Chapter 3

It took three more long days of awkwardness before Brennan got up the nerve to confront Booth. He had been cool and distant and she hated every minute they were forced to work together. Things couldn't continue like this.

Booth's smile faded as he opened his door and saw who had rung his doorbell. "Hi," he said.

Brennan tried to smile, failing miserably. "Can I come in?" she asked softly.

He studied her for a long tense moment. Inclining his head finally, he gestured her in, careful not to touch her as she went by and he closed the door. Brennan stood nervously twisting her hands together, looking everywhere but at him. Booth watched her with his hands on his hips, waiting for her to come out with it. He sighed and went on into the living room with her trailing behind. Maybe if he tried to put her at ease, she'd say her piece and leave.

"Drink?" he asked, motioning toward the couch. She shook her head, whether in response to the offer of a drink or the seat, he wasn't sure. She finally looked up at him.

"Did you change your mind?" she asked bluntly, searching his eyes desperately.

Booth looked puzzled. "About what?" he asked, completely lost.

"The line," she replied unhelpfully.

He shook his head. "What line?"

Brennan sighed. Evidently she'd have to explain everything to catch him up. "You told me about the line partners can't cross, and Angela thought maybe you changed your mind about it because you initiated…our…um…encounter the other night—" she said awkwardly.

"You told Angela?" he asked incredulously. "Geez, Bones, while you're at it, why don't you take out a full page ad?"

She pursed her lips. "She figured it out on her own, Booth," she said.

Booth blew out a breath, shaking his head. "Maybe I should bring her in next time I interrogate a suspect. She's practically psychic," he muttered. His attention came back to his partner. She was waiting for him to answer the question. He took a deep breath. Okay, here goes. "She's right, you know. I blew past that line as soon as I took you in my arms on the dance floor that night," he admitted softly.

Her eyes went wide. "Why?" It was her turn to be puzzled.

Resisting the overwhelming urge to touch her, he put his hands in his pockets, looking down at his feet. He looked back up to find her watching him intently. "I—want more," he whispered huskily. She frowned, waiting for him to go on. "I've never felt this way about anyone else. Ever," he confessed.

Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. He waited for her to say something, and when it seemed she wouldn't, or couldn't, he stepped closer to her. "Say something, Bones," he urged desperately.

"I don't know what to say," she whispered, looking up at him with a dazed look.

He lifted a hand to stroke her cheek, a mere brush of his fingers which stole her breath. "Haven't you ever wondered…?" he asked softly, searching her eyes for some sign that she shared his feelings.

She swallowed, trying to push down the lump that had lodged in her throat. "Yes," she said so faintly he wondered if he'd heard correctly. Her eyes dropped to his lips. "Yes," she said more strongly, leaning up to touch her lips to his. That was all he needed. With a low groan he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as his mouth opened to allow her access. Her tongue teased at his, sending his senses reeling. Her arms slid up around his neck and she groaned as her chest came into contact with his. His hands stroked down her back, molding her closer. Her breath hitched as she felt his arousal and she pulled back to look up at him.

"Are you sure?" she asked, unable to believe this was happening. She'd dreamed about this, wondered what it might be like, and now he was here and it was better than she'd dared to imagine.

His eyes were soft and his mouth kicked up at one corner. "I've never been more sure in my life," he murmured. He waited for her to process it and was rewarded a moment later as she smiled.

"Me too," she whispered, pulling him back down for another deep kiss. She bent her leg to hook around his, pushing him off balance. He chuckled as they fell to the couch in a tangle of limbs. Brennan landed on top and straddled his lap. Her hands started working the buttons on his shirt. Now that they'd decided to go ahead with this, she seemed to have lost all restraint.

"Whoa, slow down, Bones," he said hoarsely, catching her hands. She was breathing heavily, her eyes half closed as desire overwhelmed her.

"What's the matter, Booth? Can't handle it?" she teased with a half smile.

He leaned up and kissed her deeply. "Yeah, I can handle it. But we've got all night. I wanna do this right."

Slipping off his lap, she grabbed his hand and tugged. Booth grinned and got up, letting her lead him to the bedroom. There wouldn't be any regrets tomorrow. They were going into this with their eyes wide open.