Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Leigh was excited about starting her new job.  She had applied for a
position in a warehouse and was pleased when she had been called and told
that if she wanted the job, it was hers.  After reporting to her immediate
supervisor she waited for the rest of her department to show up for their
morning meeting.  As people started to trickle in, she was not overly
shocked that she was one of the few women present.  Out of the twenty
people in her department only three, including herself were women.  She had
never seen so many young and hunky men in one place.  Especially after her
last place of employment.  They had only one man in the whole building. 
What a switch this was going to be.  After being introduced around the
department, she started her first shift in her new place of employment.

   As she was walking out at the end of her shift, she left in high
spirits. She was tired but it was a very rewarding tiredness.  As she
walked out to the parking lot, she saw her current boyfriend impatiently
waiting for her.  When she got into the car, she saw his nose wrinkle with
distaste.  Looking down at herself she noticed how dusty and dirty she had
gotten during the course of her shift.

   "Sorry, Douglas.  I'm a bit of a mess.  I'll take a shower as soon as we
get home." She assured him.

   "You look like you have been rooting with the pigs, Leigh."

   "I know.  But I'll wash up just fine." She replied as they pulled out of
the parking lot.

   Time flew by quickly for Leigh and she settled into her new job like a
duck to water.  She was for once happy to go to work.  But as her joy in
her new job increased, at home her relationship with Douglas was getting
worse.  He had become more and more condescending about everything she did.
From her clothes to her job, nothing was left untouched.  It seemed that
there was no pleasing him as of late.  But as far as anyone at work could
tell, she was always happy and she was eventually being asked to go out
with the rest of the department after work for drinks.  She was hesitant to
accept without Douglas's permission.  So she made her excuses and went home
to listen to Douglas complain that the pot roast that she had put in the
crock pot was overdone and rubbery.  Sighing she wondered what the rest of
the guys from work were doing.  Next time they asked she was going to go
with.  And screw what Douglas thought.  She was free, white and over
twenty-one.

   It wasn't long before she was asked again.  And this time she accepted.
She called Douglas and told him that he didn't have to pick her up and she
would be home later.  Then she hung up before he could give her the third
degree about what she was doing.  One of her co-workers, Jason offered to
let her ride with him.  Shyly she accepted his offer.  She knew that if her
girlfriend, Gloria, had ever met him, she would rate him as total stud
muffin.  Even though Leigh was five-ten, he towered over her by at least
six inches.  And he was a well-built man in his prime.  From his chocolate
colored hair and bronzed skin to his deep blue eyes, he just screamed
testosterone.  And if she had been single she would have more than jump at
the chance to see him outside of work.  But that was just wishful thinking
on her part.  He was a fun guy to work with and quickly becoming a good
friend.  It was a definite switch from having girlfriends.  When they
arrived at the local hang out, she relaxed and enjoyed herself.  She had a
few cold ones with the guys and then called herself a cab to take her home,
even though Jason protested and said that he was more than willing to take
her home.  After reassuring him that it was for the best she left.

   Jason and the rest of the department were surprised when Leigh called in
the next few days.  She had been a very dependable employee up til then. 
Finally Jason asked his boss if everything was okay.

   "She'll be back in a few days, Jason.  She has a doctor excuse.  She
needs a couple of days on her pain med.  She said that she tripped over the
curb outside her house and landed on her hand.  She sprained her wrist
really bad." Randy, his supervisor replied.  Jason didn't say much but he
hoped she would be back soon.  Everyone missed her sunny disposition.

   When Leigh finally returned to work, she was happy to see everyone and
she thanked them for the card and the flowers that they had sent to her. 
But it was almost noticeable to everyone that she was more subdued than she
had been before she had fallen.  For the next few weeks most of the
department became more concerned about her.  They talked amongst themselves
and were baffled about Leigh's mood change.  Where had their happy,
outgoing co-worker gone to?  They missed their Ms.  Sunshine, as they
called her.  Then it finally came to a head the day that Leigh came into
work with a bruise on the side of her face.  She had tried to cover it with
makeup.



   Leigh had hoped that no one would notice the bruise on her face.  She
had broken up with Douglas and he hadn't taken it well.  And he had left a
reminder of his displeasure on her cheek.  And she promptly called the
police and had him escorted out of her apartment.  He was spending the
night in jail as a result.  She was no man's punching bag.  With any luck
none of the guys would notice it.  They had all become close as family and
she didn't want to explain what a jerk her ex had been.  Unfortunately luck
was not with her.  The first one she saw in her department was Jason.  He
took one look at her and his brow furrowed and he lifted her chin to get a
better look at her face.

   "That bastard!" he growled before walking away.  Leigh stood there
shaken.  It was the first time that Jason had ever touched her.  Her face
tingled where he had touched it.  Christ, she thought, now is not the time
for my sex drive to kick in.  I have one hell of a mess to take care of
with Douglas.  She worked through her shift and was surprised when none of
the other guys said anything about her bruise.  It was almost quitting time
when she was paged over the p.a.  system.  Walking into her supervisor's
office, she was surprised to see a handful of the guys, standing inside of
the office.  After entering, her supervisor told Jason to shut the door.

   "Leigh.  I know this is a touchy subject in today's age, but you are
part of our family now.  Is your boyfriend beating on you?" Randy asked.

   "You mean my ex?  Not any more." She laughed bitterly.  "I kicked him to
the curb last night via the local police.  I'm no man's punching bag."

   "That's damn straight." Jason said.  The rest of the guys echoed him.

   "Do you have a restraining order against him?"

