Neena Thurman pours drinks, kicks ass. (fallsinplace) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-04-06 15:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, neena thurman (domino), thomas raith |
I guess there will always be a handful that don’t ever really outgrow their wild youth.
Who: Neena Thurman and Thomas Raith
What: dating again!
When: 3/30
Where: A Moroccan restaurant and Neena's place
Rating: PG for language and handwavey sex
Status: complete
While he'd been chasing auditions, Thomas had kept his eyes out for interesting places to go on a date. He'd even asked Harry and Thor for suggestions, compiling a list of places to scope out as he familiarized himself with the city. Eventually, he settled on a small, Middle-Eastern cafe he’d discovered, where they served some very tasty baklava for dessert.
Neena was glad when Thomas asked her out again. Once she had her head together enough to worry about it, she’d been a little anxious. It was better to be honest about herself, but she didn’t want to lose her chance at maybe having a few normal dates. Thomas was fun, and right now she needed fun.
She was dressed up again, wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt under a sweater. The sweater was for respectability, it had buttons and everything. This time she was a little early, to make up for being late last time.
This time, Thomas had dressed up a little bit more than the last time, using what Neena had worn before as a gauge as to how dressy or casual he should go. Nice shirt, jacket, designer jeans. He smiled when she walked in, and waved her over to their candle-lit table for two.
“It’s good to see you again, Neena. How’ve you been?”
She smiled widely at him. He was hot. It was amusing to her that someone so incredibly hot was interested in her. She went over to the table, whistling a little. “You don’t mess around. I’ve been good, actually.” She smiled at him as she took her seat. “How have you been?” This was going to be an interesting dinner. Neena couldn’t help but smile.
“What, this?” Thomas glanced at the centerpiece, and then around at the other tables, “I can’t really take credit for the decor. But thank you. I hope you like it. I had lunch here once, last week, and thought it might be fun to revisit. Rumor has it that if there’s big enough crowd at dinner time, there might be belly dancing.”
He grinned. “I feel like I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but it sounds like I might have a job or two lined up, so I guess it’s paid off.”
“You picked a place with candles on the tables and I’m supposed to not give you credit for that?” She laughed a little. “I’m glad you’re getting some work out here. Anything really interesting?” She examined her menu for a minute, but her attention was mostly on Thomas. The lighting made him look darker and more mysterious. He was truly gorgeous, and Neena allowed herself to be distracted by that for a few minutes.
Thomas just shrugged. Yeah, the place had candles on the tables, but so did lots of other places, right? He supposed it was lucky for him that Neena liked candles. He smiled as she watched him, fairly certain already what he wanted to order.
“I’m looking at a supporting role in a murder mystery,” he said, “And another one in a chick flick. Plus I’ve been doing a lot of networking, getting in touch with other people in the business, on the Valarnet. It’s been a pretty useful resource.”
“It really is, there are all kinds of famous people on the network.” Neena mostly used it as a place to complain about things, and to watch for the weird stuff that happened all the time in Orange County. “Everyone seems pretty nice, except for the French anarchists, but they’re just privileged college kids with bugs up their asses, so it’s kind of funny to see what they have to complain about.” Neena would be bothered by them if they seemed like they had their act together at all, but they clearly didn’t.
“The good thing about privileged college kids is that most of us grow up and realize that anarchy may be a wonderful thing, in theory, but it doesn’t tend to work well in practice. It’s like that evil scientist who’s always installing a self-destruct button on his take-over-the-world-inators. You know?”
“That’s what I figure. And it’s not just college kids. I think I would have been an anarchist if I wasn’t so busy giving people their pancakes at that age.” Of course, it was the creepy perverts that made her pro-nuclear as a young woman, but that probably happened in college too. “I can’t imagine you going to political rallies or stuff like that.”
“No? Maybe that’s because my mom was a lawyer, not a politician.” Thomas shrugged. “I guess there will always be a handful that don’t ever really outgrow their wild youth. I haven’t decide yet, whether I will be one of them, or not.”
“You don’t have to chose, you just have to figure out what’s most important to you about your wild childhood days.” She shrugged. “It’s best to just do things and examine them later, as far as I can tell. But maybe that’s my holdout from childhood. I definitely leap before I look.” It made life more fun.
Thomas laughed. “Do and examine later is my modus operandi,” he said, “In fact, I am coming out of the examining period, and trying to get back into the doing.”
