He stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. She was standing at a table with her back to him sorting out papers. Without looking his way, she said, “I promise I’ll be leaving in a few minutes, Raycine.”
Darius crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the closed door. “That’s good to hear. I intend to do everything in my power to make sure that you do.”
* * *
Summer swirled around and stared at Darius in surprise. From the look on his face, he wasn’t a happy camper. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I need to ask you that same thing,” he said in a curt tone, moving away from the door to stand in the middle of her office with his hands braced on his hips.
Now she knew what had him upset. He didn’t like the fact she was still there. She couldn’t help wondering why he was making it his business. “I had a lot to do for tomorrow’s meeting with Mr. Novak. In addition to that, a new woman checked into our facilities today.”
She saw the look of concern that immediately showed on his face. “How is she?”
“She was a lot better once we got her settled in and assured her that if her husband showed up here, we wouldn’t let him near her.”
Darius shook his head. “It’s sad that any woman has to worry about something like that.”
Summer sighed deeply. “Yes. Been there. Done that.”
But she didn’t have to remind him of that since he’d been a part of that particular drama in her past. She had truly believed a restraining order would keep Tyrone away from her. He had proven her wrong. She didn’t want to think about what might have happened if Darius hadn’t shown up when he did, putting his life on the line for her.
Not wanting to think about Tyrone any longer, she asked, “So, are you going to tell me why you’re here?” His gaze stroked her like a physical caress she couldn’t ignore.
“I left something I need for tomorrow. I forgot to mention that I won’t be back here until next week, when I start setting up the billing account.”
“Oh.” She should have been thrilled that she wouldn’t be seeing him for the fourth day in a row but a barrage of emotions she couldn’t explain tried to engulf her. She fought them back.
“I’m working on a case that requires my attention elsewhere,” he added.
She wanted to tell him that he owed her no explanation. Instead, she said, “Sounds real serious.”
“It’s a case involving arson. You probably read about it in the papers a few weeks back. A fire at the Brody Oil and Gas refinery.”
“Yes, I do recall reading about it,” she said, leaning against the table. “And you think it was deliberately set?”
“It looks that way. I’ve been asked by the Brody brothers to find out who did it.”
Summer eyed Darius. She recalled how much he’d enjoyed his job as a detective. Once in a while he would tell her about a particular case he was trying to solve. “Got any leads?” she asked.
“Not enough to suit me, which is the reason I need to spend a day at the refinery.” He moved over toward her. “So, what do you need me to do?”
She straightened her stance. “About what?”
“About helping you pack up and get out of here, like you should have done hours ago.”
“I told you why I’m still here.”
“But your reason isn’t good enough. I can see you staying over for an hour or so, but damn it Summer, it’s going on eleven o’clock and knowing you, you’ll be back here first thing in the morning.”
“Of course. My meeting is at eight.”
Darius wondered how she would feel knowing he had just finished playing a game of pool with the man she would be meeting with. And now Kev knew she was someone from his past, someone who had once meant a lot to him. His friend knew how much she had hurt him, as well. “So, what can I do to help?” he asked.
When Darius came to a stop in front of her, Summer released a resigned sigh. It wouldn’t do any good to argue with him. Besides, she was too tired. “I guess you can help by stapling these papers that I’ve already sorted.”
“Okay.”
She tried to scoot over when he joined her at the table but their arms touched nonetheless, and she felt it—a spark of sensations that swept through her. She inhaled a sharp breath.
He glanced over at her. “You’re all right?”
She breathed in deeply before saying, “Yes, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“No reason.”
There was a reason and they both knew it. Memories filtered through her mind of a night she just couldn’t forget. There was no way she could deny that over the years she had lain in bed missing a warm, hard body beside her, and being awakened by the taste of a desire so potent it could blind you.
“If you’re meeting just with Kevin Novak, why are you making all of these handouts?”
His question cut into her thoughts and she glanced over at him. “For the other members of the TCC, for him to share with them. I want everyone to know what’s going on here at the shelter, that we’re benefiting the community and that I’m competent enough to handle things.”
Darius reached out and touched her arm. “You’re worried for nothing. If they thought you weren’t competent enough to handle things, you wouldn’t be here.”
“But what if—”
He reached for her. “For crying out loud, woman, you worry too much.”
She should have seen it coming and backed away from him. But the moment his mouth touched hers she knew she could not have moved an inch. And now that her stomach was contracting with desire, there was no way she wasn’t going to enjoy it while it lasted.
That was one thing she was truthful about, the fact that Darius knew how to kiss, even during those times when he should be doing something else. Like now. He had offered to help her, not seduce her. Awareness, bold and daring, raced through her, made her acknowledge that Darius was the only man who could ever make her purr in his arms. The only man who’d made her feel she’d been cheated out of many more nights with him.
