Three

Max walked out of the building and to the parking lot that was near the building. He was trying to clear his mind from the day and what he had done to himself with the idea that he could have the tiny woman work for him. He should have just signed the papers for her and never thought twice about her again, but the look in her eyes as she stood there in the doorway. It had been part fear and part something else. It was the something else that had called out to him and made him forget everything else.

The youngest detective on the force and then as case after case was solved by using some basic common sense and the ability to turn the interviews around, he was named one of the best in the state. Within a year after that, he had other states calling for help, as if he didn’t have enough to do in his own job. His ego, though, would not let him say no, and soon enough, he was one of the top in the country. One of the most sought out police detectives in the country. He was just trying to do his job when this chance to work at the local university had been given to him. Again to change the world for those trying to get into the field was something he couldn’t pass up. Though he had fought with the administration for the classes to be added and the new degree to be added to the course selection, it was always passed up. Max was beyond frustrated with the school. Then she walked into to his basement dungeon to give him a little fresh air.

The more that he looked at Deanna in the past hours he knew he remembered her from when she took the class four and a half years ago. It was his first-class he had given. He remembered her bright eyes as they watched everything he did. Max also thought of the one time she had tried to speak to him. She had got so tongue-tied that she had turned bright red, and they almost ran away from the conversation. He had thought it adorable at the time. She was adorable then. When she was his student.

Now she was a knock out beauty. Max would have thought someone with her looks would have a boyfriend and a back up as it seemed that was what most of the girls did at the school. He couldn’t believe that she didn’t have someone. He knew he had to stop thinking about her. It was taking over his brain.

As soon as he tried to refocus and think of anything but her, he saw her again. She was waiting at the bus stop looking aggravated. He stopped the car and got out and walked over to her. “Troubles?” he asked from behind her, which made her jump nearly out of her skin.

“Oh.” She said as she turned around and saw it was him. “Thank god it is just you.”

“I don’t believe anyone has ever said those words to me.” Max laughed out. “Normally, it is a lot worse.”

“Well, there is this guy that seems to hang around here. It is harmless, I am sure, but he comes out of nowhere, and well, it gets annoying.” Deanna stated as she tried to look away from him.

“Need a ride?” he asked as he pointed to his car, “I was just leaving when I spotted you.”

Deanna looked at her watch and then sighed. She looked torn as she looked at his car parked in the lot behind the bus stop and then to her watch again. “I guess if you don’t mind. The bus won’t be here for another hour to get to near my place. I really don’t want to wait that long.”

“Then, your chariot awaits.” He said with a sweeping bow. She stood and looked at him. It was like he was a different person than he was four years ago. “Where exactly do you live?”

Max opened the passenger side door and waited for her to get in. She looked up from the seat and sighed, “Knightsen heights.”

He shut the door and looked up to the sky. He walked to the driver's side and got in and looked at her, “Why in the hell do you live there?”

“It’s cheap.” She replied. “I know the place isn’t good.”

“Isn’t good is an understatement.” He replied, “The cops get called there at least five to six times a day. That is a good day. You can’t live there.”

“Well, I have to be able to pay the rent.” She said as she sighed. “It is just until I get out of school and get a job.”

“I am serious. Someone like you is just asking for trouble living there.” He said as he started the car.

“Well, unless you plan on paying my rent somewhere else, I don’t think you really have a say in the matter,” Deanna replied with a huff. It was everything she had heard before. From every person in the world. She knew what it was before she moved in. It was the only place she could afford with her loans for school.

“We will have to see about that.” He said softly. “Why don’t you live on campus?”

“Campus housing is dorm rooms which you have to share. It is ten thousand dollars more than my rent, and I have an entire apartment to myself. It is just temporary, okay.” Deanna said.

“No, it is not okay.” He said, “But you are right on a few things.”

“And they are?” Deanna asked as she was confused.

“That I really don’t have a say in where you live, but as a concerned person who knows what goes on there, you have to understand that I won’t stop trying to get you to leave there. I can ask some of the patrol units to watch your place a little closer to make sure nothing happens there.” Max said.

“Wonderful,” Deanna said as she rolled her eyes.

“What is wrong with that?” Max asked back as he looked at the road, trying not to let go of the wheel as he wanted to shake some sense into her. That housing complex was not for good decent law-abiding people. It was a drug haven for three different gangs, as well as the place most of the prostitutes lived and entertained their clients. It was a wonder to anyone how a gang war hadn’t killed everyone there, yet.

“I don’t need a big brother,” Deanna said as she glared at him. “I already have a few of those, and they don’t give a damn where I live.”

“Well, then they need their asses kicked.” Max said, “Someone needs to give a damn about it.”

“Well, it is just you,” Deanna said. “Just pull the car over. I will walk the rest of the way.”

“Like hell.” He said as he kept driving. “Look, I will try not to say anything.”

“No, you won’t,” Deanna said as she looked at her backpack and not anywhere else. She knew he was just being who he was. That is what made him good at what he did. He was trying to look out for her.

“I said, try,” Max said softly. “Look how about for an apology I take you to dinner.”

“I don’t need your pity,” Deanna said.

“And I don’t pity you, so we are good.” He replied as he changed directions to head away from her housing complex. He had no idea what he was thinking. This woman was under his skin, and it seemed he liked her there. This had never happened. He had never overstepped his line in the sand to voice an opinion. He had never just offered to take a woman out. He couldn’t even remember his last date. “We both need to eat, and it is getting later. This way, you don’t have to cook and can just do normal things.”

“Normal things? You mean study or research. I can do that while I cook.” Deanna said softly.

“Well, now you can do that while you relax.” He chuckled. “Just let me be nice for once.”

“I never said you weren’t nice,” Deanna replied.

“You thought about it,” Max replied, and then he took a turn and drove into a parking lot. He stopped the car and looked at her. “I can’t cook. I don’t even know why my house came with one. Join me, so I don’t have to eat alone.”

“What will your wife say?” she asked.

“My what?” he asked back, shocked.

“Your wife,” Deanna repeated.

“Well, I am sure if I had one, I wouldn’t be asking to take you to dinner. I would already be at home with her.” Max said as he chuckled, “Since that isn’t happening, I guess we are safe from that conversation.”

Max got out of the car and then walked around before she could open the door herself. He opened it and placed his hand down to help her up. She stood up and looked down at herself and then up to meet his face. She took a step to move before he closed the door to the car on her. When she did, he surprised her by having a hand around her back. He took one step forward, and though the height difference was there between them, he leaned down and surprised himself as he kissed her softly.