Chapter Sixteen

As Leah awoke, awareness slowly filtered in. A comforting warmth enveloped her and a small sigh slid from her lips. Her eyes flickered open and although the room didn't register immediately, a strong sense of peace and satisfaction did.

She started to arch her back, but her body protested slightly as a dull ache shot through it. It was a very familiar sensation though one she hadn't experienced in some time. A year, to be exact. It was the way her body reacted after hours of intense lovemaking.

Only one man had ever left her body feeling that way. Only one man had ever made her want more, hour after incredible hour. Dean.

What the hell had she gone and done? No, why even ask herself that question when it was more than obvious. She'd folded, crumbled actually, with no pressure at all from Dean this time. Seeking him out, having sex on the couch, then allowing him into her bed where she'd kept him up all night demanding more. That was all her doing.

She wondered what he would make of it. Dean had played things out so casually right from the start. Bold remarks and brazen touches, as if nothing had changed between them. As if sex for the two of them was no big deal. So what would he make of the night they'd shared? Would her willingness to be with him despite all her harsh words leave him assuming this was just some moment of weakness on her part, or would he know it ran deeper? And then the question was, would he want it to be something more or would he prefer it remained a casual affair?

Leah grimaced at the thought. It was impossible to keep her love for Dean out of it. As much as she'd like to be able to fall into bed with him and just walk away afterwards, it wasn't that simple. He still owned her heart. A heart she'd thought had been shattered in so many pieces when he left. But no, there it was. Still intact and still beating just for him.

She'd tried to keep up an attitude, push him away with sarcasm, but any good it had done was completely nullified by her recent actions. She could hardly expect Dean to believe she was over him now. As it was, it was a miracle she hadn't uttered those ridiculous declarations of love that had been floating around in her head the entire night. That was one disaster she'd avoided at least.

Now how to handle this? A quick exit would be the best route but she'd promised Amy she would stay and visit. Besides, running from Dean wasn't going to solve the problem. Physically she could leave him far behind, but he was always going to be in her heart. So with leaving out of the question, what options were left? Tell him the truth? Open up and let Dean know she'd never stopped loving him? And then what? Could she deal with the humiliation of hearing him say how sad that was for her, and that even though he still found her attractive and liked the sex, he had long since abandoned any stronger feelings?

No, neither of those were viable. She supposed if Dean were going to tell her it was simply the thrill of great sex, she could do the same. Couldn't she? Of course, she could. She would play this off as purely casual. A night of hot sex to satisfy a hunger that had been building up in her from a lack of companionship. Dean could understand that. After all, despite the fact he only needed to bat those incredibly long lashes in a girl's direction and she'd sprint to his bed like a damned marathon runner, it didn't mean he'd been having nonstop sex all these months. If he'd gone any time at all without it, he'd understand her needs.

Yes, that would work. So it was settled. She would tap into her high school acting skills and try to give a convincing performance. All she had to do was tell Dean there was nothing to the night they'd shared. How hard could that be?

No sooner had that question popped into her head, when she felt Dean move behind her. His hand, splayed across her belly, pulled her closer as they spooned. With his chest pressed firmly up against her back now, his hips shifted and Leah could feel his cock hardening from the contact. Her own body responded, a dampness growing between her legs at not only his touch, but the thought of what could follow if she allowed it.

Time to get up. Leah started to ease forward but Dean's fingers clenched, digging lightly into her skin to keep her still. He leaned over, his breath caressing her ear just before the softness of his lips touched it. Her body tensed up, both anxious for, and wanting to get away from his touch.

This wasn't supposed to happen! She was supposed to slip out of bed unnoticed. That way she could grab a cup of coffee and prepare herself for the role she was about to take on - casual lover.

If he were the type to think it possible, Dean would have sworn he woke up with a smile on his face. Of course that was all bullshit girlie sentiment, but he found it amusing that it was the first thought to hit him. He breathed in deeply, the subtle scent of Leah greeting him and then he did smile. A smile that was pure satisfaction. The fact that she'd seduced him and then they'd spent the entire night together had him feeling confident about where things were headed for the two of them.

The previous night flashed through his mind and his cock thickened. What was it about this woman that could get him hard just thinking about her and what he'd done, or would like to do, to her? Hell, they'd just spent hours doing the most incredible things to each other's bodies. Even when he thought there was no way possible he'd be able to get it up again, he had. Now here he was, his body sore and worn out, yet he was ready for more.

Dean was pretty sure she was still asleep so he decided to try and pull her closer and wake her up the best way he knew. He pulled her back toward him, pressing his body into hers. The hot smoothness of her bottom coming into contact with his already alert cock had him growing against her.

He felt Leah ease forward but he wasn't about to let go. Gripping her stomach, he pulled her closer, leaning over to press a kiss on the edge of her ear. Her body, only moments before soft and pliable, grew tight and rigid. Dean stopped, unsure of why she'd fight him at this point.

"Leah?" No answer so he nipped at her earlobe. "Baby, are you awake?"

"Yes." Her voice was soft, barely a whisper.

"Morning." His tongue dipped into her ear before running along her jaw line. She trembled but again tried to pull away.

Confused by her reaction, Dean decided it was best to let her up. He fell back onto the bed, resting on his elbows, and watched as Leah immediately hopped up and grabbed a shirt from a nearby chair to try and cover herself. To his tremendous pleasure, her efforts failed. One breast and most of the small triangle of hair between her legs was still exposed. Dean found her sudden shyness cute, and the innocent gesture managed to get him fully erect.

