Lately, every time I find myself outside Keyra’s door, I’m nervous as hell.

Last time I was here, it was to break her trust.

This time, I’m hoping to start gaining it back.

I knock since I don’t have a key anymore, setting the food I brought out of sight because I want it to be a surprise.

It swings open after a few seconds, and she’s in a short robe with her dark hair in a low, loose bun. Her full lips tilt up a little, and her nose does the cute wrinkle thing I notice happens when she’s a little surprised.

The robe is a similar cranberry color to the lingerie she was wearing that night, and suddenly, I’m thinking about a little more than trust.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

The only time I ever feel tongue-tied is around her, I swear.

“Earth to Dane?” She reaches up and taps a finger against my forehead and I grab her wrist softly, using it to pull her to me.

“Sorry, I was distracted.” I murmur and she inhales quick.

“What are you doing?”

“Righting a wrong.” I frame her face with my hands and press my lips to her gently, reverently. I want her to have no doubt that this is different.

For a second, I stay on track and our lips melt together almost sluggishly like time has slowed long enough for us to never forget how the other tastes.

But her mouth is like water after a drought and I can’t get enough, unable to stop myself from biting and sucking on her lips as our tongues finally meet.

“Ahem.” I reluctantly pull away and look to the side, where an older woman is looking at us disapprovingly.

“How is your night, Ms. Wilkes?” Keyra asks, voice husky and amused.

“It was just fine.” The woman snaps and walks away, towards the elevator.

“Clearly, she’s jealous.” Keyra giggles and I just feel relief and lightness. I didn’t really know how she’d react after the kiss.

I notice the bag against the wall and scoop it up, holding it like a prize. Sheesh, I’m like a teenage boy around her.

“I bought wings and crispy French fries.”

She puts a hand on her chest, tilting her head to the side. “You even told them crispy?”

“I did. I still think it’s ridiculous, but I know you like it. And I got extra blue cheese.” Never forget Keyra’s extra blue cheese.

“Damn boy, you came to play.” She steps back and I step inside, walking in and setting the food on the table. “I’ll grab some plates. Do you want beer? I uh…had your favorite dropped off the other day out of habit.”

“Yeah. Beer’s good. Thanks.” I remove the containers from the bag, opening them on the table and waiting for her to see.

She stops when she gets close enough to the table to see, two bottles in her hands and plates tucked under her arm.

“Hot teriyaki and lemon-pepper?” She whispers, and I can’t help but laugh at her expression.

You would think I just told her Beyoncé invited her to dinner, that’s how awed and reverent her face is.

“I’m bringing out the big guns.” I smile. She sets everything down and puts one hand on my cheek, looking down at me.

“Food is the way to my heart. You know me so well.” She gives me two pats and climbs over me, settling next to me on the couch. “We’ll talk about that kiss after I smash this food.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I open our beers.

“Is it a coincidence that you showed up right on time for Quantico?” She clicks on the TV, and since I know not to come between her and food, I ignore the way her robe has opened a bit to reveal a very tempting thigh.

I raise an eyebrow and she laughs, tossing her feet up on the table and leaning to put food on her plate.

“Very smooth, Mr. Thoreau. Very smooth.”

* * *

Once Quantico ended, we started bingeing Sense8 because we always said we wanted to check it out but never watched it.

“I’m very uncomfortable.” I narrow my eyes at the TV, one hand resting on Keyra’s leg.

“Really? Because I’m a little aroused.”

“Me too. Which is exactly why I’m uncomfortable. I never questioned my sexuality until I saw Lito.” I admit.

“If you were going to experiment for anyone, I think he’d be a pretty damned good choice.” The episode we’re on ends and the “Are you still watching?” message pops up.

“Are we still watching?” Keyra asks.

“Are we?” I stroke my hand down her calf, something I’ve done numerous times before, but that holds an entirely different charge now…we both know it.

“Oh, you’re going to put this on me?” She scoffs.

“I’m completely sure about what I want this time,” I say, and her lids lower a little. Silently, she clicks off the TV and pulls her legs away, tucking them beneath her.

“Okay, let’s talk. What was that kiss about?”

“That kiss was me letting you know that I came here tonight with no hidden motives. I’m here for you because I want you. No excuses, no extra reasons, just me.” I lay it all out. More bare than I’ve ever been to a woman since Natalie.

“So to be clear - If I went out with Michael tomorrow, you would be okay with that?”

The fuck? “If you go out with Michael tomorrow, I’ll string him up by his balls and then I’ll buy your wing place and shut it down.”

Her mouth drops open and I stare at her, unamused.

“You’re dating me and only me. None of that seeing other people shit.”

“I haven’t agreed to date you yet.” She crosses her arms, but there’s a small smile on her lips that she can’t hide.

“If you do, I just want you to know what you’re getting into. I’m not shopping around for the best fit. I want to try this because you’re the first person in a while that I’ve never doubted, even if it seemed like I did.”

“So I got lucky to get past your trust issues?” I hate when I can’t read her eyes. She does this thing when she’s probing for information where she makes them just go…bland.

We always joke about her having had some serious special training, and I’m definitely feeling it right now.

“No. The person you are, how fierce, how genuine, how honest, how intelligent, how beautiful inside and out…that’s why you got past me “trust issues,” I use air quotes, “not because of luck. All you.”

“Tell me more about how intelligent I am.” She puts a hand on the couch and rises on her knees, leaning forward so she’s closer to me.

“You’re so smart. I feel like I can watch your mind work sometimes, hear the wheels turning quickly because you’re so clever and perceptive.” I close the space between us, noses brushing one another.

“More.” She breathes, grinning.

“Sometimes I would get hard and it would be pretty confusing because it’d be while you were on the phone cursing someone out, and I didn’t know why seeing you mad at someone else made me want you more. I was terrified when I found out about you being shot, but when I found out you were okay - shit woman, you’re a force to be reckoned with and that’s sexy too.” While I’d been talking, she’d pushed me back on the couch and climbed onto my lap.

“Okay, you can stop now. My ego has been stroked sufficiently.” She flattens her hands on my stomach and runs them up over my chest and on my shoulders.

“Good, because there are so many more things I want to do with my mouth.” I untie the tie on her robe and she’s got boy-shorts and a strappy tank top on underneath. I can see the outline of her nipples and dark areolas through the thin fabric.

“Oh really?” She murmurs, pressing her chest against mine and tightening her arms around my neck.

“Really.” I kiss her softly, feeling contentedness run through me. But I remember something. “This means you’re saying yes to this right?”

“Ask me again after we have sex. I need to make sure I remember things correctly before I just tie myself down. What if your equipment isn’t up to par?” She sits up, shrugging as my jaw drops.

“Woman, are you fucking kidding me?”

One eyebrow arches. “Do I look like I’m kidding? Better get to work, Mr. Thoreau. Time’s a ti—.”

She yelps as I spring up from the couch with her in my arms and head to her bedroom.

“I’ll show you work,” I growl and smack her ass where she’s over my shoulder, shaking my head at her squeals.

Women.