Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

  “Hey, Lucinda.” The woman who lived down the hallway from her smiled as Lu in the front door. “You’re back on night shift, huh?”

  “Yup.” What was the woman’s name? Hmm, just go for the safe question. “You off to work now?”

  She looked surprised and explained. “I work from home … Anyway, remember? I’m running back to Leila’s school. She forgot her lunch.”

  “Oh. Well, have fun.” I’m probably off her Christmas card list … Sharon! The name came to Lu as the woman turned the corner. Damn.

  It felt strange coming back in the morning after night shift. She had readapted so quickly to regular hours with Byron, now she felt turned around again. At least she was on her four-day-off shift. And she had a date tonight. Or maybe just dinner to discuss the investigation. Lu reminded herself not to get her hopes up. She might be reading too much into Byron’s general affability. But a girl could dream. Now that she wasn’t working for him they could go out. Kissing Reynolds had awakened her physical needs, but Byron was certainly more her type. He was handsome, intelligent, and fun without the annoying monster ego of Reynolds.

  The day stretched interminably. Lu considered napping so she’d be alert for the dinner, but she knew a nap would make her adjustment back to regular hours take longer. She’d have a long hot shower before dressing for dinner and that would revitalize her. And what to wear? She was tempted to go with her work attire of dark pants and sensible shoes. That would be the easiest. But she’d like to make him notice her somehow.

  After trying on and discarding half of her wardrobe, Lu finally decided on a light summer shift from a couple of years ago. She checked her image in the mirror. The bright blue material made her eyes and hair look more vibrant, but the neckline wasn’t low enough to make her feel self-conscious. She gave another quick brush of her hair. For the last while she’d mostly had it tied back in a ponytail; it felt weird cascading free.

  At six-thirty on the dot her apartment buzzer rang.

  “I’ll be right down,” Lu hollered into the phone. There was no point asking who it was because the intercom only worked one way, and that was scrambled enough. She could see Byron through the glass doors as she stepped out of the elevator and her heart gave a lurch. He was dressed up — for him, in Dockers and a button-down shirt. He turned to her as she released the latch on the door.

  “You clean up good,” he said, smiling as he took an appreciative glance at her dress. Yup, he noticed.

  “I was about to say the same thing. I’m not used to seeing you in anything other than T-shirts and jeans.”

  “That’s not true.” Byron looked at her in surprise. “Just last week I had a — oh, I guess that was when you were off. Shall we?”

  “Great. Where are we going?” Even with her heels, Byron was still taller. What a nice change.

  “You’ll see.” He slid his hand to the small of her back as he directed her toward his car. Lu resisted the urge to lean in closer to his body. When she ducked into his car, her back still tingled from the warm imprint of his hand. Was he feeling this crazy attraction too? She took a deep breath trying to normalize her breathing while he walked around to the driver’s seat.

  “So how was it being back at the fire hall?” Byron asked as he started the engine and drove into traffic.

  “It was an awfully long night. It’s amazing how fast the body readjusts to day shifts.”

  “Any calls?”

  “Nope. And Reynolds was pretty intense. Are there more cutbacks coming, or something?” Lu wondered whether it was kosher asking Byron, but it would be nice to know when heads were about to roll.

  “They’ve already cut essentials to the bone. Unless Josh has heard something I missed.” He signaled and shifted into the left lane. Lu waited until he’d completed the lane change.

  “I asked Ace about the fire two nights ago. Have you already been to the scene?”

  “I was there today. Did Ace have any interesting thoughts?”

  “He said the set-up looked the same. But I don’t remember there being computers at the other two sites.”

  “No. I’m pretty sure the growers didn’t plan this fire.” Byron shoulder checked and merged onto the highway. “We did catch one perp. So far he isn’t saying anything, but we’re hoping to get him to roll.”

  “One of the growers?”

  “Nah. Just some stupid kid. His fingerprints came up blank, but I think we might’ve found his car.”

