8

It Had to Be You

Rating: K+, you'll see why.

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Chapter 8

"That," said Bobby as he leaned against the boat's railing, "was a very good idea. I enjoyed myself."

"I did, too," smiled Sue. "I've been wanting to do this a long time. Thanks for giving me a reason." She shivered as the cooling breeze struck her.

"Cold?"

"I forgot how much the temperature can drop in a day on the water," admitted Sue as she wrapped her arms around herself attempting to warm up. It was late afternoon.

"Here," offered Bobby as he began to shrug out of his coat.

"No!" protested Sue as she stopped his motion. "I can't let you do that! If I'm cold, you must be cold, too."

His eyes twinkled as he thought of a plan. "I have a suggestion to make."

"You do?"

He held open his coat and enveloped her in a hug. "Better?"

Overwhelmed by his nearness, she could only nod. She tried to resist it but she knew she was falling for Bobby. How could that be when she was supposed to have been in love with another man…in love enough to be engaged to him only three short months ago? Unless…unless she was never really in love with Jeff? Maybe that was it, she thought, maybe it hadn't been love. It hadn't felt like this.

"Bobby?"

"Mmmm?" She could the vibration of his lips against her hair.

"Do you feel it, too?"

He knew precisely what she meant. The spark they'd felt from the first day had only grown stronger with the passing hours until it was almost palpable. He could only nod.

"What are we going to do about it?" She lifted her head from his chest to see his response.

He knew what he wanted to do but didn't want to pressure her. He'd nearly taken advantage of her vulnerability three months ago. He didn't want to do that again.

"We've known each other less than two days," he pointed out playing devil's advocate.

"Sometimes you can know someone for a year…even get engaged to him and not really know that person."

"And you think you know me?"

"I do."

"How?"

"I feel it here," she answered tapping her heart.

"I do, too." He grasped her hand and kissed it.

"So?"

"Are you sure? I can wait until you're ready."

"I have a feeling," she said softly as the tip of her finger gently rubbed his lips.

"A feeling?"

Her arm reached up to pull him closer. "I have a feeling the evening is going to be even more incredible than the day," she whispered as their lips touched.

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Leaning on one elbow, Sue traced figure eights on Bobby's chest. "I never imagined anything like this happening when I woke up this morning," she confessed.

"Neither did I…only in my dreams."

"Dreams?"

"You've been in my dreams."

Her eyes brightened. "Really? I've thought a lot about you, too."

"And when I dream about you, do you know what I see?"

"What?"

"Boxes and boxes of chocolate chip cookies."

"Choc…! Oh you!" she glared at him in mock anger. "Here I thought you were being serious and you…you just…" She turned away and moved to get out of bed when she felt an arm snag her waist. In the next breath, she was staring up at a pair of blue-grey eyes.

"Let me…" before she could finish, his mouth covered hers preventing any more speech. She struggled for a moment before melting into his kiss.

"Has anyone told you you're an excellent kisser?" said Sue breathlessly when they came up for air.

"Would you like a list?" he teased.

"It better be a short one…a very short one."

"Oh, it is," he assured her. "It's a short and very exclusive list," he said seductively as he traced her jawline with his fingertip.

"How exclusive?" The look in his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

"It's so exclusive there is only one name on that list," he replied lightly rubbing her lips.

"And that name is…?"

"Wendy Rogers. I kissed her good night after our junior prom."

For a moment, Sue stared at him non-plussed at the totally unexpected answer then collapsed laughing.

"You are a terrible tease, Bobby Manning!" she scolded between giggles.

"I'm not teasing!" he protested. "She's the only one whose told me I'm an excellent kisser until today."

"Well, I guess I should be glad it is a short list," grinned Sue. A thought struck her. "How have your kisses been described?"

"Modesty prevents me from sharing," he answered. "However, given the opportunity to continue kissing you, perhaps you could try various adjectives and I could tell you if the word's been used before."

She looked at him skeptically. "This sounds like a plan to get a lot more kissing done."

"That's precisely my intent!" he beamed. "You're quite perceptive."

""It could be because I've been hanging around an FBI agent," she said lightly.

