Disclaimer - Umm. He's sort of owned by ABC.

Note from Suz: The following was one of Penny's contributions to the SCOTTResort's first annual ball. Her date for the event was Denby (I was quite happy with AinsleyHarriotScott, thank you very much), and this is what they got up to...

Rated NC-17. Just in case. And believe me, keep reading this. It's worth it.

*

Why did he have to be so sexy? Why did he have to have such glorious hair that made me always want to run my fingers through it? If I had to pick a date for the Celebration that distrusted me and was always looking over his shoulder as if someone was about to collar him, why did he have to be so gentle and kind, and why, oh, why did he have to have eyes that changed color with his mood and a mouth that begged to be kissed?

I felt my blood begin to sizzle as he looked at me, his eyebrow quirked in a teasing way, and the glint of his eyes inviting me to share his amusement. How could he smile at me like that if he distrusted me? I don't think he really knows what he wants. Perhaps, given time, I could help him destroy his personal demons.

In an attempt to keep my thoughts from running off in crazy fantasy, I asked a simple question.

"What kind of treasure do you think it is?"

Denby's eyes again changed, from clear blue to a deeper, darker shade of green. "Who knows?" His gaze dropped to my lips then traveled slowly down my chin and neck. "It could be gold, or it could be something much more ... precious." His voice trailed off as if he had run out of breath.

Breath? I could barely breathe! I watched him position himself more comfortably on the boulder beside the pool. My mouth went dry as I watched his muscles ripple beneath his silk shirt. I had to lick my lips and swallow before asking my next question.

"Like what?" I didn't really remember what I was talking about anymore, I just wanted to hear that sexy timbre vibrate through my body, like a siren's song.

He wiped his palms on his thighs. He uncrossed his legs, and then quickly crossed them again. He looked uncomfortable sitting there, and I wasn't surprised when he quickly stood and walked over to a lavender orchard, and plucked the delicate flower from its stem.

"Who can say? Perhaps we should find the treasure and see."

He absent-mindedly brushed the soft petals of the flower across his long fingers. My breath caught again as I imagined the texture of the petals and his fingers on my hot skin.

I couldn't help myself. I moved towards him, drawn to his side by an invisible thread of such force, my will was totally subjugated. He sensed my presence and looked up from the flower.

"When can we start?" I asked in a voice that didn't sound at all like my own.

He touched the petals to my jaw and trailed it down my neck to the cleft between my breasts. His eyes, those deep and brooding pools of emotion, followed the flower's path hungrily. I stood perfectly still, experiencing the touch and feel, afraid to move.

"I believe we already have."

He bent to whisper the words in my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine. Oh, gods! He smelled delicious -- of male musk, green growing things and the sweet hint of the flower. My knees felt like they would collapse on me, so I stiffened them. I didn't want to fall at his feet like a swooning woman!

He dragged the petal slowly over my breasts, the light touch through my silk blouse teasing and tantalizing. It came to rest over my pounding heart. His eyes were a bottomless pool of desire, and I'm sure he could see my need for him mirrored in my own eyes.

The urge to touch the strong column of his neck was overpowering. I had to give into it, and I ran my hand up the side of his neck, slipped my fingers under his hair, and stroked the powerful cords at the back of his neck. At the first touch, his eyes darted back to mine with a fierce penetrating look. I wanted to melt into his lean body, but I forced myself to remain apart, almost touching. My body began to tremble, and he growled low and deep, the noise coming from the back of this throat.

I dropped my gaze to his mouth again and sucked in my breath at the seductive smile playing across those luscious lips. I felt my own mouth tremble with anticipation of his kiss, for I knew without a doubt he would kiss me now.

Denby brought his free hand up to cup my cheek in his warm palm. I closed my eyes, turned my face into the embrace and breathed in the aroma of his sun-browned hand. I smelled the orchid, herbs, fresh moist earth and his own delicious scent. I couldn't help myself, and nuzzled his skin with my lips.

