Enjoying Your Company //

chapter thirty one

Spencer's POV:

Nessa and I returned to her apartment, exhausted, and drained. Dropping our bags to the floor and drudging straight to the bedroom. She pulled the blankets higher, snuggling in the crook of my arm and we laid in silence. Treasuring our moment of peace.

"You awake?" She looked up to me, her eyes shimmering beneath the tiny string lights.

"Yeah." I whisper, lost in her.

"You're not tired, are you." She deduced.

"Not really." I exhale, moving her hair a tad.

"Me either." She huffed, basking in the simplistic affection.

"Why don't you take a shower? I'll make some hot chocolate." I kissed her forehead lovingly. She nuzzled against me before squirming upright. Nessa landed a kiss on my jaw and rolled out of bed with a silly grumble. Headed towards the bathroom. She smiled as she rounded the corner. I'll never get tired of that sweet grin. I got off the bed and heard a light thud. The stuffed moose she seemed to keep stashing, was on the floor. I pick it up, feeling this warm heat inside me as I hold it. Knowing how much it means to Vanessa, how much love it carries. I could feel the meaningful, emotional attachment. I no longer saw it as an attempt to cling to childhood, or trauma. I saw it as a piece of her. And if he's special to her, he's special to me. I take the moose into the living room, and start on her hot chocolate.

I started a fire, sitting on the couch next to Olive. Reading one of my special edition John Steinbeck novels Nessa gave me, when she walked in. Effortlessly capturing my attention. "Hi." I greet as she sits, taking her mug. She had this healthy rejuvenated glow about her. Clear skin revealed gentle freckles splashed across her face I'd never seen before. Relaxed, in a warm jacket, her wet hair tied back. I watch her sip from her cup, shutting her eyes as she smiled to herself. Even with tired eyes, piercing free, and a full makeup free face she remained truly flawless. She turned, feeling my stares, her cheeks blushing.

"What?" She giggled, timidly tiling her head.

"Nothing." I lean against the couch. "I just-never noticed your freckles." Her blushing pink turned into a rosy red. "They're very cute." She dropped her face to the floor.

"Alriiight. Cut it out." She sung, playfully.

"I'm serious."

"Spencerrrr." She couldn't keep back the smile peaking behind her embarrassment. Purposefully avoiding my eye-line.

"I mean it, you're beautiful." I say, my fingertips grazing her arm. She swooned, giving me her best doe eyes. Her gaze shifted beside me, and her chin hit her chest.

"Oh god. You found Moose..." I turn, grabbing the stuffed animal.

"I know about Moose. You keep him under your pillow and kiss him every morning."

"How did you-" she start, but stopped, remembering who she was talking to. "Right." She put a hand on her head.

"Were you hiding him from me?"

"No. I just, I don't know...I thought it was silly." She said taking the stuffed animal, playing with his antlers.

"Why?" I set my coffee on the table.

"..I didn't want you to think less of me..He's kind of a secret, the only person who knows I have him is my mom. It's stupid I know." I shifted towards her and she adjusted, moving her legs on my lap as I toy with her hair.

"I could never think less of you. Moose is something that makes you, you. And, I love you. No matter what pieces you may not be proud of. Or shown me yet." She leaned into the hand tracing her face, fluttering her eyes.

"I love you."

"I love you, Vanessa." She smiled, touching her lips into mine, forcing my eyes to close in bliss. I kept my hand on her cheek, holding her close as we shared a passionate embrace. Her arm folded over my shoulder as I leaned in, feeling her gentle simper across my lips. She made my heart skip a beat, making me gasp a bit beneath my breath as I went in for another kiss. Nessa's hand ran through my hair, electricity shot through my body. My other hand slid up her back, pulling her closer. I felt my blood rush, pulling away and tucking my lips.

"Are you okay?" Vanessa shifted. I felt my face flush, stammering.

"Y-yeah, it's-just." I stopped, nervous, tongue tied.

"Hey." she coo'ed stroking my hair. "Spence it's okay." I began to feel anxious, clearing my throat, sitting up. "Baby,"

"I'm sorry, I'm just-"

"Hey, hey." She eased me into the seat. "We can take our time."

"No, it's not that, I-" I couldn't push the words through my throat. I exhaled a breath, peering at Nessa's sweet face. "I don't, want to, mess up." Her hand graced my chin, angling me to her.

"Spencer Reid, it's truly impossible for you to mess anything up."

"I've messed up before, I've made mistakes, I've lost lives, I've-"

"This isn't out there," she caught me off guard, calming me. "In here, you are just you, and you can't mess anything up. Not with me." Her every word dripped with love, her soft skin against mine driving me wild. I couldn't wait anymore. I tucked my lips, biting, before interlocking with hers. Adrenaline shot through me and I opened the flood gates, generously offering her my tongue. She smiled through our kiss returning the action. Her fingers explored the back of my hair, moving down my chest, loosening my tie erotically. I moved my hand into her lap sliding it towards her, she emitted a slight inhale, gently nibbling my bottom lip. She moved herself into me, sitting on my lap. I left her lips, smooching her neck, caressing my way down.

"Spencer." She moaned, sending blood below my waist. I took in a shaky breath against her skin skin, making my way back to her lips. My heart felt like it was frolicking, skipping every two beats. Nessa broke our kiss. "Spence." She stopped me. "Let's go." She leaned in, kissing me, drawing me too her as she stood to her feet. She stripped off the oversized jacket, revealing herself, making it harder to stand. This subtle smirk formed on her face as she bit her lip, taking a few backward steps. Beckoning me with a single finger. As soon as my feet hit the ground that smile grew, and into the room she went. I followed, hot on her trail.