"I need a cup of flour, stat!"
Ara rolled her eyes at her lover as she scooped a cup for him. "You don’t have to be overly dramatic about it. They’re only cookies."
"Yeah, but the dough’s too sticky. Needs more gluten."
"Zechs. Baking isn’t always about the chemistry of ingredients; sometimes it’s about love." Zechs looked up from the mixer and stared at her. He had dough covering his forearms from the battle with the spatula, and flour dust that had puffed out of the mixer in a cloud when turned on too high coated his face and bangs.
"But…I want them to taste just right for the party."
"They’ll be fine. We’ll just mix in the chocolate chips, stick ‘em in the oven and they’ll be done in 15 minutes."
"Ara, darling…"
"Don’t ‘darling’ me just because you know I’m right. Now come on. Get your spatula ready and mix these in." Ara dumped a bowl of chocolate chips into the bowl Zechs had removed form the mixer. Carefully, as not to spill any chips, he folded them into the dough and scooped out little chunks onto the cookie sheet until the bowl was empty. Ara took the tray and placed it the oven then set the timer for 15 minutes. Zechs had already started cleaning up and was up to his elbows in hot soapy water. He had just finished washing the mixer bowl when a strong pair of arms slid their way around his waist and held him tight. Ara’s hands slowly ran up the length of his broad chest until they came to the top button of his shirt. She began to unbutton his shirt, purposefully and slowly, and kissed his back through the silky material. His hands clenched the rim of the bowl as he fought for control over his body.
"Mmmm. 15 minutes, my love," Ara purred in-between her kisses. Opening the last button, she ran her hands over his stomach and down to the button of his jeans. She could feel him swallowing hard and laughed softly against his back. "Whatever shall we do?"
Deliberately, Zechs put down the bowl in the drain board and turned to face Ara. He slid his wet hands up her arms, shoulders, neck, and finally came to rest on her face, framing it delicately. Slowly, he lowered his head to within an inch of hers, their breath mingling together. "I don’t know. Do you have a suggestion?"
As an answer, Ara put the distance between them and their lips met in a slow caress. Soft, quiet moans filled the kitchen as they stood pressed against the sink, bodies pushed together. Zechs ran his hands into her hair, and, pulling the clip out, let the curtain of midnight fall silently to her hips. He ran his hands through it, loving the feel of it. Desperate for more, Zechs pulled her closer and the kiss turned from tender to demanding in a matter of moments. He ran his hands back down her shoulders and over her collar to the buttons of her shirt just as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders, running her hands over his well developed arms. As he was opening the first button, the timer on the oven went off.
They reluctantly pulled apart, staring at each other and staying close for a few moments. Ara turned to the oven, shut off the timer and heat, and opened the door. The aroma of sugar and chocolate filled the air, crowding Zechs’ already stimulated senses. Ara grabbed a mitt from the counter and pulled out the sheet of cookies. Closing the door with her hip, she placed the sheet on a cooling rack.
"Perfect," Ara stated happily, her voice a little huskier than usual. "They should be cool enough to eat soon."
The couple stared at each other, then lunged only a few heartbeats later. Their mouths met in a frenzy of tongues, teeth, and lips; their hands grabbing onto the other person, desperate for contact. Zechs had shrugged off his shirt and now had his hands fisted on the lapels of her shirt. Giving his hands a sharp tug in opposite directions, the shirt came off with a rip, buttons scattering everywhere and Ara moaning in approval. He shucked the now useless material to a far corner of the room and began to work on the button of her shorts.
Returning the favor, Ara unhooked his jeans and zipped them open. She squirmed out of reach of Zechs and immediately pulled them down to the floor. As she stood once more in front of him, he kicked off the pants and ripped hers off in the same moment. Lips meeting again in a bone jarring kiss, Zechs reached around her back to unhook her bra. Succeeding in the task, he flung the lacy material to the corner with her shirt. He ran his hands across her breasts, causing Ara to moan and clutch at his waist.
Zechs broke the kiss and picked her up, intending to at least make it to the bedroom. Ara pushed herself out of his arms and grabbed his boxers.
"Now. Right now. Forget the bed."
And with that, Ara pulled his boxers completely off and walked him back to the kitchen table. She then pushed him up onto it and straddled his waist, leaning down over his chest to once again kiss him. Their flesh was hot against each other, urging them forward. Zechs moaned into her mouth, running his hands down to her hips. Ara then pulled her mouth off his and began kissing his exposed neck. Zechs had his eyes closed when he spoke again.
