Disclaimers: See Part 1 and once again I apologize for the wait (*smile*).

Author’s Note: We finally hit our deadline at work, so I should have more free time now…let’s all keep our fingers crossed. And I live for your feedback so drop me a line to just say "Hi", if you want to. Once again to all the folks who have been loyally following this story, I want to say thanks for hanging in there with me. Well enough of my babbling…. on to the story…

Honor Among Thieves

Part XI

By

Sage Hamilton

The loud slamming of Erin Bradshaw’s door was nothing more than a faint echo as the two women practically fell against the closed door groping each other all over. Leigh had been taken by surprise when Erin had grabbed her by the lapel of her coat and pulled her into her home, to only seconds later stand on her toes and glide her tongue over her mouth before beginning a searing kiss that the dark-haired woman gladly accepted.

And I think we have a deal breaker here… She laughed in her head, as and she and Erin both struggled to relieve her of her coat, and then her suit jacket. Their kissing became more and more intense until both were moaning. Needing air, both women somehow mutually broke the kiss.

"You play unfair you know." Erin managed to saw with her smiling lips still touching Leigh’s.

"No…Kansas I would like to think of it as playing well." She said with a raised sable eyebrow before claiming another kiss.

And this kiss lasted long moments, each woman breathing in the other’s air. It started out slow, but quickly was fueled by wanting and primal urges and suddenly the clothing between their bodies felt like hundred pound weights.

Trembling hands moved up the front of Leigh’s silk blouse and started to undo buttons. Leigh grabbed her by the wrists and broke the kiss. And she could have given herself a swift right upper cut for what she said next. "Are you sure about this?". She whispered reluctantly, offering Erin a way out but hoping like hell that the blonde wouldn’t take her up on it. Damn Leigh you were never a girl scout …now is definitely not the time to try.

Desired-filled green eyes stared up at her. "Yes." Surprisingly, Erin found herself saying without having to mull the answer over in her head at all. Then she frowned slightly. "But if you’re having second thoughts…"

Leigh chuckled as her hands moved down to her cup Erin’s behind. "No Ma’am."

"Good because if you were… I think I would have to handcuff you and throw you in jail myself…" Because now that we’ve gotten started, I don’t think I have the strength to end it. Erin said to herself and wondered how she ever resisted the urge to kiss the woman in front of her… 

"Handcuffs …oh that’s kinky." They both laughed and fell into another kiss that turned absolutely ferocious. And this time, Leigh didn’t stop Erin when she started to unbutton her blouse. But the task must have been too tedious for the other woman, because Leigh felt a jerk against her chest and heard the buttons fall against the hardwood floor.

"That’s a $300 silk blouse you know." Leigh said before sucking gently on Erin’s earlobe.

"Bill me…" Erin said with a smirk before pushing the ripped pink material off Leigh’s shoulders and then down sleek tanned arms to reveal a black lace bra that covered full breasts that were already swelling from their arousal. Slowly she traced a finger over one of them, and watched as one ripe nipple hardened under her touch.

The gentle exploration caused Leigh to practically bang her head on the door as she threw back her head and struggled for breath. "$50,000, $300, …my, my, my Ms. Bradshaw you’re such a big spender."

Erin looked up into teasing blue eyes. " And you Ms. Sinclaire are an expensive habit…" And there is no cure for the addiction I have for you. Again Leigh claimed soft yielding lips with a fiery kiss. With an artful collaboration of mouth, tongue, and teeth… the dark-haired woman tempted Erin’s mouth with such a commanding seduction, that the blonde’s body started to quiver all over and the faint tingling between her legs turned into a slow aching throb.

Leigh traced the soft cotton fabric of Erin’s T-shirt with her fingertips before fully grasping it and pulling it over the blonde’s head in one smooth swift motion. This action tousled Erin’s hair and Leigh thought she looked sexy as hell. Long fingers trailed down Erin’s blushed cheeks and again they kissed, with Erin’s hands moving to interweave themselves in silky raven locks. As if by a force of its own, their intertwined bodies moved further into the apartment. Erin barely even noticed the slight shortening of Leigh’s height as the CEO quickly discarded her high heels, that were half-hazardly flung in opposite directions across the floor.

"Are we really doing this?" Erin gasped, as she moved her hands to unzip the back of Leigh’s skirt.

"I hope so …or its one hell of a simulation." She stepped out of her skirt and began fumbling with the waistband of Erin’s pajama bottoms, which easily too joined Leigh’s skirt on the floor. Next Leigh moved to the clasp on Erin’s bra and simply unsnapped it. I still don’t understand why men fumble with this simple act so damn much. She mused in her head.

They continued their movement backwards with frantic hands moving intimately over their exposed flesh until they bumped into the sofa. Erin fell back and clumsily went tumbling back against the pillows on the cushy sofa. When she regained her bearings and looked up there standing in front of her was Leigh holding her bra in her hand. "Lose something?" The CEO said with a sexy smile and tossed the satin garment at Erin. Erin didn’t even try to catch it as if fell in her lap, her attention was otherwise engaged…her eyes were glued to the magnificent form that stood before her.

The dim light from the television, danced mesmerizingly against Leigh’s tall frame. Green eyes traveled up impossibly long legs, to see long fingers removing black bikini panties …so slow that it was almost as if the CEO was making a show of it. And Erin definitely wasn’t complaining. Next came the bra, that fell silently to the floor. Once strip tease over and she was completely naked, Leigh stood relaxed and casual as if presenting herself for inspection. Erin’s heated gazed moved over her appreciatively from legs, to thighs, hips, trim waist, and full breasts …all the way to intense blue eyes that were focused only on her.

Leigh came and knelt beside Erin in front of the couch, and her finger traced the line from Erin’s collarbone to her navel. It intrigued her to see the muscles under the smooth skin contracting and releasing as she continued her gentle caress. She let out a ragged breath and then gave a half smile. "You are so beautiful…"

Erin nearly thought she was going to come right then and there from the look Leigh was giving her. She sat up and reached out and pulled Leigh close. "So are you." Erin breathed against full lips, that she couldn’t wait to taste again, in an explosive kiss. As their kissing started to take on a life of its own, Leigh tugged Erin’s panties down her hips and then down her legs to simply discard them to the floor. Never breaking the kiss, Leigh managed to move up to the sofa and stretch her body out along Erin’s beneath her, almost exploding both her and Erin senses, as hot naked skin finally touched, with their heaving and sensitive breasts rubbing against each other.

"Kansas… I’m not exactly sure…" Erin saw a brief flash of embarrassment and nervousness in blue eyes that were normally so confident. And it only made Erin crave her more.

"Well me neither …I feel like a virgin on prom night." Erin said with an embarrassed smile of her own, which caused both women to laugh with Leigh burying her face in the hollow of Erin’s neck. The gyrations from their giggles slowly subsided when the heated friction of their naked bodies caused another emotion to take over.

"Tell me…" Leigh nibbled on her earlobe. "Tell me Kansas what is it that you want…" She whispered and pulled back to look at Erin. Leigh had always aimed to please when it came to the bedroom, and in that respect tonight would be no different, except for once Leigh was a little scared of accomplishing that task.

A few seconds of silence passed between them as they simply stared at each other. Then Erin pushed back a lock of dark hair and tucked it behind Leigh’s ear before tracing a finger down her cheek to brush across her lips. "You." Erin said softly. "Leigh, what I want …is you."

The words had tumbled out of her mouth, before she could catch them. It amazed Erin how honest a person could be, when they were horny beyond measure and had their body pressed against one of the most exquisitely sculpted bodies to ever walk the earth.

A brief flash of shock registered in the smoky blue of Leigh’s eyes before a seductive smile emerged on her lips. And Erin waited for Leigh to spill out one of her trademark smart come backs to her blushing declaration, but instead Leigh simply lowered her head and kissed her deeply and slowly.

Leigh had been wanted before …even desperately craved by a man, before she taken them to bed. But hearing Erin Bradshaw say those simple words with such innocence, caused a new sensation within her that the need to touch, taste, and have the other woman, almost became unbearable. Grasping Erin’s hands, Leigh extended them above the insurance investigator’s head and repositioned her self until she was between Erin’s legs, that willingly parted. The silky smooth, wet proof of their arousal mixed leisurely, as Leigh’s own legs parted and the women were straddling one another thighs. Erin let out a soft moan as their bodies started a slow and steady rhythmic grind. With their hands still clasped, Leigh’s lips left Erin’s and moved to her neck. Her tongue left a trail of fire as it started a leisurely probing down hot sensitive flesh until she found one heaving breast.

Erin’s back arched almost harshly when Leigh flicked one ripe nipple with the tip of her tongue, before fully suckling it her mouth. Not wanting to be neglectful, with a heated grin she moved to the show the other breast the same attention, before continuing her journey down Erin’s trembling flesh. When she got to her navel, Leigh playfully kissed it before she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye. "Ms Bradshaw…" She drawled. "has anyone ever told you what a sexy tattoo you have?"

Leigh felt Erin’s smooth stomach touch her chin, as the other woman giggled slightly. But giggles slowly turned in a deep moan as Leigh kissed the tattoo and nibbled on it gently as if tracing the butterfly with the tip of her tongue. "You don’t know how long I have been waiting to do that." She murmured before coming back up to claim Erin’s lips in another kiss. And that kiss seemed to change gears for them -- to overdrive …it was if they couldn’t get enough of each other all of a sudden.

