Chapter Six- Lee's apartment- 2nd night

Lee watched as Amanda bustled around his kitchen. She was making lasagna and she had just pulled it out of the oven. He loved seeing her in his kitchen. She's so beautiful. I can't take this anymore. I am just going to kiss her. We are alone in my apartment and there are NO interruptions. It's time I tell her what she means to me. Stop being chicken Stetson. As Lee was having a mental battle regarding his feelings for Amanda, she was keenly aware of him watching her. Her own thoughts were having their own battle. Why is he watching me like that? He's never really looked at me like that. Maybe I just need to tell him how I feel. Get it out in the open. He's staring at me again. It's like he loves watching me in his kitchen. Oh this is so frustrating! We are here in his apartment alone and with NO interruptions! I wish I could just turn around and tell him to kiss me. Amanda gently shook her thoughts aside and went over to the opposite counter where she couldn't see Lee anymore. She could still feel his eyes watching her but she forced herself to pay attention to the bowl of lettuce in front of her.

She noticed that Lee made the first move and walked towards her. Amanda's heart started to race a bit and she sighed hoping it would calm her down.

"So, Mrs. King, what is on the agenda tonight? Shall we play a game? Or we can pretend to watch a movie" Lee said as he came up behind Amanda as she was preparing a salad for their dinner. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder. She stopped what she was doing and leaned back into his embrace.

"Lee…if you keep doing things like this we are never going to eat?"

Lee nuzzled his face into Amanda's neck and whispered "I am not really hungry for food Amanda."

She gasped as Lee started to kiss her neck. She moved her head so he could have better access. Lee turned her around and immediately into his arms. He reached his hand into her hair and leaned forward. A million thoughts were running through Amanda's mind as his lips barely touched hers. He whispered to her. "Amanda…are you okay with this?'

She smiled at him. She knew what was about to happen. It was finally their time. They both were finally at the same place regarding their relationship. She looked into his beautiful hazel green eyes and said "You talk too much Stetson. I wouldn't be standing here if I wasn't perfectly okay with this."

Lee didn't need any more confirmation than that. He kissed her passionately and gave everything he felt for her into his kiss. Amanda did the same. When they finally parted, the only thing Amanda could say was "Wow that was some first kiss!"

Lee laughed as he pulled her into a hug. She joined him in the hug and laid her head on his chest. Lee cleared his throat and said "Well, Mrs. King…I think we have a lot to talk about."

"Think so?"

Lee looked down at her and pulled her face to look at his. He gently kissed her again and said "Yes Manda. I think we have moved from being best friends into something more. Don't you agree?"

Amanda nodded…"Lee"

He continued "I can't fight this anymore. Denying what I feel for you. We have gotten to know one another for three years now and I think there is a lot more to find out. I just know that I can't live without you in my life. You are too important to me. You are my partner. My best friend."

Amanda smiled at Lee and reached up to kiss him. It again started out soft and Lee deepened it within seconds. Only the need for oxygen broke them apart. They both looked at one another and laughed. Amanda said "Why is this suddenly easy for us?"

Lee took her in his arms again and held her tight. She's right. Now that we have taken this step it seems so natural to kiss her. It's like I can't get enough. I could kiss her forever. Lee's thoughts were interrupted by Amanda saying his name.

"Lee…Earth to Lee. ..what are you thinking about?"

Lee stepped away from her and ran his fingers through his hair. Amanda loved it when he did that. He always would run his hand through his hair when he was either nervous or frustrated. She suspected he was nervous at the moment.

Lee looked at her and said "Amanda. I don't want to mess this up. Between us. I could kiss you all night! Now that I finally was able to. We have been dancing around our feelings for one another for so long that some nights I can't even get to sleep!"

Amanda reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Lee. I think we should sit down and have a nice meal and then talk. You are right, you know. We have been chicken regarding our feelings towards one another. You're not the only one having trouble sleeping at night…especially the past few months. Since we have gotten closer." She took a deep breath and continued. "I wasn't sure where we were going or if this moment would ever happen. But I think that we are both tired of the near miss kisses…the what ifs…aren't you?"

Lee pulled her hand up his lips and kissed it. "I am Amanda. Like I said, we have a lot to talk about."

Amanda beamed at him and turned around to hand him the salad bowl. "Well Mr. Stetson, let's eat and talk about where we stand."

Lee shook his head and laughed. He took the bowl from Amanda and walked into the dining room. He mumbled to himself so she wouldn't hear him "I know exactly where I stand Amanda King. I am hopelessly in love with you!" Amanda smiled to herself as she watched Lee take the salad bowl to the dining room table. She muttered to herself at the same moment "I know where I stand Lee Stetson. I am hopelessly in love with you!"