Page 8 of Some Saviors Can Break You

“Eli.”

“What?” he snapped, finally focusing and turning from the window where he’d been staring at the spot where he’d first seen Florence.

“Did you forget something on your way home last night?” Elliot was standing in his office, a scowl on his face. “You said you'd bring the files around, I had work that I needed to do that I've got to catch up on this morning because I couldn’t get it done last night.”

“Last night?” a voice echoed from the doorway, causing them both to look over. Susannah Zachary stood there, baby in her arms, long black hair with red tips hanging loosely down her back. “Didn't I find you passed out on the couch with Jake on your chest before ten? It was pretty adorable, I took pictures,” she said a grin on her face.

“Those I would kill to see,” Eli snickered. “Where’s that gorgeous baby of yours?” He walked over to Susannah and plucked Jake from her arms, the baby gurgled, his chubby little hands reaching out to grab the chain he wore around his neck. Eli was a sucker for a baby. There was just something about baby giggles that hit him right in the heart.

“So why didn't you come by last night?” Elliot asked.

“I was leaving when I saw a car aiming straight for a woman on the sidewalk. I pushed her out of the way, saved her life, turns out she’s a homicide detective. By the time the cops arrived, and I gave my statement, it was late, and I didn't think it was worth risking waking this little guy by coming over.”

“You saved a cop?” Susannah looked intrigued.

“A pretty cop?” Elliot asked, his scowl replaced by an amused smirk.

“Gorgeous,” he corrected.

“You asked her out,” Elliot said, a comment not a question.

“She turned me down then disappeared while I was giving my statement.” He wasn't annoyed that Florence had snuck away, he knew she’d felt the same thing he had, that sizzling attraction that couldn’t be ignored. It had spooked her, but he was confident that he could win her over. He wanted her, and when he saw something he wanted he got it or worked out a way to get it. That Florence seemed immune to his charms only intrigued him that much more, and he was determined to convince her to give him a chance.

It wasn't just about sex—although he’d woken at four in need of a cold shower because all night he’d dreamed about how good it would feel when he was buried deep inside her—he was intrigued by her. Why was she so wary of him? What made her decide to become a homicide detective? What would he find when he chinked away at her armor and got to see the real her?

“You asked her out after she was nearly hit by a car?” Susannah asked.

Eli shrugged. “What would be the point in waiting? I saved her life, we both felt the attraction, and besides, that’s how my parents first met. They were both at the park, my mom freaked out over some bees, my dad didn't realize it at the time, but when he shooed them away from her he saved her life. She was allergic, anaphylactic level allergic.” His brother had inherited that allergy, and it had cost him his life.

“You’re serious about asking her out,” Susannah said.

“Serious enough that I told her I'd take her to Florence.”

“Take her to Florence?”

Eli shrugged. “Her name is Florence.”

Elliot laughed out loud at that. “Taking Florence to Florence, I think that’s the cheesiest thing I've ever heard.”

“Hey,” Susannah swatted Elliot on the shoulder. “I think that’s sweet. And very romantic,” she added.

The phone on his desk buzzed, and he walked over and picked up the receiver. “Mr. Lennox, reception called to let me know there’s a Detective Harris here requesting the footage from the security cameras. Apparently, you asked to be notified if she came by.”

Bingo.

He’d known the cop in her would be by to get that footage.

Florence could run, but she couldn’t hide.

“Thanks, Susie,” he said to his secretary. “I’ll go right down to see her.”

“Your cop’s here?” Susannah asked when he put the phone down.

“Yep.” Eli knew he was grinning like an idiot and didn't care in the least. This was the first time he had been intrigued by a woman in longer than he cared to remember.

“Good luck,” Susannah said as she held her arms out for the baby.

“Yeah, good luck.” Elliot could barely contain his glee. Eli didn't know why he found it so amusing, it wasn't that long ago that he was tying himself into knots pursuing Susannah.

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