"He must be a fabulous teacher."

"He is," she responded seriously. "He's taught me to believe in love again."

Bobby's eyes lingered on the face of the woman who had so completely stolen his heart in such a short period of time. "That's the best lesson in the world," he said as their bodies became one.

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Terry peered at his pastry chef. She positively glowed.

"I take it that guy found you yesterday," he said matter-of-factly.

"He did," she beamed as she gathered the ingredients for the cinnamon rolls.

"Spent the day with him?"

"I did."

"Had a good time?"

"We did."

It was obvious they'd also spent the night together, too. Terry stared at Sue surprised at the unexpectedness of her actions. This guy, Bobby must be pretty special to overcome her insecurities about relationships at this point in time, he thought.

"Good. Because it'll probably be your last free day until this convention crowd is gone," he said gruffly. "Don't forget the croissants."

"Slave driver," she said cheerfully.

"That's me," he grinned.

Warm memories kept Sue company as she mixed the dough needed for her pastries. After making love a second time, they'd munched on chips and salsa as they talked long into the night making plans. One definite decision had come about—both would put in requests for some vacation time so they could be together and make more definite plans.

"I want you to meet my friends," he'd said eagerly. "They'll love you! They already love your chocolate chip cookies."

"Love my chocolate chip cookies love me?" she had paraphrased.

"Doesn't hurt," he'd grinned.

I like his smile, Sue thought happily as she rolled out the door, I like the way I feel when I'm with him, I…

Her train of thought was interrupted with a tap on her arm.

"Jesse needs you," said Maia jerking a thumb over her shoulder. "Something's not right with the mousse. I'll finish that."

"Okay."

"Looks like you had a good time at your cousin's wedding," remarked Maia noting Sue's bright expression.

"I did," smiled Sue. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

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"Lucy," said Jack as he approached his co-worker's desk, "I need you to do something for me."

"Sure," she replied as she looked up from her computer.

"I need you…"

"Good morning, everyone!"

Bobby's cheerful entrance interrupted Jack's instructions.

"Someone's in a jolly mood after flying in coach," commented Lucy.

"Yeah, usually we can count on you going on for half an hour or so about how you hate escort duty," chipped in Jack.

"I am in a good mood because it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood, to quote our friend Mr. Rogers," answered Bobby blithely. "Where's everyone?"

"D and Myles are out on a case and Tara had to meet a snitch," replied Jack. "Have you taken a look outside? It's raining."

"Really?"

Jack and Lucy exchanged glances. Something happened on that trip and they wanted to know what. Of one mind, they walked over to Bobby's desk.

"Jack," began Bobby checking his messages,, "they're processing the paperwork on Murchison so we'll be…" Turning in his seat, Bobby stopped when he saw his two teammates in front of him. His eyes traveled up to his friends' faces. "What?"

"We want to know why you're so cheerful after flying in that 'torture chamber called coach class' to quote an Australian friend of mine," said Jack.

"We also want to know why you think it's a beautiful day when it's not," Lucy remarked. "Something's up, Bobby Manning and inquiring minds want to know."

Bobby debated just how much to share.

"You met the cookie baker, didn't you?" asked Jack before he could say anything.

"You spent the day with her, didn't you?" Lucy drilled.

"What's her name?"

"What's she like?

"Are we gonna get a chance to meet her?"

"Why aren't you answering?"

"I would if I could get a word in edgewise!" retorted Bobby. "The pair of you should be working for internal affairs!"

Jack and Lucy looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry," apologized Jack.

"Yeah," said Lucy. "We got carried away."

"Apology accepted. Her name is…"

The phone interrupted his response. He held up a finger as he answered the phone. "Manning here." He listened for a moment. "Thanks."

"Any further details of my personal life will have to wait," he declared. "Murchison's ready to be questioned."

Jack nodded. "You can tell me all the details when we walk to interrogation."

"Hey! I want to hear them, too!" wailed Lucy as the two agents departed.

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A/N: This was one of my favorite chapters. I think it's romantic with a capital R. I hope you think so, too. Thank you to everyone for the lovely comments.