More Than Luck

By: Kadi

Rated: M

Chapter 11

Tuesday, New Years Eve, arrived bright and sunny. The temperatures for the day were in the low 80s, reaching a high of 82 instead of the forecasted 80 degree cap. Rusty watched Sharon move through the day, preparing for the evening's party. When Buzz arrived, a little after six, he and the other man sat down at the table for a game of chess. "Why does it take all day to get ready for a party?"

"I've learned it's better to not ask," Buzz told him. "The answer is usually a little more confusing than the question." He shook his head as he moved his first pawn.

Sanchez showed up a few minutes later. "I brought the movies." He joined the other two at the table, tilted his head at the game in progress. "That's not what you're going to do all night, right?"

"No." Buzz waved a hand toward the kitchen. "I brought the food. I was keeping him occupied."

"Good." Julio looked around. "I didn't see Flynn's car. Where's the Captain?"

"Still getting ready." Rusty wrinkled his nose. "She disappeared hours ago."

"Female routines baffle him," Buzz supplied with a slight grin.

"With good reason." Sanchez walked into the kitchen to inspect the food situation. "Did you remember to get the pot stickers?"

"Yes, and the cashew chicken, and those little spring rolls you like so much." Buzz rolled his eyes. "I'm well equipped with picking up food orders for my coworkers."

"Yeah." Julio grinned. "We'll keep you." He opened a soda and moved over to rejoin them.

There was another knock at the door and Rusty glanced up. "That has to be Lieutenant Flynn."

"Yeah, I'll get it." Julio walked over and let the other man in. "Nice," he shrugged at the other man's attire. "But honestly, sir, you didn't have to get dressed up on my account."

"Funny." Flynn walked in. "Very funny." He looked around. "Where is she?"

"Still getting ready," Buzz and Rusty intoned together.

"Ah." Flynn moved his hands into his pockets and walked over to join them, trailing after Sanchez. "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

"If you don't know, I might be the wrong person to ask," Rusty smirked at him.

"Rusty." Buzz shook his head at him.

"We've got movies, food," Sanchez shrugged. "It's going to be a guys night. The boy needs a positive male role model." He paused, grinned. "Buzz is going to chaperone and make sure I don't corrupt him too much."

"Why do I have to be the chaperone," the film tech asked. When three pairs of eyes gave him knowing, and slightly incredulous looks, he sighed. "Right. Never mind."

"What movies did you bring, anyway?" Rusty leaned over and pulled the bag to him. "Fast and Furious 6, Scream, The Strangers, The Italian Job, and Vacancy…"

"Julio!" Buzz reached for the movies. "Except for two of these, they're all horror movies. I thought you were going to bring action movies, and a comedy."

Sanchez shrugged. "The Italian Job was funny. Think of the others as… educational. The kid needs to learn how to out-think creepy stalker dudes."

"The best way to do that is with horror movies?" Buzz did not look sold on the idea.

"Yeah," Sanchez said. "At least until he turns eighteen and the Captain let's us start taking him to the range."

"Never going to happen, Detective." Sharon swept into the outer rooms, a black clutch in one hand, a thin red drape held in the other. "Rusty, don't even entertain the thought."

Everyone turned and stared. Thin red straps held the gown in place, with its halter style, scoop bodice. It was the deep, bold crimson that set off her pale complexion and the red and gold lights in her hair. The material draped over her breasts, giving a hint of cleavage but nothing she would find unduly revealing. Then it hugged her waist and hips before falling in soft, flowing lines to the floor. She had left her hair down, as was her preference, but had it drawn over one shoulder.

She smiled at Andy, dressed sharply in his dark, suit. The man could wear a suit well, that was for sure. This one, simple black suit with a white shirt and red tie… fit him well indeed. Hugo Boss, if she didn't miss her guess. It fit him well and she would tell him as much as soon as they were without the current audience.

Rusty's jaw had dropped open. "Holy…"

"Yeah," Buzz agreed.

"Ma'am." Julio blinked a few times.

