[Carlos] Flashback: Portents and Accidents
Apr. 8th, 2006 04:24 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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crossing_lostrpCarlos had intended to take as much time as he could exploring how to make Ami really lose control--and enjoy it in a way she seemed to need so badly right now. But even though he'd barely accepted a caress during his ministrations, he found himself panting and starting to shake when he heard her cry out. It took all his force of will to keep from leaping on her right that moment--and if he had, it would have done him in right then. No. He clenched his free hand into a fist, beads of sweat breaking out over his back.
But then she was reaching for him, dragging him into a fierce embrace--and the sense of her seemed to swell up in his mind again, but this time far more powerfully and overwhelmingly. He gasped aloud. It was like drowning, but in the sweetest of ways--and after a few moments he didn't even bother trying to resist. He threw himself over her and dragged her up into his arms, feeling the boundaries of sensation between them starting to blur again as he entered her.
/What the Hell--oh. Oh God. Never mind./
He could feel his own hands caressing his unfamiliar-feeling back while his brain tried to process two sets of lips sliding against each other. He lost track of which set of tangled-up legs were his own. Those were the most subtle of the sensations he was experiencing. His skin was her skin, his nerves were hers, and he was shocked to learn--if it could be called learning--that at this point his ferocity was not only not hurting--it was welcome. Or would have been, were his dual sensations real. Right now, the illusion of knowing what she was feeling was so intense that the few rational scraps of mind he had left wondered when he had been slipped Ecstasy. But illusion or not, that sort of primal acceptance was more than he could take.
When he finally came back to himself, he was so sweetly exhausted that his body felt leaden. /A guy could really get used to this./ It took him about five hundred pounding heartbeats to realize that the side of his face was pressed into Berber carpeting. /Holy crap. We ended up on the floor./
Panting, he propped himself up on his arms and looked down at her with both tenderness and worry. "Are you all right?" he murmured hoarsely.
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[Ami] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-09 03:55 am (UTC)She knew what had happened and she felt a bit guilty about it. She'd forgotten to shield, forgot to hold her empathic projections in some sense of control, and things had spiraled maddeningly out of control. In a good way, but out of control nonetheless. But it had been so long since she'd had to practice that sort of shielding and restraint – it had been months since Devon had even tried to touch her in a sexual way; they were separated and divorced before they got married, before the engagement ended. And Devon had been so naturally shielded and such a complete psychic dead zone that it hadn't been necessary.
But Carlos … he evidently was neither as shielded or psychically dead as Devon. As wonderful and intense as that last romp had been, she was going to have to be a bit more careful. Still, she couldn't help but smile when he asked her if she was all right, her response sliding out breathlessly, "Perfectly all right. You?"
[Carlos] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-10 12:31 am (UTC)He raised himself off her slowly, then got to his feet. The blankets were askew on the bed. He pulled them back, then bent to lift her onto the dark burgundy sheets. "There we are. I'm sorry. I have no idea how we ended up on the floor." Whatever the specifics, it had left him with bruised-feeling knees, a hoarse voice and serious trouble keeping his eyes open. Worse, in spite of all of that and the awkwardness of losing it badly enough to risk injuring her again...he badly wanted more, as soon as he was capable of it.
He settled in next to her and pulled her gently into his arms, awed and affectionate and just a touch frightened. "You always make me lose all control. You're incredible. I'm doing my best here not to become completely hooked." His tone was warm and almost seductive, in spite of his concern.
[Ami] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-10 02:14 am (UTC)She nuzzled down into his arms, closing her eyes and simply absorbing *him,* and feeling more than a bit embarrassed by the feelings of awe she felt coming from him. She wasn't anything special, and she certainly wasn't any sort of sex goddess. Before now, she hadn't been particularly interested in sex; it was something that was nice and pleasurable, not something that she embraced and surrended to like a euphoric drug that she couldn't get enough of.
And underneath the embarrassment, alarm bells rang. She'd slipped too far, too fast this time with the shielding and she couldn't let that happen again. (Blimey! But it wouldn't be fair to Carlos, not when I know I would only be rebounding.) Ami was testing new waters and flexing new muscles, but would have to take care to not project her own experiences onto him. It would be a balancing act, learning again what she could do and couldn't do, could share and couldn't share that would enhance the experience without totally drowning him.