   "No.  But I think he'll stay away from now on."

   "Does he still have stuff in your apartment?" Randy asked.

   "A few things."

   "Well, that settles it.  When he gets out of jail, I'll have a couple of
the guys come over and stay with you." Jason, Mike and Craig immediately
volunteered their services.

   "Thanks guys." Leigh said.

   It took a few weeks for Leigh to return to her normal sunny disposition.
She noticed that Jason seemed to be watching her rather intently when he
didn't think she was watching.  It seemed like he was waiting for
something. And if she only knew how right she was.  Finally one night after
work, while he was walking her out to her car, he asked her out.

   "Will you go with me, Ms Sunshine?" Looking up at him, she stared. 
"Don't act so shocked, Leigh." Jason said softly.  "I know you feel the
same undercurrents that I do.  I've just been waiting for you to get over
him."

   "Jason.  I can't." She replied with regret.

   "Why?" He asked as he leaned against the fender of her car.

   "We work together."

   "That won't work." Jason said with a smile.  "Try again."

   "What?" She said with surprise.

   "Try again, Leigh.  Let's see what other excuses you can find to turn me
down."

   "I'm not ready to date again." She replied hotly.

   "Really?" Jason said before leaning down enough to capture her mouth
with a gentle kiss.  After he slowly kissed her senseless, he lifted his
head.  Her breathing was just as ragged as his.  "You know where to find
me, when you're ready, Leigh.  I'll be waiting." He finished.  Brushing a
quick kiss over her forehead, he walked over to his truck.

   Over the next few weeks, Leigh tried to stand firm in the face of
Jason's gentle pursuit.  He never got overly aggressive with her.  She
assumed that was due to the fact that he didn't want to act like her ex. 
He still walked her out every night to her car and asked her out.  And
tonight was no different.

   "Jason." She said as she shook her head.  "You never give up."

   "Eventually you will run out of excuses, Leigh."

   "Tell me why you keep asking me.  Other than the fact you don't like the
word no."

   "Because I want you, Leigh.  I don't expect you to sleep with me on the
first date.  But I am going to be honest with you.  I go to sleep wanting
you.  I wake up wanting you.  I come to work wanting you.  I'm going crazy
with desire.  My body isn't going to know any peace until I've loved you
within an inch of your life."

   Leigh gasped in surprise and unexpected pleasure.  Before she could say
anything he leaned in and gave her another one of his slow, passionate
kisses.

   "Just something for you to think on, Leigh.  You'll say yes one of these
times." He said after he lifted his head.  "And I'll make it so damn good
that you'll scream with pleasure."

   "That confident in your abilities?"

   "No that confident in you." He said.  "Just remember what I said, Ms
Sunshine.  Anytime you want me all you have to do is say the word and I am
yours."

   His parting words preyed on Leigh's mind through the next few days until
she was about ready to crawl up the wall with desire.  She had pleasured
herself several times while thinking about him.  But it never seemed to be
enough.  She still felt the heat of desire and need running through her
whenever she saw him.  She had never felt desire this strongly before.  She
was afraid that she would fall for him.  And after her experience with
Douglas she didn't want to fall for another man.  Maybe she wouldn't fall
for him but she knew herself and there was every chance that she would.  He
was funny and a nice guy.  He was a bit of a jokester but it only seemed to
make him all the more irresistible.  And the man did know how to kiss. 
Sighing she dressed for work and wondered what would happen today, if Jason
would be waiting outside to follow her to work or if he had finally tired
of it.  Since she had thrown her ex out, Jason had taken to following her
to work and home from work.  Walking out her front door, she was surprised
to see Douglas standing on her porch.  Glancing around him, she saw that
Jason was nowhere to be seen.

   "What do you want, Douglas?"

   "No boyfriend today?" He mocked.

   "I'm not in the mood for this Douglas.  Tell me what you want."

   "I came for the rest of my stuff and to give you this." He said harshly
as he pushed her back through the door.  Shoving her into her livingroom,
he turned and closed the door behind him.  "Now, Leigh, shall we discuss
the little issue of you screwing around on me?"

   "Douglas, I told you weeks ago that I didn't want to see you anymore.  I
am no man's punching bag.  And I'm not screwing anyone." She told him as
she edged closer to the table where the phone was.

   "Ahh, yes.  You know you really could have gotten me into a lot of
trouble at work when you had me arrested." Douglas said coldly as he
stalked closer to her.

   "You didn't leave me any choice.  Just because you're bigger than me
doesn't mean that you have the right to smack me around." Leigh replied as
she bumped up against the stand that the phone was resting on.

   "You think that was smacking around?  That was just a little discipline.
If you wanted me to smack you around all you had to do was ask, Leigh.  I
would have been more than happy to oblige you.  And if you didn't want me
to see you screwing around, then you shouldn't be letting a man grope you
in a public parking lot."

   " You've been spying on me?" She asked in disbelief.  "Leave, Douglas. I
don't want you here.  I'll send your things to you.  It's over."

   "I still have something to give you before I leave." He said before he
backhanded her.  "You told the cops that I was beating on you.  Well, we
better make sure that I'm guilty of what I am accused of." He stated
cheerfully as she fell to the floor.  "Now what are you doing down there?"
He scolded.  "Stand up and take it like a real woman." He jerked her to her
back to her feet.  Just as she expected to feel the next blow, it never
came.  Opening her eyes, she saw that Jason had grabbed Douglas arm.

   "You okay?" Jason asked her.  Nodding silently, she watched as he
twisted Douglas's arm behind his back.  "Why don't you call the police,
sweetheart?  I'll take Mr.  Congeniality outside to meet them."

