Jemma only half expected him to listen to her words and turn in for the night. Her time here had showed her how stubborn Jim could be. Jemma always found it amusing. She’d watch from her work bench as he, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy would argue back in forth. Sometimes just teasing, sometimes discussing things more serious that she didn’t quite understand. She had assumed her amusement had stemmed from the friendship she and Jim had. Or that she watched on because they reminded her of her friends back home. She’d think of herself, Fitz, and Daisy complaining about the new director.
She had felt something more than just friendship for Jim a few times before. Always when her mind’s wanderings had gone too far. Usually, after they’d traded stories. Jemma swore she could listen to him talk for ages. It was beyond soothing and fascinating. He told her of his grand adventures and of the quiet moments of his life before. Those quiet moments after, where they just sat in silence digesting the stories shared, she swore there was something more. But Jemma was quick to dismiss it. She’d blame it on anything else but the truth.
He laughed at her, making her cheeks redden. There were a million reasons bubbling up in her head of why that kiss was wrong. All that melted away when he kissed her again, strong and firm. Nothing like the first one. Jemma let out a hum of approval at the touch right below her ear. The softness of his hands contrasting against the harder kiss.
Jemma’s fingers reached up to twist in his hair, trying to pull him down closer in the process. She hadn’t been kissed like this in ages and it felt thrilling. There wasn’t much distance between them, but she pushed closer all the same (probably stepping on his toes in the process.) Her lips were going to go numb by the way their lips crashed together. Not that she minded, but breathing was also important.
She reluctantly pulled away with a small gasp for air. Jemma gave herself a second to breathe before her eyes settled on his.
“I did mean what I said, you do need to sleep.” She told him, half serious and half teasing. Jemma wanted to tell him that she wanted him to kiss her again and again. But those reasons of wrongness were resurfacing, and she didn’t want to freak him out. Besides, Jemma thought, the want didn’t need to be said after a kiss like that. “I don’t think I can handle Dr. McCoy’s wrath when he realizes I’m the one who keeps you up.” Her nose scrunched up at the realization at how suggestive it sounded. It wasn’t her point at all.
Emboldened by the fingers in his hair, by the quiet hum against his lips, Jim pulled her in closer until their bodies were flush against each other. A hand dropped to her waist, clutching at the material of her borrowed uniform, soft beneath his palm. He felt breathless, warm all over. He never wanted it to end, wanted to kiss and kiss and kiss until their mouths were raw, until they felt dizzy with it.
But then she was pulling away and Jim couldn’t help the small sound of protest that he emitted. Another laugh, watching in fascination at the way her nose crinkled. The urge to reach out, to smooth away the creases with hands and lips was almost overwhelming. “I think I can handle Bones,” he assured her, eyes bright in the low lighting. But still he took a step back, arms dropping back to his sides. He immediately felt cold, missed the heat of her pressed against him. Arousal curled pleasantly in his gut, but he stamped it down, ignored the way he felt itchy in his own skin. He didn’t want to push too far. Whatever she was willing to give was enough.
“But you’re right. We should probably both get some sleep.” Unable to help himself, he brushed his hand against hers. Looking back at her, there was a hopefulness in his expression, but also caution. If she wanted to forget this ever happened, he would do so with grace. If tomorrow in the hard light of day she realised she had made a mistake, he would never mention it again. But, god, how he hoped that wasn’t the case – Pandora’s box was so hard to close once it had been opened.
A brief pause, h e s i t a t i o n, and he was leaning in again. But this time his lips found the curve of her cheek, lingering there for a moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” The words were mumbled against her skin, their real meaning barely disguised.
Please, please don’t regret this.
