Chapter 4 – Special Forces
Even though I had no interest in Patrick’s boss, when I saw Elaine putting on her strapless, ruched-top dress, I pulled mine out of the closet as well. They were perfect for the weather—handkerchief print, knee-length, and flowing. We’d bought them in the spa store together. Elaine’s was black with purple swirling designs, and mine was a bright red with hot pink accents. We each had a glass of the in-room white wine as we made up our faces and dressed.
Using a large brush, I dusted translucent powder over my nose and up my temples to my forehead where my eyes landed on a faded pink scar at my hairline. My lips pressed together, and that old pain twisted inside my chest. I lowered the brush as my hand fumbled to my wine glass. Taking a long sip, I waited a moment for the feelings to pass.
It was over, I reminded myself. That part of my life had ended. I had put all the wheels in motion before I even stepped foot on the plane to come here—before I’d even known I was coming here. Now it was time to let healing take place. I had to let go of what had happened to me and move forward.
A few cleansing breaths, and my control began easing back. Tapping my finger against the pot of concealer, I touched the flesh-toned makeup over the thin pink line, and it was gone. For a split second I imagined a concealer for heart scars. Instead I shook my head. Over, I repeated in my brain. Another deep inhale, and I was ready to emerge from the bathroom.
Elaine was leaning down, fastening the buckle on her sandal when I walked out. Her straight, blonde hair spilled like silk around her shoulders, and when she stood, we both caught our breaths. “You’re beautiful!” we practically said simultaneously. Then we laughed.
“Oh, Mel,” my best friend said, coming over and wrapping her arms around me. “It’s moments like these when I know you’re going to be okay. Just give it time.”
I nodded hugging her back and pressing my lips against her temple. The clean scent of the spa-signature cactus flower toiletries flooded my senses. It was a relaxing smell, and I imagined if she disappeared with Patrick, he’d love it.
“I’m doing my best,” I said. “I know holding onto the past is the worst thing anyone can do.”
My psychologist mother would be the first to have me on her couch reciting these axioms to me if I dared let her know what had happened. As it stood, only three people knew the whole story—me, him, and Elaine, the closest person I had to a sister. It was a cliché not to tell anyone, but I didn’t have the energy or the willingness to involve the authorities. And I didn’t want everyone knowing my tragic tale.
It was finished. I’d made my decision, and I was putting it behind me. My instincts said to cut my losses, cut all ties, and move on. I’d made my first step before leaving Baltimore. This trip was the second, and when I got back, I’d take the third.
What happened with Derek might be extended as part of me cutting ties, my declaration of freedom from my past… But more likely it was just a blip on the radar screen. An incredible distraction, that was now through.
Walking to the restaurant, the dry breeze blew our hair back. I lifted the weight of my dark locks around one shoulder and linked arms with my friend.
“We should do trips like this more often,” she said, looking up at the desert sky. “It’s wonderful being together, and there’s nothing stopping us now. I had a long talk with Brian this afternoon, and that’s done. Clean break. We’re both free agents now.”
My arm tightened on hers, and I pulled her to a stop. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and smiled. “It really was over before I even called you about coming here. It’s sad, but I promise, I’m so relieved we’ve finally made it official. It was turning into the longest goodbye on record.”
“Was Brian part of the reason you planned this spa retreat?”
She pulled me, and we started walking again. “Only a small part. I knew how much you needed it, too. I could hear it in your voice every time we talked.”
Another deep, cleansing breath. “Well, I think your idea sounds fantastic. Let’s plan our next trip as soon as we get back.”
“Will you be coming home to the shore now?” her delicate eyebrows pulled together.
I bit my lip and nodded. “Definitely. The best part about working freelance is it goes with me anywhere. And I have lots of contacts in Wilmington.”
“Oh, that makes me so happy,” she beamed, doing a little skip. “We are definitely planning our next trip. What do you think? Is Thanksgiving too soon?”
I laughed as we entered the restaurant, glad I’d had that glass of wine. I was at ease and far less nervous about accidentally bumping into Derek this time. Elaine told the hostess we were with Patrick and Mr. Alexander as I hung back beside the aquarium.
When she motioned for us to follow her, my friend clasped the crook of my arm and leaned in to my ear. “If this is the ‘Mr. Alexander’ I found online, it should be a very interesting dinner.”
