spreadoutinanutshell | (no subject)

"No, I think I'm good." Caitlin smiled over at him. Now that they'd started talking it was like the bubble had been burst for her. It wasn't just the fantasy she remembered from the other night but reality was sinking in. "There's just a lot of stuff going on in my life right now, and I was just really hoping you'd be the one good thing I could hold onto," she admitted. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

"I am something good for you to hold on to." Dan looked at her and smiled shaking his head leading her to the couch. He sat down and drew her into his lap gently. "You didn't scare me."

"Okay. I was really worried there for a little bit." A nervous laugh as she rested against him. It would take a little while for her to relax around him again. "I didn't want to tell you this because I didn't want you to worry. But it's been hard for me letting go of my ex. We were really happy together before I left. I haven't been happy until I hit it off with you. And I've just been praying that we were going to make it work, because I'd rather be with you."

"You are with me. I am all yours Caitlin." His hand was tenderly rubbing her back before nuzzling her lightly.

"Okay." Her smile was a bit more genuine then, letting out a sigh of relief. "Because I meant what I said, Danny. That night we spent together was amazing. It was one of the best nights I've ever had. And I really want to have you in my life like this."

"It was definitely an amazing night. I haven't stopped thinking you." He smiled kissing her softly.

Caitlin kissed him back, letting her eyes drift shut for a moment. "I haven't stopped thinking about you either. Kinda kept me up last night, trying to decide whether or not to ask Dana about this job," she admitted. "I was afraid if I said yes, you'd think I was bailing on you. The last thing I wanted to do was make you think you weren't worth staying for."

She glanced at him. "So what should we do now?"

"Stay the night with me." Dan smiled at her, hoping she would say yes.

"I'd love to." She reached up to play her fingers across his cheek affectionately. They hadn't talked about his exes, but she could guess from how he was around her that someone had hurt him. "I know you don't believe it, Danny, but I'll keep saying it, you're all I've ever wanted."

A smirk, daring to crack a joke. "I might have to steal one of your shirts though because I don't have any clothes."

"You can stay naked as long as you want." He grinned and kissed her softly. "I feel really special. Thank you."

"You'd have to get me naked first." Caitlin was relaxing now. "And thank you for saying thank you. That's all I really wanted, Danny, I just wanted to know we had something here and I wasn't giving up a sure thing for a one night stand."

"We have something here." He smiled gently and kissed her nice and softly.

"That's all I needed to hear you say." She kissed him back lightly. "Is there anything you wanted to talk to me about? Now that I've laid everything on you?"

"I know I'm a little flighty at times. I apologize for that now." Dan smiled looking at her, if she asked more he'd tell her.

"It's okay. I kinda got the sense that you weren't used to a girl coming after you." She laughed softly. "If you want to talk about it, I'll listen. If not, I understand. But I hope you won't let the past keep you from realizing that I do care for you."

"The last relationship I was in, didn't go so well for me." His hand gently smoothed along her back.

"Did you want to talk about it?" she offered. "Just know that whatever happened, that doesn't mean it's going to happen with us. All I can do is put myself out here and tell you I want you." Which she had. A lot. And offering to turn down a big assignment for him pretty much proved it.

"She told me she was divorced. Turns out she was only separated, and in the end she went back to her husband. Even though he was a huge jerk, a big gigantic jerk. And everyone knew it." He smiled though when she spoke nodding. "I know, but sometimes I have these...self esteem issues. I was in therapy for it."

"Dan." Caitlin reached over and took his hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly. "I can't say I'll make it all okay. But I can say that if you want me, really want me, I'll be here for you. I'll wait for you. I just needed to hear that was what you wanted, so I wasn't waiting for nothing. But now that I know, I'll always be here for you. Whenever you want me, whatever you need."

"I want you now Caitlin. I'm ready." He kissed her tenderly, nice and slow.

She made a soft, pleasured noise into the kiss, returning it so easily. Now that all her fears and hopes were out on the table and she wasn't trying to be perfect for him anymore. It was a weight off her shoulders. "Maybe we should go to bed?" she suggested quietly.

"Yes we should." He whispered softly against her lips.

Caitlin slowly slipped off Dan's lap and let him walk her into his bedroom. She slid onto the bed and waited for him to join her. Whether he wanted to keep talking, or he wanted other things, she just wanted to give him someplace safe and comfortable to be. She might not be the prettiest girl he could have, or the most successful, but she did know she could always support him.

"Anything else you want to talk about?" she offered.

"Just want to spend some time with you." He cuddled gently settling down beside her.

"Okay." She smiled and snuggled in next to him, resting her head against his shoulder. "You really think I should go back home? It'd only be for a week or so. But my old team playing my hometown team, I thought it would be a really nice experience. Just not if it cost me you."