Let go of my arm! Leah's voice was tired, but angry.
Why, so you can run away again?
What's that supposed to mean?
Just that you're a pro at taking off without an explanation. I want the one you owe me. His eyes pierced her, held her like a butterfly pinned on display.
Jeth, I'm not going to do this. It was fifteen years ago, let it go. She pulled her arm free, swallowing the emotions he forced to the surface. She stepped around him and headed for the door.
God, but he was tired of watching this woman walk away from him! The view was spectacular but the feeling was devastating. With two long strides he was next to her, pivoting her around and pressing her against the wall.
Oh, no you don't! He was careful not to use his body against hers to keep her still. Rather he placed his arms on either side of her, an intimate prison cell. I'm not going to let you ignore me this time.
Stunned at his audacity, she could only stare at him, barely able to process the velvety threat. The small, insubstantial cage that his arms made held her securely with his body heat. The unmistakable scent of pure male wove itself around her, making her senses thrum. A sudden surge of anger swept through her at his tactics and she shoved him, her hands on his muscled chest, pushing away what he made her traitorous body want.
He watched her eyes soften, feeling a wash of male satisfaction as she gave in to him. Then suddenly she was shoving him away, sparks in her eyes. Responding to the challenge, he grabbed her wrists easily in one hand and pinned them above her head against the wall.
she spit. She writhed against his hold, hating her body for loving his touch, hating him for playing this game. It's not enough my career was destroyed here once? Now you want to play games while I go down again, accused of a murder I didn't commit?
He leaned his other arm casually against the wall, the look he gave her pure predator. I only want the truth. You owe me that much, don't you think? He shifted slightly bringing his body closer to hers. Games are a different matter, Leah. I can play the games as well as you. He leaned his head down as he spoke, his lips mere inches from hers.
She snorted, fighting to fuel the anger from the heat he created in her. She slowly slid a foot forward, carefully changing her center of gravity. You don't want the truth, you want control. That's all it's ever about for you. Jethro Gibbs, always in charge. When she received a wolfish grin from him in return for her words, she thrust her hip forward -- flipping him around and pinning him against the wall. Gratified to see the surprise in his face, now she played the predator, her turn to tease her prey.
Truth is a two-way street, Jeth. You owe me some, too. Her low voice dripped honeyed anger along his senses. She twisted her wrists in his loosened grasp, reversing the hold to pin his hands against the wall. The man I trusted betrayed me. Why was that?
He felt her hands tighten around his wrists, her rose-colored nails biting into the flesh. He stared into her eyes, alight with a feral gleam that he'd never seen before, and he found himself suddenly becoming aroused. She stood with her legs spread wide enough to prevent him from pulling her trick, his sudden awareness of her stance feeding his growing hunger. Vaguely aware that she'd asked him a question, he tried to find an answer.
There's a lot about that case we still need to discuss, isn't there? he murmured, distracted by her full lips, so close to his own.
She shifted away from him slightly, ignoring her body's cry. Discuss. Yeah, I guess you could say we need to discuss what happened. In disgust, she shoved herself away from the wall, releasing his wrists, and turned her back on him. She was immediately spun around and hauled up against him, her head snapping back to stare into icy blue eyes.
You think you can just play these games with me and then walk away? Blame me for what happened and refuse to own up to your part in it all? That's not the way this dance goes, honey. Even rigid with fury he could still feel her soft pliability against him, stoking a fire that couldn't be quenched. As he searched her face for a reaction, he saw her eyes become pools of blue fire.
I don't give a damn about your dance, Jeth. I've learned to dance solo, since I've discovered the hard way that you can't depend on your partner. The venomous words made him flinch and she moved in for the kill. Pressing tighter against him, a deadly smile on her lips she hissed, I don't need you anymore. You make a fine... distraction. But let's just leave it at that. She twisted away from him again, but this time he was ready for her, furious at her snide words.
A distraction? I don't think so, Hecht. He yanked her back to him with both hands and his lips crashed down on hers, bruising and demanding. She fought the kiss and he tangled his hands in her hair, nibbling on her bottom lip until she parted her lips with a sigh. He plundered her mouth with his tongue, the small gasps she made against it hardening him further. His hands began to roam her body, riding the swells of her curves, pressing her tightly to him, cupping her rounded derriere tightly. She sucked on his bottom lip before lowering her head to nibble on his collarbone, running her tongue along the skin her teeth had just assaulted.
He looked down into her face and saw her lips swollen from his kisses, her heavy-lidded eyes filled with desire. As her fingers ran down his arms he captured her hands and took a step back from her. When she looked up, confused, he whispered in her ear. Dance with me and I'll take you anywhere you want to go. Treat me like a cheap thrill ride, and I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. He backed away from her and turned toward the door, taking a moment to readjust his appearance before leaving the room.
she spit at his retreating form as he left the room. She strode to the door and leaned against the frame as she hissed the answer he wanted. You betrayed me. I returned the favor by sacrificing myself for you. She saw him pause as her words reached him. How's it go? What have you done for me lately?' He continued toward the bullpen without a backward glance.