The others nodded, scratched their heads, chins, and Watson, his balls. Dan tried to ignore them again. There was no way the four tow trucks would be able to handle damage to a parking full of vehicles. One or two flat tires, sure; four per car or truck, no way. They started loading vehicles to haul to repair facilities or homes. At this rate, it would take all night. Dan was inclined to cut the drivers some slack and have his car taken care of in the morning. Of course, doing so would leave him stuck for a way home, not that he couldn't call someone or even prevail upon his cop buddies to bend a rule.
Friends and family were starting to arrive to take people home. The dean was making his presumed rounds again, offering rides and heading straight for Leigh. And so did Dan.
She apparently didn't notice the dean behind her, but there was no doubt about the light in her eyes when she saw Dan coming toward her. She took a hesitant step toward him, then another. Dan moved into an easy stride, smiling, then cupping her upper arm when he reached her.
"Hey, Leigh." The dean burst up from the other side.
Leigh's head whipped around to him, but she backed against Dan. His body sang out at the contact. The scent of apples curled up his nose and into his blood. He fought the urge to close his eyes on a groan, wrap his arm around her, and bury his face in her hair.
"I'm taking a bunch home." He motioned to the Ford Explorer behind him. Its engine was running and the doors stood open.
"Wait for me." Dan's voice was low, for her only. Was that a shiver he felt? Sure enough. But was it his or hers?
"Dan and I would love a ride home." She looked up at Dan. He'd never seen such mischief dance in a person's eyes before. "Is that okay with you, honey?"
"There's only room for one," the guy said. He was starting to remind Dan of Jerk-face.
"That's okay." Leigh wiggled closer to Dan. "I can just sit on Dan's lap."
"But…that's illegal."
Dan slipped his arm around Leigh's waist. "I think any officer will give us a pass under the circumstances and once they realize who I am." He extended his hand. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Dan Jefferson, NCIS Special Agent."
Now that shiver was from Leigh. It empowered him.
"Greg Reed." He grudgingly shook Dan's hand. Dan made it a grip to remember. "I'm the college dean."
"Thanks for the ride. We appreciate it. I'll go grab my things from the car and tell the tow driver to leave mine until morning."
"Great idea. I'll do the same," Leigh said.
"I can take care of that for you, sweetheart, if you'd like to go on to his truck," he told her.
Leigh pressed her hand to his pounding heart. "That'd be great, but he'll probably need my direct authorization since we haven't put each other's information into their system yet."
Dan tried not to laugh. Inside he was beaming. They sounded like they'd been a couple forever instead of…never. He loved it and prayed she wasn't merely using him as cover to avoid Greg, although he'd easily forgive her for that. He'd forgive her anything for the implicit trust she placed in him right now.
"We'll be right back," he said to Greg, then he and Leigh walked off to their respective tow trucks hand-in-hand.
"Nicely played…sweetheart."
"Thanks…honey." She wrapped herself around his arm, snugging it between her breasts. Sweet agony speared through him. "I appreciate the save. I'll try not to make you too uncomfortable."
"Too late…as you'll soon see. My apologies in advance, but I'll be poking your backside the whole trip."
A giggle trilled from her, along with a shrug. "I'll suffer through and try not to wiggle around too much. Wouldn't want to leave any wet spots."
Dan tossed back a laugh. "Yes, let's please don't blemish my oh-so-perfect reputation."
They stopped their verbal foreplay and gave their instructions to the tow drivers. Burly men with a day's end of whiskers thanked them for the consideration and looked like they dropped ten pounds instantly from having two burdens off their shoulders for the night.
Still arm-in-arm, or rather his arm clutched against Leigh's body, they walked on to his Honda. Silence accompanied them now, that and the hard beat of their hearts. Dan could feel hers pounding against his bicep. It matched the pulsing heat in his cock and he couldn't help wondering if her clit was in the same predicament. He imagined it slick with her juices, hard and red and ready to explode. He wanted it under his tongue, or surging beneath his fingers, or nudging his dick as he thrust inside. Wanted it all. Wanted it now.
He swung her gently against the side of his car when they reached it, then braced his arms on the hood effectively blocking her. Her eyes lifted to his, a silent plea or a warning he'd gone too far? He wanted to kiss her. God, how he wanted to kiss her. Instead, he pressed closer until her breasts scuffed his chest; both their nipples were pebble hard. Her breath hitched. Her lips parted. And those deep green eyes fell to his mouth.
"I…I have ice cream at my house." Her low voice shook with every word.
"Sounds like the perfect end to what's been a crazy night." Dan brushed his fingers down her hair and rested them against her neck. Her pulse fluttered against his thumb. "What flavor?"
"Vanilla."
"I love vanilla. It's my favorite."
Leigh tensed, and Dan suspected she would have moved back if not for the car and his body holding her in place. "It is?"
Ah, so they weren't really talking about ice cream right now. "Yes." He traced his thumb over her jawline. "Because the possibilities are endless. It might look like vanilla to the untrained eye, but it's really the cornerstone of many other wonderful things the uninitiated wouldn't understand."
Her eyes widened. Her mouth formed a perfect O. He'd surprised her. Good. Dan had a lot more surprises for her. Right now, though, he had to kiss her or he knew he'd die. He bent slowly, taking his time for what he knew would be damn sweet, and loving how Leigh's eyes tracked his progress. Loving the huffs of her breath brushing his face, the heat pooling from them, those heartbeats that raced in time for-
"If you two would hurry it would be greatly appreciated," Greg said from behind. "We'd really like to go. The others are waiting."
That was it. Dan was going to kill the fucker. Pulling in a deep breath, he faced the other man. "We're on it."
He opened his car door, grabbed a duffel that had a change of clothes, and secured the door once more. Greg hadn't budged. The pathetic attempt at dominance pissed Dan off. Should he let Greg have the moment, or make it a cockfight here and now? Yeah, that'll be a good way to impress Leigh.
He slipped his arm around Leigh, hugging her to him. "Ready, babe?"
"I am." The words slithered around him.
Dan wouldn't fault Greg if they'd given him the boner from hell either. There was a promise in those two words, uttered in a tone leaving nothing to the imagination, backed up by the press of her body against his.
Greg did a crisp about-face that would have done the grungiest Marine proud and marched back to his Explorer. Dan kept on his heels the whole way, though it meant separating himself from Leigh in order to do so. Some things he could let go, but he sure as hell wanted Greg to get a good feel of having someone dog his ass.
"Hey, Dan," Watson called out, "where're you going? We could use your expertise."
"Heading home, buddy." He lifted a wave. "It's a civilian matter, out of my jurisdiction. Best not to muddy the waters."
"Uh-huh." Watson looked right at Leigh. "Yeah, got it. I'd take that stance myself."