Thanks for the great reviews. The next chapter or so will be a transition chapter. So please bear with me. I need to establish a timeline and I can't rush the sequence of events. I promise to get to the good stuff soon. Thanks for sticking with the story.

Chapter 20

Nick closed his eyes and laid his head back against the couch in the break room. He had 1 more hour left of what seemed like an endless shift. He had spent the entire night processing video evidence for a case Archie was working on. He hadn't seen Sara at all and he was feeling a little dejected.

Things had been left unresolved between them and he was still trying to get his over-stimulated libido back under control. In other words, he was still extremely horny. He thought back to what had almost happened between them. Fate had definitely not been on his side.

Nick couldn't erase the image of Sara, with her come and get me grin, as she stood underneath the shower spray. It kept playing over and over in his mind. Needless to say, he had been very distracted all night long. The only thought in Nick's head at the moment was going home with Sara and hopefully finishing what they started.

Hearing his name huskily whispered Nick's eyes flew open to find Sara standing a few feet away, watching him intently with a sexy smirk on her face. She raised an eyebrow at him as she strolled toward him. "Hey," she said as she stopped in front of him. Nick smiled up at her and replied, "Hey Darlin long night?"

"Extremely and you?' she asked as she straddled her legs over his and sat in his lap facing him. He smiled at her bold action and nodded his head. She brought her hand up to caress his cheek. Their eyes locked hotly. "Miss me?" she whispered. "Unbelievably," he answered. "Good," she smiled. She leaned in closer to him, letting her warm breath caress his face. Their lips were mere inches apart when she whispered, "I missed you too."

A sexy grin crossed his handsome face as he closed the distance between them. He captured her lips in a soft, tender kiss. He slowly slid his hand up her thigh only to have her fingers clamp down on his wrist to halt his sensual journey. Sara pulled away slowly, her chocolate brown eyes dancing with desire. "No wandering hands Nick. I'm already at my breaking point." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and said, "So you're as horny as I am then?"

Sara's face flushed pink and she laughed softly, "I haven't been able to concentrate all night. Every time I close my eyes all I can see is you in your boxer briefs." Nick leaned in close and whispered hotly in her ear, "And all I can see is you naked and wet." His tongue darted out of his mouth to taste the backside of her earlobe. A burst of white hot heat shot through Sara's body at his intimate touch.

Nick growled softly as she ran her hands down his chest. She stopped when she reached the button of his jeans. She met his eyes and knew he was feeling as hot and bothered as she was. He groaned her name before capturing her lips with a hungry kiss.

The sound of someone clearing his throat brought them crashing back to reality. Brass stood there with a grin on his face. "I hate to break up the love connection you two have going yet again." He paused with a smirk knowing he had done the same thing earlier at the hotel based on Nick's disgruntled appearance when he had answered the door. "But I have some disappointing news," Brass continued. Sara slid off Nick's lap and they both looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"The sheriff decided he didn't want to put the two of you up for the night again." "I knew it wouldn't last," Nick muttered. "I need to go home anyway," Sara replied. "I'll need to stop by my place to get some clothes," Nick said as Sara smiled knowingly at him.

"Not so fast Nick, the sheriff wants you back at your house. Alone." Brass stated. "What?" Nick and Sara said in unison. "He wants each of you at your own residences. You'll both be under police surveillance at all times." Brass answered. "No way Jim! I don't want Sara alone. It's too dangerous." Nick said furiously.

"I understand Nick, but the sheriff wants to see if we can flush this guy out. He may try something at either one of your places if he knows you back. Don't worry we'll have double the protection at Sara's. I understand your apprehension Nick but we need to make a move. We can't wait around for this guy to kill again." Brass finished.

Nick stood up and began to pace. He didn't like it one bit. The situation was too risky and Sara could easily get hurt or worse killed. He glanced over at Sara realizing she had yet to say a word. She was staring into space with an annoyed expression on her face. He raised a curious eyebrow in her direction. She turned and looked at Brass. "How long does he want us to do this?" she asked quietly. "A few days at the least," he answered. The scowl on Sara's face deepened. "Listen I'll give you guys a few minutes to talk about it. I'll be back to take you both home." With that said Brass headed out the door.

Sara stood up and growled, "A few days!" Nick looked at her in confusion until he suddenly realized what she was so upset about. They were not going to be able to see each other outside of work. That meant no alone time and definitely no finishing what they started anytime soon. He groaned silently.

Nick met Sara's livid eyes and had to grin. "This is so not funny Nick!" Sara fumed. "I know Sar but realizing you want me that bad makes it a little more bearable." he said with a sexy smirk. "Nick Stokes you have to be the most conceited man I know." Sara growled. "And you have the major hots for me," he teased. "How do you know I was upset about that? I could be upset for having to be under constant police surveillance." Sara said tersely. "Oh no Darlin, you want me and you're pissed because you can't have me. You have to wait and you hate waiting. Poor, impatient Sara" Nick replied with a knowing grin.

Sara glared at him for a moment before walking towards him slowly. A small dangerous smile began to dance across her lips. Nick swallowed nervously. He had pushed her too far. "Nick," she murmured ardently. His eyes widened slightly when she slid her hot hands up his chest, glided them slowly up his neck and onto his cheeks. She stroked her fingertips softly across his lips as she heatedly whispered. "You're just so damn sexy baby." She weaved her fingers through his soft, brown hair. His dark eyes watched as desire filled her chocolate brown ones and her tongue darted out of her mouth to moisten her sexy pouty lips. "You're all I can think about," she breathed letting her hot breath caress his neck. "I want to touch you, kiss you, lick you...Everywhere Nick!" she growled passionately.