Andy was still speechless. Jewels sparkled at her ears and wrist, and there was a simple, solitaire pendant on a thin chain around her neck. It was all very simple, and yet, he had to remember to breathe to keep from embarrassing himself in front of the guys. The only word that seemed capable of leaving him was, "Wow." That seemed to sum it up for them all, since the other three were nodding.

"Oh…" Not prepared for that reaction, least of all from the others, Sharon turned and walked into the living room where she left her phone charging.

When he saw that the back of the gown fell to almost her middle back, Andy almost groaned out loud. She was killing him. He just wondered if she had done it on purpose.

"You know, sir," Sanchez shrugged. "If you'd rather skip the entire thing, you can stay here with Rusty. I wouldn't mind keeping an eye—"

Flynn glared at him. "I couldn't possibly let you miss out on your guy's night."

"Of course not, sir." Sanchez flashed a small smirk.

Since they seemed to have gotten over it, Sharon returned, phone in hand. "Rusty, I'll have my cell. I know Buzz brought takeout, but if you all get hungry again later, there's cash for pizza or whatever in the usual spot. Thank you both again," she told the two men, "for changing your plans for tonight."

"It wasn't a problem, ma'am," Buzz smiled. "We're glad to do it."

"Yeah." Sanchez grinned. His eyes sparkled when Flynn's glare darkened. "It wasn't a problem, Captain. Enjoy your evening, we've got the kid."

"Yeah, two babysitters," Rusty smiled at her. "I'm well taken care of."

"Be good," She pointed a finger at him. "Have fun."

"I could say the same," he quipped.

They watched the couple leave and Sanchez looked at Buzz. "Does anyone here think they're getting home before breakfast?"

"Nope." Buzz suppressed a smile.

"Not a chance." Rusty leaned his chin in his hand and took down Buzz's knight.

Flynn was silent until they made it into the elevator. His hand moved to her back. "Are you trying to kill me?"

Sharon stared straight ahead, fought the smile. "Maybe… just a little. Is it working?"

"Maybe… just a little." He slanted a look down at her.

"Hmm." She clasped her hands in front of her, holding the clutch in both of them. "Good."

He groaned. "Wicked." But his hand slid up her back and his thumb brushed the bare skin between her shoulder blades. He felt the shudder run through her smiled. Andy bent his head to her ear. His lips parted, his voice pitched low. "Wicked… witch…"

She sucked in a breath. "So you keep saying."

"With good reason, I think." He moved his arm around her waist and pulled her to him, turning her against him. Andy brushed a kiss across her lips. "Hi there."

Smiling, Sharon folded herself against him. "Hey…"

"You look amazing tonight." Mindful of the carefully applied makeup, he kissed her again.

"Thank you." His reaction always surprised her. She was aware that she was not an unfortunate looking woman, but the way he responded to her presence did her ego good. Not to mention the not insignificant heat that moved through her each time he touched her, or looked at her the way he was doing now. Sharon smoothed her hands down the lapels of his jacket. "You're looking pretty good yourself. I like this." The gray three-piece suit was still her favorite, but she really liked this one as well.

"I'm hardly a drop in the ocean compared to you." He kissed the top of her head and stepped away when the elevator doors opened. Andy took her hand and drew her with him into the lobby. "I just have one question…just where exactly did you hide your service weapon?"

Sharon hummed. She shrugged, smiled, but said nothing else besides a simple, "Guess you'll have to figure it out, Lieutenant."

They had reservations for dinner at a restaurant not far from the Omni Hotel, where the party was being held, and since parties of this sort didn't really start to become interesting until closer to nine, timing their arrival at just before put them there just in time to miss the early party awkwardness and boredom.

It also meant that Assistant Chief Taylor, who had arrived back in town just in time to read the emails he had been copied on, but not do anything about them, was in prime position to keep an eye out. It wasn't necessarily that he was steaming about being circumvented. Oh no, as a man who had done some professional maneuvering of his own, he could admire that particular handiwork.

