#surfer deeks

***

They stopped long enough for Kensi to change into a bikini and amazingly small shorts. At first, he tried not to stare, until he noticed that Kensi was checking him out too. Any misgivings he’d had about purposely flirting with Kensi disappeared with that retaliation.

Deeks drove to a small spot that was fairly secluded. Due to its distance from most amenities, most people avoided it, especially at this time of evening. Deeks told himself it was for both their safety and to protect Kensi’s case. It had nothing to do with having the beach all to the themselves.

It wasn’t a long drive and Deeks spent the whole time wondering exactly what Kensi was aiming for here. He pulled into a small clearing that wasn’t so much a parking space as pure gravel.

“How was the rest of your day?” Kensi asked as they got out and Deeks handed her a board. The sun was setting quickly, but she didn’t seem in a hurry to get to the lesson, so Deeks leaned against the side of his truck. Kensi mirrored him, her shoulder just barely brushing his.

“Busy, but I usually like it that way. If I don’t have something to do, I start to think too much, and that’s never a good thing,” he told her, giving a crooked grin at the end. He waited a beat. “What, no joke about me thinking being a novel idea?”

Kensi eyed him with fondness and something scarily close to understanding. It sent a curl of warmth into his stomach. It was so rare for anyone to trust him as much as she did. Let alone take him seriously.

“Why would I say something like that?”

“It’s a pretty common theme in my life. Sometimes I have done stupid things to annoy people,” he admitted.

“Hmm.” Tilting her head, she scrutinized him for a few more seconds, then reached towards him. Deeks moved back instinctively, but Kensi followed him, gently flicking a curl away from the corner of his eye. “Well, whoever said those things to you wasn’t very smart. Because I’ve seen nothing but passion, intelligence, and kindness since I met you.”

“Wow,” Deeks murmured. “What I’m hearing is that you find my brain incredibly sexy.”

Kensi rolled her eyes and bumped his shoulder with hers. “Just take the compliment and shut up.”

“Sorry.” He bumped her shoulder back. “What do you think?” He gestured towards the water with his chin.

“It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever been to this area before,” Kensi commented.

“That’s because it’s top secret, Kensalina. Only surf instructors know about this location. And now you.”

“I’m honored.”

“So, uh, did you skip out on work to come here?” Deeks asked, grinning when Kensi’s cheeks flushed lightly.

“No. Branston is being annoyingly boring, so I got to leave early for a change,” Kensi said, as if to make sure he didn’t think she would ever confided shirking her duties.

“And you decided to spend that precious time with me.”

“I guess I did.” She blinked and then smiled, seeming to brush off whatever was going on in her mind. “C‘mon. Show me some of those advanced skills you’ve been holding back on.”

***

Advanced techniques had somehow translated to Deeks standing behind Kensi as he guided her into the proper surfing stance. It was an equally torturous and wonderful positing to be in.

“A little bit lower,” Deeks coached, nudging Kensi’s left leg forward an inch or so. “You really want to bend your knees.”

“Like this?”

He barely noticed if Kensi had actually followed through, too distracted by everything about her. This close, he could see the slight copper tones in her hair thanks to the sun and smell the faint scent of watermelon and ocean water in her skin.

“Deeks?” Kensi prompted. Her voice was low and unbelievably sexy. She also sounded as unsteady as he felt.

“What are we doing?” Deeks whispered, stopping with one hand resting on her waist. Her damp skin was warm despite the fading sun. He wanted to run his hands over every inch, but settled for dragging the fingertips of one hand over her collar bone. She shivered and drifted even closer.

“Being reckless,” Kensi answered. Closing her eyes, she leaned back until she pressed against his chest. She turned her head, her lips brushing his jaw.

One of them should have pulled back. Or stopped. Instead, Deeks dipped his head as he cupped Kensi’s cheek and tipped her mouth up to meet his.

***

***

Kensi spent the rest of the day helping Nell and Eric sort through witness statement and financial forms in case they’d missed any details. Callen and Sam were on surveillance duty at Branston’s condo, which Kensi did not envy them. She couldn’t imagine Branston made a fascinating subject from a distance.

