She trembled as she pressed her back to the bathroom door. Why she had done what she had, she wasn't certain. Why did she run? A better question was why had she run and locked herself in his bathroom? The least she could have done was get the correct room!

"You are such an idiot," she grumbled, hiding her face in her hands. She smacked her open hands against the side of her head, adding, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"

"Dee?" Eddie's voice was followed by a soft knock. "Are you alright?"

Please let him think I'm as mad as a loon! I won't have to explain myself then! "Um, I'm just... Fine, Eddie. I'm fine." She slumped to the floor near the tub.

There was a pause. "You're not stupid."

Dee winced and covered her head with her hands. Rocking herself back and forth, mumbling under her breath, she neglected to hear him pick the lock and open the door. He removed her hands and tilted up her chin.

"You're not stupid," he repeated. "Confusing. Contradictory. Intriguing. Difficult." He smirked. "Stubborn... But not stupid."

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" she asked, brows knitting together in worry as she sat up. Reaching a shaky hand out, her fingertips touched the red marks on his chest. Her touch jumpstarted his heart.

Forget the shyness. Forget being patient! I want to play, damnit, and I'm going to! he thought as he pulled her up.

The shock that ran through Dee as he kissed her zealously, held her in stasis long enough for him to unzip her dress. Warm hands rested on her shoulders as he slipped the straps off.

"Wait! No!" she mumbled, pulling back.

"I don't want to, Kitten!" he growled, leaning in to kiss her again.

"Humor me," she replied, pressing her fingers to his lips. They stepped out of the bathroom and into his room where Dee kept her back to him. He stood close enough to touch her, his hands hovering uncertainly as she shyly looked over her shoulder. "Remember last time when I said I had dressed special for you?"

Now he was curious. He nodded. Taking a deep breath, Dee let her dress fall away. She heard Edward's sharp intake of breath as the fabric hit the floor, and she slowly turned to face him. Face flushed red with a blush, she fidgeted as he lifted a hand and touched the delicate lace of her bra. His eyes followed his fingers as they trailed down and caught at the edge of the strange, short-like matching panties. He had never seen underwear like this before.

"Madame Hsia made them. I saw her that day it took me so long to come back. When I told her about you, she said I needed something special. She made them green, just for you. Do you like them?" she asked, biting the tip of her index finger.

Silence met her as she nervously stood there. He was still dressed, only his shirt tampered with. The lace was a fascinating contrast to her smooth skin, and he lost himself touching both. With her red hair falling around her shoulders, the even creamy tan of her skin, and the way the lingerie fit, she looked like a pin-up girl from the 1940's. Only this pin-up was real and all his!

"Eddie?"

"Hm?" he replied, sliding a hand to her bottom and pulling her closer.

"Do you like them?"

"Wonderful. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Sexy." He punctuated each word with a soft kiss. With the final word out of his mouth he pressed her hips to his, searching the back of her bra for the catch.

Dee's plan was back on track, despite her fumble earlier. Holding her as he was, she could tell he was just as aroused as she was. She tugged his shirt free from his pants, unbuttoning it all the way. It took her a moment, but she managed to get him to let her go long enough for her to push his jacket and shirt off, leaving his tie dangling alone around his neck.

His eyes fell to her heaving chest and there, nestled between her breasts, disguised as a ribbon rose, was the catch he had been looking for. She allowed him only a second before taking a hold of the tie and pulling him back for a kiss.

God. Damn. Belt. Buckle! she swore to herself, tugging at the metal nuisance.

Eddie's hand strayed from her body to help with the catch. A satisfied grunt, muffled in Dee's mouth was his response as her hands opened his pants, relieving the strain. There was no hesitation on her part to reach into his boxers and touch him. His lips broke contact with hers as he moaned with pleasure at her touch. A higher pitched response from her followed as his hand trailed between her legs. They kissed again, only this time Edward pulled back in confusion.

Looking at Dee who was now biting her lower lip and frozen, her hands on his belly, he stuck his tongue out. There, on the flat of it, was Dee's "knickel." He looked at her as he took it off his tongue. "How...?"

"I read some of your Houdini books and watched you when you were practicing your slight of hand. I thought you might like me giving it to you this way."

"But you already gave this to me."

