Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 74

"Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low..." Tommy sung the words to one his favorite songs softly to himself as he walked briskly down the quiet hallway. He'd been helping Keesha move out of her General Hospital office all morning and he had one stop to make before they started the truck and headed out.

He knocked on the door with his gloved covered hand. The glove made the sound barely audible, and he quickly removed it from his hand. He was about to raise his hand to knock again when the door suddenly opened. A huge smile covered his face as he said, "Hi."

"Hi, yourself," Gina replied as she returned his smile. She placed a finger to her lips to silence him before he could speak again, and she pulled the door behind her. She linked her arm through his and led him away from Gail's office. "She has a patient in there who doesn't really like it when others are around."

"Oh," Tommy said, nodding his head. "I can understand that. Those sessions are bad enough sometimes without someone listening in."

"Yeah, that's true," Gina said slowly. "There's a staff lounge on this floor. Want to go there?"

"Sure, but I can't stay long."

Gina nodded and they were silent as they moved down the hallway. Gina stole a glance or two at her quiet companion as they neared the lounge. He looked good today, but then again, he always did, she thought. She wondered if he realized how attractive he was and how females gravitated towards him. He had an innocence about him that didn't disappear when he wore a pair of faded Levi's and a gray t-shirt which emphasized his massive chest and ever-increasing biceps. The pain from his past sometimes clouded his emerald, green eyes and made those around him want to hug it all away, Gina included, even when she was frustrated with him. As she linked her ivory fingers between his caramel-colored ones, she felt proud to call him her friend and so very lucky that he was so much more.

The room was empty and before the door could fully close behind them, Gina was in Tommy's arms. He laced his fingers together and rested them at the small of her back. Her hands rested on his strong back and she was in the process of pulling him closer when he said, "Careful. I don't want to get you dirty."

"Who cares about a little dirt? I want a kiss!" Gina said with bright smile. She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. She sighed softly when his lips parted, and his tongue darted out lightly to trace the outline of her lower lip. Since their first kiss in his bedroom a few weeks ago, they had come a long way in being relaxed with a physical relationship. Their kisses only recently progressed to a deeper level, and both were very pleased with the progression.

Gina's hands trailed down his back to rest in his back pockets. She gave him a gentle squeeze which caused him to laugh and break the kiss. "Gina!" he said with a blush.

"What?" she asked, knowing he was still a little too shy to answer. She took his hand and led him to the table. They sat, facing each other and holding hands. "Are you almost done with Keesha's office?"

"I am done. I came up to let you know. We're heading over as soon as I leave you."

"So, you've been here all morning, and you didn't stop by. Is that what you're telling me?" she asked with playful frown.

"Yep! That's exactly what I'm telling you, woman!" he said. He laughed as her eyes widened in surprise at his choice in words.

"Methinks you've been around Sly and Jordan too much," she said, poking him in his ribs.

He laughed again and took her hand before she could poke him again. He kissed her fingertips and then placed her hand back down on the table where he covered it with his own. "So, you have my tux, right?"