I shook my head and smiled. Her nonstop online investigations were becoming an entertaining distraction.
“Why?” I whispered, picturing a grey-haired old gentleman with a name like Mr. Alexander.
Just then, my eyes found Patrick sitting at a large round table in the back. It was covered in a crisp, white tablecloth, and a vase of bright yellow sunflowers formed the centerpiece, corresponding with the gold décor.
Elaine’s words were just meeting my ears when my breath disappeared from my throat. “Derek Alexander is a leader in the field of online investigation. And he’s hot as hell.”
My brain scrambled as his blue eyes caught mine, and I involuntarily took a step back. “Oh,” I said softly, feeling my chest tighten at the sight of him.
There he sat, wearing a light-blue, short-sleeved polo that stretched across that chest that had been pressed against mine less than forty-eight hours ago.
“What’s wrong?” Elaine said, stepping between me and the table, studying my face.
I shook my head, attempting to breathe normally. “It’s nothing!” My voice was too high, and behind her, I saw his dark form rise to his full height. But I couldn’t look. I was afraid I might faint.
“Elaine!” Patrick’s happy voice cut through my whirlwind of emotions. “You look great.”
She beamed, turning quickly to him. “Thanks,” she said, stepping around to catch Patrick’s hand and leaving me to face the man I’d stood up the night before.
Derek’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement and definite satisfaction. “Melissa,” he said in that low voice that rattled me to my core.
I blinked down to the table. “I didn’t know…” Actually, I had no idea what to say at this point. Nothing in my life up to now had prepared me for this situation.
Elaine stepped back around to extend her hand to him. “You must be Mr. Alexander,” she smiled.
Derek stepped forward to take her hand, then leaned in to kiss her cheek briefly. “Derek, please.”
Elaine’s eyes widened. “I love your cologne,” she said, glancing at me with knowing eyes. “What is it?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. Again, I was having difficulty breathing.
Derek laughed. “You know, I’m not sure. I transferred it to one of those plastic travel bottles for airport security a while back, and now I can’t remember.”
“It’s so familiar,” Elaine said. “Almost like something I smelled yesterday…”
He shrugged. “I rarely wear cologne, but I liked the scent. Fresh, not too overpowering.”
“But lingering,” my friend said.
She wouldn’t stop, and I wanted to die as I pulled out the chair directly in front of me. It formed an awkward arrangement—Elaine sitting next to Patrick, Derek across from me a few chairs down from them. A waiter appeared ready for our drink orders, and Derek immediately ordered a bottle of cava for the table.
“It’s a favorite, I believe,” he said, turning his blue eyes on me.
I glanced down to my lap, attempting to stop the flood of images of us together on the secret patio. Every time I looked at his face, I remembered the brush of his lips against mine, the scratch of his beard, the sensation of his chest hair against my bare nipples. I was certain the entire room could see me flush or at the very least, how fast I was breathing.
“So tell me,” Elaine said, “Are you the Derek Alexander, top internet piracy detective, ex-Marine, and former cop?”
“Police officer is the preferred terminology,” he said as the waiter appeared with a dark-green bottle. “And I’m not sure I’m the top, but I am hired to speak at conferences quite a bit.”
“Fascinating,” Elaine said, and I could feel her eyes moving to me.
I continued to study the place setting in front of me. Detective? Ex-Marine? Former cop? Great. All of those labels only complicated my situation.
The cork popped and four glasses of sparkling wine were served. Derek lifted his. “To the little things,” he said.
“Meeting up with pleasant acquaintances,” Elaine said, lifting her glass.
I brought mine to my lips and took a long drink.
“So you didn’t tell me what you do,” Patrick jumped in with his sunny voice. Everything about him was happy, and I figured Elaine could do much worse for a spa-vacation fling. Or transition guy. Unlike me, who only seemed destined for trouble.
“Mel’s a freelance marketer,” she said, nodding at me. “I teach middle school.”
“What?” Patrick laughed. “That’s the worst age ever!”
Elaine joined him in laughter. “They’re just a misunderstood bunch. All raging hormones. But they want to be loved and accepted just like everyone else.”
I could feel Derek’s intense gaze on me, and I didn’t dare look at him. Instead I faced Patrick, a far less intimidating table mate. “So you work in internet security?”
