Lyssa tried to pay attention to what one of the gallery’s best clients was saying to her, but her mind refused to focus. Her cheeks ached from smiling, the shoes on her feet pinched her toes, and if his eyes strayed to her cleavage one more time she was going to scream. Where was Andor? The men she interacted with had been very respectful while he’d been at her side. Now that he was no longer looming next to her, the sleazier party goers had grown bolder. She looked around the room again and there was no sign of him. He’d been gone longer than a few minutes, and a flash of concern went through her. Had something happened to him outside?

There was a murmur of voices coming from the front of the gallery, near the huge window that dominated that part of the room. The skin on the back of her neck prickled as she glanced toward the front. There wasn’t a clear enough view for her to be able to see what was going on.

“Will you excuse me, Donald?” She didn’t wait for his reply and drifted over to where people were starting to gather.

“I think someone is being arrested,” one observer said.

Kevin. She tried to see over the heads of the people in front of the window, but even with the high-heeled shoes she wore, she still couldn’t see what was going on. She gently moved some of the people gathering on the fringes so she could take a better look. Her view out the window was blocked by several bodies, but she was certain that if the police were making an arrest outside the gallery, it had to be Kevin. Could their plan have been a success? Had Kevin finally been dealt with?

But if it was Kevin outside, where was Andor? Dread clenched the muscles of her stomach as it occurred to her then if Kevin was out there being arrested, that Andor must be involved somehow. Andor gave all appearances of being able to take care of himself as far as Kevin was concerned, but she wouldn’t be able to relax until she knew that he was safe.

As if he heard her thoughts, Andor walked in the front door of the gallery and strode over to her. Her eyes devoured him as he walked to her side. He gave all the appearance of being perfectly fine, and there was a calm, relaxed air about him.

“The breath of air outside was just what I needed and now I feel refreshed. Did you miss me?” He winked at her as he took her arm and led her away from the crowd of people. Once they were away from prying eyes and ears, she looked up at him, unable to hold back the questions clamoring inside her.

“What happened? They are saying that someone has been arrested. Was it Kevin?”

“Indeed it was. Kevin was waiting in the alley, we had words, and I made sure that the police were aware of his presence.”

There had to be more to it than that. She looked at the hand he still had on her arm, and there were a few scrapes and cuts across his knuckles. He’d done more than talk to Kevin. She noticed a tear in his jacket.

“What happened Andor? Are you hurt?” She parted the tear in his coat, and noticed a long thin cut on his arm. “You are hurt.”

Andor put his finger to her lips. “I am fine. Kevin had a knife, we fought and I disarmed him. It is just a scratch. Do not give it another thought.”

Guilt flooded her. When they’d come up with this scheme she’d never thought that there was a possibility that Kevin would come after him. She should have considered that Kevin would attack him out there. Why had she sent him outside when she should have known Kevin would be lurking in the alley?

“I’m so sorry. If I’d known that he was out there I would never have suggested that you go outside.”

Andor shook his head. “You have no control over Kevin. You have nothing to be sorry for. As you can see, I have escaped unscathed, and now Kevin is no longer a problem. He is in police custody, which is where he should be. You are free of him now.”

Andor took both her hands and brought them to his lips. His words hit her and she achieved clarity. Kevin was in police custody. The months of living in fear, of looking over her shoulder, were over and she could move on with her life.

She trembled for a moment as she thought about what that life would look like. She could go to work without seeing shadows around every corner. She could got out in public without the fear of being stalked and harassed. She looked at Andor as gratitude for all he’d done for her went through her. If he hadn’t offered her a safe place when she needed it, she might still be hiding from Kevin.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to help me, and it’s because you gave me a place to stay and protected me from him that I don’t have to worry about him any longer.” She glanced around at the crowd of people. She wanted to step into his arm, to kiss him and thank him properly, but not with so many eyes on them.

Joyce walked over to them, and put her hand on Lyssa’s arm. “Are you okay dear? I’m assuming the arrest that they are talking about is Kevin?”

“Yes. He finally won’t be a problem any more. I need to thank you for the patience you’ve shown through this whole ordeal.” If Joyce had been less understanding about all the drama in her life over the past few months, she would not be standing here now. She’d be looking for another job.

“I’ve told you before, you are the best employee I’ve ever had, and I don't want to lose you.” Joyce glanced around as people started moving away from the window. “I think things will start winding down here soon. If you like, the two of you can leave. I can handle things from here. I’m sure you have had enough excitement for one evening.”

Joyce turned and walked away to continue with the party.