He brought the flower up to play against the other side of my face, flicking it gently from temple to ear in a slow, erotic motion. It was wonderful, and a sigh escaped my lips. His deep chuckle nearly curled my toes. It was obvious he was proud of the response his hands had coerced from me.

Two could play at this game, I decided. My fingers entwined around his dark hair, then I slipped them to his firm jaw and around his ear. Gently, I rubbed the pad of my thumb against his cheek before finally touching the still quirked eyebrow with an index finger. My finger tips were so sensitive, I felt him close his eyes before exploring the texture of his skin. I felt his heart dance a quick tempo, and my own matched his pace.

Denby dropped the orchid and his other hand snaked around my head so that his hands held me firmly, thumbs titling my face up for his kiss. I burned for that kiss!

I opened my eyes and knew I couldn't escape the impending onslaught of passion if my life depended upon it. I didn't want to escape! He held me still for what seemed like an eternity as he searched my face with is brooding eyes. For what? I don't know. I wish I knew.

My heart had to be in my eyes. He had to see the love I felt for him. Still he held me without moving.

"Denby," I whispered, barely able to get the words out, "if you don't kiss me I'm going to die," and for all I knew, the words were true.

With a deep growl, he crushed my body to his, covering my lips with his hot mouth. He tasted of rich amber Scotch and sweet honey.

All the hurt, pain and desire he had held pent up within was unleashed, and I thought I would be consumed by his urgency. His tongue flicked fire through my soul as his hands trailed flames over my body.

I clung to his shoulders. I was a woman without the power to stand. I felt his muscles bunch and ripple as another wave of passion swept over me.

Without conscious thought, I rubbed my hips against his hard body and he moaned into my mouth as if he were in agony. Suddenly he released my mouth and used his lips and teeth to nip and lick a path down my neck to the cleft between my throbbing breasts. With an impatient motion, he swept my blouse open and kissed his way to my breast. I thought I would die of pleasure as he took the nipple into his mouth.

My hands were busy trying to explore every inch of his chest and back. Somehow I had succeeded in opening his shirt and it hung half on, half off. When I pinched one of his nipples between my finger and thumb at the same time I suckled his ear lobe, he howled and lifted me off my feet, sitting me on the edge of the very same boulder he had vacated earlier.

My arms were suddenly empty as he dropped to his knees and lifted my gown to my thighs. He slipped my shoes from my feet and pulled my stockings off in a rush. I dipped my fingers into his silky hair and massaged his skull as he kissed first one instep and then the other. He ran his hands up the outside of my legs and cupped my buttocks as I sat on that hard rock. I couldn't stand it anymore. Threading my fingers through his hair, I pulled his head up to look into his eyes.

All control seemed to be gone from their stormy depths. His lips were moist from our kisses, and the only emotion I could read on his fact was a tremendous need and want. I searched, I truly did, but could find no trace of love in his tortured eyes. It would have to be enough for now.

I loosened the grip on his hair, releasing him from my searching eyes. He bent his head and kissed the inside of my knee, using his shoulder to nudge my legs further apart. A flame of desire leaped through my body, and I trembled at the touch of his lips and tongue. I tried to bite off a moan of pleasure as his mouth sent hot tremors up my thigh, but the sound reverberated around the solar before I could stop it.

He halted his assault on my leg and became absolutely still; a statue of a knight kneeling in homage to his lady. Then slowly, reluctantly, he lifted his head and I saw reason and regret returning to his eyes.

"Please," I whispered. All pride gone, only a trembling and achy need consuming my soul. He carefully pulled my skirt down and gently arranged it around my legs.

I grabbed two fists full of hair to prevent him from rising.

"Denby, make love to me."

It shamed me that I wasn't strong enough to keep from asking this man to finish what he had begun.

He took my hands from his head and stood in a graceful movement. "We can't," he breathed on my palms, as he placed a kiss on each.

"But why?" I couldn't believe this. I knew he wanted me!

He smiled apologetically, straightened his clothing, and ran a distracted hand through his glorious hair.

"Regrettably, Penny, I'm shooting blanks."

Some men should be taken out and shot.

End