“Well, I’m sure I could find you something to do.” The words left her mouth before she thought about them, which was really the best illustration of her previous point. She decided to own it, and looked at Thomas with a smirk.
“Oh, could you, now?” Thomas’ brows rose. Yes, his mind was going places, but by now he was pretty sure Neena’s was too. “In that case, we’d better get a hearty dinner, so we have plenty of energy for...doing whatever it is that we find to do.”
She smirked. “Well, my gutters need cleaning, for one thing.” She winked at him and picked out what she wanted to eat. “Might have you hang some pictures too.”
“Ahh, domestic blis-ters,” he said, drawing out the bliss. He smiled as the waitress approached, and gave his order; looking to Neena to give hers. The place only had one or two servers, and a couple of cooks in the kitchen, but the food was worth the wait. “Are you up for a Turkish coffee, or do you want to have it with dessert?”
“Both.” Neena said with a laugh, after giving her order. “I love coffee in all its forms, and if you’re going to be working around the house I’ll need plenty of energy to keep up with you.” Beside, she wasn’t sure she wanted dessert. It might be better to go to her place and have something there. After working up an appetite again, of course.
Thomas ordered the coffee. Dessert they could play by ear, or even get to-go. “Do you put all your men to work on the second date,” he asked, when the waitress had returned to the kitchen, “or just the pretty ones who look like they need...what? housebreaking? toughening up?”
She shrugged. “I don’t really have a standard plan. I’m not big on domesticating the feral male population of Orange County, either.” It was then that she realized she’d never actually dated like a normal person. Milo came in to her work to woo her, so they knew each other well when they started dating. Her one night stands had all been just that. Even McCoy didn’t feel like real dating. Logan just sort of happened, and then stopped happening. “Each date is a unique experience, so I play it by ear.”
Thomas nodded. He’d dated all sorts of different people, each at a different pace. Some of his ‘relationships’ had been relationships of convenience, for the sake of stroking the public eye. Some had been semi-serious, in that there had been, if not love, genuine emotion involved. Whatever happened with Neena, it would develop naturally, and be completely organic.
“Well, I won’t object to a little chore-play if it means I get to spend time with you.”
Neena smiled. “Maybe I just want to look up at your butt while I hold the ladder.”
“It’s a nice butt, isn’t it?” he asked, shifting in his seat and jokingly rubbing his backside. “It’ll be an even nicer butt after climbing up and down ladders a few dozen times a week. Assuming you like what I do.”
Neena laughed and nodded. “It is. And if you hang my pictures wrong, at least I can get a nice view in the process.” She hoped she’d like his handiwork. Her sexual experiences had taught her that it was completely possible to not be physically compatible with someone.
Thomas grinned. Whatever happened, he hoped it would be enjoyable for them both. The kisses seemed to hold promise, but even if they didn't decide to become sexually involved, or if things turned awkward in the bedroom, at least they weren't exclusively focused on the sex. "I will do my best not to disappoint."
“I’m sure you will.” Neena smiled at him. “Are you doing any kind of work while you wait to make it big as an actor?” She wondered how that worked, actually. Was it hard for him, being so far from LA?
“You mean, besides babysitting my brother with the hero complex?” Thomas waggled his brows. Harry seemed to get into a good deal of trouble with the cases he took, and Thomas had promised Elaine to look after the guy. Not that he wouldn’t have done it anyway.
“Actually,” he added, “I might end up putting in some hours at that new theatre company that’s opening up. It could be a good thing to have going for me, between gigs.”
Neena chuckled at his description of his relationship with his brother. She hoped he wouldn’t take issue with her own need for danger and excitement. “That sounds like fun. I hope it works out for you.”
“Yeah, I hope so too,” Thomas said. He nodded as the waitress brought out a complimentary basket of pita bread and a dish of hummus, offering Neena first pick of the warm bread. “What about you; have you started back at the bar now?”
Neena took a piece and dipped it in hummus. “Yeah, back to my normal schedule. I got someone to cover me for the evening. I normally have Tuesday and Wednesday night off.”
Thomas hummed an affirmation around a mouthful of his own pita. The hummus was really good; made in-house. His only complaint was that they didn’t sell it at the deli counter, or he’d probably add it to his weekly grocery list.
“I’m glad you could get off,” he said, then made a face at his choice of words. Yeah. He rolled with it. “Even better that I was the reason.”
