Chapter Text
Angela Rizzoli wiggled her toes, trying in vain to alleviate some of the aching in her feet. She’d been on them all day and was more than ready for the glass of wine and bubble bath she’d promised herself as a reward for putting up with Stanley for the last eight hours.
She pushed through the door from the kitchen and stepped out into the café, stripping off her apron and tucking it under the counter. With a sigh, she flipped off the light and turned to go, letting out a yelp of surprise when she saw Maura sitting there in the relative darkness. The sun was peering in through the windows above, but it was fast fleeing, bathing them both in shadows.
“I’m sorry,” Maura said in a subdued voice. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Jane’s best friend looked bereft. Angela hesitated, torn between Maura’s distress and suspecting that the doctor was the reason behind Jane’s latest mood swing. Something had clearly happened between the two on their “date,” but Jane was tight-lipped about the whole thing. Being kept in the dark drove Angela crazy, but she didn’t need details to know her daughter was hurting.
“Doctor Isles.” Angela decided on aloof.
Maura winced. “Jane told you.”
Angela considered her options. Jane wasn’t going to tell her squat, and this might be her best opportunity to pry. “She told me enough,” she hedged, ignoring the expected pang of Catholic guilt before drifting closer. For the first time, she could see Maura’s eyes were rimmed with red and her heart twisted at the sight. Angela sighed, never able to stay upset with this woman for long. Maura wasn’t blood, but she was still family. “You want to tell me your side of things?”
Maura shrugged as her well-manicured hands flexed helplessly in a slash of sunlight slowly shrinking on the tabletop. “What’s to tell? Jane hates me.”
Easing into the chair opposite the medical examiner, Angela frowned at how exhausted and lost Maura appeared. The mother in her couldn’t help but reach out, covering one of Maura’s hands with her own. “Jane could never hate you.”
“I gave her a good reason. Maybe several good reasons.” Maura propped her right elbow on the table and rested her chin on it, but she didn’t move the hand safely ensconced in Angela’s own. “I wish I was better with the living. I guess there is a reason I work with the dead.”
Hearing a hitch in the doctor’s voice made Angela’s heart hurt. Maura sniffled and Angela’s resolve to be mad on her daughter’s behalf dissolved. “What happened?”
Maura was quiet a moment. Angela was beginning to think she wasn’t going to say anything at all when Maura whispered something she could barely hear.
“What?”
The doctor cleared her throat. “I said I…” Maura licked her lips. Shifting in her chair so she could meet Angela’s gaze straight on, she took another short, jerky breath and forced the words out. “I think I’m falling in love with your daughter.”
Angela blinked, feeling her stomach flip in surprise.
“I know your faith doesn’t really…” Maura paused and swallowed clearly unsure what to do about the stunned look on Angela’s face. “I just… I wasn’t sure before our date. I was beginning to suspect that my feelings had grown deeper and more complex. But during the date… I knew. I knew what I was feeling was serious, but I went about expressing that the wrong way.”
“Expressing…” Angela repeated numbly.
Maura cleared her throat again, casting a guilty look at Angela before glancing away. “I… made a… miscalculation.”
“A miscalculation.” Angela could just bet what that miscalculation was.
“Our wires got crossed. I thought Jane… and she thought that I…” Maura sighed again and rubbed her hand across her forehead. “I don’t know what to do, Angela.”
“Oh boy.” Angela couldn’t think of anything more helpful to say so she said it again. “Oh boy.”
Maura shot her another worried look. “Perhaps it’s best if I speak to someone else about this. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward or uncomfortable…” Maura broke off as Angela squeezed her hand.
“Maura.” Angela’s voice softened as she took a moment to settle and organize her thoughts. “Are you sure? You really love my daughter?”
“Yes.” Maura’s voice was clear now and full of conviction. “I honestly think I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Angela melted a little at that and she tightened her grip on the younger woman. “You know I think of you like one of my own…”
“You don’t approve,” Maura guessed.
Angela shook her head. “It’s not that.” She slowly smiled. “I just never thought she would find somebody good enough for her.”
Maura’s throat rippled as she swallowed. “Really?” She searched Angela’s face. “You’re okay with this? With the possibility of…”
“Definitely okay.” Angela couldn’t help the smile that split her face. “I’ve wondered… You two are so close… closer than Jane has ever been with anyone.” She sighed, watching Maura hopefully. She could only pray Jane wouldn’t screw this up. “My daughter loves you. You’re the one person she would do anything for outside of family.”
“Oh no.” Maura shook her head. “There was never anything… Well… not before last Friday night…”
Angela smiled again. “You came to me for advice.” Thank God one of them had, Angela thought. If they waited on her daughter they would never get anywhere.
