It was a relief to be able to remember them without bitterness again.

"Come on, let's go."

"Wait, I have to take the trash out." I walk to the back of the store and heft the two large bags out into the alleyway. The dumpster sits right outside the back door but it still gives me a bad feeling. If I hadn't volunteered to help out, Rissa would have been out here alone at this time of night.

Hell, no. She might not be mine anymore but I can't have her alone in alleys in the middle of the night when any kind of criminal could find her. A few ideas run through my head but none that Rissa will go along with. I could hire her to work for me exclusively and then I'd always know she was safe. There's no way she'd go for that so I think briefly about hiring a companion to work with her. She's proud and won't accept anything she sees as charity but if I help her hire more staff, then there won't be a need for her to work alone ever. There will always at least be someone with her to make sure she's safe.

If the maid I hire just happens to have a background as a bodyguard and assassin, well, Rissa doesn't need to know that part does she?

When I get up front Rissa has put away the buffer and waits by the front door. She locks up behind us as we leave. When we step out into the soft, humid air she raises her face to the sky. "It's a nice night. I used to hate the late shift until I realized that it's so nice to be out when everyone else is sleeping. The stars are mine alone."

I look up too, trying to see through her eyes. This is what she's always done for me. She brings me to a new awareness. Shows me the things that I can't see.

Makes me happy.

"Go on a date with me."

Rissa's head snaps around from where she's looking at the stars. She blinks at me a few times and then huffs out a breath. "What did you just say?"

Feeling slightly foolish for the way I just blurted it out, I scowl. "You heard me. Go out with me. On a date."

She looks like she's not sure whether to laugh or not. "Are you asking me or telling me? Geez, you've gotten a lot bossier over the years."

I move closer. "I used to tell you to do a lot of things. And you liked it."

Her indrawn breath is sexy as hell. I can tell she's remembering too, the erotic commands that had brought us both so much pleasure. She'd always been slightly bashful but so eager to touch, to learn. We'd never had much time together without one of our parents coming home but I'd made damn good use of the time we'd had.

"Do you remember all those study sessions?" I'd climbed under her skirt while she was studying many times, using my teeth to pull her little panties to the side.

She bites her lip. "Yeah. Not that I got much studying done. Or that time when you were supposed to be helping me wash the dishes." Her eyes heat. "It took forever to clean up all that water."

I chuckle, remembering how I'd fucked her from behind as she clung to the counter for support.  I close my eyes, the memory of her hot little moans as vivid as the day it had happened. Rissa had always been so tight, like she was made just for me. She'd clamped around me so hard that I'd sworn I was seeing stars and when she'd finally come, she'd splashed her hands down into the sink throwing water everywhere.

“All that passion, all that heat doesn't just disappear. I've missed you, Rissa."

"I've missed you too. But I'm not sure that it makes sense to try again. A lot of time has passed. And I work for you now."

"Fuck it, you're fired."

She bursts into laughter and then rests her fists on my chest. "I'll think about it, okay?"

It's not the enthusiastic agreement I was hoping for but it's a chance.

"Good. I'll drive you home."

*   *   *   *   *

When we pull up in front of Rissa's place, there is a light on in the window. A dark shadow passes by and then the curtains move.

"Do you have a roommate?"

Rissa shakes her head. "No, I live alone."

"We should call the cops." I pick up my phone but just as I do the front door opens. It's dark but I recognize the silhouette anyway.

"What the hell is Andrew doing in your house? I thought you said he gave it to you?"

"He did. He's not supposed to be here." Rissa shoves the door open angrily and hops out before I can stop her.

Fuck. I grab my cane and follow her out. There's no way in hell I'm leaving her alone with him. She's mine now and it's time Carrington accepts it.

They're so busy arguing that they don't even notice when I walk up.

"Rissa, come on. You can just stay with me tonight."

Andrew looks over at me and when recognition dawns, his face twists into a sneer. "Marshall. I knew it."

Rissa is so angry that she's shaking. "It's none of your business, Andy. You aren't supposed to be here. That was our deal."

Andrew grits his teeth and looks over at me again. "It didn't take you long to replace me, did it? You fucking slut. I knew there was someone else."

The rage in his voice triggers something in me. The way he's looking at her and talking to her makes me want to punch him in the throat. Especially since Rissa doesn't look at all surprised by the way he's acting. I don't care if he's pissed that I'm here or not. He'd better not ever talk to her like that in front of me.

"Yeah, there's someone else. You didn't deserve her anyway and we both know it. Now back away from her." My hand tightens on the head of my cane and his eyes are drawn to it.