"Yeah. But I'm ready now. Truly ready. I don't want to wait anymore, Tiger. I don't want to just play around at it like we have been. Please, Eddie?" she begged, stroking his tie.

Realizing how ridiculous he must look in boxers and a tie, he quickly pulled the tie off and cleared his throat. This is a first, Eddie. A woman pleading to have sex with you. It's her first time. What if I hurt her? She's so scared of that. As much as I want her, and as great an honor to be her first, I don't know if I can do this! Damnit! Why me? Why couldn't someone else be her first? I'm going to ruin it for her; I just know it.

"Eddie, I'm still scared. I drank a lot tonight just to make myself relax for this. I know you'll take it slow and stop if it hurts. I trust you." She smiled shyly at him, petting his chest. "You'll take care of me, I know you will," she added, snuggling to him.

Wordlessly he found himself carrying her to the bed. She gave him soft kisses on his face and whispered thank yous. They wiggled out of their remaining clothing, and then stopped. He rested between her legs and looked down at her. She was visibly trembling, looking both uncomfortable and uncertain.

This is going to take more than I thought... He was not happy right now. She looked so vulnerable, so helpless... Not at all like his Dee. We can't keep putting this off. It'll never be easier. I can at least help her through this better.

Taking a hold of her hands, he pulled her up some, putting her arms around his neck. He slipped an arm around her, supporting as much of her weight as he could. With his free hand, he stroked her face.

"Just hold on to me, ok? It'll be fine." He paused to kiss her eyes. She nodded her understanding and buried her face in his neck. Softly he stroked her back as he spoke. "Remember our first date? I was so nervous asking you out. I didn't think you'd actually say yes, let alone let me kiss you that night."

Dee knew he was trying to relax her. She snuggled her head on his shoulder, letting his voice soothe her as she did just that. Her trembling had stopped the moment his arm went around her, and now she felt safe and secure in his arms. Eddie would take care of her; she was certain of that.

"Why wouldn't I have? You were such a gentleman."

"Why would you? You didn't know anything about me other than that I was the Riddler. A madman who's obsessed with riddles."

"That's who you were when I met you at the museum. But when you asked me out, you were Eddie Nigma, teller of bad children's riddles. And my carnival barker," she smiled.

He chuckled and kissed her. "Bad riddles, hm?"

"Maybe not bad, but definitely silly," she sighed into his neck.

"You thought the gorilla one was the best. Admit it." He put his lips to her ear, grinning, and whispered, "Ape-ri-cot."

She giggled, covering her mouth. "Don't start with that again!"

"You laughed pretty hard."

"It was the fool telling it," she giggled again as she looked into his eyes. Just as she was about to kiss him, she gasped, tightening her hold around his neck, quickly pressing her face to his chest.

"Are you...?"

"Fine, Eddie. I'll be ok." Ow! Ow! But he's the only one I'm willing to do this with. He's being good and careful. Relax. Relax and...

"Breathe, Kitten. If you're really ok, I don't think you'd be holding your breath like that. Not to mention digging your nails into my back."

A shock of surprise jolted her and she drew in a deep breath, dropping her hands to his chest. He had stopped now and she looked up at him. "Please, Eddie. Don't stop now. We've come so far tonight. It's awkward, it hurts some, and I'm being a big scaredy cat about it. Just go slow, like you have been, and I'll be fine."

"You're not enjoying this."

"Nonsense! I'm enjoying it plenty. Just being with you is enjoyable. But I want this. We both do. Enjoy it too, Eddie." When he didn't start moving, she added, "This has to be done. I wouldn't have asked otherwise. 'No pain, no gain,' right?"

Nodding reluctantly, he continued what he started. Even though his pleasure was increasing, he felt guilty about this. Despite the little noises she made when it hurt, and that she clung to him, Dee was enjoying herself. The pain of the first time wasn't as bad as she had imagined. In fact, the pleasurable sensation was starting to override the sporadic shocks of pain.

This is nice. He smells good. He feels good. He feels really good. she thought. "This is wonderful," she purred aloud, placing nibbly kisses on his neck. Her fingers tightened on his arm and a moan escaped her throat.

He bent his head and caught her in a kiss. The fevered response he got eased his mind enough that he truly began to enjoy himself.
Next / Tangram Main / Back