Chapter Text
She had just filled her glass (again) and stared sightlessly into the dark garden when she heard his footsteps again.
"You’re still up?" He asked, a little confused.
"Is it that late already?" she answered in kind, checking her watch.
"Yeah, I thought you were tired."
"I was," she conceded. "I am."
"But …?" he probed.
"Oh, nothing." She had had a lot to think about, but she couldn’t very well tell him that.
"Afraid you were going to dream of me again?" he smirked.
"You wish," she retorted dryly.
"Well, as I said, I wouldn’t mind. I’d even allow you to fantasize about me while you’re awake," he grinned.
"God, you’re so full of yourself!" The nerve of this man! "You really wouldn’t mind being objectified like that?"
"Nah, I happen to know you actually like me for who I am, so I’d rather be flattered you also liked my body."
God, he really looked stunning, sporting that wide grin he gave her. Nope. She was not going to stare at him.
"You’re unbelievable."
"So you’d mind if I fantasized about you?" he asked - and did he seem a little self conscious, or was she projecting?
"I’d think it awould be pretty inappropriate! What if we did that and some day realized fantasizing wasn’t enough?"
"Well, if we both did that, there wouldn’t be much of a problem? And if it was only one of us, I’m pretty sure you’d be able to keep your hands to yourself." Again that smirk. And wait, what about him?
"So you wouldn’t?"
"Wouldn’t what?"
"Be able to keep your hands to yourself?"
"Haven’t yet touched you inappropriately, have I?" He pretended to look concerned but didn’t really succeed.
She tried to lightly punch him in the shoulder, but as he was standing and she was still sitting and he happened to move in that moment, her hand landed on his abdomen. She felt her face turn red.
"Oh. I am sorry." How much had she drunk? Not that much, certainly?
He grinned. "Yeah, well here I was saying you’d be able to keep your hands to yourself, but I stand corrected."
"Oh, come on!" she exclaimed. "I was just trying to hit you for being insolent."
He laughed. "Admit it, you love the banter as much as I do."
It was true. She really loved it. It was very close to flirting - ok, pretty much straight up flirting, and she also liked being complimented, which fantasizing about her kind of was. At least if it was him, doing it.
"Yes. I suppose I do," she conceded, trying not to smile.
"See? That wasn’t so difficult."
"You’re an ass!" she retorted, but her heart wasn’t in it.
He grinned at the insult. "Well, I’m going to do the responsible thing and go to bed now. If you need any help with those fantasies, you know where to find me!" He winked at her, and left.
Was he actively trying to drive her crazy? If only he was serious about his offer. But he couldn’t be, could he? What if she actually followed him to the guest house? Would he let her in and let her kiss him? But there was no way to find out without ruining what they had if he didn’t feel the same …
"If you really want to help me with my … fantasies, you could at least provide me with some visual stimulation."
There. That could be read as a joke, too, right? She contemplated hitting send on that rather provocative text message. She really, really shouldn’t. Not this late in the evening, after half a bottle - ok, more than half a bottle - of Robin’s excellent wine. But. She kind of liked the ambiguity. It could just be the continuation of their earlier banter (flirting, her intoxicated brain supplied). And if he chose to he could read it that way, and it would be fine. He could however - if he by any chance actually did have feelings for her - stir it to more dangerous ground. She hit send.
Just a couple of seconds later her mouth dropped open: He had actually sent her a photo of his bare upper body, Oh wow. This was actually working for her. Sod it. If he had seen her reaction, he never would have let her live it down.
She was still staring at the screen of her phone so she saw a couple of dots appearing.
"Care to return the favor?" he wrote and her heart beat a little faster.
Huh. Would she dare? Maybe not as completely bare, but … before she could think too much on it, she quickly opened her blouse, slipped out of it and removed her bra. Then she put the blouse back on, but left it open. On the selfie she finally sent him her breasts weren’t actually visible, but the bare strip of skin all the way down to her navel was quite provocative. She thought.
She was well aware this wasn’t harmless banter anymore. They probably needed to talk. The question was: Was he invested as much as she was, or would it be just friends with benefits for him if this actually led somewhere?
