When I Look In Your Eyes

Ash's blue eyes went wide as she tried to find an answer to the question that could cause everything to blow up in her face. She had had such plans when she started out: come to New York City and conveniently 'drop in' at the book signing, and then make an offer of dinner…and if anything happened afterward, well, she wouldn't say no.

But all that changed with three thugs with crime on their minds. Now she stood toe to toe with the object of her affection - or rather her crush - wanting to know why she had risked her life. Or rather, for whom. Shit!

Licking her lips, Ash lowered her eyes as she tried to think of a plausible explanation. What was it her grandmother used to tell her? The basis of any good relationship is built on truth and trust. If you are honest with him, he will appreciate it and be honest with you.

She sighed. She had already lost her dignity and her car, what else could she lose at this point? At least she still had her ticket back to DC.

"Yes," she finally admitted. "I came out to see you. Are you happy that I've told the truth?" She felt tears begin to clog her throat. Dave's face was expressionless. "What? You can laugh now, if you want," she choked out. Her hand reached up to brush the stray tear away.

Dave waited to speak, and when he did, his voice was kind. "I'm not going to laugh."

"Why not? I mean, when you think about it, it's rather hilarious," she said angrily. "I came out here with some kind of agenda, and instead, I get mugged and you 'rescue' me." She considered her comment. "You're right, it's not funny, it's sad."

He looked into her eyes. "I don't think it's sad."

"Considering what I had planned, you would think so." She spun on her heel and walked over to the window. Parting the drapes, she looked down to the street and debated making her escape. It would be awkward scaling down the building in a bathrobe, but it would be less humiliating than being where she was right now.

"What did you have planned?" he inquired with a smile. When Ash didn't answer, he walked over to stand behind her. Gently he touched her shoulder.

"Leave me alone," she murmured. Tears blurred her vision. She was so humiliated…at least that was the best word she could come up with to describe the situation.

"Not until you answer my question." He tugged on her arm to turn her around to face him. "I thought we were friends," he chided.

"We were…are," she corrected. "That's why I can't tell you."

"Afraid of breaking the fraternization rules?" He raised an eyebrow mockingly. His tone held slight teasing.

She inwardly groaned. He would remind her that he was the FBI Lothario. That only made things more difficult.

"I like what we had…have…and I don't want anything to change that." She raised her chin defiantly.

"But a part of you wanted to change it or else you wouldn't have come out here," he finished logically. "Tell me what you had planned and maybe I can help."

Shocked, Ash tried to search for the right words to tell him goodnight. Instead, she found herself mesmerized by his huge chocolate brown eyes, and began pouring out her soul.

"I was going to seduce you," she confessed. "I was going to 'bump' into you and ask you to dinner. Then maybe a nightcap." Her cheeks grew warm as she recalled how she had it all laid out - the drinks, the kisses, the seduction. Visions of laying under him, moaning as he pressed her into the mattress danced before her eyes and caused her blush to deepen in colour.

"Oh?" he asked. Seeing Dave's eyes sparkle with humour, ignited her anger.

"Yes! Or as the kids used to say, I was going to 'jump your bones'. There! I said it! Are you happy?" She blinked quickly.

"Really?" Dave's face softened at Ash's declaration. Laying a hand on her shoulder, he tried to comfort her.

"Really, what?" She was confused.

"You want to 'jump my bones'?" his tone was serious.

"I did. But…" her voice trailed off as she ran out of excuses.

"But what?" he encouraged. Hell, she had come this far, she could finish. And with her permission, he would help her.

"Forget it." Her hand waved a dismissal of all things said earlier. But Dave took that as surrender.

"Hard to forget when someone states that they want to jump my bones," he returned. "Hard to let that lie," he put heavy emphasis on hard.

"Stop saying 'hard'," she requested but her mind was conjuring up images of him naked.

Dave let a lock of blonde hair slip thru his fingers. Soft like her. "Does that word embarrass you?"

She swallowed until she could find her voice. "Sort of."

"I've never seen anyone blush like you do. Your cheeks turn a unique shade of pink." He stroked her cheek. "Soft," he murmured, "just like you. I wonder what else is soft."

Every protest she had ready died on her lips. Dave Rossi was touching her and complimenting her. She had to be dreaming…what was happening couldn't be real. But she didn't dare pinch herself; she liked the fantasy her mind had created.

She could only watch helplessly as he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. Electric sensations shot from her hand to travel thru her body at lightning speed. The feel of his goatee against her skin started a flutter in her stomach.

"So…" he growled seductively, "do you?'

Ash blinked in confusion. Seriously, after what he was doing to her, he wanted her to think? "Do I, what?" she asked stupidly.

"Jump my bones." His voice wrapped around her like a safe blanket.

"I…" She licked her suddenly dry lips.

The moment Dave's eyes met hers, he knew he was a goner, but he was too seasoned to reveal his emotions. Stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, he could hear the change in her breathing. He wanted her so badly that he couldn't wait another minute. At her continuing hesitation, he decided to give her a little push.

"Say yes, Ashley," Dave drawled in a tone that was somewhere between fine aged scotch and rich velvet,
"so I can finally make love to you."