Since they didn’t have any new leads, Callen sent her home early with the usual instructions to be close by if needed.

On the way home, Kensi grabbed some Chinese food and threw on a movie. It was one she could practically quote line for line, but today, she found herself tuning it out. Her thoughts kept returning to Deeks. He’d looked so disappointed when she’d left today. Or maybe she was simply projecting her own feelings onto him.

Abandoning her half-eaten food, she found one of many piles of clothes in her room and started sorting them in a truly desperate attempt at distraction.

“Only a man could drive me to do laundry,” she muttered, as if Deeks could somehow hear here or was to blame for her complete inability to get him out of her mind.

Giving up all pretense, Kensi tossed a wad of socks on her bed, and grabbed the surfboard currently propped up in a corner and the duffle bag with her gear. She needed to see Deeks again.

She had the surfboard strapped to the roof of her SUV before she could second guess her decision. It was foolish and reckless. It was beyond unprofessional and crossing so many boundaries. For once, she didn’t care.

***

The beach had emptied out from earlier in the day, but there were still enough people around that Kensi kept her head lowered to avoid being recognized.

Reckless, that annoying voice that sounded an awful lot like Sam, whispered to her.

When she reached the surf shop it was dark inside without any signs of movement, and Kensi’s stomach sank with disappointment until she noticed a small “we’ll be back soon” sign on the entrance door. Kensi had no place to be, so she toted everything to the patio in the back and made herself comfortable.

In between texting Nell, Kensi periodically checked for Deeks or the employee she’d yet to meet. About twenty minutes later, she glanced up in time to see Deeks pass behind a large family.

He took long strides through the sand, surfboard easily carried under one arm. The beginnings of the sunset cast a glow over him, highlighting his tanned skin and giving his hair a golden tint. A shiver of anticipation ran through Kensi’s entire body, and this time she didn’t even pretend that she wasn’t hopelessly. attracted to him.

Deeks was just a few feet away when he finally noticed her. He stopped short, then quickly closed the distance between them.

“Kensi. What’s wrong?” he asked, worry tinging his voice. His eyes darted around the patio, perhaps expecting Branston or someone more nefarious to appear.

“Nothing,” she assured him quickly, even as some idiotic part of her rejoiced at his concern. Then before she could lose her nerve, she moved close enough that she could have touched him if she wanted. “I thought maybe you’d give me another lesson. You know, since the last two have been interrupted.”

Deeks’ eyes widened slightly. “You want—you want to surf now?”

“Yeah.” Kensi shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal. “But if your busy—

***

After Kensi left, Deeks felt a little bit like he’d been hit by a very beautiful and emotionally destructive train. Which was incredibly stupid. He’d known Kensi Blye for approximately a week and spent a handful of hours with her. Yet somehow, he was ridiculously close to falling for her.

Even though Kensi didn’t seem to think his part was done, he didn’t share the same optimism. This was always meant to be a short term arrangement and he doubted she’d remember him once seducing Branston required her full attention. He grimaced at the thought. For her sake, Deeks hoped that Branston screwed up in some other way so she wouldn’t have go through with dating him.

Jake came in about ten minutes early for his shift, greeting Deeks with a wave before heading for the small office that also served as their break room.

Right, Deeks had a business to run. Shaking off the last of his self-pity, he started the usual morning routine, just two and half hours behind schedule. So far, he’d taken a slight hit in revenue while helping NCIS, but it wasn’t significant enough to worry him yet. He wasn’t too hopeful that the reimbursement Kensi had mentioned would ever come through.

Though, since it meant he’d met Kensi, maybe it was worth potential financial ruin.

“Marty, you are down bad,” he muttered to himself.

“What’s bad?” Jake asked, reappearing, now with a name tag clipped to his t-shirt and a cup of coffee.

“Nothing. Just talking to myself like usual.”

“Ok. Hey, do you want me to come in late again tomorrow?” Jake took a healthy gulp of coffee. “Cause I’m totally good with sleeping in another day.”

