The Dark Places

the most intimate parts of her body, and she dared not move.
Parker was eyeing her delicate neck and imagined pulling her head back and covering it with soft kisses. He could see that her breathing had become shallow as her breasts rose and fell beneath the thin material of her shirt. One look in her smouldering emerald eyes and he knew she felt the same.
“We should go,” she said breathlessly, and stood. Parker followed her out the door and into his car.
“I’ll drop you home. We can pick up on this in the morning,” he stated, not risking a look in her direction.
The drive to Surin’s was silent. The air was palpable, and both of them could feel the tension growing. Parker pulled up out front, Surin paused before opening the door and looked over to him.
He could see the unbridled desire in her eyes. They both got out without a word and walked up to her door. Surin fumbled with the keys, all the while Parker stood behind her, and she could physically feel the heat between them. Finally, opening the door, they entered. Parker shut the door behind him, not reaching for the light switch. Surin stood there, her back towards him, knowing that this was going to be a huge mistake.
“Surin,” he said. She turned and looked at him. The first man she had let into her life in any way since Grayson had crippled her.
“Parker, this is not a good idea,” she said shakily, knowing it was already too late.
“I know,” he replied and reached out for her. His hand found the back of her head, and their lips met in a slow, deep kiss. He explored her mouth with his tongue, sending delightful jolts of pleasure down her spine.
“Mmm,” she moaned into his mouth, and with that, slow, became frenzied. He took the kisses deeper as his hands moved down to her breasts, he reached into her top, pushed up her bra and cupped one breast in his firm hands. “God, yes,” she purred.
Immediately he stopped and reluctantly pulled back. Parker looked at her; she was staring at him questioningly, her pupils dilated, breathing unsteady.
“Stop, seriously,” he groaned. “We can’t do this.” Surin’s face was all mottled and gorgeous from his stubble. Her gaze dropped to the floor in embarrassment, and she sighed.
“I know,” she said unwillingly, running her hands through her hair. She found the couch and sat down, adjusting her top and pulling her legs underneath her.
They sat together on the sofa of Surin’s apartment in silence, Parker gently stroking Surin’s hand as her head lay back on the cushions, her eyes closed.
“Thank you,” she finally said, still not moving.
“What for?” Parker asked, shifting his body to face her.
“Stopping, I mean, in the heat of the moment, it’s not easy, it’s just, well, it’s been a long time for me and…”
“Hey, it’s OK,” he added, sitting up as she finally opened her eyes and looked at him.
“This can’t happen again,” she whispered, feeling tears build in her eyes. “We can’t work with this going on between us, Parker, it will distract us, cloud our judgement,” she continued. “There are reasons why it’s not allowed.”
Parker put his knuckle under her chin, lifted her face and looked deep into her eyes. “I know.” He smiled sadly.
“If it didn’t work, or something went wrong…” She paused. “I don’t want to risk our partnership on anything, do you understand?” she added imploringly.
“It’s OK, you’re right,” he replied, feeling a swell of emotion. “It won’t ever happen again.” He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. The tenderness of it nearly broke her heart.
“I’d better be going,” he said quietly and slipped his hand out from hers.
She watched him get his coat, his strong, lean body moving gracefully across her apartment.
“You can stay the night in the guest room.” She looked at him. “You have before,” she added.
“Yes, that was before I was aware of what was under your work clothes.” He grinned.
“Are we going to be OK?” she asked hopefully.
“Surin, we’re grown adults in a stressful job. Let’s think of it as a one-night-only tension releaser.” He smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning at seven; we have a lot to do.”
He left without another word, closing the door behind him. Surin laid back down on the couch and let a river of silent tears fall for something she now knew would never be.
Parker stood with his back pressed up against her front door and let out a long sigh. He knew it had been a mistake the minute she had walked into that bar, but he also knew it was one he would make over and over again if he were given the chance to go back. This is the end of these thoughts, he said to himself, trying to banish the image of her beautiful face. He would not let anything, including his own stupid feelings, compromise their partnership. With that, he shook his head, picked up his shoes and jacket and walked to his car, too preoccupied with himself to notice a beat-up Pulsar parked silently across the street.
***
Madison watched Parker as he left. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. Well, well, she thought. That explained a few things, and she smiled as the rejection she had felt earlier slowly dissipated. Not exactly professional on their behalf, but she could hardly blame Surin. Now, she just had to wait and watch, and if she was anything, it was patient. Eventually, one way or another, they would lead her to something, and she will bust this whole damn story wide open.

16
Parker was already at his desk when Surin arrived the following morning. He looked up and smiled at her as she entered. She was dressed in