While he mingled through the crowd, working his way through brass and the upper echelons of Los Angeles city politics and society, he continuously scanned the crowd. He didn't know the exact moment that they arrived, but he did eventually spot the pair. Taylor worked his way around the room and slipped up behind them. "You reported the lapse in your conduct to the Chief," he spoke quietly enough that it wouldn't carry to the rest of the party crowd.

The response was one he wanted. They both turned surprised looks on him before they were quickly schooled. "Chief." Raydor straightened, chin lifting.

Taylor recognized that move, it was her ready for battle stance. He smiled, not an entirely pleasant expression. "Everything we've been through, Captain, and you do an end run around me while I'm out of town on a family vacation," he stressed the word on purpose. "I'm not just stunned, I'm a little bit hurt."

"I doubt that very much," Sharon tilted her head, her smile was pleasant but lacking in real warmth. "You're only bothered that you didn't get to do the honors yourself, but I promise, I got quite an earful from our boss."

"Good. You probably needed it." Taylor gestured in front of him. "Honestly, Captain, let me go on the record as saying… I wouldn't have cared. Beyond the obvious pitfalls, I'm just surprised that you had it in you really. The maneuvering. That was some excellent work, if I do say so myself." He leaned forward. "I think it bodes well for you… just remember, I'm watching you both."

Flynn watched him leave, lips pursed. "Was that meant to be inspirational or fear inducing. I don't think he quite hit the mark."

"Conspiratorial I think was the theme he was going for." Sharon shrugged. "It's the only avenue we left open for him. We'll have to take it and run with it."

"No arguments from me." Flynn maneuvered her further into the crowd. "Let's go be seen and make the boss happy."

"Oh how fun," she drawled, with more than a little sarcasm.

Lieutenant Provenza took another glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter as he worked his way through the crowd. He had spotted Tao and his wife a little while ago and wanted to join them. The problem was, he kept getting side tracked by people that he knew but didn't want to talk to. The Captain was going to owe him for this one. He was going to see to it that she paid, and paid in full this time. He might just collect a little payment from Flynn too. What were partners for, after all, if not paying their girlfriends' debts.

He was halfway across the room when a familiar voice drew his attention. "Lieutenant, is that you? Oh my goodness, it is you." Pale pink gown and blonde curls bouncing, former Deputy Chief Johnson approached him with a wide smile. "I never would have expected to see you tonight!"

"Chief." He almost choked on his drink. "What…. uh… what are you doing here? I don't think anyone would have caught you at one of these things." Although surprised, he was none-the-less delighted. He endured it when she hugged him.

"Oh, you know," She waved a hand through the air. "It's been a couple of years now. We can let bygones be bygones… besides… Fritzy is still a liaison between the FBI and the LAPD, and most of the District Attorney's office is here tonight, so… here I am, on both accounts. What about you?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he stated, tone drier than usual. "Have you seen the others yet? Tao is here too, with his wife, and Flynn is running around here somewhere… no doubt making a fool out of himself."

"No, I didn't… well, we only got here a little while ago. We went to dinner first, and then traffic…" She laughed. "Now Fritz is off somewhere… oh well, I'll find him eventually. So what about you? Here with anyone special…"

"God no." He shuddered. "It's bad enough being here at all. Let's just say… my new boss… has it coming."

Brenda giggled, took a sip of her wine. "Oh, come on now, Lieutenant. I don't think it can be all that bad." She leaned forward, voice pitched low. "Is she that bad?"

"Yes. She's absolutely impossible," he groused. "But no, not in the way you're thinking. It's been… well, I don't know how to explain it really. Different, I suppose is the correct word. Interesting, certainly. Well, I don't want to give you the completely wrong impression, but let's just say…" He trailed off when he spotted a familiar silver head in the crowd. "Well, why don't you just have a look for yourself." Provenza turned Brenda so that she could see what he was now seeing.

They were talking to Gavin, who was gesturing as wildly as he always did when in the throes of a particularly flamboyant story. Whatever the subject of the story was, they were too far away to hear it. What they had though was good enough line of sight to watch Flynn run his hands from shoulders to wrists of his date before letting them fall to her waist. She leaned back against him, for just a moment, before stepping away and turning slightly in to him. Flynn's hands fell away from her waist, but Sharon loosely clasped the fingers of one hand with his. It was a move that looked so well choreographed that, for just a moment, Provenza thought that if he didn't know better he would be questioning just how long this thing between them had been going on.

