When I Look Into Your Eyes

Replete and satisfied from a long bath and gourmet meal, Ashley leaned back on the couch in Dave Rossi's suite and closed her eyes. From the moment he had swept her into his luxurious hotel room and told her to sit down, she hadn't had a chance to do much - other than to let him know it wasn't necessary to fuss and that she was capable of taking care of herself.

He had pressed his finger to her lips and told her to hush and that as far as she was concerned, he had made a promise to the Chief to take care of her and that was what he was going to do. Letting out a sigh, she stood back and let him keep his promise.

Now she was wrapped in an expensive robe and tucked into the corner of the most comfortable couch she had ever sat on while the fire roared and soft music played in the distance.

"What are you thinking?" Dave inquired. His voice cut thru the ambience.

"About…nothing," Ashley admitted truthfully. "I am still a bit overwhelmed by…everything."

Dave sipped his scotch and nodded. "That is understandable. So, are you ready to talk?" he asked carefully.

Ashley bit her lip. "Talk about what?"

"About what happened today."

"Are you going to interrogate me?" she teased lightly.

"No." He set the glass down and picked up his cigar and took a puff. "I just want to know what happened and how you got put in that predicament," he replied. He exhaled the smoke and let the pungent aroma fill the room.

Ashley ducked her head. "It was a wrong place wrong time, kind of thing. I was in town for the weekend and I decided to go shopping. As I was coming out of the store, I had the bags on my arms and the keys in my hand." She brushed the hair out of her eyes and continued. "I had just unlocked the trunk when I felt something tug on my purse strap."

She reached over and picked up the glass of scotch. Brining it to her lips, she sipped the potent, amber liquid. A fiery sensation coursed thru her body. Relaxed, she continued.

"Instinct took over and I defended myself. The butt of my palm against one of the perp's nose and an elbow in the solar plexus and a well placed kick to the other and it was over in an instant."

"So, how did you lose your car?" Dave asked.

"The third guy must have swiped them from my hand while I was distracted," Ashley admitted with a flush. "At least he didn't get my purse with my ID and service weapon, so…it's all good." She sipped more of the scotch as she nervously waited for Dave to say something.

"What were you doing in New York City?" Dave wondered.

"I was on holiday."

Dave raised his eyebrow. "In New York? The Pocono's is a vacation. The Grand Canyon is a vacation. The largest city in America, so you can do some shopping, is not a vacation."

"I had my reasons," Ashley murmured and set the glass on the coffee table. She had been mugged, defended herself, held off two perps until the police arrived, and sat in a station in torn clothes, but she never felt as vulnerable until that moment.

Dave watched Ashley's body language and noticed how she suddenly pulled into herself. She had been thru hell and from the moment he got the call, he had taken it upon himself to protect her. He was pretty sure he knew why she had been in New York, but he wanted to hear it from her. He needed to have her say it, so he could.

"You don't have family out here, so I'm intrigued why you would want to come up here," he went on.

Ashley stood up and began rubbing her hands anxiously. "I…it's a long story. And you don't want to hear my reasons for not thinking this thing thru."

"What do you mean?" Dave asked softly.

Ashley shook her head sadly. "It's just like me to jump feet first into something without thinking a plan thru." She began pacing the length of the carpet in front of the fireplace. "I had this…idea of…I don't know - maybe making an impression." She laughed sarcastically. "At least I succeeded in the impression department."

"You did this for a guy?" Dave chided with a lilt in his voice.

Ashley shot him a look. "Would you be more or less surprised if I said I did this for a woman?" she shot back.

"Point made and taken," Dave grinned broadly. He was throwing her off her game and he was relishing in it. "So who is he? Anyone I know?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does…to you."

"It was a stupid plan…and it wasn't going to work. At least I gave it a try," she groused with a heartfelt sigh.

"What do you mean?"

"The best laid plans of mice and men…looks like I got trapped in my own device." Ashley stopped pacing. "Um…thanks for the room and dinner; I think I'm going to turn in. I have a long day tomorrow." She started toward the far bedroom.

Immediately, Dave on his feet. "Ash, stop!" Reaching out, he grabbed her arm to turn her toward him. "You can't go."

Ashley tensed up at his touch, but she didn't fight him. "Why?" she challenged.

"Because you haven't answered my question." Dave bided his time as he watched her look everywhere but at him. "Who did you come out to New York for?"

Ashley licked her lips. "Ummm…someone…no one," she stammered.

Dave smiled as his eyes softened. "Is it possible that that 'someone…no one' is me?" he wondered and took delight as Ashley's mouth dropped open in surprise.