"So, how did you end up in a library?" Rose asked as they drove down the road toward her apartment.

"It's a bit of a long story," at his pause, Rose waved to encourage him to go for it. "Well, I wasn't born here. I grew up in Russia and ended up coming here after high school to go to college. I originally came here to become a doctor, but while I was in college I realized it wasn't for me. I've always had a passion for helping people, but I hated all of the medical stuff once I got started with anatomy and physiology," Dimitri replied, pausing for a moment to smile over at Rose. "I got my first and only D in that class actually."

Rose snorted and shook her head. "Seriously? I made so many D's and a few F's in my high school, and don't get me started on college. It's cute that you're so studious. But, why would you come here to be a doctor if you weren't into medical stuff?"

Dimitri shrugged a shoulder. "My mama wanted me to be successful. And I wanted to help provide more for my family back in Russia. After that class, my mama talked with me and helped me realize I didn't have to be a doctor to be successful. She wanted me to be happy. I ended up wandering to the library on campus after we talked. It was the first time I'd been in the building," he paused, smiling for a moment, and then continued. "I grew up with books: westerns, primarily. It was odd going into that library. I ended up talking to one of the librarians there, and things just clicked. Libraries are places with books, sure, but they're more than books. I learned by talking to that librarian that libraries are places that help people. After that, I did a lot of research, changed my major to English, and then pursued my Master's degree after my BA. I worked in the public library while working on my first degree and worked my way up. Years later, I ended up as the Director, much to my surprise. The previous director had taken me under her wing and trained me, but I never expected her to retire and recommend me for the job."

Rose realized her mouth was hanging open. She hadn't heard him talk that much at once. He seemed like the quiet, brooding type. His smile lit up his face. He really loved his job and the journey that brought him there. She had so many follow up questions, but she decided to keep it simple in her reply. "Sounds like you ended up in the perfect place. So, you have a Master's degree?"

"Masters of Library Science. That's one of the degrees that make you a librarian."

"Wait, so I'm not a librarian for working in a library?"

Dimitri chuckled and shook his head as he turned onto her street. They were getting so close to her place. Her stomach fluttered at what she wanted to do when they got there. "No, it's a common misconception. Librarian roles typically require the degree, but some libraries are removing that stipulation and making it experience-based as another option. Like a lot of places, libraries are consistently changing. But that's getting in the weeds of things, sorry."

Rose shook her head. "No, you're fine. I'm glad to learn more," she replied. She really liked hearing him talk. He was passionate, and she found it incredibly appealing and interesting. She decided to take the opportunity to flirt. "I am a little disappointed, though. I was hoping to really lean into the whole sexy librarian image."

He laughed and glanced over at her as he pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building and parked. "Roza, you're already sexy. You definitely don't need to throw in stereotypes."

There it was again. Roza. The way the name rolled off his tongue was tantalizing. And now, here he was flirting with her. Rose unbuckled her seat belt and turned in her seat until she faced Dimitri. "Are you sure? Because I'd totally rock a cardigan, and I've been working on my shushing."

Dimitri chuckled and shook his head, his body pivoting to face her. "You know that libraries aren't places that shush people these days, right? At least, not public libraries. My staff are more likely to get shushed by the patrons than they are to shush someone."

Rose laughed at the image of Eddie or Mason getting shushed by an old lady or a kid. "You should tell that to the internet and the media. But that's a shame about the shushing. You'd really pull off the sexy shushing librarian. I'm totally okay with genderbending the usual stereotype."

Dimitri gave her a look that she couldn't quite decipher before clearing his throat. "So, which place is yours?" he asked, gesturing to the apartments before them.

Rose deflated a little. She wished he would have kept up with their flirty banter. She looked toward the apartments. "It's on the other side, but I can walk. It's not easy to get over there without getting back on the main road. Thanks again for dinner and driving me home. I had fun," she replied as she gathered her purse, not meeting his eyes. She suddenly felt awkward.

She was opening her door when she heard Dimitri's door open. She glanced over at him. "What are you doing?"