“Sorry, man, but I think we should be back to the regular schedule after this,” Deeks told him.

“Alright,” Jake sighed, but quickly shook off his disappointment.

He was a good kid and had put up with the sudden and mostly unexplained irregularities without complaint or question.

“Am I on the register or stocking today?”

“Uh, start with the register,” Deeks decided. For once, he didn’t really feel like socializing with customers.

“You got it.” Grabbing a clipboard, Jake moved behind the counter to log into the register.

The next hour moved quickly and Deeks went through most of the inventory, placed an order, and confirmed lessons for the next day. Then it was time to head out for his next batch of lessons. After this morning, he was longing for the distraction of the ocean again.

Deeks had four more individual lessons, one family of six, and a group of high schoolers. The last one had somehow been both a delight and tested the depths of his patience. As crazy as lessons with kids could get, they tended to be more fun than their older counterparts.

It was after seven when he finished the last one, and he walked back up the beach feeling rejuvenated and in a significantly better mood. As he approached the patio to rinse off, he saw a familiar figure waiting on one of the benches.

“Kensi.” he said, setting his board down as concern surged through him. “What’s wrong?”

***

***

On a Wave’s Edge, Part 5

Kensi had spent another three hours with Deeks, practicing various beginning techniques. Although she had agility on her side, it turned out that she was lacking some of the fundamental skills that would ensure she didn’t spend all her time crashing.

Deeks seemed to possess infinite patience even when Kensi’s frustration broke through. By the end of the session, he deemed her ready and sent her off with her new collection of surfing gear.

The next morning, she was back on the beach, this time headed for the first lesson with Branston. She paused about thirty yards from the surf shop, rolling her back to ease the ache from carting around a surfboard and duffel bag.

“You ready for this?” Callen asked. Both he and Sam seemed unusually worried about her despite this being one of the easiest cases they’d worked in a while.

“I think I can handle seducing a pompous LA con artist,” Kensi muttered, taking a moment to check her bikini top was in place. She’d gone with a deep teal shade and a tad smaller than her usual preference, with the hope that it would draw Meyers’ attention.

“I know you can. Just don’t get complacent because this guy hasn’t been violent yet. That can always change,” Sam reminded her.

“Got it. Now everybody shut up and let me get to work.”

Deeks was waiting for her when she walked up. He already wore his wetsuit, though he had it peeled down to his waist and had a light blue surfboard standing up in the sand.

If she’d thought he looked good in a t-shirt and jeans, the sight of his perfectly tan skin was even more impressive.

Keep it together, Kensi, she told herself.

“Hey.” Deeks offered her a warm smile as she reached him, and he took the duffel bag, much to Kensi’s relief. She noticed eyes dipping to her chest for a second before he caught himself and quickly looked back up. “You’re early.”

Kensi bit back a smile and definitely didn’t stand a little straighter in response. “Hi. I wanted a few minutes to debrief,” she explained. “Make sure we have our stories straight.”

“You’re Melissa Warren. You’re 31 years old, work for an art gallery, and you’re trying to find more of a work-life balance. You adore 90s movies and long walks on the beach,” Deeks rattled off, folding his arms over his chest. “Did I miss anything?”

For inexplicable reasons, Kensi found it incredibly sexy. “Not bad, but I don’t recall the part about the movies,” Kensi noted.

“I improvised.”

“Just remember we need him to like me but also think I’m stupid enough to buy into his con.”

“I think I can manage that,” Deeks assured her. He used a finger to gesture to her vaguely. “You might want to get changed now. It always takes longer than I plan on.”

“I thought Meyers should get a good look before we get started,” Kensi told him teasingly. “You don’t think it’s too much, right?”

Deeks nodded several times, ruffling his hair as he deliberately looked past her. It was kind of adorable. “Yeah, no, it’s exactly enough. Some might say perfect.”

