Chapter Nine: Game of Love

Danny smiled as he watched a flush creep across Lindsay's face.

"Well, yes. I said it and… ," Lindsay trailed off, feeling vulnerable. "I mean, I know that's it's probably a foolish thing to say since we haven't even been on a real date before, but I just… it's just the way I feel."

Danny dropped down in front of where Lindsay sat on the sofa, placing his hand under her chin and tilting her face until her eyes met and held his own.

"You think you're alone in this Montana," he asked her softly, enjoying the way her eyes lit up at the familiar nickname. "From the moment we met I've wanted to be with you. Sure, at first it had more to do with attraction and desire than anything else, but the more time I was near you the more I wanted to have a deeper connection with you." When Lindsay opened her mouth to speak Danny gently laid a finger against her lips.

"When I finally asked you out I was thrilled to finally be getting to spend time alone with you, getting to know all the details of what makes Lindsay Monroe special. When you told me you needed time, I respected that, and I still do. You captured my heart, Montana, and until you're ready to be a full participant in our relationship together I'm going to be right here waiting for you. Always remember, before anything else I'm your friend, and I won't jeopardize that by pushing you into something you're not ready for. So I love you too Lindsay, but that doesn't mean we have to take the next step in our relationship right now- I'll wait. I'd wait forever for you," Danny finished.

Lindsay took a deep breath and the smile she bestowed upon Danny could've put the sun to shame with its brilliance.

"Danny, there are things in my past that I still need to sort out, and that may take time, but I don't want to put the rest of my life on hold in the process. When I was at dinner tonight and realized Grant was planning a proposal, I was happy but I also felt envious that Kaelyn had such a wonderful man in her life. Sitting here with you tonight has shown me that I can have that in my life too. I have you, I love you and I want us to be together to experience and enjoy our feelings, not deny them," Lindsay said.

Danny stood up and pulled Lindsay with him, wrapping her in his arms.

"Does this mean you want us to try our relationship out," Danny asked.

"Yes," Lindsay answered, laughing as he lifted her off her feet in a giant hug. Setting her back down, but not letting her out of the circle of his arms, Danny looked solemnly into her eyes.

"You know that whenever you're ready to talk about your past I'll be ready and willing to listen, right," he asked.

"I know and I love you even more for that," she responded.

"Good just as long as we're clear," Danny said, a smile forming on his gorgeous lips, "How about we seal this deal with a kiss." Before Lindsay was able to reply, Danny caught her lips with his own and began to kiss her devastatingly slowly. As she parted her lips on a sigh, he swept his tongue in to tease all the recesses of her mouth, making Lindsay's head spin.

She clutched at his shirt front, disoriented when he lifted his head. Danny smiled at the desire he saw clouded in her eyes.

"It's extremely early in the morning and we should probably both get some rest," Danny said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll take the couch and you can sleep in my bed since we both have to work tomorrow. Mac'll be suspicious if we're both zombies."

Lindsay's head began to clear and, though frustrated, she recognized that he was being a gentleman.

"Okay, you're probably right," Lindsay sighed. "I should probably call Grant anyway and let him know I'm alright." She gave Danny a sideways glance but his expression was all smiles.

"Go ahead and call. You're right he probably will be worried," Danny replied easily, as Lindsay picked up the phone and dialed.

He held no resentment towards Grant and seeing how reluctant Lindsay was to end their kiss made Danny want to give the man a hug. If Danny hadn't misread the situation, and Grant hadn't been getting Lindsay's assistance with engagement stuff, Danny might never have ended up hearing Lindsay say she loved him.

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Grant was still awake wondering how Lindsay had made out when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Grant, hi- it's Lindsay."

"Hey Linds, you okay?"

"Actually things went really well and I'm fine."

"That's great Linds, I'm really happy for you- you guys did work everything out right?"

Yes we did- did you get back to the hotel okay?"

"Sure, I just grabbed another cab."

"Grant can you hold on a minute," Lindsay said, and Grant heard her faint giggle and a whispered 'Danny stop' on the other end of the line. Grant smiled as Lindsay came back on the phone.

"Grant I got to go, but we'll talk later."

"Okay, goodnight Linds," Grant laughed as he hung up the phone.

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After she hung up the phone she turned on Danny, "What do you think you're doing?"

Danny's face was the picture of innocence, "I was just giving you goodnight kisses."

Lindsay laughed and touched her neck where he had kissed her.

"Didn't you say something about sleep," she asked with a smile.

"Sure did, I already grabbed a pillow and blanket for me out here and the bedroom is the second door on the left- make yourself at home," Danny answered.

Lindsay gathered her purse and headed towards the bedroom turning just before she entered the bedroom to give Danny a look that could melt glaciers.

"Good night Danny."

"Goodnight Montana- sleep well."

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An hour later Lindsay was tossing and turning. She didn't understand how Danny thought she'd be able to sleep in his bed. The sheets smelled of his rich masculine scent and since she had borrowed one of his shirts to sleep in, she was cocooned in everything Danny. She hadn't wanted Danny to end their kiss, and although she appreciated him giving her space she also desperately wanted him.

Lindsay tip-toed into the living room to see if he was asleep, but Danny was awake watching t.v. His shirt had long been discarded and Lindsay stood a moment just appreciating the sheer maleness of his body.

She padded into the room and stood behind the sofa.

"Danny," she said softly. He turned around and she saw his eyes go dark at the sight of her in one of his shirts that barely skimmed her mid-thigh.

"You need somethin' Montana," Danny asked trying not to stare or think about how sexy she looked. He began to try and distract himself by reciting the alphabet backwards and failed miserably.

"No everything's good, but Danny…. I don't want to sleep by myself." Danny's heart dropped to his toes and desire curled in his stomach.

"This isn't necessary and I don't want you to feel pressured. I want this on your terms, when you're ready," Danny answered, even as his blood pressure rapidly rose.

"Danny I am ready and these are my terms. You're not going to make me beg are you," she teased him, and Danny was lost. Not even a saint could resist her and Danny had never claimed to be a saint.

He stood up and walked around to where she was standing and pulled her into his arms. His lips covered hers in a heart-stopping kiss filled with love, promise and lots of desire. He swung her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom placing her gently on the bed.

The last conscious thought Lindsay had was if Mac would think it odd if they both called out of work tomorrow……