CHAPTER SEVEN
As she sits at the large oval table, polished to a shine, Ziva can't help but run her hand over its ultra smooth surface. She silently wonders how much a huge conference table like this cost. She has been waiting for twenty minutes now, nervously dreading the arrival of the Mr. Saldoro and his infamous attorney. Every precaution is being taken to ensure no escape attempts are made during his transport from the jail. He wouldn't attempt an escape until after that plan had failed. If Ziva was out of the way, the charges would be dropped and he could simply walk out of jail a free man. Until then Saldoro would be patient and wait for Nick Andretti to fulfill his contract.
Ziva once again runs her hand over the spotless finish on the table and sighs heavily as she tries to be patient. She had been bold and daring with him the last time they spoke, she had to portray that same image now. She was feeling anything but confident, but with Don's help she would pull this off. Don hears the sigh as he listens in on his headset from another room.
"Does that heavy sigh mean you're missing me?""No. I was admiring this yacht of a table and wondering how many dollars went to purchase it."
"You really know how to deflate a guy's ego, you know that?"
"Sorry, maybe I can inflate it again later. Right now, I am edgy... as you say?"
"Don't worry, honey. You'll be all right… I'll make sure of it. I can't let anything happen to the future Mrs. Flack, now can I?"
It's only been two days, but he's never been more sure of anything in his life. This is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with and he intends to win her over. He can't resist this little hint of what's to come. Ziva, on the other end of the wire, is stunned by what she just heard. Her hand quickly goes up to her ear, pressing the tiny receiver closer as if she couldn't quite make out his words.
"What? Don, what did you…?"Her words are cut short as the door opens and several sheriff's deputies file in with Johnny Saldoro in chains. He has on an expensive suit, but the chains are creasing the expensive fabric. His eyes are ice cold as he sees the woman seated at the table and if looks could kill she would be on the ground at this moment. They are followed into the room by county attorney Richard Randall and Saldoro's defense attorney, Ethan Hawke. Flack is familiar with Hawke from the many high profile cases he's handled for very exclusive clients. Ziva has never met him, but she can see his polite smile doesn't reach his cold dark eyes. A shiver runs through her as she stands up to address the arrivals. "Officers, please seat Mr. Saldoro there. Mr. Hawke, I am Detective David."
She leans across the table to shake his hand and almost recoils at his cold clammy skin. It reminds her of a snake and she half expects to see his tongue dart out with a forked tip. She quickly moves back and turns to Mr. Randall. He simply smiles to her now and leans over to gently kiss her cheek. "Ziva… it's nice to see you as always. Can I get you anything before we start… or… you gentlemen?"
When he turns his attention to Saldoro and Hawke he is happy to see his personal touch in greeting Ziva has hit its mark. Both men are looking extremely unhappy about how close he and this woman seem to be. Don had been right when he said that kind of display would infuriate Saldoro. Randall hides a smile and continues to portray the professional he is as he advises them to get started.
Don can't see what's going on in the room, but he can hear everything from the microphone hidden on Ziva's clothing. The meeting isn't very long because Randall firmly refuses to allow a bond on Saldoro, insisting he be held until his trial. Don shuts off the recording equipment and waits until he is sure the officers have escorted Saldoro into the elevators; then he comes out of his monitoring room and goes down the hall. He finds them discussing the case,
"That went perfectly."
"It's a good thing looks can't kill, right Ziva?"
"I tried to ignore him, but he never took his eyes off me the entire time. It was creepy... is that right?"
"Yea, that describes him pretty good." She removes the wire and transmitter and moves to the door. Don follows and waits until they are outside the office by the elevators before he puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her gently into his side. He bends to kiss her temple as he whispers, "Relax, babe, it's almost over. "
******Saturday seems to drag by for Don and he forces himself to stay away from Ziva's house. He doesn't want to appear overly eager so he stays home, pacing his apartment like a caged animal waiting to leave his den for the hunt.
Across town, Ziva puts a casserole in the oven and prepares the salad, then finds herself with nothing else to do except wait until dinner is done. She tries to read, but knowing what is coming up on Monday, her concentration is minimal. Sitting alone, she allows herself to recall the dark, handsome man who burst into her life two weeks ago. The tanned skin of his belly as it stretched tightly over his muscled abs… and the light dusting of dark hairs that trailed down over it. She closes her eyes and lays her head back as her pulse races to keep up with the erotic images flashing through her mind and Ziva is soon lost to reality. With her book opened on her lap, the feeling of it being removed from her hands startles her. She gasps softly and opens her eyes to see Don in front of her, smiling.