The medical examiner drew up a little straighter and nodded. “I didn’t know whom else to turn to.” She smiled tremulously. “And you’ve always been so kind to me…”
“Jane likes to play it tough, but we both know she has a soft side.” Angela scooted her chair a little closer. Now that the shock of having what she’d suspected for some time confirmed, she was starting to feel giddy. “You need to woo her.”
“Woo her.” Maura shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“For such a smart lady you can be a little dumb sometimes.” Angela kept smiling to keep the sting out of her words. “Whatever it is you think you did wrong… you need to let Jane know you’re sorry. Flowers. Chocolates. Shower her in attention. She won’t be able to resist.”
“That seems… very old-fashioned.” Maura looked skeptical.
Angela nodded. “It is. But Jane is actually a little old-fashioned.”
Maura considered that for a moment, unable to find any flaws in Angela’s logic. “Flowers and chocolates,” she said slowly, her brow furrowing in concentration.
“Worth a shot, right?”
“So the objective is to woo her back, to show her that I’m contrite and that I want another chance.”
“That’s the idea.”
Maura nodded, as she came to a decision. “Jane’s likes lilies, right?”
Angela grinned from ear to ear.
****
“What is this?”
Jane drew up short when she saw the massive bouquet of flowers that greeted her at the start of her shift. An explosion of color, they were perched in the center of her desk, drawing the attention of every detective in the room. Jane felt her face heat in embarrassment, but there was a thread of shy pleasure coursing through her as well.
“Flowers. Some detective you are.” Frost shot a knowing look at Korsak as he hung up the phone.
“Thank you, Einstein. Who are they from?” Jane glanced at Korsak who shrugged.
“You think we’d read your card? Invade your privacy?” the older detective asked.
“Yes.”
“We didn’t have time to steam open the envelope.” Frost gave her a wicked grin.
Jane shook her head. With a sigh, she snatched the envelope up and ripped it open, hoping like hell she didn’t have another amorous serial killer on her hands. She read the words with vague unease.
I’m sorry. I hope you can see it in your heart to give me another chance.
Jane’s breath caught when she saw Maura’s signature, as familiar as her own.
“Well?” Frost asked.
Jane looked up, having forgotten her partners were even there. “Well what?”
“Who are they from? Somebody sure dropped a dime or two for those.” The younger detective looked envious.
“None of your business.” Jane tucked the card back into the bouquet of irises and lilies, a tiny, unconscious smile on her features. She gently touched one of the soft petals, breathing in their welcome scent. Maura had remembered her favorites, but Jane would have expected nothing less. Maura’s brain was a treasure trove of what Jane often thought was useless, but more fascinating than she wanted to admit, information.
“Must be serious.” Korsak glanced at Jane out of the corner of his eye, earning him a withering glare in return. He smiled. “Judging by the sappy look on your face while you were reading that card, I’d say significantly serious.”
Frost cut his gaze back to Jane, assessing her with a cop’s eyes. “I’d say somebody’s got a crush.”
“Suspect is in interview two.” Jane tried to affect an air of indifference as she turned to leave, only to pivot when she heard a chair scrape across the floor. She beat Frost to Maura’s card a half second before her partner could get his hand on it. She clucked her tongue at him. “Gotta be faster than that.”
Frost crossed his arms, but he had a determined glint in his eyes Jane knew all too well. She deliberately tucked the card into her back pocket and patted it for emphasis.
“You try to get this card out of my back pocket, and I will arrest your ass for assault.”
“Might be worth it.”
“Shut up, Korsak.” Jane wanted to be annoyed, but another glance at her flowers made it hard to be upset about a lot of things. “I gotta do everything by myself while you ladies sit around and gossip? We’ve got a murder suspect to question.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder as she left, a small, pleased smirk on her lips. The flowers were a nice token. Leaving them where she would be able to drive her nosy partners insane was a bonus. Maura knew her too well.
Her fingers slipped into her back pocket, caressing the edge of the card as she walked. Jane was tempted to cave, always giving in with disgusting ease where Maura was concerned, but this time would be different. If Maura wanted a second date, the doctor was going to have to work for it.
The thought of getting in deeper with Maura still scared the hell out of her, but she couldn’t deny that was exactly what she wanted. She could still remember kissing Maura on the porch, the cool night air useless against the heat that had surged between them. Jane’s body warmed in a way it never had with any of the men she’d dated. She wondered if she’d just been kidding herself all this time and didn’t like the answer that came to her.
“Yeah,” Jane said under her breath. “Some detective you are.” She shook her head in disbelief at her own cluelessness. No wonder she was always relieved when Casey left.
Biting her lip, Jane glanced toward the elevators. Maybe she could run down to the morgue under the guise of checking on a lab report or two. She was waiting on more than one, after all. She could drop a hint in Maura’s direction, let her know that her advances were working…
“Thought we had a murder suspect,” Korsak reminded her as he passed, startling her and stopping her in her tracks before she could take a single step.
“Bite me, Korsak.” Jane blushed, suspecting her thoughts must have been showing on her face when Korsak winked at her.
