CHAPTER FOUR
She just laid her head back a moment ago to rest her eyes. Now, she is suddenly jolted awake by knocking on her window. Kenzi sits upright with a start and looks over to see Deeks standing on the step outside. She unlocks the door and he steps aside to swing the door open. With the door acting as a shield, Deeks suddenly leans into the cab to wrap his left arm around Kenzi in a tight hug.
She had been about to speak, but stops as Deeks presses her firmly against his chest. He lowers his face into the softness of her hair as a sigh of relief escapes him. Kenzi isn't sure why he is so upset, but after a slight hesitation her hand slides up his back to return the gesture.
After a tense moment, Deeks finally whispers, "God… I thought you were dead."
"I may be dead tired, Deeks, but I'm not dead."
He pulls back far enough to look into her eyes and she can see the depth of his concern. He studies every inch of her face, verifying for himself that she is unhurt. With their faces only inches apart, Kenzi smiles and attempts to reassure him.
"Deeks… I'm ok… really..." Before she can finish speaking, Deeks suddenly silences her with a kiss.
It is a rough, abrupt kiss, but intense just the same. Having worked with Deeks for two years she has always been careful to hide her true feelings. It just wasn't appropriate to be attracted to your partner. All this time, she thought she knew him but lately she wondered if they could be… more than friends. When he pulls back she sees the emotion he has obviously been hiding. She is confused, but then Deeks takes control, as if realizing what he just did.
He clears his throat and releases her to sternly order, "Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again!"
He jumps down and walks back towards the car where Callen and Sam are waiting. They couldn't see what happened in the truck, but from the way he raced up there they knew he was worried. By the time Deeks reaches the car he has recovered his easy going persona.
Kenzi, on the other hand, sits in the cab stunned. Having just awakened she now wonders… did she just dream that? Did Deeks really jump up here and kiss her? And had he really just told 'her' not to do that again? Do what again? Kiss him? He kissed her! She shakes her head, trying to clear it as she leans out to glance back at the car.
He is leaning in the window to speak to Callen and Sam, and a moment later, Callen nods from the driver's seat and Deeks steps back. Before she can wonder what is going on, Deeks comes striding back to her and jumps up onto the step again. "Move over… I'm driving."
He climbs in so she has to quickly scramble over into the passenger seat. He closes the door as Callen drives past with a quick honk of his horn. Deeks waves and watches as they head for the entrance back to the freeway. When they are gone Deeks and Kenzi sit silence. The tension between them is heavy with Deeks staring straight ahead with his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.
Kenzi as usual is more open and wants to get this... whatever this was out in the open. She finally makes the first move. "You want to tell me what that was all about?"
Deeks looks over at her, studying her before he sighs and lowers his gaze to the instrument panel. "I'm sorry, Kenz… I guess I was just glad to see you were okay."
"I see… and what exactly am I never supposed to do again?"
He looks away, embarrassed now by his emotional outburst and fearing he gave his well hidden secret away. Kenzi is even more intrigued and since her lips are still tingling from his kiss, she leans closer with her feet in between the two seats facing him.
"Deeks, come on… talk to me. What's going on here?"
"I... when we heard that emergency call… then Jenny was cut off…"
He manages to look at her again, expecting to see anger or ridicule in her eyes. Instead she is smiling at him as if she knows exactly what it is he is trying to say. He relaxes a bit and shrugs as he returns the smile. She tries to control her excitement as she teasingly asks for clarification again.
"So… am I not supposed to worry you again, or… am I not supposed to kiss you again?"
"I couldn't take that… even though I don't think you actually kissed me."
"I don't know… why don't you try it again? Just so we're clear on this."
Her eyes encourage him as his hand moves out to slowly curl around her neck and into her hair. He leans closer as he draws her lips to his in another caress. This kiss is slow and sweet as he savors her response this time. He kisses her again and again and his confidence grows with her eager participation. She finally draws back with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Is this what I'm not supposed to do ever again?"
"No... I never want you to stop this…" Once again he lowers his mouth to hers, roughly demanding entrance into the sweetness within. Kenzi sighs breathlessly and obeys as her lips part to the invasion of his tongue. He growls huskily as tremors of excitement race through his veins and he hungrily takes what she offers. They are soon lost in a world where only they exist. Each kiss blends into the next until they are breathless and aching for more. Kenzi leans closer, reaching out to hold him across the distance between the seats. Her arms curl up around his neck, but she stops as a jolt of pain suddenly shoots up her arm.
"Aahh!" Kenzi pulls back as she holds her throbbing wrist which is beginning to swell. She rubs it carefully as she looks up into Deeks' worried eyes. "I hurt my wrist while I was fighting with that creep."
"Let me see." He carefully takes her hand in his and runs tender fingers over her wrist. He notices the swelling, the redness of her knuckles and when he turns her hand over he sees the scratches on her palm as well.