"You’re still wearing clothes."
Before she could answer back, he pushed the black panties down her hips and off, dropping them to the floor. Zechs ran his hands over her the backs of her thighs and up so his hands rested on the small of her back. Ara had been caressing his stomach and hips, causing the strong man to shudder beneath her, all the while she moaned his name like a mantra.
Unable to continue, Zechs grasped her hips and moved her back off his chest. Sensing his actions, Ara rose over him and plunged, screaming his name. Their rhythm was fast and animalistic, Zechs holding her hips and moving in a blur, and Ara running her hands over his sweat slicked chest while constantly moaning his name. They moved faster still, and Ara fisted her hands in her own hair. Both screaming in ecstasy, Ara collapsed on top of Zechs, her face buried in his chest and his arms wrapped around her. Platinum blond and raven’s black hair mingled across the table top and spilled over the edge. For some minutes, both lay contented in each other’s company. Suddenly Ara spoke, interrupting the glow.
"The cookies should be cool by now."
Zechs laughed, a rumble from deep in his chest. "That is true. Now, how do we explain to our guests the reason why they cooled down on the tray and stuck to it?"
Ara giggled and sat up, sliding off the table. "We’ll leave out this part, I think." Zechs stood and picked up the clothes from around the room, then followed Ara up the stairs to the shower. An hour later, both were back downstairs and preparing for the party they were throwing for their friend’s engagement.
"I can’t believe Yuy is actually settling down," Zechs called from the kitchen. He had placed all the cookies on a plate and poured a pitcher of ice cold milk.
Ara responded from the living room where she had set up more seats and had gotten movies and games to play. "Well, personally I can’t imagine Heero ‘settling down’ as you put it. I think it’s more of him wanting to be with Thea, which is actually really sweet of him."
Zechs came out and placed the food on the coffee table. He spun Ara around and kissed her gently just as the doorbell rang. They grinned and walked to the door to let the first of the guests in.
************
20 minutes later, Ara stood by the door as Zechs herded everyone into the living room. Blitz and Duo had been the first to arrive, and Sally, Wufei, Trowa, and Angel arrived together, physically dragging a ranting Wufei into the house. Quatre arrived only seconds later, arm in arm with Hanna. All had parked behind the house so Heero and Thea wouldn’t know they were here. Ara suddenly turned to the group, speaking softly.
"Here they come! Everybody shut up!"
She flicked off the living room lights and walked into the hallway, waiting for the two to ring the doorbell.
Outside, Thea and Heero had just gotten out of the car. Wearing one of his rare smiles, Heero walked to Thea and kissed her lightly. She smiled and grabbing his hands, pulled him to the walkway.
"It’s so sweet of Ara and Zechs to invite us over for dinner before we told everyone about the engagement," Thea said, walking up the stairs to the door. Heero wrapped his arms around her as she rang the doorbell. He held her close as Ara opened the door and smiled at the sight.
"Aww. You two are adorable. Zechs is putting the food in the living room, so come on in."
"Thanks," Thea said, stepping into the hallway. "This is really nice, chica."
Ara marched on ahead of them, intent on reaching the door first. "Oh, hey, no problem."
Heero put his mouth near Thea’s ear. "Something’s up," he whispered.
"Yeah," Thea mumbled back, "but she always is."
The three friends reached the living room door, and Ara opened it a crack before turning to the couple. "Oh, and one more thing…" She threw open the door and flipped the light switch. All their friends leaped up out of their seats and cheered at the same time.
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!"
Thea’s joy was overwhelming and she immediately began hugging everyone, even Wufei who she got to loosen up. Heero smiled as well, a shock to most of the people there, and nodded in appreciation. They all sat back down and Ara passed around the plate of cookies and glasses of milk. All the guests bit into the cookies and began chewing slowly, a contemplating look on their faces. Thea was the first to speak.
"Ara…the cookies are great, don’t get me wrong, but…they’re a little…" she paused, trying to find the word.
Wufei supplied her with one. "The word is ‘over-floured’, onna," Wufei mumbled, until he was smacked by an irate Sally. "I mean, Thea."
Thea nodded in agreement with the rest of the guests.
"What distracted you? You normally make these without flaw."
Ara smiled fiendishly. "Oh, you know…one thing led to another and the kitchen table had to be, well, cleaned."