Chapter 12

"It's not far," Samson said as he climbed a ladder up the side of a building. He'd snuck Delilah in a back door, and they'd used the stairs to reach the fifth floor before exiting to a terrace area, which led to where they were now.

"Are you sure we should be here?" Delilah said as she put her foot on the bottom rung.

"I already told you it was fine."

"I don't like breaking the law in front of someone who arrests people."

"I don't usually arrest people."

"I thought that was your job."

"No. I make them arrestable and leave it at that."

"What does that mean?"

"It means," he climbed on to the roof and reached his hand down to help her up, "that I won't arrest you for trespassing."

"But you can't promise someone else won't."

He chuckled. "How about for tonight, I promise to protect you."

"I find that oddly unnerving."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Huh. That's not usually the effect it has. Then it's a good thing I have permission to be here and won't press charges, seeing as I invited you."

"We're not breaking in?"

"Nope."

"You could have said that at the start."

"What would be the fun in that?"

Now that they were away from the restaurant, Samson's teasing had changed. It was softer. Less suggestive.

"This had better be worth it," she said.

"I hope so too."

"You said it was a good surprise. Are you worried now it won't live up to the hype?"

"That's not why I'm worried. But whatever you think of it, it will help me to get to know you better."

"Is that what this is all about? Finding out what makes me tick?"

"Not exactly. But every exchange with you reveals a little more each time."

"Does it? Then tell me what you've learned from our last little banter."

"That you don't trust me yet."

"Interesting observation."

"It's not like you're trying to hide your disdain for me."

"Disdain is a strong word."

"But accurate?"

She took a deep breath. "I'll admit that there was some of that once."

"When we first met?"

"Yes."

"But not anymore?"

"No."

The air got heavy in the seconds that followed as no words were spoken, so Delilah broke the silence. "What is it you want to show me?"

"It's around the other side."

She followed him along a moonlit path to a door on the side of a concrete structure that she now realized was not what it looked like. "What is this?"

"You ready?"

"I guess."

He opened the door and stepped inside, turning on a light.

She stood mesmerized as her eyes lifted to the top of the dome, where twinkling lights covered the greenery like stars.

"What is this place?" she whispered.

"First impressions?"

She took several steps farther inside, turning slowly as she went. "It's amazing. It's beautiful." So beautiful it almost stole her breath. "But why is it here? How did you find out about it?"

"I made it."

She looked at him. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh," she said, disappointed when she realized what was going on.

"What?"

"Let me guess. You bring all the ladies here."

"Actually…" His flat smile was edged in disappointment. "You're making assumptions again. But I guess I deserve my reputation."

"It's beautiful, really. But I think it's time you brought me home."

"You're the first woman I've ever brought up here."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Because you don't trust me yet." He stepped closer to her. "This place is special to me. I would never bring anyone here I didn't think would appreciate it as much as I do. And I saw on your face that you do."

His expression wasn't just serious; it was searching and hoping. She could see it was important to him that she believed him but didn't know why. "What makes it so special?"

"A friend of mine owns the building, and when I was going through a tough time, for whatever reason, I would come up here to think. Sometimes daily. He told me to do whatever I wanted with the space. I made it because it reminds me of where I grew up."

"The Garden of Eden?"

He laughed, and it was a relief knowing she'd lightened his load.

"Almost. Los Angeles."

"I've been to Los Angeles. This doesn't look anything like it."

"My mom worked at a conservatory. She used to bring me there after school. It looked a lot like this, but bigger. When she died, I thought it was the best way to remember her."

Seeing this side of him was startling in a way that scared her. She almost wanted him to be lying. "I'm sorry."

"It was a while ago."

"No, I mean—yes, I'm sorry about your mom—but I didn't realize what this place meant to you. I'm sorry for giving you a hard time."

"Like I said, I probably deserve it. But don't worry, I've got thick skin."

"That doesn't make it right." There was another weighted pause before she said, "Is it okay if I have a look around?"

"Please do."

A pebbled path circled the garden. She followed it to the back. "It's amazing here."

"I knew you'd like it."

He hadn't followed her. Probably because he didn't want her to feel like he expected anything from her.

"Why did you bring me here?" she said when she returned to him.

"I already told you. You still think I'm lying?"

"No. But what I don't understand is why you would trust me with something like this. You barely know me, and we haven't had the best relationship."

"We're in a relationship now?"

She laughed because there was no sensuality attached to his comment like in the past. Up here, it was as though she were seeing the real him for the first time.

"I brought you here because I knew you'd see it—really see it. You look at things for real. And you've never pretended to like me to get anything from me."

If he saw her flinch, he didn't show it. She looked at the ground to hide her shame. This whole night had been about ulterior motives.

"I don't know how you do it," she said.

"What?"

"Let people use you all the time. Use them back."

