Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns it, I just pwn... I mean write fanfic about it. *ahem*

---------------------------------------------------------------

Simon headed towards Inara's shuttle, a bottle of fine champagne in one hand and a pair of crystal champagne flutes in the other. The rest of the crew were out celebrating a job well done, River was sleeping and Inara had just gotten back from a visit with a client, so Simon decided it was the perfect time to pay her a visit.

He made his way down the hall at a leisurely pace and finally reached the door to Inara's shuttle. Simon knocked lightly. Sometimes he would surprise her and enter without announcing himself first, but this time he decided on being polite.

Upon hearing her beckon softly, Simon pushed open the door and stepped into the tastefully decorated space, smiling softly. His gaze wandered around the small, intimate, opulent space as his lungs filled with the sweet scent of strawberries and frankincense. His skin was immediately assailed by a pleasant warmth and his eyes half closed in relaxation in the soft, orange glow of a hundred tea lights, a few of which glowed through threadbare Chinese paper lanterns in crisp autumn colors.

Simon allowed the door to hiss closed behind him with a soft snick sound. He looked around and his breath caught in his throat when Inara stepped out from behind a changing screen in a black robe. The neckline of the robe dipped down to the valley in between her breasts and the hem came down to her mid-thighs, skimming the flesh there lightly. Simon's heart skipped a little at the realization that Inara was most likely completely bare beneath the robe.

He watched as Inara walked toward him slowly with a graceful, purposeful sway of her hips. The material of her robe fluttered around her thighs as she walked toward him, exposing a little more golden skin with each step she took. He watched her eyes take in the champagne and the glasses in his hands. Simon felt himself relax a little as Inara's hand came to gently rest on his arm as she leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"I've been expecting you," Inara said softly.

"Oh really?" Simon asked with a coy smile.

"Really," Inara replied gently.

Simon's eyes fluttered closed as Inara leaned in and pressed her lips to his lightly. They held the kiss for only a moment before Inara pulled away and stepped towards the sofa, beckoning for Simon to follow.

Simon's eyes wandered over Inara, over her flawless skin and perfect curves, as he approached her. He could see her comfortably settling herself against the cushions out of the corner of his eye as he set the two crystal champagne flutes down on the table.

Simon uncorked the champagne bottle and slowly, elegantly poured some of the champagne into each glass. Simon picked up the glasses and nestled himself on the couch next to Inara, handing her one of the flutes.

Simon brought his glass to his lips as Inara did the same, sipping the chilled champagne slowly, a pleasant tingle going through him. He licked his lips lightly as he twirled the glass of champagne slowly between his fingertips by the stem. Simon leaned in slowly, his free hand taking the hem of Inara's robe and fingering it teasingly as he pressed a few gentle kisses to Inara's neck and collarbone.

"You're so beautiful," Simon said softly.

Simon's gentle voice made Inara shiver in conjunction with his kisses. She was always being told that she was beautiful, but it meant so much more when Simon said it. Inara tipped her head back, her eyes closing happily as Simon continued to kiss her neck.

Simon's lips fluttered delicately over the curve of Inara's neck, to her shoulder where he had brushed back the black silk of her robe and the tassels of her hair. He loved kissing the soft, warm flesh. Simon nipped delicately at her throat; lips, teeth and tongue working in time with the pulse that raced through her body.

As he teased Inara with his kisses, Simon's free hand gently stroked her side, her ribs. His fingertips slipped over the fabric as he caressed Inara's midriff. His hand slipped slowly up to her shoulder and pushed the fabric covering her body down her arm, letting it drop to rest at the crook of her elbow. The same was done to the other side and soon Inara was bare from the waist up, exposed to Simon, the soft orange candlelight making her golden skin seem to glow with a radiant shimmer.

Simon's hand, his fingertips, traveled over the bare flesh; massaging, stroking, caressing. His hand crept up over Inara's ribs, reaching her breasts, massaging them gently in turn. He continued to caress one breast in his hand as his kisses reached the other. He took her nipple gently between his lips, suckling exquisitely, his tongue swirling around it, making Inara gasp.

"Oh, Simon," she said breathily.

