His brow furrowed. “God, don’t even say that.”
“It’s true.”
“Geezus. Okay, right.” It was his turn again. “I see some awful shit, and sometimes I come home upset and angry and just need my space.”
“I understand that.” Sasha thought of the young man who’d found his girlfriend murdered and lying in her own blood. How horrifying that must have been. “After all you’ve been through, it must take real courage to do your job. Some part of you has been fighting all these years to make things right, and youdomake things right. You did that for me. But you also get to have a life and make things right for yourself.”
“I’m not sure how to do that, but this feels like a good start.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love, but it was good enough—for now.
“Climbing has taught me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If you take one step at a time, you can reach the sky.”
He leaned closer, kissed her forehead. “Then that’s how we’ll do this—one step at a time, one day at a time.”
They took a shower together, Darius dropping to his knees, making her come hard and fast with his mouth, before sliding into her from behind and making her come again.
“Sex with you is so… damned…good,” she said, her legs wobbly, her cheek pressed against wet tile.
They dried each other off, got dressed, and ate Italian leftovers. Then it was time for Sasha to pack up and head back to Scarlet.
Darius stopped at a gas station to fill up, so Sasha sent a quick text to Nicole asking her to leave her key in her mailbox.
I’m giving a key to Darius. I’ll make you a new one.
Nicole answered quickly.
I’ll head over now. You’re giving him a key? Wow!!! Can’t wait to hear the details!
It was a Sunday evening, so traffic was light—not a good thing when Sasha wanted the drive to last. Far too quickly, they reached the roundabout. A few minutes later, they pulled up to Sasha’s house.
Darius turned off the engine. “I’ll carry your bag inside, make sure you’re safe.”
“Thanks. I’ll just check the mailbox.”
Once they got inside, Darius made her a fire. Then he stacked more wood on her deck. She offered him a cup of coffee for the drive home, but she knew all of this was just the two of them trying to delay the inevitable.
All too soon, he stood on her doorstep. “I’ve got something for you.”
He held out his hand, a key and a remote on his palm. “The key is for my apartment. The remote is for the parking garage. Whenever you’re sick of beautiful scenery and fresh air, you’re welcome to stay at my place.”
Sasha laughed, held out the key to her house. “I was going to give you this.”
He grinned, took the key. “I’m going to use it.”
“You’d better.”
“I’ll call when I get a grip on things at the office, and we’ll go from there.”
“That sounds good.”
Darius kissed her long and slow. “Stay safe.”
“You, too.”
