Chapter Twenty-Four

"What are we doing?" Leah asked.

They'd talked about grabbing some lunch at a diner near Amy's apartment, but Dean was definitely not taking them to any restaurant as he suddenly veered off the main street. He parked the Impala in front of a large, two-story building and grinned at her. "When we get inside, I'll be more than happy to show you!"

As soon as she saw the motel sign she felt a rush of excitement; what he wanted was more than obvious. Leah couldn't say Dean was the only one to have sex on the brain, though, because she was no different. The idea of tearing off his clothes and having her way with him always seemed to be hovering at the back of her mind. And she could trace it all the way back to when they were thirteen and she first began fantasizing about him. It had been more innocent back then, though, and the sweet memory of wanting Dean to be the first boy to kiss her made her smile.

Dean watched as the slow grin spread across her face. He waggled his eyebrows and slid a hand behind her neck, bringing her to him for a kiss. He took his time, nibbling at the corners of her mouth and running his tongue languidly over her luscious lips before slipping inside to taste her.

Leah sighed as she floated higher with each stroke of his masterful tongue. If she'd known when she was younger what she knew now about Dean's kisses, she would have been one very aggressive little girl who would have stopped at nothing to achieve her goal! By the time his mouth left hers, her entire body was primed and charged; the need to feel that mouth, not to mention his hands, on every inch of her was now all she could think about.

"I'll be right back." He pressed one more soft kiss to her lips.

"Hurry." Leah urged as he got out of the car.

Resting his arm on top of the door, Dean leaned in and promised, "Count on it."

Leah watched as he hurried to the motel office and in record time he was back, steering the Impala to a parking space and jumping out of the car, tugging her along behind him as he made his way to the room. While Dean fumbled with the key, Leah stood close behind him, running her hands over his sides then under his leather jacket so she could explore the hard planes of his chest and stomach.

When one delved lower to cup him between his legs, Dean sucked in a sharp breath and when that same hand began to massage his thick shaft through his jeans he nearly dropped the key.

"Christ!" The word gushed out on a heavy breath.

Smiling, Leah played innocent. "What's wrong, sweetie?" she asked over his shoulder. Her slender fingers worked open the snap and zipper of his jeans, then eased inside to stroke his hard flesh before dipping down to caress his balls.

His eyes closed briefly before he again wrestled with the door. "Can't get the frigging key to work!"

"Should I stop?" she asked as she wrapped her fingers around him. Squeezing lightly, she slid her hand up and down and it quickly grew damp as several droplets escaped the swollen tip of his cock. There was something inherently exciting about having this strong confident man aroused and knocked slightly off sync by her touch and Leah felt her own body respond with a like dampness between her legs.

Dean bit down on his lower lip and let out a low groan. Fire was raging through his veins but there was no way he wanted her to stop. "No! No, I got it." he managed to say.

After a few more attempts with the key, he finally managed to get it in the lock and elbow the door open. Dean turned, briefly breaking their contact before grabbing Leah's arms and yanking her up against him. He backed into the small motel room, his mouth taking control of hers as he kicked the door closed and pressed her up against it. His erection was full and hard as he leaned into her, and she was overtaken by the forceful drive of his desire.

Clothes began to fall away as their need to touch skin took over. They tugged and wrestled with each cumbersome item, tossing them aside until all were scattered upon the floor.

And then Dean's hands were on her. God, how she loved his hands! Those large, strong hands that could wield any number of heavy weapons, take down the fiercest of creatures, and yet when he laid them on her, they were so gentle and tender. She felt them on her breasts; cupping them, kneading them, worshipping them, masterfully coaxing her nipples into tight beads as they moved over her. Leah's last comprehensible thought before Dean's skillful touch made all but the heavenly sensations he stirred within her disappear, was that she would surely die on the spot from the pleasure of his hands.

Their mouths collided again and again, eliciting tender moans from both and hot flesh greedily melded to hot flesh as they continued to explore and stroke each others taut aching bodies. They made their way to the large bed, covers were thrown back and, tangled together, they landed on the cool cottony sheets.

Dean began to cover her with kisses that started along the column of her throat and traveled downward until reaching the delicate skin beneath her breasts. Leah stretched her arms up over her head, arching her back as his tongue slid languidly up and around one supple mound, his teeth nipping at the hardened tip before his lips closed over it. A low whimper escaped her as he suckled deeply, drawing the tingling peak into the heat of his mouth.

Leah wrapped her legs around him, her damp core throbbing as she pressed up, rubbing herself against the warm skin of his stomach. Feeling her need for him, Dean slid down, his mouth never leaving her body as it journeyed lower. Her legs came to rest over his broad shoulders as his hands cupped her bottom and lifted her up. His tongue traced her folds then parted them and with sure firm strokes, flicked over her clit.