The dots appeared again. "Love the photo. You’re absolutely stunning."
She felt herself blushing. So at least he did like her body.
More dots.
"Can we talk?" he finally sent. Oh god. He was going to let her down easy, wasn’t he?
"Guess we should," she wrote back. "In the morning?"
"In the morning it is. Sweet dreams, Higgy."
She’d definitely have to avoid him in the morning. Or claim she’d been drunker than she actually had been. She sighed. What had she been thinking?
—————————————
"If you really want to help me with my … fantasies, you could at least provide me with some visual stimulation."
He stared at the screen. Surely she was just teasing him? She couldn’t possible mean … could she? Well. Two could play that game. What would her reaction be if he rose to the challenge? He scrolled through his photos, finding one that Lia had taken. It wasn’t exactly revealing but the lighting was nice and, well, his facial expression could be called a smoulder. Yes, it would do nicely.
She didn’t answer for a couple of moments. He imagined her stunned look. Time to tease her some more.
"Care to return the favor?" he wrote. She wouldn’t, he knew, but a guy could dream, right?
Still no answer. Just as well. Time for bed.
Nevertheless he took his phone with him to the bathroom when he went to brush his teeth. He was just rinsing his mouth, when his phone binged again, and he nearly choked on the water when he saw the picture she had sent. She had gone further than he had; probably just now taken the picture. How drunk had she been exactly? She would regret sending that picture in the morning, he was sure. And had she not said she didn’t want him to fantasize about her? What exactly was he to do with a picture like that? Obviously he knew what he wanted to do, but she’d always felt off-limits. He’d been trying to get her out of his head for months? Years? now, it wouldn’t help to … no.
She was probably waiting for a reply. Something witty to defuse the situation would probably best. More banter, less flirting. He looked at the picture again. God, she was really something. What if she actually felt something for him? Why would she send a photo like this if she didn’t? The pragmatic and no-nonsense Higgins he knew wouldn’t just flirt with her partner like that, even slightly drunk, if she wasn’t interested in more, right?
He finally settled for a very un-ironic answer. A true compliment. If there was at least a tiny chance she actually liked him back, he wouldn’t blow it by dismissing her. He really had to know, he had to get her to talk. So he asked her to.
"Guess we should," she wrote back. "In the morning?"
At least she was as aware as he that they had crossed a line. Still it felt like a dismissal. She was tired and slightly drunk, he recalled. So it wouldn’t be ideal to have that kind of talk right now, but still. Maybe it would be better if they pretended it had never happened.
—————————————
Juliet groaned when her alarm clock woke her the next morning. It had not been a great night. He’d featured in her dreams again, but not in a good way. She’d watch him kiss Lia over and over again, while he acted indifferent to her. She knew they had broken up a couple of weeks ago, and even though she had no right to lay a claim on him, she was still jealous when she thought of Lia. Her head hurt. Definitely too much wine, both for her head and her actions last night … god, the way she had flirted with Magnum. With her partner!
She took a very long hot shower and decided to punish herself at the end, turning the water to cold. She sputtered in shock when it did just that.
Drying herself off quickly she made sure to choose a very demure top. No-nonsense. She just couldn’t look frivolous on a day like this. She had agreed to talk to him today, but she fervently hoped they wouldn’t get a chance to and they could just pretend the whole swapping pictures had never happened.
She came downstairs just in time to see him coming back from the beach. All he wore were trunks and a towel he had slung over his shoulder. He hadn’t spotted her yet and she drunk him in greedily. Abruptly she closed her eyes. What was she doing? She couldn’t just ogle her partner like that. He might have jokingly given her permission to fantasize about him, but even if he actually was fine with that, it could never be more, could it? Her mouth was dry, and when she opened up her eyes again she found him standing much closer, looking directly at her.
"Good morning," he said, and there was a shy smile on his lips.
"Good morning to you too," she made herself say.
"Everything alright?" he questioned when he sensed her odd mood.
"Just a little hung-over," she claimed.
He considered her for a moment. "You’re regretting sending that picture, aren’t you," he said with a sad smile.
So he would prefer if she didn’t regret it? Did she read him right? She opened her mouth to say something, but didn’t know what.
