Lindsay shifted contentedly in Danny's arms so that she could get a better look at his handsome face. You wouldn't expect Danny Messer – The Danny Messer – to look so cute and peaceful when he sleeps, but with Danny you really don't know what to expect.

Danny's eyelids fluttered opened and he smiled when he saw Lindsay staring at him. "Are you checking me out, Miss Monroe?" he challenged.

Lindsay smiled sweetly. "I most certainly am, Mr. Messer. Why? Do you have a problem with that?"

"Definitely not." He smiled and kissed her on the nose.

"Good, 'cause I plan on checking you out when ever I feel like it."

"I have absolutely no problem with that." Danny kissed her teasingly on the lips.

Lindsay sighed dramatically. "What? After al that effort waking up before you and flirting and stuff that's all I get? One wimpy little kiss?"

"Wimpy? Danny feigned an expression of shock and hurt. "I'm highly offended, Montana."

"Nothing you do is wimpy," Lindsay purred seductively.

"Now that's more like it," he said finally giving her the deep, passionate kiss that she wanted. He rolled over on top of her, pinning her arms down with his hands to give himself complete control over her – something that most girls, in his experience at least, found sexy and arousing, except not Lindsay. She began to squirm underneath him and turned her head to the side to break the kiss. Normally, Danny would have taken advantage of this position and marked her neck as his own, but instead he rolled off of her. "Linds, what's wrong?"

"Please, don't do that," she whimpered pitifully.

He was pretty sure he could feel his heart shattering. "Do what?"

"Pin me down like that. Vince always did that to me so hard that if left bruises on my arms. It just brings back bad memories."

He held her tenderly against his chest and stroked her hair. "You know I'd never hurt you, baby." And then it just slipped out. The L word. No, not locksmith, but love. "I love you too much to hurt you."

She looked up at him. "Do you really mean that?"

"About loving you? Of course I mean it. I'd never say anything that I didn't mean with all of my heart."

"Good." Lindsay smiled and snuggled back up against Danny's strong chest. "I love you too, Danny."

A/N Ok, this update took about forever. Sorry, I got sick and didn't feel up to writing. But, I'm mostly better now, so updates will be coming faster. Just to warn you, it's almost over. I know, it feels like is just started, but…

xoxo

Lia