Leah's breathing grew shallow, coming in quick short puffs as the pressure built within her. Her body trembled lightly as Dean's tongue swept over her, then dipped in and out. What this man could do to her, the way he could make her feel, was indescribable. She wanted release, craved it, yet at the same time she wanted such ecstasy to last for an eternity. Her hands clutched at the sheet as her body moved in time with his tongue's thrusts until she had no choice but to jump off that blissful ledge, her head lolling from side to side as her orgasm shook her, leaving her sobbing out Dean's name before she spiraled back down to earth.

Her core still pulsing, Leah lowered her arms and slipped her hands into Dean's hair, running small circles through the short spikes then tugging gently, wanting to feel the weight of his rugged body stretched out on top of hers. Happy to oblige, he crawled slowly upward, dragging himself over her until their bodies matched perfectly together. Chest to chest. Belly to belly. Thigh to thigh. She felt the intense heat of his throbbing cock as he nestled between her legs and she eagerly opened for him, her heels hooking over the back of his powerful thighs as she sought to pull him closer.

Dean pressed his hips into Leah's as he nibbled on her lower lip, and felt a shiver ripple through her. "You're shaking." he said, his voice low and laden with lust.

"I can't help it. That's what happens when you touch me this way." she whispered.

His green eyes were burning and hungry as he stared down at her. "And what happens when I do this?" His lower body lifted slightly, then shifted back and forth, his erection sliding over her damp triangle of curls, the friction setting off sparks deep within her belly.

Dean saw Leah's head tip up and her eyes close, heard her moan quietly as her hips began to move in time with his and it opened a floodgate of emotions that ripped through him. It was so profound that he stilled for a moment, hovering above her as he watched her.

Her eyes flitted open and her hands smoothed over his back comfortingly. "Dean?" she questioned softly. His expression was somber and she saw a hint of confusion in his eyes before he blinked it away.

He kissed her deeply, forcing himself to focus on the moment, the pleasure that awaited them rather than deal with the emotional aspect. He let his lips graze along the silky skin of her throat, sucking softly, taking in her taste and scent, the very essence of her. Shifting his weight to one side, Dean stroked his hand along her body, then palmed her breast and he felt her fingers dig into his back and her legs tighten around him.

She was letting him know that she needed him, wanted him inside her and he answered by entering her slowly, easing himself into her until he filled her, their bodies joined as one.

Leah sighed against his throat. His body on top of hers, the two of them connected, was heaven. It was right. So perfectly right. "I could stay like this forever." she thought. Only it wasn't a thought. The words had been spoken and she felt his muscles tense beneath her fingers.

She hadn't meant to say that. The words sounded so - permanent. The pain of Dean's leaving was still there beneath the surface and that was where she wanted to keep her love for him as well. She knew being with him again wouldn't be easy on her heart so she'd made a promise to herself that this time she wouldn't open it up to him. Not only for own her sake, but for his, too. After all, she believed it was that fear of permanence, of being tied to one place and one woman that had sent him running.

And then Dean whispered something so quietly she doubted even hearing it.

"Me too."

Their eyes met for an instant, only an instant, but it was enough. What Leah saw in Dean's big, green eyes was so clear, so startling, it rocked her world.

A vulnerability, a raw need for acceptance, a desire to love and be loved.

Before she had time to respond Dean was moving, driving into her with strong steady strokes that carried them both swiftly away. The ride was soul-filled, earth shattering. Dean grunted, a carnal sound of deep gratification as his powerful thrusts penetrated her to her very depths and as she climaxed she clung to him, knowing that what she'd seen in his eyes would never be spoken of but would also never be forgotten. And as for that promise she'd made, well, that had been broken - for as sure as that tenacious heart of hers was beating, it was completely his once again.

Dean rolled onto his side and propping himself up on an elbow, stared down at the slumbering form of the woman beside him. Her soft brown hair was fanned out, framing her angelic face and her kiss-swollen lips were slightly parted. He noticed the long dark lashes as they fluttered against her cheeks and he wondered if she was dreaming and if so, about what. With a hint of a smile, he found himself hoping it was about him.

He knew she still loved him and despite the fact he shouldn't want that love, the truth was he did and after a year apart he wasn't going to deny himself the luxury. He'd walked...okay, more like ran away from her once before, telling himself it was what was best for her. And that had been part of the reason. But he had to be honest with himself and admit he'd also left because he'd been scared. Love and commitment for Dean Winchester? He'd never believed it would, or could, be a part of his life.