"We’re not going to make it to the bedroom are we?" Erin asked when they came up for air, her hands sliding down the smoothness of the Leigh’s back.

"Didn’t you know Kansas… most of the best sex never does…" Leigh said with smile before snatching Erin’s lip for another kiss.

"I thought you said that you’ve never done that before" Erin said breathlessly. Almost finding it hard to believe that she hadn’t passed out after the intense love making Leigh and she had just put in.

"I could ask you the same thing of you…" Leigh said with a chuckle, laying flat on her back on the floor in front of the sofa. "You wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette would you?" She joked. "Man I hope I didn’t get a carpet burn."

"Real cute." Erin snorted and threw a pillow at the other woman. "Is it too much to ask you to be sensitive here?"

"Oh …I think I’ve been quite sensitive…" Leigh smiled devilishly. "Every time you touched me… I practically screamed."

"I noticed." Erin said shyly. "So it was ok …then."

"Ok?" Leigh sat up. "Oh …Kansas it was more than OK. It was…" And Leigh couldn’t even put into words how the other woman had made her feel. Her body was still quivering and her mind still reeling. "I mean I can’t even describe it." Leigh sat up with dark hair tumbling into her face, which she moved away with a flick of her head.

"Really…" Erin blush uncontrollably before practically grinning from ear to ear. "Sure I’ve never done some of that stuff before, but I’ve had it done many times, so I figure…". Erin was rambling, and when she saw Leigh’s amused expression, she knew that CEO had picked up on it as well. She frowned. "So I figure I’ll just shut up because I am not embarrassing myself anymore than I already have…"

Leigh put her index finger over Erin’s lips. "You talk too much …you know that?" Leigh said with a chuckle.

"Only when I’m nervous."

"What are you nervous about?"

"This!" Erin exclaimed, sitting all the way up and propping her back against a pillow. "You! I mean I’ve just had sex with a woman!" The blonde covered her face.

Leigh removed hands from her face. "Believe me… Kansas I noticed… after all I was the woman." She brushed her lips against Erin’s fingertips and gave one of her perfect smiles. "I love it when you blush." She moved to her knees and kissed Erin passionately which the other woman returned. After a few seconds Erin broke the kiss with Leigh, sitting back a little with a hand caressing Erin’s hip.

"You know what we just did makes me question everything I ever knew about myself." She reached for a pillow and covered her naked body.

Leigh smirked at her new lover’s attempt at being bashful. "Does it have to be that serious?" Leigh asked and made no attempt at covering her own body; she got up and sat on the edge of the couch. "I mean what we just did …makes me want to do it again."

"Smart ass…" Erin snapped, wanting to throw another pillow, but the only one within reach was the small pillow that barely covered her body.

"Perhaps." Leigh acknowledged with a grin. "But I can’t be all bad …now can I?" She added with a tempting flair in her deep voice, that commanded Erin’s eyes to travel down the length of Leigh’s body. The tan skin, like her own, had a faint sheen from the sweat they’d perspired during their lovemaking. Between the moonlight and faint flickering of the television, Erin recalled seeing the taunt muscles of the other woman’s body expand and contract as they’d enjoyed each other’s body. It had totally mesmerized her …it still did.

"Nope …not bad at all."

Leigh’s brow arched seductively as she removed the pillow from Erin’s body, which her eyes swept over, and Erin felt a wave of heat. "I’m glad to hear that…" She whispered as she palmed Erin’s breasts before drawing her left nipple into her mouth.

Erin threw back her head with a loud gasp and roughly ran her fingers through Leigh’s hair. "I do aim to please…" The dark haired woman murmured and drove that point home by licking a trail across Erin’s chest to the other erect nipple. Her fiery exploration continued until she was nibbling on Erin’s shoulder blade. She moved her body on top of the blonde’s and their lips came crashing against each other. Their kissing became more and more intense until they were both moaning.

At 6:00 AM, Erin’s alarm clock went off, interrupting the silence. She reached over Leigh and slammed her palm down on the snooze button. To her surprise, the sleeping CEO didn’t budge. She cut the alarm clock totally off. Erin had no intention of going for her usual morning run; she had more important matters to attend to …mainly the gorgeous dark haired woman lying next to her. Erin lifted herself up on her elbow and gazed at Leigh. She ran the tip of her finger over the well-defined features of her face. Her eyebrows. The bridge of her perfect nose. Her full, luscious lips. They looked so damn enticing and kissable. Leigh looked so peaceful laying there in her bed, with the sheet barely covering her body, her hair …a dark cloud against the white pillows. She looked, Erin thought, almost as if she belonged there.

Perhaps to any other person this would make for a happy and enjoyable scene, but for Erin Bradshaw it made her panic.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Ok Bradshaw…what now???? Careful not to stir Leigh from her slumber, Erin eased out of the bed and reached for her robe that was lying on a near by chair. Before leaving the room, she turned around and looked at her sleeping lover again. Lover??? The word echoed in her head as she walked down the hall. A familiar scent greeted her nose that she recognized as coffee. Her coffee maker, like her alarm clock, was set for 6:00 am to brew her specially blended morning treat. Like a moth to a flame, it brought Erin straight to the kitchen, where she eagerly grabbed a mug and filled it. She took a sip and relished in the taste of the hot liquid before heading back to the living room. With her free hand, she opened the curtains to be greeted with a beautiful sunrise staring back at her. It struck her how everything about this morning had been its usual routine self, except for Leigh Sinclaire that is.

As she sat on the windowsill, Erin’s green eyes darted towards the hall that led to her bedroom. What am I going to do??? She screamed in her head. What had she done? What was she going to do about it? What did this mean as far as the case goes? What did this mean as far as her sexuality? Erin looked down into her cup of her coffee and she didn’t see clouds like the lyrics in a song once said. Nope …instead she saw scenes of her and Leigh whirling around in the dark liquid. Scenes of them kissing, caressing, and making love …in the living room …in the kitchen, after they had gone in search of a midnight snack, and then within the confines of her bedroom …Erin remembered practically pulling the headboard out of place when Leigh had… 

She could feel her face flush, just as it had when she had looked over at Leigh sleeping this morning. Erin still wanted Leigh as much as she had the night before…that was more than obvious, but what was different was how she felt about that. It always amazed her how everything did seem different in the morning. Last night, Erin had had many questions …but figured the answers would come to her later. Well here it was later and still she was confused as ever… 

She sat there for who knows how long, wondering about her life and where she stood in it all. When her cup was empty, as if on autopilot, she gravitated towards the kitchen for a refill when needed.

"Is this where we have the morning after talk?" Erin heard a voice say as she looked up and saw Leigh walking towards her. She had a sheet wrapped around her lanky frame and her dark hair was in wild disarray …and Erin thought she looked absolutely beautiful. Damn it! For once couldn’t she not look like she was a model ready for a photo shoot? Then maybe I wouldn’t be in this situation …Erin thought as Leigh made her way towards her. Never thought I would see a woman walking out of my bedroom …well never thought I would have done HALF the things I did last night.

"We definitely need to talk." Erin said softly before taking a sip of her coffee, which made Leigh smile.

"So are you on your second cup yet?"

"Try my third one."

Leigh frowned playfully. "Been doing that much thinking, huh? I tell ya, wearing a hat is much better."

"I’ll have to try that sometime …considering I now have my own cowboy hat." She took another sip. "So I take it you don’t want a cup."

"Nope …I’m fully awake." Despite her statement, Leigh yawned and smiled sheepishly.

"Lucky you." Erin muttered before looking back down at her coffee cup and tracing the rim with her fingertip.

Leigh walked closer until standing right in front of the other woman and Erin looked up into the most amazing blue eyes she had ever seen. And no matter how many times she did, they still caught her off guard.

The CEO could tell something was off between them. And that was certainly a given considering the step they had finally taken the night before. But Leigh wasn’t ready to let what they shared pass so easily. She’d woken up to an empty bed, which was how she usually preferred it. Rarely had she spent the night with someone and responded with more than a casual acknowledgement the next day if they still shared her bed. But this morning she had felt a bit of disappointment when she had reached out and she was alone. This woman has you getting all sentimental…something no one every thought would happen. I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again …sometimes the best man for the job …is a woman …and oh what a woman.

Then Leigh felt something else new: the need for reassurance. She needed to know what the other woman was feeling. "Mornin’" Leigh said with a grin, before kissing Erin softly. Immediately the blonde’s mouth responded and so did her body. She uncrossed her ankles and Leigh moved between slowly spreading legs. With her back against the window she and Leigh started a small make-out session, which quickly ended with two small hands pushing against Leigh’s chest.

"We can’t…" Erin said quietly.

"Of course we can." Leigh said nibbling on the corners of Erin’s mouth before claiming another searing kiss, that rendered the blonde speechless for infinite amounts of time while she gave into her desires. She clutched at the blanket that clothed her lover’s body and pulled Leigh closer to her. A deep moan erupted from Erin as she ripped her mouth away from Leigh’s.

"We can’t do this." She declared again and let her arms drop to her sides. "Leigh, I’m sorry …but"

And then reality comes crashing down. "I knew this would happen." Leigh let out a frustrated sigh and walked over to start picking up her discarded clothing from the night before.

"What are you talking about?" But Erin knew full well what Leigh was talking about. Just hours before they had been making love, and now you could cut the tension between them with a knife.

