Chapter Twelve

Jordan watched Woody's cab drive away from her apartment. As much as she had wanted to see him off at the airport, they both knew it would not have been safe. So he had said his good byes last night and this morning…catching an early morning cab afterwards and heading toward the terminal to catch a plane back to Boston.

He had stayed two weeks with them in Seattle, during which he had bonded with Abby on such a level that Jordan wondered why she ever wondered if he would accept the baby and be a good father. He was totally besotted with his daughter…buying Abby more toys and clothes before he left….checking into college funds….feeding her…changing her.

Woody had likewise taken care of Jordan. He made her rest so she could get over the flu. Then he snooped around the apartment to see if there was anything she was lacking and needed. For a woman who had always taken great pride in being self sufficient, Jordan was amazed at how comfortable it felt letting Woody take the lead sometimes. He had fixed the ice maker in the freezer, replaced the do-hickey in the bathroom that kept leaking, and bought Jordan a new winter coat because "the other one seemed too light-weight for Seattle winters, and I can't stand the thought of you being cold."

As the days had slipped by and Jordan regained her health, she also began to dread the time he would leave. Two weeks worth of Woody was not enough. He was due to fly out on Sunday. Friday afternoon, she approached him after she had gotten off work. "How soon do you think it will be before I can come home?" she asked.

"Homesick?" he asked.

"Yeah…something like that. I have been since the minute I had to leave for Rhode Island."

He had hugged her to him tightly. "Soon. I promise very soon. Walcott is working on this one like a possessed woman. The FBI is cooperating….and I'm back on the case. Just…hang in there for a couple more months…and soon you'll be eating New England Clam Chowder in Beantown again."

She had nodded and agreed. But even that seemed too long to be without him.

He had hugged her…kissed her passionately, but they had no time together since he had come to Seattle. Jordan had been sick…Cal had been there…Abby didn't sleep through the night…Woody had been sleeping in the baby's bedroom to take care of her so that he wouldn't wake Jordan.

But things were different now. Cal was gone. Abby was sleeping all night long now, thanks to the bottle. They could have some uninterrupted time. Quietly, Jordan slipped into her bedroom and changed into a black negligee she had secretly purchased one day on her lunch hour. She could hear Woody getting ready for bed. He paused in the hall to tell her good night.

"Could you come here just a minute?" she asked, almost timidly.

"Sure…what's wrong?" he replied, not suspecting what lay behind her closed door. He lost his breath when he pushed it open and entered the room. "Jordan?" he asked, not completely sure of himself…or her.

"I've missed you, Woody. And I'm going to miss you even more when you leave on Sunday. I….I…I'd like some time with you tonight….please?"

She didn't have to ask twice…although her shy stammer made him flash back to the night at his apartment they spent together before she had to leave for Rhode Island…the night that Abigail was conceived.

That thought stopped him. He wasn't prepared…and it was far too early in Abby's life or their relationship for them to think about another life entering the picture. "Jordan…as much as I want to….I don't have….anything…"

She strolled over to him with what she hoped was her best seductive walk. When she reached him, she slowly began to unbutton his shirt, and leaned up to take his earlobe between her teeth for just a second before she whispered, "Got that covered, boss."

Woody felt a warmth rush over him…starting at his chest and radiating southward. "You're sure?"

"Yeah. I want you, detective," she said, her voice husky. "Please?"

Woody slid a slow trail of kisses down her neck, and felt her neck tilt to allow him better access. "Since you said please…" The kisses continued along her collarbone until he got to the sleeve of her peignoir. He smoothly pushed that off her arm and continued to kiss her shoulder, and then traced her collarbone with kisses back to the other arm, where he repeated the process, finally working his way overto her lips, catching them in a kiss.

A kiss that was quickly spinning out of control. Jordan felt her head lean back and her mouth open under the pressure of his. As his tongue began to gently duel with hers, his fingers found their way up and around her neck to undo the tie at the base of her head that held her nightgown up, releasing it from her body.

At that point, Jordan was thankful Woody was a strong man…strong enough to hold her weight, because her knees were turning weak…he kissed his way back down her neck, to the tops of her breasts. Then hearing her moan and feeling her lean against him, he picked her up and carried her to bed.

Which proved to be an exercise in endurance for her. He quickly slid her nightgown the rest of the way off, shrugged out of his own shirt, and began to kiss her again…all the time letting his hands rediscover her. "Sweet Jesus…." She heard him groan against her lips. "I've missed you…being with you like this…."

He was demanding of her….but he gave generously, too. She found it easy to get caught up in his kisses, forget everything but his caresses, until the time came. He reached under the pillow to get the condom and she stopped him. Tenderly, he pushed the curls out of her eyes. "What is it, Jordan…do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head no, but ran a finger lightly down his cheek. "It's just that this…this is the first time since…Abby was born….that I….and …"

He smiled down at her. "Sh…it's okay…we'll go slow…" he said before he gently eased himself inside her…feeling a brief resistance and hearing her catch her breath and tense just a minute. Then he felt her relax and heard her soft sigh. "Good to go?" he asked, brushing her lips with his. She nodded and arched against him, all the while shifting to hold him closer. He kissed her then and they both began to move…until the tension built and he felt her clinch around him and felt her shudder…and he followed closely behind her.

When it was over, he held her tightly, her head on his chest…snuggled together under the blankets. "How am I supposed to return to Boston after that?" he quietly asked, tilting her head up so she could look him in the eyes

"That was to give you incentive to go back and solve this Albanian mafia thing quickly."

"Was that all it was…incentive? Although, God knows….it does make me want to close the case soon."

"No. It wasn't just incentive. I have missed you….I will miss you. We were just beginning to be able to function as a couple and then all this mess with Albie started…"

"And we'll be together again soon. All the time. Back in Boston. You. Me. Abby."

Jordan ran her hand down his chest, stopping right below his navel to rub lazy circles. "I sure hope so."

Woody smiled and rolled her over onto her back, and placed a pillow under her hips. "It will happen. Don't worry. Let's just make the most of tonight…and then tomorrow night, okay?"

Jordan couldn't reply…his lips were on hers and he was intent on demanding even more of her.

Not that she minded. No. She didn't mind much at all.