"Walking you to your door." Rose smiled as she turned and climbed out of the vehicle. Dimitri joined her on the sidewalk, locking the car behind him. "After you."

They were quiet as they made their way between buildings and around to the other side where Rose lived. Rose kept thinking about how she would convince him to give them a shot and was stumped. She couldn't seem to find words for it. Their situation was something wholly new and different. She also had no experience with someone older and more settled in life. She didn't know how to account for that. And she didn't know Dimitri well enough yet to make more of an emotional appeal to him. All she knew is that she wanted to get to know him more and wanted a chance to explore the chemistry they had together. She didn't care that he was her boss's boss. She no longer cared because she wanted to know him more. She wanted her job, sure, but she wanted him too. Ultimately, Rose determined that she was a selfish person and wanted everything.

Rose climbed the steps up to her apartment, her mind a whirlwind. She didn't even realize she'd made it to her door on the third floor until she stood before it. Dimitri hadn't even questioned it and had followed her up. She turned and noticed him standing a couple of steps down, putting them at near eye level for once.

"Well, this is me," Rose said, waving back at the door behind her. Dimitri looked behind her at the number on the door and then back.

"Do you have your key?" Rose nodded, digging in her purse for the keys. She pulled them out, and he gestured toward her door. She fit the key into the lock and turned it enough to crack the door. "I'll let you get inside then. Have a great night Rose."

Dimitri turned to head back down when Rose closed the distance and caught his sleeve. He stopped and turned back around, looking at her. It's now, or never, Rose thought as she cupped his face and pressed her lips to his.

Dimitri made some sort of startled noise and froze against her, lips closed and unyielding. Then, as Rose mentally prepared herself to pull away and never try this again, his lips parted and welcomed her. Their kiss was like the slow burn of a log added to a fire, gentle and slow, opposite from their kisses at the club. Dimitri's hands released their clutch of the railing, one hand moved to rest on her waist while the other came up to tangle itself in her hair.

Lost in the kiss, Rose didn't realize that Dimitri had climbed the steps until his arm around her waist tightened and lifted her, allowing her to stay eye-level. With a small gasp, she released his face and curled her arms around his shoulders and neck to hold on. These movements between the two of them only served to speed up the fire of the kiss. Dimitri tilted Rose's head with the hand he had in her hair and deepened the kiss. They barely pulled apart to breathe in those moments they kissed in the darkness of the stairwell.

When they finally stopped to breathe, Rose opened her eyes to find Dimitri staring at her. "We can't do this," he breathed, but he didn't put Rose back on her feet or put any distance between them. Contrary to his words, he clutched her tighter.

"We can," Rose replied just as quietly.

Dimitri closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "We shouldn't."

"Who says?"

"I'm technically your boss."

"I don't care." Dimitri's eyes reopened to stare at her, perplexed. "I know this is risky, especially since it's a brand new job, but I like you and want to see where this can go." At this, Dimitri finally put her back on her feet. Her arms fell from around his neck and rested on his chest. "Don't you want to know too?"

"What if it ends badly?"

"Then I'll just go find another job. It's not like I'm in some high ranking position. I've found other jobs and I'll do it again if it comes to that. I technically found you before I got the job, so I'd say you rank higher on my priority list right now," Rose replied, surprised at herself a little. After all the wanting of a job, here she was ready to give it up. Well, she wouldn't give it up unless it wasn't working out with Dimitri and things got sour. Dimitri brows furrowed as he started to say something but stopped and just looked at her. Rose grabbed his hand and turned to her cracked open door. "Come on, comrade, let's talk inside."

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay on the new chapter (and that it's shorter). I had a burst of writer's block where I had no idea how to progress the story, but then last night my brain decided to give me a path as I tried to go to sleep. I'm moving into a new apartment soon, so my next chapter may be a little while. We're having to refurnish everything since our move across the country. Stay safe out there! Thanks for reading, as always. I hope you're all enjoying the story.