"You know what I’m talking about Kansas …you’re already feeling guilty about what happened last night. Did the light flickering through the curtains trigger it?"

"Can you blame me?"

"I suppose not …I should have expected this. Every time we move an inch …you take about 20 feet backwards. But you know what we’re both two single adults, so you don’t have to act like when you walk out the door you’re going to have to wear that scarlet letter A or something." She snatched up her bra.

"Well I how do you want me to act Leigh? What do you want me to smile, kiss you, and cook you breakfast and then tell you what a great lover you are before we take another roll in the hay."

"Funny…" Leigh snidely said. "I don’t remember ordering sarcasm this morning."

"No …well what were you hoping for." Erin was being mean, and she couldn’t stop herself.

"If I would have known you were going to react like this…" Leigh started, but Erin quickly cut her off.

"What …last night would have never happened."

Blues eyes narrowed. "I would have better prepared myself for this." She lifted up her hands in the air.

Erin could tell she had upset Leigh with her attitude. "Well excuse me Leigh." Erin stood up, it seemed the anger that Leigh was feeling had grown contagious. "I guess I’m supposed to be as calm, cool, and collected as you."

"I mean damn it Kansas!" Leigh growled and continued picking up clothes. "I’m sorry you’re an investigator …and I’m sorry I’m a suspect in a case you’re investigating. And for what it’s worth …I may even be a little sorry that we’re both women. But I tell you what …I’m not sorry about last night."

"Why would you …its probably just going to be another notch on your adventure belt. Let’s see I’ve slept with a woman …I can check that off my list." Erin said, and used her hands to imaginarily check an item off a clipboard. "This is my life we’re talking about here …not some game."

Leigh shook her head with disbelief at what she had just heard. It almost felt like a slap in the face, and Leigh came that close to flinching. "How many times are you going do that? How many times are you going to trivialize how I’m feeling so you can convince yourself that you feel less too?"

"I am not doing that!" Erin said as if she was offended.

"Really?" Leigh let the sheet fall to the floor and stood before Erin completely naked and she could tell she now had the woman’s full attention. "I can’t tell."

"Please put your clothes on." Erin managed to say as she literally ripped her attention away from Leigh’s body and diverted her gaze towards the kitchen.

Never been asked to do that before …I tell you this has truly been a wake up call for me …the so called Casanova of love. "Don’t worry I have every intention of doing so." She spat off and put on her bra.

"You know Leigh, I’m getting pretty tired of you acting like I can’t feel somewhat uncomfortable about this situation."

"Situation?" Leigh laughed and pulled up her skirt. "You act as if we’re sixteen and I got you pregnant."

"You have a joke for everything don’t you." Erin deadpanned. "What is that you way of covering when you’re nervous?"

"Perhaps." Leigh put on her jacket and didn’t even bothering to look for her ripped pink blouse.

"What about your blouse?"

"Keep it as a memento" The taller woman snapped. "Have you seen my shoes?"

Erin stepped forward. "You say I trivialize your feelings Leigh…"

"You sure as hell do!" Leigh reached down and pick up one of black high hells that she had spotted out of the corner of her eye.

"Then tell me Leigh …tell me how you feel!"

Abruptly Leigh turned around. "How I feel? Well damn it Kansas, I feel like I’m tired of being treated like a piece of fucking chocolate cake that’s tempting you while you’re on some type of strict assed diet! I’m tired of you taking a nibble and then pushing the fucking plate back …because you feel too guilty about the damn consequences. I mean contrary to what some people think, I am only a mere mortal woman Kansas …there is only so much I can take you know!"

"Well if you feel like that Leigh… why bother? Leigh you can have any man …I sneakingly suspect any woman you want …Why bother pursuing this? Why bother pursuing me? If I’m making you so damn crazy with how I feel… why the hell would you bother? You have to admit these aren’t exactly the greatest circumstances to start whatever it is that we’re starting. Why keep pushing the issue."

Leigh opened her mouth to answer, but simply shook her head instead.

"Oh …come on." Erin threw her hands up in the air and walked up on Leigh. "Don’t tell me now of all times you’re speechless! Come on Leigh …why bother with me? Why put yourself through all this unnecessary trouble?"

"Because I can’t help myself! " Leigh yelled and watched Erin flinch from the great volume and anger in her voice. "Are you happy now? When it comes to you …damn it, it’s all about you. I can’t stop thinking about you, dreaming about you, and wanting you! Does that about cover it?"

"Leigh…" Erin started as she stared into eyes that were slits of ice.

"No …let me finish!" Leigh cut her off abruptly. "Do you think you’re the only one that’s having some type of emotional drama here?" Again she cut Erin off before she could even utter a word to her question. "I mean I may not be as vocal as you …but this is scaring the shit out of me …and I’m not talking about that damn ruby and or going to jail. What I’m talking about is for the first time in a long time …if not ever …I find myself in a situation that I have absolutely no control over! For me this isn’t about some dramatic crisis about right and wrong …It’s about me connecting with another person in a way I never thought I could. When I talk to you, touch you, kiss you …I feel things …things that make me …ah hell just forget it!" Leigh turned to leave and Erin caught her arm.

"I know you don’t think you’re leaving after giving a monologue like that."

Leigh swung around. "As opposed to what …staying here and arguing about what last night meant …about what this morning means …about what’s right …about what’s wrong …about what you feel …about what I don’t feel." Leigh laughed humorlessly. "No, you want to talk about this damn case and how I’m a suspect and how that complicates things. Damn it Kansas that sounds like a broken record by now don’t you think? Maybe if you say it if enough …you’ll get tired of saying it, hearing it, and thinking it. I know I have."

"Leigh I’m not a magician, I can’t make everything surrounding us disappear." Erin said suddenly.

"I’m not asking you to."

"No, you’re just asking me to accept something that changes my whole life …yeah, no big deal." She countered with more sarcasm than Leigh could take at that moment.

"No, what I’m asking you to do …is to look pass all this bullshit and see me!" Leigh yelled. "Because you know what Kansas …when you get right down to it …I don’t give a damn if you’re a woman or a man …hell even an insurance investigator …because I see you. Why can’t you just see me?"

"I do!" Erin screamed back before covering her face and dropping to the floor. "Damn you Leigh …I see you all the time! You’re all I think about! Don’t you know that by now?"

Leigh was about to respond to Erin’s outburst …that is until she heard what sounded like crying. Instead she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly she felt like a bully who had just taken some kid’s milk money. Way to go …Sinclaire. "Ah …Kansas don’t cry. "Leigh said gently before taking a few long strides to go and sit in front of Erin on the floor. "I’m sorry …OK? It’s all my fault. From the beginning I said that I would never ask you to do something you’d regret. I guess that I broke that promise."

"Leigh, you didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do." Erin managed to say through soft sobs. "And I don’t regret it." She whispered before reaching out and laying a hand on Leigh’s arm.

"You don’t?"

"I don’t. It was…" Erin finished her statement only with an embarrassed smile, before continuing to cry. "But that doesn’t mean that I’m ready to face the consequences …I know that makes me a coward…"

"No Kansas …it makes you human." Leigh interrupted with her thumb wiping a tear that was falling down the blonde’s cheek. "You’re right I’ve been pushing you. I guess I have to accept that everything in life isn’t meant to be jumped into blindly you know …I forget that sometimes." Leigh hunched. "Maybe you need time to think …I haven’t been giving you much of that. I probably should go." Then she moved to get up, but felt Erin’s hand on her arm.

"Don’t go." Erin said softly.

"You are just a buffet of contradictions." Leigh said with a sable eyebrow rising to new heights. "I thought you needed time to figure this all out …I mean I’m finally hearing all that and backing off." Leigh realizing how bad her statement sounded, considering perhaps she had pushed the other woman into a sexual relationship before she had been ready. As a matter of fact, Leigh didn’t even know if she had been ready. But it had felt so right.

"And I appreciate that…" Erin started. "But Leigh, as much as this all scares the hell out of me …I think letting you walk out that door right now scares me even more." Erin could almost laugh at the confused look on her new lover’s face. "I know …I know …I’m like the freaking tango …complicated."

"You’ve got that right." Leigh said with a slight chuckle and cupped Erin’s face in her hands. "Kansas you have my head all messed up here. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. That has to be a first for me in a relationship."

"Relationship." Erin asked. "Is this what all this is?"

Leigh eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Well I suppose so, …for lack of a better word." Then she smiled devilishly. "I mean we’ve already had relations… three times."

Erin blushed and buried her face in the hollow of Leigh’s neck. "I know…" It was amazing how a few moments and a few declarations of their emotions could turn them full circle. Just minutes before, Erin thought she was ready once again to walk away from Leigh …but now wrapped up in the woman’s arms, with dark hair caressing her check …Erin couldn’t be carried away. "Leigh I don’t know how all this is going to end." She admitted, and lifted her head to look into blue eyes.

Leigh smiled. "Kansas …who says it has to end?" She playfully tapped Erin’s nose.

Just minutes before, there were millions of reasons why she should stay away from Leigh Sinclaire …why she should end their new "relationship", but in that instance she couldn’t seem to think of a single one of them.

"Besides…" Leigh leaned as if to kiss Erin, but stopped just short of the other woman’s lips. "It’s not the destination that makes the trip …it’s all in how you get there, and I believe we’re in for one hell of a ride."