"I've never been like this before," Ami confessed, her words soft and slow, tinged with a blissful sort of lethargy, her accent stronger, her speech patterns less practiced and refined. "Never really got it before. Sex, I mean. Makes you pretty incredible too, 'cause I get it now. Let m'self go with you. Never done that before."
[Carlos] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-10 07:57 pm (UTC)Too comfortable. The feeling came again, and he sighed a little and drifted into silence for a moment as he stared at the ceiling. /Different countries. Rebound. And you don't do intense relationships, Carlos. Nothing beyond friends-with-benefits. Still...wow. This is a hell of a lot of fun./
"I'm not that incredible. I just love seeing a woman I like cut loose and enjoy herself so much that I like helping her along." He stroked a hand down her side and felt her shiver a little bit. "A lot."
/We just have this weekend. I'll deal with the end of it when it comes./
"Think we've got a few hours before sunset," he murmured. "You got a bathing suit when you packed, right? We'll need it for later."
Because he was damned if he was climbing out of her arms anytime soon to go bikini-shopping.
[Ami] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-11 12:36 am (UTC)Ami hovered on the edge of sleep, struggling to listen to Carlos's words and maintain a stream of intelligent conversation. (I always thought it was the blokes who were supposed to roll over and take a nod after sex,) Ami thought dimly.
/That wasn't sex, dear heart, that was a full mental shagging./
Ami blinked, wondering why her inner monologue felt and 'sounded' like Jade.
/Because it is me, you daft nutter,/ Jade chided her playfully. /I certainly hope that he's not comatose after *that.* And before you get all embarrassed and become a right proper lady, I wasn't peeping. Couldn't help but get a full dose of what you were doling out over there before I walled myself up./
Ami kept her face buried in Carlos's chest. Jade's too tangible mental presence was somewhat of a wakeup call, and she was glad that she could hide her blush from Carlos. /I'm so sorry, Jade./
/And I'm like one hundred times envious. Should have snagged that one for myself. Just remember to be careful, all right? He's not a telepath./
The fact that she was being lectured by a woman four years her junior (and with probably more sexual experience in her right foot than I've had in my whole life) was even more embarrassing than thinking she'd shared *everything* with Jade.
Fortunately, Jade did know when to back off and Ami breathed a sigh of relief as she felt her friend's mental touch and awareness withdraw. Though still feeling a bit tired, Ami spoke softly, "I think we'll probably need to refuel first."
[Carlos] Back to earth
Date: 2006-04-11 07:09 pm (UTC)His memories of making love to her this past time were hazed by sensations he could barely make sense of now. It had been like having neither boundaries nor restraint; it had left him frenzied--and delighted to discover that she liked him that way. (But how had he known that?)
He didn't know he'd dozed off until he saw Paulo's handsome, scarred face glaring down at him. Then he gasped awake with a little jump. "Uh!"
"Something?" Ami asked muzzily, concern crossing her features.
"Nothing. Just a taste of a bad dream." He sighed, and started caressing her hair. "Got a preference for dinner or should I intro you to Brazilian-style pizza?"
[Ami] Teasing
Date: 2006-04-11 07:55 pm (UTC)Ami sensed that he didn’t want to talk about the nightmare or whatever remnants of it slipped into his psyche, so she didn’t press. She went for distraction instead and lifted up on her elbows, the sheet falling to her waist, and brushed her lips light across his. It was a light kiss, meant to tease but not to get them fired up again. With a smile, she sat up and swung her feet off the side of the bed. Lifting her arms over her head, she stretched leisurely, knowing, feeling and enjoying the feeling of Carlos’s eyes on her the entire time.
Keeping her attention focused forward, knowing that she might just stammer and lose her nerve, she stepped out of bed, stretching again. “Why don’t we grab a shower and then you can introduce me to Brazilian pizza?”
[Carlos] Cleanliness is next to...something
Date: 2006-04-12 12:16 am (UTC)/I've never screwed so hard I got semi-amnesia afterward, either. I hope Ami won't hate me once the hot water hits her rug burns./
He got robes and towels for the both of them and followed her into the bathroom. "Can I wash your hair?" he asked as they stepped into the shower.
