Disclaimer: I am not the mega-millionaire owner of these characters, unfortunately.

Author's Note: Okay, here we go. I always get nervous at this point. Sigh.

CHAPTER 17

Lindsay Monroe

The evening is balmy. Despite the fact that the sun set hours ago, the night air is a warm caress on my bare shoulders. On the steps to my apartment building, Danny gently runs his hands up my arms, sending thrills of sensation down my spine.

"Til next time, Montana?"

"You betcha, city boy," I say, stepping into his embrace. He chuckles at my massacre of his Stanton Island accent.

"Hey, stick to whatcha know best."

I grin slyly. "I think I'll do that …" Standing on tiptoe, I capture his lips, literally devouring them with my own. He groans, molding me to his body. I move to his ear, nibbling gently. "Well, unless we want to attract a crowd, we either stop or move inside," I whisper seductively.

To my surprise, he pulls away, dropping one last kiss on my lips. "I'd better get home. It's late and we both have to work in the morning'." His eyes are smoky dark with desire, and I know he doesn't want to leave. I also know Danny is fighting a battle with himself these days – he wants to do everything right, in his own time.

It's tempting to push the issue, to make him understand that I'm not some 16-year-old girl that needs protecting. I know the risks, and in my heart I know I made the right decision. I do not fear this man - I love him, and I know he loves me. Maybe eventually I'll give him a little nudge, let him know such caution is unnecessary, but not tonight. Danny needs to work through this himself.

I bury my head in his chest and inhale that wonderful Messer smell – sweat, soap and an underlying woodsy scent that oddly reminds me of home. He wraps his arms around me, nose in my hair. I grin – that shampoo's $26 bucks a bottle, but I buy it because I know he loves it. Ginger root and cherry bark. Who knew?

"I love you, Lindsay."

Ah, the sound of my given name coming from his lips. It warms me, my answer a sigh: "I love you, too, Danny."

He walks me to my door and leaves me with one more kiss before saying good-bye. Later, snuggled under my covers, I'm feeling hungry for Danny, for him to fill that space in my bed once again. At the same time, I'm touched by his intense need to make things right.

As for my sexual self? There's always those naughty dreams – Yum!

Danny Messer

Montana and I have been datin' again for about three months. I hafta say, it's goin' well. She's givin' us everything she has, and I'm givin' it back. Well, maybe not everything. I guess I'm punishing myself, holding back the physical. There's no denyin' that my body wants Lindsay, but when are together again I want the primary motivator to be love, not lust.

It's what she deserves. I love her, but when she kisses me – groaning into my mouth like she does - lust takes over and I just want to take her where we stand. Lust pushes everything outta my head. When love holds true, makes its stake in my brain and won't shake loose, I'll know it's time.

Tonight we're going to a concert – I'm surprising Montana with Nickelback tickets. Not only does their song Far Away have special meaning, but it's the one band we agree on. Her love of country doesn't generally meld with my love of hard rock.

I knock on her door, smoothing the soft gray Henley I'm wearing – Lindsay loves those. Who says men don't dress to impress? Anything to make those eyes of hers flicker …

She opens the door, smiling warmly and reaching for a hug. I inhale deeply, reveling in her. "You look beautiful." And she does, wearing dark jeans that show off her badonkadonk and a tight black v-neck with long sleeves. "I hope this is okay … you haven't told me where we are going."

I smile triumphantly, brandishing the tickets – fourth row. She squeals – who ever thought I'd like to hear a woman squeal anywhere but the bedroom? We head out, stopping first for some fast food before heading to the concert. I grin as I watch her wolf down a Whopper. Gotta love a chick who's not afraid to eat.

We enjoy the night – it's a great show, and when she's not jumpin' up and down cheering, she's close to my side. During that song – hell, you know the one – she pulls my head down, kissing me deeply. The lust monster flares. Damn. Then another urge – I cup her face, staring intensely – "I love you, Montana, you're my world." And she is.

I take her home and pop in to use the john – who likes going to the bathroom at concerts? I come out and prepare to leave, but Montana has other ideas. She wraps her arms around me and things get heated pretty quickly. Finally untangling myself, I say: "I guess I'd better go."

Lindsay walks up, looking me dead in the eyes. "What if I don't want you to?" Her deep brown eyes smolder, and I struggle to hold on to sanity.

"I don't want to rush it, ya know? You deserve better," I fumble.

She sighs. "Danny, do you love me?"

"You know I do."

"Then show me." She takes my hand, walking backward to the bedroom. How can I deny this woman? Still, I hold fast to my resolve to make love – not have wild monkey sex. I want to do as she asks – show her I love her.

In her room, she immediately pulls off my shirt, hands skimming over my chest, and she sighs deeply. Steady Messer. I hold her, gently touching her face, her arms, her back – all tenderness.

"Danny …"

"Mmmmm?"

"Touch me – really touch me."

Desire flares in me. "I don't wanna hurt you."

"I'm not going to break."

She's right – I'm the one who shatters.

Lindsay

I feel the change in him. He groans – almost an animalistic sound – and pulls me hard against his body, kissing me deeply, wiping all rational thought from my brain. "God, Danny …"

My words seem to inflame him more. His hands push my shirt up and off before I have a chance to think, his lips blazing a trail down my neck, over my body. From there it's a haze of love and passion, my response as fiery as his. My nails rake down his back – it feels like I'm rediscovering him, inside and out.

"Lindsay. I love you. Lindsay …"

His words are sensual music, the notes his fingers carrying me toward an inevitable destination. I love him, and for the first time, I know in my heart we are meant to be, and nothing can tear us apart again.

We come together on the bed, a tangle of heated limbs. Time is relative as we kiss, touch and love. When we reach our pinnacle together, I rejoice in my name on his lips.

"My Lindsay …"

My Danny. Forever and always.

TBC