Chapter 53:

"Don't," Sharon said shortly.

Flynn frowned, not sure he understood. "Don't what?"

She looked at him and bit her bottom lip. She knew that once she'd said those words there was no turning back, but she didn't want to go any other way. Staying away from Flynn wasn't an option for her by now. She didn't think she could handle being around him at work all day without the thought of being in his arms in the evening.

"Don't let me go ever again," she said, and they both took a step forward at the same time, flinging themselves into each other's arms. Flynn bent his head down and brought his lips to hers. The familiar rush he got every time their lips touched flooded his body as he held her tight with his arms around her waist. There was a lot of passion in this kiss after being separated, and just as much relief.

Sharon held him just as tight, her soul yearning to merge with his soul, her body to become one with his. Flynn seemed to have felt the same. His lips wandered away from her mouth and traveled down to her neck. Sharon tilted her head back and savored the sensation of being so desperately desired once again. She felt his hands moving down her back and coming to a halt on her backside, but then she moved back and out of his grip.

"We can't… I have to go home soon," she apologized.

"Oh, right, your mother is cooking us all dinner. What's that all about?"

"I don't know, just a crazy idea of hers," she sighed.

"Can you stay a little?"

"Maybe for coffee," Sharon smiled and they went to the kitchen. She took two cups from a cabinet and placed them on the counter, while Flynn stood behind her with his arms encircling her and his chin resting on her right shoulder.

"I can't move," she chuckled and he smiled, but didnt move.

"Can't we just stand like that for twenty minutes instead of wasting that time on drinking coffee?" he placed a gentle kiss on her neck and Sharon flinched.

"You're tickling me," she giggled and he couldn't help but laugh too. They were too occupied to hear the front door opening and the footsteps coming their way.

"Oh, my god!" someone yelled behind them and they both startled and turned around quickly.

Provenza was standing on the threshold, looking completely terrified. Sharon put her hand over her mouth as her biggest fear was coming true - someone found out about them.

"My eyes are bleeding!" he said when he talked again. "What the hell, Andy?"

"What are you doing, letting yourself in?!" Flynn asked angrily and Sharon touched his arm to calm him.

"I was worried, you seemed off lately! But you're right. NEVER again," Provenza showed him the spare key he was holding, and then dropped it on the table, eager to get rid of it as if it was red hot. He turned around and walked back to the door.

"You have to talk to him!" Sharon whispered and tried to get Flynn to walk by pushing him, although it didn't have much effect on him since he was taller and stronger.

"Okay, okay," he rolled his eyes and ran after Provenza, who had already opened the door. "Wait," he said and Provenza looked at him.

"Andy, seriously?" he asked quietly.

"Very seriously."

"I'm appalled."

"Oh, come on! It's not THAT weird," Flynn said. He was irritated at Provenza for allowing himself to enter his apartment, but there was also a strange feeling of relief, because he could finally talk about his secret with his partner, who was also his closest friend.

"It's… it's…" Provenza stuttered as the words got mixed up in his head from the shock. "She's your boss!" he said in a loud whisper.

"And that's why you can't tell anyone about this."

"Are you kidding me? I have to be an accomplice now?" Provenza was being his usual grumpy self.

"It's not my fault you came here to spy on me," Flynn tried hard not to raise his voice so they don't fight.

"And it's not my fault you refused to tell me," Provenza closed the door and let go of the doorknob. "Fine. But, Andy, come on… Captain Raydor? I figured you were seeing someone, but I expected to find you with some young flesh –"

"Sorry to disappoint you," Sharon said in her usual monotone voice from behind Flynn. He turned around and both him and Provenza looked at her. "Need I remind you that you're both older than I am?"

"Oh, I never denied my own age. I just like younger women… and up until recently, Andy liked them too," Provenza replied bitterly. He seemed like a little child whose best friend was taken away from him.

"I won't say what I think about women who go out with men old enough to be their grandfathers," she fired back, enjoying the opportunity to answer his insults – something she avoided entirely at work. Provenza glared at her for a moment without saying a word, and she feared she might have crossed the line.