"Really?" Erin managed to say, even though all her concentration was focused on Leigh’s mouth and how close it was to hers.

"Oh …yeah." Leigh nodded. "And I want you to know that we can take this as slow or as fast as you want to …just as long as we take it somewhere." Again her lips barely brushed Erin’s before she pulled back. Its not that she didn’t want to kiss the other woman, but she wanted to make sure that Erin wanted it too. She needed to know that Erin wanted this as much as she did …she wanted the insurance investigator to make the first move. This was definitely new, for Leigh …holding back her desire and letting the other person moderate things. But she didn’t want to scare, intimidate, or pressure Erin, she just wanted her …and definitely didn’t want to experience another morning like this one.

Erin moved closer and rubbed her nose against Leigh’s. "Somewhere huh?" Erin asked with a saucy smile before her mouth covered Leigh’s. The kiss turned passionate very quickly, with Erin pushing Leigh’s suit jacket off and Leigh reaching to untie Erin’s robe. Once they came up for air, Erin moved to her feet and Leigh followed her lead. "How about that somewhere being the bedroom…" Erin said, and giggled when she saw Leigh’s trademark brow shoot up and hit the ceiling.

"Sounds good to me." Leigh pulled her close and glided her tongue into the other woman’s mouth. Never letting each other go, they moved towards the bedroom where they collapsed on Erin’s bed, caressing each other all over.

"Erin Bradshaw, where the hell are you?" McNeil boomed before Erin could even get out a "Hello" when she answered the phone.

"Well since you called me on my home phone …that must give you a clue." Erin snapped back as she dried herself off with a white fluffy towel. She’d just finished taking a shower after bidding farewell to her new dark-haired lover not too long before. Erin couldn’t believe Leigh had actually left; the two had kissed all the way up to the door before she watched the CEO jog towards the elevator still trying to put on what clothes Erin hadn’t managed to rip to pieces. Leigh had blown her a kiss and gave one of her Colgate commercial worthy smiles as the elevators closed between them.

Erin probably would have stood in her doorway forever, watching the space that the CEO had once occupied, had she not suddenly remembered that she was running more than late for being at the police station. She made a mad dash for the shower, only to have McNeil yelling at her now.

"It’s a rhetorical question, damn it …because you’re suppose to be here at the station." Was his angry response. "Or have you forgotten that today is the day that Ms. Blue Eyes finally graces us with her presence."

It took everything in Erin, not respond with "Well I’ve been graced with her presence already …and I enjoyed every minute of it." But instead she managed to say. "No I have not forgotten."

"I can’t tell …I thought we were suppose to meet beforehand to go over our game plan."

"The game plan, McNeil, is to not to have one…" Surprising herself, Erin slipped back into the role of Prenhall and Wineman’s top insurance investigator …and sizing up her worthy opponent. Although Leigh was now her lover, she was still a suspect in the case. Would it complicate things …hell yes …but she still had a job to do. Who knows, maybe Leigh was right …the two could be kept separate. "It would just be a waste of our time. When dealing with someone like Leigh Sinclaire …you let her take the lead and then plan your steps accordingly." Erin said thoughtfully thinking of how Leigh had taken the lead in the bedroom and oh how she had planned her actions accordingly. It’s good advice …why can’t I apply it here as well?

"Sounds like a plan to me …though it’s not really a plan …well anyway, get your ass down here as soon as you can. Minton is nervous as hell and walking a damn whole in the floor. He’s scared that the department is going to slapped with a law suit, if we some how botch this up."

"I’ll be there McNeil …I wouldn’t miss it for the world." Erin said before hanging up. She had still heard McNeil’s gruff voice over the receiver as she replaced the phone on the hook. She ran her fingers through damp hair and went in search of a blow dryer. Bradshaw…you can do this? Can you walk into this meeting today and play hardball with Leigh Sinclaire. Forget about what else you would like to play with her and have played with her …and pay attention to the task at hand. She told herself, but found concentrating hard when she caught a glimpse of her bed in the mirror’s reflection. She turned around and looked at the sheets that were in utter chaos …and blushed when remembering how they had got arranged that way.

Quickly she turned around and pointed at her frowning reflection. "You know Erin …there was a universe before Leigh Sinclaire walked into your life." And without any effort of her own, she found herself smiling. "But it just wasn’t as much fun."

Helen just saw a flash of dark hair, as her boss walked bristly passed her into her office. And Helen could have been wrong, but if she wasn’t mistaken, Leigh had been wearing the same suit from the day before and hadn’t been wearing a shirt. But when you worked for a woman like Leigh, you learned to not question such oddities …but instead think of them as the norm. Helen simply shook her head with a smile and turned her attention back to her computer monitor.

Soon as Leigh entered her office, she hit a switch on her wall and watched a wall move to reveal her office supply of clothes. When the building was being designed, Leigh had specifically asked for this custom feature …along with a huge bathroom that housed a garden tub and shower. Even as a young programmer in college, the CEO was known to pull all-nighters at the drop a hat which held true in her later career. It also came in handy, when her non-business night and weekend escapades barely ended before an important meeting at the office and there was just no time to go home and change.

And today was one of those mornings. She had to be at the police station in less than 30 minutes and there was no time to go back to her beach house and change and Erin’s apartment was just minutes from SSC. Leigh took a moment to smile as she remembered her night and morning with the blonde insurance investigator. It had turned out to be more than she could have hoped for and definitely worth the wait. She removed her jacket, as vivid memories played before her mind of recent pleasurable events.

"Must have been some night…" A male voice said and caused Leigh to whirl around to find Harry sitting at her desk with his arms folded. Anticipating the CEO’s next question, he simply hunched. "Helen let me in …we were suppose to meet this morning, ring any bells?"

"Of course…" She answered and let her jacket fall to the floor. Her half-dressed state was no big deal… Harry had probably seen her in a lot less over the years. "I’m just running a little late that’s all …just give me a sec."

"So who was he?" Harry asked knowingly.

Harry …I think you mean she… "Just because…" Leigh placed her hands on hips. "I’m running a little late …doesn’t mean that…"

"Nope …but that big grin you had on your face sure does. " Harry got up and wondered if it wasn’t for Leigh’s deep tan …could he have possibly seen her blush just then. "Well I for one, am glad. You’re always in a better mood when you get laid." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Late as hell …but in a better mood."

"Harry!"

"Cindy will be glad to know …it isn’t Ben Affleck is it?"

Leigh rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah …sure. And last night JLo and I got into a big catfight over him."

"Which you won of course…" Harry played along.

"Of course." She smiled and turned towards her closet. "Jeans or a suit?" Leigh asked as pushed a button that caused the clothes rack to rotate.

"Suit …we want to give a good impression." Harry commented.

"Are you sure …I’ve been told I make quite an impression in my Levi’s…" Leigh said with a grin.

Harry smirked himself. "A suit Leigh."

"Fine." The closet rotated and stopped on the section that revealed a rainbow collage or Leigh’s expensive tailored suits. "Pants or a skirt?"

Harry thought for a second. "I would say skirt. I mean it may not mean much to Ms. Bradshaw …but Detective McNeil getting a glance of those gorgeous gams as eye candy …certainly wouldn’t hurt."

Leigh laughed. You don’t know the half of it Buddy …I think Ms. Bradshaw will be more appreciative than you think. She remembered Ms. Bradshaw’s soft hands intimately as they stroked her legs and caressed her thighs and then… proceeded to… Leigh cleared her head and turned her attention back to her closet. "Okay …now let’s see." Long fingers ran across the hanging clothes. "Dark red, tan, black, or navy blue?" She turned towards Harry who was looking more than a little annoyed at this point. "Look I know you’re not my personal fashion consultant …but if I dress wrong …they’ll notice the clothes …if I dress on point …they’ll notice the woman." And I certainly want Erin Bradshaw’s attention.

"And we know how you love to be noticed. " He quipped. "I would say no to the black …this isn’t a funeral". The tan is a little bland even for the police station, and it goes without saying that red is down right not appropriate …so I would say the navy blue."

"Navy blue huh?" Leigh asked as she eyed the selection of suits herself. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully and then smiled. "I say red" She pulled the suit from the rack.

"Leigh why the hell did you ask for my advice …if you weren’t going to take it."

"Oh I would have…" Leigh innocently said before she turned to head for the shower. "If you would have agreed with me."

On every shiny surface that she passed, Erin kept checking her reflection. She couldn’t help trying to look for a difference in the green eyes that would be staring back at her. The cliché about the eyes being the window to the soul, had always stuck with Erin since she had first heard it. And from that moment she always checked her eyes to see if there was some subtle sign to personify what was happening in her life. She had done it after her first period, first kiss, and first time having sex. And now the first time making love with a woman. And not just sex, great sex! Erin joked to herself. And at that moment she was checking her reflection in her compact. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of McNeil and Minton walking towards her. "Great" she muttered as she replaced the compact in her purse.

"Ms. Bradshaw." Minton boomed. "I hope you and McNeil are going to tread lightly this morning."

"Tread lightly?" Erin glanced at McNeil who was looking very annoyed with the DA standing beside him. "…Doesn’t exactly seem like the approach one would take when trying to dig deeper."

"Amen to that." McNeil interjected and walked to stand by Erin. "Hey Minton why don’t you just let us do our jobs. I mean you don’t see me coming down to the court house telling you how to try a case …now do you."

