Disclaimer: I don't own Inception but I have borrowed some lines from the title comes from lyrics from Ellie Goulding's song: I'll Hold My Breath. I don't profit from this.

Author's Greeting: For Kore, because she's still reading and that tickles me pink. The answer to what was in Ariadne's drawer is below.

None of my stuff is beta'd. Everything you read is me. This chapter was written in 2014 and has not been edited since.

Chapter 19 rating: NC-17; this chapter contains explicit sexual content.

Chapter 19: A Very Good Afternoon

Lying on her side, her body wrapped around Arthur's, Ariadne contently watches the afternoon sunlight glitter on the Pacific Ocean. Lazily, she traces abstract patterns with her fingers on his bare chest, enjoying the feel of his hand playing with her hair. A faint breeze through the slightly opened balcony cools down their naked bodies, weary and replete from their last sexual endeavor.

It was definitely an experience she will not forget anytime soon.

And one, given the stirring near Arthur's thigh, he won't either.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks with a cheeky grin. She uses one hand to prop her head while the one that had been tracing patterns gingerly tiptoes its way down between his legs.

"Mmm. You don't need to ask. You're practically reading my mind."

Laughing, she pulls her hand away and pokes him in the chest with her finger before kissing him there. "No, really! What's putting that huge smile on your face? I feel like I've seen that smile before." An image of Arthur in the warehouse, tilting back in his chair comes to mind. "I have seen that smile before," she remembers, "it's the same one I drew. You know, you never told me what it was you were thinking about back then."

"I was thinking about you. Both then, and now."

"That's a line," she murmurs, inching her way up.

"Maybe. Doesn't mean it's not true." His hand tangles into her hair, bringing her close for a kiss. They share several slow, long, drawn-out kisses before he gently pulls her up so that she's lying on top of him. "But I was also thinking how much fun it will be with you on top this time."

With an eagerness she's never known before being with him, Ariadne lifts herself up to straddle his hips. Arthur's hands caress their way along her thighs and around to her ass. When he squeezes her cheeks she releases a quick breath and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirrors behind the bed. From her vantage point she can see everything. His cock, semi-stiff, rests against his pelvis, waiting for her attentions. Her small breasts jut out, perky with nipples peaked. The soft skin over her stomach catches the light as her lean little body sits astride his longer one, open and ready for him. It's an erotic tableau on a sunny afternoon amidst a tangle of bed sheets.

And one that gets more interesting when Arthur reaches down between their bodies to cup her sex, resting his fingers right above her clit's enclosure. She tries to reply in kind by palming his cock, but he gently pries her hand away.

"I want to—oh! Ohhh…"

"There'll be time for that later." She witnesses his crooked grin just before her eyelids close in ecstasy.

"For now, I want you to watch."

His command is smooth velvet and she has no choice but to follow it, eyes lazily opening to watch in the mirrors as he works his fingers against her, rubbing small circles on and around her clit and immediately eliciting small keening noises that she helps to sustain when she begins to rock against his hand.

"Mmm, yes, yes." With half-opened lids she watches him slip a finger inside her as they work against each other to orchestrate the right amount of pressure to set her off. She's close, but the rhythm of his fingers isn't enough and she reaches down to give him a hand. When she does, Arthur takes the opportunity to slip another finger inside her, pushing in deeper.

"Ah! Arthur! Yes!" Her hand over his, together they press and tease her little bud. Their motions are eased by her slickness, the sounds of wet skin adding to the symphony of their movements. She urges him to rub faster and faster, until involuntarily she shuts out the vision of her body straining against their hands as she finds her release.

A sigh and a hum of contentment is all she can manage before she feels Arthur reach over to grab a condom and rip it open. With her help, they slide and adjust it over his hardened cock. Taking him in her grasp, she guides him to her entrance, but once again Arthur stops her.

"Let me." He takes a hold of himself, gliding his cockhead along her slit, dispersing her juices all along her opening. "Tell me what you want." Slickened with her moisture, he holds himself steady as she positions herself to mount him. "What do you want?" he asks again, his voice rough with need.