Patrick’s hazel eyes twinkled. “That’s right, and don’t worry. We’ve already done complete background checks on both you lovely ladies.”
My throat tightened, but Elaine laughed loudly. “Liar! You don’t even know our last names.”
“You got me,” he smiled, taking a drink of cava. “But I will after tonight.”
“Maybe I’ll keep you guessing,” she said.
Their easy banter was making my head hurt. Especially in view of Derek’s continued silence. I took another drink, finishing my glass.
“So if all the bad guys are virtual now, why are you two so buff?” Elaine said, touching Patrick’s biceps lightly. “I’m pretty sure Derek’s arm is the size of my thigh!”
My eyes flickered to his upper arm, and I remembered how easily he lifted me against him, as if I weighed no more than a doll. My cheeks heated at the memory.
“Occasionally Big D has to use intimidation tactics,” Patrick said as if revealing an insider secret.
“Big D?” Elaine’s nose wrinkled.
I could hear the smile in Derek’s low voice. “It’s a joke.”
The pressure was too much. I stood, placing my napkin beside my empty plate and now-empty cava flute. “Excuse me,” I said softly.
Elaine frowned up at me. “Mel? Are you okay?”
She started to rise, but I held out my hand. “Please stay. I just… I need to go. I’ll have dinner in the room.”
“But you don’t have a key!”
“I’ll get one from the front desk. Please… just stay.” I turned and hastened to the restaurant exit.
Elaine spoke again, and the low sound of male voices joined hers, but I didn’t stop. My heart was flying, and I was out the door, fast-walking through the convention center hall in less than a minute.
I’d intended to exit the way we’d come in, but somehow, I’d gotten turned around. Now I was headed in the direction of the small bar from our very first night. Between me and it were three signs for men, women, and the large “family” bathroom. I paused, trying to remember the quickest way back to the spa side of the resort. Just then, I felt a presence approaching quickly. I started to go, but Derek’s voice stopped me.
“Wait,” he said, touching my arm.
I turned so abruptly, he bumped into me, catching me in his strong embrace, his familiar woodsy scent all around me. “Oh,” I said, clutching his solid arms, looking up into his intense blue eyes. Energy rushed through me so hard, I was sure he could see it. I almost felt like I could see it reflected in his own eyes.
“Here,” he said glancing around quickly before pulling me into the family bathroom.
I only had a moment to observe how very clean it was before he had me against the wall, pinned by his huge physique.
“You never came.” His voice was a low, husky whisper. “I waited all night.”
My hands rested on his chest, and heat flamed through me with every heartbeat. My eyes traveled up, up, up to his. They were darkened now, and I was certain he was thinking the same thing as me. He remembered how fantastically our bodies came together two nights ago. I barely registered him reaching out to lock the door.
“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.
“When you walked in the restaurant tonight… god, you’re so beautiful.” He spoke against my skin as his lips pressed into my brow, his beard roughing my closed eyelids. “Are you feeling bad?”
“No,” I managed to say despite the heat surging through me as his lips moved to my temple. “I… didn’t think I could eat.”
“Good,” he said in a thick voice before covering my mouth with his. Mine opened quickly, drawing him in. Our tongues entwined before his lips moved to my jaw then down my neck. “I thought about you all day.” His breath whispered across my skin, and I couldn’t stop a surge of desire low in my stomach. “Will you let me have you here?”
“Yes,” I barely spoke, and he dropped to his knees.
He gathered the thin fabric of my dress, shoving it up to my waist as he caught the side of my thong with his thumb. Large, strong hands gripped my inner thighs, opening them, and his nose touched the crease in my leg as his tongue explored my now-wet folds. A whimper trembled from my throat. It was the exact fantasy I’d had in the bar, and he pulled back, pressing his mouth against my thigh.
“I had to hear that sound again.” His voice was a sexy vibration against my skin, his beard scratching my charged, sensitive areas. I shuddered in his strong hands that held me as if I weighed nothing at all.
His mouth returned to my clit, and his tongue began making slow strokes punctuated by little sucks. My head dropped back with a moan, eyes closed, as my hips rotated in time with his movements.