"That’s because you’re not qualified to." The DA sighed loudly. "I have a law degree, you don’t."

"And without people like McNeil here arresting people …you wouldn’t have a criminal to try…" Erin added and folded her arms. "You know …ranting at us isn’t making this situation better you know."

"Oh really?" Minton questioned. "Ms. Bradshaw let’s not forget that you are neither an attorney nor a police officer. You are allowed here simply because I am allowing it."

"Of course. How could I forget that little fact …since you’re screaming it at me every five minutes!" Erin shot back, deciding not to disguise her annoyance with Minton.

"You’re walking a fine line young lady." Minton barked back.

"I must be hard acting like a high school principal all the time." Erin growled back. McNeil stepped between them.

"Come on you two …we’re the good guys remember. Shit, we shouldn’t be fighting each other …we should be fighting" Suddenly something caught McNeil’s attention. Both Erin and Minton turned to see what had distracted him. "Her…"

Erin heard McNeil’s last word as her eyes fell upon Leigh Sinclaire walking, like she owned the place of course, into the police station with her well-dressed attorney at her side. It was like watching a movie star make an entrance and oh how the CEO had made an entrance. Decked out in a fiery red assemble, dark hair penned up, cell phone up to her ear, and still flashing that award winning smile as she passed people by. Erin half-expected for someone to walk up and ask for her autograph, as Leigh and her attorney approached them. All that was missing was a group of photographers, an army of bodyguards, and a red carpet. She certainly knows how to enter a room …bravo! Erin thought as a smirk played on her lips. And if that skirt was any shorter …I don’t think my heart could take it. Erin’s pulse had started to race as soon as Leigh had come into her line of vision.

Leigh flipped her cell phone shut. "Hi all." She cooed. "I apologize for my lateness but I had a few red hot issues that came up this morning." She added, as her eyes connected with Erin’s. "…that I just had to tend too."

"What kind of issues?" McNeil asked sarcastically.

"You know the type that needs a face to face and a little hands-on activity." Leigh added with a lazy grin intended purely for the blonde insurance investigator.

And Erin heard it loud and clear. She cleared her throat after hearing the comment to keep from letting her mouth fall to the floor. "Um we’re already running behind…I think we should get started."

"I agree…" Harry interjected. "My client, as well as myself, have very busy schedules." Just then his phone rang. He answered it and then covered the mouthpiece. "I have to take this…" He said before taking a few steps back to have more privacy with the phone call.

"Well if you’ll excuse me …I have to use the little girl’s room." Leigh said with a smile before she walked off leaving Erin alone with the two men to watch with much interests. After waiting a few minutes, Erin excused herself as well and walked around the corner. When she saw that McNeil and Minton weren’t watching. She herself ducked into the ladies room.

When she walked in the restroom, there was Leigh standing in front of the mirror checking her makeup. Before she could utter a word, Leigh pressed a finger against her lips. Erin raised questioning blonde eyebrows, which caused Leigh to nod towards one of the stalls. Catching the CEO’s meaning, Erin glanced down and saw feet. They weren’t alone.

Erin mouthed a silent, "Oh", and walked over to a sink and started ‘checking’ her makeup as well in the mirror. Seconds later, they heard a toilet flush and a female cop walked out. "Ladies," the woman greeted them before walking over to the sink between them to wash her hands. Leigh and Erin continued to look at their reflections and completely ignored each other while the cop remained between them. However, Erin didn’t miss how the cop sneakily, and appreciatively, was glancing at Leigh while the CEO was looking her purse. I will say this for the millionth time …is there at least one person who is not totally head over hills for this woman.

As if through no effort of her own, Erin cleared her throat …which caused Leigh to look up and the cop to look away in fear of her wanting gaze being discovered. After smiling at Leigh and Erin once last time …she left the restroom.

"She was checking you out you know." Erin said.

"Really?" Leigh smiled and hunched. "Interesting." Right then, Leigh only cared about one person checking her out.

"But then again …so was every other warm-blooded body when you walked in. Red …huh?" Erin touched Leigh’s arm.

"Well you know …I wanted to make a good impression."

"That you have …though it has nothing to do with this case. But I for one am very impressed."

"Good, then it worked." Leigh winked.

"I know this kind of goes without saying, but I think we should keep this…" Erin pointed at Leigh then herself. "Just between us."

"Too late for that Kansas." Leigh watched Erin’s eyes grow to the size of saucers. "Soon as I got in my car this morning I called Bernie from my cell and told him to keep his paws off you. I said that you were mine and he needed to not get his hopes up anymore as far as you’re concerned. Of course, he took the news hard and I think he may be hitting the bottle again -- but what can you do …you know?"

After letting out a sigh of relief, Erin smirked and playfully hit Leigh on her arm. "You and that damn dog of yours …but seriously Leigh."

"I know you …I know …you want to keep me as your dirty little secret."

"I wouldn’t exactly say that…"

"Then what exactly would you say…" Leigh said teasingly, knowing she was putting Erin on the spot.

"Well I would call it …um" Erin started, "Well I would call it making a complicated situation a little less complicated."

"So you’re saying …that you’re not ready to let Melissa Etheridge know that you’re fair game."

"Not exactly…"

"Good because you’re not exactly fair game." Leigh reached out and ran her finger down Erin’s neck. "Or are you saying that you still haven’t spoken to your minister yet?"

"Not yet …though it’s on my to do list." Erin sighed. "Come on Leigh you know what I mean."

Leigh nodded. "Well I’m not exactly ready to share you with the world myself." Which was true. Leigh was used to even just winking at a guy, and it being in the papers the next day. Normally she wouldn’t give a damn …but now she had the whole thing with Brent going on. Now was definitely not the time, to announce to the world that she was head over heels infatuated with a blonde woman. For once it would be nice to keep her private life just that …private. Also if perhaps even if she wasn’t one of the media’s prime targets, she had a gut feeling that whatever she and Erin had, would wilt almost immediately if they went public. And right now, Leigh just wasn’t willing to risk that.

Leigh’s answer was more than a relief to her. She was barely able to admit to herself how she felt about Leigh …let alone someone else. "Good then we’re in agreement. Let’s try to keep what we do in the …umm bedroom," Erin said nibbling on her own lip. "…out of this case."

The CEO smiled. "Look Kansas I’m all for that -- just as long as we agree to definitely keep that case out of what we do in the bedroom …because some damn ruby is that last thing I’m thinking about when I…"

Reading the dark-haired woman’s mind, Erin covered Leigh’s mouth with her hand quickly then giggled. Leigh’s tongue snaked out and licked already trembling fingers. Erin pulled back her hand quickly but Leigh caught it. She grabbed Erin’s other hand and placed them behind her back and moved in closer. Their chests rubbed against each other and it seemed that Erin knew every curve of Leigh’s body under her silk blouse.

"Like I was saying…" Leigh continued and bent her head. "I don’t want to think about anything else when I…" She kissed Erin’s neck and smiled when she felt the other woman’s sudden intake of air. "Or when I…" The next kiss was on Erin’s chin. "And definitely not when I…" Leigh let go of Erin’s hands and moved to palm one of the blonde’s breasts through her jacket and then suckled on her bottom lip. "Do you get my drift…?" She murmured against Erin’s mouth.

"Oh yeah…" Erin answered, before giving into the kiss that had been building since she had seen Leigh walk into the station, looking sexy as hell dressed in all red. The things this woman did to her. There they were making out in the ladies restroom of the Miami Police Department, right before she: a theft insurance investigator, was suppose to question the other woman: a jewelry thief. And for an instance Erin didn’t care -- all she cared about was figuring out a way to get even closer to Leigh than she was. That was until Erin heard voices outside the door. She broke the kiss and moved away. "Leigh anyone could walk in…"

Leigh licked her lips as blue eyes darted towards the door. "I guess I got a little carried away there." She said with a little embarrassment in her rich voice. "Umm, we should probably…" She reached out and wiped at the corners of Erin’s mouth to fix the lipstick she had smeared with their intense smooching. "get out of here …before Harry and Detective McNeil think that we’re in here having a cat fight."

Erin smoothed out the front of her suit. "Which I bet they would pay top dollar to see."

"No doubt about that. Boy, just think how much they would pay if they really knew what was going on." Leigh wiggled her eyebrows and chuckled. "We could both probably quit our professions and live like queens."

"Well I don’t know …McNeil is a bit of a tight wad if you know what I mean."

"Yeah …so is Harry. And I don’t know why …with the amounts of money I throw his way."

"But do you pay him enough to get you out of this mess you’ve created." Erin asked, picking up her briefcase almost as a signal to let Leigh know that they had to get back to the business at hand.

"What mess?" Leigh asked innocently and picked up her purse.

"I don’t know …perhaps maybe a mess that will take a good $50 million to clean up properly."

"Well…" Leigh shrugged. "Problem solved. I hear that your company is in the business of writing checks."

Erin wrinkled her nose. "Not on my shift…" She said confidently. "After all I have a reputation to protect."

"Of course…" The CEO conceded. "But just remember so do I." She walked past Erin and opened the door. "After you…"

"My goodness …am I questioning a suspect in there, or what? Damn it. It’s like we’re playing football with Glamour Girl and her kickboxing lawyer. And I don’t know what play to use." McNeil grumbled, as he and Erin stood outside of the interrogation room.