If only...
She didn’t want to think about if only. She only wanted to think about now, not what did or didn’t happen seven years ago and during the years in between. She didn’t even want to think about why being in his arms felt natural, like a place she should be. A place she belonged. His mouth felt in sync with hers, also totally natural, connected to hers while kissing her so perfectly.
When he finally ended the kiss, she couldn’t do anything but pull in a deep breath, still tasting him on her lips. She didn’t bother giving herself a mental shake and questioning why she had let him kiss her. She knew very well why. She wouldn’t do as she’d done the last time, pretending she hadn’t wanted any part of it since, like before, she hadn’t resisted. She doubted that she could have even if she’d wanted to.
But she didn’t want to talk about it. Without saying anything, she turned back to the table and gathered up what was left of the papers she had sorted. She was fully aware that he was watching her, but following her lead, he didn’t say anything, either. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him neatly stacking the handouts she’d made. They turned at the same time and their gazes locked for a mere second before simultaneously, they stepped into each other’s arms again.
It seemed what was happening at the moment was Summer’s mind was refusing to remember the bad times, only the good. And there had been good times, as good as good could get. They had only shared a bed once but before then, they had shared companionship, although she’d found out later he’d had an ulterior motive for doing so. But she wouldn’t dwell on that now. The only thing she wanted to dwell on was the way his mouth was taking hers, with a hunger she could feel all the way to her toes, with an intensity that had her stomach churning as they were enjoying this kiss to the fullest.
It did
n’t even bother her that he was holding her in a possessive and intimate way, with his hands cradling her backside to fit her pelvis snugly against the front of him. She could feel the muscled tone of his body and his erection, hard and strong, pressed against her.
Taking his cue, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he sank deeper into her mouth, sending points of pleasure all through her. She felt sensations in her fingers as she caressed the back part of his neck, and through the material of her skirt where she was making contact with his denim-clad thigh. And she was very well aware of when he changed the angle of his mouth to position hers more to his advantage.
His efforts had her mind reeling, filling her with an urgent need to recognize and accept what was taking place, giving her the resolve to simply stand there, indulge and take it like a woman. And she was. She was taking it like a woman who needed every stroke of his tongue, every bit of his taste and every mind-blowing, tantalizing sensation his mouth was making her feel.
When the kiss ended moments later, she couldn’t resist placing a lingering heated kiss on his jawline. Nor could she resist taking the tip of her tongue and tracing along his upper lip before finally taking a step back.
* * *
Darius drew in a deep breath and fought the urge to pull her back into his arms again, ask if he could follow her home and make love to her with the same intensity that he had made love to her that night. But this time, his heart wouldn’t come into play, only his lust.
He wished the kiss could have wiped away all the wrongs of the past and he could move on without feeling animosity in his heart. Unfortunately, it hadn’t. What it had done was make him fully aware of how vulnerable his heart still was when it came to Summer, and just how hot and strong his desire for her still burned within every part of his body.
“Finish up in here so I can walk you to your car,” he heard himself say in a deep, throaty voice. A yearning for her was stirring his insides, thundering all the way through his veins, making him want to say the hell with it and take her on that very table.
But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.
“I’ll be fine, Darius. I don’t need you to walk me to my car.”
As he studied her, he saw the way her eyes glowed in a seductive lure. He doubted she even realized it. He needed to act accordingly and not give in to what she was asking for without even knowing she was doing so.
“I’m walking you out anyway, Summer.”
He saw the lure in her eyes quicken to a sharp edge and he wouldn’t be surprised if she stood her ground. Then it would become a standoff, since he had every intention of walking her out. In fact, he intended to follow her home to make sure she got inside her house safely.
“Fine. Suit yourself, Darius.”
Her words ripped through the air. He could tell by her tone that she wasn’t happy, but that didn’t bother him. When it came to her safety there was no compromising. He moved from the table to stand in front of her desk, convincing himself that it was his protective instincts kicking in where she was concerned, and nothing more.
Darius watched as Summer grabbed her purse and then he followed her out the door, pausing in the hall while she locked up her office. The shelter was quiet since most of the people in residence were probably in bed, asleep. “What did you have for dinner?” he asked when they began walking down the corridor toward the lobby.
“I worked through dinner.”
Darius pressed his lips together to keep from saying a word that might have burned her ears. Knowing she had missed a meal bothered him a lot more than he cared to admit.
“And please, Darius, no sermons. I’m too beat to listen.”
He glanced over at her. “I don’t do sermons.”
“Could have fooled me.”
He halted his steps and brought her to a stop before rounding the corner that led to the lobby. She might be too beat to listen to what he had to say, but there was no doubt in his mind that she had plenty of energy for an argument and was gearing up for one. However, he had no intention of obliging her.