Neena just laughed at that, quite loudly. “Yeah, well, I got a coworker that was really happy to take over my shift for me. Apparently I need to get out more and have dinner with guys who don’t come to the bar all the time.”
“I was just about to say, ‘I should drop by sometime,’ but maybe not!” Thomas said with a laugh. “Still. I’m glad your coworkers are so interested in your social life. It works out well for me!”
Neena laughed as well. “Uh, well, if you do stop by look out for a kind of short guy with dark hair. He might give you a hard time.” She was going to have to tell Nate and Logan about Thomas. That would be. . . interesting.
“I’m used to people giving me a hard time,” Thomas said, “But I’ll keep it in mind.” He had no doubt that Neena knew all sorts of interesting characters. “Anything else I should be aware of? Overprotective brothers, jealous exes perhaps?”
She shook her head. “No, not really. Just that one guy, but he can be a big enough pain in the ass for three people.” She laughed a little. “We’ve been friends almost since the bar opened.” Of course, if anything bad happened between them he might have a lot more trouble on his hands, but she wasn’t anticipating trouble.
Thomas nodded. “It’s good to have people watching your back,” he said, “I’ll do my best not to rub anybody the wrong way.”
“I need all the help I can get, sometimes.” She chuckled a little. “Beside, I’m sure your brother would come chasing me down if I hurt you, so we’re probably about even.”
“Unless of course I deserved it,” Thomas quipped, “In which case, he’d probably help you give me a beat-down.” He laughed with her. It would be funny to see Harry and Neena trying to out-macho each other. They’d probably get on each others nerves, royally.
Neena laughed. “You clearly need more friends in the city.” Thomas’s brother sounded like the kind of guy she disliked the most: the ‘nice guys’ that felt women needed shepherding through the perils of a dangerous world.
"I'm working on it," he said, "I've actually met a few people who recognize me from my early work, which is...well, it is what it is. But it's been nice to see familiar faces."
“What, you don’t want people remembering your modeling?” Or maybe it was the porn? At what point was it necessary to admit you’d seen a potential suitor’s porn performance? Dear Abbey was no help with these modern issues.
Thomas shook his head. “I think it’s a little late for that,” he said, “Don’t you?” After all, he was fairly certain that she’d been one of the first people to recognize him. “But it’s not just the modelling. I mean, there’s worse things to be known as than one of those guys who got sprayed with Diet Coke at eleven-thirty.”
“Well, I’m better with faces than most people.” It was a gift. “So what’s bugging you about being recognized? It sounds like you’re less than happy about it.”
Thomas laughed wryly under his breath. How did one tell a potential...girlfriend? that you’d done porn? With Zevran recognizing him right away, it was only a matter of time before she found out, if she didn’t already know.
“I don’t know,” he said, “I mean, once upon a time, I couldn’t have cared less if someone recognized me for being in an adult film. In fact, I would have been pretty pleased to rub it in my parents’ faces. But it’s like you said. Figuring out what’s important to hold onto from my wild youth.”
Neena blushed a little. “Uh, about that.” Now was probably the time to mention it, since it actually came up in the conversation.
“Yeah?” Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “Is that...going to put a kink in things...in a not fun way?”
“No.” Neena shook her head. “I wouldn’t have asked you out for dinner if it bothered me.” It was kind of funny, really.
“So you’ve seen it?” Thomas asked, just to clarify. “Not that watching someone on screen really tells you what they’d be like in person.” Knowing someone had done porn, and watching said porn weren’t exactly the same thing, either, but he didn’t really mind if she had. “But, you know. It’s part of my past, and I’m kind of glad we got that out in the open. If all else fails, I still look pretty good naked. If I do say so myself.”
“Yeah. I was in a widow’s group at my church, and the girls would all trade gossip about celebrities. One of the ladies really liked Italian men, and she thought you were one. She sent me a link to the video, and we chatted about it a little.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me, and I’m curious to see what your performance is like in real life.”
“Church ladies chatting about porn,” Thomas mused, “I like this.” He nodded his head, smirking a little. “I can’t say I’d be opposed to offering a demonstration, should the mood strike.”
Neena chuckled. “Well, the nice thing about that group was we were supposed to bond together in our renewed celibacy. So it was basically a bunch of pissed off older women, and me, grumbling about how much not having sex sucks. And you know, other husbandly things, like getting pictures hung and snuggling, but overwhelmingly we talked about ways to deal with celibacy and loneliness.”