"Saves me the bother." she smiled a little.
"How can anybody find having their hands buried in /this/ a bother?" he asked, gripping a handful of her curls caressively in passing. "I'll never understand it."
[Ami] Cleanliness is next to...something
Date: 2006-04-12 10:47 am (UTC)With Carlos, getting clean was secondary. They kissed, they touched, they splashed, they laughed. Their playful antics even distracted her from the slight tenderness of her shoulders and bum when the water pounded on the rug burn. Not that it was that much of a problem – she was far too exhilarated by the whole experience and she considered a bit of soreness as a small price to pay in exchange.
He took his time washing her hair, and her body again turned to jelly under his tender ministrations. Never before had she had a man take such an interest in her hair; the clear fact that Carlos truly loved having his hands in her hair was most certainly a turn on – for both of them, she discovered leaning back against him.
Ami wasn't ready to try testing her shielding, so she tried hard not to allow things to move beyond playful. Yet, there was just something utterly sensual about being in the shower with one's lover that made their antics hover just so on the edge of erotic. Finally, hair rinsed and free of Carlos's hands for a few moments, Ami leaned up and gave him a long, thorough kiss. The kiss, that left them both panting and breathless, pupils swallowing up the brown of his irises was followed by a wicked smile, punctuated by Ami sliding down his body and dropping to her knees in front of him.
[Carlos] Cleanliness is next to...something
Date: 2006-04-12 09:11 pm (UTC)He was still a little tired, and discovered he was sore and sensitive in a few spots as well as they scrubbed each other. He finished with her hair, enjoying watching the water sluicing down her back, and then grunted happily when she leaned back against him. He was starting to get turned on again--not really a surprise--and gripped her hips lightly to pull her closer. "Mm. That's nice."
When they started kissing he felt his interest intensify, and immediately started thinking logistics of screwing in a shower stall. Until Ami slid down his body with a smile and made the decision for him.
The feel of her lips on him made him gasp aloud and lean back against the tiled wall. Delightfully shocked at her audacity, he couldn't do anything but stand there sucking air and trembling while her slow attentions went from teasing to intensely serious. /Oh man, the whole shedding-inhibitions thing is really working out..../ He moaned softly and arched a little, tilting his head back into the spray.
"Oh God--Ami--" His hands fluttered in the air for a moment, then settled on her shoulders. He fiercely wanted to lift her up into his arms and pin her hard against the wall of the shower, but about all he could concentrate on at the moment was staying upright. His attempts to suggest a change of position came out as throaty gasps and the occasional incoherent groan.
She wasn't letting up, and he was growing more enthralled with every movement of her mouth. Finally, he gave in, pressing himself back hard against the tiles and clutching at them with his fingers to keep from leaving bruises on her. His eyes slid closed; beyond the blood pounding in his ears he could hear his little shouts of pleasure start ringing off the walls.
[Ami] Absolute Power
Date: 2006-04-13 02:37 am (UTC)(I'm doing that to him,) came the awed thought as the final boundaries came down with a frantic jerking and thrusting of his hips, his shouts echoing off of the shower walls. She supported him as he withdrew and slowly slid down the wall to sit beneath the still warm and pounding water. Panting and trembling, Carlos wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, resting his head between her breasts.
Ami kissed the top of his head, and allowed her hands to caress and rub his shoulders and back. Surprisingly, her body was warm and flush and her heart was pounding out of control. The sheer measure of power that she held over him and the acknowledgement of it left her with more of an itch than she'd had before. Somehow, that act had gotten her more than a little randy, and Ami hadn't thought that was supposed to happen.
(Power as an aphrodisiac,) Ami mused, (It explains a lot.)
Stretching up, she adjusted the shower. Ami made the water just a hair warmer to prevent them from getting cold while she waited, inordinately pleased with herself, for Carlos to recover.
The itch would keep for a bit longer.