   After the police finally had left, Leigh stood in front of the bathroom
mirror and tried to conceal the darkening bruise on her cheek.  Same place
as last time, she thought ironically.  Suddenly she felt Jason's presence
behind her.  Looking in the mirror she could see him in the doorway of the
bathroom.

   "Will you go with me, Ms Sunshine?" He asked softly.  Turning around she
looked at him.

   "Where to?" She asked.

   "Well, to breakfast for starters." He said as he pushed off the
doorframe.

   "What about work?" She squeaked.

   "I've already taken care of it." He said as he stopped inches from her.
Lifting her chin, he observed the bruise on her face.  "You know that he
really is a bastard."

   "I know." Leigh said with a sad smile.  "He saw you kiss me in parking
lot."

   "So what?  I'm not going to stop kissing you, Leigh.  Only if you tell
me that you don't want me to, will I stop." He said before pressing a soft
kiss on her upturned lips.  "Besides how else would I persuade you to go
with me?" He asked after he lifted his head.  "Christ, Leigh.  I thought I
was gonna die when I saw you on the floor.  You're gonna file a restraining
order now?"

   "I don't have much a choice now, do I?" She said as she brushed by him.
She stifled a soft moan.  Every nerve in her body seemed to be alive with
desire.  She really should stop him from kissing her.  As she left the
bathroom Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out a peppermint. 
Unwrapping it, he popped it into his mouth.  Damn, he thought, I really
should stop torturing myself.  It is gonna take even longer now to get
close to her.  But I don't care if takes forever, he told himself.  I'll
wait as long as I need to.  Leigh will be mine.

   As time flew by, Leigh became too accustomed to having Jason, become her
shadow.  He really was a wonderful friend.  He was still asking her out,
much to her amazement.  One afternoon, she and Gloria went out shopping and
had a late lunch.  After ordering, they sat chatting.  She was not
surprised to see Jason stop by the open air café that she and Gloria had
chosen to eat at.  Smiling she asked him to join them.

   "Naw, thanks for the offer Leigh.  But I don't want you wiggling out of
a date with me by claiming this as our date.  I'll see you later." He
winked at her before leaving.

   "Girlfriend, you have got to put that man out of his misery." Gloria
told her the minute that Jason was gone.  "Besides he's yummy."

   "Hey whose side are you on?" Leigh joked taking a sip of her drink.

   "Your's, of course." Her friend assured her.  "Why don't you just give
in and go out with him?  It's obvious the man is crazy about you."

   "I know.  I just don't trust myself yet.  I was so wrong about Douglas.
And there is the fact that we work together.  If something goes wrong, then
one of us will have to quit.  I don't want to chance that."

   "Have you asked him how he feels about that?" Gloria asked as she took a
bite out of her salad.

   "Yes, he says it's just another excuse.  And tells me to find another
one."

   "Really?" Gloria said with raised eyebrows.

   "Yes, his theory is that I'll eventually run out of excuses."

   "Well have you?" Leigh paused as she raised her sandwich to her mouth.

   "Getting there." Leigh said around her sandwich.

   "Then why won't you go out with him?" Gloria asked her.  "He doesn't do
anything for you?  I'd find that hard to believe."

   "It isn't a question of attraction, Gloria.  It's a matter of my trust
in myself."

   "Well then, Leigh, isn't high time that you started trusting yourself
again?"



   Leigh got ready for bed that night and thought about her talk with
Gloria today.  She wondered if she was ready to take the next step.  Her
body was crying yes, but her brain was still hesitant.  Maybe she should
just go on a date with the man.  He had already told her that he wasn't
expecting her to sleep with him.  But could she trust herself not to fall
into his bed on the first date?  When her head hit the pillow, she sighed.
Maybe she should risk it, she thought as she dozed off.

   When she woke the next morning, she finally decided.  She would try it
providing that Jason wasn't expecting to much from her.  She would just
have to be careful.  Take baby steps instead of the leaps and bounds that
she wanted to take.  Stepping into the shower, she winced as the hot water
hit her sensitive breasts.  She had to do something to get him out of her
system.  These torrid dreams had to stop.  Sighing she reached for her
shampoo.

   Jason watched Leigh out of the corner of his eye.  Something was
different about her today.  She was cheerful as ever but there seemed to be
a new level of tension between them.  Whatever was going on with her, was
slowly driving him crazy.  He was sorely tempted to pull her aside and find
out was going on in her mind.  As they left for break, he sighed when he
heard Randy call him over.  Turning around he headed back to see what he
wanted.

   "When are you two gonna quit pussy footing around each other?" Randy
asked after Jason shut the door.

   "What?" Jason asked in surprise.

   "You and Ms.  Sunshine.  Do you think that everyone around here is
blind, Jason?" Randy asked as he leaned back in his chair.

   "No." Jason responded as he sat down.  "I just hoped that it wasn't that
obvious.  I don't wanna scare her off."

   "So just go ahead and ask her out." Randy replied.  "She isn't the type
to scare very easily I think."

   "I have asked her out.  But she keeps coming up with excuses not to go
out with me.  She is afraid of how it will look if we start dating each
other."

   "Nonsense.  You, two, are perfect for each other.  And any fool can see
that.  And as long as you aren't in a position of authority over her, we
have no problems with employees dating each other."

   "I know.  I guess I'll just have to be more persuasive." Jason said
softly.