He smiles tenderly. "Hi, sleepy. I didn't mean to wake you. I was just going to put your book aside."
"Oh… I was not sleeping. I was..." Her words die in her throat as she realizes she can't tell him what she had really been doing. It is as if her fantasy has conjured him out of thin air. She had not heard the doorbell... how did he get here? "What time is it? And why are you here?"
He glances at his watch and assures her, "Its six, now. Relax. I just got here. Moira let me in. I came to invite you out to dinner. Can you be ready by seven o' clock?"
Ziva is fully awake now and frowns at the sudden offer. She hesitates to answer and then mumbles, "But, I have dinner in the oven..."
His disappointment is obvious as he sits back on his heels in front of her. He sighs heavily and is just getting up to go, "Okay, I guess... some other time?"
She stops him by taking his hand and rising to stand before him. "Don… don't go… I mean… I can get ready... if that is what you want?"
"I do... I figured it will be the last time I get to see you for a while." His hand squeezes hers gently to relay his message and Ziva feels a flush run through her body. There is a long moment of silence as their eyes meet and he waits for her to decide just how far she wants to let him into her life. She hesitates long enough that he thinks she is having second thoughts and he starts to pull his hand away. "It's just dinner, Ziva..."
"Is that all? I was hoping for… something more..." Her sullen tone can't hide the playful glint in her eyes as she grips his hand and pulls him back to her. She is still holding his hand and now stands up to face him.
He grins down at her and plays along, "Ziva, I'm trying to be a gentleman, here, but you're suggesting..."
She tilts her head to one side and studies him for a long moment, realizing this may be her last chance to see him for several weeks. "I do not care if you are a gentleman…" She looks at him and the desire smoldering in her eyes almost makes his knees buckle, "Right now, I only care about the man who stole my breath away with peppermint kisses... I need that man."
"Come here, woman…" He pulls her into his arms and kisses her in a strong, possessive way she can't resist. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Ziva realizes Shane and Moira are somewhere in the house. He grins as the kiss finally ends, then kisses her nose before he steps back and takes her hand as he leads her towards the door. He keep his voice low and conspiratorial, "Dinner may have to wait... for a while. I think we need to find some place a bit more private."
The drive is done in silence as a unique tension fills the car. Dinner is forgotten for the moment as he drives to his apartment. She doesn't have to question where they are going as he leads her into the elevator. Once the doors close, she slips her fingers under his t-shirt and slowly explores his hard, muscled torso. Her hands glide across his broad chest, rippling through the hairs there as a smile plays at the corner of her mouth. She bends closer and lifts the material to allow her lips to explore his soft flat nipples. He sighs softly as her tongue flicks out to taste him. Her fingers now trail slowly down his belly, following that intriguing trail of hair until they disappear beneath the waistband of his jeans. Just then the bell rings and Don clears his throat in an attempt to regain some control as he forces himself to step back. He takes her hand, kissing her knuckles as he leads her to his apartment.
Don escorts her inside and once the door is closed, suddenly spins her back into his arms.His mouth comes down on hers in a possessive kiss that takes her breath away. He bends her back with the force of his kisses until she is pressed against the wall. Don quickly turns his attention to the barrier of her shirt; then her filmy bra vanishes as well. His eyes darken as he turns his attention to the thrusting peaks before him. He slowly kisses one, then the other, teasing and tasting his way to their tips. Here he hesitates, allowing his tongue to dart out and flick quickly across the hard buds. Ziva moans softly and arches her back in a silent offering. He drops his mouth to roughly maul her tender breast hungrily. A cry escapes her as a bittersweet pain courses through her body.
Wanting more he impatiently swings her up into his arms and carries her back to his bedroom. Ziva knows this is what they have both wanted ever since that first kiss... this meshing of body and soul. As he sets her down next to the bed, she allows her hands to glide down his thighs in a gentle caress. After several moments his manhood is hard and throbbing for release and her hands move to the zipper on his jeans. He kicks off his shoes and allows her to push his levis down so he can step out of them. Ziva is intrigued by his boxers and glides down to sit on the bed before him.