“Oh, you think—”

***

On a Wave’s Edge, Part 9

Deeks followed Kensi back to the store and waited for her to change in one of the tiny rooms at the back of the building. Jake and another manager would be coming in mid-afternoon, but in their absence, quite a few things had piled up. He shelved a few boxes of inventory and then started on a backlog of emails and voicemails. Halfway through a reply to one of his long-standing clients, Kensi reappeared.

“Give me just a minute,” he said, keeping his eyes on his screen as he typed out a few times lots for the client. “Sorry about that, I—.” He looked up and immediately forgot what he was about to say. Kensi had changed into jeans and a dark green t-shirt, her hair drying in waves around her shoulders. She was without a doubt, the most gorgeous woman he’d ever met.

“It’s ok. I’m the one who stole half your day, which I again, really appreciate,” Kensi said with a shrug. She moved forward and leaned against the counter. “You played your part well.”

“Yeah, it was super hard just sitting there and watch you do all the work,” Deeks joked.

“You followed my lead and read my cues correctly,” she disagreed. “Some agents struggle with that.”

“Thanks. Now, do you think you could call my high school math teacher and tell him that?”

Kensi laughed and drifted a little close enough he could see the slight difference in her eyes.

“So, I guess you won’t need my services anymore since you’ve established contact with Branston,” he said, trying to mask his disappointment. He wouldn’t have minded spending a few weeks, or more, with Kensi Blye.

“It depends on if Branston takes the bait and asks me out. I may need to establish a stronger connection,” Kensi explained with a sly smile. “Which means more surfing lessons.”

“Is that formal request, Kensalina?”

“Kensalina?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry. I have a thing for giving nicknames. I should have asked,” Deeks apologized.

Kensi shook her head, her smile turning a little bashful. “No, it’s ok. I like it. You just surprised me.“

Her eyes drifted down to his mouth and back up again, her lips parting slightly. There was maybe a foot between them and Deeks tilted his head in a silent question. In lieu of answering, Kensi leaned towards him to close the gap. A second before their mouths touched, her phone rang with almost comedic timing.

She swore and jerked back, grabbing the phone to glance at the screen. “Nell Jones,” she hissed out, the name turning into another epithet.

Deeks took a step back as well and dragged his hand through his hair.

“Who is it?”

“Someone with remarkably terrible timing. I need to take this.” Moving to the side, Kensi pressed the phone to her ear. “This is Kensi.”

“Well, hello to you too,” Deeks heard the voice on the other end say. She sounded cheerful and not at all bothered by Kensi’s terseness.

Rolling her eyes, Kensi wandered further down an aisle until he only heard a few words of her side of the conversation. He watched her nod a few times, her thumbnail tucked between her teeth as she listened and occasionally responded. After a few minutes, she hung up and returned, all business again.

“I have to go,” she sighed.

“That’s a shame,” Deeks murmured. He grinned teasingly. “Maybe I can text you sometime. You know, about those extra lessons.”

“You better,” Kensi said, then clarified, “For the case.”

“Uh-huh.” He grinned even wider. “Definitely for the, uh, case.”

Her expression softened and she squeezed his upper arm affectionately. “I’ll talk to you soon, Deeks.”

***

The rest of the session ran pretty normally; Kensi managed to ride her last wave without falling. Branston had crashed on all of his attempts, which gave Deeks a petty sense of satisfaction and he would happily hand over five dollars if he had the chance.

As they gathered up their belongings, Branston and Kensi continued chatting. At this rate, Kensi wouldn’t need surfing lessons as a cover to get closer to Branston. This might be the last time he saw her, Desk realized with a hint of regret.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Deeks prompted when it became clear Branston intended to leave. He held out his hand and Branston rolled his eyes, pulling a small bundle of cash from his duffel bag and handing over a couple hundred dollar bills.

“Keep the change, Deeks. You should invite her to all your lessons. Her personality makes up for dealing with you.” Turning to face Kensi, he rested his hand on her back familiarly. “I’ll see you next time, Melissa.”

“Why wait?” Kensi held up her phone with an inviting smile and after a moment of hesitation, Branston rattled off a number. Deeks noticed it didn’t match the one he had on record. “I’ll text you later,” she added.

