Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,41

doubting that.

Why did I care so much if I wasn’t interested?

I was afraid to answer that question. I threw the phone in the foot well. Why the hell should I call him back? Fuck him.

If it was about mom, he’d find a way to talk to me. I was sick of playing his games.

At home, I had a quick shower and changed into my tracksuit pants and singlet. It had been ages since I had been for a run.

Another thing that didn’t come naturally to me was metabolism. The amount of crap I’d eaten in the last week I should have been exercising every day. Unfortunately, exercise and I weren’t close friends, and sometimes, we didn’t see eye to eye.

I was pulling on my runners, when the doorbell rang.

“You didn’t respond to my messages.”

I stared at Devon through the open door. He was dressed in his usual suit, and as per usual, he looked hot. Standing next to him was a woman, who looked in her twenties.

“Devon. Hi.” I sighed, and moved aside, letting him squeeze past me. His hand brushed over my thigh as he walked in. I stifled a gasp at the feel of his touch. His eyes smiled at me, as if he knew the effect he had on me.

“Sorry, I just got home. I was going to call you back.” I added, not completely sure that was true. He raised his eyebrows. He didn’t believe me either.

The woman raised her eyebrows at me, as she looked from Devon to myself obviously wondering what was going on. I blushed. I’d forgotten she was there.

Could I have made it any more obvious to her that something was going on between Devon and I? What I didn’t get was why he didn’t seem to mind her thinking something was up.

“I’m Detective Lacey Sanders.” I shook her hand, waving her inside, “Devon’s partner.”

“Kait.” I replied.

“We have some news. About your mother.” I suddenly felt really guilty and a little embarrassed. I had been so caught up in seeing him again, my mother was the last thing on my mind.

Of course he had news. Would he really drop by with his partner if it wasn’t official? What did I think, she was going to watch TV while we had sex in the kitchen?

Get a grip, Kaitlin.

“Oh,” I bit my lip, “Do you want a drink?” Devon nodded, even though I’d directed the question at Lacey, and followed me into the kitchen.

“So?” I handed him one of the two cans of soda I had in my hand, and the other to Lacey. She thanked me and set the can aside.

He took the drink, taking a long gulp before wiping his mouth. He was avoiding my eyes. Anxiety rolled around the pit of my stomach, as I waited for him to speak. It must be bad if he wouldn’t look at me.

“Forensics found traces of blood in your mother’s car.” He began. “That doesn’t mean anything, it could have been from a nose bleed two months ago for all we know.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“How much?” I asked. “Blood?” I added.

“Not much. Only a few traces.” I nodded.

A few drops or a few buckets, to me blood was blood. Blood was never a good sign.

“Thanks for telling me. You could have called.” I added. I was glad he was here, but things would have been much easier if he’d just called.

“It’s protocol. Any information, big or small, we deliver in person.” Well that made me feel good.

“Right, well I have things to get done before I pick up the kids.” I stood up and led them to the door.

“Nice to see you again, Devon. Lacey, it was nice to meet you.” I smiled warmly. Lacey smiled back, Devon followed her out. He raised his eyebrows, his gaze falling down to the cleavage spilling out of my singlet.

I smiled again, the same fake smile I’d used for Lacey.

Seeing Devon again had messed with my head, as had the news about mom. I didn’t know how I felt about that. I’d spent so long getting over my childhood, and part of me didn’t want to forgive mom for not believing me.

I struggled to feel over mom’s disappearance. I felt for the kids, but for me I felt nothing. I was almost more shaken up about seeing Devon than I was about the news on mom. I felt the guilt creep into my mind again. I was a really bad person.

Now I was