In the Dark of Night: Book One of the Dark Series

Chapter Forty-seven

"Dara, c'mon," Alex coaxed as he lay watching her hurriedly dress.

"No," she said, tucking her blouse into her skirt. She looked around on the floor for more of her belongings. Her stockings were on the floor and she picked them up. Deciding not to bother with putting them back on, she stuffed them into her purse instead. She found one shoe and slipped her foot into it. She then limped around in search of the other one.

Watching her limp around brought a twinkle to Alex's eyes and an amused smile on his face. Due to his prone position on the sofa, he saw her missing shoe underneath the coffee table. He debated with himself as to whether he should tell her. He decided not to, and instead, he reached out and picked it up.

"Have you seen my shoe?" she asked, exasperated. She was angry, upset and a little embarrassed. She wanted to get out there as soon as possible and leave Alex with his soulful brown eyes and amazing body.

"Do you mean this shoe?" he asked, his eyes shined with mischief. He held the shoe up but didn't offer it to her.

"You know I do. Give it to me. Please," she said, forcing her eyes to remain locked on his and not stray to gaze on his smooth, hard chest...firm hard thighs... Stop it, Dara, she thought as she mentally shook herself.

"Come and get it," he said softly. He saw her perusal of him, and he found himself becoming excited. Again.

"I don't have time for games, Alex," she quietly replied. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand the depth of her words. He did.

"Neither do I." He paused for a moment and continued, "If I have something you want, all you have to do is take it. I can't give it to you. You have to want it...and come and get it."

He held her shoe out to her. Not too far away from him, but a little closer to her. Tentatively, she reached for it, but he didn't let go. His fingers closed over hers. The touch of his fingers caused her to tingle all over. Alex was affected by their touch, too. He felt an electric current pass through him, but he didn't move. All the while, their eyes remained glued to each other.

"You feel it, too. You can't just run away from it," he replied, his voice husky with emotion.

"Sex-" she began.

"This is more than sex, and you know it," he interrupted. "I care about you, Dara. Tonight happened a little too fast-"

"Tonight happened way too fast," she interrupted.

"-but running away like a child won't solve anything," he continued. "You said you don't want to play games. Prove it."

"What do you want me to do?" she asked, her grip on the shoe loosened a little, but she didn't remove her hand. She was pleased by the sensation of his hand on hers and she didn't want to let go.

Alex reached out for her other hand and when she gave it to him, he released the breath he had been holding. He said, "Don't leave. Let's talk so we can figure out what's going on here."

Dara allowed his words to sink in. What they shared tonight had been unexpected and surprisingly amazing. She knew he was right. She felt something with him that she hadn't felt in a long time, if ever. She made up her mind.

"On one condition," she offered, a sly smile hinting at the corner of her lips.

"What's the condition?" he asked with a slight frown.

"That you put some clothes on," she sighed, as her eyes freely roamed over his naked body.

"Well, if you insist," Alex laughed. He relinquished his hold on the shoe. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, released it, and stood. Knowing that her eyes were on him, he slowly strutted out of the room.