Chapter 15

Paris Suite

Amanda and Lee were snuggling in bed after the long day. Lee was surprised that Amanda chose to wear a two-piece pajama set tonight instead of her regular nightgown. The bottoms were capris pants with a sensual camisole top that was silk and black as the ace of spades. "I like your jammies, Amanda," Lee seductively added.

"Thank you! I thought I'd try something different." A short silence was broken. "That was a nice night, wasn't it, Lee?"

"Yes, it was. I think we did very well at dinner. Billy tried to grill me for information, but all I told him is that we fought, made up, and moved on."

"That's exactly what I told Jeannie." Amanda paused, "Lee?"

"Hmm-hmm."

"We are going to tell them we're seeing each other, aren't we? Billy and Jeannie are smart people. They will figure it out on their own. I really would like to tell them first. They will both understand. Isn't that how they got together?" Lee nodded in agreement. "I mean, we don't have to broadcast it when we get back, but I'm not going to hide it either. I will not hide you from my family," Amanda demanded.

"Yes, Amanda, we will tell them eventually. I just wanted one more night just for us. And I don't want to hide from your family either. I don't think I could stand not being with you when we aren't at work."

"Good, because Mother would drive me crazy when we got back. Why hasn't Lee come over yet? You two didn't have another fight?"

"Woah, wait a minute. Your Mother already knows about me? When did this happen?"

"Well, when I found out that Billy wanted me to go to this conference, Mother could tell that something was wrong. So we sat down and talked. She could tell I was holding something back, and she wouldn't drop it. So I told her about you."

Concern crept up in Lee's mind. "Did you tell her everything about me?"

"Well, not everything, but I did tell her a lot." Amanda now saw the concern in Lee's eyes. "Oh, no. I didn't tell her anything about the Agency. Just you personally. As far as she is concerned, we both work for IFF." A look of relief took over Lee's face. "Actually, she was the one that told me to be truthful with you and tell you how I feel. So I guess you can say she helped bring us together."

"Well, remind me to thank her when I meet her." Lee kissed her temple. "So, how do you think we should handle telling everyone?"

"I was thinking about that today. If it's alright with you, as I mentioned earlier, I would like to keep it kind of quiet at the office for now. I mean, I'm not going to lie, but I don't want to offer anything either. You know, be vague if anyone asks. I would love to be a full-time agent one day, and I don't want anyone thinking I slept my way to the top. When we are at the office, we have to be professional. When we walk into the office, we are Scarecrow and Mrs. King. We have to leave Lee and Amanda outside. Does that make sense?"

Lee nodded. "It makes perfect sense, Amanda. Besides, Billy will know, your family will know. That's all that matters right now." Lee hesitated, "Um, Amanda, we will be able to pick up Lee and Amanda outside the office as soon as we leave, won't we?"

Amanda playfully slapped Lee's arm. "Oh, you!" Lee playfully reacted to her, and they both started to tickle each other. They were both fighting for the upper hand when they stopped with their faces inches apart. Lee leaned forward to claim Amanda's lips. Amanda responded with fury. Reaching her arms up around his neck, she ran her fingers through his hair. Lee reached his arms around Amanda's waist and pulled her as close to him as he possibly could. He deepened the kiss and demanded entry with his tongue. Amanda willingly responded, and their tongues began to battle. Lee's hand moved from Amanda's waist and slid inside her shirt. Goosebumps appeared on both as their skin made contact for the first time. A soft moan escaped Amanda's mouth as she moved her kisses down his cheek and to the sensitive spot behind his ear. Lee sighed and slowly moved his hand from her back around the front to her abdomen. Amanda's hands traveled down his back. "Oh, Lee!" escaped from Amanda's lips. As Lee's hand moved up her side, his thumb brushed along her breast. His kisses trailed down her neck and onto her collarbone. Amanda craved more contact. She reached down and slipped her hand under the t-shirt Lee had put on before bed. She pulled on the edge before removing it from him quickly and started to whisper kisses on his naked chest. "Manda!" Lee softly whispered. It was at that point that an alarm went off in Lee's head. He had to stop; he had to get himself under control. He pushed away from Amanda and looked into her eyes. "Amanda, we have to stop. Don't get me wrong. This is extremely enticing. But we have to stop, or I won't be able to."

Amanda looked deep into those hazel eyes. "Lee, we don't have to stop. It's okay."

"No, Amanda, it isn't." This time he separated the two of them and sat back against the headboard to try and get his desire under control.

Amanda sat up, now worried. "Lee, is something wrong? Do you not want to make love to me? Am I that undesirable to you?"

"Amanda, no! That is not it at all. I just don't want to rush this. I have my reasons, and it has nothing to do with how I feel towards you. I want to make love to you so badly, but I can't."

Amanda moved, so she was facing Lee. "Lee, talk to me. There is more to this than you're telling me. Are you worried that I won't live up to the others you've been with?"

"What? God no. It has nothing to do with that." Lee dropped his head. He couldn't look Amanda in the eyes. Amanda lifted Lee's head with her hand.

"Lee, please! Talk to me. Trust me to be here for you."

Lee smiled. "Oh, Amanda, I love you." He took a deep breath. "It has to do with my past. You may not believe this, Amanda, but it's been a long time for me since I've been with a woman."

Amanda sighed with disbelief. "What are you talking about, Lee? You've had several dates just in the last month."

"Yes, I've had dates, but that's all they've been. Dinner, maybe a little dancing, but that's it. They never made it further than that." Amanda still doesn't believe him. "It was me, not them. Oh, they wanted to, but my heart wasn't in it. It would have been meaningless sex. I don't want that anymore. Amanda, when I was on my dates, all I could do was compare them to you. Amanda wouldn't do this, or Amanda doesn't act like that. I soon realized that I didn't want to date anymore. Not if it wasn't with you."

"Oh, Lee." Amanda reached up and wiped a tear that had formed in Lee's eyes. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? I wouldn't have tried so hard to push you. I just thought that with your experience, you wouldn't want to wait."

"You mean, you were only pushing me because you thought that is what I wanted? I told you last night that I wanted to wait. Do you really want to, or were you just doing it for me?" Lee questioned, not out of anger, but of worry.

"Lee, I really want to. Trust me; I REALLY want to. Making love to you will not go against my principles. We love each other. I've never said that I wouldn't sleep with a man out of wedlock. I only said that there needs to be real love between a man and a woman before that happens. We have that. Please don't worry that you will be pushing me into something I don't want."

Lee let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Amanda, I'm so happy to hear you say that. Can we just agree to take this slow and see what happens naturally?" Lee gave Amanda that sexy Stetson smile. "I mean, that doesn't mean we can't explore and have a little fun. You know, get used to each other's bodies. We just need to know when to stop."

Amanda smiled and moved to lean up against Lee. "I think we can handle that. Maybe we should get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

"Ya, that's probably a good idea. Good night, Amanda." Lee leaned down and softly kissed her lips.

"Good night, Lee. I love you."

Lee leaned over to shut off the light and rolled back towards Amanda. "Amanda?"

"Yes."

"Do you think I can hold you tonight?"

"Yes, I would love that."

Lee moved over to snuggle up against Amanda. His arm possessively wrapped around her waist as he whispered in her ear. "I love you, too." They both relaxed in each other's arms and were quickly sound asleep.