   Leigh waited on pins and needles for the end of the shift to come.  She
was just waiting for the moment when Jason walked her out to her car and
asked her out again.  Well at least she was hoping that he was still
interested.  It was hard for her to believe that she had known him for
almost six months.  When the whistle blew, she waited for a brief moment
before panic hit her.  Was she sure she wanted to do this?  She questioned
herself a bit wildly.  Looking around she saw that Jason was no where
around.  She would talk to him later, she decided.  But it was not to be,
she saw as she exited the building.  There stood Jason in all his masculine
glory resting against her car.  Walking slowly she took a couple deep
breaths and approached her car.  Pasting a smile on her face, she greeted
him.

   "Hey there, I didn't see you on the floor when I clocked out.  You must
have run to beat me out here." She said as she moved around him to the
driver's side door.

   "Leigh." He said softly, stopping her as she passed him.  "Why are you
avoiding me?  What have I done to scare you?  You have been acting strange
all day."

   "Nothing, Jason.  I keep telling you, it's not you, it's me." She told
him.

   "Let me in, Leigh.  Will you go with me, Ms Sunshine?" He asked her
again.

   "Where?" She asked.

   "Somewhere we can talk." He replied as he held onto her hand.  Closing
her eyes, she took a deep breath before opening them.

   "Yes."

   "Come on, lets get out of here." He said with a smile before opening her
car door.

   Leigh looked around the quiet play ground that Jason had taken her to.
She was surprised at his choice.  It was not completely deserted but had
about ten kids running around.  Sitting at a picnic table, she watched as
Jason brought over a couple of cold sodas.  She smiled as one of the kids
hit him with a frisbee and he tossed back to them with a laugh and a smile.
Picking the sodas back up he brought them over to her.

   "Here you go." He said as he settled down across the table from her. 
She was still trying to get use to the fact that he was such a direct man.
When he spoke to her, he always looked her directly in the eyes.  Which was
such a change from most guys who had a tendency to talk to her bust.  "He
hasn't tried to contact you again, has he?" Jason asked.

   "No.  Since I filed the papers against him, he hasn't so much as called
me.  I mailed his belongings to his work.  Hopefully it's all over and done
with."

   "I hope so." Jason replied.  "You know Randy had a talk with me earlier
today?"

   "He did?" Leigh said taking a drink of her soda.

   "Yes.  He wanted to know when we were going to quit pussyfooting around
each other."

   "He what!" She gasped as she choked on her soda.  Quickly Jason leaned
over and rubbed on her back.

   "The guys aren't blind, Leigh.  They all know how I feel.  I haven't
made a point of hiding it from them."

   "Oh great." She groaned.  "So what do we do now?"

   "Will you go with me?"

   "You know you are starting to sound like a broken record, Jason."

   "I know." He said with a smile.  "It's not against company rules to date
a co-worker, Leigh.  Just give us a chance." He coaxed.

   "Well, I-" she started automatically.

   "Haven't you run out of excuses yet?" he teased.

   "Yes." She groaned.  He stilled.

   "So what's stopping you, Leigh?"

   "Just me." She said as she ducked her head down.  She wasn't surprised
when she felt his fingers on her chin.

   "Look at me, Leigh." He said softly as he raised her face to his. 
"Don't hide from me.  I would never hurt you." Leaning forward he brushed
his lips against hers.  "You just need to trust yourself, Leigh."

   "I know.  But I've already made one huge mistake with Douglas." She
explained.

   "Leigh, honey, you can't take responsibility for his actions.  Doesn't
matter how angry a man gets, he shouldn't hit a woman.  It's just natures
way to make a man stronger than a woman.  A real man doesn't hit on things
smaller than him."

   "Then you don't hit on much at all do you." She laughed.  "You're big as
a house."

   "No, I don't." He chuckled.  "I prefer to think first.  I really wanted
to kill Douglas the day I walked in and found you on the floor.  But I
wasn't going to lower myself to his level.  And I didn't want to scare you.
But believe me I would have loved to take him out behind the woodshed and
teach him a thing or two about hitting you."

   "I guess I should thank you for that." She said softly.

   "Don't get me wrong, Leigh.  I have a temper just like the next man. 
But I prefer to control it than have it control me." He said before he took
a drink of his soda.

   "You know that makes sense.  But I still have a hard time believing that
you have a temper.  You are such a clown." She said with a smile.

   "It's much easier to be happy than angry." He replied as he took hold of
her hand.  Turning it over he traced the lines of it with his thumb.  Leigh
shivered a little.

   "See, Leigh, how we react to each other." Jason stated as he continued
to caress her hand.  "This kind of chemistry is unique.  It only comes
around once a lifetime.  But I want more than a quick roll in the hay,
sweetheart.  And I hope that doesn't scare you."

   "A little." She admitted.  "Can we take it slow?"

   "As slow as you need." Jason agreed.

   "Okay.  Ask me again?" She said with her tongue in cheek.  Jason roared
with laughter.

   "Will you go with me, Ms Sunshine?" He asked still laughing.

   "Yes." She said.  Laughing with joy, he pulled her off the picnic table
and spun her around.

   "Put me down." She squealed.



   Leigh stared at herself in the mirror.  She had just applied the
finishing touches on her make up.  She wanted to look her best for Jason
tonight.  He was use to seeing her in faded jeans and T-shirts.  She really
wanted to wow him tonight.  Smoothing her skirt down she stared in the
mirror with a critical eye.  It had been a long time since she had worn
this outfit.  Douglas had hated it.  It had been a present from Gloria, who
had known that she had fell in love with it the first time she had seen it
in the department store window.  It was a rather simple outfit.  She looked
like a country girl.  Which in all realities she was.  That was probably
why Douglas had hated it.  Then the door bell rang.  Well, lets see if
Jason likes it any better than Douglas, she told herself as she went to
answer the door.