“Oooh, god,” I sighed, threading my fingers into his thick, dark hair, never wanting him to stop. My back arched against the cold stone wall, and all I knew was his mouth, his tongue, tasting me, teasing me to the very edge. Pressure grew hot and tight low in my belly, tighter with every pull of his mouth. My hips bucked as my orgasm began, and another high-pitched whimper escaped my throat. My shudders were uncontrollable as I came.
I was still finishing when he stood quickly, fumbled with his pants a moment before I heard the familiar tearing sound, the clink of a belt buckle. In one swift movement, he lifted me easily, then slid me down, thrusting into my dripping-wet passage, filling me completely like before, stretching and massaging every place that ached for him. We both groaned loudly, and he pushed into me again, harder. My hands fumbled to the collar of his shirt, down his back, pulling the fabric up, desperate to feel his skin.
He groaned low as I managed to get his polo higher, the strapless top of my dress now pushed down around my waist, my bare breasts tingling for his touch. Our skin met, and I moaned with satisfaction.
“Fuck,” his low voice groaned as his hands gripped my butt, moving me up and down his shaft in the most amazing rhythm.
My second orgasm was building rapidly as his large cock moved in and out repeatedly. His mouth covered mine, and the small whimpers coming from my throat were like fuel to his fire. Our pace increased. The tightness in my stomach grew more intense, and my nails dug into his skin. My heart was beating so hard, and my brain had switched to repeating one phrase, Don’t stop. Don’t stop.
Finally the tightness reached its peak and burst through me—shaking my thighs again and making me moan.
“Fuck me,” he groaned, thrusting hard. “You’re so fucking hot.”
“Derek,” I whispered against his ear, and he let out a breath.
“Say it again,” he ground out, lifting me and slamming me hard against his hips, his rock-hard cock filling me entirely.
“Oh, god,” I cried. “Derek!”
With that, he pushed me against the wall, banging into me three swift times before holding the fourth so deep inside me, I felt his heartbeat pounding. A shiver moved through his body, and he groaned soft and low.
We didn’t move for several moments. He only held me against him, both of us panting hard.
Our location came seeping back to me through the delirium of love-making. We were in a bathroom in a five-star hotel fucking our brains out. This was nuts. I gently pushed against his arms, and he released me. As I lowered my legs, I adjusted my thong. I slid the top of my dress back to its proper location and I smoothed my hair.
I turned to the sink, unsure if I felt insane or fantastic. My legs trembled from exertion and sensation. One thing I couldn’t deny, my fears of ruining the memory of our perfect first time were unfounded. Our second time was even hotter. I turned on the water and touched my fingers under the stream as I listened to him straightening his clothes.
In a moment he was back behind me, bending down to wrap his chiseled arms around my waist and whispering in my ear like before, “Thank you.” Then he kissed the top of my shoulder.
No man had ever thanked me for sex like this, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it or if it made me feel like a call girl. I decided to go with the first option. He wasn’t offering me money, after all, just gratitude. It was a gratitude I shared. He fucked me better than anybody had in my entire life.
My eyes met his in the mirror. “Thank you,” I said back.
For a moment our gaze held each other’s. I wasn’t intimidated or afraid anymore, but I was completely bewildered and still not sure what to do with this. I barely knew him, and my situation hadn’t changed. I was not available in any way. Well, except in the way that led to flaming-hot fucks in five-star bathrooms. It was like we were animals or something. Very pampered animals, I supposed. I blinked down as warmth filled my cheeks and turned the water off.
We had to exit, and I wasn’t sure what might be waiting on the other side. Neither of us had attempted to control the volume of our voices. Had someone alerted the management? I wouldn’t even have heard if someone knocked during what just happened.
“Would you like me to go first?” His deep voice spoke to the fears in my mind.
Without answering, I reached forward and flipped the lock back, pulling the handle down and walking out casually. The passage was empty, and I exhaled with relief. No one was waiting outside, no hotel security, and the only persons I saw were hastening in our direction—but not to us, to the bar behind us.
I walked over to the water-fountain on the opposite wall. Just as I reached it, I heard the metallic door open, and I knew Derek was emerging. I stood and wiped my mouth, turning to face him. When my eyes hit his, my chest clenched. My type or not, he was gorgeous. The light blue shirt stretched across the top of his perfect chest made his eyes glow, and his dark, wavy locks were pushed back from his face. He caught my gaze with an expression of true appreciation, and my whole body warmed. What was I doing? For that matter, who was I? I had no answer.