But Leah's love made him feel... Feel what? he wondered. Giving himself this time to ponder it, the answer surfaced rather quickly and the words that floated through his mind took him by surprise. Safe. Whole. Human.

Hell, that wasn't so bad, was it? Wasn't he entitled to something, someone, good in his life? Sammy'd had Jess and now Amy...was it so wrong for him to have Leah? Sure, the idea of allowing someone in was scary. Okay, it was terrifying. And when he'd looked down at Leah earlier, their eyes locking for the briefest moment, it was proof of how frightening it was. Because it was at that very moment he'd realized just how much he loved her, needed her, wanted her in his life and it had shaken him more than a little. But the open look of acceptance and love on her face had reassured him. It had put him at ease and made him realize that he could have more in his life than hunting and death.

Reaching down, Dean brushed aside a strand of Leah's hair then ran the tip of his finger along her plush lower lip. She stirred, turning toward him and moving closer as if drawn to him even in her sleep, and that was when he knew. He might never be the sentimental, soft-hearted Sammy-type, but he could have love, too.

Getting quietly out of bed, Dean found his coat near the door and pulled the long thin blue box from its pocket. He carried it over to the bed and got back in, laying it between them before waking Leah with several light kisses on and around her sultry mouth.

Smiling up at him, she apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's okay. I fell asleep, too."

"How long have you been up?" Leah asked, stretching lazily.

"Long enough to find a black marker in my coat pocket. Do you have any idea how hot you look with a mustache?" he teased.

She sat up with a start, the sheet falling away giving Dean a lovely view of bouncing, bare breasts. "Dean, so help me if you..." she started to warn, but stopped at the sound of his rich laughter.

"That is so not funny, Winchester!" she reprimanded, but found herself laughing along with him.

"Okay, so I didn't find a marker, but I did find this." He saw her eyes fall to the box as he picked it up and held it out to her.

Brown eyes wide in disbelief went back and forth between his face and the box. Noting the shape of the gift, seeing the name of the jewelry store written across the top ot it left Leah speechless.

When she failed to take the proffered item, Dean waved the box around a little. "Leah? You do want it, right?" he finally asked.

That snapped her out of it and she nodded, taking the box from him and running her fingers tenuously over it. "Yes. Yes, of course I want it. I just...I wasn't expecting..." she tried to explain.

"Yeah, well I did pass by a hunting supply store and almost got you a machete." He slid closer to her and rested his hand on her thigh, enjoying the feel of it's warmth through the thin sheet. "But then I saw this other place and thought what the hell."

Smiling, Leah pulled at the delicate white ribbon that adorned the box. "Machete, huh? Well, I'm glad you changed your mind."

Lifting the lid, Leah gasped at the sight of the gorgeous necklace laid out in the dark velvety lining. "Oh God!" After a long moment, she tore her eyes away from it to look at Dean, who was watching her closely with a satisfied grin on his handsome face. "Oh God!" she repeated.

Rubbing his fingertips over the stubble covering his chin, he gave her a perplexed look. "You gotta translate that, baby. I'm not sure if that means you love it or if you've started worshipping me."

Giddy and feeling like a silly little girl, Leah tried to gather herself together. Leaning down, her lips to his, she said, "Both." before kissing him with every bit of the joy that was bubbling up inside her.

When she finally pulled away, she noticed his infamous smirk was securely in place. "Works for me." he said. He sat up and looked at the necklace, then at Leah. "Want to put it on?"

With an exuberant nod, she gave him her back and waited while he removed the necklace from the box. With one hand, she drew her hair aside allowing him to place it around her neck and as he worked the clasp, she traced over the exquisite diamond and emerald circle that rested against her chest.

Once in place, she turned around and beamed at him. This was not what she'd expected at all. And she'd never, ever received such an extravegant gift. Not from anyone. To have the first come from Dean made it even more special, made the moment even sweeter and marked it as one of the best in her entire life. "How does it look?" she asked.

Leah saw that without so much as a glance at the necklace, Dean answered. "Beautiful."

She straddled him, snuggling her body close to his, her arms looped around his neck. "The emeralds, they're almost as green as your eyes."

Dean grinned. "Almost, huh?" His hands traced over her back then worked their way down to cup her bottom so he could pull her in, fitting her even more tightly to him.

"Thank you, Dean." she whispered against his lips.

He shook his head. "Actions speak louder than words."

Leah was more than happy to show him how thankful she was. In fact, as she pushed him back down on the bed, she was absolutely certain it was going to take hours to thoroughly express her gratitude.

TBC