Executive Protection(46)

Chapter 11


Darcy lay propped up on his elbow, looking down at Avery’s pretty face as she slept. Her thick, soft blond hair fanned over the pillow and one fine breast. Over the past week, he’d spent every night with her here at her apartment. They hadn’t had sex until last night. He was still in awe. The sex had clinched what he’d begun to suspect. Avery hadn’t been ready before last night, but he had been ready since the day he met her.

He’d gone slow with her, spent more than an hour loving her before spreading her legs and doing what he’d dreamed of doing for days. It had been better than he’d imagined. She’d been timid that first time, the aftereffects of nearly being raped. The second time, she’d climbed on top of him. Together they were a couple of 1.3G fireworks.

The night before last, she’d worked a night shift at the hospital while he worked his latest murder case. She’d gotten back to the apartment at 6:00 a.m., about fifteen minutes before he’d arrived. It was so refreshing to be with someone who understood his irregular schedule. She could change hers to match his. She had a sweet arrangement at work.

Just then her eyes fluttered open.

“I love you,” he said, and kissed her.

Still groggy and waking up, she blinked a few times and kept looking at him.

“I’ve been lying here watching you sleep, thinking about that,” he said. “I’m sure of it. I love you. I can’t believe how fast it happened, but I do. I’m madly in love with you.” There. It was out in the open.

“Darcy...” she finally said, sounding hesitant.

He controlled the wave of dread. “You don’t feel the same?”

“I...” She sat up, holding the sheets to her chest.

He sat with her. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so honest yet.

She looked at him, her beautiful blue eyes uncertain but full of desire. “No. I do feel the same...but it scares me.”

It scared him, too. He kissed her. “Good. Let’s go find breakfast. I know a diner that’s open 24/7.” It was 2:00 a.m.

She got up with him. He started the shower. They’d developed the habit of taking showers together. Quiet and averting her eyes from him, she stepped under the spray with him. She had a big enough shower for the two of them. It was separate from the tub.

He turned on the stereo, and a jazzy tune played. She laughed at his playfulness and looped her arms over his shoulders while water rained down on them. He kissed her, enjoying the wet contact.

“Darcy...” she breathed.

“Yes.” He moved her so that her back was against the wall.

“Stop doing this to me.”

“I’m going to do this to you.” He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around him with a soft, sultry laugh.

He found her and pressed her to the wet tile wall with each thrust, holding her waist. After she came, he quickly followed, the love he felt making the build and release so much more powerful.

“Darcy,” she whispered.

“I know.” He kissed her softly, tenderly.

Neither of them had to voice what they felt. This had come on so fast. What had him worried was that he might be more prepared to deal with it than Avery. He didn’t like thinking about losing another woman he loved. This was so much different from his marriage, but he was afraid he felt more for Avery than he had for his wife the entire time he was with her.

* * *

Darcy sat across from Avery at Gracie’s Diner. At first glance it looked like a good place to get botulism, but once inside, the aroma beckoned and the food never disappointed. He knew the owner, Gracie. She ran a tight ship. This place was clean. There wasn’t a corner that didn’t shine.

Avery looked over the restaurant. Chrome, black cushioned stools and booths formed an L around an open kitchen. Framed pictures of various cartoon characters cluttered the walls. Gracie didn’t have the decorating sense that Avery did.

“How did you find this diner?” she asked.

“It was near a crime scene. Been coming here ever since.”

“I love it.”

At her mention of the word love, Darcy grew uncomfortable. He’d felt so sure she was on the same page as him. He still thought she could be, but he shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t like him to blurt out what he thought and felt.

“Darcy.” She reached over and put her hand on his. “Do you think we’re reading too much into this?”

Why did she think they were exaggerating? Because their divorces were so fresh?

“I was ready to be alone for a long time before I met you,” he said.

“So was I.” She looked down, drawing her hand back. This was really bothering her. Sex had changed the dynamics.

Gracie carried two plates over, her short, curly, white hair unruly, big-hooped earrings swinging, and chewing gum just like a scene in a movie.

“Here ya are,” she said, putting the plates down with a clank as she eyed Avery. He’d already introduced her, and Gracie had asked if she was his new partner. When he’d said no, she’d absorbed every detail about Avery. She’d seemed surprised Darcy had brought her so early in the morning.

Darcy looked down at his and Avery’s plates. Steaming eggs smothered in spicy green chili. Avery loved Mexican food as much as he did. They had identical plates, right down to the whole wheat toast—hold the butter.