Inch By Inch
Chris headed back to Sharon's apartment and when he came in the door, she was on the couch, reading.
She looked up from her book, then set it down on the side table, "How'd it go?"
He sighed as he sat next to her and took her hand as he shifted sideways to face her with his knee bent and resting on the cushion, his arm over the back. He nodded, "It went well, I think."
When he had first shown up at her place a week ago, he told her what was going on and expressed the same concerns he had just told you and Sebastian. But he didn't mention anything about his feelings for you. He couldn't tell anyone that. If were to do that, everything would fall apart for sure.
Over the time they were apart, Sharon had actually started coming to terms with the kind of friendship you and Chris had and that the last panic attack you had during that party was in fact a situation that had called for what did happen. And she realized that Chris really was only doing what a friend would do... for both you and Seb. Nat's words stuck with her even after she had left that night, 'know that if you gave him the chance, he'd do the same for you.'
She spent all that time wanting to call him, but felt so ashamed about how she acted, she didn't dare. So seeing him at her door that morning gave her hope. He didn't hate her for it. She had apologized and told him that she made a mistake and that she really wanted to be with him.
They had gotten pretty close over that week. He had missed her and he began to want to try again. She helped talk him through what was going on and she really did approach it with the best interest of all three of you in mind. She proved to be that valuable view from the outside and it really helped him sort things out.
She nodded, "I'm glad, honey. Whenever you're ready to spend time with them again, let me know. I'll be there if you want, but I'll always be here for you.", she ran a hand through his hair and kissed him. "I know how important they are to you."
He smiled at her, "You're pretty awesome. Thank you, babe."
Over the following week, Chris was coming to the office to work again and people in the circle of friends started finding out what was changing, but everyone was incredibly supportive to all of you; the three if you weren't the only good friends you all had.
You and Sebastian had kept things pretty professional at work, but it was now proving difficult for Sebastian. The two of you worked in different departments, but that didn't stop him from tracking you down occasionally in the break room or copy room to sneak a kiss or two.
On one occasion, while walking through the hallway, he spotted you going into an office supply closet just outside yours and Pepper's office suite. He jogged to the doorway and went in, closing the door behind him. You jumped and whipped around, clutching your chest, a box of pens in your other hand, "Jesus, Seb. You scared the shit outta me."
He smirked as he locked the door behind his back, "Sorry, doll." He moved quickly to you and took you into his arms.
"Why did you lock the door?", you asked suspiciously.
"I need a little time alone with you. It's so hard to stay away." He brushed a lock of hair away from your face with his fingertips and then kissed you quickly and hungrily. You dropped the box of pens and it spilled open when it hit the floor. Your hands tangled in his hair as you let him take your mouth. You both got worked up very quickly.
He started kissing your neck. You threw your head back and let out a moan when his teeth grazed your skin.
He spoke quietly against your neck as he kept kissing, his stuble scraping against you there, "Shhh, quiet, baby."
You pressed your lips together to silence yourself as he continued, growling into your neck as he started to lift the hem of your skirt, "You look so fucking sexy in this little skirt."
Your heart jumped, you whimpered and his mouth came to yours again as his hand traveled up underneath your skirt, lifting your leg and holding it against his hip as he gave the back of your thigh a squeeze.
You broke the kiss. "Oh God. Seb...", you breathed out as he went to your collarbone on the opposite side, tugging your blouse aside slightly to get better access.
He hummed against you.
"I gotta get back. We can't-", he bit your neck gently and you gasped. "Seb... stop.", you pleaded breathlessly.
He halted himself, panting and bringing his forehead to rest against yours. He released your leg as you smoothed his hair with your hands and he whispered, "I'm sorry."
You chuckled, pushing your skirt back down in place, "It's okay, honey. I was really loving it, but we can't here; when we get home."
He pulled back and smiled softly, looking at you with affection and passion, "Okay." He kissed your forehead and reached behind you on the shelf for another box of pens, then handed it to you, "Go on, I'll pick up the others."
"Thank you." You gave him a quick peck on the lips and left with him staring after you.
That Friday, the whole group went out for karaoke again, Chris and Sharon included. The place was packed and there weren't enough chairs for everyone so some of you girls had to sit on your guys' laps at times.
You had the chance to talk to Sharon quite a bit and she discovered that you were sweet and down to earth. She was beginning to really like you.
Sam and Maria started with Nelly Fertado and Timberland's "Promiscuous". They had some amazing chemistry up there.
You were sitting next to Sebastian while he flipped through one of the songbooks as you rested your head against his shoulder and had your arm hooked around his, his elbow resting on the table. You looked as well while he turned the pages. You spotted a song and grabbed a slip of paper and pencil from the center of the table and started scribbling.
He paused on a page for a while. He closed the book and turned to you, giving you quick kiss on the cheek. He turned away from you to write and you spoke up, "What did you pick?"
He just shook his head, folded the paper and grinned at you.
"What is it?", you smiled.
"Don't worry about it. You'll find out.", he winked and gave your knee a ticklish squeeze.
You jerked and squeaked, pushing his hand away.
He laughed, "You're so cute.", he kissed your cheek again and got up to turn both your slips in to the DJ.
Thor actually got Jane to up to sing a duet with him, but she was giggling and covering her face more than she was singing, Thor trying to expose her the whole time.
You were up next and sang "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps.
Sebastian went next right after you. As he stood, he leaned in close to your ear and said so only you could hear, "This one's for you, baby." He kissed your head and made his way to the stage.
The music started and you instantly recognized the song; "Sugar" by Maroon 5.
"Oh my God.", you covered your face.
Nat was next to you and leaned over, "What's wrong?"
You uncovered you face and managed to look at Sebastian, difficult as it was, when he started singing. Nat followed your gaze and saw that he was looking at only you. "Ohhhh.", she smiled so huge and nudged you. You glanced at her then covered your face again. "Someone's got it bad for you.", she added.
You were so embarrassed, you felt so many eyes on you when people figured out he was singing to you. But you soon relaxed and took in every flirty face, every wink, point and smile he sent your way. You smiled back and scrunched your nose at him. Holy shit, he's hitting all the high notes. He even threw in that adorable chuckle at the end.
As he made his way back to the table, Nat said close to you, "You cut him off or something?"
You scoffed and playfully shoved her and said quietly, "Nothing's happened."
You stood as he approached, "Well someone wants it to.", she called up at you.
You were smiling ear to ear and people were still applauding when he reached you. He hugged you up, lifting you off the floor and a gave you a rapid succession of kisses on your neck, playfully growling as he spun you around once.
The crowd got louder and some were wolf whistling and shouting as Sebastian set you down. A guy boomed out, "Take her home!" You scoffed in embarrassmemt, hiding your face in your hands and against his chest. Sebastian wrapped his arms around you snuggly, threw his head back laughed. He sat, pulling you down on his lap and gave you a quick kiss, smiling.
"Thank you.", you grinned and scrunched your nose.
Thor spoke up, clapping, "That was precious!"
Tony quipped, "I don't think 'precious' is what you'd call that."
Everyone laughed... even Chris.