Holting Her Breath
Date: Friday, September 29, 2000

sue hantak <hantaks@mtco.com>

(permission to archive)

Holting Her Breath

by Suejue

Sequel to "Steeling a Moment" . A follow-up to their impromptu, unprotected nooner.

He silently opened the apartment door just far enough to slip in and closed it with the same caution. Taking his shoes off in the entry and carrying them into the bedroom, he could barely make out her shapely form as she lay on her side with one hand on his pillow as if to save his place for him. Remington shed his clothing anticipating no further need for them. He carefully peeled the covers back and slid underneath. Picking up her hand from his pillow, he forged a trail of kisses up her arm. When he reached her shoulder, he let her arm fall around his neck as his arm hand down to her waist. There, he was pleasantly surprised to find her wearing just the top of his pajamas. His hand glided over her hip then up under her top. God, she felt so good. Not counting the "lunch" two days ago, they had been apart for far too long.

"What are you doing home? What time is it?" she mumbled, still half asleep, "What happened to Vinnie?"

Not exactly the greeting he was hoping for. "Federal marshals relocated him."

"Yeah, they like to do that sort of thing in the middle of the night." She stretched and rolled away from him as if that were the end of their conversation. Honestly, he wasn't interested in a conversation, but he didn't want her to roll over and fall back asleep either. He inched close behind her, content for the moment to spoon. That moment passed when the sweet scent and warmth of her body, induced a natural and erotic reaction in his own body. His hand once again snuck its way under her shirt. Before it could reach its goal, she placed her hand over his and extracted it. "Oh no you don't," she warned, rolling to push him away.

With a childlike charm, he whined, "Laura, don't I even get a welcome home kiss?"

"As long as it's a goodnight kiss as well." She gave him a chaste peck. Not allowing her a quick retreat he pulled her back for a lingering, more persuasive version. "Ah ha ha, Mr. Steele, now that's what got us into trouble Tuesday afternoon. We are not going to make that mistake again."

"What mistake?"
"My diaphragm is still in my medicine cabinet at home," Laura reminded him.

"That didn't stop us Tuesday," he unfastened the buttons of her top.

"You are not going to seduce me this time."

He took that as a challenge rather than a admonishment. He climbed on top of her determined to change her mind. That intense temptation of impetuous romance returned once again. That, of course, combined with what was pressing against her thigh. Without any further coercion, she willingly parted her legs. After climaxing he remained for a moment still on top, still inside. He smiled triumphantly which infuriated Laura even more.

She pushed up on his chest, "Will you excuse me for a moment?"

He kissed her on the tip of her nose, "Certainly".

After a few minutes, he called in the direction of the bathroom, "Laura? You okay in there?"

Laura was sitting on the edge of the tub in Remington's robe. She didn't answer. He moved to the door and gently knocked before opening it, "Laura?" He stood in the doorway, still naked with his arms folded.

She looked up and ran her hands through her hair squeezing her head, "Arghhh, After Tuesday, I swore I would never do that again."

"This was completely different, Tuesday was daytime, in a hotel, with you on top. Tonight..."

"That's NOT what I mean, and you know it." She stalked past him and returned to the bed.

"Don't be mad at me, Laura."

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself. When did I lose control? What happened to my common sense and good judgment? Do you realize that I could be pregnant right now? "

"If that's the case, then what we just did doesn't matter, eh?"

"Will you be serious?" she scolded she as she rolled away from him and wrapped the covers tightly around her body.

The next morning she woke to find him already up and shaving in front of the mirror. Addressing his reflection from behind she apologized, "I'm sorry about last night, You coming home was a wonderful surprise." She adoringly squeezed his backside.

He jumped in response to her clutch, "Careful, Laura, I'm shaving."

"My, my...and I thought I was jumpy."

"You? Jumpy? Why?"

"You know damn well why. I'm afraid I'm going to be on pins and needles until next week... until I know for certain."

He blotted his face with a towel and applied some aftershave, he suggested, "I'm almost done here. Why don't you take long bath, play hookey from the office today. Go shopping, get your mind off things."

"You know I can't do that."

"Well at least get a manicure, those claws of yours inflicted quite a bit of damage last night. I mean really, woman, I wish you would show some restraint." He joked.

"You know I can't do that either, that's what got us in this predicament."

"Laura, it takes two, remember?"

"Go to work, Mildred's missed you terribly. I'll be in later."

"Morning...Morning Mildred," Remington saluted tapping on her desk as he breezed by.

"Boss? I didn't you expect you. Have you seen Miss Holt? Is she alright?"

"I just left her at home, she's fine. Why?"

"She told me about what happened Tuesday. She was really shook up."
"She told you about Tuesday?" Remington asked, surprised that Laura would discuss their sex life with Mildred. What he didn't know was that Laura told her she was a little shook up in a fender bender.

"She was an absolute mess Tuesday afternoon. She had such a panic attack, I thought I'd have to call the paramedics."

"A bit flustered from the experience, was she?" He smiled, proud to elicit such a response.

"Why are you smiling? I mean I know accidents happen, but..."

"She told you about our accident?"

"YOUR accident? I thought you were with Vinnie?"

"Laura told you about Tuesday but she didn't say it was with me?"
"I don't get it boss, there's a nuance here that escapes me."

"Mildred, why do I have the feeling we're talking about different things?"

"I'm talking about Miss Holt's car accident, what are you talking about?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

Mildred nodded, now more curious than ever.

"Laura and I met Tuesday for 'lunch'. But we didn't have lunch, and we didn't have other things with us either." He cocked his brow and looked intently at Mildred waiting to see if what he said registered.

Her brows arched and her mouth dropped open. It registered. "You mean....you and her....without a net?"

This time he nodded.

Mildred continued, "So that's why she's been so off her game."

"Yes and I'm afraid she will be the next week or so...or maybe the next nine months."

Mildred saying that Laura was off her game was an understatement. For the next whole week, she grew increasingly anxious. She swung from one emotion too another with no stops in between. Remington and Mildred did their best just to stay out of her path. Mildred thankfully punched a timecard, whereas Mr. Steele braved the storm around the clock. Laura knew she was not the easiest person to get along with for that week. She thought, if for nothing else, this should teach him a lesson about keeping condoms on hand.

At the end of the next week, Laura entered his office smiling. "Ask me how I feel?"

He looked at her as if it were some sort of trick, and asked apprehensively, "How do you feel?"

She declared delightedly, "I'm bloated, irritable and cranky as hell."

"Ah, I suppose we can forego the stop at the pharmacy then."

"Yes we can, thank God. I don't think I could take another day of not knowing."
"I don't think I could take another day of YOU not knowing either."

"Just remember, Mr. Steele, you started all of this ."

"I thought we agreed it took two, Miss Holt."


The End

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