I'm rating this chapter "T," just to be safe :)
Lee arrived at Amanda's house for their first "official" date with a bouquet of flowers and a ridiculous case of nerves. The man who had successfully outmaneuvered East Germans, Soviets, and bioweapons… was a nervous wreck.
Even his typical Saturday night prep had taken longer than usual. The right amount of aftershave was crucial-not overpowering, or suggestive, but just enough. He had tried on numerous looks before arriving at a good combination—a light blue oxford, and slacks with a blue sports jacket—a look Amanda had complimented in the past.
He must get this right.
Amanda was managing her own case of butterflies. She had imagined so many times what their first real date might be like—but she never envisioned it occurring after the events of the past few months. She had selected her dress with great care; Lee had always seemed to take special notice when her shoulders were bare, so she had selected a new sundress she had been saving for a special occasion. She checked her reflection half a dozen times in the mirror, and then saw Lee's Corvette pull up to the house. The anticipation was killing her.
Lee made his way to the back door, as he had so many times before. But this time was quite different. Before he could tap on the window, the back door flew open. And there was his Amanda… with those shining brown eyes and the smile that captured him with the promise to never let go. He swore then and there he would never, ever jeopardize losing that glorious smile again.
For a moment they just stood there. Beaming at one another. Amanda finally spoke: "Hi there!" And for a second, Lee couldn't speak. He was so relieved to hear that familiar, raspy lilt in her voice that he was momentarily immobilized. Finally, Lee responded, dimples at full effect, "Hello. These are for you," as he handed the flowers to her. Amanda grinned and responded, "Oh thank you! They are beautiful." Taking the flowers, she placed them in a vase at the center of the kitchen island. She quickly made her way back to Lee on the porch.
Despite his thrill in Amanda's delight in seeing him… Lee's nerves remained.
To his relief, Amanda seemed a bit nervous too because she, God bless her, immediately began to ramble. Before he could even process what she was saying, he grinned as the words came tumbling out of her, just as they used to-"Well, Mother and the boys have gone to the movies, but Philip has a game in the morning, and I wasn't sure how late we would be out-not that we need to stay out late - I mean I'm ok with staying out late and all-but we certainly don't need to hurry home either-I'm not implying that you would be hurrying me—or that we would be going home together…"
Lee gently took her by the hands and said, "Amanda. I'm a bit nervous as well."
"You are? I'm so glad… I thought it was just me. For some reason seeing you pull up outside, well you've made such an effort to 'court' me properly, and I don't want to disappoint…"
He decided the time for discussion was over. "Maybe this will help calm our nerves." Lee moved quickly towards her; he gently cradled Amanda's face in his hands, and they finally enjoyed the kiss that had eluded them for so long.
While their kisses at the San Angelo marriage ceremony hinted at the sexual chemistry simmering between them—this kiss was the genuine article. No faux wedding, no cover, no assignment. As Lee felt the touch of her soft, welcoming lips, they merged together as naturally as they had long suspected they would.
Following the kiss, Lee held Amanda in the warmest of embraces. He whispered into her ear, "Instead of wondering all evening whether the night would end with a kiss, I thought we should settle that issue now." With every word that he spoke, Amanda's skin felt a tingling sensation she barely recognized. As he continued speaking, he placed small kisses down her neck. "Maybe this" he said as he kissed her neck "will help us" as he kissed her shoulder "relax."
"Oh my gosh well… um" as a blush crept its way up Amanda's neck and cheeks, she replied, "I must say the kisses are having an effect, but I'm not sure 'relaxation' is how I would describe it…"
Flirty Amanda was his favorite Amanda—and before her words were fully formed, Lee had already returned to kissing her again full on the lips. This time, there was no timidity—but joy with a powerful mixture of heat. As their lips and tongues teased one another—their hands began moving places previously unexplored.
Lee gradually walked her backwards and leaned her against the wall of the house, and as their kisses grew more possessive and passionate—he felt himself growing increasingly aroused. He knew he had to pace himself-but his body had longed for this closeness to Amanda for so long, and he was done pretending otherwise.
Amanda was thrilled by his assertiveness. No more game playing or coyness—she felt him claiming her as his own with each move, and this led her to be bold as well. As he pressed her against the wall with his body, she brushed her hands around his backside and pulled her to him. The feel of his obvious arousal delighted her—he did indeed want her, and only her.
He whispered, "So, do you see what you do to me?"
She chuckled, "Well… I can definitely feel what I do to you."
"Oh Amanda… you have no idea. These past weeks I promised myself if I ever had another chance to hold you, that I would seize every moment."
"Seize away, big fella, seize away," she grinned. He moved in for another kiss, and Amanda responded by stroking her hands through his hair and trailing kisses down his neck. She felt him shiver at her touch and teased, "You like that, do ya?"
"Oh, I do. Hopefully, you'll like this half as much." He kissed her gingerly with open-mouth kisses, and the hands Amanda had fantasized about touching her did just that—his fingers slowly glided down her bare neck—grazing across the thin material that covered her breasts and lingering for just a moment. Amanda shuddered at the sensation, and Lee delighted in her response.
Eventually they breathlessly separated, coming up for air. Both laughed at how quickly things were progressing, and Amanda finally said: "I suppose we should go to dinner, or the neighbors might get more than an eyeful." Lee smiled and said, "You are absolutely right. I promised you a night on the town, and I will not disappoint."
With a brief kiss on the lips, Lee gently took her hand, entwining her fingers in his, and started toward the car. But Amanda stopped him—looking directly in his eyes, and said, "Lee, you told me that if you took me on a 'real' date, I would have no complaints." She kissed him ever so gently and whispered, "You were right." Lee's eyes began to grow misty. The joy of this moment, so long awaited, exceeded anything he could have imagined.
Lee slid his arms around Amanda and dipped her in dramatic fashion, prompting her to gleefully gasp. As he lowered himself to kiss her, he remarked, "Oh, I'm just getting started Mrs. King. I'm just getting started."
The End
