Title: Sweet Seduction

Rating: NC17

Sweet Seduction

Settling himself into his leather armchair Toby reached for the phone. 

Lifting the receiver he dialled the all too familiar number and waited as it rang before the answerphone switched on.

“Oh hell, CJ, I know you’re there. You’re sat there in today’s suit, a tub of ice cream in one hand and a bottle of gin in the other,” he paused hoping she would pick up. “Okay, you’re still sulking, scowling at the phone, and if you’re throwing insults I’ve heard them all before, “ and  he had, in their twenty years of friendship she had called him every name in the book. “Anyway the reason I’m calling is that there’s going to be a photo…”

“Toby, what photo? What the hell have you done?” She sounded lucid if a little fired up.

Toby sighed, it never failed to work, “There’s something in the newscycle, I was out on a date.”

“And there’s artwork. Great. Stay there, I’m coming over,” she barked at him.

Toby allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch up; you didn’t spend as long in politics as he had without learning to be devious.

Toby surveyed the room; he had been busy in the two hours he had been home. 

The table was set for two, with crisp white linen and his best china. The Chardonnay was chilling in the fridge, it was at least twelve years old and he had been saving it for a special occasion but tonight seemed a good an occasion as any. Dinner was cooking on the stove; Julia Child had exceeded herself this time. 

Toby continued to move around the room lighting the church style candles as he went, he hoped the low lighting and fresh flowers surrounding the room would make her relax. Later he would light the candles in the bathroom, run her a luxurious bubble bath and allow her to soak away some of her recent strain. He also intended to get her to stay, even if it meant him sleeping on the couch, anything to ensure she slept for perhaps the first time in weeks. 

The woman in the shop had looked at him strangely when he had practically bought every candle she had, but looking around the house he knew CJ would like it. The final touch was the bed, clean linen and white rose petals scattered across the comforter.

CJ arrived in twenty minutes and braced herself, today was probably one of the worst days of her life, she was tired and edgy and now she had to deal with Toby. She made her way up to the first floor apartment he rented and knocked on the door. It took two more knocks and her yelling his name before he opened up. Tense and prepared to verbally assault him CJ failed to notice his attire. 

Toby stood before her barefooted, his usual rumpled suit exchanged for a pair of black trousers and a black silk shirt, the top three buttons undone to reveal tiny black curls.

He smiled at her and she launched, “Toby, I’ve had the most god awful day, I’m trying to persuade Leo to accept my resignation and now you go and get photographed with some bimbo. Worried we’re not getting…” she stopped as he locked the door behind her, and took in the room for the first time. The first thing she noticed were the fresh flowers, a dozen varieties, all in white, then she noticed the table. “You brought her here?” Her voice sounded disbelieving even to her own ears. 

Toby ran his hand across his face, “No CJ, this is for you.”

CJ blinked and cocked her head to one side; “You did this for me. You’re kidding me?”

Toby grinned, “I have no sense of humour remember. I did this for you. You’ve had a bad day, you need to relax.”

“Hmm, I need to relax?” she chided.

“Yes, you need to relax, tomorrow we will deal with work, tonight you are going to enjoy yourself. I cooked,” he said staring at his bare toes.

“You used the metal dish things with handles? You didn’t phone Thai Salam?” She taunted.

He stared back at her, “I cooked. We have a pasta salad to start, followed by chicken in a cranberry sauce with asparagus, French beans and those potato things you like.”

“Curly fries.”

“Yes, and I made chocolate mousse with raspberries,” He added.

She smiled at him, “Do you do this for every woman?”

Concentrating on the wall in front of him Toby muttered a no in reply. CJ crossed the room to him, and brushed past him as she headed for the kitchen, “You have alcohol right?”

Toby grabbed her and steered back towards the table. “It’s table service, you sit back and enjoy,” he said walking back to the kitchen and emerging seconds later with the wine. Pouring two glasses he offered one to her, taking a sip, she reached out for the bottle. 

CJ didn’t know what to say when she read the label, Toby had always been a wine buff, buying expensive bottles and keeping them, he rarely if ever drank them, and she had been with him the day he had purchased this one. He avoided her eyes as he left the table and came back with the first course.

The talked during dinner about little of consequence, deliberately avoiding the subject that would make CJ tense in seconds. Dinner over and the wine empty Toby led her over to the couch. He pressed the remote control and the room was filled with music, slow sensual instrumental pieces played on the saxophone.

“You know Toby, the sax is one of the sexiest instruments, learn to play it and I’d do anything for you,” she laughed.

“I’ll sign up for lessons tomorrow” he deadpanned, only half-joking.

The two friends sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before she began to fidget and rub at her neck. Toby grabbed her firmly by the shoulders and turned her away from him. Starting at the base of her neck Toby began to massage her shoulders, firm strokes kneading at the tired muscles. As his hands began to work the muscles CJ leaned back into his touch. Toby continued to work down her shoulder blades and over her back, stopping only when she moaned.

“Did I hurt you?” Toby asked.

CJ shook her head, “No it was good, you can continue if you like.”

“Why don’t you take a bath and I finish your back later.”

It didn’t seem at all strange to her that he wanted her to take a bath in his apartment, it wasn’t the first time he had run her a bath. They had briefly shared an apartment when they were both in California and that had sealed their friendship, and during the campaign he always stole the spare key to her room and on trying days he would leave a hot bubble bath for her. 

