Page 14 of Fighting Salvation

Val shook her head, her glossy hair falling over her shoulders as she grinned. Behind them, one of the regulars put a song on the jukebox and the strains of Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison came on. He saw her eyes light up as she stood and started to wiggle her shoulders and hips as she walked backwards slightly, to a more open space.

“Come on, boss man, get your ass up here and dance with me.”

Bás shook his head. “I don’t dance.”

“Oh, come on, nobody can see you.”

“You can see me.”

“I don’t count.”

Her words made him frown and he hated that she thought that and he found himself standing and moving toward her awkwardly. Grabbing his hands, she started to move them slowly and bobbed her head as he tried to relax.

“See, you’re dancing.”

“I’m not sure it could be considered dancing.”

She waved her hand in front of her face. “Pffft. You’re doing it.”

The simple joy on her face made his chest tighten. He wanted more than anything to drag her into his arms and hold her against his body. To feel her soft curves mould to his harder ones. He resisted but kept dancing with her. If this was all he could have he’d allow himself tonight. As the song ended her cheeks were flushed pink and he was still holding her hand. The air around them felt charged, the unspoken feelings passing between them felt momentous as if they were both acknowledging something big.

“Grubs up, Fred and Ginger.”

The moment was broken as Bob laid their plates on the table and Val tucked her head, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

They ate, laughed, and drank until Bob kicked them out. Their shoulders brushed as they walked back to base, Val telling him about growing up in her over-protective Italian family. How she and Rafe would fight over who was the best dog trainer, but that she also knew without question he’d always have her back, no matter what.

“So other than dog training, what else do you like to do?”

Val walked backwards and he reached out for her hand as she stumbled, drawing her closer to his body. “Careful, lightweight.”

Her mouth dropped open, her brows lifting in mock anger. “How dare you? I’ll have you know I can hold my beer, thank you very much.”

“Uh-huh. Stop stalling. What are your hobbies?”

He could see her biting her lip as if contemplating her answer. If he wanted to, he could get the information from Watchdog. He knew everything about everyone or could find it out, but he wanted this to come from her.

“You won’t laugh?”

Bás shook his head solemnly. “Cross my heart.” He made the motion over his chest and she cocked her head.

“Okay. I like making jelly art.”

“Jelly art?” His lips twitched and he fought the urge to smile and lost.

Her hand slapped his chest lightly. “Hey, you promised.”

“I’m sorry. So tell me more about jelly art.”

He listened as she told him all about how it was possible to inject jelly with colour in patterns and when it was over, it was edible.

“How on earth did you get into that?”

“I have a cousin who has a lot of allergies so I was looking for an alternative birthday cake idea and came across jelly art. Now I’m hooked.”

Bás shook his head and chuckled. They reached the base and he knew their evening was coming to an end. “Well, you learn something new every day.” What he wanted to say was she surprised him every day but he couldn’t without taking things somewhere he couldn’t allow.

“Tell me one thing about you that nobody else knows?”