“We should probably head back to the restaurant,” I said as he stepped toward me. “Patrick and Elaine might wonder.”
“I told them I’d be sure you got back to your room safely.”
I nodded, exhaling a short laugh, thinking of Elaine’s plans. “They might actually be glad we’re gone.”
He lifted my hand into the crook of his muscled arm. “You need to eat. Would you let me buy you dinner?”
We were slowly approaching the place where we first met, and I still wasn’t sure I had much of an appetite. “Let’s see what they’re serving at the bar.”
Only a few steps and we were there, but the music reached us outside, loud and pulsing. It sounded like a party, and not at all what I was in the mood for.
Derek stopped, placing his large hand over mine holding his arm. “Maybe we can see what they’ll bring us outside? Beside the fire pit?”
He turned and led us out the side door to lounge chairs and an arrangement that mirrored ours on the spa side of the resort.
“Will this do?” he said, holding out my hand and stepping around the wooden loveseat, over which an Indian-designed blanket was thrown.
“It’s lovely,” I said, stepping forward and sitting.
“You’re lovely,” he said softly. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you when you walked in tonight. I think red is your color.”
A feeling I would not acknowledge warmed my stomach. It was something I couldn’t allow to develop for him, not now.
“Thank you,” I said, and my mind filled with images of what prompted our last exchange of thanks. The sensations flooding my insides grew stronger.
“If no one comes out, I’ll walk in and order whatever looks good,” he said.
I nodded, and for several moments we only sat watching the orange flames dance over the coals. It was hypnotic and very relaxing. Derek was beside me on the love seat, and our sides were pressed together. After what felt like many long moments, but what was probably only five, he tugged on my waist. I glanced at him and a smile touched his lips. At that, I leaned against him, resting my head on his firm chest. His muscular arm went around my shoulder and down my side.
We were so familiar with each other’s bodies. We knew exactly how to touch one another to provoke the strongest response. But how did we relate in a casual setting like this? With our clothes on?
“Where did you grow up?” I asked, watching the fire.
“South Louisiana,” he said. I felt his fingers lifting clumps of my curls and holding them. “And you?”
“Atlanta,” I said. “But only until I was nine. Then we moved to the coast, just outside Wilmington, North Carolina. That’s where I met Elaine.”
“You’ve known each other that long?” He was still playing with my hair, and I found it unexpectedly soothing. Even though we barely knew each other, I felt incredibly safe with him.
“She’s the closest thing to a sister I have. She’s always been there for me.”
We were quiet again, and at last a waitress appeared. “Can I bring you a drink?” she asked.
“Yes,” Derek’s voice was full of authority. “A bottle of cava, two glasses, and two of your olive-salad sandwiches.”
The young woman nodded, and hastened away.
“In south Louisiana, those are called muffulettas,” I said, resting my head back against his chest.
“You’ve been to New Orleans?”
“No,” I smiled, “but I read a lot.”
His hand traced circles on my upper arm, and I could feel my eyelids drooping. Sitting here with him, under the desert sky with the temperature dropping, watching the fire in the pit and waiting on olive-salad sandwiches, I could almost pretend we were a couple. That I was a normal person on a holiday with my boyfriend, without a care in the world.
But I wasn’t.
I stirred and started to move away, but his arm tightened over me. “What’s wrong?”
“I really should head back to my room. It’s late.”
He released his hold on me, which was good because he was a thousand times stronger than I was. I couldn’t have fought him if I tried, and for a moment, I considered that might be the reason I’d always avoided such muscular men. Not because they weren’t attractive, because he was damn sexy.
“Just stay and have your dinner first,” he said.
As if on cue, the young waitress appeared with a tray holding a dark green bottle, two clear silicone wine glasses, and two large sandwiches. She placed the entire load on the small table in front of us and handed it out.
“Shall I charge this to your room?” she asked.
“Two thirteen,” he said.
I didn’t want to remember the number, but it seemed the harder I tried to forget it, the more firmly it was imprinted on my brain.
“I thought hotels always skipped thirteen,” I said. “Bad luck.”
“I don’t believe in luck.”
A popping sound announced the opening of the cava, which the waitress poured into the glasses for each of us. I took mine and waited until she’d put the bottle in a small stoneware bucket and gone.
