#fenixtj

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Jessica feels a hand on her ass, and she finds she does not object as she stirs sleepily from a great bout of sex, and..did she fall asleep after? What about patrol? She realizes that for one moment after, she was joyoulsy, deliciously, completely stress free.

And her treacherous body, having got what it wanted from love making, went on and stole slumber!

And then... not. She jolts up, ready for .... BATTLE!

"If you're going to have that reaction to my hand on your ass after the love making we did and how we spooned, I have to say your priorities are very odd" Duff says

She sucks in a deep breath. "Sorry."

"What time is it?"

"About 8 PM... you were asleep for awhile." He raised a brow "Jessica, how many hours have you been sleeping of late?"

"Enough...." She kisses him quickly. "I have to shower, get back...."

He returns the kiss "Shower's right over there. I've already used it, but if you want company, a gent always offers"

A smile "And so do some cads"

She slides out and showers.

He starts to follow, or at least to watch

She did not say no...but in addition to admiring, he talks "So things really are going well at the hold?"

"Yes. Sure. Fine." Scrubbing.

He admires "I do love the way a woman's body and water interact, the water bouncing just a bit as it cascades against you, and then falling again to hug the contours of your form." Duff says "Well, I ask because one, I am curious. Two, I don't want you to think I can only offer you the physical."

"....ask?"

"It's just this was unsual, you coming to me. I liked it, and you have nothing to apologize for... but that, plus the ..sleep makes me think something of the moment had stressed you."

"Before coming to me, I mean" Curious

"Sorry.... I mean....." She shrugs in the water ".... maybe the freehold is getting too much attention?"

"I thought it was the new place, the 'Pit' as some still called it that was getting the attention, but good to see Fenix get some love I suppose..or bad if it's become too crowded. "

She stops, water falling around her, "You think?"

"You're a private person at times, Jessica. So if you feel overwhelmed in your own hold, well, then yes, I can understand why you might want space, and I'm..pleased you share that space with me"

A slow scrub, thinking. "Duff, I don't want you to be a... a.... bootie call."

"Good. I won't lie and say I'd hate everything about it, but after a time one might get insulted. I have my pride too" Duff says "But, at the same time, when you feel a mood, the desire rise, then I certainly prefer you coming to me about it"

She blinks water out of her eyes. "Who else would I go ... nevermind."

"Exactly" He says "Jessica, if you don't want us to be a booty call...have you decided then what you do want us to be?"

"I... I don't know."

"No idea at all, or two or more ideas in conflict?"

"Duff... I'm sorry." She steps out and dries off. "I have no idea about us. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, Jessica. I have to ask now and then, you understand, otherwise you will think I'm just expecting sex"

Despite his understanding words, she does notice a flicker of something.. but it's hard to read

"Go ahead." She turns, rinsing off but not losing sight of him.

"Nothing" He says

"What?"

At that, he smiles, "You make me somewhat sentimental and romantic, hence I find myself in an odd limbo of it could be unrequited love, or it could be a love so intense it scares you to open that part of you. I'm a man who normally gets things his way, now facing a woman who isn't sure what way she wants, and for once I'm not willing to cheat to get what I want because I can't be sure I know hat I want until you know what YOU want. It's a mess ," A chuckle "A darkly amusing mess that makes me think karma is very very drunk"

Jessica nods. "I do like you, Duff. I mean, I wouldn't sleep with someone I didn't at least like. You've been incredibly patient, and loyal."

"I don't feel patient" He confides.

She turns off the water and dries off. "Well.... more credit to you, then."

He pulls her out for a kiss, sudden, surprising then, "I hope I don't become too predictable for you"

"Mmmph!" Surprised but not offended. She grins a little. "Little danger of that, I think." She holds the towel around her. "After 8? Damn. I should call or something.... we have a visiting knight and I should at least talk to him. And I told Alejandro I'd work in the ring with him. And ...."

"Or you could stay here with me, or go dancing, with me... notice I have a commonality forming?"

A sad-ish smile. "Duff.... "

"Mmm okay, call or wahtever you need. "

She nods and grabs her cheap-o phone to let the hold know she's not dead, ask about the guest, and make arrangements.

"The guest is fine, and he and nancy are done"

"Jeeze... done... done?" Confused.

"Ah, they're not having sex any more. "Mitra explains more bluntly

"Jeeze, Mitra.... you mean ever, did they fight? Nevermind, you know what? Not my problem. Nevermind."

"I mean... they finally stopped this marathon of on again off again"