[Carlos] Absolute Power
Date: 2006-04-13 11:02 pm (UTC)He caught his breath, aware that he was clinging to her in a way that probably wasn't appropriate, especially for a weekend fling. But God, it felt good. "Oh...." he gasped softly as the last tremors left him, and felt her fingers sliding through his hair. A little embarrassed by his complete loss of control, he realized he was hiding in her arms a little bit.
He lifted his head finally, his expression hazy, sated and a little chagrined. "My God. You got me."
She burst into giggles, expression slightly wicked. "Yes, I did!"
That was better. "You realize I'll have to get you for this, right?" he asked softly, a hint of a tease in his voice.
[Ami] Absolute Power
Date: 2006-04-14 12:39 am (UTC)She couldn't help but laugh when he lifted his head and gazed at her, a bit glassy eyed, face flushed and not solely from the heat of the shower and said, "My God. You got me."
(Yes, that was the general idea.)
Then his expression changed to slightly predatory, his voice soft as silk gliding across her bare skin with the faintest hints of melded teasing and promise, "You realize I'll have to get you for this, right?"
She shivered from the look in his eyes, phantom hands sliding across her skin and touching every nerve in exactly all the right places. Heat surged through her body, her heart quickened and she swallowed, trying to work moisture into her mouth.
Surprisingly, when Ami spoke, her voice was breathy, but steady, issuing a challenge of her own. "I'm looking forward to it."
[Carlos] Absolute Power
Date: 2006-04-14 06:43 pm (UTC)He rose on rather wobbly legs with her help. /Damn. OK, how do I avoid getting completely infatuated with her again?/ He switched off the water, realizing his nails had bitten into his palms.
They got toweled off and into robes, and Carlos grabbed the phone and a take-out menu in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Brazilian pizza as Carlos explained it was interesting; their sauce was very chunky and had no basil, shrimp, chicken and various non-sausage meats as toppings were very big, and they had other interesting things, like carrots, hearts of palm, cucumbers and lettuce.
"I'm up for anything that doesn't involve pineapple. These guys are good." He sat with his arm around her on the couch, still feeling a bit tingly and out-of-breath.
[Ami] Dinner
Date: 2006-04-14 07:26 pm (UTC)(Sodding bad timing.) But she wasn’t past Devon by a long shot; Carlos was a wonderful distraction, but returning to London would mean dealing with her new, spectacularly empty flat and the boxing away of too many memoirs of a life that was supposed to turn into “happily ever after.” Truthfully, Ami had wanted to give all of that stuff away, the keepsakes and jewelry and countless other things that were reminders of her life with Devon, but Jade had convinced her that she would want them later.
Later hadn’t come yet.
They were playfully flirtatious with one another, but nothing overtly blatant or anything that might lead them back down the path of carnal bliss … not for a while at least. The undercurrent of attraction remained, strong and pulsing, but they both seemed to have silently reached a challenge to see whom could hold out and ignore its siren call for the longest.
Ami half-wondered why they were bothering.
When the food was gone and they were both pleasantly sated, this time from hunger, Ami inquired, “So, am I going to get to see one of those beautiful Rio beaches, now?”
She half-worried about *what* Marta and Jade had packed as swimwear for her.
[Carlos] Dinner
Date: 2006-04-15 05:20 pm (UTC)Carlos tried his best not to do his usual thing of power-wolfing pizza like someone had a gun to his head; a habit born of ordering in to barracks where everyone was used to ten-minute meals and guys liked to make a game out of who got the most slices down. He had a hell of an appetite, though--just tried to keep things neat.
When Ami brought up the beach, he said, "Sure. We'll need to drive up the road a bit to avoid the crowds in this area, but I can get you there."
Rio's sunsets were lusciously colored, as much from the city's pollution as from the tropical air and the glittering sea reflecting them. Carlos, in black trunks and rope sandals, led Ami out onto a sandspit in one of the more isolated coves, and stood with her while dark started to gather. Fish darted past almost at their feet.
[Ami] Tag, you're it
Date: 2006-04-16 12:55 am (UTC)Sunset was her favorite time of the day. At sunset, it was as if the world breathed a sigh and closed its eyes at night, going to slumber with everyone else. It sounded silly to even say it in her head and she was glad that Carlos hadn't asked why; hopefully he would simply think that she was a silly romantic or lover of nature.
