Second Chance ~ A New Beginning

Authors Note: Second Chance ~ A New Beginning is a continuation of "Second Chance" . Reading Second Chance first is not crucial, but will make the story clearer.

Her boot heels sounded unnaturally loud on the hardwood floors. While structurally it was the same house she had left fifteen years ago for Witness Protection, it wasn't. Gone was the comfortable furnishing they had painstakingly chose together, replaced with only the bare necessities. Sparse was almost an understatement. The family room stood empty, the couch instead shoved into the smaller den to the left of the front hall. Muted shades of grey seemed to be the color palette of choice. The place defined the difference between house and home. Feeling his gaze on her back, Shannon turned.

"Why?"

"I don't need much to survive."

The pensive twist of his lips stabbed straight to her heart. There was a world of difference between living and surviving and her Marine had spent the last fifteen years in survival mode. Her gaze sweeping the room again, she couldn't help comparing it to the bright and cheerful home she and Kelly had shared. Like a kick to the stomach, it hit her. While she had Kelly to cling to, to live for during those long years, Jethro had no one.

He cleared his throat drawing her teary eyes back to him.

"A little elbow grease and a woman's touch and it will be ship-shape."

When she was silent, he crossed to her. Hands rubbing gently at the tops of her arms, his serious gaze probed hers.

"Whatever you want or need, whatever it takes."

"Do you know how many times I would have given anything to be right here again?" Shannon asked, pressing close to his chest. "All we need is you, Jethro. The rest is just things."

His arms closed around her and they stood silent for some time before Shannon stirred.

"I guess we better figure out where our daughter got to and get that moving truck unloaded, Marine."

"Our daughter is in the back yard with Gunny giving us a few minutes," he replied with a nod towards French doors leading to the back deck. "And the truck can wait until tomorrow. I'll talk to my team and see if a couple of them can help with the heavier pieces."

"I'm surprised you didn't make the Marshall's come help you unload as well," Shannon teased, green eyes sparkling.

"It was the least they owed us."



Bracing his hands against the shower walls, Gibbs gave his body over to the pounding water while his mind whirled. At times in the past forty-eight hours the years apart had melted away, like it was a dream, and then he would look at the twenty-two year old that had replaced his little girl and fight the rage the loss ignited in him. Fifteen years was a long time, impossible to recover. Kelly's unflagging belief in him didn't make it easier. While his heart had bled, he had allowed his brain to rule, to convince himself that they were gone. How did he make up for that?

Arms slipping around his waist jerked him from thought. Parts of him long dormant leapt to attention at the familiar touch. His heart thundered in recognition of its mate. Taking a deep breath he tried to calm his raging body. Turning in her grasp, he drank in her beauty. The years had added a little extra curve here and there, but he had never seen a woman more beautiful. He groaned, flinching as her fingers wrapped around the base of his twitching cock.

"Are you sure?"

"I've missed more than just your arms around me. I tried moving on, but other men just don't cut it after you, Marine. "

Their kiss started slow, building to bruising intensity. Teeth clashed as he lifted her clear of the floor, urging her legs around him. Her hand worked impatiently between their slippery bodies to guide him into her. Staggering to the wall, he impaled her, swallowing her scream. Her heels spurred into the taut muscles of his ass demanding more. So much for taking their time. Driving into her snug heat he burrowed his nose in her fragrant hair, fighting for control.

Trying to prolong it he rocked, bending his knees to thrust up into her. Nails dug into his back, a low mewling sound escaping Shannon's throat. Planting her hands on his shoulders she posted, timing her movements to meet his thrust. Panting screams echoed off the tiled walls. Velvety muscles tightened around his shaft even as her teeth clamped into the muscle between shoulder and neck. The exquisite jolt of pleasure and pain sent him over the edge, his primal roar drowning out all else.

Breath harsh and legs trembling, Gibbs fought to stay standing in the cramped shower. Drawing on desperate reserves, he stepped from the shower his wife still in his arms. Snatching a towel to wrap around her, he stumbled to the bed.

"Ooorah, you still have it, Marine," Shannon sighed into his shoulder with a breathless giggle.

Chuckling, he shifted to ease his weight off her. Long legs tightened, holding him buried in her. An instant stir of interest surprised him. Her eyes sparkled, hips rotating enticingly. Old or not, his body throbbed in response.

"The bed always was good for round two."



WC ~ 869



Prompt - New Beginnings ~ 2nd Place Winner - Round 1

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The Weekly Quickie Contest  (18+) On Hold - Can you excite in 969 words? Romance+ Contest, May Theme: Taking a Break #1355442 by Dawn Embers