"Oh! For heavens sakes!" Brenda's jaw dropped.

"Exactly." Provenza allowed a small, triumphant smile. It didn't last long.

"Why didn't you tell me the Captain was here too! Well, don't just stand there, come on let's go say hello… and oh! That woman! How come no one told me she was datin' Andy."

She was off before he could stop her. "What? No!" That was not the reaction that Provenza was hoping for. Why did no one else, besides him, see the insanity of all this? His shoulders slumped and he was left no choice but to follow her. "Damn."

It wasn't necessarily that he did not want his friend to be happy, nothing could be farther from the truth, and maybe he was just a little bit cynical… but couldn't just one person, one person besides him see the impossibility of the situation? Apparently he was on his own, which meant keeping a closer eye on everything and being ready to pick up the pieces later. Damn them. It was all a lot easier when he didn't particularly care.

He caught up to them as Brenda let Flynn go from a hug. "Captain." He lifted his glass, and glared at her.

"Lieutenant, so glad you could join us." Her tone practically dripped honey. "Are you enjoying yourself."

"Oh sure. Having a blast," he feigned a little cheer. "Rusty?"

"With Buzz and Detective Sanchez," she stated. "I believe they were going to have a guys night. He was looking forward to it."

"Yes, I can imagine. And here we are, having all this fun too." He toasted her. "Thank you so much for thinking of me."

Flynn laughed outright. "Well, we know how you love a good party."

"Hmm…" Sharon smiled. "Think of it as a show of divisional solidarity," she said. "If I had to be here, Lieutenant, then you had to be here with me."

"More like misery loves company," Provenza replied.

"Oh, it's not as bad as all that," Brenda rolled her eyes at him. "Just remind yourself that it could be worse, Lieutenant."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." He paused for effect. "She could have forced me to come as her date."

Sharon laughed. "I thought I had already used that punishment. Oh well, I can always continue saving it for another time."

"That's the spirit." Flynn rocked back on his heels.

"You boys talk amongst yourselves," Brenda took Sharon's arm. "We need drinks. Don't worry, we'll be back…"

As she was pulled away, for no doubt more than just to find drinks, Sharon whimpered quietly and gave Flynn the pleading look she usually reserved for when Tao was on one of his long-winded technological spiels, Rusty was being particularly difficult, or she was otherwise desperate for rescue.

Unable to do anything, he slipped his hands into his pockets and shrugged at her. His look was all apologetic as he turned back to Provenza. Gavin had also moved on, along with his date for the night. "You know the Chief roped her into this thing tonight, right?"

"Oh I know." He smirked. "But I can still give her crap about it. It's expected. I can't disappoint. Look, just because my favorite verbal sparring partner is now your girlfriend, doesn't mean I go easy. At work, outside of work, or anywhere. The Captain and I know where we stand with each other. You keep your little romance out of it."

Flynn snorted. "Fair enough." Far be it for him to get caught in the middle of that weird and complicated situation. "So, how long do I wait before I rescue her."

"Well…" Provenza considered it. "If you want any hope at all of taking her home tonight, and not back to her place… give it exactly two minutes. Two minutes, and then you go and steal her away for a dance. And that is the last I will say on it. Ever."

"Yeah, sure it is." Andy shook his head. "Come on, let's go find Tao and say hello." He glanced at his watch. Two minutes and no more.

Fortunately for the Lieutenant, Agent Howard located his wife well before that two minutes was up. The women had only just found the bar when he swooped in to dance her away. Sharon breathed a sigh of relief at not having to ask all the thousands of questions she had seen, virtually, dancing in the other woman's head. The night wasn't over, however, but she would have to trust in the Agent's ability to keep his wife occupied.

In the meantime, she ordered drinks. Two club sodas, and went back in search of her date. She found him at a table with the other members of their squad. "Agent Howard," she explained at his questioning glance. "Saved by the FBI." Sharon passed the glass into his hand and turned to greet Tao and his wife.