"Look, nothing has to change, if you don’t want it to. We can pretend it never happened," he offered and she thought she heard regret in his voice.
"But that’s not what you want," she stated cautiously and hope blossomed in her chest.
He made a tentative step towards her, his dark eyes fixed on hers, trying to read her in return.
"No," he just said.
"But what if this doesn’t work out?"
"I believe not trying would be my bigger regret. You know, as they say: better to have loved and have lost than to never have loved at all."
She swallowed, her mouth even dryer than before. She didn’t flinch when he lifted his hand to push a rogue curl behind her ear, but her heart was racing. He might have been the braver one, confessing first, but it was she who leaned in for the kiss. And she was a little bit proud of that. He only hesitated for a second, before kissing her back, not in a frantic way, but slowly and all-encompassing. It was even better than she had imagined.
When they broke apart there was a blinding smile on his face. She got lost in his eyes for a minute there.
Tentatively she let her fingers trail over his chest. "I’d like to try, too."
He exhaled. "You have no idea how long I’ve wished to hear something like that." He cradled her head as if it was something immensly precious to him and kissed her on her forehead.
She chuckled slightly. "I’ve been trying to get you out of my head for quite some time now, too. Now I guess I don’t have to."
"Yeah, please don’t. You may keep me."
Still they sprang apart when they heard a door going.
"Kumu," he said, and looked at her questioningly. Was she ready to make what just happened public?
"Hi, guys, I think there’s a client at the entrance," Kumu announced as she walked into the room. If she was aware of the odd mood she didn’t show it.
"I guess I’ll get dressed then." Magnum grinned and left for the guest house.
"Everything ok?" So she had picked up on something going on.
"Yes!" Juliet hurried to say, "Everything’s perfect." She couldn’t help a huge smile.
Kumu looked at her knowingly. She could probably guess something had happened but didn’t call Juliet out on it. Just as well.
They didn’t speak about their kiss during the day while chasing up leads and ultimately procuring the information the client had needed. There were quite a few knowing glances and a couple of hot looks though, and when they finally arrived back at Robin’s Nest, they didn’t leave the car immediately. He didn’t want this day to end, either, she was sure of it. She looked at him. There was some kind of fondness in his eyes she found quite overwhelming.
She bit her lip. "Do you maybe … want to share a glass of wine?" She finally asked.
His smile widened. "Lead the way," he answered in kind.
He was rather close behind her when she unlocked the door. She let him through first. He stepped into the hall. She closed the door. He remained close, his eyes dark, and suddenly he pushed her against the door and his lips found hers.
While the first kiss had felt like coming home, the second kiss was like igniting a gasoline soaked sawdust pile.
Frantically she opened the buttons of his shirt and pushed it over his shoulders, only slightly aware that he was undressing her simultaneously. She grabbed his hand to take him upstairs and they left a trail of clothes and shoes in the hall. When they tumbled upon her bed they were naked except for underwear.
—————————————
"You know, I’d have thought you’d want to take it slow," he said between kisses.
She laughed. "That has got to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say!"
"Is it though? Shouldn’t we …" They did have some things to discuss, didn’t they?
"Thomas. We’ve practically lived together for three years. Spent pretty much every day together. I know you. You’re the most kind hearted, most fiercely loyal man I know. You wouldn’t hesitate to catch a bullet for me. Trust me, I know what I’m getting!"
He couldn’t help but smile. She was right of course. He’d do everything in his power to make sure she wouldn’t get hurt.
She smiled, but there was a hint of uncertainty in it. "This is it, right? You are as serious about this as I am, right?"
Was she expecting an ‚I love you’? He’d say it in a heartbeat, as he’d known it to be true for years now. But he didn’t want to scare her away and they had only kissed for the first time this very day.
"Higgy," he said, "Juliet. I would have married you two years ago and I would do it today."
She drew in her breath. "That would have been a fake marriage."
He grinned and lazily let his finger trail over her chest. "I’d have done it for real as well."
"Why?" she asked, breathless.
So she did want to hear it, after all.
He was no coward. "Because I love you." He shrugged. Wasn’t it obvious?
