superintcndent:
Realistically, Stella never offered anything the night she had invited Reed up to her hotel room for the first time. The mentioning of sex was never uttered, though of course it was idly implied. She’d be lying had she stated that the thought hadn’t been her ultimate intention, but even still, the woman’s statement made her chuckle even slightly though she stated nothing against it while taking another drink. In truth, she had been incredibly attracted to the pathologist since the first day they met on the crime scene but even then her mind was far too focused on the situation at hand than idle personal interests. It really didn’t hit her until that first kiss, when the intention was merely to shove off the male intruder who was bothering her. At that time, she had received wonderful news regarding the progress of their case and so the good mood inevitably sparked further interest. Still, the explanation was understandable. They had moved pretty fast within the time span of their evening and Stella was known to be a bit too forward when she saw something she wanted. What was done was done though but Stella wouldn’t be one to deny the woman a second chance. Not when it was something she herself still wanted. ❝ Good answer. ❞ It was all she said as she watched the woman place her drink down and take the necessary steps forward in order to close off most of the distance between them. Another sip of her own drink is taken then before setting it down on the nearest surface and returning her gaze to that of Reed’s own. A hand is raised, palm lightly touching along the edge of the woman’s jaw. She could tell through expression alone just how much Reed had wanted to kiss her then and who was Stella to be the one to take away that opportunity to make the first move? ❝ Go ahead. ❞ She says, this time in a whisper while lips remain slightly parted.
With the way the solicitor had lingered at their table in Stella’s absence, it had been the Superintendent’s mild heroics that had gotten him to finally leave, taking his drinks while she’d been at it. Such a thing - a first and second kiss and all - had left a number of rapid thoughts in Reed’s mind, drawing on parts of attraction she’d felt working together. Most had been admiration and a genuine liking. Some had gone astray where they shouldn’t have been, but lingered anyway. The vodka tonics and sips of the free margarita had given her an extra bit of confidence she hadn’t quite reached before, but nerves had won out, in the end, in spite of it all.
Yet, Reed stands now, drawn closer and closer. She feels a little light headed, as if the drink in her hand has gotten into her blood stream already - but she realises it’s only nerves.
Stella’s touch, her ‘go ahead’, however, steadies her resolve.
“Okay.”
The kiss is a gentle one, without the flashy swooping in and saving the day as it had been with Stella’s plan to rid them of unwarranted attention. A tentative hand comes to rest on Stella’s waist, lips together but bodies still slightly apart. This kiss is different than the bar, the quick stolen moment when she was sure the neighbours in the next booth weren’t paying attention. This is private, this is just them.
For just a moment, Reed parts only a hair’s breadth away from Stella, close still that her lips brush against the other woman’s in a wordless way. There isn’t a need to say anything, no excuses, no hesitation. Her fingers brush against the rim of the glass of scotch, forgotten, in favour of resting both hands on Stella’s waist. Reed kisses her again.