The group chatted, amicably, discussing the holidays and their families, when the topic turned toward the party and their relationship, Flynn decided that the best part of valor would be to separate his date and his partner. He set both their glasses on the table and moved her onto the dance floor.

The music was more trendy than he would have liked, but slow enough that he could maneuver her easily into the fray of swaying bodies. Andy drew her close, one hand at the small of her back while he grasped her other. "Tell me something," he said against her ear. "We had to make an appearance tonight, but I don't remember anything about how long we had to stay…"

"Hmm." She chuckled softly. "What is it, exactly, that you're suggesting, Lieutenant Flynn. Are you insinuating that we should bail on our friends and colleagues."

"I'm not insinuating anything." He pulled her as close as propriety would allow. "I'm saying plainly, let's get the hell out of here while we still can."

"As much as I would love to," the low rumble of his voice against her ear sent electric sparks of heat and excitement curling through her. "We really haven't been here long enough to justify disappearing." Sharon leaned back and smiled up at him. "At least not yet. We should make another round of mingling, and then I promise, we are out of here."

"Then why are we standing here doing nothing," he teased.

"You wanted to dance," she reminded him.

"Oh right." His hand moved up her back, and stopped just shy of the edge of her dress. His fingers itched to touch her again, but he was trying very hard to be good. "Well, I like dancing with you. Maybe we can delay our departure just a few more minutes."

Sharon smiled. "I can deal with that."

"Good." Andy decided the hell with being good, his fingers brushed the bare skin of her back, just once.

"Who is being the wicked one?" She arched a brow at him. "That is not going to get us out of here any faster, Andrew Flynn."

"No?" His fingers continued to gently caress the soft, warm skin. "Damn. Well then, maybe I'll just enjoy this little mingling thing. Make the most out of it."

Laughing, Sharon stepped away from him. "Hands where I can see them, Flynn." She turned and walked toward their table, but not without tossing a look at him over her shoulder.

Andy watched her walk, more saunter, away from him and groaned inwardly. His longer stride easily caught up. "Okay, I'm really bad at being good. But you knew that about me." He slipped his hand around hers and fell in step with her.

Her lips pursed. "Actually, I've come to think of it more as… being very good at being bad."

"Really?" He looked surprised. "Well, I never thought I'd hear that from you. I think we've corrupted you. Welcome to the dark side."

She responded with a low throaty chuckle. "I thought Internal Affairs was the dark side?"

"Different dark side," he quipped. "Ours is better, the boss is prettier."

"Oh god," she made a noise that was half groan, half laugh. "If that makes its way onto a mug, I'm coming after you."

"Well, now that you mention it, it could make a perfect gift for Provenza." His head inclined. "Oh yeah, I'm seeing something in green and yellow."

"I'm beginning to understand a lot more about why he's always so grumpy," Sharon decided. "I think there's a good chunk of it that is all you."

"More than half at least," he grinned widely, looking proud of that fact. "Someone has to keep him on his toes. It's fun. You should know, the other fourth is all yours."

"Only a fourth?" She gave him a small pout. "I should be allowed at least half."

Andy shook his head. "Nah, I've known him longer. We'll have to work you up to more. Don't worry, just follow my lead. When that vein in his forehead starts to pop out, you know you've gotten it just right."

"Ah, but I took his job. Stole it right out from under him, so the story goes. I think that entitles me to half."

"Sorry Sharon, can't do it." He smiled down at her. "But I'm really encouraged that you're so enthusiastic."

"See, they're already arguing," Provenza pointed out to Tao. "It was only a matter of time. What did you do," he wasn't sure which one to direct it at, so he just scowled at both of them.

"Actually we were discussing who gets more custody of keeping you so cheerful and full of joy," Flynn grinned crookedly. "Sharon wants half. I'll give her a fourth, but with the option for a more even split in the future."

"Oh god." Provenza rubbed a hand over his face. "Keep me out of your… whatever it is." He waved a hand at them. "Please, I'm begging you. Please keep me out of it."