“I think I’ll leave that up to your secret admirer.”
Jane glared but he merely chuckled in response before stepping into interview. She pulled the card out of her pocket and looked at it once more, not only accepting, but welcoming the jolt in her guts at the sight of Maura’s signature this time. “Come on, Maura,” she whispered. “Prove to me you want this as much as I do.”
Tucking the card back into her pocket, Jane took a breath, hoping she was able to get the lovesick look off her face before questioning her suspect.
****
The more Maura searched for things Jane would like the more she enjoyed it. Jane was a hard woman to shop for. Just thinking about her best friend’s birthday used to be enough to make Maura break out in hives, but now that their relationship had waded into murkier waters, somehow that had made things oddly clearer for the medical examiner.
Maura shook her head a little as she finished her online order. Jane was getting another bouquet tomorrow, the fourth one this week. That was on top of the pizza she’d ordered for the whole squad the day before. She’d also splurged on a print from the gallery showing they’d attended, one she thought Jane had especially enjoyed. Korsak had mentioned in passing that Jane had gotten a gift from an admirer that had nearly turned her, in his words, into a pile of “lovesick goo.”
Sighing, Maura leaned back in her chair. She tried to ignore the pang she in her stomach at Jane’s continued absence. The other woman was being stubborn, which wasn’t surprising in the least, but it was maddening. Maura missed her smile. She missed her voice.
Getting Jane’s friendship back would be enough, but Maura closed her eyes and hoped for more. Now that she’d admitted her feelings, now that they were out in the open, she couldn’t deny how right they felt. She could only hope Korsak was right and Jane felt the same way.
“Come on, Jane.” Maura closed her laptop. “Let me back in.”
****
Jane fidgeted in the elevator, thinking about the new bouquet that had been left on her desk for the fourth day in a row. Jane didn’t buy a lot of flowers, but she knew pricey ones when she saw them. Maura was sparing no expense.
And it was starting to make Jane feel like an ass.
Today there had also been chocolates, her favorites with little sprinkles of bacon in them. Jane had grabbed the box and left the squad room, feeling her partners’ knowing eyes on her as she headed for the elevator. She didn’t know if they’d figured out the identity of her secret admirer, and she really didn’t give a damn anymore. She just needed to see Maura if only to let the other woman off the hook. All of these gifts only served to remind Jane that no one knew her better than Maura Isles.
The doors opened and Jane stepped out into the hall, taking a deep breath to steel her nerves. The last time she’d come here, things hadn’t gone the way she’d hoped, but Jane was relatively certain history wasn’t going to repeat itself. Maura had more than made up for the misunderstanding between them. Now it was her turn.
Stepping inside her best friend’s office, Jane pulled up short when she realized it was empty. Disappointed, she turned to head for the morgue only to stop and stare when she spotted a picture on the file cabinet she’d never really paid much attention to before.
Jane set the chocolates down and drew the photo closer, staring at her and Maura as they lounged together on a picnic blanket. They were side by side, almost touching, even though there was more than enough room on the blanket. Jane could almost feel the sun that had been beating down on them that day. She’d been on the verge of a nap when Maura had settled next to her, and they’d spent nearly an hour spying a virtual zoo among the clouds. She had heard the camera click and had given her mother a withering glare at the time, but she’d been more upset about being pulled out of the peaceful moment with Maura than she had been about the picture.
“Look at us,” Jane muttered. “Jesus, we’ve been fools.”
Tears stung the corners of Jane’s eyes when she thought about how much time they’d wasted. She didn’t want to waste anymore.
Scooping up the chocolates, Jane returned to her search only to wind up frustrated. Maura was out of the building and wouldn’t return until later. She was tempted to go after her best friend, but Maura had a job to do just like she did.
Moving back into Maura’s office, Jane picked up a Post-It and placed it on Maura’s desk. She grabbed a pen before jotting down a quick message, hoping like hell no one but Maura would see it.
****
Maura placed two fingers to her neck, alarmed by how fast and hard her heart was beating. She’d returned after a hectic morning in the field to find a simple note and one of the chocolates she’d given Jane on her desk. The message had been simple, but it had succeeded in making Maura nearly weak in the knees.
Let’s try again.
- J
Maura wasn’t sure what Jane wanted to try again, but her brain was rapidly suggesting possibilities as she paced the hall outside interrogation. One of her assistants had handed her the DNA results Jane had requested earlier as Maura had practically run to the elevator, and Maura was glad now that she had some piece of business she could use as an opening.
A door behind her jerked open and Maura jumped. A second later, Jane emerged, anger etched into every sharp line of her body as she all but stomped down the hall toward her desk. Maura bit her lip, unsure of her course of action given her friend’s apparent upset, but she couldn’t bear the thought of going another day without hearing Jane’s voice.