Her eyes widened. Had she not expected that?
"I …" She hesitated. "I love you, too."
He grinned. "I figured."
The next morning found them waking up in each other’s arms. For once neither of them had had a nightmare.
The morning light drew patterns across her face and she looked perfectly at peace. He wouldn’t mind having that sight for the rest of his life.
—————————————
She stirred, yawning. She could get used to this, waking up beside him. His breathing told her he was awake.
"I can feel you staring at me," she said without opening her eyes.
He chuckled. "I can’t help it. You’re just so damn beautiful." She should have guessed he was a sweet talker.
She opened her eyes just to roll them at him. He laughed outright at her and pulled her close for a kiss. She could really get used to that, too.
"Is there anything on the plan for today?" he asked absently while leaving a trail of kisses down her neck towards her breasts. She couldn’t help but moan softly.
Time to rattle him a little bit. "I thought you wanted to get married today." She couldn’t quite help a little grin.
He only hesitated for a second. "I’m game if you are." He sounded quite serious, but there was a twinkle in his eyes. She should have guessed he’d rise to her challenge. Well, two could play at this game.
"If you manage to get me to come three times before breakfast I’ll join you at the courthouse in the afternoon."
"That’s almost too easy," he laughed.
"I’ve never come more than twice within one hour, and even that only happened once." Last night, in fact.
"Seriously?" He was incredulous.
"Hey, it’s not that uncommon! I’ve done some research. Besides, I still enjoy sex even if I don’t come."
By the look in his eyes she could tell it would be a problem. She really didn’t want to resort to faking it with him just to satisfy his need to be an excellent sexual partner.
"So … last night … was that the one time or were you faking it?" he asked, his playful mood from before gone.
She smiled. "No, Thomas, that was all real. It was in all honesty the best sex I’ve ever had."
He smiled smugly at that. "It was pretty good, wasn’t it?"
"Must have been all that pent-up desire," she answered in kind. "But seriously, Thomas. I promise to never fake it if you promise not take it personally if I don’t come every time."
He looked a her, a doubtful expression on his face. "I promise I’ll try," he finally said, and then his smile was back. "Sooo, a real challenge then."
She laughed as he dived below the sheets, leaving a trail of hot kisses until he reached her center. "You’re incorrigible," she grinned just before sucking in some air when his tongue found her clit.
—————————————
"That was probably my finest hour so far," he grinned a little later while making pancakes. He couldn’t help the very smug look. Really. Sometimes he was just that good.
She swallowed her mouthful of delicious pancake.
"You have every right to gloat, but could you reign it in once Kumu comes through that door?" she requested dryly.
He laughed. "Hey! Can’t a guy be happy on his wedding day?" He was teasing, of course, but he wondered whether she would actually stick to her promise.
There was a soft smile on her face. "Good thing I kept the dress," she said.
His eyes widened. "You know I’m just teasing, right? You don’t have to marry me today, if you don’t want to."
"Are you trying to take it back?" she asked - and was there a hint of uncertainty in there?
"Not at all, but if you wanted to plan a big party first, I’d be content with only buying you a ring today," he hurried to say.
"No, nothing big, just the Ohana at La Mariana. But Rick might have a heart attack if we wanted it to be today."
She really wanted to marry him! He shook his head slightly, grinning.
"What?" she asked.
He looked at her and hoped she could see the fondness rushing through him. "Nothing, I just don’t believe I’ve ever been this happy."
"That’s not nothing," she smiled.
He flipped the last pancake onto her plate and turned off the stove. Apparently she interpreted that to mean he was fair game, as she pulled him towards her to kiss him again. He didn’t mind one bit.
"Finally!" They flew apart at the interruption. Kumu was practically beaming at them. Juliet blushed.
Thomas caught himself a lot quicker. "Kumu, may I introduce you to my fiancée?"
She raised both eyebrows at him "You’re trying to make up for all that time wasted by pining?"
He laughed, freely. He was just too happy to mind. "Kind of," he agreed.
"I don’t see a ring though?" she questioned.
"We’ll correct that later today," he promised and turned to Juliet who hadn’t said a word.