As the final purple and pink hues streaked across the sky, she turned to him and challenged, "Catch me if you can."
Then she darted into the water, swimming away from him with a laugh.
She hadn't yet felt undressed in the blue and white barely there almost string bikini.
[Carlos] Tag, you're it
Date: 2006-04-16 07:58 am (UTC)Really nice sunset, regardless. Though he preferred looking at the company. Ami had claimed to not be used to such a brief swimsuit, but she looked spectacular in it. When she turned and dove away from him into the water, he stood there watching the line of her body as it slid into the water for several moments before laughing and diving in after her.
This stretch of sand was all but deserted save for some beachcombers down a stretch. Carlos trailed after Ami, very slowly gaining on her, loving the feel of the warm, buoyant water on his slightly tender skin.
[Ami] Tag, you're it
Date: 2006-04-17 12:34 am (UTC)Ami darted away, towards the beach and took off at a run when she felt the sand beneath her feet. This time, Carlos wasted no time catching her and they tumbled gently to the sand. Ami kept their kisses playful and teasing, never staying quite still long enough to allow them to escalate beyond mischievousness. It wasn't an easy task, hampered as she was by the feeling of Carlos toned, muscled body beneath hers and the havoc his hands worked on her senses with each pass over a leg, across her back, the occasional thumb brushing teasingly along the outside of her breast and sometimes not only the outside.
She pushed back, leaning her weight on her arms and staring down at him after a particularly lingering kiss that went on far longer than any of the others. Trying very hard to ignore the delightful sensations of his palm sliding down her back, and how very turned on she was by the very clear indication of his interest beneath her, she licked her lips and swallowed, forcing some moisture into her mouth.
"All right, Carlos, what else you do you have, then?" The question was delivered with a scandalous smile, a hint of challenge in her voice and twinkling in her eyes.
[Carlos] The keeping-quiet game
Date: 2006-04-17 07:59 pm (UTC)"You should know better than to challenge me like that," he growled playfully as he pushed his trunks out of the way.
"Oo! Hey, what are you up to, now?"
"What do you think?" His tone was unrepentantly naughty.
She was startled enough to fight a little. "But Carlos, there are people just--"
"Oh yes," he said in her ear. "There's a crowded sidewalk not ten yards off from us past that line of trees. They can't see us...which means we're safe...unless, of course, either of us makes too much noise." He unfastened the bottom of her swimsuit and pulled it away with an impatient gesture. "Which means you'll have to be quiet."
She swallowed. "I-I think I can do that."
"Can you?" he asked teasingly as he slid a hand between them. "Let's find out."
Redirect
Date: 2006-04-17 11:46 pm (UTC)[Ami] Up to the Challenge
Date: 2006-04-17 11:42 pm (UTC)The anticipation of what was happening coupled with the possibility of getting caught provided a sinfully delicious want that was arousing in and of itself in that it was an entirely new experience for her. She gasped, biting her lip to contain a moan as his hand slipped between her thighs and caressed her, strong thick fingers bringing a tantalizing touch of coolness. Her eyes met his, dark, intent and challenging. The intensity of his gaze and the completely undisguised desire there heated her nearly as much as his touch did. Ami wriggled a bit, another quiet gasp held back by the force of her lip between her teeth as the subtle movement got the pressure just right.
A slow smug smile spread across Carlos's face as the speed and friction of his touch changed, bringing her closer and closer to that edge. Though she breathed heavily, beads of sweat breaking out across her body as she carefully kept from crying out, he seemed content to continue the pace, driving her mad with need until finally it was her fingers scrambling over his back, her hands pulling his mouth frantically towards hers and her hips lifting as her hands guided him and brought him to exactly where she wanted and needed him to be.
[Carlos] Up to the Challenge
Date: 2006-04-18 03:49 am (UTC)And he was right; a minute later, she was mounting him out of impatience, and as he lifted his hips he had to bite back a groan. She wrapped her arms and legs around her and he pulled her close, starting to move eagerly.