“Detective Rizzoli.” Maura kept her voice neutral, but she could hear a quiver in it, her nerves creeping in unwelcome.
Jane stopped walking and turned, her gaze lingering on Maura for a long moment before she drew in a deep breath. Slowly, she came a few steps back down the hall, but she didn’t come nearly as close as Maura wanted her to. “Doctor Isles.”
The formal greeting didn’t have the edge to it Maura had been expecting, and some of the butterflies in Maura’s stomach calmed. She held out the folder in her hands without comment.
For a moment, Jane almost looked disappointed as she eyed the folder, but then her features went blank once more. “That the DNA results?” She hesitated, reluctant to come closer.
“I rushed them for you.”
Jane glanced back down the hall. Seeing they were alone, she sighed and approached, reaching up to take the results. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I thought maybe you…”
“I saw your note.”
Jane’s head came up and her dark eyes studied Maura intently, making her pulse pound even harder. “Oh… uh… good.”
Maura licked her lips. “Did you mean it? That you wanted to try again?”
“I don’t usually pour my heart out on Post-It notes unless I mean it. Unless ‘Don’t forget toilet paper’ counts.”
Only Jane would think four words was pouring her heart out Maura thought with a faint trace of a smile. “I just… I don’t want there to be any more… misunderstandings. When you said you wanted to try again…”
“I meant…” Jane swallowed. “I meant… us,” she said softly. “A… relationship. More than what we already have.” She looked down at the floor before carefully lifting her gaze to capture Maura whole.
Maura swayed in place a little, nearly lightheaded at the prospect. “We have a lot already,” she felt the need to say.
Jane smiled, her eyes gentle. “We do.”
“Is it worth the risk?”
“Is it for you?” Jane searched her features.
Maura sternly reminded herself to breathe. “When you came to see me the other day… You said… You said sex between us would be more than that to you.”
“Yeah,” Jane answered slowly.
“I…” Maura swallowed, her throat painfully dry. “I want… more. I knew that when I invited you into my bed, Jane. I just… I didn’t think you would…” She had to stop, the sudden surge of unwanted tears burning her eyes.
“Maura,” Jane breathed. “How long have you…”
“I don’t know. It… blindsided me, too.” Maura bravely met Jane’s gaze only to see a small, wondering smile on her best friend’s lips. “I should go.” It was the last thing Maura wanted to do, but things were getting a little too intense between them and this wasn’t the time or the place to say anything more.
“The flowers… they’re… beautiful.” Jane reached out, as if to touch Maura, to keep her there, but she reluctantly let her hand fall between them. “The photograph from the gallery showing… it was my favorite.”
“I’m glad you liked them.”
“You’ve got the whole division taking bets on who my mystery suitor is.” The detective stood a little straighter as a cop came out of one of the interview rooms and nodded at them both as he passed.
Maura smiled. “I wanted you to know I was sorry. I was following traditional rituals in an effort to… what?” Maura stopped as Jane crossed her arms and gave her an amused look.
“You’re acting like a guy in the dog house.”
Maura felt a flicker of anger but she squelched it, allowing that Jane had a point. “I… I suppose that’s a fair analogy.”
Jane smothered a smile and her eyes softened. “You don’t have to keep buying me things, Maura.”
“Did the flowers make you feel better about… us? About our… misunderstanding?”
Jane shrugged self-consciously. “I guess they didn’t hurt.”
“I’d buy you every flower in Boston to fix this.”
Jane opened her mouth to respond only to close it. Maura knew she’d said something right when Jane’s lips lifted in a shy, pleased smile. “Maura…”
“I mean it, Jane. I want to fix this. Us.”
Drawing in a slow breath, Jane met her gaze again. “Me, too.”
The tension bled from Maura’s body so fast she felt light-headed again. “Maybe we could… have dinner? Talk things out at my place?”
Jane looked very tempted and Maura tried not to feel a thread of excitement in reaction.
“I’m about to wrap up this case. I can’t promise I would make it.”
“Then wrap up your case, Detective. We’ll have dinner tomorrow. I’ll cook.”
“Dinner? On a Friday night?” Jane stared at her for a long moment. She licked her lips nervously but she seemed to be coming to a decision. “Sounds a little like you’re asking me out on a second date, Doctor Isles.”
Even though she was so nervous she was nearly nauseous, Maura dredged up a brave smile and shrugged one shoulder, hoping she came off nonchalant. “Only if you’re saying yes.”
They stared at each other, both painfully aware that whatever happened next would change the course of their friendship.
“Only if you stop buying me things.” Jane managed to sound casual but Maura could hear how breathless she was.
“Very well. Although I suppose I should take back the box seats I bought you and Frankie to this weekend’s game. They’re behind the DNA results.”
Maura playfully reached for the folder, and Jane snatched it back.
“Let’s not be too hasty.” Jane sneaked a peek at the tickets. “Jeez. You sure know how to you’re sorry.”