"Welcome to my world." Erin said with a smile. "She’s something alright." And Erin meant those words in many ways… "It’s like playing dodge ball…"

It had been hard sitting in a room with Leigh Sinclaire and pretending that just hours before she hadn’t been making love to her. Especially when every time she would look up from her notes, there was Leigh staring at her with those mesmerizing blue eyes of hers.

"And she’s ducking, like something out of the movie The Matrix"

Erin laughed. "You want me to take a stab at the questioning this time?"

"By all means …take your best shot." McNeil said with a laugh. "You sure you don’t need to stretch first."

"Nope …I’ve dealt with her before …I’m more than prepared." Erin laid her hand on the doorknob. "Take cover." She said with a smirk. When she opened the door, Leigh was sitting with her legs crossed huddling with her attorney over some paper work.

"Back for round two?" Leigh asked with a smile and sat back in her seat. "Oh and you’re tag teaming…" She said when she saw that Erin was sitting directly across from her. Actually the CEO had been a bit disappointed, when she’s learned that Detective McNeil was going to be questioning her. Effortlessly Leigh had dodged his questions, with Harry jumping in when needed, while Erin sat by simply taking notes. But now that it seemed that Erin was taking over the reigns, things were definitely going to get interesting.

"You don’t mind, do you?" Erin asked flipping her notebook open.

"Not at all."

"Good. So let’s get started shall we?" Leigh loved Erin’s professional tone and smiled a bit.

"By all means…" Harry interrupted. "After all we don’t have all day."

"Alright…" Erin quipped. "Let’s see …on the night of the robbery you donated a bag of clothes."

"Well yeah …so did most people that night."

"I know, but I’m more interested in you."

"Really …’cause I was feeling a little left out. I mean I bet you brought every guest down here for questioning. What’s a girl gotta do to get a little attention." Leigh said and received a disapprovingly look from Harry, Erin rolled her eyes, and McNeil merely grunted. "Tough room." She added before taking a sip of her water.

Damn she’s loveable. Erin thought. "Do you recall what clothing you donated?"

"Somewhat." Leigh answered slowly. Where is she going with this …I destroyed the evidence.

"Just somewhat?" Erin answered jotting down notes.

"Yes, somewhat."

"Well could you just humor me and recall a few of the items you donated?"

"I suppose so…"

"Excuse me, but what does any of this have to do with the robbery. So my client donated clothes …what’s the purpose of this line of questioning?" Harry interjected.

"We’re not in court …can’t I have a least a little headway." Erin said easily, as her eyes again connected with Leigh’s. And she could tell the wheels in the CEO’s head were already turning but hadn’t quite figured out what gear would get her straight to Erin thoughts. Perhaps she had her …but there were not any definite guarantees when it came to Leigh. "I mean Ms. Sinclaire do you have a problem with this line of questioning? I mean it’s just about clothes after all …right?" She challenged.

"Of course not." Leigh responded with a somewhat challenging smile of her own. Come one she can’t expect me to admit that I had my thieving black assemble stashed in that bag. "But you’ll have to forgive me if I need a moment to remember. After all it was a big bag that filled from my very big closet." So what the hell is she expecting???

"Take your time …we have all the time in the world." Erin looked at McNeil who nodded in agreement.

"This is ridiculous." Harry said and shook his head. "But if Leigh wants to play along …then have at it." He muttered to his client before pushing his chair back from the table.

Leigh looked at Erin and squinted slightly. "Let me remember..." Let’s see she wants me to tell her what was in the bag. But she knows I’m not going to tell her about the clothes I wore during the robbery. So what is she expecting? A lie? Yeah, that’s it she’s expecting a lie …That has to be it. She wants me to just make up something. Which I’m very close to doing right about now …But why does she want that? Aren’t interrogations about finding out the truth. But what better way to expose the truth than to expose a lie. Ahhhh that’s it …damn she’s good."

"A couple of tennis skirts that I have no use for, a dreadful green dress that one of my ex’s bought for me when his fashion sense was on the blink, a pair of Gucci pumps in black, almond, and snake skin. And let’s see…"

"That’s enough…" Erin interrupted as she checked the printout in front of her. Everything Leigh had named was indeed on the itemized list that the she had got from the shelter’s record. Over the last few years, the shelter had started generating list of donated items when a charity function was held. On more that one occasion they had been pulled in the audits of rich people claiming to donate insane amounts of cash and belongings to charity.

"Mr. Wilson by now you must be aware of your client’s adorable sense of humor."

"Excuse me?" Harry asked.

"I mean, you are aware that Ms. Sinclaire planted a fake ruby in her home."

Harry stared at Leigh disapprovingly, and then back at Erin. "Yes, I am well aware of such incident."

"We have been lead to believe that Simon Moralto made that ruby."

"Simon is in jail and has been for quite a while -- so I don’t think that is possible." Harry said.

"Ok…" Erin conceded and looked over at Leigh. "Have you seen, or had contact with Simon since his incarceration."

"No." Leigh answered to the dismay of her attorney.

"She doesn’t have to answer that." Harry interrupted. "And this line of questioning shouldn’t be taking place.

"And why not" McNeil interjected. "I think we all agree it’s a pertinent piece of information in this case."

"And I think was also agree that you and the Miami Police Department don’t want to be slapped with an unlawful entry charge. Therefore I think we all agree that you were never in my client’s house, you never found the fake ruby, so you never get a chance to question about who made that ruby."

Erin simply shook her head and then looked at a smug Leigh Sinclaire. "You have a point there …so on to the next bit of business …Lenny Goldstein." She said easily …resisting the urge to childishly stick her tongue out at Leigh.

"Ah yes …the security guard." Leigh said with a nod. "How is he by the way?"

"Doing quite well actually." Erin smiled.

"I’m glad to hear that." Leigh said and Erin felt she was being truly genuine. After all, Erin suspected that Leigh hadn’t planned on Lenny being in the secluded janitor closet …let alone knocking him out. Which only strengthened her resolve behind her next line of questioning …reparations.

"What would you say if I told that a few days after the robbery, Lenny won a free trip to Las Vegas at the Palm Martin Casino and Hotel? And while he was there he won $10,000?" Erin asked and sat back and folded her arms.

"I would say that sounds very lucky of him." Leigh remarked without missing a beat. "But you have another opinion I bet." And probably the right one …dammit. I hate delegation …if you want something right …you have to do it yourself. I am going to kick Aidan’s ass when I see him.

"Actually I do. It all sounds like a gracious apology for knocking him on his ass that night." Erin smirked. "I mean, I wouldn’t have minded being in his place if I could get a payoff like that. I’m sure it was very easy for you to arrange …since your friend Tony owns the place."

"Interesting theory." Leigh said and looked straight at Erin. Green eyes stared into clear blue ones, as Erin tried to garnish some type of reaction from the CEO. But there was nothing, not even a flicker from her so-called bombshell about Lenny.

"Indeed." Erin smiled.

Harry looked at the two women curiously before frowning and scribbling on his notepad. "Unless you have proof such as receipts…" He spoke and then looked up "I suggest you continue with another line of questioning Ms. Bradshaw."

"Fine." Erin conceded. "Ok counselor let me offer you and your client a slightly different spin on this. Ms. Sinclaire, were you also aware that the Palms Martin Hotel was robbed last year?"

"Yes." Leigh nodded. "It was in all the papers…"

"Good." Erin looked down at the paperwork, though she knew all the information by heart. "Were you also aware that the same people that robbed the museum that night you played hero, are also the same people that alleged robbed the Palms Martin."

Of course, why do you think I hired them!!! Leigh gave one of her best ‘shocked’ expressions. "Really? Damn… those guys really get around, huh?"

Please …someone should really give this woman an Oscar. Erin sighed inwardly. "Apparently they do." The blonde glanced over at McNeil. "Now you and Tony are good friends, correct?"

"That’s correct." Leigh answered.

"I hear that those robbers got your buddy for what was it McNeil…"

"Two million big ones…" McNeil chimed in.

"Thanks…" Erin glanced his way with a wink. "That’s right …they stole $2 million."

"Sounds about right I suppose."

"Ok …follow me here. Now you have to admit if I was a jewelry thief …it would be pretty sweet to steal a $50 million ruby and set up the guys who stole from my good friend to take the fall for it all." Erin said twirling her pencil through her fingers.

"Yeah that would be pretty sweet." And it was…those guys had it coming …and I’m glad that I could make it happen. But Leigh wasn’t about to admit to that. "But Ms. Bradshaw …a little more like a story line out of a book or movie, don’t you think?" Leigh countered.

Erin nodded. "Almost unbelievable …but Ms. Sinclaire, I know it’s a hundred percent possible."

Harry continued to tap his fingers on the table irritably, he wondered why did Leigh and insurance investigator seemed like they were having so much fun. "Ok, that’s enough. And call me crazy but it seems to me, that you all should be questioning Tony Moralto, instead of my client. I can’t count how many times his name has been brought up today." Harry commented. "Is he a suspect in this case as well?"

McNeil looked at Erin and she at him. "We cannot comment on other suspects in this case, though you can be assured that we are investigating every lead that we have." McNeil finally answered.

Erin knew that they had no intention of questioning Tony Moralto. That was a can of worms neither of them wanted to open. He was merely a connection in this case -- not the center of the investigation. No, they had their suspect, they had their thief …they had Leigh Sinclaire. Though no one would know that from looking at the comfortable CEO across from them.