Sara felt Nick's body tremble at her words. She pulled his face down to hers and captured his mouth in a scorching kiss. She seductively slid her body against his, rubbing her breasts up and down his chest. She felt him groan against her mouth. Her hands left his hair to trail leisurely down his muscular back. She felt his hands tighten their hold on her waist as her mouth and body continued to seduce his.

Sara's hands finally reached their destination and settled possessively on his extremely fine ass. Without warning one of her hands snaked around to his front side and cupped him firmly through his jeans. Nick's whole body jerked in response as he tore his mouth away from hers gasping for air. "Jesus Sara," he moaned as he felt her hand begin to stroke him. "Do you want me?" she whispered. "Hell yeah!" he growled. "How bad Nick? To the point where you could explode?" she hissed as she squeezed him lovingly in her hot hand. Nick's eyes slammed closed and grabbed her wrist to stop her from finishing what she had set out to do. She had almost succeeded.

"Nick," she said softly. His eyes opened slowly as he tried to get his over stimulated body back under control. His eyes gradually focused on her serious face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let it go so far. I just got caught up in passion and the heat. You do that to me." she said solemnly. "No Darlin I shouldn't have teased you about being impatient. I feel the same way you do." He said before kissing her tenderly on the lips.

Sara looked at him with worried eyes and said, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I like having you near me when I sleep." He smiled at her and said, "Call me. At least then you can hear my voice." "Are you sure?" she asked.

Nick nodded his head and gave her a smirk. "You know I've heard phone sex is not so bad. I can just imagine how sexy and husky your voice would sound as you gave me a play by play of what you were doing to yourself." He said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Sara face flamed red as she punched him in the arm. "Nick Stokes you are absolutely incorrigible." "I am aren't I?" he said laughing. He pulled her into a hug and whispered, "It's only because I think you're the most breathtaking woman I've ever met and I can't wait to make endless love to you." She laughed as she hugged him tighter.

Just then Brass walked in and sighed. "After this is over you two need to take a long vacation to get all this hugging and kissing stuff out of your systems." Brass said with a grin. "Sorry," Sara said sheepishly. "I can't help myself Jim. She's irresistible." Nick grinned. Sara elbowed him in the stomach as her face flushed with embarrassment. "Ow Darlin. I was only telling the truth." Nick grumbled rubbing his stomach.

"Come you two love birds lets go." Brass said heading toward the door. Sara glared at Nick for a moment before following Brass out the door. "Come on Darlin. You can't be mad at me for saying that." Nick cried as he headed out after her.

The car ride to Sara's was surprisingly quiet. As they pulled into the parking lot Nick told Brass he was going to walk Sara to her door. "I figured as much. Just don't get too carried away with the smooching." Brass said with a smirk on his face. Sara mumbled a quick thanks as she scurried out of the car, embarrassment coloring her face. "I'll try and control myself." Nick said with a grin.

They walked hand and hand up to her apartment. They stopped outside her door and looked at each other. "You want to come in and check it out yourself?" Sara said with a knowing smile. Nick chuckled and nodded his head. "It would make me feel better." He said with a slight grin.

"It would make me feel better too Nick," she responded seriously. He smiled at her and brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it gently. Sara unlocked the door. They headed inside searching each room together. Finally satisfied that everything was safe, Nick walked with Sara to the front door. He pulled her into a loving hug.

Nick's hands caressed her back gently, as he whispered, "Please call me if you need anything Sara. I mean it." She leaned back and searched his eyes finding sincerity and love clearly etched there. Her eyes filled with tears. "Darlin what is it?" he worriedly asked. "Nick I....," she couldn't say what her heart deeply wanted her too, so instead she said, "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you too." He brought his lips down to tenderly meet hers.

Nick pulled away reluctantly and said, "I'd better go or I'll never hear the end of it from Brass." She smiled at him as she wiped at her eyes. He reached out to softly caress her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand letting his gentle loving touch fill her. She opened her eyes and met his dark ones. At that moment his eyes seemed to speak volumes. She could feel his love surrounding her, caressing her, warming her and she let it consume her.

Nick watched as acceptance filled Sara's face. Her face slowly lit up into a beautiful smile. Then with the softest of whispers he heard two amazing words. "Me too." Nick felt his heart expand in his chest. It wasn't a full declaration of love but it was enough for him. He smiled at her happily and whispered, "Me too." back.

Sara grasped his face in her hands and kissed him thoroughly on the lips. Pulling away slightly, she whispered, "Go." Nick stepped away from her and said, "I'll see you tonight. Promise me you'll call." She nodded her head and answered, "I promise." He turned and opened the door turning to look at her one last time. "Be safe," he said and then he was gone.

Sara went to the door, turned the lock and slid the deadbolt into place. Just then the door handle shook. She heard Nick's voice on the other side as he yelled, "Good girl, I was just checking." She laughed at his over protectiveness. But her laughter quickly turned to sadness. Nick was gone and she was all alone to face the nightmares. She silently prayed that they would not come but she knew they were waiting, waiting to show her how helpless and powerless she really was. She shuttered knowing Nick was not going to be there to save her.

TBC