Soraya

 

The silence inside the car was oppressive. Dez seemed caved in on himself, his eyes shadowed and lips set in a hard line. My instincts were demanding I make sure he was okay, but I was too angry with him. How dare he not tell me Andrei was still in town and up to something?

Worse, how dare he try to take on Parasite all on his own? Was he insane?

What if the TLO comes back? Are they after him now? Does any of this have to do with that work Piper had him doing in San Francisco with that Professor… What was his name?

“Professor Torres,” I breathed, suddenly realizing. “He was in San Francisco – he was helping you a few months ago.” I looked over and watched Dez’s hands tighten on the wheel. “Does that have anything to do with what happened tonight? Why you ran off after Bear Valley?” He didn’t answer me. “What aren’t you telling me? Are you still working for the Order?”

“No,” Dez said in a low voice.

“No, what?” I demanded.

He hesitated and then gave me a brief, sidelong look. “No, I’m not doing this, Soraya.”

Rage snapped inside of my chest and a burst of fear along with it. He was up to something. Maybe not related to the Order, but definitely to the TLO. “You’re going to get yourself killed – whatever you are doing Dez, I am begging you stop, you’re–” I broke off as something hit me and I wondered how I couldn’t have seen it before.

Is Dez working with the vigilante? Does he know who King is?

“I’m? I’m what?” Dez challenged.

It would make sense, I thought. Although it also created more questions than answered them. And I was sure if I brought it up, Dez would deny everything.

Suddenly a strange sensation bubbled in my gut, distracting me. Embarrassment. I’d flirted with King and he could be a friend of Dez’s. Had he told Dez that? Why did I care?

Shaking my head, filled with a bitter resolution, I said in a cold voice, “Go to your place.”

“Excuse me?” Dez asked.

“I am sleeping over tonight and keeping an eye on you, Desmond Devoy,” I said in a shaking voice. “I don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, but I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“Raya–” he began.

“Don't!” I burst out savagely, staring down at my hands. “Don't even tell me it will be fine because you have no way of knowing. You are my friend and I'm going to protect you. I'm not letting anyone else I care about—” The rest of the words burned in my throat.

Dez said nothing, but I sensed the tautness of his body release, along with a nod.

“Okay,” he said simply.

That was the extent of our conversation until we got back to his apartment. It seemed like a thousand years ago I'd stood here and fussed with his tie. Sinking onto the couch, I didn't even take off my jacket, just my heels, as I closed my eyes and tried to come up with a plan.

Dez vanished into his room and then came back out, holding up a pair of baggy sweats and a shirt. “These are for you.” When I didn’t respond, he hesitated and said gently, “You can have my bed and I’ll take the couch.”

“We’re adults, Dez,” I said in a tired voice. “We can share.”

He didn’t say anything to that, just gripped the back of his neck and glanced across the room at a closed door. “Do me a favor and don’t go in there. It’s Miss May’s office and she’ll lose it if it’s disturbed. Lot of sensitive information in there about tenants.”

“Of course,” I agreed.

Dez nodded and began to undo his tie. The sight had my stomach clenching for some reason.

Then I realized why. The night was over. One I’d been looking forward to. Could the TLO leave anything alone? Couldn’t I have one night of peace and normalcy with a nice guy?

“Do you want something to drink?” he asked, moving into the kitchen.

“No,” I said, standing up and taking off my jacket. “But do you have coconut oil?”

“Excuse me?” Dez asked, looking up as I walked into the kitchen.

“It will take off my makeup,” I said, gesturing to my face. “And it moisturizes.”

“Ah,” he said, face clearing. “I think so. Let me check.”

While he looked, I idly studied the kitchen and moved around it. It was spacious and open, with a peek-a-boo window into the living room. The floorboards creaked in a melodic way as I moved across them. There was a portable CD player on the counter and I paused, looking down at it. What does Miss May listen to? I wondered and popped open the top.

A Best of Al Green CD was in there and I closed it again, then hit play.

Soulful, sad strumming filled the kitchen and Dez turned around. “What are you…?”

“I wanted to listen,” I said, with a shrug. “I can turn it off.”

“Keep it on,” he said, straightening his jacket, smiling at me and offering his hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked, looking up at him. I felt absurdly short without my heels and noticed Dez was also in bare feet. “No. I’m still mad at you.”