Sharon exchanged a look with Andy, both of them smiling. "What about a third?"

"I could live with that." His hand moved to the small of her back as he directed her away from the table, back into the crowd of partygoers.

Tao laughed as he stood up and offered his wife a hand so that he could take her onto the dance floor. "You should have seen this coming. It's been there since day one. Julio owes me fifty bucks."

Provenza snorted into his drink. "It's been there a lot longer than that, my friend. A lot longer."

Tao's wife smiled. The old man could be difficult and down right unpleasant, but she saw through his grumbling. "I think it's sweet. You shouldn't worry so much. I'm sure that everything will work itself out. I'm also sure she'll still let him come out and play with you as long as you two don't get into too much trouble."

Tao steered his wife away then, into the swaying mass of dancing bodies. Provenza huffed. That was not all he was worried about. Mostly, but not all.

It was pushing eleven, just an hour away from the new year, before Andy and Sharon finally made good their escape. Their circuit through the room had opened them up to several conversations, and one of those and included one former Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. Sharon had managed to dodge her by slipping into a crowd of former teammates with PSB, leaving Andy to talk to her and field her questions which had revolved around when and how long along with the incredibly pointed, why had no one told her!

Andy left her quite mollified after several long minutes, at the expense of his own squirming, by explaining it was really new and outside reporting it to superiors, they hadn't told anyone yet. That he had not been dating her one time nemesis behind her back set her right at ease. Even if they had become something which resembled professional allies, perhaps even friends, there was still a fine line to be walked between like and dislike. It was something Andy had never been able to put his finger on, he wasn't sure even they could. In the end, he decided to chalk it up to being as similar as they were different. Sharon and the Chief were two strong, stubborn, and independent women who had clawed their way toward the top of a predominantly male world. There was always going to be a rough edge between them.

When Agent Howard appeared to reclaim his wife, Andy was relieved. Being on the receiving end of one of Brenda Leigh's interrogations was not a pleasant place to be. The move to the District Attorney's office had not diminished her skills in any way. He was also a little sad to see her go. They all had such busy lives, which made it hard to keep in touch.

The feeling only lasted as long as it took for his eyes to scan the crowd and located his date. Andy stood with his hands in his pockets, and his head tilted while he watched her. He might have been jealous, but for the fact that the guy she was dancing with was one Gavin Q. Baker, and even if she wasn't his type, they had been friends far too long for it to have ever been an issue. That and Sharon wasn't a woman whose affections were so easily given. Twenty years of legal separation from a man who didn't deserve to be married to her was more than religious guilt or financial safeguarding.

There was something in the way that she had told him her marriage had been a safety net, and he understood it well. His mistakes and addiction had ended his marriage, but there was a reason he'd only been married the once. There had been a time when he thought that was it for him, and he was certain that Sharon must have believed the same. It was why she had held on so long. The hard, cold outer shell she wore for the rest of the world was hard to get past, but once behind it was a woman who felt deeply and he could see in the glimpses of uncertain she had shown in them that despite whatever she said and the distance she showed to her failed marriage, Jack had hurt her deeply. She may have high expectations, rules and beliefs that she tried to live by and wanted those in her personal sphere to live by as well, but she wasn't unyielding.

Sharon could give, she could meet in the middle, and she would give chance after chance until she called it over on a lost cause. His career was evidence enough of that. She saved his butt enough times. He was wise enough to recognize it. She could, and had been, a right bitch, but old age had matured him enough to see that it was necessary for the hard decisions that needed to be made. She had held on to her marriage and it sliced her deep, some of the wounds which were still not completely healed, and wouldn't be until it was completely over.

Andy found it hard to believe, now, that he had ever liked that man. What he realized now was that Jack was the quintessential con artist, the gambler, the man who could make people see what he wanted them to see and keep them believing it until it was too late. He wondered if that was how Sharon had been drawn in. It would have been the ultimate con for a man like Jack. When he thought back on what he knew of him, had seen of him, it was hard to reconcile the woman he knew ever loving a man like that. For much of the time that he had known Jack, Andy had been a drunk. They both had, and perhaps that was why he had liked him. Having seen for himself, now that he was long sober, that the guy hadn't changed so much and was maybe a little more of a creep, made him sick to think that he had once been like that.

