Chapter 56

They had sat in the kitchen tangled together silently for what seemed like hours, neither speaking, yet not quite ready to let the other go. Finally, Amanda pulled back slightly, running her hand down the tan cheek of the taller woman. " Well, now that we've gotten that settled, are you ready to drive into town, so I can show you off? "

Lex blushed. " Not much to show, but yeah, I guess so…let me go get a bag together, since we'll be there for a few days." She waited until the smaller woman climbed off of her lap with a reluctant sigh. " I've also got a few errands to run while we're there, if you don't mind." She stood, wrapping a long arm around Amanda's shoulder.

The young blonde grinned. " Sure…I've got some things to take care of too." Like requesting some more vacation time, and of course thanking that slimeball Rick for sending me out here, she mused. I can't wait to see his face! A small giggle escaped from her.

" What's so funny? " Lex asked, as the headed towards the stairs.

" I was just thinking about Rick." Amanda couldn't help herself, she chuckled again.

" And…? "

" I'm just picturing the look on his face when I stand up in front of the entire office and thank him for sending me on a wild goose chase." She shook her blonde head ruefully.

Lex stopped in the middle of the stairway and looked at her, as if she had completely lost her mind. " Thank him?!? "

" Yep." Amanda nodded, prodding the rancher forward once again. " I'm gonna say, 'Rick, if it weren't for you, I may have never met the love of my life - so thank you! ' and then watch him pass out from the shock." She laughed.

Lex finally laughed as well. " That would certainly do it." She allowed Amanda to enter the master bedroom ahead of her. " But when he gets up, he's mine." This was said in a low growl. " The bastard nearly got you killed - and I have a few choice words of my own for him." She was walking towards the closet when the light touch on her back stopped her. Turning around, she saw a quiet look on the younger woman's face.

" No…please don't." Seeing the confusion on Lex's face, Amanda continued, " I would gladly go through all of that again for what I have gained this past week." She enjoyed the look of comprehension, then pure joy that suddenly covered the older woman's face.

Lex grinned and scooped the small woman up into her arms. " Funny…I feel the same way." She spun Amanda around, enjoying the startled laughter that began to float through the air around them.

" Lex! You nut! Put me down before you hurt yourself! " Amanda chortled, arms wrapped around the taller woman's neck. Realizing she was in the unique position of finally being able to physically see eye-to-eye with the rancher, Amanda took advantage of the opportunity presented to her and captured the older woman's lips with a vengeance.

Lex happily returned her offering, accepting the deepening of the contact wholeheartedly. She loosened her grip on the smaller woman slightly, as she felt her own legs begin to weaken. " God, Amanda, " she whispered huskily, " it's amazing what you make me feel with just one kiss."

The younger woman smiled against her mouth. " It's only fair…considering what you can do to me with just one look." She murmured. " You in much of a hurry to get into town? " She slid down the long form slowly. " I thought we could leave sometime after lunch." She stepped away carefully, capturing the large hands and backing up towards the bed.

Lex smiled, her eyes slightly glazed with desire. " You're the boss." She allowed the younger woman to pull her forward onto the bed, laughing.