To tempt a saint. [rp for lapsedsaint]

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlie took possession of her apartment two days before making the vague offer of drinks to John Everton. So far she had a king sized futon set up in the living room with a small coffee table in front of it and another futon set up in the bedroom. They were inexpensive and comfortable enough to hold her over until she decided how she wanted the space to look. Not to mention it might be a good plan to let the kittens get settled before making too many changes.

Asking John to bring paper cups was a matter of sheer necessity. She had one large mug she used for everything, one set of plates and two pans. Formally setting up housekeeping in the city was going to cost a fortune. Buying a $250 dollar bottle of booze for a man who thought she was an instrument of the devil didn't help. Sitting on the living room futon, she stared at the bottle for a long time. No matter how good it was going to taste, she thought it should sparkle or dance.

Aleister lay on his back at her feet, pulling on the hem of her skirt. She could hear him purring in satisfaction not only at the game but at her willingness to let the game continue. His sister Vivianne was curled into a tiny ball behind Charlotte's shoulder on the back of the futon. She also purred, but did so from a deep sleep. Without moving her body, which might have woken the kitten, Charlotte absently petted her as they waited for company Charlotte couldn't really believe would ever arrive.

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[lapsedsaint]

He sat in his car for nearly half an hour before finally getting out. He could not believe he was doing this. Still, he'd said he would.

When he got to the door of the building, he hit the buzzer and waited.

[aesthetic_mojo]

Viv didn't move, but Al went running for the bell. He hadn't figured out it was attached to a small box high on the wall by the front door. From where she was, Charlie could easily activate the switch that would open the building door, but she couldn't see the small closed circuit screen to confirm it was John at the door.

Because she knew even if she heard his voice, she wouldn't believe it was him without seeing, she got up and crossed to the box. Even so, she stood staring at the grainy black and white image for a full minute before hitting the buzzer to let him in. Figuring he could find his way up, she didn't bother greeting him. Instead she went to the bottle and opened it for her guest.

[lapsedsaint]

When the buzzer sounded, he pulled the door open and went in. Finding her apartment was simple enough and he took in front of that door and knocked sharply, three times.

He shifted the sleeve of cups to his other arm.

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlie scooped Al up, deposited him on her shoulder, and went to open the door. She grinned at the stacked cups. "Welcome to my den of iniquity, Agent Everton. Please, come in."

Al mewed his own inquisitive greeting.

[lapsedsaint]

He looked at the kitten first before greeting her with a smile. Stepping all the way into the apartment, he moved so she could close the door. "I hope I brought enough cups."

He started looking around for the other cat or cats. She had mentioned kittens, after all.

[aesthetic_mojo]

"Unless you've invited an army I don't know about or the demons decide to play hide and seek with them, I think you brought plenty." She locked up, then ushered him further into the apartment. Grabbing the bottle as they walked past the kitchen, she indicated he should take a seat on the couch.

Just as Vivianne lifted her head to blink at them, Aleister popped off Charlie's shoulder and materialized right next to his sister.

[lapsedsaint]

He was moving to sit down when the kitten relocated. He stopped cold and blinked, then rubbed his eyes before sitting down.

Once he was down, he crossed himself and murmured a prayer before actually looking at the bottle of liquor.

[lapsedsaint]

He grunted softly and shrugged, looking into his drink. "Maybe you just don't like me. Maybe that's why I piss you off."

He turned his head away from her and sighed softly, then took a sip from his cup. "Mind if I smoke?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She smiled very faintly. There was something almost charming about his explanation.

She waved her hand at him to indicate he should smoke to his heart's content. "That's not it, John." Her voice softened even more. "Not liking you would be simple. What I think of you isn't simple at all."

[lapsedsaint]

He took out a cigarette and lit it before looking at her. "Then what is it?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She studied his face as carefully as she'd studied his body before. From so close she could more easily see the effects of drink, smoke and stress, but it was still an easy face to look at. She licked her lips and answered him honestly. "Fear. Guilt. Frustration." She shrugged. "The sure knowledge that there but for the grace of God go I."