“Are we still celebrating?” I asked.
His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment we didn’t speak, he only studied my face. I was starting to grow self-conscious when he broke the silence.
“Every day’s a celebration, right? We’re alive?”
I smiled and nodded, tapping my glass against his. He put his down on the table and picked up his huge sandwich.
“We could’ve split one,” I said evaluating the size of mine. “Half would be plenty for me.”
He smiled. “But not for me.”
I gingerly took a bite and set the savory concoction back on the plate. The sharp cheese flavor filled my mouth, and I thought it was the perfect blend of tangy and salty.
“So you were a Marine?” I asked, watching him chew.
He nodded, swallowing. “Did my tour in Iraq during the first Gulf War.”
“You must’ve been just a boy!”
“Eighteen,” he said, lifting the glass and taking a sip of cava.
“And the special forces?”
“Did that for a while after, before I retired and went to the police academy.”
I nodded. “How long were you a police officer?”
“I wasn’t,” he said with a smile.
“But…”
“I bypassed that and got my private investigator’s license. In college I studied finance, and with the Internet taking off, I wanted to hunt down cyber-criminals. I worked in Law Enforcement Online a bit.”
“What’s that?” I studied his dark hair in the moonlight, imagining him in uniform, in the desert, fighting terrorists. It was an extremely attractive image.
“LEO is a branch of the FBI.”
“So you’re a special agent?”
He laughed. “No. I just worked there a little while.”
“What do they do?”
“It’s pretty complicated, and much of it’s classified. How about we just leave it as is?”
“But you don’t do it anymore?” I pressed. Then I wondered why I even cared so much. I didn’t need to know all of this about him. We were just in this for a week. He could put himself in as much danger as he chose. I’d never see him again.
The thought made my stomach clench painfully.
He shook his head. “Now I’m freelance. I work with banks to hunt down cyber criminals. People who would steal customers’ money or attempt to make fraudulent transactions. Hack into online bank accounts, pfishers. Things like that.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded. “Still a hero.”
He shrugged. “I travel a lot. Do these conferences. I’m as much an educator as anything.”
“And do you have a girl at each stop?” I froze. I didn’t know where that question came from. “I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “It’s not really my business—”
“No.” He cut me off, staring straight into my eyes. “I don’t have a girl anywhere. Actually, I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Suddenly we were both very quiet. I looked at the half-eaten sandwich on my plate and realized I was finished. I didn’t want any more wine. I needed to get back to my room, to get my head straight. We were venturing into impossible territory now.
I stood quickly. “Thank you so much for dinner,” I said, dusting my hands together.
Derek stood just as fast, towering over me in the night. “Please don’t go,” he said. “It’s still early.”
I shook my head. “It’s late, and I’m tired. And… well… I think we both know it’s for the best.”
Just as I turned to leave, I felt his touch, light at my elbow. “See me tomorrow. Don’t stay away. It’s just for a few more days.”
His words, the tone in his voice, caused a sharp pain in the center of my body. It was as if a sword were thrust into the space below my ribs, above my stomach. I glanced back at his blue eyes, bright and open. It was impossible to believe I could have any power over him at all, but it seemed in this one request, I did.
I nodded. “What would you like to do?”
He smiled and lowered his hand. “What’s your last name?”
I shook my head. “My room is 323 in the spa tower. Call me that way.”
The crease in his brow told me he didn’t understand, but if he truly had access to all of our background information like Patrick had teased, I didn’t want him knowing what my year had been like. I didn’t want anyone knowing. Having not gone officially on record, I wasn’t sure if he could find anything out, but I couldn’t be too careful.
“Goodnight,” I said leaning forward to kiss his cheek, cutting off any further discussion. Just as I was about to pull back, he caught the back of my neck and pulled my mouth to his for a better kiss.
I didn’t resist, allowing his soft lips to part mine. I placed my palms on his strong shoulders, bracing myself as our tongues entwined. His kiss turned hungry, and my mouth matched his pace. I wanted him to lift me again. I craved the connection of our bodies as much as he did. Heat flared between my legs, but I resisted, stepping back, inhaling deeply, eyes still closed.
“Goodnight,” I said, this time in a shaky whisper.
My eyes blinked open and only briefly caught his before I turned and walked away, not giving him a chance to respond.