"I kind of challenged him to marry me," she rushed to chip in, "he wasn’t exactly prepared."
Kumu laughed out loud. "I … might be able to help with the ring … if you don’t mind wearing a second hand ring."
"Oh, Kumu, we couldn’t accept your ring!" Juliet exclaimed.
"Why ever not? It’s not as if I need it anymore. I’ve got my wedding band and I’m not going to exchange it for another. And I don’t have a son to give the engagement ring to … besides: If you get married until the end of the year I win the pool!"
Juliet’s indignant "Kumu!" came at the same time as Magnum’s incredulous "The what now?"
Kumu just smiled widely and shrugged. "Even Mr. Masters saw the potential. Pretty much from the start, by the way," she winked.
"Wait, Robin is in on the pool as well?" Thomas shook his head grinning. He should have guessed. That last novel hadn’t exactly been subtle. "You’re lucky I’m so god damn happy today, Kumu!"
She smiled warmly at them both. "I’m glad you two finally found each other. You both deserve to be happy together."
Rather uncharacteristically Juliet stepped forward and hugged Kumu. And to Thomas it seemed as if the older woman tried to blink away a little happy tear.
Kumu cleared her throat. "So I’ll bring the ring around later?"
Juliet beamed. "We’d be honored."
"And are you ok with me officially claiming the pool? Everyone will know …" Kumu asked.
Juliet looked at him, the question in her eyes.
He shrugged, turning to Higgins. "We can do whatever you want, babe."
She raised her eyebrows "Babe?"
He looked sheepishly. "Wanted to try that … not good? Anything you’d prefer?"
"I do have a name, you know …"
He tried not to look disappointed at that. He’d been looking forward to calling her pet names. He squinted at her.
"Maybe something more British? How about Sweetie? Love? Pet?"
Kumu was watching them, shaking her head. "I should have known the bickering wouldn’t stop. You keep on trying, Thomas," she encouraged him.
"So, honey, what’s it gonna be? Should we go public?" he tried again, looking a Juliet. She squinted. So not "honey" either. He’d probably have to wear her down for a little longer than anticipated.
She turned towards Kumu. "Yes, go ahead, claim your prize!"
So at least she wasn’t ashamed of him.
Kumu beamed. "I’d need some evidence, though. Would you mind …?"
He grinned. He would never mind kissing Juliet. He pulled her close. "Can I have this kiss, darling?" he asked playfully.
"Anytime," she returned a little breathless. Was it the kiss or the "darling" that got a pass?
Kumu didn’t waste her opportunity and snapped a couple of pictures.
—————————————
She left shortly after, firmly watching her phone screen.
Just a moment later their phones exploded with messages from the Ohana.
"Soooo, well, the cat’s out of the bag," he grinned.
"I guess so." She wasn’t exactly sad about that.
"I was looking forward to sneaking around with you," he said, sounding slightly disappointed.
"Is that so?" she asked. "Any specific places?"
"I’ve had that fantasy about you and me and the wine cellar …"
"So you have fantasized about me after all?"
"I might also have been less than truthful about not dreaming about you."
She knew it! She’d have to think about payback for that embarrassment.
He laughed out loud when he saw her face.
"I promise I’ll make it up to you," he said in a sultry voice. "If there’s any fantasy you’d like to make reality, I’m at your service."
Huh. She’d had that one fantasy that definitely was not PG13 … her face turned warm. And quite visibly, judging from his expression.
"Jules! Spill!" he said delighted.
"No, thank you very much. You’d have to torture me to get that out of me."
"That could be arranged …?"
She stared at him.
"In a consensual way, of course," he hurried to add with a grin on his face.
"Is … is that something you’d enjoy?" she asked hesitantly. Was he actually suggesting …
"Only if you liked it. I’m more the submissive type, usually," he admitted. That … did something to her. She could easily imagine him cuffed to her headboard, or … she blinked.
"We don’t have a case today, do we?"
"Not that I know of."
"In that case, will you follow me to the wine cellar, please?" She was delighted to see his eyes widen at that.
"As you command", he grinned.
Oh yes. This was going to be fun.
She did snatch that last pancake on the way, though.