Chapter 14

Jethro stopped at Lea's apartment on their way to his house and he went inside with her so she could pack what she would need for the next few days. It didn't take her long to throw some things together and he carried her bag to the car for her and they headed for his house. When they got to his house, Jethro once again carried her bag and she held on to his arm as they walked inside together. Once inside, Jethro put her bag down at the foot of the stairs and turned toward her.

"You go relax on the couch and I'll get us something to drink," he told her and he could see the apprehension cross her face for a second before she was able to stop it. "Hey, it's all right, your safe now Lea. Donnie is behind bars and will be for a long time to come," he continued and pulled her into his arms.

"I know, I just couldn't help the memories that flashed through my mind when you mentioned the couch," she said laying her head against his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I'm really sorry I didn't keep you safe from him Lea, it never even occurred to me that he might be following you. I didn't want you going back to your apartment because I figured he would probably ambush you there again. I misjudged and I can't make up for that," Jethro whispered against her hair and tightened his arms around her.

"I didn't think about him following me either. Although I probably should have guessed he was considering how he had been acting. It's nobody's fault but his and I just want to forget about him and move on. I want to think about happier things, like us," she said looking up at him and he brought his mouth down to hers.

The kiss started out gentle and sweet but quickly became needy and demanding. Never in her life had Leann felt like this when a man kissed her. Oh, her kisses with her late husband had been amazing and he had been the love of her life while they were together, however, Jethro's kisses were electric, soul searing and possessive. She melted against him and gave in to the demands of his mouth, running her hands up his back and into his hair.

"I want you so much right now, but tonight is not the night to take that step. I want you to be absolutely sure this is what you want Lea because once we take that step, I'm not ever gonna be able to let you go," Jethro said to her, his forehead pressed to hers.

"I'm sure Jethro, I do want to take that step with you, but you're right, tonight is not the time, we'll both know when the time is right and I have no doubt that it will be well worth the wait. And, who said I ever wanted you to let me go," she answered and they stood for several more minutes just holding each other and enjoying the closeness.

"I think it's about time we had some dinner, what do you want? I don't have a lot in the house but we can order something," Jethro finally broke the silence by saying.

"How about pizza," she answered smiling up at him. "I am craving mushrooms and lots of cheese anything else you want on it will be fine too," she told him and he grinned at her. Kissing her gently he let go of her and went to get the phone to order.

Leann made her way over to the couch and eased down into the well-worn cushions. She felt tired even though she had been in bed most of the day, so she snagged the pillow lying atop the folded blanket at the end of the couch and rested her head against its softness. The pillow smelled of saw dust and coffee reminding her of the man ordering pizza in the next room. She must have dozed because the next thing she became aware of was gentle fingers threading through her hair and when she opened her eyes, she found herself looking up at the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes she had ever seen.

"Hey," she said and smiled up at him.

"You okay?" he asked and she could see the concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine, just a little tired. Did you get the pizza ordered?" she asked sitting up and he sat down beside her and pulled her against his side.

"Mushroom, extra cheese, peperoni, and sausage and it should be here any minute. I wasn't gonna wake you till it got here."

"Didn't mean to fall asleep, I just meant to rest, but the pillow smells like you and I felt safe, so I guess I dozed off without meaning to."

"It's all right Lea, if you need to sleep, then sleep, we can always rewarm the pizza later if we need to."

"I'm good, that little nap helped, right now I just want to have something to eat and spend some time with you."

"Sounds good to me," Jethro said about the time a knock sounded at the door.

They spent the rest of the evening consuming the pizza and talking like they did on the days they went out for coffee after work. Several hours passed and Leann began to yawn but she didn't want to go to bed and loose the closeness she was feeling with Jethro.

"I think it's time for bed," he said chuckling at her obvious reluctance to go to bed.

"I think you're right," she said with a sigh.

"Come on, I'll show you to my room where you can bunk down for the night, I'll be down here on the couch if you need anything," he told her and helped her from the couch and led her to the stairs. He snagged her bag on the way by and carried up to his room for her. After laying the bag on the bed, he turned to go.

"Jethro," Leann said and he turned back to look at her. "What are we going to tell the team tomorrow?" she asked and he could see the vulnerability in her green eyes. Walking back over to her, he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head under his chin.

"Not gonna hide how I feel about you Lea and we agreed to tell everyone the baby is mine, so tomorrow we'll tell them that we're together and if they have a problem with that then they are just gonna have to get over it because as far as I'm concerned this is a done deal."

"I love you," was Leann's only answer and she sighed in relief as she hugged him a little closer.

"I love you too, now get some sleep," he told her and kissed the top of her head.