Frustrated, Gibbs ran a hand through his hair. He'd checked everywhere in the building he could think of and tried her on her cell phone with no luck. Finally he approached the main desk in the lobby.
Did a redhead leave here sometime in the last hour or so?
The agent at the desk looked up. Only redhead I saw was Detective Hecht. She took off in a cab about forty five minutes ago, Sir.
Nodding, Gibbs gritted his teeth. Thank you. He stormed out the doors, making a mental list of places to check.
As he drove, his thoughts drifted back to the last real conversation they had fifteen years ago.
Leah, wait. I owe you an apology.For what?For what I said last night. I didn't mean it the way it came out.Gibbs, forget it. You said what was on your mind, that's all that matters.Gibbs? What happened to Jeth?Maybe we need some distance. After all, we both seemed to have misunderstood each other the other night.I didn't misunderstand. You wanted that kiss.Jeth -- Gibbs! Just let it go.How I hate those words from you. Talk to me.There's nothing to talk about. We kissed. Lots of people do. So let's just put it behind us, okay? You made it perfectly clear there was nothing more between us and I'm fine with that.You don't look fine.Do me a favor, stop talking to me in that tone of voice, okay?What tone?The one that says you care. Because you don't. Now let's go. We've got four hours before we have to be at that filtration plant, if our FBI contact can be trusted. I'd like to get a little sleep.You could stay with me.Sleeping with you is the last place I'd want to be.
He pulled into his driveway as the memory faded. She'd been so angry. How could he explain that he was already so hopelessly in love with his partner, something the director explicitly forbade, that all he could do was deny it. He'd broken an agency rule and one he'd set for himself; never to get involved with a coworker. He was in over his head with her. And like an idiot, instead happily drowning in it, he'd clubbed himself senseless climbing out of the pool.
Entering noiselessly, he spied her suitcase sitting by the doorway, indicating her intention to run. Again. Well,' he thought, go with your strengths.' He walked toward the sound of running water, and paused at the entrance to the kitchen. The room had been returned to its usual spotless condition, the only thing out of place was the angry female scrubbing furiously at the kitchen sink.
Goddamned chili! Need a fucking chisel to get this wretched shit off! She muttered the invectives at the uncooperative pot as she renewed her attack. Remind me to get this recipe next time I gotta patch my sidewalk. Stuff sticks better than concrete.
Gibbs smothered a smile as he slipped up behind her and slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. He felt her stiffen instantly.
Gibbs, go away and let me finish this. There was nothing warm or welcoming in her voice.
Let it soak. Why did you leave the office? He rested his chin on her shoulder.
I needed some space to think. Her posture remained rigid as a soapy hand flung the scrubber in the pot. It's been soaking. Can I please finish?What did you need to think about? His voice dropped, caressing her ear.
What I'm doing here. At NCIS, in your house... She could feel herself starting to relax against him and tried to fight the heat of his body.
In my bed, he finished for her. He pressed her tight against the counter and slid his hands down her arms and into the hot soapy water.
Jeth, don't, she protested, even as her head slowly fell back against him. How she hated him for making her want him.
He slowly nibbled her neck. Don't what? he whispered in between tastes of sweet flesh. He knew his methods were underhanded, but he wasn't willing to let her walk away from him again.
We can't go on like this. The words came out in little gasping breaths as wet hands tugged her shirt free and skimmed over her bared belly, teasing the tops of her jeans.
The low purr of contentment she gave made him grin and pull her tight against him and she sagged against him a little more. Why not? It's working so far.
His fingers walked along her skin and paused at the button on her jeans, teasing her navel before popping the fastener free. She whimpered as she felt desire grow. Don't you want more?
Pleased by her question, he slipped a hand between them and unfastened his own slacks, pressing himself tightly against her once more. More than what?
With a groan she reached up behind her and fastened her hands, wet and slick with soap, around his neck, twisting slightly, tilting her head to kiss what she could reach. As she did so she could feel her bottom slide along his arousal, the thin material of his boxers its only covering.
His hand was now inside her jeans, the zipper unknowingly undone, fingers dancing over her and toying with the lacy edges of her sexiest pair of panties. Desperate for more, she wriggled against the skillful digits as they flickered over sensitive skin as he pressed his hips against her bottom. She pulled his head down and sucked the breath from him as she fed him begging cries.
After long minutes, he broke the kiss, uttering a harsh, that was echoed by her whimpered, She ground her hips into him, feeling his length nestled between her cheeks. As she dropped her hands from his neck his arm encircled her below her breasts, keeping her upright and teasing her with feathery touches. Her ache for him made her desperate, her hands sliding along the sides of her jeans as she tried to slither out of them. She received a bite on the neck and commanding, for her efforts.
It's my turn to be in charge, he whispered, licking where he'd just bitten. When she nodded, he slowly drew his hand out of her pants and dipped it in the sink. She was quivering, waiting for him to return his hand and he loved the feel of her like that. He drew his hand, warm and soapy from the water and plunged it back into her jeans, wetting what her body had yet to soak, loving her pure female desire.
she hissed, thoroughly aroused by the warm, wet feel of his hand. The distant echo of a warning floated across the sane part of her brain. She told it to shut up. The need to feel alive beneath him, to be part of him was critical. She would have great sex with this man one last time. Then she'd face reality.
What, Leah? He slowly slid her jeans down, leaving only her wet panties on her.
I want... she licked her lips and swallowed, her hips rocking against his.