“I had a lot to apologize for,” Maura said sincerely.
Jane’s dark eyes softened again. “Apology accepted. But only if I can keep the tickets.”
Seeing Jane’s playful side set the last of Maura’s fears to rest. “I suppose it’s a price worth paying.” She sighed dramatically. When Jane reached out, her hand gripping Maura’s shoulder before slowly sliding down Maura’s arm, the medical examiner held her breath.
Tangling their fingers together, Jane urged her closer, maybe too close, Maura thought as she got a lungful of Jane’s scent, alluring as any perfume.
“And forget Frankie. The only one I want with me at the game is you.”
When the door to interview opened with a jerk, both women leapt apart like they’d been burned.
Frost stepped out and blinked when he saw his partner and the medical examiner. “Doctor Isles,” he greeted, looking from one woman to the other.
“Detective Frost.” Maura nodded her head in Jane’s direction. She couldn’t look at the other woman right now, wanting much more than either of them could give at the moment. “Jane.” She pivoted on her heel and practically fled, hurrying to the safe haven of the elevator.
Jane watched her go before shifting her attention on her partner who was watching her curiously. “What?” she snapped.
“For a second there I thought… nah.” Frost shook his head and moved past her, missing Jane’s eye-roll and her slapping her forehead with the DNA results. She caught a glimpse of Maura just as the elevator doors closed, however, and she couldn’t help the smile for her friend before she disappeared from view.
Taking a deep breath, Jane turned and started walking toward her desk. She had a case to solve tonight and then she was putting in for vacation time tomorrow. There was no damn way she was going to miss out on a second date with Maura Isles.
****
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
Maura stepped back to allow Jane inside, taking a moment to appreciate her best friend’s dark red, figure-hugging dress. Either Jane had been shopping since yesterday, or the detective had been hiding some nicer clothes in the deep confines of her closet. She smiled as she closed the door, catching a whiff of perfume on the air that Jane so seldom wore. It made her stomach do somersaults.
“You look beautiful.”
Jane turned to meet her gaze before looking down at herself. “What? This old thing?”
“You didn’t have to dress up.” Maura drifted closer, accepting the nice bottle of wine Jane had brought for the occasion.
“Uh-huh.” Jane’s gaze traveled over ever inch of the doctor, making her warm. “Do I want to know what designer you’re wearing this evening, Doctor?”
Maura let one hand trail down her side over the silver blue silk. “Seems we’re both trying to make a good impression.”
“You succeeded.” Jane must have realized what she’d just confessed. She cleared her throat, looking anywhere but at Maura’s pleased smile. “Something smells good.”
“I borrowed your mother’s lasagna recipe.”
“My mother gave you our family lasagna recipe? She won’t even let me have that.” Jane trailed after Maura into the kitchen. “What’d you have to promise to be entrusted with that secret?”
Maura brushed an errant hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “To not break your heart.”
“Seriously?” Jane pivoted toward her, looking horrified.
“Actually, she was very insistent that I use a particular brand of cheese from a very specific store. I had to take off work early just to go get it.”
Jane slapped her arm and Maura smirked.
“Although I’m sure that treading carefully with your heart was implied.” Maura turned and pulled two plates out of the cupboard, intensely aware of Jane’s dark eyes on her.
“Tell me you did not talk to my mother about us.”
Maura hesitated. So far the mood between them was comfortable and familiar and she was loath to say anything that might jeopardize it. “I did not talk to your mother about us.” Maura knew she was simply following Jane’s instructions. She would point that out later when the topic came up again.
Jane grunted, not buying her innocent act for a second. Maura could tell Jane was curious to know what they’d talked about, but she suspected her friend was a little worried as well. Wanting your mother’s acceptance was something Maura understood better than most.
Clearing her throat again, Jane leaned against the counter. The lights had been dimmed, and a few candles flickered throughout the space, making Maura’s home more romantic than any fancy restaurant. “Can we get something out of the way?”
Maura set the plates on the counter and turned to look at her curiously. “Out of the way?”
“Um...” Jane cleared her throat for a third time and rolled her eyes at herself. “No sex tonight, right?”
Maura blinked, unsure how she was supposed to respond. “I… The only assumption I made about tonight was dinner.”
Jane blew out a breath. “Cool. Glad that we got that settled.”
“Did you think I invited you over to have sex?”
“No!” Jane shook her head. “I mean… maybe… eventually.” She sighed. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”
Pursing her lips, Maura came closer. Apparently they weren’t as comfortable as she thought. “It’s just us, Jane. Just dinner.”
Jane stared at her for a moment. “Yeah… but now we’re…”
Smiling faintly, Maura dared to take Jane’s hand and she was relieved when her friend didn’t pull away. “We’re… having dinner,” she repeated. “There are no other expectations about tonight, all right?”
