208Scientist
First of all, my apologies for the previous false advertising in "Librarian" where I stated this is a 2-part story. I wanted to do more of a mirror POV from Booth here, and because of how it turned out, I'm actually going to make this a three-parter. The conclusion will take place at "U" for Undeniable, and spoiler alert: it involves tequila, the diner, and a few other things (like smut, but you'd probably already guessed that!)
Secondly, thank you all for refraining from pointing out that most libraries have electronic sliding doors. I know, I know…but how else were B&B supposed to meet!?
-b&b-
Seeley used his briefcase to cover his head as he ran from the parking garage to the library entrance. He cursed himself for not remembering his umbrella, especially when he saw a woman struggling with a large stack of books. Quickening his pace, he made it to the door fast enough to hold it open for her. "Here, I'll get that for you," he said, reaching around and grasping the door handle. And then everything just…stopped.
She'd turned her neck far enough to make eye contact, and he only hoped his complete shock wasn't displayed on his face. She was stunning…there was no other word for it. He'd known a lot of beautiful women, but none with eyes as captivatingly blue as hers, none whose very completion and countenance caused his heart to practically stop beating. She was in a dark gray trench coat, belted at her waist and hinting her perfect curves and the shapely length of her legs.
Her tongue darted out against her bottom lip, and he thought his knees would give way. He'd never had such a visceral reaction from a chance encounter, especially in the front of a library for heaven's sake. "I um…it's raining..." he mumbled words, having no idea what he was saying. She blinked those clear, wide eyes at him and then she was gone.
His mind registered that she'd thanked him, and he watched as she quickly made her way to the book deposit. Other people were gathering near the doorway, and he nodded in their direction as he entered the library, continually tracking the woman as he made his way toward his office.
As the day continued, he couldn't stop thinking about her, about her eyes, her legs, how she seemed to fit against him, even for a just that fraction of a second. He shook his head several times, trying to concentrate on the reports he needed to go over before the next board meeting. As the new library director, he was responsible for the finances and staffing needs of the library. He'd built somewhat of a reputation for getting libraries where they needed to be, but this was his biggest challenge yet, a metropolitan library in the heart of the nation's capital. As the rain fell against his office window, he remembered her pale skin, and cursed his memory, sure it was exaggerating her perfect jawline and features, the slim, smooth line of her neck and the way he'd just somehow known she was more than a pretty face.
He'd known many beautiful women; in his younger years, he'd shared his bed with several gorgeous women, and now, his position in library science put him in contact with all kinds of women, academics, athletic types, and business professionals, as well as wealthy benefactors. It was rare he went a week without being propositioned for a date (or more, which he chose when he could be discreet and otherwise successfully pretended to misunderstand when he couldn't). It was rare that a chance meeting with a stranger knocked him off kilter all day, and with a firm resolve, Booth took a final moment to think about her, and then moved on, concentrating on his work.
-b&b-
Over the next two weeks, his life revolved around expense reports, inventory records and board meetings. He'd put in what felt like 80 hours a week and finally, on a Saturday morning, had plans to just relax. He stopped by the library to drop off some files, planning to leave right away, go for a run and try to learn more about his new neighborhood.
But, just as he closed his office door, he saw her.
She was dressed more casually, in jeans and a sweater. It wasn't anything fancy, but everything just fit her perfectly, making his palms itch. She still took his breath away, and he realized nothing in his memory had been exaggerated.
He blinked when he realized he'd stared in the direction she'd gone and was beginning to attract looks from the Saturday circulation desk aide. Clearing his throat, he walked back into his office and quickly sat at his desk. His mind raced with possibilities—he could approach her, introduce himself…maybe even ask her to dinner. There was something about her that exuded class and made him want her in his bed. He imagined the way she'd look under him, all long, pale limbs against his sheets, her dark hair splayed out on his pillow.
"Son of a bitch," he cursed, immediately curbing his thoughts to keep from getting a hard-on in his office. He stood and moved over to the small curtain that allowed him to see into the library when he wanted. Pulling the curtain aside, he scanned the main stacks. They were too high to see everything, but he waited for a couple of seconds, his gut immediately clenching when he saw her again. His mouth watered at the way her trim fingers skimmed over book spines, the way her eyes were focused on the titles.