Tell me. Velvet in her ear, velvet skimming intimate skin as fingers snaked inside sexy undies.
she whimpered, writhing as he teased her masterfully, keeping her on the edge of need.
You want me to what? The grin in his voice was apparent, and her answering groan held frustration. Tell me what you want, Leah, and be honest.
She shook her head, knowing honesty was the one thing she couldn't afford. She'd pretended last night was the lovemaking she'd always wanted, but the truth was, she'd held her emotions back. And so, she suspected, had he. Honesty? She wanted, needed, him physically, but she craved more than that. She tried to pull away but he spun her around pulling her hips tightly to his and looking deep into her eyes.
Okay, I'll say it for both of us. Make love with me. Not just sex, Leah, make love with me, please.
She stared in shock at him, his blue eyes dark and full of desire. You once said you didn't love me, she whispered. How can you make love to a woman for whom you'll never feel the emotion?You once said you'd never sleep with me, he reminded her, a hint of a smile in his voice.
Yeah, well, you learn never to pass up a good lay when you can get it. Hurt by his failure to say what she told herself she didn't need to hear, she tried to turn away, but he held her tight.
Is that all this is to you? Honestly? At her cold silence, he stepped away from her, angry.
Hey, it's all it was to you. She pulled up her jeans and stepped around him. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her hard against him, lips crashing down on hers fierce and possessive.
She was taken aback by the kiss. No man had ever kissed her like that, with so much desire and passion. She willingly fed him her longing and he slowly gentled the kiss into something sharing and intimately playful. His hands slipped inside the tops of her pants again as did hers, their bodies sliding along each other.
Make love with me, Leah. The whispered entreaty sent a frisson of need down her spine.
Do you really feel that little for me? Her answer was so quiet he had to strain to hear it. He led her slowly to his bed where he picked her up and placed her on it like a precious gift. He untied her worn Reeboks and tossed them over his shoulder with a grin, earning one from her as well. Then he slowly peeled off her sweat socks, lavishing her bare toes with tickles and kisses. The jeans were quickly stripped off, leaving her in her damp panties, which he eyed with great appreciation.
He moved around her and sat her up, carefully removing the red jersey knit shirt she wore, pleased to find a sexy bra that matched the panties underneath the shirt. He then proceeded to nibble, kiss, tickle and taste everything from her collarbone to her hips, loving the feel of her giggles under his lips and fingers.
When he went to unfasten her bra, however, she stopped him, reaching up instead to unbutton his shirt. Hesitantly at first, then with more confidence she worked the fasteners, pushing the shirt off his shoulders and pushing him over backward at the same time.
Leah slowly crawled on top of him, straddling his waist. She skimmed her fingers under the hem of his undershirt and up his sides, uncertain of herself. She tugged the soft white piece of cotton off him and slid her hands along his strong chest.
His fingers toyed with the raspberry-colored lace that made up the skimpy bra, while hers played over the surface she had uncovered. As her palms rode over his nipples he sucked in a breath and breathed,God, woman! Reaching for the hooks on the garment he popped them free and flung it aside, rolling her under him impatiently.
Involuntarily her hips arched up, straining to reach what his slacks still hid. She clutched at the fabric, tugging, whimpering as it slid between them.
He groaned as he felt himself slip free of the confining material and he rolled them over once more, stripping her panties from her and removing his clothing the rest of the way. As she wriggled backward, trying to seat herself on him, he grasped her bottom and flipped her back under him.
Eager, aren't we? he whispered. He ran his tongue down the side of her neck and grinned as she bucked her hips under him.
Jeth, c'mon, she gasped, digging her fingers into his hips. She spread her legs wide, aching for the thick length of him.
Tell me, Leah. He bit the hollow of her throat and lowered his hips teasingly. Tell me your secret and I'll tell you mine.I can't. She pulled at him, but he held back.
Trust me. He angled his head and took the top of her breast in his mouth, adding to the torture.
Ah, Jeth! Please! I'm... God! She cried out in desperation, then gave in. The words she denied for years were torn from her throat in a harsh whisper. You arrogant, insufferable bastard, I love you.And I love you, you smart-assed little brat, he answered in a gentle voice that caressed her ear erotically. He swept an arm under her backside and pulled her to him hard as he filled her in one smooth, powerful motion. He reveled in their fit, the feel of their bodies as they moved together. Her beautiful aqua eyes drew him into her heart as he willingly lost himself in her and the little panting gasps she made as he stroked in her tight sheath.
She was clasped tightly beneath him feeling gloriously whole and female, those blue eyes completely hers, her body utterly possessed by him. She felt her legs wrap around his waist without conscious thought and she writhed against him as she willed him to ride her harder.
The little mewling sounds of need she made drove him crazy. As she tightened her legs around him, he gripped her shoulders and begged her, Come with me, Leah.
She nodded and whispered, I... I have to... Her hand drifted near her stomach. He moaned and gave a jerky nod as he realized her intention and her hand dove between them rubbing fast and hard. The fingers of her other hand dug into his back as she whined in desperation.
Suddenly she curled into him convulsing and crying his name and he poured himself into her with a strength he didn't think possible, shuddering in rhythm with her tremors as he gasped out,
They lay there for long minutes, wrapped around each other, so inextricably linked that neither knew where one ended and the other began. When his breathing was almost normal he gently rolled them on their sides, careful to remain as tightly entwined with her as possible. The he reached for the blanket and tossed it over their cooling bodies. Before he dozed off he whispered in her ear, I love you, brat, and was certain he heard a mumbled, Love you, too, jerk.