Watching his lights disappear down the street, Liz cupped her flaming cheeks, releasing the shaky breath she had been holding. Not that she was relieved to see him go, quite the opposite, actually.
She hadn't wanted him to leave and already she was second guessing her decision to stay behind.
Not that she meant for anything sexual to occur, exactly.
Oh my God, why do I keep going back to that?
She clarified to herself that, what she had really meant was that... in the right setting, Red relaxed and regaled her with many different interesting topics that she found quite fascinating. She really did enjoy spending time with him.
And she was only staying with him as a safety precaution until they figured out what the deal was with this Carver creep.
That was all... she nodded with finality, feeling a little better for her lapse.
Leaning against the downstairs door, she dropped the low pumps to the hardwood floor, thankful she had chosen to wear the pair Red had given her. She bent slightly, massaging her feet absently, her thoughts with the night's events.
She sighed, hearing the low rumble of thunder in the near distance. A good thunderstorm, especially at night, helped her sleep better.
Laying down her flowers, she stared at the colorful bouquet as she pulled off her coat, hanging it on hook. She would have to find a vase somewhere, but for the life of her, she could think of no secret hiding places where one might be found.
Lifting the heavy train of the gown, she trudged up the stairs, smiling, remembering Red's earlier expression when she had met him at the door.
It warmed her to know that he had found her pretty. FBI agent or not, she was still a women and it was nice to be told she was attractive after so much work.
Isn't that why they, women, did it? For the compliment? Praise, even?
Entering her room, she grabbed her night clothes, laying them on the sink. Grasping the loosened zipper, she worked it down, shivering, recalling how Red's hand had felt when he had pulled it free. She wondered what it would have felt like if he had taken it down, all the way?
What was wrong with her? All he had done was pull it down an inch or so and she's over here fantasizing about...
She shook her head to clear the unbidden visuals popping up in her mind...never mind!
Shedding the dress and hanging it, she hastily rid herself of her undergarments then slipped the soft cotton shirt and boxers on, relishing the freedom. Washing off the heavy makeup, brushing her teeth and combing out her hair, she felt the day melt away.
Running the brush through her hair, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, "Oh, damn."
She held her hand out, wiggling the finger that still held the huge diamond. She had forgotten to give it back.
Well, Red would be back soon enough and she could right the error.
Now though, in the privacy of her own home, she stared at the beautiful ring, fascinated by how the large stone caught the light. It really was a astonishing ring. While it was lavish, it was not ostentatious and it fit her so perfectly.
She wondered where he purchased it. Or even if he had purchased it. Why did he choose diamonds and sapphires? Better yet, how did he know her size?
Her other rings, even as light as they were, kept rotating on her finger throughout the day. This one didn't move an inch, even though it was considerably heavier.
A bright flash of light bathed the room, followed by a clap of thunder. Liz shielded her eyes momentarily. The storm was getting closer.
Walking to the door, she hesitated, grabbing a soft button down shirt and a pair of long pants to slip over her cami and boxers. Red was coming back after all.
Deciding on a cup of tea while packing, she literally skipped down the stairs, a thought hitting her.
She should let Hudson out before the rain starts.
Rounding the corner, she instantly stilled.
Hudson.
She hadn't heard or seen the dog since she'd entered the house. While he didn't normally greet her at the door, he did come wandering in a few minutes after, seeking a treat, if nothing else.
"Hudson?" She whispered cautiously.
Listening intently to the house, she didn't hear anything. Didn't see anything. Nothing seemed out of place. But suddenly the air felt... off.
Creeping closer to where it felt most unsettled, if the hairs standing on the back of her neck were any indication, she entered the kitchen, cautiously. Her eyes raked the darkened room, seeing familiar objects here and there...
Her eyes widened with fright, a loud gasp escaping her throat.
Sitting at her bar, a large shadowy figure slowly eased himself into an erect position.
Turning, she ran, her bare feet pounding loudly on the hardwood floors, her panicked heart drowning out the sound.
A couple of blocks away, Red was still feeling the buzz in his body left over from having spent a fantastic, non-violent evening with Elizabeth Keen.
Red held the soft petals of the single rose to his nostrils inhaling the fragrant sweetness. And to think, he had second guessed himself where the flowers were concerned. While a gentlemanly thing to do, he had wondered at Elizabeth's reaction to such a gesture.
How would she perceive the offering? Just when he was about to hide them from sight, Samar had answered the door.
But then, Lizzy had enjoyed them, much to his surprise. Only when they had left the car, did she let go of her prize. And upon returning, it was the first thing she retrieved.
A good memory.
He remembered how nice it felt when she pushed into his body when he had pulled on that damn zipper.
Now, if only he could get rid of the feeling of unrest in his stomach, everything would be fine.
He wished he could say that his insistence that she stay with him was solely for her protection, but he'd be lying. Over the few short days that she had stayed with him, he had grown accustomed to her light footfall, laughter and that she was just there, with him.
Leaving her now left him feeling agitated, uneasy. He wondered if it was because he wanted to be near her or was it something more?
He stretched further in the seat, pushing his leg into the side floorboard, hitting a small bundle with his heel.
Sitting up, he felt for whatever it was in the darkened car, finally hitting a jeweled embellishment with his hand. Picking it up, he saw it was Lizzy's bag from tonight.
Opening it, he found the expected items. Lipstick, mints, and her badge. He could wait and give it to her later.
But... if a case should come up in the next two hours, she would need her badge, he thought. A good enough excuse.
Waving the bag in the mirror's view, he said, "Dembe, turn the car around." Neither man, one more than the other, the least bit put out by the five block trek back.