deep that when her eyes finally opened, it was because her cell phone was ringing. The shrill came from the nightstand right next to her, and she reached out to pick it up.

"Carter."

"Good morning, detective. Miss me?"

She closed her eyes at the sound of his voice, not wanting to look at the empty side of the bed next to her. He was already gone, and she hadn't heard him leave.

"You know I do," she answered.

"I'm sorry that you had to wake up alone, but rest assured I kissed you goodbye before I left."

"I supposed that makes up for your quick getaway," she said and turned on her back. "Where are you?"

"Will you forgive me if I don't tell you?"

Tears stung her eyes. They were on opposite sides of the law again. She wasn't Joss anymore, and he wasn't John. She was the detective trying to arrest him, and he was once again the Man In a Suit.

"I think I can manage."

"Good."

"Is that a sigh of relief I hear?" she joked. He was about to hang up, but she wasn't yet ready for him to go.

"You bet your ass it is."

A few moments of silence passed between them, both remembering the previous night. Both wished it could have gone on forever. Both of them knowing they'd never forget it.

"Listen, Joss. I have to go."

"I know."

"You do know that you're not alone, don't you?"

His voice cracked, and she was touched by the emotion in it. She couldn't stop the tears that slid down the side of her face. "I know, John."

"See you around, Joss."

The deathly silence that followed the end of the call filled her with regret, but she was comforted knowing that even though they were separated by so much, he was still on her side.