“Well, I’m very glad that I could help you through that difficult time,” he said, only half joking. Sure, his reasons for doing an adult film may not have been as altruistic as all that, at the time, but why shouldn’t he be pleased with his body of work?
He grew more serious, though, as he considered the nature of what he’d just been half-joking about. “I’m sorry,” he said, “How long were you married?”
“Don’t be sorry. Milo was a fantastic man, but I married too early. If he hadn’t died I’d have just turned into Mrs. Milo Thurman, you know? We were married almost ten years. Afterward I moved out of Chicago to Anaheim, then down here to open my own bar. He died over seven years ago.” She really wasn’t that upset about it anymore. It was just a fact of her life. Especially since her time in the future had given her another eighteen years to get over him.
Thomas nodded. “It’s nice to be your own person sometimes, not just your parents’ child, or your spouse’ significant other. Not that I know much about the latter,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “I’ve had a few relationships that lasted a while, but never been married.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t used to being my own person when we got together.” She didn’t want to say she was better off without Milo, but she liked her life now, for the most part. “Any crazy exes I should worry about?” Neena asked with a grin.
What teenager or young adult was used to being their own person, really, Thomas wondered. He knew he hadn’t really established himself in his teens, no matter how hard he tried. “Crazy exes? Well, there was this one...” He laughed. “I kid. I don’t think any of my exes have any particular vendetta against me. Besides, most of them have their own careers to worry about.”
“That’s good. I won’t have to share my hiding spots when I stalk you after we break up.” She grinned at him. The waitress came with their food, which was the most awesome thing ever, as far as Neena was concerned. “Oh man, this smells really good.”
Only the second date, and already planning a stalker-y break up? Thomas clucked his tongue, mock-scolding. He could see that she was only teasing, for the time being. “Something tells me you wouldn’t have any trouble defending your turf,” he said with a devilish smirk.
His smile broadened when the food arrived, and he saw Neena’s enjoyment of the presentation. “Does it ever? I mean, I know I was hungry, but suddenly I feel like I haven’t eaten all day.”
“No, I’ll shank a bitch.” She said with a laugh. Thanks to proper planning, she ate like a normal person this time, savoring the food and the company. “It really is awesome. Good choice.”
Thomas wasn’t really as starving as he made out to be, but the food was very good. Still, he took his time, wanting to enjoy the flavors. And the company. “I’m glad you like it.”
Neena didn’t take as much time as him, but she did enjoy herself. “It’s funny how we get into routines, and it takes someone else to shake us out of them. I don’t think I’d have come here on my own.”
Thomas nodded. “I don’t know that I was really looking for it, either. I just happened by, happened to be hungry, and decided to try it. I guess I just lucked out.”
“I guess you did.” Neena said with a laugh. “I lucked out too, I think.” Things were going really well, she was surprised.
Thomas grinned at her, his eyes twinkling. He was pleasantly surprised that Neena was willing to put up with him, and to give him a chance to show that there was more to him than an insufferable former child star. He knew he’d had the potential to become that, and he was doing his best not to go down that path any further than he already had. “To surprises,” he said, raising his water glass.
She raised her own glass as well. “And new experiences.” She tapped his glass, smiling brightly. “So, what are we doing for dessert? I think I might like a private drink a little more than whatever probably delicious things they have to offer here.”
“That is an excellent question,” Thomas replied, sipping his water. “And I do have a little something up my sleeve--or rather, in a gift bag, under my chair--if you are amenable to more surprises. We can get a piece of baklava to go, and head back to your place after we have our coffee?”
“I do love surprises.” Neena noted. “Dessert to go works for me.” He brought her a present? He really was trying to impress her. Luckily she had a few surprises at her place.
The waitress brought their coffee about then, and Thomas thanked her, asking if she would kindly box up some dessert for them. He smiled at Neena when the woman left to get the dessert and their check, appreciative of the timing. “My treat this time.”
Neena nodded. “Fair’s fair.” She reached across the table to stroke his hand softly. “I don’t feel the need to pay all the time. I try to be reasonable.”
His smile softened, and he clasped her hand for a moment. “I don’t think you’re unreasonable at all. I’m just saying.”
“And you’re right.” Neena said with a smile. “I’m completely reasonable.” It was ridiculous how good it felt just to touch him. She obviously wasn’t good at chastity at all anymore. “I hope you’re not allergic to dogs.”