Shaking her head, Jane closed her eyes and sighed again. “I don’t know if that makes me happy or… disappointed.” She cracked one eye open and fixed her gaze on Maura’s bemused features.
“I think… that is a positive sign for wherever we’re going.”
“Yeah?” Jane asked, sounding unsure.
“Definitely.” Maura squeezed the hand in hers. “I know this is new for you. It’s new for me, too. Whatever pace you want, Jane.”
Jane tightened her fingers around Maura’s hand. “I just… I thought maybe we should ease into this.”
“So there is a ‘this’ to ease into?” Maura’s bright eyes were vivid even in the candlelight.
Drawing in a ragged breath, Jane nodded. “Yeah,” she repeated. “I think there is.”
They stared at each other for a moment before Maura finally looked away. “Now that we have that out of the way…” She squeezed Jane’s hand one last time and let go, turning to retrieve the plates. “I thought we could simply eat dinner and watch a movie together.”
“That sounds… perfect.” The rest of the tension fled from Jane’s tall frame now that she knew there were no expectations for the rest of the evening. “You ever… you know… done this before?”
Maura bent to retrieve their meal from the oven but she could feel Jane’s eyes on her. “Made lasagna?”
Jane gave her friend a look and Maura just smiled. “You know what I mean.”
“Are you asking me if I’ve ever dated a woman before?” Maura hesitated for a moment, wondering what the right answer was. “Yes. Once or twice.”
“Figures you would be the one with more education in this department.”
Chuckling as Jane’s disgruntled tone, Maura began to plate up their food. “Open the wine, would you? I know you have plenty of experience with that.”
“Yes, Doctor,” Jane purred dramatically, swatting Mara on the hip as she walked past to retrieve the corkscrew.
Maura smiled and let out a breath of her own. Maybe this evening would go off better than she’d hoped.
****
The food had been amazing. The company was even better. Jane turned her head, watching the candlelight play over Maura’s hair. Her best friend had hesitantly curled against her midway through the movie, and now Maura’s head was resting peacefully on Jane’s shoulder. The moment was damn near perfect, Jane had to admit, savoring the touch of Maura’s hands as they toyed with one of her own. The movie was almost over, but Jane had stopped watching a long time ago, too caught up in what she was feeling to pay any attention.
“You have beautiful hands,” Maura murmured, tracing her thumb over the back of Jane’s left hand. “They remind me of you.”
One of Jane’s eyebrows lifted. “Scarred?” Her voice sounded hoarse from disuse, but it still carried a hint of humor. Maura smiled against her shoulder a second before the doctor’s thumb teased over the scar in question. Jane had never felt anything but shame when someone had touched it before, but now slow, seductive warmth bloomed deep in her guts.
“I suppose you are,” Maura said matter-of-factly. “But these hands have comforted victims, have taken down criminals.” She continued to caress Jane’s hand, unaware of the effect it was having on the other woman. “They’re long.” Her fingers played over Jane’s. “Strong…”
Maura lifted her head and Jane found herself looking into blue eyes that swallowed her whole. “Do they still hurt? The scars?”
For a moment, Jane didn’t even know what Maura was talking about. She finally shook her head a little, trying to break the spell Maura was putting her under before she did something she’d promised herself she wouldn’t do tonight. Jane glanced down at her hand, watching Maura’s thumb ease over the scar once more before turning her hand over to stare at the small, star-like pattern on her palm.
“Not as much since…”
“Since Hoyt died?” Maura guessed.
Jane swallowed and nodded, refusing to let memories of that man and what he’d almost done to Maura intrude on the moment.
Maura slowly lifted Jane’s hand to her lips, kissing the scar softly. Jane’s breath caught, and the slow heat that had been building in her stomach suddenly got much more intense.
“I know you see weakness when you look at these, but I don’t. I see unimaginable strength. Courage. You survived him. You stopped him. You’ve stopped so many more just like him.”
“It’s just a scar, Maura.” Jane struggled to breathe as Maura kissed her palm again. No one had ever been so gentle with her before. “I didn’t know you dug scars,” she joked, hoping to ease some of the gathering tension between them.
“Just yours.” Maura eased forward, kissing Jane softly. The touch was almost chaste, and it wasn’t nearly enough for Jane as Maura moved away, standing to shut off the closing credits of the movie neither of them had been watching.
“I guess… I guess I should go.” Jane didn’t want to. When Maura turned to look at her in the candlelight she wanted to even less. “It’s late.” Her voice came out like a croak as she glanced at her watch. She knew if she didn’t leave now she was going to cross a line she couldn’t uncross.
Maura smiled knowingly. “Thanks for coming tonight, Jane. I hope… I hope we can do this again.”
Jane stood. She was drawn closer by the uncertainty in Maura’s eyes, needing to banish whatever fears remained. “I think… that seems likely.” Her knees went weak as Maura smiled at her.
“Would it be all right if I…” Maura paused, searching Jane’s face. “I really want to kiss you goodnight.”