"That sounds like a no to me." Harry said with a sigh. "And it sounds like my client is through answering your questions. So we’ll be leaving you now …to investigate those so-called other avenues of this case."

Erin Bradshaw couldn’t help but smile, when the sleek black limousine pulled up beside her just before she was going to cross the street to go to her car. Her smile turned in a subtle smirk as the car door opened. She bent down to peek inside to find Leigh sitting in the back seat with her legs crossed. The melodic sounds of music from the car’s powerful stereo system filled the night air.

"What were you doing, stalking me?" Erin commented, wondering how the CEO managed to pull up right when she was leaving the station.

"Stalking?" A dark brow rose. "I admit some people stalk …while others are blessed with a little something called perfect timing."

"Well aren’t you the gifted you one." Erin mocked. "I’m thinking of a number between one and ten …can you guess what it is?"

Blue eyes squinted. "Six". She answered confidently. When she saw the insurance investigator’s mouth drop open, she laughed. "I have many skills, Kansas …don’t forget that."

"How can I …that’s like forgetting how to ride a bike, or the alphabet."

"Come on now …you’re letting the cold air in." The CEO said with a playful frown as she motioned for the other woman to get in.

"I drove you know." Erin nodded towards her car.

"And?" Leigh asked. "Get in woman …you know you want to." The irresistible caress of Leigh’s Texas drawl and twinkling blue eyes practically sucked Erin into the limo. To her amusement Leigh watched Erin glance around as if to see if anyone was watching her as she got in.

"Caught your breath yet?" Erin asked as Leigh made room for her on the seat beside her.

"From what?" Leigh reached down and kicked off her pumps to get more comfortable. She motioned for the blonde to do the same, which she did.

"I mean it must be really hard-work to keep a lie going as long as you have."

"Not that I’m admitting anything …but I’m in pretty good shape you know." Leigh winked.

"I’ll give you that." Erin eyes couldn’t help but drop to Leigh’s long legs briefly. "You didn’t even break a sweat …I don’t know whether to applaud or to strangle you!" Erin grumbled folding her arms. "You’re definitely making my job harder here."

"That’s a good thing then …don’t all people want the satisfaction of coming home knowing they have earned their pay." Leigh leaned in a bit. "And that reminds me …there’s something I forgot to tell you back at the station."

"Really? It wouldn’t happen to be a confession would it …I mean that could come in really handy right about now." Erin felt the limo to move from the curb into traffic.

"Nope …something I hope you might find a little bit more interesting."

"And what would that be?"

"This." Leigh managed to say before pulling Erin towards her for a kiss. Erin was only shocked for a second before her mouth responded to all that the dark-haired woman had to tell her. In reply, she threaded her fingers up through Leigh’s hair and played sexy with her tongue. The sultry music that radiated from the speakers only seemed to fuel Erin’s arousal as Leigh pulled her into her lap.

Her lips barely moving against Leigh’s, she whispered. "I’m glad you remembered to tell me, because…"

"Hmmm?"

"I don’t want to stop listening."

"Good, because I don’t want you to either."

As they continued to kiss, with both hands Leigh relieved Erin of her suit jacket before unbuttoning her shirt.

"The driver…" Erin moaned as Leigh unhooked her bra and pushed straps down. Erin’s breasts were beautifully round and fit perfectly in her palm. Leigh cupped one of them and gently shaped it with her hand.

"Kansas, not even Superman could see through that glass." Her finger rubbed a ripe nipple before taking it in her mouth.

"Good." She sighed, before placing her arms around Leigh’s head and clutching the other woman to her …almost chanting her name with short breathes.

Leigh’s hands waded through what seemed like mountains of fabric before finally hitting skin. She slid her fingers between Erin’s thighs all the way up to her center. She stroked the blonde through her panties. "May I?" She asked.

Erin must have made a sound that meant yes and her core was wet and ready to be taken. Without another moment of hesitation, Leigh’s long fingers eased into her.

"Leigh!"

The dark-haired woman’s fingers caressed her from within while her thumb sketched small circles on the outside. Very soon Erin was thrusting her hips against Leigh’s hand. "Easy now."

The insurance investigator relaxed a little. And even though her breathing still shallow, she stopped trying to climax and enjoyed the nuzzling Leigh continued against her breasts. Her nipples became ever harder against the other woman’s flickering tongue. Leigh’s stroking intensified and the circles made by her thumb shrank to focus on one spot.

Then she felt it …the unique and special tension that claimed a woman when she was on the brink. Urgent. Involuntary. Absolute. Uncontainable. Though Leigh still hadn’t gotten used to watching and feeling it in another woman beside herself, she knew the feeling very well. She opened her eyes to see the ripples of pleasure as it started to wash over her lover. The other woman’s skin was flushed and showed a faint sheen of perspiration. Erin’s back arched as she threw back her head and covered her eyes with her forearm. Leigh thought her exposed neck pleaded to be kissed, so she moved over it and pressed her lips against the hollow of Erin’s neck, while the sweet sounds of her climaxing radiated from it. Leigh remained there until the last of the aftershocks had pulsed through Erin and rendered her limp against her.

After a few quiet moments, that were filled with nothing but music, their breathing, and the faint sounds of traffic around them, Leigh removed her hand from beneath Erin’s skirt and smoothed it back into place. She then gathered her close and moved further back against the cushion of their seat. She continued stroking Erin’s back.

Erin’s heart was beating fast and loudly in her head. Her body remained still except for her breathing until it began to slow down. Several moments passed, with Erin coming to the realization of how wonderful it felt to be a woman in a truly erotic moment with another woman. Nope …correction. Not any woman …but rather this woman …Leigh Sinclaire. Weakly Erin lifted her head and looked into Leigh’s face. "Yeah …that was just a bit more interesting than a confession …I admit." She said with a slight chuckle as she removed her hands from Leigh’s hair. "I can’t believe we just did that." She added with an embarrassed smile, as she buried her face in the hollow of Leigh’s neck.

"Never done it in a limo before?" Boy have you been deprived ….but I plan on changing that. Thought it hadn’t been Leigh’s first in the car …it was her first time with Erin and that’s all that counted.

"Nope…" Erin shook her head. "And never with another person just on the other side a piece of glass. Leigh you don’t suppose your driver heard us, do you?"

"It's sound proof Kansas don’t worry. Though that whelp you gave at the end almost shattered every window on this thing."

Erin must have felt Leigh’s grin because she raised her head and looked at her. "You’ve single handed turned me into wanton nymphomaniac. You must be feeling pretty good about yourself right about now."

"Pretty damn good …if I must say so." Her smile was undeniably cocky and arrogant …but quickly softened. Leigh kissed her lips gently, purring against them. "But you, darlin’, feel better." They kissed long and deeply.

"How much longer to your place?" Erin asked as she began to unbutton Leigh’s clothing.

"Too long…" Leigh answered with a crooked smile as her hands moved up around the back of Erin’s neck. "Any idea how we can fill the time?"

The blonde’s respond was to rock her hips against Leigh’s as she pushed the taller woman down on the seat. Wincing with pleasure, Leigh grasped Erin around the waist firmly before gasping. "I’ll say it again …Kansas I love the way you think."

"You know they say, the first five minutes after you meet someone, it defines your whole relationship." Leigh said as she added more hot water to the huge garden tub she was now sharing with Erin Bradshaw. She leaned back into her previous position, which was between Erin’s thighs with the blonde’s legs wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Really? Then that must have been a hell of a first five minutes for us." Erin reached for her glass of champagne that was resting securely on the side of the tub …next to a bowl of strawberries and cream. She sipped it leisurely as her free hand glided up and down Leigh’s soap slicked arm, before dipping in the suds infested water to grab a handful of bubbles. She blew them up into the air. "That night when I saw you in that white dress …cocky, arrogant, and smiling."

"Hmmm?"

"I think I knew then that there was something between us."

"I know."

"You knew."

"Don’t you think I felt it too, Kansas?" Leigh laughed. "I couldn’t stop fumbling all over the place with sexual innuendos."

"I noticed, I blushed, and I liked it." Erin giggled a little before a long sigh followed. "We are so crazy to be doing this Leigh, you know that don’t you. We have to be out of our minds!"

"Maybe …but I think we would be even more crazy if we didn’t explore it." Leigh rationalized before tickling Erin’s toes that rested on her navel. "I must say for a couple of first timers …we’re not doing too bad though."

"Like we would know." Erin said thoughtfully and drained her glass.

"Well ignorance is bliss, my friend." Leigh nibbled on a strawberry contently. "But I must admit to cheating a little"

"Cheating?" Erin picked up two hands full of water and released it over Leigh’s head. "Why aren’t I surprised?"

"Hey!" Leigh pushed back the dark wet hair that covered her eyes. "This is my tub …act accordingly young lady!" Then quickly with little effort Leigh turned around until she was sitting across from Erin then caused a great tidal wave of water to splash up in Erin’s unsuspecting face.

"Brat!"

"You started it first." Leigh said childishly and stuck out her tongue.

Before either knew it they were in the mist of a full-fledged water fight. Minutes went by before the women wound up in each other arms laughing loudly after infinite amounts of water had spilled onto the floor. Then there was a loud bark on the other side of the bathroom door. Leigh smiled. "Sorry Bernie we’ll try to keep it down in here …didn’t mean to interrupt your beauty sleep buddy." They laughed again. "You know, I hope Bernie doesn’t think I’m showing off by bringing you in the house right in front of his face." She stole a kiss really quick. "But then again who cares." Then the kiss she stole wasn’t quick at all.

