Chapter 38

Mac reached up and undid the front clasp of her bra. Her generous breasts spilled forth for AJ to see. He sat there, stunned, for just a moment, before drawing a shuddering breath. She sat back down in her chair, trying to appear calm. The problem was, she could not tell from the look on his face how he was feeling, what his reaction to her action he was having. That is, she could not tell what his reaction was from the look on his face, but when her gaze dropped to his lap, she could clearly see that he was aroused.

"Sarah," he whispered hoarsely.

"I think it's your deal, AJ," she replied with a slight catch in her voice.

"You think I can continue playing cards with you sitting there like THAT?"

She smiled at him, an open and honest smile. "Do you like what you see, AJ?"

"How could I not?"

"Do you want to do more than look?"

"I do, but if I did, we could never go back to the way things were."

"I passed that point long ago. I want you."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because duty doesn't keep me warm at night."

"Why me?"

"Because I love you."

Again, he sat there, stunned. She LOVED him? As he had loved her all these years? "What about Rabb?"

"Harm is a friend, nothing more."

"Why now?"

"Because Harm and I made a deal when baby AJ was born that if neither one of us was in a relationship in five years, we would have a child together."

"What does that have to do with this?"

"You are the only man I want, the only man I love, and I needed to find out if there could ever be a chance for us. If there wasn't, then I want a child enough to go through with my deal with Harm."

"And if there was a chance for us?"

"Then you are the only man that I would ever need for the rest of my life."

"But you want a child…..or children."

"Yes. Yours."

"You don't think I'm too old to become a father again at my age?"

"No, I don't."

"And our careers?"

"There are more important things in this life than careers."

"Like how I feel about you?"

"Yes."

"One of us will have to leave JAG."

"Because you want me?" she asked hesitantly.

"No, I've wanted you for years, but was able to keep it under control."

"Because you…love me?" she was tentative this time.

"No, I've loved you for years also, but was able to keep that hidden, too."

"Then what has changed?"

"Because now I know that you have feelings for me too. I never dreamed that was possible, but now that it seems to be…I have to know where it could lead."

"Anywhere you want it to, AJ."

"A life together?"

"Yes!"

"Marriage?"

"Oh, yes!"

"A family?"

"Hell yes!"

"Then why are we still sitting so far apart?" he asked as he held out his arms to her.

She jumped up and was around the coffee table and sitting on his lap almost before he stopped speaking. Their lips finally met in the kiss that should have happened years ago, in his bedroom. She had dreamed of this moment for all those intervening years, but none of her dreams had prepared her for the reality of his kiss.

The man knew how to kiss! Experience was part of it, but the rest was a simple knowledge of how to please a woman. He did not devour her mouth, although she knew that he desired her. He did not lay claim to her lips, although she would have willingly acknowledged his right to do so. He did not invade her mouth, although she knew he wanted entrance. Instead, he tenderly traced the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue, requesting her permission to enter. Her tongue peeked out to touch his and invited him home.

To be continued….