Now her knees nearly buckled. Jane swallowed nervously, her heart beginning to hammer against her ribs. The rational part of her brain knew it was a bad idea if she had any prayer of going home tonight, but Jane couldn’t resist. Slowly, she nodded, feeling almost lightheaded as Maura eased closer, her friend’s hands circling her waist. Maura touch was warm through the thin material of Jane’s dress, but nothing could compare to the heat of Maura’s mouth.
They’d shared a shy smile first before Maura closed the distance between them, seeming to come to a decision and acting on it quickly before she lost her nerve. Jane’s breath caught again, hitching deep in her chest as Maura’s whole body brushed against hers. There was nothing fevered about the contact this time. Maura kissed her slowly and deliberately, and Jane pressed closer, the only things that mattered the taste and feel of her best friend. When Maura finally eased away, Jane knew she wasn’t going anywhere.
****
“I should…” Maura began only to gasp in surprise as Jane’s hands eased up her ribs before drawing her into another searing kiss. She moaned softly as Jane’s hand tangled in her hair, holding her in place as Jane kissed her nearly senseless.
“Jane…” Maura barely got her friend’s name out as they came up for air minutes later. She hadn’t meant to escalate things between them, but Jane had looked breathtaking in the candlelight and she hadn’t been able to resist. Maura had only wanted a simple kiss goodnight, but she should have known nothing was ever simple when it came to Jane Rizzoli.
Jane’s dark eyes were wild when their gazes met, and Maura’s stomach clenched in reaction. When Jane’s fingers tangled with hers and tugged her toward the bedroom, Maura struggled to find the self-control to stop this while she still could. “Jane,” she breathed again, but Maura was dismayed to hear a voice thick with desire rather than the cool, rational tone she’d been hoping for.
The taller woman turned in the darkened hallway and pressed Maura against the wall, kissing her again with undeniable hunger. Reason fled, and at the first tease of Jane’s tongue, she had no desire to get it back.
They stumbled into the bedroom. Maura knew this was new for Jane so she took charge, easing her best friend down onto the bed before sliding on top of her. Jane’s nostril’s flared as their bodies pressed together, and she eagerly reached for Maura, pulling her in close and tight.
Distantly, Maura was aware of their shoes hitting the floor as she decided how to make love to Jane for the first time. Their mouths met again in the dark, and Jane whimpered softly as Maura turned the tables, teasing Jane with her tongue before sliding her thigh between them. Jane tasted like wine, and Maura would swear she was getting drunk off the other woman.
“Wait,” Jane said suddenly, pulling back slightly. Maura’s heart nearly stopped as their gazes met, hyperaware that her hands were about to touch Jane’s breasts. Deliberately, Maura ignored her as she let her hands slide upward, squeezing softly as she claimed her prize. Jane’s eyes glazed over and a tiny, provocative sound emerged from the back of her throat.
“Never mind,” Jane muttered, leaning forward again and finding Maura’s mouth eagerly waiting.
A tiny, annoying voice had Maura finally pulling away. “I promised you…” Her voiced trailed off into a moan as Jane’s hand skimmed up her torso to cup her breasts as well.
Jane echoed the sound, a hunger in her eyes Maura had never seen before. She couldn’t deny that need, not when she wanted this just as much. If there was fallout, they would deal with it, just like they always did, but tonight they needed this. They needed each other.
Maura felt the cool touch of her zipper slide down her back and she shivered as warm fingers slipped under the silk to touch heated skin. “Jane…” she pleaded, not sure she could stop now if she wanted to.
“Changed my mind.”
It was the final permission Maura needed. She stopped holding back, her hands going to Jane’s hips and dragging her closer. Jane gasped into Maura’s mouth, and the world went hazy as Maura turned fantasy into reality.
****
Jane had always been so careful with sex. She’d never wanted to open herself up too much to anyone, the need to be in control of herself and her environment too ingrained to ever completely let go. But in Maura’s hands, in one of the few places where she felt truly safe, Jane’s resistance slipped and she did nothing to hold onto it. She trusted Maura with soul, and now she wanted to show her how much she trusted her with her body.
“Maura…” Jane gasped her name when Maura touched her knowingly, intimately for the first time. Jane’s head slammed back against the mattress as she was entered, two long fingers sliding inside her and curving at just the right angle to make her nearly lose her mind. It was so good, so damn right, to have Maura inside her that Jane felt the burn of tears.
The pace quickened, neither of them able to take things slow now that they’d crossed the line, now that they were closer than they had ever been. Maura loved her perfectly, as if they’d done this a hundred times before. When Jane felt the sharp sting of teeth nipping her right breast lightly through the fabric of her dress, the final thread of control slipped and she let it go. Jane clutched at Maura as her best friend sent her soaring over the edge, forcing a cry from her throat as Maura rubbed just the right spot to make the pleasure even more intense.
