CHAPTER 14

The table was set with maroon cloth napkins, elegant white stoneware and silver, and two maroon tapers stood in the center. Booth was putting the finishing touches on the chicken parmagean and the garlic bread had just gone into the broiler when the doorbell rang. Wiping his hands on a towel, he went to let Brennan in.

She wore an elegant royal blue dress, knee length with spaghetti straps. Her auburn hair was loose in luxurious waves on her shoulders, just the way he liked it. He smiled at her, noting the sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face. "Hi," he said softly, taking her hand and drawing her in, closing the door behind her before pulling her into his arms where she belonged. They stood that way for several moments, enjoying the simple pleasure of just holding each other. Booth's hands rubbed over her back and Brennan was stroking the hair at his nape, nose buried in his neck, inhaling his special scent. Finally they pulled apart and he caught her hand, pulling her into the kitchen.

"Wine's in the fridge," he told her. She pulled it out and popped the cork, filling the two wine glasses and taking them to the dining room table. Booth followed with the plates of food and set them on the table. She waited by her chair and let him pull it out for her because she knew he loved to do that. Seating himself, he squeezed her hand and she met his warm brown gaze. Without a word, they started eating.

"Mmmm, Booth, this is delicious!" Brennan said.

Booth pretended to be insulted. "You don't have to sound so surprised. Mom taught me a few things about cooking. Being single, I had to learn how to cook to survive. I love Wong Foo's, but not seven nights a week." He chuckled suddenly. "You might have won the bet, technically, but I feel like I won too."

Brennan shook her head. "You were partially right, you know. I'm going to cook for you next Friday, okay?" He grinned and resumed eating.

Brennan took another bite, closing her eyes blissfully. She sipped her wine thoughtfully and Booth knew, even before she opened her mouth, that she was going to say something about the case. "Booth, how do you handle it? Putting that kid away for killing that pimp? I keep telling myself that Joey Mason was a human being and therefore had the right to justice just like anyone else, but don't you think there was some justice in his murder?"

Booth sighed. It was obvious she needed to work this out for her own peace of mind. "Bones, people can't take things into their own hands. Brian McKay should have contacted the authorities when Mason told him he killed Leticia. By taking matters into his own hands, he was no better than the man he killed."

Brennan shook her head. "I don't know, Booth. Maybe he did society a favor. The justice system has been known to fail. Mason might have gotten away with Leticia's murder. Where would the justice be in that?" Brennan took another bite and watched his face. She could see he was having a hard time with her line of thinking, but he was trying to understand her point of view.

He put his fork down and wiped his mouth, a frown between his brows. "I can't condone what Brian did, but I can understand it. If anything ever happened to you, I don't think I'd be able to stop myself from doing something about it myself. Just the thought of someone hurting you tears me up inside." He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, and Brennan felt tears sting her eyes.

"My knight in shining standard issue FBI armor," she murmured, smiling a little. Booth looked puzzled but she didn't elaborate. "I feel the same way. I'd do anything to protect you, too."

Booth smiled that cocked smile she loved so much. "You know, from any other woman, I'd say that's cute, but in view of the martial arts and the marksmanship, I have to say, thanks. I wouldn't want anyone else at my back."

She smiled back. "Do me a favor?" He raised his brows in query. "When we're alone, do you think you could call me 'Temperance'?"

He grinned wider. "You mean, you're okay with 'Bones' the rest of the time?"

Brennan rolled her eyes and huffed. "Like I have a choice? I've gotten used to it. But when it's just us, I want to hear my name. Okay?"

Booth reached over and stroked her cheek then cupped the back of her neck to pull her in for a kiss. A long moment later he pulled back. "Sure, Temperance. Anything for you," he said, and was rewarded with a tender smile. "And you can call me Seeley," he said, and she chuckled. "What's funny?"

"Did you know your name means 'fun loving'? I don't know that it really fits you."

Booth sat back. "Hey, I'm a fun loving guy! How can you say my name doesn't fit me?"

She chuckled. "All I'm saying is, it's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of you."

"Really? What does come to mind?"

Brennan stared into his eyes, giving it serious thought. "Solid, dependable, strong, courageous," she recited, then smiling slyly, "compelling, irresistably charming and sexy," she finished.

Booth smiled back. "Sexy, eh? You're pretty sexy yourself," he said, putting his napkin on the table and pushing his chair back. He stood and drew her to her feet, pulling her flush against his body. "What do you say we finish this fascinating conversation in the bedroom?" he suggested, his hands already busy with the zipper at her back. Brennan drew a ragged breath as his hand made contact with her bare back and stroked up and down slowly. She felt a moment of panic at how vulnerable she was. He could hurt her so easily. Then she looked up into his warm brown eyes and suddenly knew he'd cut off his own arm rather than hurt her. The knowledge sent a flood of warmth through her body and she took his hand, leading him to the bedroom.