“You’re not. You’re scared for me,” he said. “And I’m sorry. But we never did get to dance.”

My lips parted and I tried to counter that, but he was right. “You’re still not telling me something. I thought you were a normal guy, but you’re not, are you?”

“Some things are better left unsaid,” Dez replied. “For the moment, at least.”

Frustrated, I muttered, “You are not smooth.”

“Not trying to be.”

He was still holding out his hand and the look in his hazel eyes broke me down. Letting out a huff, I gave him my hand and his smile widened. Slowly, he pulled me closer, as one song ended and another began. For the Good Times. Al was crooning with all his heart and my own softened.

Our fingers clasped tightly. Dez placed a hand on my lower back as I turned my cheek and pressed it to his shoulder. My other arm went around his neck and I inhaled his warm, comforting scent. He said nothing as we swayed and stepped around his grandmother’s kitchen.

That feeling was bubbling up again and my first instinct was to pull away. To flee.

But as though he sensed it, Dez’s grip tightened and his cheek settled on the top of my head. “Do you trust me?” he asked in a low voice suddenly. “And answer honestly.”

“I don’t lie,” I muttered.

His chuckle was warm in my ear as he teased, “No, but you might fib to cover yourself.”

I had no response to that. “Yes,” I said in the smallest voice possible. Rough fingers moved to my bare back and I inhaled sharply. “Dez–”

I pulled back to look at him and stopped. A look flashed in and out his eyes so quickly I almost missed it. One that had my hand sliding down and tightening on his jacket.

Dez had looked like a soldier preparing to go to war with no intention of coming back. As though shadows were stretching across his soul and he wanted to keep us apart to keep me safe. Fear pooled in my stomach.

I knew that look.

“Whatever is going on…” I started to say, then I trailed off.

Dez was looking at me with an intensity that seemed to bare my soul. As though he saw all of me and it wasn’t enough. He wanted more and a shaky breath exuded from me.

“I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t kiss you at least once, Soraya Lafi,” Dez said in a rough, dangerous voice. It slid into places and hollows I never knew existed. Eyes wide, I stared at him.

His hand was cupping my cheek and his head bent.

My eyes closed and I pushed closer. Yes.

Our lips met in a searing, fierce kiss and I fell against him. Dez held me up and I let myself be held. I held onto him. Tears were pooling under my eyelids.

Then I let out a gasp when he broke away.

“Thank you,” Dez said and I looked down. “Not every day you get to dance with a goddess and then kiss her.” His hands fell away and he stepped back, before pushing past me to leave.

“No,” I said, my head flying up and tears falling. I ignored them both as I whirled on Dez, who stopped and stared at me. “I’m not – I’m as human as it gets, Dez. And it’s not every day I get to kiss you.” I walked over and said, shaking from head to toe, “One wasn’t enough.”

A look of astonishment came over his face, making my heart ache and bubble over with joy. “I didn’t want to push. I know you’re dealing with a lot,” Dez said, strong hands landing on my shoulders and sliding down. Now his face was all tenderness and triumph. “Are you–?”

He didn’t finish because I pulled him down and kissed him. Dez let out a surprised sound, making my heart jolt with happiness and I molded myself into him.

Dez held the back of my head as he leaned down, my lips parting as the kiss deepened. His other arm was wrapped around my waist, crushing me to him. My entire body was warming and flickers of electricity tickled across my skin.

I had never felt like this from just a kiss.

Sometime later, we broke apart and I realized the CD had long ended. He had a dazed, beaming expression on his face and a smudge of lipstick on his collar. It made my entire body swell with happiness. Everything else was forgotten in this moment.

Turning, I picked up the jar of coconut oil and smiled at him. “I’m going to get ready for bed, okay?” He nodded soundlessly and I moved out of the kitchen, picking up the clothes off the couch. In the bathroom, I changed and washed my face.

Biting my lip, I eyed myself. Without the eyeliner and lipstick, I looked young and vulnerable. Abruptly, the sensation of Dez’s lips on mine hit me and I watched as my cheeks flushed.

He knocked and I jumped. “Yes?”

“You need a toothbrush?” Dez asked through the door and I went over, opening it. “Hey.”

“Hi,” I said, feeling a little shy in his baggy shirt. It came down to my knees, so I hadn’t bothered putting on the sweatpants and I saw Dez’s eyes flick down.