"So what’s this thing about you cheating?" Erin asked as she came up for air.

"Well you know…" Leigh started as she turned around and again leaned her lanky frame back into Erin’s waiting arms. "I kind of did a little research?"

"Really?"

"Well sure …I’ve been reading fan fiction …And I tell ya, if Xena and Gabrielle weren’t lovers …they definitely should have been. They would have had so much more fun. I’m telling you, this one story I read could have set my laptop on fire during a new product pitch meeting."

"I did a little research of my own you know." Erin confessed. "I found a site about celebrity fantasies and guess what dark-haired Texan with a flare for software as well as mischief has her own category."

"You’re got to be kidding me." Leigh chuckled.

"Nope …now there were tons of horny men rambling on about how they would love to be your sex puppy …but Leigh there were quite a few women that wrote very vividly about what they want to do to you."

"Read anything interesting?" Leigh asked and turned her head slightly to peek over her shoulder at Erin.

"Well you know last night when I…" Erin whispered the rest of her sentence in her the CEO’s ear. "And then tonight when I…" She demonstrated a little with her hands.

"Oh yeah …my knees get weak just thinking about it." Leigh said with a wicked grin

"Apparently in cyberspace those are your favorites." Erin nibbled on Leigh’s earlobe.

"Well I never thought I would say this …thank goodness for a web site that I didn’t authorize …you’re going to have to send me a link. That is unless you want to show me more of what you read …so I don’t have to read it myself."

"I could give you a demonstration if you like …but we may have to move to the bedroom." Erin offered.

"No way!" Leigh said angrily.

"What?" Erin asked, with a bit of confusion as she watched a tan arm shoot out of the water to grab the remote that belonged to the gigantic flat screen in front of them …that had been on the whole time muted.

"Son of a bitch!" Was Leigh’s response as the bathroom was suddenly filled with sounds from the television. Erin looked up and finally saw what had agitated her lover. Apparently an entertainment show was still covering the recent events of Brent Lander’s arrest. Footage showed the night at the hotel, before showing Brent blaming a broken heart for his misdeeds. Then, on the screen was a photo of Leigh alone, then one with Brent, and then a montage of candid photos of her with various male companions. "I thought this would have died down by now …don’t people have anything better to talk about."

"You really got around huh?" Erin said uneasily as she shifted slightly in the tub.

"Well I never said I was a virgin…" Leigh responded sarcastically as she watched people from the street being interview about their opinion of her. "Did she just say what I think she said?"

"Yeah …you’re nothing more than a software vamp trying to please your need to tease." Erin repeated for her.

Leigh shook her head and grunted. "Real cute."

"Who will be the next victim of the Tech World’s Bad Girl?" The reporter said with a solemn tone. "I guess we’ll just have to wait and see." Leigh clicked the remote and the television was turned off.

"Total utter bullshit…" Leigh hissed and got up out of the tub. "And who cares what they think of me anyway!" With suds and soap still clinging to her naked curves, Erin watched Leigh pace back and forth. "People break up you know …it happens. And I mean yeah sure people get hurt …but people know that going in right?" She rationalized angrily as her gazed snap back towards Erin. "Right, Kansas?"

Erin nodded slowly and refilled her champagne glass to the brim. She moved lower into the tub and sighed wearily. Before her eyes she was seeing images of photographs of she and Leigh just like the broadcast. With each picture, Erin’s image seemed to get lighter and lighter until …there was picture of Leigh alone.

"Breakups aren’t the end of the world …but just a part of life."

"I can’t believe I didn’t consider this." There was such frustration in the other women’s voice that Leigh stopped pacing.

"Consider what?" Leigh asked.

"The heartbreak factor." Erin moaned before draining her glass once again …she was on the verge of being tipsy. She closed her eyes and frowned heavily.

Leigh walked back to the tub. "What are you talking about?"

"Before I gave in to you and me…" Erin started, still with her eyes closed. "I did nothing but think about you and me and the millions of reason why it shouldn’t happen."

"A million, huh? I’m impressed …I could only come up with a couple thousand." Leigh joked, but saw that the other woman wasn’t in a joking mood.

Erin gave a disapproving sigh towards Leigh’s joke, Erin continued. "The top reason was …and I know we promised to leave certain things out of the bedroom, but since we’re in the bathroom… anyway …the top reason being the case." She ignored Leigh’s rolling her eyes at the familiar subject. "The second reason being …that before all of this, Leigh I wasn’t gay or rather never had sexual feeling towards another woman. I mean what the hell does all this mean about my life and how I’ve defined it?" Erin laughed but it was purely cynical. "And now on top of all of that …I have to consider the heartbreak factor."

"Which is?"

"Duh …Leigh I’m sleeping with a woman that changes her lovers like she changes her clothes!"

Leigh’s dark brow rose slowly and ignoring her nakedness she stood tall and placed her hands on her hips. "That’s rather harsh don’t you think." The CEO had heard things like that before, but it seemed to sting more hearing it from Erin.

"Yeah …but I’m quoting an article I read."

"Fuck whatever article you’re talking about Kansas!" Leigh growled. "Why don’t you ask me about this …so you can get a direct quote?"

Noting Leigh’s angry tone, Erin was slightly taken aback. "Is this a sore spot for you?"

"What do you think?" Leigh retorted, turning around walking towards a towel to wrap it around her body. "I mean, normally I could care less about what people say about my sex life, but…"

"But what?"

"Forget it …I just remembered that I have an important business phone call to make. Just go ahead and enjoy the tub as long as you like." Leigh said taking a deep breath and trying to change gears. "I’ll order in some Chinese or something …so we can have dinner …how does that sound?" She added with a smile, that Erin could see right through.

"It sounds like you don’t want to talk about this." Erin said knowingly. "You know Leigh if I’ve offended you with my concerns here …I’m sorry. But I can’t ignore the fact that you have a history of bad breakups."

"I suppose you can’t." Leigh conceded with shrug and headed out of the bathroom. "So Chinese?" She called over her shoulder.

Erin sat in the tub and for long moments as she watched the bubbles silently glide on the surface of the warm water. "What just happened here?" She asked the empty room and she ran hands through her wet hair. She heard the patter of feet on the bathroom tile and looked up to see Bernie trotting towards her. He simply stopped and sat by the edge of the tub. "Is she mad at me?" Erin asked him before she got out of the tub to grab a towel. The dog didn’t answer. He simply sat there with both his tongue and tail wagging …so Erin answered her own question. "Of course she is! I did just practically call her a whore." After toweling herself off she wrapped another towel around her body. "You think I should go talk to her about it?" Bernie just stared at her for a second before nodding towards the bedroom. She patted Bernie on the head. "Thanks for the advice boy." She said before leaving the bathroom. Erin found Leigh lying on the king-sized bed with a towel still wrapped around her carelessly flipping through the channels on the wide screen television.

She must have sensed Erin’s presence. "I ordered a couple egg rolls, beef and broccoli, shrimp fried rice, and General’s Tso Chicken. I hope that’s ok."

"Sounds good to me."

"Cool…" The CEO responded, before turning her attention back to the television. She’s settled on some documentary on TLC. "It should be here in about 30 minutes or so."

Erin came closer and sat on the edge of the bed. "We have to stop doing this you know."

"Doing what?"

"This love - hate thing… One moment we’re all ‘lovey dovey’ and the next, we’re at each other throats." Leigh raised an eyebrow at Erin’s words. "I know I’m usually the one that initiates it…"

"Amen to that." Leigh chimed in, before turning her body toward Erin so that she was lying on her side.

Erin rolled her eyes before letting out a slight sigh. "Just bare with me, Leigh. I’m still trying to make sense of all this …I can’t even predict what my feelings will be from one moment to the next except for…"

"Except for what?"

"Except for how I feel about you…" She said softly. "Granted its scares the shit out of me …but I know what I feel." Erin added shyly before leaning in to gently kiss Leigh’s lips. The CEO returned the kiss easily, before ending it by sucking softly on the blonde’s bottom lip.

"And I like how you feel." Leigh said with a grin, before licking her lips.

"Leigh about before…"

Leigh laid a hand on Erin’s arm. "No need to explain Kansas. I can understand why my past relationship history may frighten you. I mean I’m not exactly the poster girl for commitment…" Leigh shrugged. "The whole world thinks that I tease men for the hell of it …so why wouldn’t you think the same thing when it comes to me being with a woman."

"But still Leigh…"

"No …Kansas, let’s just drop it. Okay." Leigh reached for the towel wrap around Erin. "Because there are so many other things I would rather be doing than talking about this subject." With a gentle tug, Erin’s towel fell open.

"Really?" Erin asked with her breath being taken away by blue eyes washing over her exposed naked body. "…And what might that be, Ms. Sinclaire?"

"Take a wild guess, Ms. Bradshaw." Leigh replied as she wiggled her eyebrows.

Erin reached for Leigh’s towel and slowly opened it, almost as if opening a gift. She pushed Leigh to her back and climbed on top of the other woman’s lanky frame. She leaned in and rested her hands on each side of Leigh’s head. "Am I close?" She whispered just inches from Leigh’s lips.

"Right on the money…" Leigh answered with a grin.