A knock on his office door startled him, and he turned quickly. "Come in," he answered, clearing his throat.
Sandy, the Saturday aide, entered, a flush on her cheeks. "Excuse me, Mr. Booth. I…" she wrung her hands in front of her. "I just received a call from my babysitter, and my son is sick. I know I am scheduled until 3, but-"
"No problem," Booth held up a hand. "I have a son of my own. I understand how it is." He flushed a bit when Sandy looked at his hand, noticing a bare ring finger. "He um…lives with his mother."
She nodded quickly. "I can call the others to see if someone else can come in and fill in. I know it's your day off."
Booth shook his head, already fighting off anticipation at the idea of another interaction with the tall, dark-haired woman. "It's fine. I'll make some calls if I need to. You go on, and I'll see you next week."
She thanked him and then scurried away, and Booth made his way to the circulation desk. "Doesn't seem too hard," he nodded to himself as he took in the computer, book scanner and stack of books to be shelved.
-b&b-
He managed to get through the morning and early afternoon with no problems, and after a couple of hours also managed not to constantly scan the library to catch a glimpse of his mystery woman. So it was a shock when he was distracted enough to not realize she'd approached the desk until he heard a surprised "You" from her lips.
The sound of her voice was straight out of his dreams and shot straight through his body. It was low and sure, somehow both steady and breathy at the same time, and it suited her perfectly. That was the thought that settled front and center in his mind as he reached out toward her to take her books. Her voice was a perfect match for her cool demeanor and stunning features, suggesting heat beneath.
"Me," he tried to smile and then internally cursed his lame response. He forced himself to breathe as she looked at his hands and arms, and he could practically feel what it would be like if she touched him.
"Do you work here?" she was asking, and his eyes shot up to her face in surprise. Before he could answer, he watched her squirm at her own question, and then "Actually, it's quite obvious you do," she answered, and he somehow felt as if HE was the one who'd asked the question incorrectly. Damn, but she reminded him of a naughty teacher fantasy he'd had back in high school. "Why else would you be here so often and behind the desk," she finished, and he had to bite back a smile at her words.
She was classy and adorable, and he'd never met anyone like her. Hell, he'd never actually officially met her. He remembered his earlier plan to at least introduce himself and offered his hand.
"Yes, I'm the new director. I'm Booth by the way. Seeley Booth, actually…but my friends call me Booth."
He managed to remain standing as she set her books down and accepted his handshake. Any previous notion he'd had about knowing what her touch would be like flittered away as the reality of her hand in his made his entire body almost shake. This was something he'd never experienced…being so in tuned to someone else. He believed in fate and karma and in trusting his gut, and there was something about her that told him she belonged in his life.
"I'm Temperance Brennan," she replied, her hand still clutched in hers. "Most people call me Dr. Brennan."
This made him smile, and he nodded. "Okay, Dr. Brennan. It's um, great to meet you. I…uh-"
"I'm actually in somewhat of a hurry," she interrupted him, pulling her hand away quickly. He noticed the flush of her cheeks and had to stifle a groan at the image.
"Right, right," he cleared his throat and nervously pushed up his glasses. He knew her name now, which was more than he'd known before. That he could have looked her up previously always felt wrong, and he felt nearly galvanized by the new knowledge. "Then I will get you checked out," he told her, clearing his throat again when she didn't return his smile.
He scanned her books in the system and tried to focus on his task. It was the only way to keep from staring at her, at how she was even prettier up close. The curve of her cheek, her long lashes, the trim line of her waist. He made the mistake of looking at her hands again and had to shift his position closer to the desk to hide the effect she was having on him.
"Here you go, Dr. Brennan," he managed to say after he scanned her books. She seemed to frown for a moment, and then she nodded with a quick thanks before she left the library.
It was a full minute before he realized he hadn't asked her out to dinner.
-b&b-
He dreamt about her that night, a powerfully erotic dream in which he peeled her clothes away as she covered him in his bed. Her eyes were inviting as she stared down at him, and he'd woken up in a sweat, his sheets tangled around his bare legs. His morning erection throbbed between his legs, and he groaned before hobbling his way to a cold shower, trying his best not to think about her. About Temperance. Her name is Temperance Brennan.
For the next few weeks, work continued to consume his time, and he tried to relieve stress by running when he could, mostly falling into bed exhausted each day. If he had dreams, he didn't remember them the next day.