Toby left the room and walked down the hall to the bathroom. Turning on the water he poured the essential oil under the tap before lighting the candles and closing the door. 

CJ was perusing the CD cases when he returned. She turned as he entered and smiled, noticing for the first time the casual outfit and the glimpse of hair on his chest. 

Toby held out the towel and his robe to her and hustled her down to the bathroom. Leaving her to soak he opened another bottle of wine and settled on the couch to wait. 

Half an hour later she had still to emerge.

Toby padded down the hallway and knocked on the door. CJ called out, “come in.” Toby continued to stand outside the door.

“Toby, you can come in. Damm it, don’t be a wuss, you’ve seen it all before.”

Never one to walk from a challenge Toby pushed the door open and stepped in. The room was filled with steam, the gentle light highlighting CJ’s face, barely visible above the bubbles.

“You can come and join me if you want,” she teased.

“CJ” he warned.

CJ’s arm rose from the water and splashed down into the water, catching Toby and knocking out a few of the candles. 

Toby moved closer to the water, the wet trousers making it very clear he wore nothing underneath, and reached for her head. With a swift movement he pushed her under. 

She bobbed straight up, hair soaked, clinging to her face, her hand washing the bubbles from her eyes. Toby laughed at the sight before him, she was glaring at him, and looked so natural all he could think of was kissing her. CJ broke the moment by reaching for him and pulling him towards the tub. 

Taken unawares Toby toppled over into the bath, soaking his shirt. Hoisting himself up he reached for the towel; CJ got to it first and dried her face.

“Hey, pokey, you’re all wet. You might as well come join me,” she called, rising from the bubbles slightly to reveal the gentle swell of her breasts.

“If only you were serious” he breathed.

CJ pushed the hair out of her face, “Try me.” She challenged.

Toby wasn’t sure what to do next, he had planned everything to cheer her up and maybe to seduce her, now the tables were turning. Catching the challenge in her eyes he paused for a split second and discarded his shirt. CJ gasped at the sight of him, a healthy coating of black curls covered his chest and two hardened nipples peaking.

He glanced once more at her to check it was okay.

CJ lifted her legs and made space for him between her thighs.

Toby dropped his trousers and his state of readiness became all too obvious. Toby sank down into the bubbles and began to draw patterns in the bubbles.

“There was no woman, there was no photograph.” She stated. Toby shook his head. “You can be so sweet sometimes”

“It’s the best kept secret in Washington” he offered.

CJ sighed, “So you planned all this for me. To relax me or to seduce me?” She had never been one to dodge the issue and now she had him trapped, she lowered her legs to wrap around him, it was time to make him talk.

He avoided her eyes and she splashed him.

“To relax. I don’t want you to resign, we can fix this.”

“Toby, Toby, Toby. You didn’t have to seduce me to get me to stay, you could have just asked,” she replied.

Toby glanced up, “You wouldn’t talk to me, if I had left it until tomorrow you would already gone. I don’t want that.”

“So, one night of meaningless sex would have made it alright?” she asked.

Toby stared at her; “it wouldn’t have been meaningless.”

CJ shifted onto her knees and leaned forward in the water, to rest between his thighs, “I know. Why did it have to come to me leaving for you to admit how you feel?”

“I thought you might not come back this time” he remarked candidly.

CJ wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer to kiss him. CJ took control of the kiss, letting her lips graze his lightly, sucking on his bottom lip until his own lips parted. Her tongue darted in, exploring his mouth, tangling with his tongue. What began as nervous exploration turned to passion as Toby responded. When CJ pulled away to look into his eyes she saw the same desire and need looking back.

Toby watched her eyes go wide as he let his emotions go unmasked. When she lent in again he directed the kiss, allowing his feelings to guide him while his hands glided over her body beneath the water. They moved apart breathless.

“Toby, as great as this is, we’re not twenty two anymore, can we take this somewhere more

comfortable?” she asked, a coyness to her expression, yes she wanted to sleep with him but she needed to be sure he really wanted her.

Shifting position Toby managed to stand and helped her from the water, towelling her off as he went. CJ dry Toby rubbed himself all over as she watched him thoughtfully, her eyes darting to the now visible erection.

“You’re smirking” he remarked.

“You’re full of surprises, first you wear no underwear, and now I see what I’ve been missing.

I’m not smirking I’m just being predatory,” she laughed back.

Toby grabbed and kissed her forcefully, walking backwards towards his bedroom as his hands wandered over her. They reached the bed before either realised and tumbled back on to it, her landing on top.

CJ broke the kiss and adjusted to the room, there were more candles she noted and her hand grabbed the petals he had scattered across the bed. She had never considered Toby to be a romantic but he had made her feel special, and today she needed to feel that more than anything.

Their lovemaking was slow as they took small steps to explore each over. Where bubbles had been before Toby’s lips and hands followed as he brought her closer to orgasm.

CJ let her hands tease at his nipples and twirl in his curls as he rolled her over and positioned himself above her. Feeling her spasm Toby slid his tip gently in and began to thrust. They were both so close that the pace became fast and frantic and when release came they collapsed onto the bed.

Rolling on to his side Toby wrapped an arm around her pulling her to his chest. “So did it work?” he asked, almost grinning.

CJ shook her head and moved closer to his ear, “I might take a little more persuasion.”

Toby didn’t need asking twice as he leaned down to kiss her.

The End