“Would you like to go or would you prefer to stay?” Andor stood relaxed beside her, and she knew that if she said that she wanted to stay he would be by her side without complaint. She didn’t want to put him through any more of this evening, and leaving was what she wanted too.

“I’d like to go.” She’d had more then enough mingling and talking for one evening. She just wanted to take her shoes off and relax.

“I have instructed Rickman to drive by the building throughout the evening. Shall we go outside and wait?”

He put his hand on the small of her back, and led her to the door. The air outside was brisk and cool, and after being in the gallery with the warm press of bodies, she shivered.

“Are you cold?” Andor asked as they stood on the pavement outside the gallery.

“A little. I should have brought a wrap or a jacket with me.” Lyssa hugged her arms over herself. Hopefully Rickman wouldn’t take too long. Chattering teeth was hardly a sexy look.

Andor shrugged out of his jacket, and put it around her shoulders. Lyssa slipped her arms through the sleeves, and she was cocooned in his warmth. The jacket smelled like him, and her stomach dipped. She snuggled down in the jacket as Rickman pulled up.

Andor strode forward and opened the rear passenger side door. Lyssa smiled at him as she eased into the back seat of the car.

Where did they go from here? Kevin was no longer an impediment to her going back to her house. Andor had told her that she could stay at his home as long as she liked but did he mean until Kevin was caught? She hadn’t thought any further ahead than dealing with Kevin. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do now that he was no longer a problem for her.

Andor had done so much for her already. She didn’t want to impose on his good will and over stay her welcome. They’d never discussed what would happen once Kevin was in custody. Could she assume that she could continue to stay with him, or would it be better if she went home? She softly chewed on her lower lip.

If she went home, it wasn’t like she’d never see him again. Now that they were out of the holding pattern of waiting for the Kevin situation to be resolved, she was sure that she would continue to see him. Wouldn’t she?

The drive to Andor’s house didn’t provide any answers.

Rickman pulled the car up in front of the house, and Lyssa made her decision. She would pack her things, and ask to be taken home. If Andor wanted her to stay he would have asked her. As much as she wanted to stay here, unless he gave her some indication that he wanted the same thing, she would have to go.

She walked into the house with Andor’s hand on the small of her back. She shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to him.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t offered your home to me. I’m going to go and pack my bags. Do you think Rickman can take me home?”

She studied his face carefully, hoping to see one sign that he didn’t want her leave. If there was even a flicker on his face to indicate that he didn’t want her to leave, she’d stay where she was. He remained expressionless as he folded his jacket over his forearm.

“Of course Rickman can drive you home. Just let him know when you are ready.” He inclined his head and turned away. She watched him walk away, disappointment settling inside her as her shoulders sagged. The evening that had started out with such promise was turning to ashes around her.

She had her answer. She was going home.

* * *

Andor walked to his study, resisting the urge to turn back and look at her walking away from him. It was hard enough letting it happen, he did not need to watch it too. He slung his jacket across his desk, and dragged his hand through his hair. Should he have spoken up? Should he have asked her to stay? He wanted her here, but only if it was her choice.

He threw himself in his chair, and rested his chin on his hands. Of course she wanted to go home now that Kevin was no longer a problem. Her life had been disrupted enough without him making demands on her.

He blew out a frustrated breath. Had he read more into their relationship than was there? This was all so new to him. He had never had to court a woman before. He was used to taking what he wanted, but with her he could not do that. Being with him had to be her choice, and he did not want to make a misstep and drive her away.

There was a knock on his study door, and he raised his head. Had she changed her mind and decided to stay?

That hope was dashed when Rickman walked inside. “I just wanted to ask if there is anything you need or if I can be off duty now.”

“Lyssa is packing her things and will need to be taken home.” Andor folded his hands on top of his desk . He would not say anything more about it. Lyssa was leaving and that was all there was to it.

“She’s not staying?”

“She has decided that she wants to go home. It is natural that she would want to be in familiar surroundings now that she is safe. Kevin is no longer a danger, the cleaning crew has been through her home and there is no longer any evidence that he broke in. There is no reason for her not to go home.”

He had hoped that she would stay longer, but that was not the case. He would find a way to make it work. She would not be as accessible in her home, but he could still see her. He knew where she lived and where she worked. He could go see her anytime he wanted.

“What did you do? How could you fuck this up? You only have a little over a month until the Hunter’s Moon, and you don’t have time to screw around. It is going to be a lot harder to let her get her to know the real you if she isn’t here.”