He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her lips. “You’re much prettier when you’re not trying to be difficult.”
She frowned up at him, clearly caught off guard. “I’m not trying to be difficult.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Could have fooled me.”
He didn’t even try to hold back a chuckle when she narrowed her gaze at him. Ignoring the look, his hand took hold of her elbow. “Come on, Summer, let me grab that file off my desk and then get you home before you fall flat on your face from exhaustion.”
* * *
Summer glanced over her shoulder before opening the door to her house. She had been fully aware that Darius had followed her home. She could have been nice and invited him in, but she’d decided not to. There was only so much Darius Franklin she could take, and after the kisses they’d shared in her office tonight, she had reached her limit for today.
She didn’t have to wonder what there was about him that made her feel so raw and exposed yet at the same time so well protected. Whenever they kissed, she couldn’t help but recall the passion. And then there were the memories of the hopes and dreams that had blossomed in her heart of what she’d assumed was a promising future between them. She had even allowed her dreams to include marriage and babies.
She headed for the bathroom to take her shower, wondering if at any time during the past seven years Darius had regretted bragging about their night together in such a degrading manner to his partner, Walt Stewart. She appreciated the fact that Walt felt she needed to know just what Darius had said.
Pain tore into her heart every time she realized just how wrong she had been about him, and that made her determined not to make another mistake by giving him her heart a second time. But she had enjoyed their kiss. In her mind, one didn’t have to do with the other, just as long as she knew where she stood with him and where he stood with her.
He was now a dedicated businessman who seemed to enjoy what he did for a living and she had a new life, a new career and was no longer looking over her shoulder, fearful of seeing Tyrone. The past seven years had been good for her, although lonely. When it came to men she had learned the hard way to play it safe, and she would continue to do so.
And one sure way to do that was to make sure she didn’t assume anything where Darius was concerned.
* * *
Darius needed a shower to relax. After making sure Summer had gotten home okay, he had driven straight home with memories of their kisses running all through his mind. Having her in his arms had felt natural, like that was where she belonged. Considering what she’d done to him seven years ago, was that weird or what?
When he had reluctantly ended their kiss, she had taken her tongue and swept it across his lips. He still felt a stirring deep in his gut just thinking about it. It had been unexpected. It had felt good.
And now he knew where she lived and would make it his business to get her to invite him over to her place one night. It might take a while to work up to that, but he would get there. He wouldn’t see her again until Monday, which was just as well since he of all people knew Summer was the type of woman who could grow on a man.
She was the type of woman who could easily get under a man’s skin. And he had to admit that she had gotten under his tonight. She had made sensations he hadn’t felt in years rush through him, reminding him what it was like to lose control with a woman.
Darius headed toward the shower with a deep frown on his face. No matter what Summer evoked within him, he was determined to remain immune to her charms. He had no intentions of making the same mistake twice.
Chapter 6
“How did your meeting go on Friday?”
Summer glanced up and met Darius’s gaze. She had wondered if he would be dropping by the shelter today. She hadn’t expected to see him Friday, but she hadn’t k
nown for sure when he would be back to complete the project he’d been hired by the TCC to do.
“I think the meeting went great. Mr. Novak appreciated the handouts and was very attentive to what I had to say. He agreed that based on our occupancy log, it would be a good idea to consider expanding the facilities sooner than later. He said he’d take his recommendations back to the other members of the TCC.”
Darius nodded. “And how was your weekend?”
“Busy as usual. And yours?” she asked, watching him carefully. She used to have the ability to read his thoughts, but now his expressions were unrevealing and she didn’t have a clue as to what he was thinking.
“It was okay. After spending Friday at the refinery, I had to follow up several leads,” he said, stepping into the room.
She immediately felt his heat, breathed in his scent and admitted to herself that she had missed seeing him around. “And you’re still certain the fire was intentionally set?”
She tried not to notice how good he looked standing in front of her desk with a cup of coffee in his hand. All it took was a glance at his mouth to remember their kisses right here in this office last week.
She refused to admit she had purposely left her office door open on the off chance he dropped by Helping Hands today. On a number of occasions he had caught her unaware and she didn’t want that to happen this time. She also refused to admit that she had thought about him a lot over the weekend, wondering how he was spending his time—and with whom. The latter was something she had no right to concern herself with, but she couldn’t help it.
“I’ll pick up the official report from the fire marshal this week, but so far, all evidence still points to arson,” he said.
“Then I’m sure you’ll be the one to solve this case.”
Darius didn’t want to think about what effect her confidence had on him at that very moment. She’d always had a way of making him feel that he could leap tall buildings with a single bound if he had to. He used to tell himself the reason she felt that way was because he had been the one to save her from a dangerous situation, and he shouldn’t put much stock into it. But he had anyway.
One More Night Page 7