  Oh shit. Could that be Kaitlynn’s boyfriend? “What kind of car?”

  “An old Sunfire.” He looked at her strangely. “Why? You’d said there weren’t any vehicles at the Baker fire.”

  “I was just wondering if it was a gang-type car,” Lu lied, her mind trying to recall the car she’d followed. “You know, like a dark SUV with hidden gun compartments.”

  “No. Just a beater.” Byron turned off the highway and took a couple of lefts. “Here we are.”

  They parked in front of a stately building with huge wooden doors, stained glass windows, and a big oak tree standing guard. The old wooden sign said The Red Lion.

  “This looks fancy.”

  “Yeah. Unfortunately no cartoon mascots, but the steaks are amazing.”

  “Did I mention I’ve become a vegetarian?” Lu asked.

  “You lie.” He chuckled good-naturedly.

  “Yeah.” She smiled and stepped out of the car.

  Inside, the restaurant had an old-world charm. Dark wood was illuminated by old fashioned wall sconces and two-tiered candles on the tables. Large framed oils depicting hunting scenes, and a massive fireplace completed the cozy scene. The hostess met them with a smile.

  “Mr. Morgan, good to see you again. Your table is right this way.”

  “Thanks, Leanne.”

  “You must be famous,” Lu whispered to him as they followed the plump, but immaculately turned out woman to a small table in the corner.

  “Yup. Not only that, I also get the best seats at McDonald’s.” He pulled out the chair for her and then took the one opposite.

  “Carmen will be with you in a moment to take your orders for the bar. Have a lovely evening,” Leanne said then disappeared into the dark woodwork.

  “Want some red wine with your dinner?”

  “Sure. Thanks.” Hmm, this was definitely feeling like a date. Man, I hope I don’t get something stuck in my teeth.

  Carmen arrived at their table and after a short discussion departed with their wine order. The service was fast but unhurried. Lu opened up her menu. No prices! This must be how rich people dine. Hope I don’t order the most expensive thing …

  “If you like seafood,” Byron said, interrupting her thoughts, “I highly recommend the prime rib with lobster.”

  “Ooh, that sounds good.” So much for not ordering expensive. “Sold.”

  The flurry of the wine arriving and the ordering of food happened all at once and then suddenly they were left alone again.

  “So, um, what was the new fire scene like?” Lu asked to fill the silence.

  “It’s too early to know much. It doesn’t seem to have been triggered by an electrical short, and there’s no sign yet of an accelerant. On the other hand, it went up too fast to have been a cigarette butt or something like that.” Byron raised his wine and clinked the glass against hers. “Cheers. You look beautiful tonight, if I forgot to mention it.” His blue eyes seemed to catch and hold her mesmerized with their intensity. Oh yeah, this was a date.

  “Thanks,” Lu mumbled, the sudden dryness in her throat making it difficult to speak. She took a sip to cover her embarrassment and coughed as a small drop slid down the wrong way. In a second Byron was behind her lightly patting her back.

  “You okay?” he asked as her coughing subsided.

  “Yeah. Sorry.”r />
  “It happens to all of us.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze before returning to his seat. “How did the spying on your friend’s kid go the other night? Often the parents who are the most concerned seem to have the least to worry about.”

  “Actually I think Susan’s right to worry. Kaitlynn seems to be getting into drugs.”

  “That’s too bad. Do you want to bring her down to the jail and I could show her what some of the druggies look like?”

  “I don’t think she’d come. She’s only sixteen and figures she’s immortal.”

  “You’re probably right.” He laughed quietly. “So much for my trying for a pleasant conversation topic.”

  “And how was your fundraiser?”

  “It wasn’t that bad. The comedian was funny and the politicians weren’t too long winded.”

  “Was the food good?”

  “No, but it never is. They’ve yet to figure out how to serve a hundred people good food and quickly. And if they did, it would be too expensive to make any money.”

  “I know, they should do one of those fondue dinners,” Lu suggested. “Then everyone could cook their own food and it would all be hot.”