[lapsedsaint]

"So what do you hope to accomplish by getting angry at me? Do you think you can change me?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She laughed softly. "If I'm going to affect you in any way, it won't be by getting angry at you. I've learned that lesson. Getting angry is about me, not you."

She held her hand out for his cigarette. "May I? I only want a drag or two."

[lapsedsaint]

He stared at her for another few minutes, then slowly bowed his head. "Do you know what you are asking?" After a moment, he sighed, then leaned in and kissed her against, the contact immediately deep and hungry. The temperature in the room started to slip again as he let go of her hand and got his fingers in her hair.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She had the distinct impression she knew better than he what she was asking, but that neither had any clue what they'd really get. The moment he released her hand she popped buttons free, using her magic to make the work go faster. She needed skin to convince herself any of it was happening.

When she had his shirt open she hesitated, she laid one hand on him and moaned thickly.

[lapsedsaint]

When he felt her hand against his skin, that was the end of the control he'd been maintaining. He groaned against her mouth as the temperature dropped noticeable. He shifted and arched up into her as he scraped teeth over her lip.

[aesthetic_mojo]

His movement was further permission and she got both hands on him, using her magic alone to continue undressing him. She slid closer to him as she explored, not consciously aware of the cold at first because she was too busy finding a nipple to tease in response to his teeth.

When the cold finally seeped into her awareness, she didn't pull away to question it. Instead she sank against him, shivering slightly. Her hands moved up to his shoulders; her nails digging into him.

[lapsedsaint]

He had to move. He tightened his arms around her and turned, pressing her against the futon under him. He shifted against her and drove his tongue into her mouth, tasting her as he pressed his hips against hers.

[aesthetic_mojo]

Her hands went to the back of his head, holding him in the kiss. That didn't keep her from finding other places to touch to stimulate them both. As she shifted beneath him so she could rock against his hips, she kneaded and pulled at his ass, driving him into her.

The cold confused her and excited her a little. When they came up for air she'd have to say something. Maybe.

[lapsedsaint]

He took her hands and stood, then followed her into her bedroom. Having been given a purpose, he felt a little more in control, giving her hands a squeeze.

Once they were in the bedroom, he urged her back to the bed. He kissed her deeply as he laid her back, his body half on top of hers. His hands tangled in her hair as his tongue pushed into her mouth.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She allowed herself time to enjoy the kiss before pulling at him to move between her legs. He felt so damn good against her that moment stretched out until she realized her nails dug into his ass. Then she broke out of the kiss, pressing her face against his shoulder, and made it clear where she wanted him.

"Please, John. I need you."

[lapsedsaint]

There was a point of no return in all of this, that's what the Father would tell him. He was pretty sure they'd past it when he took his underwear off. He was going to Hell. Of course, he was going to Hell for a lot of things and this was just one more thing to confess.

He shifted how she directed him and slowly pressed forward, entering her with a whispered prayer.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She let out a cry that was more surprise than pleasure. Later she would have to tell him she never meant to do more than tease him, to push him to acknowledge he might want her. Just a little bit. When he was all the way inside her, she finally believed it was happening. She rocked against him slowly, getting a feel for him.

She dragged her nails up his back as hard as she dared, bucking into him when her hands reached his shoulders. "Feels so good. You feel so good."

[lapsedsaint]

He buried his face in her shoulder as he moved. He couldn't believe he was doing this. The minute he left her apartment, he was going to have to go to confession. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut, rocking into her with the easy of a biological instinct that, while rusty, had been used.

After a few moments of rocking, he started to moan against her neck, pressing more firmly there.

[aesthetic_mojo]

He was nowhere near the most sophisticated lover she'd ever had, nor even the most enthusiastic. That didn't keep her breath from catching every time he was at his deepest inside her. The steadiness of it was driving her insane. She scratched at his scalp and his shoulders, trying to explain to him what he was doing to her.

Hearing his moan, she nuzzled at his ear. "Talk to me. Please." She didn't add a plea for him to reassure her that he was all right, but that was a large part of what she wanted.