Nicole gave Sasha a knowing smile. “He probably had to cool off.”
“When he came back in, he was in control again.”
“How romantic is that? He knew he couldn’t kiss you or get involved when he walked through your door, but he did it anyway. He couldn’t help himself.”
Still reeling from disappointment, Sasha didn’t see the upside. “Romantic?”
“Yes, romantic. His attraction to you made him break the rules. What happened then?”
“Before we kissed, I thought I was truly getting to know him. But afterward, it was like a door had closed. He was kind. He was polite. He got me an oxy and water. He kept the fire going. He even asked to watch climbing videos.”
“He asked to watch climbing videos?” Nicole’s eyes got wider. “No guy I’ve dated has ever asked to watch climbing videos.”
“We’re not dating.”
“You know what I mean.”
“We watched my climb of El Cap, and then that one of you and me bouldering in Bishop. He had lots of questions. I’d taken an oxy and got really drowsy. When his second load of laundry came out of the dryer, he thanked me, stoked the fire, asked me if I needed anything, and then he left. I fell asleep until just before you got here.”
“Hang on.” Nicole jumped up from the table where they’d just eaten dinner and ran down the hallway, Mocha at her heels. She returned a few minutes later, holding the excited puppy, a disappointed look on her face. “I was hoping he’d left a sock behind. You know how socks are.”
That made Sasha smile. “Devious. I like it. Except that he is still working on my case. I’ll see him again. I’m just not sure he’ll open up the way he did yesterday.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah.”
“But tell me more about the kiss. It was perfect?”
Sasha could still feel the heat of his lips against hers, smell the scent of his skin, her pulse responding to the memory. “It was the best first kiss I’ve ever had. We just connected, you know? Like electricity or something. He got the balance just right—forceful but not sloppy or clumsy, gentle but not boring or too sweet. He knows what to do with his tongue. I’ll say that much.”
Nicole got a pained expression on her face. “Damn. A guy who knows how to use his tongue…”
“Yeah.”
“So, what else?”
“What do you mean?”
“What did he say? You said you got to know him a little.”
Sasha wanted to tell Nicole that Darius’ girlfriend had been murdered, but he hadn’t wanted to talk about that. She was sure he wouldn’t want her to share that information with anyone. Besides, she didn’t really know anything beyond what he’d told her. It didn’t seem right to talk about it behind his back.
Sasha thought for a moment. “His nickname growing up was Dare.”
“I like it.”
“I put marshmallows in his hot chocolate, and he stared at them like he’d never seen a marshmallow before. He told me he hadn’t had them since he was a boy.”
“Aww. Sounds like you’d be good for him. He’swaytoo serious.”
Sasha recounted much of the conversation—his observations about the Team and SWAT, the way he tried to comfort her when she’d told him about rescues that had gone wrong, what he’d said about her.
“He told you that you’re beautiful?” Nicole was starry-eyed now. “I think he really likes you. A man like him wouldn’t say that unless he really meant it.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” Nicole stood and began clearing dishes off the table. “I’ll clean up and take Mocha for a potty break and then make cookies. Why don’t you go get into your jammies and make yourself comfortable?”