It all changed when he ran into her in the jogging park he was trying out for the first time. He spotted her near the coffee cart, and it took him a full minute to realize she was actually there and not just a figment of his imagination. He saw the way her brow furrowed, but then she walked closer to him. He had to force himself to keep his eyes on her face, and as she grew closer, he felt his heart rate increase in a way that had nothing to do with the miles he'd just jogged. She was delicious looking…there was no other word for it.
Her hair was up in a high ponytail, little tendrils escaping and curling around the nape of her neck. Her skin was pale, but flushed, and he wanted to drag his lips over every inch he could see. The skin he couldn't see was encased in tight spandex, and he broke his self-imposed edict to keep his eyes on her face. She was curvy in all the right places and straight in all the right places. Her full breasts were high and looked firm, and he saw her nipples pressed gently against her sporty tank. Her thighs and behind and everything in between were covered in black material. His hands itched to peel it away to feel her skin.
Finally she was in front of him, and he realized he needed to say something. "Can I buy you coffee?"
She blinked, and he swore she straightened her posture.
"No, that's not necessary. I can buy my own coffee," she said.
Well, then. A challenge. He kind of liked that. He put his hands on his hips and then wiped his face with the front of his t-shirt. "Yeah, I know you can buy your own coffee. I was just…you know, offering."
She paused and then nodded toward the coffee cart. "Fine. I like mine black. No cream or sugar."
That whole fates are aligned feeling came over him again, and he smiled. "Same. And um…Temperance, right?" he asked, as if he hadn't replayed her name in his mind over and over. "Or, uh…Dr. Brennan," he offered.
She nodded. "Temperance is fine."
He paused, figuring she would offer up that she remembered his name too and was sort of surprised when she didn't. He also noticed a slightly panicked look in her eyes, giving him the feeling she was offering him more than she did most people, just by having a little conversation with him. Suddenly, he knew that he'd have to go slow with her, if he wanted her to even give him the time of day. After a moment, he palmed the back of his neck and then went to get their coffee.
When he handed it to her, she smiled, and he knew he would do whatever it took to get her to stay and talk to him for a while. "Wanna sit for a minute?" he asked, motioning toward the nearby bench.
"I suppose," she replied. "But only for a minute. I'm…quite busy."
"Right," he nodded and made his way to the bench. "Probably why you were running," he joked, and then almost laughed when she didn't respond. "Um, get it? Running?"
She peered at his face for a second, and then she smiled. "Ah yes, very humorous."
She's the most fascinating person I've ever met, he thought before sitting. She joined him, and there was an awkward moment. But when he looked at her and smiled, she returned it. He watched as she sipped her coffee and grew irrationally jealous of the plastic lid. A faint trace of lip gloss remained around the opening, and he forced himself to think about something else.
"So, Temperance," he started. "Do you run here often?" he asked, feeling proud of himself for asking a question that made sense instead of begging her to come home with him and use her glossy lips on his body.
"Often enough," she replied, her voice as enigmatic as her eyes. It was a vague response, and he grinned for a second before nodding. She was seriously something else, and he imagined spending a lot of time getting to know everything about her.
"Nice." He answered. "Well, it's my first time. I'm new here. Well, new in a way, I guess. Which um, reminds me," he leaned forward and decided to go for broke. "I was wondering if maybe you'd like to get dinner sometime. Just…show me around town."
"I don't have time to be a tour guide," she replied, and he noticed a coolness to her tone.
"Oh right…um, no, I get it. I know you're busy. It's just that I was thinking…you know, what places you might recommend. I'm new here, so-"
"Yes, you mentioned that," she interrupted, and he froze, aware enough to know that she was rejecting him, in her own way. He'd been rejected before, though not often. But he usually took it in stride.
"That's true," he smiled. It was on the tip of his tongue to practically beg her to see him again, but he figured it was no use. So he stood up and saluted her with his nearly full cup of coffee and then smiled in her direction. "Well, Dr. Brennan, it was a pleasure seeing you. I hope to see you around sometime," he said before turning and walking away.
As exits went, it wasn't too bad…even as he wondered why her lack of acceptance stung him somewhere deep inside.