He frowned. "I don't know. I guess I've just gotten used to it."

"Those people who would kill for your life, if only they knew what it was really like."

He moved closer but didn't touch her. "I'm glad you're not one of them."

"You don't know that. My motives aren't always genuine."

"Except tonight."

She had to break eye contact with him. An intensity was building that she couldn't allow. "I came here tonight because you made me an offer."

"But you trusted me enough to come."

"I think it was more curiosity than trust."

Samson huffed. "You're determined to keep a wall between us."

"I need to."

"Because you don't want to be one of the girls on my arm."

"No, it's—It's not just that. This place… Never mind."

"Tell me."

"I can't reconcile you up here in this garden with the man you are in the restaurant."

"That's a problem for you."

"Yes."

"You don't want me to be likable."

"If you're a cold, womanizing, lawman, I'm safe. I have all the excuses I need to keep my distance."

"Lawman?"

She laughed. "Do you have a better word for it?"

"I guess that will suffice." He sighed. "I hope I haven't lost my chance with you because of the way I've behaved. I've told myself for a long time that I have nothing to feel bad about, but I was wrong. If I could go back and change it, I would."

"Don't change on my account."

"What if I want to?"

"I can't give you what you want."

"How do you know?"

She walked back outside and crossed her arms against the chill in the night. "I'm not ready to have this conversation right now."

"Okay. What would you like to talk about?"

"How about work?"

"Work. That's nice and platonic."

"Exactly. I hear you work for the government."

"I do."

"And that you are relentless."

"I am. And I can be cold. It's necessary for the job. Criminals aren't interested in warm fuzzies."

"What about invincible?"

"We all have our weaknesses."

"What's yours?"

"Nagging. I'd do anything to stop someone from whining."

"Anything? So if someone begged you night and day to buy them a car, you'd buy them one?"

He laughed. "Probably."

"Really? 'Cause I need a car."

"All you'd have to do is ask me nicely."

"I'm tempted."

"Tell me what make and model, and it's yours."

"Stop it." She turned away from him again, refusing to be taken in by him. "So, nagging is your only weakness?"

"Also blades."

"I assume you don't mean the kind you use to butter your toast?"

"It doesn't matter what kind. Daggers, swords, they're not my best weapon."

"You're talking about when you get into a fight with a bad guy."

"Or you. If I say the wrong thing and you want to take me out, a knife's the way to go."

She nodded slowly. "Good to know. Anything else?"

"I'm sure you could find more. You have a way of making my flaws undeniable."

"I feel like you mean that as a compliment, but it doesn't sound very nice."

"It makes you one of a kind." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry. I don't mean to be so morose."

"You want to know what my weakness is?" she said to lighten the mood.

He tipped his head back and laughed. "You have no idea how much."

"Mint chocolate-chip ice cream. I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough."

"Now I know what gift to get you."

"Then I should warn you it makes me want to sit alone in my apartment watching old romcoms."

"Alone?"

"Yup."

He sucked air through his teeth. "That puts me in a predicament."

"The price you pay to make me happy."

"Let me guess, Sleepless in Seattle?"

"That or I go for the classics like Pride and Prejudice."

"The movie or the miniseries?"

"Miniseries all the way—you look disappointed?"

"Because I'll lose you for six episodes."

"You know how many episodes? I am both shocked and impressed."

He puffed out his chest in jest. "You should be. I am a man of many talents." She lifted her hand to her mouth to hide her smile, but he pulled it away. "You can't hide it from me. I see it."

"See what?"

"You're enjoying yourself. You think I'm funny. Admit it."

"Never."

"Ah, come on. What's a guy gotta do?"

"Challenge me in a knife fight."

"I'm doomed."

"I'm afraid so."

He took a deep breath as he looked out at the city. "I'm glad you came."

"I am too."

"But now I'm in a predicament."

"Why?"

"Because I told you I'd leave you alone."

"You said you'd leave me alone if I didn't like the surprise."

"Does that mean I don't have to?"

"It means…" She couldn't let tonight change anything. Whether he was a different person than she'd first thought didn't matter. She wouldn't let Samson in. "That I appreciate the surprise. You were right, it was a good one, but I should get home. It's getting late."

"I'd like to bring you here again sometime."

"Maybe. I work a lot though, so?—"

"Uh-huh." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Okay. I get it. You're going to make me work for it. That's fine. I'm good with that."

She ignored the goosebumps that came from the flip in her stomach. "I'm not worth the effort."

"We'll have to agree to disagree."

"You'd be wasting your time."

"Is that your way of saying I won't get a kiss tonight?"

"It's my way of saying you won't get a kiss any night."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"That sounds like a challenge."

His eyes widened. "No. No way. There was no challenge in that at all. I swear."

"For real?"

"Well and truly."

She laughed despite herself. "We'll see."