   As the door opened Jason had just popped a peppermint into his mouth. 
He almost choked when he saw her.

   "Are you okay?" Leigh asked with concern.

   "Yeah." He said after he took a deep breath.  "Damn, woman, you should
have warned me about that outfit."

   "Oh, you don't like it?" She asked with a sigh.

   "No, I love it.  And if the timing was a little different, I'd show you
how much I like it.  Turn around for me." He requested.  A little self
conscience she did as he asked.  Jason couldn't believe his luck.  She had
chosen to wear a pretty jade top that matched her gorgeous green eyes with
a soft flowing skirt in a pale cream color.  And she had left her long
blond hair down.  She looked like the girl next door but it sent his libido
into overdrive.

   "Is it okay." She asked.

   "For what I have planned, yes.  C'mon, Ms, Sunshine.  Let's go have some
fun." He said as he offered her his hand.

   "All right" She said with a smile as she pulled the door closed behind
them.

   Leigh laughed with joy as Jason lead her back up the walk to her house.
She had a wonderful time tonight with him.  Even with all the undercurrents
that she could feel tugging between them, she still had enjoyed herself. 
Somehow, Jason had gotten a hold of a couple tickets to see Robin Williams.
She had never laughed so hard in her life.  Then afterwards he had taken
her back to the same park that they had gone too earlier and they had done
some stargazing.  And other than stealing a few kisses from her, he hadn't
pressed her for anymore.  Which she was glad for in a way.  She knew that
if he had persisted she would have let him do anything he wanted to her
body.  When they reached the door, he took her keys from her and unlocked
it.  Turning she smiled up at him.

   "Did you want to come in for coffee?" She asked shyly.

   "Not tonight, Ms.  Sunshine." He said softly.  "But perhaps one day I
will."

   "Oh." She said surprised.  "I see."

   "No, I don't think you do, Leigh." He whispered before he captured her
lips again.  Immediately Leigh went up on her toes and wrapped her arms
around him.  She did love the way that he kissed her.  And this time, she
took over the kiss.  Shyly rubbing the tip of her tongue against his lips,
she heard him groan before his lips opened and he accepted her offer.  As
they stood there kissing, the fire flared up even higher than it had
earlier.  Jason groaned and tore his lips from hers.  He was barely holding
on.  He had promised that he would take this slow.  And he would even if it
killed him.  Which just might, he mused to himself.  "Shh, Ms.  Sunshine."
He soothed when she protested.  He held her till the trembling stopped. 
Then he released her.

   "Are you sure you don't want some coffee?" She asked again.

   "Leigh, sweetheart.  I only drink coffee in the morning." He said softly
and watched as understanding dawned on her.  The only way that he would
ever be having coffee with her is if he stayed the night.

   "Oh." She said softly.

   "I'll see you in the morning, Ms Sunshine.  Sweet Dreams." He said as he
walked back down the walk.

   "But we don't work tomorrow-" she started as he got into his truck.

   "I know." She thought she heard him say as he pulled away.



   Leigh was surprised when Randy called her into his office a couple weeks
later.  She wasn't sure what he wanted.

   "Sit down Leigh." He said with a smile.

   "Did I do something wrong, Bossman?" She asked.

   "No.  I'd say that you did something right, Ms Sunshine."

   "I did?" She replied as she sat down.

   "Yes.  You know that we are all one family in the department.  And I
wanted to reassure you that we all are in favor of you and Jason getting
together."

   "Well-" she started.

   "Now I know that you might think this is awkward but I don't want it to
be.  Just be careful with him."

   "Careful with him?" she asked, not understanding.

   "Yes.  I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

   "Me hurt him." She said with a laugh.  "Somehow I don't think that will
ever happen.  In case you didn't notice, Bossman, he's twice my size."

   "You know what I mean Leigh." Randy scolded.  "The man's already half in
love with you.  And it won't take much to push him all the way over."

   "Oh." She said in shock.

   Leigh walked out to her car.  She was still in a daze from her meeting
with Randy.  The thought that Jason might come to love her had never
occurred to her.  She gasped in surprise when Jason grabbed her from behind
and lifted her off her feet.  She laughed and gasped as he spun her around
in a circle.

   "Put me down, you fool." She gasped.

   "Okay." He said as he spun her around to face him.  "You left without
me." He scolded.

   "I don't think I have to worry about Douglas anymore, Jason.  You don't
need to escort me every night, any more."

   "That's not the point, Ms Sunshine.  It's not a matter of need.  It's a
matter of wanting to.  And I want.  Believe me I want." He whispered before
kissing her slowly.

   `Hmm." She whispered.  "You must love slow kisses."

   "I love `em" he said as continued to kiss her.

   "Hmm." She murmured.

   "Will you go with me, Ms Sunshine?" He asked when he lifted his head.

   "Where to?" She teased.

   "To my house for supper." He invited.

   "Yes." She said knowing that she could trust him with her life.

   After supper, Leigh helped him load the dishwasher.  She could feel the
undercurrents growing stronger every time she saw him.  She knew it
wouldn't be long before she ended up in his bed.  But before she could do
that she needed to know where she stood with him.

   "Did Bossman call you into his office today?" Leigh asked Jason as she
settled into the hammock with him in his backyard.

   "No, why?" Jason asked as he pulled her closer to him.