“Is he always like that?” Kensi asked once Branston was out earshot and they started back towards the shop. “I’m used to talking to creeps, but that was something else.”

“Unfortunately,” Deeks confirmed. “Though he was especially obnoxious today. So, congratulations for bringing out his worst.”

“What did he say to you when I was surfing? When I came back, you looked like you wanted to throw him into a wave.”

“Oh, he just offered me dating advice.”

“Oh, wow. Are you gonna take him up on it?” Kensi asked playfully.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to be that desperate. In fact if I do get that desperate, you have permission to shoot me,” Deeks said.

“Hang on. I’m dying in this.” Kensi stopped and handed her board to Deeks and set her bag down. She turned her back towards him again. “Unzip me?”

Deeks didn’t linger this time and quickly averted his eyes as Kensi wriggled the wetsuit down to her waist.

“I didn’t realize I was that awful to look at,” she said when she’d finished.

“Oh yeah, you’re absolutely hideous,” Deeks drawled. “I’m trying not to be like that jackass.”

“The difference is, I mind if he watches.” Kensi met his gaze with a pleased little smirk and then took her board back, walking away with an extra sway in her step.

It took Deeks’ brain a second to process what she’d said, and then he hurried after her, grinning on delight.

***

***

On A Wave’s Edge, Part 17

Kensi made a sound of relief, turning in Deeks’ arm so she could grasp the back of his head and pull him closer. He responded by deepening the kiss, though he kept the speed slow and gently. Everywhere he touched left little sparks along her skin.

Drawing back, Deeks dipped his head again and began kissing along her jaw, following a path down her neck. Kensi let her head drop back with a sigh, and pressed against Deeks’ head a little harder, encouraging him. Deeks sealed his mouth on the spot just above her collar bone, sucking hard enough that Kensi gasped. At the time, his hands delicately skimmed past her waist, and stopped at the top of her shorts, his fingers brushing against her skin with a featherlight touch.

It was too much and simultaneously not enough. Kensi grasped his shoulders, relishing the feel of warm skin over perfectly firm muscles. From there, she moved to his chest and gave one his pecs an experimental squeeze.

Deeks let out a breathy sound of surprise mixed with desire. That sound made Kensi bolder and she continued her exploration down past the defined dodges of his abs.

He pulled back with a pained groan when Kensi slipped her fingertips just beneath the waistband of his board shorts and stroke the skin there.

“Sugar bear, you’re killing me,” he said with a soft laugh. Shaking his head, he adjusted one of her straps absentmindedly.

The small gesture and yet another unexpected nickname sent another small wave of desire through her.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered.

“What?” Deeks tilted his head, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

Kensi reached up to smooth it out and then cupped his cheek. “This.” She gestured between them. “I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone this much. I’ve never felt so much like a giggling school girl.”

“I make you giggle?” he asked, and though his tone was teasing, his smile was soft with wonder.

“Yes,” Kensi admitted reluctantly. It was worth it to see his face light up with an absolutely massive grin of delight. She couldn’t resist the urge to kiss him again and felt his smile grow against her lips, his hands tugging her a little closer so she pressed tightly to his chest once more.

Their hands grew bolder, slipping beneath fabric and straps, when a faint ringing broke through the fog of desire. Kensi ignored it, urging Deeks on with a firm palm low his back.

“I think that’s your phone,” Deeks said between kisses.

“I know,” Kensi sighed. “I was hoping it would stop if I ignored it long enough.” She dropped her forehead to his chest. “I probably need to go.”

“Yeah.” He kissed her temple gently, the passion of moments ago replaced with tenderness. “I’ll be here when you’re done being a sexy ninja assassin.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely,” he said without a moment of hesitation.

Kensi grabbed his cheeks kissing him one more time before she released him to retrieve her phone.

“Don’t go picking up any other cute surfer girls while I’m away,” she told him, only half joking.

“You’re the only surfer girl I want.”

