Ralan
stormed out of the house, slamming the solid wood door with a
satisfying thunk. He left too precipitously, without his coat,
and it was considerably colder outside than it had been earlier in
the day. His long hair still damp, he got chilly before he got
halfway down the long, sloping driveway. He wanted a walk, somewhere
there were no other people. He was furious and needed a chance to
calm down.
Footsteps
slapping on the pavement behind him made him slow and turn around.
Daphne was behind him with a jacket. She handed it to him almost
shyly, biting her lower lip. He slipped it on, turning up the collar
against the wind.
"Shit,
it's cold out here!" She hunched into her coat, shivering.
Ralan
put his arms around her, holding her close.
"Are
you going to get into trouble over us?"
"Heard
that, did you?"
"We
all heard. That's a big, open house with great acoustics. Romy
sounded furious."
"He's
not my boss. Unless he rats me out...."
"What
did he mean about me being a witness?"
Wondering
how much he should say, he paused so long she thought he wasn't going
to tell her. Slowly, editing considerably, he told her about his
investigation. She listened carefully, waiting until he was finished
to speak.
"You
knew about me before Karen called you?"
Ralan
froze. He'd forgotten to edit that little gem of information. Shit!
"You
were following me? Stalking me?" She shoved away from him.
"Like—a criminal?"
"No,
Daphne. Not like that. I was worried about you. You have no idea what
all's involved here."
"No,
because you've chosen not to tell me. Did it ever occur to you or
your primate buddy that I can help? I'm marginally intelligent. I've
got more than just a great ass and nice tits to recommend me."
"I
never said that, Daphne. I never trivialized you. I can actually have
an intelligent conversation with you. Do you know how rare that is?
Most of the women I know are either married, bimbos or trying like
hell to kill me. I finally met a woman who's none of the above and
you're pissed at me because I was trying to protect you."
"No,
you were investigating me. Admit it. You wanted to know if I
was legit before you deigned to have anything to do with me! So you
wouldn't compromise your case because you fell for the villain. I
hope you're satisfied."
"Daphne,
it wasn't like that."
She
took a step toward him, poking him hard in the chest. "It was
exactly like that."
She turned, stalking away. She'd gone a few steps when she spun
around once more. "Did you do that on purpose?" she
demanded.
"Do
what?"
"That
whole sparing thing in the gym. Did you set me up just to fuck me?"
"I
don't know what you're talking about. I invited you to workout."
"Like
you didn't have it planned all along? Do I look that stupid?"
Ralan
frowned, dark eyes blazing. "At the moment, yeah! It wasn't a
setup, Daphne. It just happened. And it was great! Would I like to do
it again? Yes! And I think you would too."
She
couldn't admit that her body burned for him again. She wanted him
more than she'd ever wanted any man in her life. Having him once
wasn't enough. She needed him over and over before she could possibly
be satisfied.
"Don't
flatter yourself," she sneered. She continued her angry journey
toward the house.
©
2016 Dellani Oakes
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