-b&b-
The dreams began again that night. Her legs wrapped around his waist in the shower after a run. Her full breasts pressed against his chest as she smiled and kissed him. Her long fingers wrapped around his cock as she stroked and absolutely destroyed his control, and her knowing laugh as she slid down his body and took him into her mouth.
He always woke up incredibly frustrated, his erection pressing uncomfortably into the bed, desperately seeking release. After a long week, he'd had enough and he cursed himself as he went to the shower. He soaped up his palm as he tried to picture other women, calling up other sexy images in his memory bank. But none worked, and he palmed his stomach for a second. He knew he'd regret it later, but for now, he gripped the base of his shaft and called up the start of a particularly vivid dream.
In his mind, it was late on a rainy night, and he was alone at the library. He was in his office, poring over a calculator and ledger. A nearby sound grabbed his attention, and he moved to the main area, seeing her standing outside, caught in the pouring rain. He quickly used his key to open the door and ushered her inside, eyes going wide at the way her pale white shirt molded to her body, showing off her light pink bra beneath. He barely resisted touching her, amazed that such a dynamic woman would dress so delicately under her professional clothes.
She moved closer until they were almost touching. He watched as her tongue darted out against her bottom lip. His breath caught in his throat when her eyes skimmed down his body and back up to his face. Desire was there, and something else he couldn't define, some innate knowledge that mirrored deep inside him. They were meant to be together, somehow.
"Thanks for saving me," she said, her voice husky and grateful, appealing to every secret fantasy he'd ever had, and he could hold back no longer. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her up and onto the circulation desk counter. She wrapped her legs around him and gripped his hair, pulling his mouth to hers for a hard kiss.
He kissed her for a moment before stepping back, palming her thighs beneath her black skirt. She was bare, and he spread her legs, shoving her skirt to pool at her waist. A gasp escaped her lips as he lowered his face to her body, using his elbows for support on the high counter as he buried his mouth between her legs. She tasted incredible, all lush heat and slick bare skin. Her fingers tangled in his hair and she bucked up against his mouth, desperately calling for more. Then she stopped him, shoved on his shoulders until he was standing away from him. She moved from the counter until she was standing, and he watched as she slowly turned and braced her own arms on it. Her skirt was still hitched up around her waist, and she wiggled her hips and parted her legs in invitation…
Booth moaned and rested his forehead on the shower wall, barely standing upright as his hips pistoned into his hand, the friction making his back and knees ache. He palmed the head of his dick, squeezing hard for a moment until he thought he might blackout from the pleasure. He curled his other hand against the cold shower tile, the sensation causing a shot of electricity down his spine. He grunted and then growled out a shout, the sound echoing off the shower walls as he came, shooting clean lines of cum straight in front of him and watching as it got caught up with the water and quickly went down the drain.
Feeling wrung out and empty, he stayed there for several minutes, his hand still massaging his sensitive cock. The water cooled against his back and side, but he barely registered it, his entire body recovering from the pleasure he'd wrenched, from the pleasure his fantasy of her had created.
Even so, he still felt slightly unsatisfied and tense. As the next few days went on, he barely held back his frustration at being able to move on after her very obvious disinterest—especially when he was being actively pursued by other women.
At the library fundraising gala, he found himself dancing with many accomplished, gorgeous women. Yet in every instance, he found himself comparing the women to Brennan. Some were too cold, some too aggressive. Some with hair too light, and some with eyes too dark. And none had her composed sense of knowledge and confidence, despite the fact she didn't always say the right thing.
A smile crossed his lips, and the woman he was dancing with took it as a sign to move closer. She leaned closer and asked him for a ride home, promising to make it worth his while. It had been a long time since he'd had sex, since he'd had more than his own hands for pleasure. But he still found himself declining the offer, even as his collar felt a bit tight at the idea that he'd have to settle for second best the rest of his life.
As he drove home alone, he catalogued everything he could. His small daydreams centered around her, and she continued to star in his uncontrollable nighttime fantasies. He had still managed not to look up her personal information in the library system, though he wasn't proud of how many times he'd had to physically walk away from doing so.
He wanted to see her again, to just try to get to know her to see where it led. But something about their limited encounters told him that he wouldn't be interested in casual. Something about her made him want everything. Completely everything. More than that, he couldn't shake the notion that they were meant for each other.
-b&b-