"Dean, last night was amazing. I mean, we were always great in bed. I guess I just missed that, you know? It's been a long time for me. For sex." She watched him, hoping her rambling was making sense, but she wasn't sure if understood what she was trying to tell him. "And being around you has stirred up a lot of...desires in me. But we've done this a few times now and it can't happen again."

Grinning devilishly, he whipped the sheet off him, allowing Leah to view his cock as it stood proudly between his legs. "Sweetheart, does this look like it can't happen again?"

Leah's brown eyes grew large at the deliciously sexy sight before her. There was nothing on earth comparable to Dean's naked body stretched out on a bed, hard in ALL the right places. However, as much as she wanted to climb back in bed and sheath that mighty sword of his, she knew she had to do something to gain control of the situation. The truth was that no matter what she tried to tell herself, her resolve was rapidly melting away.

Swallowing hard, Leah shook her head and backed away from the bed. "Did you hear what I said?"

Dean sat up and nodded. "Sure I heard you." She was going try to avoid him, or worse, turn this into a fight. He was certain of that. So he'd just have to keep talking and moving until she had no choice but to give in to him.

Scooping up a pair of pants from the floor, Leah continued to back away as Dean stood up and made his way around the bed, putting himself between her and the door. She glanced past him, forlornly eyeing the only exit. "Okay, good. Well, I need to shower and..."

He continued to advance. "Shower's good. We can do it together and save water."

Leah shook her head. "You know, I don't think I have time for a shower after all. I'm just going to get dressed and then I have to borrow Amy's car and take care of a few things, so..."

"So whatever you have to do, I'll take you." Stepping close, Dean tugged at the clothes in Leah's hands. "Later."

Leah resisted. "No. Later doesn't work for me, Dean. Really." She tried to hold onto her clothes, but one hard pull and they fell from her hands. She glanced down at the pile at her feet, then back up, taking in Dean's tall, aroused form as she did. "It doesn't work for me."

Dean's hands locked onto her waist and he drew her body up along his, rubbing his massive cock against her belly. "Leah, believe me, it's working for you." he said, just before his mouth took hers.

Leah was helpless. She gave herself over to the kiss. Every slide of their tongues made her hotter as his oh-so-talented mouth worked it's magic. She didn't realize he'd maneuvered them over to the bed until she felt the back of her knees bump up against its edge.

Reality snuck in and she pushed against his shoulders. "Dean stop! Look, the truth is, I needed you. I needed..." How did she say this? She hated lying to him, especially about their lovemaking.

"What? What did you need, Leah?" His lips swept along her throat as he tried to distract her. As much as he hated the idea, he knew sooner or later they'd have to talk, but he damn sure preferred later. Hell, never would be even better. Perfect scenario, they pick up where they left off and not waste time worrying about the past.

With a sudden burst, Leah gushed through her lies." I needed sex, okay? I'm sure you've been there before. Needing release. Last night was just sex, Dean. Meaningless sex. It was nothing special for either one of us so let's not make a big deal out of it. It happened and we both got what we wanted and now it's over."

Lifting his head, Dean stared down at her, anger rising quickly within him. Meaningless? Had she really said that? "What the hell does that mean?"

The level of his voice hadn't risen, but instead took on a deeper tone and Leah realized how strongly her words had affected him. She hadn't anticipated that at all. In fact, she thought he'd be relieved to know nothing was expected of him.

"I don't want you to worry, that's all. I don't think our sleeping together means we're back together, okay? No ties. No commitment. We both know you don't want that."

Dean walked away from her and shoved a hand through his hair. This wasn't like her. Leah didn't have meaningless sex. Had she changed that much in the past year or was she just slinging words at him, trying to keep him at a distance? Frustration built within him as he remembered just how complicated relationships were. Women!

He stormed back over to her. "You don't know what I want, Leah."

"Maybe that's because you never tell me, Dean! I seem to remember trying to get you to talk to me, to open up and share with me just a little of what was going on inside that friggin head of yours, but you wouldn't, would you? Of course not. Because you don't talk!" she yelled.

"I talk! I'm talking now!" he snapped back.

Leah wanted to slap him. Her hand started to lift, but she forced it back down. He's talking now? Was he kidding? He wanted sarcasm, she'd be happy to dish it right back out to him. "You're not talking, you're yelling!" she barked at him.

"Well you started it!"

They were facing each other, frustrated, angry and getting nowhere fast. Leah threw her hands up in the air. "I can't believe I'm having such a childish conversation! You make me crazy, Winchester!"

Leah stomped away and picked her clothes up off the floor. Tossing them onto the bed, she hastened to get dressed before making her way to the door. With her hand on the knob, she stopped and looked over at Dean. "When you decide you want to grow up, let me know."

Dean snarled as he watched Leah leave. Grow up? Him? Hell, she needed to grow up. "Meaningless sex, my ass!" he flung at the closed door. He looked around for a few minutes, trying to find his clothes, before he remembered that he'd gone into her room naked. "Perfect!" he mumbled.

Yanking an afghan off the chair by the window, Dean wrapped it around his waist. Before he left the room, he glanced back at the large bed. Meaningless sex? He didn't think so. And he knew she really didn't either. At least, he sure as hell hoped she didn't.

TBC