He visibly swallowed and then seemed to shake himself. “Here,” he said, coming in and opening a cabinet. “Miss May always keeps extras for cousins and relatives who always pop up.”

Dez had changed into a light, long-sleeved flannel shirt that strained over his muscles and baggy pants. I eyed him, wondering how I could get that shirt off and then caught myself.

Woah, girl.

“Here,” Dez said, handing me an orange one with sparkles.

“Thanks,” I murmured. “You can stay.”

We wound up brushing our teeth together and I kept sneaking glances at Dez. The look in his eyes before he kissed me kept coming back and the initial bliss was wearing off.

What is going on with you? What are you involved in, Dez?

“Soraya, you can protect me, but only if you let me return the favor sometime,” Dez suddenly said, catching my eye and I started. “You’re worried about me.”

“The TLO is after you,” I said. “You’re clearly up to something if they’re making you a target.”

Dez met my eyes in the mirror and his shoulders slumped. “Can we talk about it tomorrow?”

“Okay,” I said, feeling as though I were standing on the other side of a door and wanting nothing more than to wrench it open.

Following me into the bedroom, Dez suddenly reached out and pulled me against him. His arms were tight against me and his lips were at my ear. My toes were curling and I let out a soft, breathless laugh. Turning my head, I met his eyes and he gave me a serious look.

“Why so somber, Prof?” I teased. “Am I screwing up my extra credit?”

Dez’s eyes went wide and he let out a choked laugh, then winced. “Oh, hell, I completely forgot you’re technically a student.” His forehead fell to my shoulder and he shook his head. “Soraya, you’re a siren – I can’t think straight when you’re around.”

I smacked his hands lightly. “A mythological murdering mermaid? Nice.”

His groan vibrated through my back and he held on for a moment before he said, “What I was going to say before you distracted me was – I think we should talk about what’s happening here. Between us.”

Lifting his head, he met my eyes and a shock went through me. I nodded and bit my lip, suddenly exhausted and not ready to have this conversation right now.

“Not tonight,” I said abruptly and winced slightly. “Tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Dez replied, making a face. “But call me old fashioned – I don’t think we should…” He cleared his throat and stepped away. Immediately my body missed his warmth.

“Oh,” I said, catching on. “You mean sleep together. You want me to go on the couch?”

“No,” Dez said quickly, catching my hands and his jaw gritting with the obvious effort of asking for this. I wanted to laugh. He might have been a clean-cut professor and a patient, sweet guy, but he was still a man, struggling with those primal urges. “Sleep in here. Just sleep.”

“Just sleep,” I promised, sticking out my tongue.

As soon as we were in bed with the lights off, I rolled over and snuggled up to Dez. He stiffened in alarm as my fingers danced up his sternum. Wicked ideas were dancing through my brain and I couldn’t resist torturing Dez a little for keeping me in the dark.

“Wh-what are you doing?” he asked.

“Getting comfortable,” I replied.

“Soraya,” he said in a gentle, persuasive voice. “I think we need more space right now.”

“I don't,” I said, slipping my hand under the hem of his shirt and pressing it to the warm, hard skin of his abdomen. “Mm, you're nice and warm.”

“You can’t–” he said in a strangled voice and then suddenly he caught my wrists.

“I can’t sleep?” I asked in an innocent voice. “You’re right.”

Dez’s lips found mine and he rolled atop of me, still holding my wrists. In the secret space of the night, warm together under the blankets, heat built and spread quickly.

As we kissed, our bodies melded and I lost all track of what separated the two of us. We seemed to sink into a place of bliss together. His body was rocking against mine, hard and solid. I let out a soft moan into his mouth and he kissed me harder.

He’d let go of my wrists and I mapped out the muscles of his back as his fingers teased up my sides. Then he was caressing my thighs and I squirmed against him.

Suddenly Dez gasped and broke away from me. “Dammit, Raya.”

I laughed as he climbed out of bed. “Where are you going?”

“Be right back,” he said in a tight voice and vanished out of the room. A second later I heard the bathroom door close and I laughed again.

Snuggling down in the center of the bed, I closed my eyes and smiled to myself.

That’s what you get when you mess with me, Dez. And I’m just getting started.

On that note, I inhaled Dez’s scent and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.