Ariadne looks into his eyes, dark with arousal, as her body slowly takes him in. "I want to watch," she tells him, watching their reflection in the mirror as she impales herself onto his thickened shaft. "I want to watch while we fuck."

His grunt when she accepts his last inch is all the permission she needs. With her knees anchored around him, she uses her thighs to push off, experimentally sliding up and down his length, all while keeping her eyes on the mirrors behind the bed. The erotic sight of her body astride his, enveloping the length of his cock, is so arousing she can't resist gazing down to see if it has the same effect on Arthur. His knowing smile convinces her that he's enjoying this as much as she is, giving her the confidence to look back up at the mirrors and watch as his hands glide up from her hips, past her ribs, and reach up to capture her breasts in his hands. He squeezes her gently while his thumbs sweep across her nipples, plucking them into little peaks that cause her to arch her back in both pain and pleasure.

The momentary rapture gives way to eagerness, and with renewed vigor Ariadne grinds herself against Arthur's pelvis.

"That's it, baby, fuck me. Don't stop." His words spur her on while his hands return to her hips, helping her rock against him.

Through heavy eyelids and gasping pants, she bears witness to the little seductress whose breasts beg to be teased and tasted, the wanton who bites her bottom lip and moans shamelessly as she propels herself up and down Arthur's cock. She watches him quickly disappear and reappear, enjoying the sensation of his erection inside her and of her walls gliding around him.

"Arthur! You feel so good!" She's at the edge, can feel her orgasm close, but at her current pace and position, her legs and thighs tire out. Without missing too much of a beat, she bends over forward, draping herself over Arthur's chest with her arms braced around his shoulders to maximize their contact, and grinds against him. One last look at their reflection shows her furiously riding his body, her clit pressing and rubbing against his pubic bone. That familiar pressure soon builds and before she knows it she's shutting her eyes and crying out in complete ecstasy. For several glorious seconds her body is wracked by uncontrollable spasms before she collapses into his arms.

A small laugh escapes her, one that's triumphant, satisfied, and fulfilled from her orgasm. It takes her a few more seconds to recover her breathing, but when she's calmed down some from her high she sighs into Arthur's neck, placing small kisses there before making her way to his lips.

"Mmm. I think it's your turn now."

"I was thinking the same thing. Come here."

Ariadne only has enough time for a small giggle before Arthur coaxes her to move with him while he slides himself up against the pillows into a reclined position. The movement doesn't break their connection and allows her to take him in more deeply. She moans into Arthur's kisses while his hands roam her sweat slickened body before settling on her hips. At his urging, she rocks against him, moves around him with nether lips still plump and sensitive from her orgasm. Using his legs for leverage, he thrusts up into her, his cock becoming a driving force sliding deliciously in and out of her pussy. Locking her knees near his hips she grinds down on him, and together they coordinate an intense and pleasurable friction making them oblivious to any thought or feeling other than the ecstasy generated between their bodies. Before long her body's convulsing with another orgasm, her cries muffled into Arthur's shoulder. He's not far behind as he drills himself inside her at a frantic pace.

"Ari—fuck!" He piles into her with one last thrust before he pulsates and releases his cum, collapsing back onto the pillows, panting for breath. Ariadne squeezes her inner muscles around him as she rides him slowly, kisses him deeply, and draws out the throbbing sensation within her as long as she can.

When their heart rates return to normal, she lifts herself up off him and watches as he removes and ties off the condom before discarding it in the trash. He quickly moves back to her, smiling and pulling her down next to him.

"Now I know what put that big goofy smile on your face," Ariadne teases.

Laughing, Arthur bends down to kiss her soundly. "Same thing that put it there earlier."

They continue to trade kisses, soft and lazy, before her satiated body nestles comfortably against his and her eyes drift shut for some much needed rest.

When Ariadne opens her eyes again the room is cast into shadows as the last of the sun dips below the horizon. She can feel Arthur's slow, even breathing behind her back, telling her he's still asleep. Sometime after she drifted off he had pulled the blanket over them, and now, despite the cooler temperature, she's comfortable and cozy, and more satisfied than she's been in a long while.

