The Spark

“Well…yes.”

“So you only date men you don’t really like?”

“I, uhh…no… I mean…well.” I shook my head. “Stop lawyering me. You’re making me confused at what I’m even saying.”

Donovan smiled and shook his head. “It really sucks to be on this side.”

“What side?”

“The it’s-not-you-it’s-me bullshit. I’m usually the one deflecting like you are right now.”

“I’m not deflecting. I’m trying to be honest with you.”

Again, his eyes dropped to my lips. Only this time, they lingered much longer. When they finally lifted to look at my face, it felt like he could see right through me. “So the two of you aren’t exclusive, then?”

“It’s exclusive for me.”

He squinted. “And it’s not for him?”

I shrugged. “Maybe it is. I’m not sure. We’ve never discussed it. But I prefer to only…you know…with one person at a time.”

Donovan’s jaw flexed, and his ta

A few minutes later, the waitress came to check on us. When I said I didn’t want anything else, Donovan asked for the check. It was late, but I got the feeling his sudden desire to call it a night had nothing to do with the time.

After we argued over the bill and Donovan paid, we headed to my car. The ride back to the police station was quiet, yet the air felt filled with unspoken words. I pulled into the spot next to his car and put the car in park.

“Well, thanks again for tonight. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for Storm.”

“Not a problem.”

Donovan opened the car door and turned back to face me once he was out. The parking lot lights cast a soft, yellowish glow on his handsome face. He looked at me for a moment and then slowly—as if giving me time to stop him—reached out and cupped my cheek, stroking my skin with his thumb. My heart ricocheted in my chest.

“Why does it feel so damn wrong to get out of this car without kissing you goodnight?” His eyes once again fell to my lips, and I couldn’t control how fast my chest started to rise and fall.

“I…I don’t know.”

He leaned in slowly. At first I thought he was actually going to do it, but at the last moment he veered, and his lips went to my ear instead. “Would you stop me if I did?”

In that moment, I absolutely would not have. Worse, part of me wanted him to do it. Really badly. I’d held my breath, waiting for it even.

But when I said nothing, Donovan pulled back and searched my eyes. He caressed my cheek one last time before he moved away.

“What’s between us might not be simple, but it’s also not over. Get home safe, Red.”