They kept their gasps down as much as they could for a few frantic, wonderful minutes. But as luck would have it, a couple speaking Portuguese wandered close on the sidewalk on the other side of the trees, and stopped to talk for a while. Carlos had to sit there in suspense, moving only slightly because he couldn't stand it, while a pair of middle-aged /cariocas/ discussed whether to get fish or chicken for dinner within a whisper of overhearing them.
But then again...as he peered over Ami's shoulder into the dark, a slow grin crossed his face. His hand sandwiched between them started to move again, slowly. She muffled a gasp and stared at him in shock, even as her eyes hooded and her hips started to move a little in response. He braced her with an arm around her shoulders and smiled wickedly as he caressed her.
Fish had won out. They were on to whether they should visit the wine shop on the corner. /Fucking Christ, if I ever get that boring someone please shoot me between the eyes! Just do it!/ Sweat broke out on his forehead. He was going mad from sheer oversensitization and tension. It felt like every move from her was going to put him over the edge.
She was trembling, and even the way she panted seemed to stimulate him further. He wanted to start moving again, but that really /would/ have made him start making noises. Her legs were shaking; her arms clung; her breathing was becoming erratic. Risky as it was, the smile stayed on his face while her own eyes widened and then slid closed. Finally, he took pity on her and kissed her hard, letting any sounds she let out be muffled by his mouth.
Except that her reaction a few seconds later set him off, and he ended up needing to be muffled at least as badly.
The /cariocas/ didn't notice. They went right on prattling about their shopping for another ten minutes solid, while Carlos and Ami clung to each other and shook and tried very hard not to start snickering.
When they finally moved on, Carlos leaned forward and whispered in Ami's ear, "Told you I'd get you."
[Ami] Up to the Challenge
Date: 2006-04-18 05:21 pm (UTC)She trailed her fingers down his back, eyes scouting about for her bikini bottom. Ami spotted it, just beyond their reach. Getting it would require leaving the somewhat hidden island and protection of Carlos's body either way – either through her efforts or his. Seeing as how even though she had just engaged in a wonderful bout of sex on the beach, she hadn't turned exhibitionist just yet, so she wasn't happy with that idea.
But she had another one. Shifting, she lifted her face and pulled him down to a long, lingering kiss. One hand stroked his shoulders while the other extended to catch the bikini that she called over telekinetically. She closed her hand around the elusive cloth before it could fall to the sand and then began truly kissing him in earnest.
[Carlos] Up to the Challenge
Date: 2006-04-18 07:20 pm (UTC)Ami was doing something with one of her hands, but he was too busy enjoying the taste of her mouth to notice. "I'm getting pretty goddamned drunk off of you," he rasped breathlessly when they broke.
His eyes were a little too soft when he looked at her, and he was aware of that, and blinked, looking away quickly. /Just the weekend. Behave your slightly-sentimental self. Nobody in their right mind wouldn't miss having this much fun with a person once it's gone./
He covered up his awkwardness with another kiss, before helping her up and getting their clothes fixed. "Do you hear leftover pizza calling, or is that just me?"
[Ami] Up to the Challenge
Date: 2006-04-18 07:41 pm (UTC)(Sodding timing,) Ami lamented again. (Maybe in a few years, I'll see if I can't look him up, if he's still single...)
(Get a grip, Jackson,) Ami scolded herself and was very happy when he managed to distract her with another long kiss.
"Mmm, pizza," Ami smiled. "Yes, I do think I can hear it as well. And then, maybe a short nap. Something tells me I might need my energy for later on tonight."
[Carlos] Keeping Control
Date: 2006-04-19 12:05 am (UTC)"Yeah...oh yeah, that whole sleeping thing. I'm sorry, but I've found it kind of overrated by comparsion." He kissed her shoulder as he opened the Jeep door for her. /Though I think I'm gonna sleep for a solid week when she goes home. My God./
On the drive back, they had to inch through a crowd of drunken revelers. Carlos was in the middle of chatting with her when he stopped suddenly, hit the brakes and darted his arm out the open window. He dragged a skinny teenager up against the car, glaring at him.
"Give it back," he growled in Portuguese.
The kid's eyes widened and he shook his head. "I didn't take anything!"
"You just plucked the billfold out of that old lady's bag neat as you please. Now stick it right back in neat as you please, or it's a beating."