It's almost difficult to believe that only weeks ago she was an everyday student studying architecture in Paris. And now, merely thirty-six hours after pulling off a heist that could very well change the lives of two men, she's holed up in a swanky hotel room, completely naked, thoroughly sated, and within the arms of one of the handsomest and most remarkable men she's ever known. It's almost unbelievable enough to provoke her to check her totem to see if she's still dreaming.

But then again, if she is only dreaming, does she actually want to wake up?

The deep sigh of contentment that escapes Arthur's lips before he nuzzles her neck decides the answer for her.

"This is the best I've felt after a job. Ever." His voice is rough, sleepy, and completely arousing.

Turning over, she snuggles closer, easily entangling her legs with his. "I'm not feeling too bad myself," she admits, ignoring the slight soreness between her legs.

He acknowledges her words by pulling her closer just as his eyes drift close, a half-smile remaining on his lips.

"What we did earlier," she confesses quietly, "I've always wanted to try that. I've always wanted to watch in a mirror."

"Mmm. I know," he says, sounding far away, already close to falling back asleep.

A small laugh escapes her. "How did you know that? Were you in my dreams?" She meant her words to be joking, but when she feels him stiffen all around her, and not in the good way she'd been enjoying all afternoon, she lifts her head and looks up. "Arthur?" His eyes are still closed, but his face is far from relaxed.

Suspicion colors her next words. "How did you know I wanted to do that?" The tension in his body and the guilt in his eyes are enough to warn her that she isn't going to like what he has to say. All in an instant the afterglow of the last several hours dissipates. She reaches over to turn on a lamp and grabs an edge of the bed sheet to cover herself.

"Arthur?"

"Uh…I…" Even in the yellow glow of the lamp light she can see the shells of his ears tinged pink. His guilt-ridden expression only makes her dread hearing his explanation. "It's not…" His hand reaches out but she evades his touch.

"How, Arthur?"

He's hesitant to say anything, his lips sealed tight. It's only when she gives him an uncompromising glare that he lets out a sigh and explains, "I know about your book."

"My book?" She's pretty sure she knows which book he's referring to, but waits for him to clarify anyway.

"The one in your drawer. Uh, by your bed."

Her first reaction is to be embarrassed, followed quickly by the sudden realization that she no longer wishes to be naked. A search for her clothes leaves her frustrated when she sees most of them on the other side of the room. She ends up grabbing the nearest article of clothing which just happens to be Arthur's dress shirt.

"Why were you in my drawers? And when were you in my room?" she asks while she pushes the long sleeves up her shorter arms and haphazardly buttons up his shirt. She thinks she knows the answers to these questions, which upsets her. "You broke into my apartment, didn't you? When did you do that—when you were conducting your background check on me?"

She answers her own questions, and Arthur's reluctance to answer pretty much confirms her suspicions. Arms crossed, she watches as he runs a hand through his mussed hair—hair that's messy because of what they've been doing the last twenty-four or so hours. Unashamed of his nudity, Arthur rises from the bed to try to explain.

"Ariadne, look—

The moment he's off the bed her traitorous body reacts, making her feel aroused even in anger. It's as if her body is remembering all the intimate details of what they've done and how his touch brought her to ecstasy time and again: the feel of his skin sliding against hers, his lips blazing paths over her most sensitive areas, his hands both commanding and gentle, his cock embedded deeply inside her. Watching him now, mostly sleek lines and easy grace, she feels her nipples come to attention along with an echoing uneasiness between her legs that she tries to dispel by squeezing her thighs closer together. It's far from unpleasant and she can hardly concentrate enough to remind herself that she's upset.

"Can you put on some clothes, please!"

Flinching, he's unaware of the effect he's having on her. It's only when he's looking around the room for his clothes that she remembers she's wearing his shirt. Luckily, he finds one of the soft, fluffy robes provided by the hotel, and slips it on. It would have been difficult to maintain her annoyance if she had to return his shirt and it was discovered that she was completely turned on.