   "He called me in today." She said as she rested her head on his
shoulder. "He told me that all the guys were happy that we started dating.
And he warned me not to hurt you." She said softly.

   "Did he?" Jason said as he stroked her hair absently.

   "Yes.  I laughed at first.  Physically there isn't much chance of me
hurting you Jason."

   "Hmm, never can tell." He teased as he brushed a kiss across her hair.

   "But he said that you were half in love with me.  Is it true?" she asked
softly.  Jason stilled.  Leigh kept her head against his chest while she
waited for his answer.

   "Leigh, look at me." Jason whispered.  Slowly she raised her head and
met his eyes.  "No, sweetheart, it's not true." When tears filled her eyes,
she tried to get up.  "Ms Sunshine, don't cry.  Be still and let me
finish." He ordered as he placed her on top of him.  Wrapping one hand
around her waist and the other cradling her head, he continued.  "I've
never been half in love with you.  I've been head over heels since the day
I met you."

   "Oh Jason." She whispered.

   "So be gentle, Leigh." He said as he pulled her closer and closed his
eyes.  Now that she knew the depth of his feelings, he hoped she wouldn't
run.  He groaned low in his chest when she wiggled against him.  Opening
his eyes, he released her.  The promise not to rush her was getting harder
and harder to keep.  He wasn't sleeping well, and being with her was
torture but being apart was even worse.  He knew if he had patience she
would come to him.  Sitting up he helped her out of the hammock.

   "You ready?" He asked, figuring she was ready to head home.

   "Yes." She said, hoping that he understood she was ready to share his
bed.

   "Let me grab my keys and I'll take you back to your car." He said
heading to the house.

   "Jason." She said softly.

   "Hmm." He said in a distracted way as he opened the sliding glass door
to the kitchen.

   "Jason, please look at me." Leigh said hesitantly.  Jason stopped what
he was doing and looked over his shoulder at her.  She looked so beautiful
standing in the moonlight.  "Will you go with me?" She asked softly humor
shining in her green eyes.

   "Where?" He asked woodenly.

   "Your room." She whispered as she walked closer to him.

   "Where?" he croaked.

   "You told me that if I ever wanted you, all I had to do was ask." Taking
a deep breath, she stopped a breath's width from him.  "Well, I' m asking."
She whispered as she went up on tiptoes and brushed her lips against his.

   "Oh, Ms Sunshine, are you sure?" He groaned.

   "Yes." She told him.  He growled before swinging her up into his arms.



   Leigh sighed in anticipation as he let her slide down him until her feet
touched the floor in his softly lit bedroom.  Reaching for the hem of her
shirt, she started to pull it off, when he stopped her.

   "Let me." He whispered against her lips.  "I've been dreaming of
undressing you for months."

   "Okay.  As long as I get to return the favor." He groaned deep in his
chest at the thought of her hands unsnapping and unzipping him.

   "Go slow, is all I ask." He said with a laugh.  Looking down at his
tight jeans, she giggled.

   "As slow as you need." She said, mimicking his earlier words.

   "You little minx." He growled as he pulled her closer.  Then he pulled
her shirt over her head.  His breath caught in his throat as he stared at
her bra incased breasts.  He could see the rosy pink nipples through the
peach lace.  "You should be outlawed woman." He whispered as he lifted her
breasts level with his mouth.  Leaning forward he captured a lace-covered
nipple with his mouth.  She moaned as she felt him suckling her nipple.  A
wave a desire settled deep in her stomach as he nibbled at one then the
other.  Clenching her thighs together she whimpered as the tension inside
of her coiled even tighter.

   "What's wrong, sweetheart?" Jason asked as before flicking open the
front clasp of her bra and releasing her heaving breasts.  Pulling her even
closer he swallowed one hard tip and flicked his tongue against it.

   "Ohhh." She gasped as the tension went even higher.  Jason stilled when
he realized what was happening to her.

   "So it's like that is it?" He murmured before attacking her other hard
nipple.  Leigh's breath caught as she teetered on the edge of release.  She
couldn't believe that this was happening.  Desperately she tried to hang
on. She wanted it to last.  She didn't want it to end yet.

   "Jason..." she pleaded.

   "Hmmm." He growled happily.  And pulled her hips against his hard.

   "Don't make me..." she whimpered.

   "Come." He finished as he bit her nipple gently.  She gasped as the coil
snapped and her hips twitched against his and she flew over the edge.

   "Jason!" she cried.

   "Oh, yeah." He growled as he lifted his head and captured her lips with
his and thrust his tongue against hers.  She sagged weakly in his arms as
he backed her closer to his bed.

   "How did you make that happen?" she gasped when he finally came up for
air.

   "You, Ms.  Sunshine.  That was all you." He whispered as he slowly
unbuttoned her jeans.

   "I can't believe you made me come like that."

   "Me either.  I almost lost it too." He growled against her damp stomach
as he worked her jeans over her sexy hips.

   "Oh, I don't think I'm gonna survive this." She gasped as the coil
started to tighten again.

   "Sure you will." Jason chuckled as he worked the denim down her long
legs.  He ended up on his knees before her.  He kissed each new section of
skin he uncovered.  When he finally had them pooled around her ankles, he
stared up at her.  She was so sexy, standing next to his bed wearing just a
wisp of silk covering her most intimate spot.  After she kicked her jeans
off, he tossed them over his shoulder.  Reaching behind his head, he
grabbed a handful of T-shirt and started to tug it over his head.

   "Oh you bad boy." She teased.  "You told me I could do that." Jason
groaned as he released his hold on the shirt.