  “Good idea. I’ll pass it along.” He smiled at her. “Unless you’re just hoping some drunken politician will start a fire at the table and keep the fire department in business?”

  “Curses, foiled again.” Lu grinned back at him. She relaxed back into her chair; whether this was a date or not, she was enjoying herself. Sipping her wine, Lu considered reaching across the table to touch his hand. Could she? God, she felt like a brainless teenager wanting the school jock to ask her to dance. Obviously Byron was going to ask her to dance, but how much more did he intend?

  The waiter arrived with two enormous plates and set them on their table with a flourish. “Some fresh ground pepper?”

  “Not for me, thanks.” Lu said. “This looks fabulous.”

  “Enjoy.” The waiter left.

  Her nerves over the date were quickly overridden by the tempting aroma from her dinner. She dug into the prime rib and hardly even needed her steak knife. It melted on her tongue. “Mmm, you’re right, this is delicious.” She closed her eyes as the bite slid down her throat.

  “I’m glad you approve.” Byron watched her for a moment before scooping up a large piece of lobster. “This is where the G8 dined when they were in Seattle so I figured they must know what they’re doing.”

  “I guess it’s got pretty good security, too?”

  “Only when necessary,” he chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about cameras in the bathroom.”

  “Phew.”

  Lu wondered if dipping a piece of the fresh bread in the melted butter would seem gauche. Then it just looked damned sexy when Byron did it. He licked a drip of butter off the side of his lips and Lu barely resisted the urge to moisten her own lips. Damn, she wanted to kiss him. He smiled sheepishly when he popped the last bit of butter-drenched bread in his mouth.

  “I couldn’t resist.” He wiped his hands then placed his napkin beside his dinner plate. “Would you like some coffee and dessert?”

  “I’m too full even for coffee,” Lu admitted.

  “Then how about a little walk along the boardwalk to work it off?” He discreetly caught the server’s eye and handed over his credit card.

  “Sounds good.” And maybe if she wasn’t looking across the table at him, she could recover some sense of equilibrium. Tonight all the bits of sexual tension she’d felt before with Byron had somehow changed into one raw, aching need. Partly it was because she could feel his attraction to her like a magnet pulling her to him. When they stood to leave, Byron wrapped his arm around her shoulder as if needing the physical contact.

  • • •

  As they strolled down the boardwalk, Lu watched the gulls circling the fishing boats coming into harbor. It was a lovely evening with a cool salt breeze coming off the ocean. Lu paused to lean against the balustrade and look out over the dark water. The sun was just setting into a nest of pink clouds at the top of the horizon.

  “It’s gorgeous here,” she said, breathing in the fresh air.

  “It is,” Byron murmured beside her. His hand slid around her waist to pull her closer and Lu rested her head against his shoulder. Her heart was beating so madly, she was almost worried he could hear it.

  He turned her toward him and bent to kiss her, his lips questioning. In answer, Lu wrapped her arms around him and leaned into the kiss. She heard a slight groan as Byron’s kiss became more insistent. His lips opened hers and he took her breath away. Her entire body responded to him. Her breasts against his chest barely felt the material of their clothes between them. Her hips snuggled closer to fit neatly between his legs, enjoying the knowledge of his rock-hard erection straining beneath his pants.

  She broke the kiss then angled to kiss the side of his neck, to taste his skin, to smell his intoxicating scent. He was wearing cologne, or something with a hint of vanilla, but the main sensation was of clean skin and desire. A vein on his neck pulsed against her lips and the rhythm reverberated throughout her body. Sliding her fingertips under his shirt, Lu explored his back, his smooth and responsive skin taut over the strong sinews. She needed to know everything physical about this man.

  She gasped as he kissed below her ear and caused a chill to slither down her back. He slowly nibbled on her earlobe, his silken breath in her ear warming and thrilling her deep within. His arms tightened around her waist to pull her close against the length of his body. He kissed her forehead and murmured, “I’ve wanted to do this since the first day I saw you.”