"You have every right to be angry. I shouldn't have done it. I know that now, believe me." She feels less discomposed now that his nakedness isn't distracting her, allowing her to focus on his explanation. "I was in your apartment around the time I was doing your background check. I only did it once, I swear. And at the time I convinced myself that I was just doing what I had been trained to do. I had to be thorough, check you out and make sure that the team could trust you—that I could trust you." He holds out his hands in supplication. "But you already know that was a thin excuse. I know it was a thin excuse. It was a gross invasion of your privacy and was wrong for me to do. I'm sorry."

Ariadne remembers the Saturday they spent together in Paris, and the conversation in his apartment, when she called him out on his more than thorough background research. He had confessed then that he went beyond his usual caution with her because he wanted to learn more about her for his own personal reasons. And she, instead of feeling violated, or angry, or even scared, admitted she would have freely told him what he wanted to know.

The things he had learned about her were things that no one else would probably have ever wanted to know or taken the time to discover. In truth, she didn't have anything to hide, no secrets to keep. It was in large part why she wasn't upset when she first found out about his snooping.

But finding out about the book, that was another thing. Though her modern and progressive mind sensibly knows there is nothing wrong with a grown woman having a book explicitly detailing sexual acts to enhance a woman's pleasure, she can't help but be embarrassed that Arthur found out. She's chalking it up to a bit of insecurity in the bedroom that she just can't quite shake, plus the fact that he obviously knows what he's doing.

He really knows what he's doing.

"It was a gift."

"No, it's not. At least, I don't consider it one. It's just what I do for jobs—

"No, not that. I mean the book you found. It was a gift from my best friend."

"Oh." For a moment Arthur looks lost, confused by the sudden shift in conversation and the lack of heat behind her words.

"Before I moved to Paris, I had broken up with my last boyfriend. He didn't want to commit to a long distance thing. Our break-up wasn't a bad one, as far as break-ups go, but I always wondered if I…if he liked what we did—

"You don't have to explain."

She shakes him off, along with her insecurity, for the time being, and continues. "Paris was going to be a new start for me in a way, and…my friend, Darcy, had certain ideas about how I was going to live my life while I was there. She thought the book might…help." She watches Arthur carefully as she clarifies the book's existence, but his face is a mask. "I…I don't want you to think I need some sort of sex manual."

"I don't think that," he answers gently, taking a tentative step towards her, his face the picture of nonchalance. "Is that why you're upset? You don't want me to know you have a book on sex positions?"

"Yes—no! I mean, that's part of it, yes. I'm not exactly happy with you breaking into my apartment, you know. If this were any other circumstance, believe me, I'd let you have it."

"I believe you. I've seen you in action and you've proven yourself to be quite formidable. I won't forget it. And neither will Cobb."

She knows they're both thinking about her first dreaming experience with Dom, when she called out his subconscious. For a brief time, there's a hint of admiration on his face before his expression returns to neutral.

With a slight lift of her chin, she says, "Just promise me this. In the future, ask me instead of breaking a million laws to find out if I'm allergic to peanuts or what I keep in my drawers. No more breaking into my apartment or computer hacking, or whatever scary thing it is you do to get your information."

Arthur winces and apologizes. "I won't. Again, I'm sorry about all that. And I do promise never again to… use my skills to look into your personal affairs. You have my word."

Ariadne nods, believing his sincerity and accepting his apology.

But despite Arthur's contrition and all her bravado, she ends up rushing her next words. "As for the book, I…I'm not embarrassed to have it. Well, okay, maybe I am a little. I know it's not really something to be embarrassed about, I just don't want you to think—

"Ariadne, you don't have to explain. And there isn't anything to be embarrassed about." Arthur takes a few more tentative steps, watching her reaction for any sign that he should back off. When she doesn't give him any he continues his advance. "It was wrong of me to look through it."

"Yes, it was and I accept your apol—

"This isn't an apology."

They're standing close now, and the first thing that pops into her head is that all she needs to do is reach out and tug the belt of his robe and like a curtain giving way to a hidden prize, hers would be naked.

