Sweet Southern Heat

(When I first wrote this fic, I never posted it because I felt it was too similar to another one, "Romancing Duquesne". After my retirement and the subsequent re-posting of old stories, I decided to put this one up as well. In a way, it's a brand new story to the boards, simply because it has sat hidden on my hard drive for over three years, never before published or read on the site. Enjoy.)

Lieutenant Caine

When Horatio got home from work that evening he was weary; the kind of weariness that seeps into the bones and slows the steps of the strongest of men; the kind of weariness that bowed his head and pulled unintentional sighs from his chest. He was weary all the way to his soul. He inserted the key in the lock and turned the doorknob with a lax grasp. Leaden footsteps took him through the entryway and into the foyer where he stripped off his jacket and hung it on the coat tree, hardly caring that it almost fell to the floor. He stood for a moment almost in a stupor of tiredness, rolling his neck this way and that attempting to ease the ache of muscles that had been too long tense and cramped. Raising one hand he massaged a particularly wicked kink in his shoulder, groaning softly at the dull pain that pooled under his probing fingers. It was then that he saw the note propped up on the table in the hallway.

A smile slowly emerged on his face in spite of his utter exhaustion and he reached out an eager hand and picked up the soft cream-colored missive. It was written in an unmistakable scrawl and carried with it a faint trace of a very feminine fragrance. Horatio closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, the smile on his countenance widening slightly. Calleigh. Carefully tearing open the envelope, he slid the folded piece of paper from inside.

I knew you would be tired this evening when you got home from work Everything you need is waiting upstairs for you, my love.

Calleigh

"Sweetheart," he whispered softly and raised the note to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against the expensive paper. He tucked the note into his shirt pocket and moved toward the stairs with a lighter step. Each step he took brought him closer to their bedroom, and with every footstep his heartbeat increased by slow increments. At last he stood outside the closed door. For a moment, he simply stood there, anticipating the heaven he knew he'd find on the other side. Even so, he wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted his tired eyes.

Calleigh lay in their bed, waiting for him, dressed in a soft white lace negligee that revealed much more than it covered. Her long, gorgeous tresses were curled softly and drifted about her face and shoulders. Every luscious curve of her body called for his adoration. A beautiful smile curved her lips and her eyes shone with unmistakable tenderness.

"Welcome home, Handsome. Tough day I hear. Sounds like you could use some relaxation."

The lilting sound of her voice seemed to snap him out of the trance he'd fallen into at the sight of her gorgeous body on display just for him.

"Calleigh…" her name was the only word his mind could produce intelligently. Three quick steps took him to the side of the bed and he leaned down over her, placing his hands against the pillow on either side of her lovely face.

"Everything I need?" he questioned softly, his eyes searching hers minutely.

"Everything, Horatio. You have only to name it and it's yours."

The words had barely cleared her lips before he captured them in a hungry kiss. For a moment, Calleigh allowed him to take from her greedily, but then by gentle degrees, she drew back from him, murmuring softly between tiny little kisses meant to soften her withdrawal.

"Calleigh?" he questioned quietly, eyes closed and his forehead resting against hers. His warm breath caressed her face and she gently kissed him before replying.

"Trust me, Horatio. Let yourself go completely to me. I promise I'll take good care of you, Handsome."

His blue eyes opened and he looked down into her sparkling green ones, seeing only pure radiant love shining out from those depths. Surrender did not normally come easily to Horatio Caine, but the soft touch of Calleigh's lips and the tender sound of her voice gently unfastened the bands of his iron self control and he willingly gave himself into her tiny hands.

"I'm yours, Sweetheart. Do with me what you will."

"You won't regret a moment of it, my love." Calleigh whispered with a smile.

Gently she pushed against his chest, and sat up in bed, moving him away from her body. She swung her legs out from under the covers and stood up next to him. Taking his hand in hers she led him to the master bathroom and opened the door.

Clouds of steam met them and the soothing fragrance of jasmine and vanilla tickled Horatio's senses. "Calleigh?" he asked, slightly surprised.

"Shhh...you promised to trust me. Now just relax and let me take care of you."