   "Then do it quick." He growled, still kneeling before her.  Leaning down
she gently grabbed the edge of his T-shirt and pulled it over his head,
ruffling his hair as she did.  Running a hand over the silky strands, she
attempted to smooth them back in place.  Taking her fingers in his warm
hand he kissed them as he stood up, once again towering over her.  "I still
think I'm a little overdressed, Leigh." He said as he ran a hand over the
erection that was straining the front of his jeans.  She watched in
fascination as he continued to rub himself.

   "Can I?" she asked swallowing hard.

   "Can you what?" He teased her gently.  Reaching over she shyly tugged on
the button of his jeans.  It popped open and she could see the dark hair
that peppered his abdomen.  Gently she tugged on it.

   "Hey now, none of that." He said playfully as he cupped one of her
breasts in his hand again.

   "Jason, I'll never get this done if you don't stop distracting me." She
whispered when he pinched her nipple gently.

   "I'll stop touching when you stop" he groaned.  She realized with a
start that she had been rubbing the head of his erection where it had
peeked out of the top of the opening she had created.

   "Oh." She said moving her hand away.  Batting his hands out of her way
she knelt down at his feet and stared at the tight zipper.  Grasping the
top of his jeans she slowly coaxed it down over his swollen manhood.  "Is
that better?" She asked as she finally pulled the tab all the way down. 
Reaching in, she gently freed him from the folds of denim.  "Oh my.  Is
that for me?"

   "Yeah!" He growled when she rubbed her hand up and down him
slowly."Please stop, sweetheart." He gently pushed her hand away from him.
Pulling her up to her feet, he stood her next to the bed.  Pulling down the
blanket and sheet, he placed her in the middle of his king size mattress.
"Oh Leigh." He whispered as he pushed his jeans down around his ankles and
then kicked them off.  She held open her arms and he crawled into them. 
They both groaned in pleasure as their naked skin touched. Jason was
careful not to crush her under him, but the need and desire to claim her
were almost beyond his control.  Reaching up she ran her hands over his
muscled chest and sighed with pleasure.  He felt so hot.  She didn't even
notice the chill in the room because he was so warm.  Bracing himself on
his arms he leaned down and kissed her.  As their tongues intertwined, he
lowered himself between her spread legs.  As he continued to kiss her, he
slowly rubbed his arousal against her.  She rocked her hips in time to his.
"Sweetheart, please, tell me you are protected?" He gasped.

   "Ohhh." Leigh whispered as she tried to focus on his words.

   "Do we need protection, Ms Sunshine?" He growled against the side of her
neck.

   "No." She gasped as she arched under him.

   "Thank God." He groaned as he pulled her hips even more tightly against
him and rocked.  "Woman, I'm on a short fuse here.  I gotta get inside
you."

   "Yes!" She hissed, pulling on his muscular shoulders.  Spreading her
legs even further apart, she allowed him to settle deeper between them.

   "Gotta make sure you are ready.  I don't wanna hurt you." He panted as
he rested his forehead on hers.  Reaching between their bodies he eased the
dainty scrap of lace, covering her secrets, aside.  She arched against his
hand as he slowly sank one thick finger inside of her.  "Fuck, you're
soaking wet." He growled as he slowly pulled his finger out before sinking
two more of them back in.  She groaned as he used a steady rhythm to make
her ready for the thick length of him.  "Shh," he soothed as she squirmed
against him, searching for release.

   "Now!" She pleaded.

   "Christ, yes." He growled as he removed his fingers and replaced them
with the hot head of his shaft.  Moving his hips slowly, he inched his way
inside of her.  Leigh threw her head back as she felt him start to enter
her.  He was definitely larger than Douglas had been, or any of her other
lovers.  Immediately she stiffened.  "Relax, Ms Sunshine.  Let me in." He
coaxed in a hoarse voice.  She could feel the tremors that were running
through him.  Going slowly was costing him dearly.  And it made her cherish
him all the more, knowing that he was trying to spare her any pain that
their joining might cause her.  Desperately she tried to relax.

   "I'm trying." She gasped.  "But you are so large." She panted as he
slowly inched further into her.  "Ohhh." She gasped as the spring wound
tighter.

   "Yes." He growled.  "You are ready to come again.  Let go, sweetheart,
and let me in.  I need to be all the way in." He growled in passion. 
Placing his hands on her thighs he urged them around his waist.  "Wrap me
tight." He growled.  When she did, he grunted in pleasure.  "Now hang on
tight.  This may be a little on the rough side." He gasped before surging
even farther in.  Pulling back out he pushed back in, gaining more depth
with each thrust.  She bit her lip and struggled not to scream as pleasure
slammed through her.  "Oh you little minx.  Coming without me." He growled
as she accepted all of him in the moment of her release.

   "Ohhh.  Jason.  Please." She gasped brokenly.

   "More." He coaxed as he slowly started to thrust in and out of her. 
Each time becoming a bit faster than the last.  Before long, the bed was
creaking with the time of the bodies on it.  The cries and gasps became
louder until Leigh stilled under Jason's hard working body.  "What's
wrong," he gasped as he slowed.

   "I want on top." She gasped.  "I want to ride you."

   "Oh, really.  Why's that?" He teased softly as the desire flared even
higher in him.

   "I want to ride you til I make you come." She panted.  "I want to
control when it happens."