Gloriously and deliciously naked.

The image almost makes her forget she's supposed to be annoyed and not aroused.

She tucks her hands under her arms anyway, just in case her hands refuse to avoid the temptation of a reveal.

"I don't understand—

"You didn't let me finish. I admit I was wrong about all the other stuff and I am truly sorry. And it's wrong of me to go through your things. But I'm not sorry I looked through your book."

Her breath catches in her throat before her hands fall to her sides. She swallows once, her eyes locked with Arthur's dark gaze. "You're not?"

"No. I hope you're not too angry about that."

No, just the opposite in fact given the multiple orgasms she had earlier. It's a fact he knows all too well judging by the wicked turn of his lips.

"I don't care why you have that book, or even that you have it. But I'm not a saint, Ariadne. When I saw it in your drawer, I never had any intention of not looking through it." He reaches out to gingerly finger the collar of her shirt—his shirt. "Do you want to know why?"

She nods, not trusting her voice when his fingers slip down the uneven row of buttons and button-holes. In her haste, she hadn't done them up properly.

"I was curious." Through the fine fabric, she feels the light touch of his fingers run down the valley between her breasts, making her catch her breath in anticipation. "I wanted to know what you desired and fantasized about."

It wouldn't have been difficult for him to learn since she had dog-eared several pages.

But this last provocative confession nearly wipes out all her earlier annoyance and embarrassment, giving way to lust and causing Ariadne's body to heat up in response.

"Those are private," she says in a feeble last effort to sound admonishing.

"Yes, I know. But if it makes you feel better, I'll tell you a secret of my own." Through a particularly large gap between buttons, she feels his calloused finger stroke the soft skin of her stomach, making her tingle between her legs.

"That day in the warehouse, you asked me what I was smiling about. You even drew it on paper."

"You said you were thinking about me," she says nearly breathless. His fingers trace a lazy path up to her breasts, lifting up his shirt in the process.

"Mmm, and that is true." His eyes flick downward, aware that his actions expose the fact she's not wearing any panties. She watches him lick his lips. "But specifically, I was thinking about the both of us. I was imagining being the one making those desires and fantasies come true for you." His disclosure is followed by his hand cupping her breast and sweeping his thumb across her already hardened nipple.

"S—so earlier, when we…you were picturing us…me—

"Yes."

Under his shirt, his fingers tweak her nipple, causing a ripple of pleasure to shoot from her breast all the way down to her toes. She desperately grasps onto his waist, and the belt that she has been eager to release. Unable to hold back any longer, she pulls the fabric, letting the robe reveal his hard body.

Unleashed, her hands run up the contours of his stomach to rest against his chest. Embolden by his revelation, she leans forward and flicks her tongue against one flat nipple, enjoying his sharp intake of breath. "That's kind of naughty." Whether she's referring to his thoughts back then, his administrations now, or her own actions, Arthur doesn't seem to care.

"I—I told you I'm not a saint." Now his words are a harsh whisper as her lips and tongue turn their attention to his other nipple. She can feel his heart pumping fast, his breathing loud in the quiet room. It gives her confidence, all traces of her embarrassment gone. Perhaps that was his intent.

"No, you're not, are you?" Her lips trail their way to his neck before she gives him her own wicked smile.

"No." Taking her hand, he walks them back toward the bed, casually removing the robe and seating himself on the edge, coaxing her with a tug to step in between his legs. "A saint isn't turned on by the thought of burying his hand between your legs, wanting to make you writhe under his fingers." True to his words, his hand reaches down to expertly rub and slide between her folds. On her gasp, his lips capture her bottom lip between his in a kiss that's slow, wet, and leaves her wanting more. Her earlier arousal makes it easy for him to glide his fingers in and out of her, twisting her inside out. Somewhere in the back of her mind she's aware of Arthur's other hand gripping her hip, pulling her toward him, persuading her to climb onto him and straddle his lap.

"Saints don't get hard when they picture pretty little architects grinding on top of them." Between them his erection lies against her belly, drawing the moisture between her legs. His fingers continue playing a tantalizing rhythm against her clit, one that has her rocking her hips in time to their beat.

