Chapter 8

A/N: This chapter is edited for a T rating. For the M rated, extended version, please read Duty Calls Chapter 8 complete*

Setting Amanda down, Lee pulled her close and kissed her again. Harry's words reverberated in his mind, "Hang on to her…." Lee wanted to show Amanda just how much he loved her. Words didn't always convey meaning the way he wanted so tonight he was going to be sure she felt it.

He began by kissing her lips, softly, gently. There was no rush in his movements, no reason to hurry, no distractions. He trailed kisses down her chin toward her ear, stopping long enough to nibble just a bit to the area where her neck met her shoulder. Amanda sighed, leaning her head to the side to give him better access to one of her most sensitive spots. He knew it too. Taking advantage of this, he kissed then gently blew on her skin, causing goose bumps immediately. His nimble fingers began unbuttoning her blouse, exploring newly exposed skin each time. Once her blouse had been removed, he slipped her out of her skirt, leaving her in the simple cotton bra and panties she had on.

Amanda was overwhelmed by his simple touch, the gentleness he showed as well as the restraint he had. Normally, they were rushed for time or it had been too long since the last time they made love that their movements were more frantic, needy almost. But tonight, something was different. She couldn't quite grasp the full meaning of it. Not yet.

Once her blouse and skirt were removed, Lee stepped back. His eyes swept her body from head to toe, never lingering on any one spot for too long. Slowly, he began to unbutton his own shirt, as Amanda watched. She wanted to reach out and touch him, run her fingers across his smooth chest but she held back. Something in his face, his eyes, told her to wait. His pants followed his shirt, being kicked to the side with the rest of her clothes.

Stepping forward again, he reached out to touch her cheek. He ran his knuckles down her neck, his fingertips across the scar she had from their honeymoon. Amanda gasped when he touched it at first then slowly let it out as he continued to gently rub his fingertips across the side of her breast and down her ribs to her waist. Leaving his hand there, he repeated the same motion with his other hand. Once both hands were on her waist, he brought them around to her back to pull her closer, leaning down to capture her lips again.

Amanda brought her hands up his smooth chest, around his neck to play with his soft, fine hair. He watched her hands as they moved, dropping his head forward to her shoulder when he felt her fingers in his hair. He lifted his head to look at her, watching as she swallowed slowly. Her eyes were dark, intense yet her face was soft and relaxed. He loved this complexity of his Amanda. Running his hands up her back, they stopped only for a moment as he expertly unclasped her bra. Bringing his hands around her shoulders, he removed the simple cotton undergarment, letting it fall to the floor.

Pulling her tightly to his chest, he hugged her gently, inhaling her scent that was so Amanda. He could recognize her smell anywhere. They held each other for a minute, chest to chest, his chin on her head, no words necessary. Amanda was the first to move, her hands feeling their way down his back to the waistband of his boxers. She toyed with it for a moment, creeping her fingers inside the elastic as she moved her hands along his waistline. Reaching the iliac crest of his pelvis, she pushed the material down over his hips and butt until it fell to the floor on its own. Lee stepped out of his boxers, giving them a flick with his foot.

Lee took his time making love to his wife. He wanted to be sure every fiber of her being knew how much he loved her. And she did…. Hours later, she awoke in his arms. Amanda just smiled at his sleeping form. He looked so peaceful when he slept, vulnerable. His tough guy exterior was only a small fraction of who he really was inside. She was beyond happy that he loved her enough to show her inside his heart.

Slipping out of the bed without disturbing him too much Amanda first checked the alarm clock to be sure it was set for 5:00 am. Then, she remembered the dishes still on the table. Quietly she left the bedroom, closing the door most of the way to not wake Lee, she cleared the table. Bringing the dishes to the kitchen she quickly washed, dried and put them away. After setting the coffee maker for the morning, she wiped the damp counter off, hung the dish towel and headed back to bed.

As she approached the room, she heard him calling her. "Amanda," he said sleepily. She crawled back into bed beside him, slipping into his embrace. "You left…" he murmured.

"Only to do the dishes, Sweetheart. Shh, go back to sleep," she said as she kissed him lightly on his forehead.

"Amanda?" Lee's voice was barely a whisper.

"Shhhh," she tried to quiet him again.

"Please don't leave me," Lee whispered again, his voice thick with emotion.

Amanda reached up and touched his face gently, "Never. Now get some sleep, Mr. Stetson."

Lee pulled her tighter to his chest and smiled as he fell asleep again.