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Darby
The keys to my personal vehicle were at HQ, so I headed in after Mark dropped me off.
Upstairs, I put away a few things after pocketing my keys which had been left out when we’d gotten the call, then swung by the supply closet for a couple boxes of ammo. Never hurt to have extra.
When I was satisfied, I backed out of the room and secured the door. I turned, and my face met the chest of a man I didn’t recognize.
The force knocked me back. My pack fell to the floor along with my purse, the pocket on my purse flopped open, and the contents scattered.
“Dang it! Sorry,” I said.
He was handsome, and my insides shuddered in instant pleasure. He was shorter than Mark, and beneath his business shirt and tie, I could tell he was well-formed. A woman just gets used to appraising that kind of thing. His blond hair swept to his shoulders, and it was thick and wavy, the kind you’re almost desperate to run your fingers through. His grey eyes shone with intelligence and curiosity, and his countenance felt genuine.
I wondered what it would be like to kiss his lips, then mentally shook myself. Down, Darby.
He dropped and grabbed the tubes of lip dye and balm which had rolled away. “No, it was my fault. I saw you. I should have moved. Let me help.”
“That’s not necessary—”
He grinned. “Yes, it is.”
Butterflies formed in my stomach. Maybe it was hunger.
“Well, thanks.” I accepted the menagerie of items, our fingers brushing.
“No problem. Sorry for running into you.”
“It’s okay.” I picked up my pack and started to leave.
He stopped me. “You’re...Detective Shaw, right? Darby?”
I gave him a look, instantly on alert. How’d he know? I didn’t like being recognized, even by attractive men near my age who apparently worked at Bendex. “Yeah...”
“William Young. I started today in the psych department. Are you a member of the SHS here in town?”
The SHS—or Super Human Society—was a lobbying organization for supers. They worked on many things, mostly related to protecting our rights, but they also had regional chapters. My best friend, Genova Murphie, was the lead lobbyist for the Midwest office, which was based out of downtown Kansas City.
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m on the rolls. Are you a superhuman?”
“Yep. I must say, I’m a big fan of your work. I’ve followed the few updates in the journals about you.”
“Well, thanks.”
“Listen.” He smiled again. “I’m new around here. I recently transferred from Orlando. Would you join me for coffee or maybe dinner? I’m eager to make some friends, especially from the SHS.”
“Maybe, though I doubt anytime in the next few days. I caught a case. Murder, you know?”
“Oh, I understand. On your schedule.” William tucked a loose strand of his incredibly blond hair behind his ear. “Maybe we could go to the next SHS meeting?”
“I rarely go.”
“You should. They can be very valuable for camaraderie, information, and support.”
I gave him a tight smile. “I’m not exactly your ‘normal’ superhuman.” I cleared my throat. “Listen, it was nice bumping into you, but I need to go. It’s been a very long day.”
“Oh, of course. Could I escort you to your vehicle?”
I thought about saying no, would have preferred to be alone, but figured, what the hell? “All right.”
He took my pack, although it wasn’t terribly heavy, despite the ammo boxes. I took extra notice of the fact he put his hand at the small of my back while we were on the lift, but it felt like it belonged there, even though it caught me a bit off guard. After another minute, I didn’t even think of it. Maybe it was a Southern thing.
When we got to my aging two-seater, he set my backpack on the passenger seat. I thanked him.
“It was no trouble at all, Detective.”
“No need for formality. It’s Darby.”
He winked. “Much prettier than detective.”
I felt the blush creep up my cheeks. “Thanks, William.”
“I go by Will for most people. Only my mother calls me William.”
“Okay. Thanks again.” I put my purse next to the pack, then turned back. “See you around?”