He had to calm down for a minute after the boy slunk away, dropping his prize into the pink-coated octogenarian's enormous brown purse as he went.
"You get a lot of that around here," he explained as they moved on.
[Ami] Calming Influence
Date: 2006-04-19 05:27 pm (UTC)She wasn't afraid of Carlos, she was able to shift around emotions enough to know that he wasn't dangerous to her, and that he wouldn't have hurt the teen in the long-term – unless one counted the severely wounded pride that would have come from a true arse-kicking. No, she was afraid for Carlos. Whatever lurked there gnawed at him, and eventually he would have to face it.
He was so keyed up that he didn't even notice her hand coming to rest on his arm. Not sexual or flirtatious, simply there, sending empathic pulses of comfort and relaxation. Ami couldn't change his mood, but she could help him get hold of his emotions and come back down. The muscle was firm, bristling beneath her hand. Her thumb stroked small circles on the bare skin, her comfort not ceasing.
"You get a lot of that around here," he explained as he shifted the car into gear again and began driving once more. He didn't register her squeeze on his arm or when her hand dropped to his thigh. Again, not sexual, simply comforting.
"A revelry like this creates a lot of easy targets, too," Ami said quietly. Her fingers on his thigh gave a squeeze and that time he tensed, registering the touch, and then relaxed. She didn't let up the light pressure of her hand, even as their eyes met. She said nothing, communicating to him via touch and gaze alone that her motives for her hand placement were not hedonistic or sexual in any manner. Her manner and response were likely completely inappropriate for their relationship, but for the moment, that didn't matter. If she calmed him at all, it was worth it.
[Carlos] Calming Influence
Date: 2006-04-19 07:21 pm (UTC)Ami was touching him gently, and the contact soothed him. His glance at her was a little apologetic. "Here I thought I'd get to leave my job at home this trip." Except, of course, that such things weren't jobs, ultimately--they were callings.
She was doing her best to comfort him, and Carlos shivered a little, reminding himself that any affection he was feeling wasn't changing how the weekend ended.
At an intersection, he caressed the back of the hand on his thigh, and said, "Thanks. I am sorry about that. I get so pissed off when I see someone casually doing something that's gonna screw someone over but good. And for what, money to buy rum? I don't get it. Never have."
He relaxed fairly quickly under her attentions, and by the time they pulled up at his apartment building they were able to talk on other things again. Carlos's slightly troubled expression was due to other things altogether, but he didn't bring that up.
[Ami] Perusing the bookshelf
Date: 2006-04-20 02:36 am (UTC)Ami had chosen to slip into something comfortable for lounging about in, and wound up wearing a pair of teal satin pyjama bottoms and a camisole pyjama top because that was the most modest and least revealing bit of night clothing that Jade and Marta had packed away for her. While Carlos showered, she roamed the living room, reading the titles of the books on his shelves. She wasn't so much interested in military history or guns, but a few of the science fiction novels caught her eye. While most were more hardcore science fiction, based on war and tactics in a gritty future by authors like Joe Haldeman and David Feintuch, there were one or two with a protagonist that had psionic abilities.
It was one of those that Ami was paging through when Carlos startled her by calling out, "Ready for that pizza now?"
She hadn't heard him enter and she fumbled the book, her heart pounding. (Pull yourself together, Jackson. It's only a book.)
"Yes, that would be lovely," Ami called back, carefully returning the book to its place on the shelf.
[Carlos] Perusing the bookshelf
Date: 2006-04-20 04:56 pm (UTC)"Only Anne MacCaffrey series I really enjoyed," he commented. She looked a tad awkward, so he shrugged and said, "Feel free to grab something to read or use the entertainment center if you wake up early tonight or tomorrow. I don't care. The stuff I don't want people touching casually is locked up in the gun safe."
"As it should be. Not the sort to keep a pistol under your pillow, then?"
/Not while I have guests over,/ he thought, but simply said "No."
[Ami] Playful Teasing
Date: 2006-04-20 05:45 pm (UTC)She smiled teasingly as she asked the question, her eyes twinkling with laughter.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-21 06:37 pm (UTC)