Dempsey drove the car into the gateway to her house. He got out, walked around the car and opened the passenger door. Harry looked at him and tried to get out but she staggered. Carefully, he grabbed her arm and helped her to get out. At the end of the stairs, she stopped. She turned around and leaned back against the door.
„You want to come in?", she asked carefully.
"Is this a good idea?"
Now or never, she thought and leaned over to him.
„A bottle of champagne is waiting in the fridge", she whispered and brushed his ear with her lips.
She felt him shiver and gave him the keys to open the door. He unlocked the door and led her inside.
„You won't regret it, Lieutenant", she said smugly.
Harry switched the lights on and led him into the living room. Dempsey sat on the sofa while she stumbled to the kitchen. After several minutes she came back and gave him the bottle of champagne.
„You should really eat something, Harry."
„Don't tell me, what to do. You better open the bottle", she said while putting the glasses on the table.
Dempsey opened the bottle and handed her a full glass.
„Okay, here we are. What is it, what you really want from me, Dempsey? Now I want you to be honest. Same rules for all", she giggled.
The alcohol made her feeling indifferent and she had to risk everything.
„I told you the truth, Harry. You're the reason why I'm still in London. I asked Spikings to stay and here I am. Why do you act so weird?" he asked anxiously.
Harry had mood swings. Somehow she felt elated and happy and on the other hand she was sad and could burst out into tears. She felt terribly attracted to him. If only she had the courage to take the first step. She cuddled on the sofa and looked at him seriously. His eyes sparkled at her.
"You are so quiet, Lieutenant. A penny for your thoughts."
"I thought that you're really beautiful, when you are drunk", he said and smiled.
"Was that a compliment? Do you think, I'm attractive?", she asked slyly.
„You're very hot and you look stunning and I think it's better for me to go home", he said suddenly insecure.
„Please, don't go, James. Who's runnig now? Let's have a nice evening", she begged.
"I don't want you to regret something, princess. We have both been drinking and it's better for you when I'm gone.
You're a closed book to me, ya know? I can't assess the situation and I will not exploit ya", he said with a smile on his lips.
He gently stroked a strand of hair from her face. Her deep blue eyes were shining and she ran her tongue over her lips to rewet them. Than she leaned in to him and took a small sip from her glass. She came that close that their lips almost touched. He could smell the champagne and her beguiling perfume.
"I will have no regrets, Lieutenant", she whispered and gently stroked his cheek.
"Why have you rejected me again and again, Harry? What's different now?"
"Why do you ask so much? This is exhausting. I can not always run away. Sometime it is too late", she sighed.
„Do you think we can be more than colleagues?"
"Another question… you make me mad, Dempsey. It is, what it is and it is how it is. We have to work this out and maybe we are both willing to try. I just can not pretend that I'm feeling nothing and I can not pretend anymore that I don't care. You mean a lot to me and I will not deny it anymore", she said honestly.
„Do you remember, when I thought Coltrane killed you? I would have shot that bloody bastard, because I was so damn hurt. In those days, I realized how much I care for you and what you mean to me. I overreacted after you quit because I was scared losing you. I guess we both know, what that means? In addition, we are not getting any younger", he said and winked.
„That's right, you should hurry up to take your chance", she joked and felt more and more relaxed.
At that moment the phone rang.
„Let it ring", he said shortly.
„It could be important. I'll be back in a few minutes. Do not forget where we stopped."
With theses words she stood up and went into the hall.