"And saints don't want to make you scream their name while the make you come."

"Arthur—

His words and fingers create a frenzy inside her the likes of which she's never known before. Arms wrapped around his neck, she presses herself against his chest to rub her nipples against him, needing to feel him all around her. It creates a friction that feels almost as good as that between his fingers and her clit.

"I'm—I'm right...there!" Her body tightens as she spasms against his hand, her moans filling the room as she holds him close.

After several blissful moments she sags against him, lazily nipping at the crook of his neck.

"You may not be saint, but that was heavenly." She tastes the salt on his skin and feels the taut muscles just under her tongue. "But you also don't know about all my desires."

He gives her that arrogant smirk she's coming to love while his hands, sticky from her arousal and release, pull her hips closer, trapping his cock between them. She shifts her position on his lap, her pussy making contact with his erection, and rubs herself all along his length, coating him where they touch. This move effectively wipes away his self-satisfaction and he grips her hips tighter.

"I want you inside me," the command a whisper, followed by a kiss.

"Just give me a sec—

She grabs his head and engages him in a searing kiss, one that has him forgetting about reaching for protection. She sucks his bottom lip before leaving a trail of wet open-mouth kisses towards his chest, stopping only to gently bite one flat nipple before licking it with her tongue. The long column of his neck stretches in front of her as his head falls back.

"I want you inside me," she repeats before continuing her administrations to his other nipple. "I want you. Now." She grinds up against him, letting him know she means business. "Lie back."

"Are you sure?" Despite the concern, Arthur does as he's told. Ariadne takes a hold of his cock, sliding him between her folds before bearing down and enclosing his first couple of inches. For a moment, she enjoys the confusion on his face, his mind trying to decide between his logical brain which knows they should be responsible, while his other brain, the one where all his blood is currently flowing to, doesn't want her to stop.

Putting him out of his misery, she envelops the rest of him before leaning down to tug on his earlobe with her lips and whisper, "I'm on the pill, remember? It's one of the things you conveniently learned about me." She wriggles her hips and he answers back by lifting his, pushing himself up into her.

"Is it? No offense, but I can barely remember where I am," he groans when she wriggles again.

"Then let me remind you." She hunches over on top of him, contracting her inner muscles as she slides his cock out before relaxing her muscles again and gliding him back in. "You're right...here." She repeats these motions slowly at first, easing him in and out of her. She notices him watching her through half-lidded eyes and can feel the tension in his hands as he grasps her hips. That's when she decides to increase the pace of her movements, sliding his cock in and out of her faster. She watches the muscles in his neck strain when he throws his head to the side, unable to keep his hips from jerking up as he moans and pants for air.

"Fuck—ah, Ariad—I don't think—fuck!"

He tries to slow her hips, tries to control the rhythm, but she doesn't let him.

"Are you…Ari—I can't—

With her hands on his chest she rides him faster, her back and hips undulating over him. For several moments it's just their heavy breathing and the moist sounds of their sex filling the air, until she finally feels Arthur tense and a strangled groan marks his completion. She crumples on top of him, the pounding of his heart mirroring her own while a sigh of satisfaction escapes her lips.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't wait—you felt too damn good," he rushes, looking far too pleased to be sorry.

But she's far from being offended or disappointed. Instead, she feels pride and a self-confidence stemming from the fact that she made him lose his control—knowing that she's solely responsible for making him come undone. This must be what it's like for him, what puts that cavalier smirk on his face, the one she's witnessed multiple times and no doubt feels after he brings her to orgasm.

Stretching up, she kisses him, relishing in the feel of the liquid heat mingling between their bodies. They're both sweaty and sticky and satisfied.

"How about a shower?" he asks, stroking her back.

Her stomach growls in response, making them both chuckle.

"Ok, but it will have to be a quick one," she challenges, rolling over away from him and quickly heading to the bathroom. In the process she shrugs out of his now damp shirt, dropping it in her wake. "I'm starving."

Arthur follows close behind, but their shower turns out to be anything but quick.