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WHEN JANAE CAME BACK downstairs around four that day, she ducked her head inside his office only to find he wasn’t there. Frowning, she called out but didn’t get a response. She even peaked her head in the basement but he wasn’t there either. Going back upstairs she found it a little odd that he wasn’t working this time of day, and he hadn’t come upstairs for a nap. That third step from the top would have given him away, or he would have tried enticing her into some afternoon delight. No, she didn’t think he was in the house.
Going into the kitchen, she got herself a bottle of water and wondered if maybe he had left. Taking a quick peek out the front window showed it was a calm, sunny winter’s day. The last snow had been over four days ago, and was almost completely melted now. True, it was later in the day than he normally would have driven somewhere. But the days were already shifting, the light lingering longer than when she’d first arrived at the cabin. Which meant he could reasonably go somewhere and be back before dark.
Her contention was why he wouldn’t tell her before leaving? No sooner than the thought hit her conscious, she cut it off. He was a grown able-bodied man, who despite the fact they were sleeping together was not her man. He could come and go as he pleased. Still, she was annoyed. Leaving the water, Janae went to put her coat and boots on. Heading down to the basement, she used the connecting door to enter the garage. Telling herself she would just take a quick peek and see if his car was still here. It was, and her budding anger moved into concern.
“Where the heck is he?”
Clicking the door opener, she waited as it rose and immediately saw him about 150 feet away, with his back to her. She walked out wondering why he hadn’t turned at the sound of the door, he wasn’t that far away. Instead he just stood there, kind of swaying. Starting out towards him, something made Janae go to the side of the garage instead.
She rarely came outside unless they were leaving the house, she just wasn’t a fan of the cold and snow. It was a wonder she had survived her entire life in Michigan. The state’s saving grace was the terrific summers which made up for winter. But Janae figured since she was out here, it was a good time to look at the generator. She hadn’t forgotten about it, just currently distracted with work and sex. It was right where Damond said it would be, and one quick glance showed her that it wasn’t plugged in properly. Bending down she quickly took care of the issue.
Janae watched as the indicator lights on top flashed on. The thing looked in fine working order to her. Had he unplugged this? Though she knew it was “possible” it had been knocked out some other way, it was highly unlikely. These things were built exactly so random disconnecting wouldn’t happen. Spinning on her heels she started marching towards him through the slushy snow. He still hadn’t turned around, and just that quickly Janae went from suspicious anger to concern again. Was he ill? When she was ten feet away still nothing, just the light swaying she had noticed from the house.
“Damond?” She lightly touched his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“What the-”
When he swung around wildly, she had to quickly step back to avoid his reach.
“It’s just me! What is wrong with you?”
Damond vaguely heard her words, he definitely saw her mouth moving as he yanked out his earbuds.
“Jesus woman, don’t you know not to sneak up on a man like that?”
“I didn’t know I was. I had no clue you were listening to music, I didn’t see them.”
“They’re cordless.” He held up one giving her a “duh” look.
“How was I supposed to know that? You’re the one standing out here like a mental patient swaying. I thought you’d had some type of medical emergency. Especially after you never turned around when I opened the garage door or walked over.”
“Fine, my bad. Just next time yell or something. I didn’t know who was touching me. You could have gotten knocked out.”
Now Janae smirked. “Why so jumpy? Aren’t you the one always telling me there’s no murderers out here.”
“Yeah, well one can never be too careful, can they?”
“Hmm, what are you doing out here? I got worried when I couldn’t find you in the house.”
“Missing me huh?”
“No, just concerned and you haven’t answered my question yet.”
He still didn’t, bending down instead to pick up the pen and notepad he’d dropped, before waving it in her face.
“I came out to clear my head.” He left out that thoughts of her kept interrupting him all afternoon. “It was working. Zoning out on music and putting some plot points down. Until you, nosey goldilocks came out here trying to give me a heart attack.”
“Well if you had left a note...I wouldn’t have come looking for you. I’m just glad you’re okay. It’s cold. I’m going back inside.”
When she turned to leave he pulled her into his chest, crossing his arms behind her back.
“It’s cute you care about my safety.”
“No, it was self-preservation. If a psycho had taken you out, I was probably next.”
“You’re a liar, Professor.” Damond gave her a peck on the lips which she returned. “And not a good one.”
“Takes one to know one Mr. Hall. Speaking of which, I finally got a chance to take a look at the generator.”
“Really...” Damond turned his head to the side.
Janae promptly moved it back with a finger. “Yes, really. You want to know what I found?”
“Not really, but it seems like you want to tell me.”
“The cord wasn’t connected to the other thing that goes into the house.”
“Imagine that?”
She pushed, not so gently away from his hold. “I’m betting you don’t have to imagine it. You saw it the night the lights went out.”
“I barely saw shit that night, between the dark and the foot of snow.”
“Admit it.” Janae crossed her arms. “You unplugged the generator didn’t you? Be honest.”
“No, I didn’t unplug it.” He shook his head, looked at her and then on a sigh continued. “But I didn’t hook it up either. When I got out there, I saw it was unplugged and left it that way.”
“I can’t believe you did that!” She sprung forward hitting his chest a couple of times. “You knew how afraid I was. Why would you do that?”
Damond caught her flying hands and held them with one of his own, pulling her closer until he could wrap his arms around her again.
“I did it because I wanted to spend time with you, wanted you in my arms.”
Janae was speechless. “You couldn’t have just told me that, after the lights were running?”
“Would you have listened? We were avoiding each other, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. So I figured you being scared would drive you into my arms...and it did.”
“To think you’ve accused me of being juvenile.”
“Touché Professor. But a man suffering from blue balls doesn’t think so clearly.”
Janae kicked his shin. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“You know that hurt, right.” Tightening his hold, Damond pressed a lingering kiss to her pouting mouth. Not pulling back until he felt them soften.
“You should investigate that violent streak you have, write about yourself in your book.” Damond tried teasing.
“You are incorrigible. I don’t know whether to feel duped or plain angry.”
Damond’s shrewd eyes grew serious, something they rarely were. His cold gloved hand, caressed the side of her face. Startling her even more then his look.
“We both know you didn’t come to my bed just because the lights were out, don’t cheapen what we shared that night. And I’m not ashamed, I’d do it all over again. Hell, I’d take a hammer to the damn thing if it meant us having the last few weeks together. Would you want to miss out on that?”
“You know I don’t. Of course I went to your room because I wanted to. Because I wanted to be with you. But Damond...don’t ever outright lie to me again. Got it?”
“I hear you and I won’t.” Kissing her forehead he asked, “Dance with me, Janae.”
“What?” Even now he could make her laugh, sometimes he was so ridiculous.
Damond focused on programing his phone for a moment, then placed one earbud firmly in her ear, the other in his. Janae heard Babyface’s “Sorry for the Stupid Things” flowed into her eardrum and laughed even harder, giving him a real smile. Stepping into his waiting arms, hers going around his waist, as they stood two-stepping in the snow. In a world that held only the two of them.