"What happened out there, Kenzi?"
"We just had a run in with a couple of creeps who didn't like taking no for an answer."
"The guys from the diner. We saw them hassling you."
"I'm just glad you had that highway patrol unit so close. I don't know how long I could have fought off both of them."
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Their eyes hold as he tenderly massages her sore wrist for several seconds. Their partnership has taken a drastic turn into a relationship, but neither seems quite comfortable with it yet.
"Because you're my partner? Or because you have this thing for me?"
He grins at the teasing arch of her brow. "Both."
"So how come you never told me?"
"Because… I'm your partner. I don't think Heddy would like it if I…"
"…but I would."
"Is that so? So how come you never told me?"
It is her turn to grin now. "Because… you're my partner."
They lapse into silence as they hold hands and wonder if this could work. Once again she leans in, meeting him half way as their lips meet. Several long minutes are lost in exploring this previously forbidden pleasure. It doesn't take long before their passion begins to rise and Deeks forces himself to sit back as he takes deep breaths to calm down.
Kenzi sits back with a soft breathlessly sigh. "So, now what?"
"Now, you climb back there and get some rest while I drive this rig back to town."
"You've been up as long as I have."
"Nah, I dozed in the back seat while Callen and Sam argued all night about everything. Now, go on… get some rest."
She carefully stands up, coming closer as she bends down to kiss him lightly then goes into the back sleeping compartment to lay down.
Deeks drives back to LA and is so happy about this development with Kenzi that his own weariness fades away. All he wants is to get this case over with so they can spend some time together… exploring the possibilities. He drives the big rig to a secured location where Callen is waiting. The three of them go through the cargo, documenting it and placing the tracking devices inside several of the units. Sam was dropped off to pick up his car and drop it off at the staged apartment Kenzi uses while playing the part of Frosty Marshall.
Kenzi is feeling better after some rest, but there is a strange new quiet tension between her and Deeks as Callen drops them off and picks up his partner. Kenzi unlocks the door and walks in with Deeks close behind her. Knowing they need to talk about the case Deeks is determined to keep this all business. He knows Kenzi is in danger if Riley's crew figured out where she lived. His only problem was going to be keeping his hands to himself after he'd sampled what Kenzi had offered him.
Kenzi opens the refrigerator to find there isn't much in there except a six pack of beer and some frozen dinners in the freezer. She settles for the beer and takes out two bottles. She returns to Deeks, who has taken up a bar stool at the kitchen island. She pops them both open and sets one in front of him. He smiles his thanks and they both take a long swig of the cold liquid, hoping it will help ease the tension.
"All right… now, tell me…" He doesn't get a chance to finish his sentence; shocked into silence as Kenzi slowly shakes her head and comes around the island to stand beside him. She slowly swivels his seat until he is facing her and wraps her arms around his neck as she steps in between his legs."No, you to tell me…" As she speaks she leans in to his chest and brings her mouth close to his ear as she tightens her arms around his neck.
Deeks wraps his arms around her waist and his pulse skips a beat when her warm breath fans his ear.
He waits, but when she doesn't continue he asks, "Tell you what?"
"If you like this… and this…?" In between words, she places feather light kisses along his neck. She nuzzles his ear, causing a tremor to race down his spine as his arms tighten around her. She continues her gentle torture as her lips move slowly along his jaw, nibbling at the stubble of his beard. He groans softly, enjoying her caresses as she explores him with her lips.
"Oh, ummm, yea... that's nice." When her lips finally find his, the words end again. They part in anticipation, but she hesitates… only nibbling on his lower lip.
Kenzi teases him for a moment longer before she eases back to look into his suddenly very dark eyes. "We never finished this conversation."
He needs no further urging as his hand slides up her back to guide her mouth back to his. His kiss is deep; searching for her very soul and taking her breath away. Lost in the pleasure of deep kisses, soft touches, eager responses and growing passion they awaken the desire they've kept hidden for so long. Deeks has totally forgotten about the case, the big red truck and the world outside the door.
Warnings are buzzing around in his head, reminding him of the potential danger, but his body isn't listening. He has wanted her for so long and now Kenzi is here, in his arms. With her body pressed against his and her hands buried in his hair to keep him close. His hands roam possessively over her every curve. When she finally breaks the kiss to once again nip at his stubble covered jaw Deeks reluctantly forces himself to push her back further until she is on her own bar stool.
He takes several deep breaths before he tries to speak. "Kenz, honey, I can't think when you do that."
"What's there to think about?" Her playful smile tells him she has some thoughts of her own.
"Oh, I don't know... Riley, thug truckers hell bent on getting their truck back... Heddy watching us on hidden camera's she had installed while we were gone." He was only kidding, but Kenzi quickly gives the room a quick sweep of her eyes just in case. "This is no time to be getting distracted… and you know what I mean."
"True, but more interesting."