***

***

Kensi turned around in time to see Branston Meyers stalking towards them. He wore navy blue board shorts that looked uncomfortably tight and his hair down today; it almost reached his shoulders. Long hair didn’t suit him, Kensi thought uncharitably.

“Dude, what the hella. Did you give my time away again?” Branston demanded, with way more aggression than the situation warranted in Kensi’s opinion.

“Morning to you too, Meyers,” Deeks replied dryly. He gestured to Kensi. “This is Melissa and this was the only time that worked for her. I figured you wouldn’t mind too much,” Deeks explained easily. “Melissa this is Branston.”

Branston’s eyes flicked over Kensi as if he’d actually noticed her for the time. Unlike Deeks, he didn’t hide his obvious appraisal of her outfit. Or lack there of.

“Nice to meet you,” Kensi said, holding out her hand. Branston gave her a perfunctory handshake. “I told Marty I needed a different time and he is so accommodating.” She offered Deeks a friendly smile, then immediately turned her attention back to Branston, resting her hand on his forearm. “I hope you don’t mind too much.” She gave a slightly airy giggle.

Branston shifted slightly, seemingly thrown off by her friendliness, and made a dismissive sound. “As long as you don’t get in my way,” he decided.

“Perfect.” Kensi gave his arm a squeeze, working in another giggle.

“So we’re all friends now?” Deeks drawled. “Fantastic. Get your boards waxed and suits on.” He wandered away to presumably give them space.

Kensi set up across from Branston, purposely facing and started rubbing wax into her board, purposely using a slightly circular motion. She certainly hoped Branston was watching her because she was already sweating and somehow, her arm felt as if she’d just finished an especially intense workout.

A shadow suddenly fell over her and she paused to glance up.

“What kind of wax are you using?” Branston asked, folding his arms as he looked down on her.

Coming up on her knees, Kensi brushed some sand off her hands, and held up the container. “Deeks told me it was the best. What do you use?”

“It depends. I use different brand depending on the waves each day. Your technique could use some work. You wanna apply it at more of an angle than that. Here, let me show you.” Without asking, Branston kneeled down next to her, took the brush out her hand and began applying the wax.

Kensi looked over his head to see Deeks watching Branston with barely suppressed derision. He raises an eyebrow, which she interpreted as him asking if he should intervene. Kensi shook her head and offered a quick smile; so far, she had Branston exactly where she wanted him.

“Wow, you’re really good at that,” she praised Branston. Actually, his layers looked a lot thicker than what Deeks had shown her.

“It’s all about getting the feel for it,” Branston said arrogantly. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

“Well, thanks for helping me. I’m still kind of new to this whole surfing thing.” She shrugged as if it didn’t matter a whole lot. “I wanted to try something new and I stumbled across this shop and now I’m here, trying to stand up on a wave for some crazy reason.”

“I guess it’s a good thing you met me.” He winked and handed her the brush. “All done.”

“I guess it’s lucky I couldn’t make my other lesson,” Kensi teased, playfully bumping his shoulder. That got a small grin out him.

Figuring she shouldn’t push too hard yet, Kensi grabbed her wetsuit and moved across the patch of sand. She wriggled into the suit and got the zipper halfway up her back, but couldn’t quite reach far enough to raise it the last few inches.

“Here, I got it,” Deeks offered.

Kensi had picked this suit in part because she’d pictured Branston helping her. But Deeks was an infinitely more appealing choice.

“Thanks.” Kensi turned her back towards him, holding her breath as Deeks lightly braced her with a hand on one of her shoulders and drew the zipper to the top in one smooth movement.

“That was very impressive,” he muttered as he tucked the zipper pull down, his fingers lingering ever so slightly on the back of her neck as he eased a few strands of hair away.

“That was nothing,” Kensi whispered back. His hand remained on her shoulder k and she let her mind wander. She imagined his warm hands sliding over more skin, helping her remove it after a long day of surfing.

“We should probably get out on the water,” he reminded her softly. Kensi detected a hint of regret in his voice and wished she could see his face.