When it was over, Jane gasped for air, a hint of red tinting her cheeks when she recalled all the ways she’d begged Maura for release, words she hadn’t remembered uttering until her brain was clear of the desire to be taken the way Maura had taken her.
Maura smiled down at her as Jane finally tracked her gaze to her best friend’s familiar blue eyes. “You okay? You’re blushing.”
Jane swallowed, all too aware of Maura’s fingers still buried inside her and how perfect they felt. “I’m pretty sure…” Jane had to pause to catch her breath. “I’m pretty sure I just said some things to you I’ve never said to another soul.”
Maura’s smile widened and she appeared rather pleased with herself. “You were rather… specific… about what you wanted.” The doctor’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “It was… very stimulating.”
Jane snorted only to moan helplessly as Maura slowly withdrew. She shivered at the loss of contact.
“Of course, there were things you asked for that I still haven’t done yet.”
Jane searched Maura’s face, seeing clear, seductive intent in her eyes. Jane swallowed, her body already responding with interest. Her body, however, would just have to wait.
Her energy slowly returning, Jane reached up and let her hand skim up Maura’s thigh. They were both still fully clothed, if it a bit more disheveled than when they’d started. “Take it off.”
Maura arched one eyebrow. “You want more?” she asked, and Jane didn’t miss the anticipation in her voice.
“I want you.”
Maura watched her for a moment before she sat up on her knees, peeling the dress over her head and tossing it aside. “You have me. The questions is… what are you going to do with me, detective?”
The teasing tone was perfect, Jane decided, smoothing over any awkwardness she might have felt after what Maura had made her say and do. She let her hands drift over Maura’s stomach, watching as the muscles rippled in reaction before she licked her lips. “Take everything off.”
“You take it off.”
Jane’s gaze jerked to Maura’s face and she felt a jolt of desire mingled with determination, as Maura seemed to dare her to take charge. Jane smiled with predatory intent. Maybe she had never made love to another woman before, but this was Maura. Jane knew her friend’s every tell, every look, every gesture. She ignored the shaking in her limbs to grab her friend and roll her over onto the mattress. Jane sat up and quickly removed her own dress before blanketing Maura’s body once more with her own.
Letting her hands and mouth explore, Jane soon had the prim and proper Maura Isles begging for things that would make a sailor blush. Jane gave her everything she wanted, no fear or uncertainty slowing down her deliberate touches. Watching her best friend come undone, feeling Maura move against her and swallowing her cries with a kiss was the most sensual thing Jane had ever experienced. This night would be the first of many, she realized, and they would only get better from here.
****
“Morning.”
Jane looked up from her coffee and smiled as Maura leaned against the wall and eyed her carefully. “Morning.”
“When I woke up, you weren’t there.”
Wincing a little, Jane set her coffee down at Maura’s slightly accusing tone. “Sorry. Couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“You wouldn’t have woken me, Jane.”
Coming closer, Jane noticed the pout on Maura’s lips and decided it was about the cutest thing she’d ever seen. “If I had continued to lay there next to you… I definitely would have woken you,” she promised.
Maura’s pout faded slightly. “Really.” It was a statement, not a question.
Jane took a deep breath and regarded Maura seriously. She’d been wondering for the past hour if things would be weird between them when they faced each other in the light of day, but she was relieved that wasn’t the case. If anything, her feelings had only grown more intense after the night before, and now that Jane knew how good it was between them, she only wanted more.
A thousand different thoughts crowded onto her tongue, but she spoke the only one that really mattered. “I love you,” she whispered.
Maura stared at her for a long moment. “I love you, too.” She ran a hand through her hair before meeting Jane’s gaze again. “You’re okay with this? I mean… we were going to wait…”
“I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?”
“This is going to work, right?”
The hope in Maura’s eyes and voice made Jane’s heart clench. “I think we’ve proven just how compatible we are,” she teased.
Maura shook her head, and chuckled ruefully. “We thought we were showing everyone, didn’t we?”
“I think they showed us.” Jane wrapped her arms around Maura’s waist and drew her closer. “And even though I hate being wrong…”
Maura tucked her head under Jane’s chin. “Maybe this time it’s not so bad?”
“Maybe this time, being wrong is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
They stayed like that for several minutes, soaking in each other’s heat and nearness, savoring how good it felt to be where they belonged.
Finally, Maura tilted her head to meet Jane’s gaze once more. “You know… there are actually several love making techniques we have yet to try. In the interest of the experiment, perhaps we should do a little more research… to make sure our conclusion is correct, of course.”
Jane grinned. “Really,” she drawled. “Several you say?”
“It might take the whole day.” Maura’s tone was overly serious.
“The whole day,” Jane repeated, sounding put upon and ignoring Maura’s slight poke to her ribs. “Well, in the interest of science…”
“You know I like to be thorough.”
“Absolutely.”
The End.