Unexpected Encounter (Singleton) by Taige Crenshaw

take us up,” Lila snapped. “I’m just gonna stay here and wait for death.”
    “Lila, why are you doing this if you are so afraid?”
    “For you.” Lila opened one eye and glared. “Let’s go already.” She closed her eye again.
    She heard the murmur of voices and Driscoll’s soothed her. Lila didn’t really focus on what was being said, just on him. He slid an arm around her and she jumped then pressed into him. His strong arm made her feel safe. The sense of her belly dropping made her clutch at him as the balloon rose. She breathed hard, trying to still her shaking.
    “We’re up.” Driscoll kissed the side of her face.
    Lila opened her eyes and gasped, staring at the open sky. Her stomach lurched when she looked down and she turned into him, pressing her face against him. Driscoll lifted her head.
    “Look at me.”
    She shook her head. He repeated it again and again until Lila opened one eye then the other.
    “I’m afraid.”
    “I know. I’m so proud of you for doing this.” Driscoll smoothed her hair away from her face. “For trusting me like this.” He lowered his head and kissed her.
    Lila slid her tongue along his, deepening the kiss. She forgot all about where she was and focused on the man with her.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Driscoll played some notes on the keyboard then stopped, writing on his sheet. He hummed under his breath then scowled.
    “Fuck.” He crossed out what he’d written before pushing the paper away and running his fingers through his hair.
    “You need to take a break. Get something to eat, relax a little or something,” Irene said from behind him.
    “I’m fine.”
    “When you create, you know if you hit a wall in the process, you need to take a break.” Irene came into view, standing before his table. “Why do we always have to do this dance of you being an ass and resisting?”
    “It’s one of my joys in life to thwart whatever you have planned for me.” Driscoll smirked.
    “I swear you want to give me gray hair or drive me to drink.”
    “I’ll be sure to buy you hair dye and loads of alcohol,” Driscoll retorted.
    “You are so kind, sir.” Irene crossed her arms over her chest. “So are you gonna take a break or do I need to get rough with you?”
    “I’m so afraid.” He put up his hand and deliberately made it shake. “See?”
    “Idiot,” she said fondly. “I’m bringing out my new weapon.”
    “What—?” His cell vibrated.
    Irene smiled, whistling as she left.
    Driscoll picked up his cell and glanced at it. He rose, smiling as he left the room then went toward the front door. In the foyer, Driscoll chuckled when he saw Irene at the door holding his sandals.
    “You think you’re slick.” He accepted the shoes then dropped them on the ground and pushed his feet in.
    “I know it. Enjoy.” Irene opened the door for him.
    Lila smiled at him from where she leaned against the porch rail.
    “Get your ass out there.” Irene pushed him out of the door. “And out of my and Aida’s hair. He’s all yours, Lila.”
    “I am your boss.” Driscoll glared at her.
    “And you need to get out of the house before I beat you with a stick or Aida makes you something to gives you the runs.”
    “God, Driscoll, when I see you at night you never mentioned you were driving people crazy.” Lila chuckled. “Well, crazier than usual.”
    He and Lila had slept in the same bed since the first night they’d sex. Two short weeks, and Driscoll was getting used to waking up beside her.
    “He is. He gets like this when he is working and it’s not going well. Thanks for taking him off our hands,” Irene said. “Don’t you come back here, Driscoll, until you chill out. Good luck, Lila.” Irene slammed the door closed.
    “From what Irene told me when she called, you needed a break.” Lila looked behind him. “But now I’m here, I’m thinking they did. What have you done?”
    “Nothing.” He scowled then sighed. “There’s something missing from the