“I did not do anything to fuck it up. Kevin is no longer a problem and she wants to go home. I shall see her again." That was certainly true, but time was an issue. He could not afford to let things go at their current pace, but what choice did he have? He could not rush her, it might drive her away and he would never get to fall in love with him.

“Do you want her to leave?” Rickman crossed his arms over his chest, and seemed to take root in the spot where he was standing.

Andor glared at him. Why would he not let this go and just do what he was told? It was hard enough knowing that in a very short time she would be walking out the door without Rickman harping on it.

“Of course not, but I can hardly force her to stay if she does not want to.”

“Did you ask her to stay?”

“I told her when she first came here that she could stay as long as she likes.” Was that not the same thing?

“So you didn’t specifically say to her that you want her to stay. Why not?”

“It has to be her choice. I made the offer of my home for as long as she needs it, and she no longer has the need to stay here.” He stared at his minion, willing him to shut up and walk away. He did not need Rickman picking over this like carrion over a dead animal.

“Are all dragons this dumb when it comes to women?” Rickman rolled his eyes as he leaned his hip against the front of Andor’s desk. Andor curled his lip at him. His minion was treading on thin ice. “Look, I know that you are used to grabbing what you want, but you need to be smarter about this. Telling her she can stay as long as she wants is not the same thing as asking her to stay. She’s not a mind reader. Now that things are resolved with Kevin, your situation has changed. If you want her to stay, you need to ask her.”

Was it really that simple? Just ask her to stay? A strange feeling went through him, one he had never felt before. For the first time ever, he felt unsure of himself. He had never before been a position to have to ask for what he wanted.

“What if she says no?” He voiced the hesitation going through his head, and he expected Rickman to laugh at him. His minion had never seen him so vulnerable, and he hated it. But this was important, she was important and he needed help. Rickman understood modern women and he was the only one he could seek help from on this.

“Then at least you’ll know. If you don’t ask, she’s going to leave. But if you talk to her, tell her that you want her to stay, there’s a chance that she will agree. Talk to her.”

Rickman was right. Hiding here in his office, letting his fear of being vulnerable to her would not get him what he wanted. He stood and shrugged his shoulders back to ease the tension that tightened his muscles. He could do this.

“Thank you, Rickman.” He didn’t wait for his minion’s reply as he strode out of his study.

The further he went up the stairs the more his confidence grew. She only wanted to go home because he had offered her no alternative. Once he made it clear that he wanted her to stay, she would say yes. He may not know much about modern women, but she was putting out signals that there was more to what she felt for him than gratitude.

He came to her bedroom door, which she had left open. She was slowly folding her clothes and putting them into her bag. She turned to him with a gasp when he stepped inside her bedroom. She held a shirt in her hand and she smiled when he stepped up to her.

“I’ll be ready in a minute.” He said nothing as he took the piece of clothing from her hand and tossed it aside. “What are you doing?”

The smile fell from her face, and Andor took both her hands in his.

“You don’t need to leave this minute.” That was rather pathetic start, but he was warming up to this. The confidence that carried him up the stairs faded as soon as he stood in front of her. There was so much pressure to get this right. If he did not, she would be walking away from his home and perhaps out of his life. He had to say the right thing and unfortunately he did not have a script to guide him.

“I know, but I don’t want to impose on you any longer. You’ve been so generous already. Now that Kevin is no longer a danger to me, there really isn’t any reason for me to stay.” A funny looked crossed her face as she looked into his eyes. It was now or never. He needed to tell her what was going through his head.

“I want to spend more time with you, now that our only focus is on each other. There is something between us, surely you can feel it. You can leave if you want to and if that is your choice, I will not stand in your way. I am asking if you will stay here with me. Not because you need a place to hide, but because you feel what is between us."

There. He’d said it. Now all he had to do was wait for her answer. Her face softened, and she pulled her hands out of his. His heart picked up its pace. This was it, she was going to say that she didn’t feel the same and that she wanted to go home. He braced himself for it, but she surprised him by putting her hand on his cheek.

He took it and pressed a kiss to her palm. It was an encouraging sign when she didn’t pull away.

“There is something between us and I feel it too. I’ll stay for as long as you want me to.”

Relief flooded him. She felt what he did and she wanted to stay. He pulled her to him and he held her close.

“You cannot know how happy it makes me to hear you say that.” He eased back and looked at her. She looped her arms around his neck.

“I think I have a good idea, if it is the same happiness that is inside me. Now can you kiss me please?”

Andor gave a little laugh as he dipped his head and did as she asked.