Her pleading gasp only fuelled Simon's ministrations. His lips traveled lower, slowly brushing over Inara's ribs, tracing the delicate curve of each rib beneath the skin with his kisses. His free hand came to rest on her hips, holding onto her gently as she writhed from his loving nibbles and kisses.

Simon reached back behind Inara, setting his champagne flute down on a small decorative carved cherry table. Now both of his hands were free to caress, to massage, to stroke. His other hand now came to rest on Inara’s other hip, his fingertips pressing into her skin, warming her and relaxing her.

Simon’s hands slipped up slowly and he wrapped one arm around Inara’s shoulders, his hand resting between her shoulder blades, and he guided her back slowly against the armrest of the couch so she was lying down comfortably. His hand slipped out from under her shoulder again and rubbed her side absent mindedly as Simon leaned in close to her, pressing his lips to hers again.

He loved kissing her. It was always so new, so exciting, and yet comfortingly familiar. It was the perfect balance. Simon’s tongue traced Inara’s lips, beseeching her to part them. And she did part them for him, her tongue coming to greet his, tangling with his in a passionate dance, in a perfect rhythm. Their kiss was long, lusty and breathless. To heighten the sensations, Simon ran his hands over Inara’s ribs, over her breasts, gently caressing, sparking more desire in Inara.

Their kiss was broken and Simon sat up once more, looking down at Inara, watching her chest rise and fall as she caught her breath, much like he was catching his. He loved watching her, seeing her bared to him like she was just then. She was so incredibly beautiful. Simon leaned over her, reaching for the champagne glass that he had put down just moments before. He smiled, looking down at Inara with a flicker of mischief in his eyes.

Simon brought the bottom of the stem of his champagne flute down close to Inara’s skin, to the flesh of her abdomen. He trailed the cold glass along in a wide zigzag pattern, feeling Inara shiver, hearing her whimper from the feeling it brought. He met her gaze, holding it while he continued to chill her pleasantly.

Simon brought the rim of the bottom of the glass down and swirled it around her navel, teasing the sensitive nerve endings there just beneath the skin. Simon tipped his glass slowly, watching a little of his champagne trickle over the edge and drip into the dip of Inara’s bellybutton. He heard her sharp intake of breath as the chill from the liquid seeped into her skin and the bubbles in the champagne tickled her.

Simon righted the glass once more and set it down on the small decorative table again. As he sat back, he raked his fingertips down over Inara’s ribs, feeling the ridges as he passed each one. Simon traced circles around Inara’s navel with his fingers, seeing a small trail of champagne begin to trickle down over her stomach to the side as he depressed the flesh near her bellybutton.

Simon leaned in and caught the droplet that was threatening to drip onto the couch with his tongue, slowly tracing the trail of champagne over her hipbone, lapping it up as he went. His tongue reached her navel and swirled around it tantalizingly slowly before dipping into the valley and lapping up the champagne that filled it. It was tepid and flat now, having been warmed by Inara’s body heat, the bubbles escaping as the champagne warmed, but it still tasted exquisite. It was still clear, pure, crystalline. Like liquid diamonds.

Simon suckled at Inara’s navel delicately until the last drop of champagne had been lapped up before he trailed his kisses lower. His lips traveled over the inner curve of her hipbone and traced along just at the edge of the fabric that was still covering Inara’s lower half, tied at the waist. Simon untied the ribbon that held the silk robe together and finally released Inara from its confines.

Simon’s kisses trailed along the crook of Inara’s thigh, trailing over the delicate skin, nipping at it. He pressed a lingering kiss to her inner thigh, his hands resting on her hips, stroking them all the while. He liked it this way. He could see, feel, kiss, taste. It was spiritual, just as gratifying as the act of union itself. Simon fed off of the passion that he knew Inara was feeling. He fed off of the pleasure Inara took from his kisses.

Simon ceased his kissing for a moment and looked up to meet Inara’s eyes; dark and glazed with complete and utter contentment. He smiled softly and moved further up on the couch so that he was close enough to lean in and gently press a kiss to Inara’s forehead.

This was just a precursor of what was to come, of the things the night held for them once a little more champagne coursed through their bodies.