“Nope,” he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he grinned. So what if he was excited to spend more time with Neena? She was a fascinating woman. “No allergies.” The check--and dessert--arrived, and Thomas lifted his tiny cup of coffee, now cool enough to drink. “Shall we?”
Neena drank her coffee, and nodded. “Yes. You remember where I live, right?” She didn’t want him getting lost along the way.
“I do, indeed,” he said, taking several bills from his wallet and slipping them inside the folder--enough to cover the meal and a generous tip. Their waitress had been the only one on duty, so she’d earned it.
He reached under his chair and held up the gift bag teasingly. “Shall I hold this in ransom until we get there, or do you promise not to start without me if I give it to you now?”
“Keep it. I’ll enjoy it just as much when we get there, and I can be a little patient.” Probably. She smiled at him, a little nervous.
“I promise not to keep you waiting too long,” he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek as he stood to leave. “I’ll see you there.”
She stroked his face softly as he pulled away. “I’m looking forward to it.” She stood once he had passed, collecting the dessert. Thank God she’d shaved and worn nice underwear. Now she just had to beat him to the house, get Dante out, and make sure she still had that spare bathrobe.
She drove like a maniac, but it wasn’t that different from her normal driving. Neena was making full use of her quicker reflexes.
Thomas drove more carefully, being the vanilla mortal that he thought he was--or that he was pretending to be since his accident, whichever the case--but he arrived safely and without taking any wrong turns.
After he’d parked, he headed up to the house, bringing the gift bag with him, containing the bottle of St. Germain’s, and another box nestled on top that held a bouquet of orchids in a brandy snifter. Maybe he was trying to impress her, but mostly, he just thought that they were clever gifts to find after their conversation about booze versus flowers.
Dante was in the back yard, and his bark was still loud in the front yard. Neena was leaning in the doorway, chuckling a little. “He’ll settle down in a little bit.” She smirked at Thomas, admiring him. He was very nice to look at. She wondered what this would lead to down the line, but only for a moment. Tonight was all that mattered, tomorrow would take care of itself. “What would you like to drink? I have dessert laid out for us.”
“Well, for starters, I think you should see what’s in the bag, and then we can decide what to drink,” Thomas said with a wink. He was looking forward to seeing her reaction.
“Sure, but if you’re trying to get me drunk you’ll need something pretty potent.” She grinned at him and led the way to the kitchen. Her house was mostly monochromatic. The floors were black tile, and the walls were soft shades of grey. The furniture was mostly a deep, chocolate brown, though a purple blanket was thrown over one arm of the couch. There was a large brown cabinet in one corner of the living room, which had speakers on either side. The fireplace was ready to be lit, but she hadn’t gotten that far, yet.
Dessert was laid out on the coffee table. She spent more time eating with guests in the living room than the kitchen. “Make yourself at home.” She took a seat on the couch, curling her legs up underneath her, mostly so she didn’t sink in and have to haul herself back out.
“Just hoping to please your palate, and offer a bit of amusement,” he said, sitting on the opposite end. “After all, it’s no fun if one of us ends up passing out, is it?”
“Other than posing you with the dog and posting it on the network?” She asked, innocently. “No, I guess not.”
“And drawing a fake mustache on my face with sharpie, or shaving off my eyebrows?” Thomas asked, smirking a little. If having the dog use him for a pillow was the worst that could happen, he could live with that. “Anyway,” he said, setting the gift bag on the table in front of her, “It’s all yours now.”
Neena took the bag and looked inside. The flowers made her smile. “I needed something to die on my coffee table in a week.” She winked at him, and put i on the coffee table. “They’re very pretty. So what’s the bottle, then?” She pulled it out and laughed. “Oh, that’s clever.” She grinned at Thomas, moving closer so she could kiss him.
“We could share custody,” he suggested, “I could take them home with me, and then you could come over next week and see if they’re still alive.” He wasn’t sure he’d do much better caring for a plant, but it sounded like an interesting challenge. “And yeah. St. Getmain’s. Elderflower...”
If there was more to his explanation it was lost as he returned the kiss, wrapping his arms snugly around her. She seemed to know her liquor anyway, so he didn’t really need to explain it any further. “Mm. I like this.”
She was temporarily more interested in kissing than joking. He was a good kisser. She smiled at him, pushing his hair back from his face. “I do too. You’re a lot of fun, Thomas.”