  “Really?” Lu looked up into his eyes. She kissed him on the lips and then asked, “What stopped you?”

  “You were working for me.” He smiled. “I was devastated when Reynolds ordered you back to the hall. I couldn’t bear the thought of not having you around. Then it dawned on me that it meant I could ask you out.” His chuckle ended as he leaned in for a deep searching kiss. Lu unconsciously rubbed her hips against him with the same insistent rhythm as his tongue. Mmm, he was good.

  His hands captured her butt and she felt his urgency even more. In a second Lu decided. The circling was fun, but now she wanted the full tango. She pulled away from him, her body protesting every square inch of lost physical contact.

  “Take me home,” she said firmly. She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt this need to torture him. Maybe it was a final test?

  His blue eyes, mostly black with desire peered into her own. She could see he was unsure about the nature of her request. Good. She’d been playing by his rules since the day they’d met; time to see how he responded to her rules. Lu turned away to walk toward the parking lot. He quickly followed.

  “Lu?”

  She shook her head and continued walking, stopping only when she reached his car.

  “Did I somehow — ?”

  Lu stared him down, her expression neutral as she continued to give him the silent treatment. She could feel his question slowly turning into resentment, or maybe it was fear? Several times he opened his mouth to ask and then stopped. The drive was eerily silent as Byron drove back the way they’d come. Outside her apartment he stopped the car and looked at her.

  She stepped out of the car but kept the door open, waiting for him to come around to her side. When he did, she closed her door and pulled his hand up to her mouth. He looked surprised as she gently kissed his fingertips then wrapped her lips around his index fingers sucking it slowly into her mouth. His Adam’s apple bobbed in response. Lu released his finger and tugged his hand over her shoulder. She could feel his excitement in his grip as she led him up the sidewalk to her apartment.

  She already had her apartment key ready but then required both her hands to open the glass door. He continued to grip her shoulder as if she still possessed h
is hand. She slotted the key into the lock and the door opened easily. They rode the elevator up to her third floor apartment keeping the same amount of distance between their bodies. Byron was apparently willing to let her lead, but now what? Lu couldn’t remember ever feeling this much anticipation. It was difficult even getting a lungful of air, her breathing was so shallow. She wanted to turn to him and lose herself again in his kisses, but she continued to watch the elevator light slowly change from two to three. The car bounced as it ground to a halt and the doors scraped open.

  What if he didn’t like her when he saw her naked? The thought jolted through her brain and her muscles tensed up. Byron looked at her questioningly, but she shook her head. Lu shut off the negative thought only to have others rushing into the void. “Like making love to a mannequin,” “no boobs,” and she pushed those memories out as well. She and Byron finally got to her door. Byron stood silently beside her as she unlocked it. She pulled him inside.

  When she turned to him and put her arms around his neck, she was unprepared for the force with which he backed her against the door. His frustration from the drive, the insecurity from her silence seemed to fuel his passions. His hands were everywhere at once like he needed to possess her, to thrill her, to take her to the edge. She clutched his shoulders and pressed herself closer.

  “Please, I want — ” She began to unbutton his shirt, her fingers oversized and clumsy as she struggled to undress him. With a groan he pulled off his shirt and she heard the plastic clatter as several buttons scattered across the wood floor. He unzipped her dress and slid it down her shoulders and to the ground.

  Then he stopped, backed up and stared at her. Lu’s mouth went dry with fear. She moistened her parched lips and raised her eyes to meet his gaze. If he rejected her now …

  “God Lu, you’re beautiful.” His low voice was even deeper with desire and his eyes seemed to caress her entire body. Relief flooded through her, and she turned her head so he couldn’t see how much had ridden on his response. He pulled her close again, one hand cupping her breast, his thumb gently caressing her hardened nipple through her bra and the other firmly grasping her bottom and anchoring her to him as his head angled down for another kiss.