She finally slips the boxers down as well and a soft moan escapes her as she takes a moment to admire the male beauty of him. He watches as she slowly leans forward to kiss the silky tip and a shudder rolls through him from head to toe. Her eyes come up to meet his again and she smiles and slowly extends her tongue to glide up the length of his manhood. Don's eyes drift closed as a groan of pure heaven is wrenched from him as she suddenly drops her mouth over his shaft. She hungrily works her mouth over him, feeling an excitement building in her so intense it aches for release. Don is spellbound knowing he can't take much more of this exquisite torture and moves her back, "Baby, don't… I need you too bad right now…"
He is breathing hard as he drops to his knees before her, bringing them eye to eye once more. Don's hands come up to scoop the firm mounds of her breasts into his hands as he roughly caresses them. His thumbs slide slowly over her nipples and she moans huskily and leans in to nibble on his chin. All the while his mouth is gliding wetly down her throat, sucking on her pulse point. He gently lifts her legs to remove her shoes, then eases her back to work on the rest of her clothing. He curls her legs up and holds them there, allowing his gaze to take in her exposed hips. She gasps in surprise when he suddenly drops to deliver the most intimate of kisses.
He groans also and is soon lost in this most intimate of explorations. She lies panting as Ziva is rocked by waves of pleasure. He continues this torment, growling softly as his own excitement grows, until she can't take any more. Ziva arches her body up and cries out hoarsely as he sends her cascading into mindless realms of pleasure. As she lies trembling, he continues his torture until her hand comes down to move his head away. He seizes her wrist in his free hand, restraining her as he continues to slowly caress her. Tenderly stroking her back to sanity and it is several seconds before she lies spent, just enjoying the last embers of the intense orgasm. He finally sighs and discreetly wipe his mouth before coming up to lie over her.
"I don't think I've ever experienced that before…" Her breathless admission surprises him. How could such a beautiful woman be so naïve?
"Never?"
"Well, yes, but not… that intense…" Don just smiles and winks at her. He once again lowers his mouth to nibble on her dark, taut nipples and exploring her body. "Mmnn, Don…"
His head comes up to look and he smiles at the desire smoldering there. He brings his mouth back to hers, barely touching her lips as he softly replies, "Yes, Ziva?"
She frames his face with her hands to bring his mouth down to hers for a hungry exploration. She can taste the her faint aroma on his tongue and moans softly. Each kiss blends into the next until their passions are raging once again. When he finally pulls back the desperation in her eyes is undeniable as she breathlessly pleads for release.
"I need you… now… please!"His arms curve under her body as he suddenly pulls her off the side of the bed to him. Her legs are arched up over his upper arms as he pins her body against the side of the bed. His arms braced on either side of her to hold her captive and exposed to him. She cries out, overcome as he thrusts into her. Her head rolls back onto the bed as her whole body arches tensely and he stops; taking several deep breaths to control his excitement. "Mmmnnn, you're so tight … I don't want to hurt you…"
She has recovered enough to lift her head to look him in the eye. She curls her arms around his neck, drawing him closer as she kisses him with slow intense passion several times before she huskily teases, "I… mmnn… just go slow… oh yeah… that's good…"
She breathes these words against his lips as he begins to move slow and easy… gliding all the way in and holding it there a moment before he withdraws to do it again. It doesn't take long before Ziva is also panting heavily and arching her hips to meet his thrusts. He increases the tempo, growling as he feels her canal gripping him. She is now moaning with each thrust, urging him on as she once again approaches that free fall into mindless ecstasy. Don fights hard for control as the pressure builds inside him as well.
"Yes… now... harder… please… yyyeeesss…"
Don begins to thrust hard and deep into her, sending her crashing into the mindless abyss of pleasure as she hoarsely cries out. The room spins as starbursts of pleasure cascade through her body. Don roughly groans as he drives deeply and tremors wash over him with one final thrust. When he is finally able to relax, he sighs heavily and sits back on his heels, trembling weakly. After several minutes Don has regained enough strength to once again look up at her and he smiles. "Come here…"
He twists his body and lowers her easily onto the carpet beside the bed. Her legs come down as he settles his body on top of hers without ever breaking the intimate connection between them. Ziva holds him close as a contented sigh escapes her. Don is careful not to put his full weight on her as he once again rests his head on her shoulder. When he raises up onto his elbows to kiss her, they spend several long minutes just kissing and touching. Ziva feels the tingling deep inside her starting to spread once again and moans softly as she breaks the kiss.
"Mmmnnn… you are an excellent kisser… is there anything you don't do well?"
"I don't know… there's always room for improvement…" And with that, Don pushes deeper into her warm body. She moans softly and her legs come up to curl around his waist in response. She raises an eyebrow in silent amazement, but he merely shrugs and smiles down at her. They both know dinner is still a long way off.