Nari kept to his side, having abandoned her umbrella in the car.

Now wasn’t the time for caution. They were way past that point. Roscoe ran up, shaking his fur wildly by the door. Angus swiped his card across the reader at the main door and drew her inside to the elevator, which was already open.

Roscoe padded inside behind them, his ears perked as if something was happening but he didn’t know what. Angus pressed the button for the third floor, keeping her hand. What if she changed her mind? He’d say goodbye and wish her well.

“I’ve never been to your apartment.” She kept her focus straight ahead at the closed door and her voice trembled slightly.

The woman should be wary. “It’s not much.” He’d slept at the office as often as he had the apartment, and he kept dog food at both places. They ascended to the third floor, and Roscoe bounded out, running to the right. Angus led Nari in the same direction, quickly unlocking his door and pulling her inside, then locking it behind her. “Stay here, please.” Finally he released her hand, and his felt empty. Bereft. He switched on lights in the spartan living room and kitchen, briefly dodging into the bedroom and one bathroom to make sure all was clear. Then he returned. “We’re good.”

She leaned against his door, her eyes a soft topaz and her shoulders back. “You always search your apartment when you get home?”

“Yeah. Don’t you?” he asked, not stopping until he reached her.

“No,” she whispered, her gaze running over his face. “I’m not that paranoid.”

He brushed wet hair from the shoulder of her leather jacket, finally giving himself permission to touch her. “It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.” He knew the line was a joke, but in his case it was true. Slowly, keeping her attention, he drew down her jacket zipper.

Her breath whooshed out, and the sound barreled through him to land in his groin. He’d wanted her from the first second she’d walked into the office and demanded a space of her own. She was always so put together and sure of herself, the temptation to muss her up had made his hands ache on more than one occasion. More than that, he wanted her safe. “I won’t hurt you, Nari.” The words came from someplace inside him he’d long forgotten.

She didn’t answer, no doubt understanding a hell of a lot more about pretty much everything than he did. Instead, she reached up and tunneled both hands through his hair, sending water droplets scattering to the fake wood floor. Pleasure bloomed a light peach across her face, as if she’d been granted a treat she hadn’t expected.