10:38 p.m. Friday, August 15, 1986

"Lee?" She giggled at the attention he was giving her left earlobe.

"Hmmm," came his soft, warm reply against her ear.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Stetson?" Amanda smiled as he continued his assault down her neck. Her eyes struggled unsuccessfully to stay open.

"If you have to ask, Mrs. King, I'm obviously not doing a very good job, now am I?" He moved further down her neck. "I guess I'll just have to try a little harder," he mumbled against her delicate skin.

Chills ran down her spine and she swallowed hard. "I . . . uh, I thought you asked me back to your place for coffee and dessert?"

"This is my dessert." He replied with a chuckle. She could feel and hear him smile against her throat and couldn't help but let out a light laugh of her own.

"Thank you again for tonight, Lee. It was wonderful," she whispered.

He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. "It really was a perfect evening, wasn't it? The wine was perfect." He kissed her lips sweetly. "The dinner was perfect." Another tender kiss. "The way we fit together as we danced . . . was perfect." This time he kissed her more intensely.

The dizzying feeling that surrounded her was quickly taking over all rational thought. But a tightness at the pit of her stomach reminded her that this was not wise. This was not the time to let her guard down. If he knew the truth, he wouldn't want to look at her, let alone touch her so intimately. The voice in her head screamed for her to tell him. But her body . . . her body was shouting to that voice . . . 'oh shut up!' Lee's sinuous lips weren't helping to fight her internal battle. The way they were lightly caressing her skin . . . she bit her bottom lip and grabbed a fistful of his dress shirt to try and gain some self-control.

"Oh, Lee. Please . . . you have to stop," she growled in frustration.

His hands expertly caressed her breasts. His fingertips were now sensuously teasing her through the thin fabric of her blouse. She squeezed her eyes shut to try and block out everything that she was feeling and listen to her inner voice, but it was no use. Her conscience was no match for the great Lee Stetson and his 'magic fingers.'

"You don't sound too convinced, Amanda. Are you sure you want me to stop?" His sultry voice made her toes curl into the carpet as he sucked her earlobe into his mouth once again.

She whimpered involuntarily. 'No more thinking, Amanda.' Finally giving in to what she wanted so badly, she released the breath she was holding, along with the last bit of restraint held in place when it came to her formidable partner.

"No," came a soft, but firm voice that was unmistakably her own, yet she didn't recall forming the word in her mind, let alone verbalizing it. It flowed as naturally from her as did every part of their friendship, partnership, and now their relationship. "Don't stop." She whispered and without thought she continued more forcefully, "I need you, Lee. I don't want to stop."

Lee pulled himself back from his ministrations and gazed at her intently. No doubt, he wanted to be certain she was sure and would have no regrets in the light of day. He must have been content with what he saw, because his next action was to take her hand and guide her toward his bedroom.

She went willingly and when he stopped at the threshold, she preceded him into the room. With her back to the door, she stared out the bedroom window to the bustling city below. She heard the click of the door latching and then almost immediately felt his warm lips on the back of her neck and his searching hands as they wrapped around her waist. She closed her eyes as goosebumps formed on her skin and allowed the feelings to wash over her. No more thinking for the night.

SMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMK

3:08 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 1986

Lee reached out for her in his sleep only to find a cold empty space where she should have been. He sat up, looking around for her but found the room eerily quiet and empty. Eyeing the darkened bathroom, he stood quickly not even bothering to slip on a robe. His heart beat faster as he reached the bedroom door. Where had she gone? Certainly, she hadn't gone home? Or had she?

His heart rate slowed immediately when he saw her slim form standing across the room, blanket-clad, staring out his living room window. Her long trim legs were candy to his eyes and he felt his body naturally respond. He slipped up behind her and relished the way her body fit to his.

She startled but kept her eyes on the horizon in front of her. A small smile graced her face as he moved in front of her. He gently tugged the blanket from her shoulders and watched as it slowly cascaded down her naked form. The moonlight cast a beautiful shadow across her face and allowed him to see the wondrous plains of her firm body.

Lee leisurely slid down her body, his fingers grazing over her flesh as he did until he was in front of her on his knees looking up at her sparkling eyes. "Hello," he whispered with a cheeky grin.

She mouthed 'hi' to him and then giggled as he expertly ran his hands up her bare legs to her hips and slowly back down again. Goosebumps followed in his wake.

Lee pulled her toward him and tenderly slid his tongue into her.

She gulped in air and grabbed fistfuls of his hair as he sensually explored her with his tongue. "Oh, Lee!" She squeezed her eyes shut and seconds later he felt her knees buckle. He helped ease her down to the floor with him before covering her with his body. He was more than happy to make love to her again.