Thomas had no complaints about the kissing either. He just offered another quirky smile, and peppered her mouth with a few more kisses between sentences. “I’m glad to hear it. You’re not half bad yourself.”
“I like to think I’m not completely out of practice.” She smirked at him between kisses, her hand resting on the back of his neck. This was so much easier than she’d expected it to be, and more fun as well.
“Uh-uh,” he said against her lips, just barely shaking his head. “Not at all.” Then again, kissing was kind of hard to forget, one you knew how it was done. “I’d say you have just the right amount of practice.” Which, of course, would be as much as she damn well pleased, and she could practice on him any time.
She laughed lightly, her hand moving to stroke through his hair. “I think I could use a little more practice. You can never be too good at anything.” Her kisses trailed over his jaw, and down his throat.
“Mm...” He tilted his head, enjoying the sensations, and letting the sounds of pleasure buzz against her lips as she kissed his neck. “I won’t complain about that either...”
“I didn’t think you would.” Her hands slid down over his shoulders, to trail down his chest. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tear his clothes off just yet. Should they take this first time slow? She thought for a minute, trying to remember if she’d ever taken things slow once they got to this point. As far as she could remember, she had not.
He watched her through half-lidded eyes, running his fingers through her hair and down her back. Exploring a little, but not trying to get into her clothes just quite yet. She seemed to be holding back a little, and as long as she hesitated, he wasn’t going to push. But he wasn’t going to pull away, either.
His hands felt nice. She shivered a little. How long ago was the last time she’d had sex? A month? More than that? Her fingers undid the buttons of his shirt, stroking over his skin as she exposed it. Patience would just have to wait.
Thomas hummed in approval and appreciation as his hand slid around her waist, then back up to her shoulders to trace the neckline of her respectable sweater. He’d have to take care of those buttons, too.
She sighed softly. “Your hands feel nice.” She parted his shirt, trailing her fingers over his chest and stomach. Somedays it was really good to be her. She nibbled lightly on the skin covering his collarbones while she slid his shirt off his shoulders.
Thomas undid the sweater, and slid his hands over her ribs, just below her breasts. He flexed his fingers, tugging lightly on the t-shirt she wore, and smirking as he nuzzled her hair. “Your lips feel very nice.”
Oh, that felt good. She sighed again, and sat up to wiggle out of her sweater and t-shirt. She was wearing a bra, for maximum cleavage under the t-shirt, but she left that on for now. Her body was as pale as her face and arms, and also had quite a collection of scars, though most were fairly faded. It was still clear that Neena’s body had been through a few things.
It was a nice bra, and he let his thumbs slide over the fabric of it, where it met her skin; teasing a little as he traced its edges. He wasn’t bothered by any scars she might have. He probably had a few faint ones himself, if she looked closely enough. Maybe someday she would tell him some of the stories behind hers, but right now, he was content to learn the curves of her body.
Neena groaned softly. “Mmmm, we should go back to the bedroom. I’m all for impulsive couch sex, but I’d like to do this a couple times tonight and my back won’t let me if we start out on the couch.” Beside, the poor couch had barely survived Logan’s short time in residence. It deserved a break.
“All right,” he said, kissing her once more before he released his gentle hold on her, allowing her to get up from the couch. “Lead the way, beautiful.”
Neena got to her feet and offered Thomas a hand up. “I got things nice and set up in there, anyway. It’s classy, for once.” With little fake candles and all the things they might need laid out on the nightstand. She led the way back to her room, taking her bra off as she went.
Thomas took her hand, and a moment to appreciate the view as he followed her. He couldn’t help but chuckle as she told him of the preparations she had made. “You were planning ahead.”
“I like to prepare for the best case scenario.” Neena said with a laugh, before turning to face Thomas. “Of course, I don’t mind when things happen spontaneously, either.” She grabbed his hand and drew him closer.
Thomas moved toward her at her bidding, sliding his arms around her waist as he pressed his body against hers. His hands caressed and explored as he kissed her, slowly, but with building passion.
She groaned softly, her hands sliding over the bared skin of his back, exploring him eagerly. The kiss was amazing, a good reminder of what she’d been missing these past few weeks. She moved back toward the bed, drawing Thomas along slowly.
He moved with her, hands moving to work her free of her remaining clothing, caressing her body as he undressed her. They might both be impulsive, sexual creatures, but for this, he could be patient. For this, he could take the time to drive her crazy, and himself along with her, until they both exploded and threw each other down on the bed.