   "Oh you are so wicked." He groaned before rolling with her until he was
on his back and she was draped over him, their bodies still joined.  "Sit
up." He coaxed.  When she slowly eased into an upright position, she came
hard.  She cried out and pulled his hands to her breasts as she peaked
again.  "Leigh!" he growled before squeezing her breasts gently.  "Now ride
me." He begged as his hips rose off the damp sheet under him.  Leigh gasped
and tried to focus on his face.  He wanted something, she thought foggily.
When she felt the hard thrust of his hips beneath her, she slowly started
to ride him.  She realized that she must have done something right when he
groaned deep in his throat and grabbed her hips to help guide her against
him.  "Faster, Leigh." He coaxed.  Immediately she obeyed and moved more
urgently against him.  She gasped as it became obvious that while she was
trying to drive Jason over the edge, she was precariously close herself.

   "Jason..." She whimpered as she slammed her pelvis against his. 
"Please."

   "Please what?" He tormented as he grabbed her withering hips.

   "Come with me." She panted as she pushed at his restraining hands.

   "You little minx." He growled and started bucking uncontrollably under
her.  She screamed this time as her orgasm raced through her.  Jason
couldn't hold on this time.  He could feel it coming from the soles of his
feet.  "Oh my god, here it comes." He groaned as the pleasure became more
intense.

   "Yes." Leigh panted as she continued to meet his thrusts.  "Let go,
Jason." She begged.  Rolling over with her he buried himself even deeper
and exploded inside of her.  He groaned low as his body was wracked with
the longest orgasm of his life.  Then he sank into her waiting arms.

   As the morning dawned, Jason lay on his side watching the sunshine pour
over Leigh.  He could barely believe that she was finally in his bed.  If
he had his choice, she would be staying there for a long time.  He could
get use to sleeping with her in his arms and watching her wake up every
morning.  Now he just had to convince her of that.  Leaning forward, he
gently kissed her shoulder.  He knew that he should wait until she was
awake before he made love to her again.  He couldn't help himself though.
During the night they had slept spooned together and he had awoken to the
feel of her silken bottom rubbing against his morning erection.  He growled
in pleasure when she stirred against him.  Easing his hand down over her
hip, he pulled her closer to him.  He nuzzled the side of her neck before
exploring the shell of her ear.  He growled happily when she moaned and
pressed back against him.

   "Hmm..." She whispered happily and then gasped when he slid a roughened
hand between her thighs.  Jason couldn't believe his luck.  She was already
wet and ready for him.  The thought of it made him wild to be inside of
her. Groaning he lifted her leg over his and slowly merged with her.  Leigh
woke with a gasp.  She was filled to the limit and this was the first time
she had ever woken with a man buried deep inside of her.  "Oh my." She
gasped as he started to work himself in and out of her.

   "Sorry, minx but I couldn't wait." He growled against her ear as he
continued to thrust.  "Can you imagine waking up like this every morning?"
He asked.  "Waking up to find the loving already beginning?"

   "Ohhh." She wailed as the peak neared.  "Not yet."

   "Oh you little minx." He said fondly.  "Let go." He coaxed as he thrust
harder and deep as he could.

   "No, no, no." She chanted.  Fighting the need for release, she tried to
squirm away.

   "Where do you think you are going?" Jason said huskily, gripping her
soft hips.  "Minx, you are one stroke away from coming all over my hard
cock." His words were her undoing.  She gave a muffled shriek and exploded.
When she got her breath back, she could still feel him inside her, slowly
thrusting.  "Why do you always fight it, Ms Sunshine?  You know that I'll
always win.  I love to make you come.  You grip me so tightly when you
peak."

   "Jason." She gasped as it began again.  "Please."

   "Please what?" He said as he nibbled on her shoulder.

   "Let me roll over.  I need to hold you." She whispered with raw need. 
With a deep groan, he jerked out of her and had her on her back before she
could ask again.  He groaned as he surged into her again.  Leigh gasped as
he hooked her legs over the crooks of his arms and began to pound in and
out of her.  She moaned and wrapped her arms around him.

   "Better?" He panted as he continued to thrust.  Her only answer was a
scream as her body shook with the force of her climax.  "Yes!  Oh, hell,
I'm gonna come." He gasped before shoving her legs up on his shoulders. 
His head snapped back as his own climax slammed into him.  Through the haze
of his own pleasure he could tell that Leigh was lost in her own.  He
bellowed as he felt her muscles grip him fiercely.

   "Yes!" Leigh screamed as pleasure racked her body continually.  When
they finally came to rest, they were both gasping.  Leaning down Jason gave
her one of his slow kisses.  "Good morning, Minx." He whispered.

   "Hmm." Was all she could say.

   Jason yawned as he stood in front of his coffee maker.  He had hated to
leave the warm nest of his bed but he needed his morning coffee.  He had
left Leigh curled up in his bed.  After pouring himself a cup he wandered
back upstairs.  He was expecting to find Leigh still snuggled in his bed.
But she wasn't there.  He was puzzled until he heard the shower running in
his bathroom.  Smiling he walked into his steamy bathroom.  Leaning against
the sink, he waited for the water to shut off.  When the curtain pulled
back he was treated to an eyeful of a warm, wet woman.

   Leigh was a bit startled when she saw Jason leaning against the sink. 
But she immediately locked onto the fact that he had coffee.  Reaching for
the towel on the rack she watched him take a drink.  "What do I have to do
to get a sip of that?" She asked huskily.  Pushing off the sink, he crossed
over to her.  After taking a drink he pressed his lips against hers.  She
was pleasantly surprised when he fed her the coffee from his own lips. 
When he finally lifted his head, she smiled.  "You know that could become
addictive."
   "I'm planning on it." He said with a smile.