"She's a big girl. I'm sure she's fine."
Rolling my eyes at Minka's taunting, I walk past the kitchen and down the short hallway to the door keeping me from Darla. I enter silently and walk to the bed. Darla never stirs while I admire her in the moonlight. Breathing softly, Darla grins in her sleep.
I remain next to the bed, watching her like a common stalker. Even knowing I'm being weird, I can't look away. Darla is heavenly when she's relaxed. Tingling with the need to feel her soft skin, my fingers reach out and caress her cheek.
"No," Darla says, jumping up and taking a punch at the air feet away from where the threat stands.
Speaking tenderly, I sit on the edge of the bed. "It's okay. I'm sorry I woke you."
"What's happening?"
"I was staring at you in a creepy way. When that didn't wake you up, I got creepier."
Darla blinks rapidly, her brain transitioning from asleep to awake. "What?"
"I can't relax. Can I sleep in here?" I ask, caressing her jaw. "I'll sleep in the chair or on the floor if you don't want me closer."
"I'm not having sex," she mutters, frowning at me.
"Not even if I sleep in the chair?"
Darla grins grudgingly. "Why can't you relax?"
"I miss you," I murmur, kissing her forehead.
"I said no sex."
"You are so horny, Darla Birmingham," I admonish. "I'm talking about feelings and hearts and flowers crap here. Try to keep up."
Smiling brightly, she sighs. "It's a big bed, but I can't have you touch me while I sleep. I know that sounds weird, but these meds give me vivid dreams. Really weird dreams that make me scared to be touched. It's not personal."
"Do you need the pills?" I ask, crawling onto the bed while kicking off my shoes.
"Yes or else I can't sleep."
"I could help wear you out."
Darla frowns. "Get out of my bed."
Laughing, I kick off my jeans and pull back the top blanket. "You like a lot of covers on you, huh?"
"I get cold."
"From the meds?"
"Maybe."
"I could keep you warm."
"No touching. I'm not kidding, Troy. I don't like being touched when I'm sleeping. If you break that rule, I can't promise I won't rip your balls off in a panicked fit."
Resting on my side, I smile. "You're so beautiful when you threaten me. Do it again."
Darla mutters something under her breath and plops her head on the pillow.
"Leave me alone so that I can sleep," she says. "No touching."
"Can I still stare at you like a creepy stalker?"
"Have at it. Just don't touch me."
"You can stop saying that now."
Darla frowns hard at me, and I know she's assuming I'll touch her the moment she's asleep. I only grin at her while she dozes off. As much as I want to touch her warm skin, I keep my hands to myself.
Darla doesn't though.
Ten minutes after she's asleep, the sexy blonde with touching issues rolls over and clings to me like we're attached by super glue. I wait for her to wake up and scold me, but she never does. Sound asleep, she never moves again.
This need is what Minka and I lacked. I'm only truly relaxed when Darla is nearby. I crave her smiles. I even enjoy her frowns. I need her to react to things rather than simply exist. The more Darla fights her way out of the darkness, the sooner she'll be in my arms for good.
31
~~~
Darla
Don't Do Him Wrong
I can't help smiling when I wake up next to Troy. Shirtless and wearing only boxers, he's an Adonis stretched out in bed. I admire all his hard flesh, fighting the urge to touch what is displayed before me. I wipe the morning gunk from my eyes and slide out of bed to use the bathroom. Troy is still sleeping when I return.
I dress in black slacks, a matching black shirt, and red socks. Looking ready for a day out with the girls, I shuffle into the kitchen where Minka stretches.
"Did you sleep well?" she asks.
"Yes."
"Did Troy hog the bed?"
Studying her, I shake my head. Minka looks lean and deadly even after a long night of staring at cameras.
"I'm thinking about working out before I head home. Want to join me?"
"Do I have to exercise?"
"No," she says, gesturing for me to follow her.
I slide my sandals over my socks and walk out into the hallway. Even at eight in the morning when the building is quiet, Minka remains on alert. Her right hand lingers near her gun while her left presses the elevator button. We ride down in silence and without incident.
"Do you really think they'll attack us in the building?" I ask once we're in the gym, and Minka shoves a chair against the door.
"It's what I'd do at this point. If I wanted a target to come out in the open, I'd start a fire." Minka says, walking on the treadmill. "I might even set off the alarm then wait for my targets to emerge for their safe place. Of course, they don't want to kill you. Much trickier but the idea is the same. They need to get you out of the apartment."
"The guy from yesterday is dead."
"Yes. Locke is working with someone who's a front for Saskia. We're getting bank info so that Troy can pull his move."