'Then I'll wait with you.'
'I'm sure the rest of the faculty here tonight appreciates your concern,' she replied, then took a decided step toward Dan.
Gretchen cut her off, reaching Dan first. 'I think it might have been my boyfriend.' She rested her fingers on Dan's arm, big brown eyes glistening up at him with unshed tears.
Leigh waited, breath held, for Dan to cave in to damsel-in-distress act. He didn't.
'What do you mean?' He motioned a deputy sheriff over.
Gretchen sniffled. 'He knew I was upset and didn't want to go to college yet. He said he'd fix it so my parents wouldn't force me. Said that if they thought it wasn't safe they-'
'He made a threat against the college, and you didn't bother to report it?' Dan's voice was low, yet anger rippled with every word.
'I…I…' Gretchen moved away.
Two deputies flanked her, then led her to their patrol car for further questioning. Her eyes never left Dan, even when he turned his back on her and headed Leigh's way.
'Problem here?' He didn't touch Leigh, didn't muscle his way between her and Greg, didn't do anything but be there. But his stance was clear even to an imbecile like Greg.
A man couldn't get more alpha than that. Leigh nearly melted at his feet.
'None at all,' Greg replied. 'Just checking on all my people.'
Dan jerked his thumb over his shoulder. 'I haven't seen you check on them.'
'Making the rounds.' Greg took a step back and then walked away.
'Are you going to club me over the head and drag me off to your cave next?' she whispered to Dan.
'Not yet.' He closed the space between them, the briefest touch of heat to her body. 'Soon, though.' A wink and a grin backed up the words. When he stepped away, it was all Leigh could do not to haul him back and let him take her on the hood of her car.
The man drew people to him, so why should she be any different? Was it so wrong to want him? Clearly, his signals responded in kind. Hell, he'd staked his claim tonight, and she'd loved every minute of it.
Yes, he was younger. Yes, they had
Leigh couldn't remember the last time she'd had sex. Why bother when she couldn't get everything she wanted and needed from a man? Now she felt the ache. It built with every second and wouldn't be appeased by anyone or anything other than Dan Jefferson.
Maybe sex with him wouldn't be all Leigh wanted-she'd realized long ago she'd never have that. But it would be good sex nonetheless. Very good. That much she did deserve, and she was having it as soon as…
She hid a smile. Oh, the difference a strong man made. She'd hated Greg's relentless pursuit; now she craved that same thing from Dan. She wanted him something fierce, but Dan was going to have to come to her. Have to continue doing exactly what he'd already been doing. It was by far the best foreplay she'd ever had.
Deep in conversation with yet another law enforcement someone who'd arrived, Dan glanced up at her. The look in his eyes said volumes. Her body responded, heart beating so loudly it muted the sounds around her.
Yes…it would be very, very good. Sadly, it wouldn't be tonight.
Chapter 4
This wasn't how Dan envisioned the night going. Amid the furor over this crime, he'd had to step in to protect his fledgling rights for Leigh. He didn't care who the guy was, the man had no right cornering her the way he had. Dan had no choice but to protect her. But man, oh man, the way Leigh had responded had given Dan another hard-on from hell. He wanted more than anything to show her how caveman he could be.
Now, while his fellow law enforcement associates dissected theories of the why and who of the crime, all Dan could think about was pressing Leigh up against the side of the nearest vehicle, yanking her skirt up-yes! a skirt that showed those trim calves that could lock around a man's waist and give him the ride of his life-shoving her panty crotch aside, and plunging his aching cock inside her.
Was it his imagination that she looked at him with raw hunger? Or had cum backed up so far it had seeped into his brain and made it impossible to think beyond the need to finally make her truly his?
'I don't buy that the girl's boyfriend did this,' Watson was saying.
Dan didn't buy it either, but it honestly wasn't his problem. The college was in civilian jurisdiction, not military. NCIS had no responsibility here unless it somehow might involve a military crime or person. And as much as he loved his work, Dan wasn't about to waste time expounding on who did what when it didn't involve him and he had much better things to pursue. Like the woman standing not twenty feet away, hugging herself against the kiss of autumn in the desert air. The combination of red, white, blue, and yellow lights flashing made the moment surreal, like they were caught in some crazy dream.
'Hello? Are you with us?' Watson jabbed him.
Generally, Dan could put up with his antics. Not tonight.
'What do you think?' Watson asked when he realized he now had Dan's attention.
Dan shrugged. 'I think it's possible she did it herself for the attention. What else is there to think? Any other theories I might have would be too far over the top. The college is too isolated for anyone to gain anything from this type of damage. Drug running's the only plausible thing that comes to mind, and if that's the case, then why draw attention with vandalism when they know it will bring the police.'
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
