The calming strokes of the plane on the wood allowed him to push thoughts of the redheaded woman out of his mind. It hadn't been easy, it had never been easy to get her out of his head. For the first time in over a decade, the memory of their one and only kiss crept into the emptiness in his heart.
He remembered how they'd sat and pored over files, drinking pot after pot of coffee. He'd followed her into her kitchen after they'd cleared the dishes from the table, joking with her and she'd smiled flirtatiously and teased him right back. Sharing the domestic task gave their banter an intimate feel and before he could stop himself, he'd wrapped his arms around her.
He stared deeply into her fathomless aqua eyes and watched them darken as the tip of her tongue darted nervously along her lips. One of his hands slid up into her long copper tresses, the silken strands trickling through his fingers. He brought them to his lips, caressing the hair that shone like molten metal. He heard breath catch in her throat, watched her head fall back slightly. He trailed gentle fingers down the side of her throat to the hollow just between her full breasts; her skin was as soft as her hair, softer.
Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers, needing to taste her desperately, to drink from her and satisfy this insatiable thirst she'd awakened in him. Her lips met his, full and firm and tasting of coffee and honey, and she took as much as she gave, tongues tangling in erotic exploration. The feel of her body pressed against him drove the world from his thoughts and she was not shy about running her hands along his back, pulling him closer still. She did not cling to him so much as meld with him and he knew then that this woman would be his, in him, of him, forever.
But the ringing of the phone shattered their kiss and five days later, three people were dead, Leah had resigned and disappeared without a word of explanation. The memory had played itself out, but the phone continued to ring. Gibbs drew himself back to the present and snatched up the cell phone.
The word was harsh, his emotions still raw.
Boss, it's me. You need to get over to Leah's. There's been another murder.
For one moment he felt his entire body grow cold. Who's dead, DiNozzo?Somebody she called Ritchey. Tony looked at Leah. She's in shock, Boss. And I think there's a lot more going on than she's telling us.Yeah. Ritchey's her boss, Captain Ritchey. Gibbs ran a hand over his face. Shit. Who's there?Just her, me and Kate. She called us when she had this feeling someone had been in her house. You really need to see this place, Gibbs.
Give me her address and then call Ducky. I'll be there as soon as I can. Gibbs hung up the phone and was out the door in seconds.