"That's a given, but not when Riley's men could be busting down your door because you stole his truck. Which reminds me… why did you steal his truck?"
There is a silence as Kenzi sips her beer, debating how to explain her plan to her partner and not have
him freak out... especially in light of their new 'arrangement.' Deeks chugs his own beer and almost
chokes when Kenzi explains.
"I'm gonna drive it right down Riley's throat... and he'll be so happy to get his truck back he'll hire me... "
"... or kill you, Kenzi. Don't forget Darlene Sanchez turned up very dead… and she worked for Riley. Not
to mention the other girls who are still missing."
"I think we're working the wrong angle on this case. We need to get inside... and..."
"What? You're counting on your good looks to keep you alive?"
"No, I'm counting on you for that. I think Riley is the type of man who's impressed by a strong-willed woman. He won't know what hit him until I've got him right where I want him." She finishes her beer and goes into the kitchen to pull two frozen burrito dinners out.
Deeks sits stunned, realizing Kenzi is right... she certainly had him right where she wanted him and it had only taken a few kisses. He tries to focus on the case and not her ass. "But the inside guy says he hasn't seen anything that will substantiate that. Callen may be right... there's something not right about that P.I. guy."
Kenzi comes back to face Deeks over the kitchen counter. She can tell he isn't thrilled with her plan, but it seems to be the only option they have left. She smiles confidently and hands him a second beer, "All the more reason for me to get inside. Besides, I got you to back me up… right?"
"Yes, you do." Deeks sighs tiredly as the long hours without sleep and a beer catch up with him. He drains his second beer as he stands to stretch out his stiff muscles.
"Why don't you go take a quick shower while I heat up some insta-dinners."
"No… I…"
"Deeks, you can either spend the night sitting outside my front door... or, you can freshen up, have some dinner and spend it in here… with me."
"Hmmm, let me think… okay, but only because the couch will be more comfortable than the bushes out front."
"So, who's sleeping on the couch?" She turns to wink at him as he tosses his beer in the trash and heads into the bedroom to take a shower.
The following morning, Deeks wakes up well-rested and oddly content. He smiles as memories of his vivid dream come flooding back to him. He turns his head to take a deep breath and sees the indentation of a second person. Reality hits him, along with his memories of last night. Not only didn't she wake him as promised so he could keep watch; she'd slept in bed with him. He was so exhausted he never even woke up. He stretches happily as he gets up when his nose detects the fresh aroma of coffee brewing.
He tries to ignore the shower sounds and has one cup of coffee nearly gone when Kenzi joins him in the kitchen after her shower. He is just grabbing a powder sugar donut to devour half of it in one bite as she walks past him to get some coffee. He chokes on his food as she rounds the corner, wearing nothing beneath the hem of her short satin robe. Kenzi eyes him as he suddenly slaps his hand to his chest a few times and coughs to force the dry donut to go down.
"What?"
"Really? Are you trying to kill me?" He takes drains his coffee cup to help the process.
She takes a sip of her coffee with a smirk of satisfaction. She spent a good portion of her night thinking about how she should handle this thing between them. She knew the case came first, but that didn't mean she couldn't make sure she held his interest in the meantime. Setting her coffee aside she comes to him, leaning in to wipe a spot of powdered sugar from his lower lip with her fingertip and then slowly sucks the tip into her mouth to lick it clean.
Deeks' breath catches in his throat as she draws her finger between her pouting lips to suck on it. He tosses his donut onto the counter with a groan as his hand clamps onto her wrist to stop the seductive motion. "Kenz… you seriously don't know what you're doing to me."
"I don't?" She purrs silkily as she nuzzles against his strong throat to place kisses along its length. "This is what Frosty does best, sugar."
Just watching her remove the sugar from her finger had his blood racing to certain parts of his body that he preferred not to bring to her attention at the moment. As she walks by him, she stops leaning in to whisper in his ear, but allowing the satin robe to slip from her shoulder as she does so.
"I'm just gonna go slip out of this robe... and into..."
"Kenz, you're killing me! Please… go put some clothes on!" His throbbing erection strains against his Levis as he groans roughly and stands up to adjust his Levis to relieve the pressure.
"Just gettin' into my role here, Deeks. I'm Frosty the trucker babe, remember?"
"You can play any part you want, but Frosty... you ain't."
"How about Jenny Burke?"
His face distorts as images of the hardened trucker woman effectively bring his passion under control. "Wow... very effective mood killer there, Kenz."
She comes back into the room wearing the most conservative of the clothes she brought, but the look in his eyes tells her it isn't exactly what he had in mind. "I'll have to remember that."
Deeks sighs comically as he shakes his head. "And just that quickly... its back."
"Hhmm, have to remember that too." She raises a playful brow and can't help one more tease as she comes to grab a donut for herself. Deeks just heads out the door to put some distance between them before he loses what little sanity he has left.