It left him with one thought. Hell of a thing, that she could want to be with him. His partner could be right in that it was insane, he wasn't going to complain. Not when he could look at her, laughing and happy, eyes sparkling and feel that tug inside of him. Especially when she must have felt him watching her, because she looked at him and her eyes softened. That tug became an ache, emotion so strong it was nearly, painfully, uncomfortable. It didn't have a name yet, but it didn't need one, not just yet.

He strode toward them and cut in on the lawyer. His arms moved around her and the ache receded into something more comfortable. They finished that dance, and another, before quietly removing themselves from the party.

As they left the ballroom, Andy slipped his arm around her. When he didn't take them toward the exit to pick up his car from the valet, but instead, turned them toward the elevators, Sharon inclined her head at him. "Another surprise?"

"It's still early," he said. "Unless you're ready to call it a night?" His brows lifted, but there was a playful gleam in his dark eyes.

"Hm." She smiled at him. "No… You've managed to… pique my curiosity." There was a certain thrill of anticipation and anxiety that settled inside her. He was taking her upstairs. Sharon concentrated on her breathing as they stepped into the elevator and he pushed the button for the fifteenth floor. Then he was behind her, and an arm curled around her waist and drew her back against him. She exhaled quietly. His lips were against her ear a second later.

"If you want me to take you home, I can…" Now that she knew where they were going, he was giving her an out. They might have been moving in this direction for months, but he would not press her to move any faster than she was ready. Even if it was driving him slowly insane.

His hand moved across her stomach. She drew a breath and settled back against him. Sharon reached up and covered his hand. It was terrifying, on so many levels, the idea of opening herself up again. "Andy… no, no I'm… good." She leaned her head back against his shoulder, and tilted her head up to touch her lips to his jaw.

Andy's arms tightened around her, holding her more closely. He slipped a hand up to move her hair over her shoulder and bent his head, lips soft against the bare skin of her shoulder. He did little beyond simply hold her while they were in the elevator, and when the doors opened on fifteen, he kept an arm wound around her waist when he stepped out behind her. Andy took the keycard out of his pocket as they walked down the hall. They rounded a bend and moved down a second hall before stopping in front of the door that went with the keycard. Andy let her move into the room ahead of him and followed her at a more leisurely pace.

Sharon was surprised to find them in a small suite. Soft lighting and a wall of large, glass windows. The view of the city was lovely. As she moved to the windows, she saw that a door to her left led to a bedroom and large en suite bathroom. Sharon turned and let her gaze encompass the rest of the room. On a chair in the sitting room were two small bags. She recognized one of them as her own overnight bag. She arched a brow at Andy. "Should I ask how you managed that?"

"Probably not." Andy dropped the keycard on the table by the door and moved into the suite behind her. "There might have been a small conspiracy. Gavin might have been involved."

"Ah." She folded her hands in front of her. "I see. So while I was out of the apartment this afternoon, Gavin came by and did a little maneuvering of his own."

"Could have gone something like that." He gave her a crooked grin. "I decided it was best if I didn't get involved with all of the details."

"Mmm…" She folded her lips together, attempting to suppress a smile. "Even without Gavin's assistance, I see you were feeling awfully confident." Sharon walked slowly toward him. "And Rusty?"

"Isn't an idiot or naive, and he's well taken care of for the night." She stopped in front of him, and his fingers itched to reach for her again. He held steady for the moment, waiting for her reaction. "It wasn't confidence. It was hope."

"Oh," she said softly. Whatever else she was expecting he might say, that wasn't it. She lifted her lips to his and moved her arms around his neck. Heat swept through her when his arms moved around her and drew her flush against him. She gasped when he lifted her. "Careful, we're not sixteen anymore," she mumbled against his mouth.

"Yes. Thank god for that." At sixteen he would have already had her dress off. She was not a woman with whom he had any intention of rushing. They had the rest of the night and he fully intended to take advantage of that.