Chapter 37
He circled the block 5 times. He was early. She couldn't help smiling every time she watched him check the display on his dash and make another pass by. When she couldn't take it any more she ran out the door, trying to make it look as though she had to get something from her car, just as he pulled around again.
He idled, waited for her to dig for whatever it was she needed. It occurred to her as she dug that a mint wouldn't be the worst idea ever, she was sure she had some in the glove compartment. She pushed aside napkins, gloves, a map and her stomach flopped as a wrapped condom-stashed more than a year ago when she was dating Hank-fell to the floor. She threw it back in quickly and found her little tin of Altoids. Curiously strong…well, strength is strength right? (And curiosity killed the…best not to think about curiosity just now.)
He got out of his car and walked around to meet her. "Do you need to go back up or are you ready?"
"I'm good. Let's go." He opened her door; she took a deep breath and got in. Watching him walk around to climb in beside her she felt a calm begin to spread through her. He could kiss her. He could kiss her for days and she'd be just fine.
He told her where they were going, not because she asked but because it was something to say. It was a small bar, it looked like nothing much but had the best food in the city. The owner, Grady, served breakfast round the clock, and the burgers were the best in Vegas, only nobody knew it.
"Burgers? Have you forgotten something Gris?"
"Tofu burgers AND veggie burgers, and I asked around, everyone says he's the master with them."
She grinned into the darkness. He'd really put some thought into this.
He hadn't lied when he told her it didn't look like much. It looked like someplace she'd be dusting for prints. Inside was small, very dark, a long bar in front with some patrons who looked as if they were permanent fixtures. As they walked past Grissom planted his hand in the small of her back, placing himself between her and the men on the stools who eyed her with blurry lust.
As the bar curved to an end three tiny booths with cracked red plastic seats jutted out to fill the tiny space. He directed her to the furthest booth, where they would be shielded from view of anyone in the place and took a seat across from her.
She looked around warily, "This is some place, did you find it while you were working?"
"No, and trust me."
Her eyes softened when she returned his gaze, "I do."
He asked about yoga, she told him stories about her past attempts with it. One topic flowed gracefully to the next. The food was, as he'd promised, beyond amazing and Grady felt like an old friend from the moment he'd shown up at the side of the table.
At least three times during the meal she found herself laughing so loud that she turned to see if they were disturbing the bar flies. She didn't think about anything, she just sat, and talked and laughed and yeah, loved the man across the table.
Grissom couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was easy. It kept coming up in his mind. Not easy as in slutty, but easy, comfortable, genuine. She was lit from inside and sharing herself with him without censor. He felt compelled to do the same, as much as he could.
The conversation stayed light, never straying toward her family or his ex-relationship. Work barely got an honorable mention.
Far too soon he looked at his watch and sighed. "I hate to say it honey, but I have to get to work, and you have to get to bed."
Their hands were close on the table, each wrapped around a coffee cup, hers decaf, his black and strong. She reached a finger out and lightly caressed the back of his hand. He smiled, pulled some money out of his wallet, took her hand and led her to the car.
On the ride back they talked more about work, he was gearing up for his day, she was coming down from being alone with him. He parked in front of her apartment and hopped out before she could get her seatbelt undone. He opened the car door and then walked her up to the building.
"Chivalry is not dead, apparently." She mused. The butterflies were back.
"Not if I can help it." A beat. "Have I told you that you look beautiful tonight?"
She shook her head, he hadn't.
He leaned in, whispered in her ear, "Tonight and every night, you're radiant."
And then his lips were on her cheek, his beard softly tickling her jaw. His hand slipped through her hair and before she could catch her breath he was kissing her. A perfect, soft, sweet, gentle first kiss that weakened her knees and quickened his pulse.
She leaned forward after they broke apart, resting against him. His arms circled her and Sara found the safety in that moment that she thought she had lost forever. "Sleep well sweetheart, I'll see you in the morning."
She backed up; he waited while she unlocked her door. As he walked away she stage whispered so as not to wake the neighbors, "Gris, be careful tonight. I'm not losing you now that I've finally got you."