Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,42

stuck with the dilemma of whether to tell Neri and Sam or not.

Grabbing my keys, I left the house and headed for the park.

The sky was overcast when I reached the track, with the grey clouds threatening to pour down rain at any moment. Stuff it, I decided. I was willing to risk a little rain in exchange for being able to clear my head. I had been running at the park since moving to Seattle. It was very picturesque, with lots of trees and a lake. Weekends it was overrun with families having picnics, but during the week, no matter what time I came I usually had it to myself.

I managed a good fifteen minutes before the clouds opened up on me.

Within seconds, I was drenched. Running for the shelter of a nearby covered picnic table, I waited for the worst to pass. I was beginning to regret not driving down, even though the park was only a ten minute walk. I’d managed not to think about Devon for the last half hour, but he had wormed his way back into my brain again, like some kind of flesh eating virus.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated, his name flashing up on the screen.

“For god’s sake.” I muttered, pressing answer, “What?” I snapped.

“Nice to speak to you too.” Devon said, amused.

“What do you want, Devon?” I sighed, annoyed. The rain had started to ease off, so I slid myself off the table, walking in the direction of home.

“I want to see you. Is that rain?” He sounded confused.

“Yeah. I went for a run, got caught in a thunderstorm.” I shook my head. Why did that matter?

“Are you wet?” His voice lowered, and husky. Was he serious?

“Of course I’m wet, dipshit. I got caught in a thunderstorm.” I growled, glancing down at my singlet which was now clinging to me, “Was there anything else?”

“Come on, Kait. Let me see you. Come over tonight.” He pleaded.

I almost relented. Almost.

“I can’t. I have plans. Look, I’ll call you later, okay?” I hung up before he could respond. I didn’t have plans, but I knew what seeing him would lead to.

Chapter Eighteen

To say I was glad for the night off work would be an understatement. After helping both Neri and Sam with their homework, I threw myself on the couch ready to indulge in an evening with the TV.

Ara was sitting across from me, texting away on her phone. Luke was back in the states next week, and Ara had been counting the moments until she got to see him again. I don’t know how she did it. Being in love with someone who was not only thousands of miles away, but risking his life everyday wasn’t something I could handle.

“Luke?” I asked. Ara nodded, a cheeky smile on her face, “How long is he back for?”

“Six weeks I think, then he is off again for another six months.” She replied sadly. I whistled, shaking my head. She was amazing, being able to cope with him being away like that for so long.

“How do you do it?” I asked.

“Through a lot of phone calls, emails, and Skype.” She laughed, “And of course, nonstop sex when he is home.” She added, her cheeky smile widening. I laughed, knowing that was no exaggeration either.

“So, how’s Devon?” I made a face. “That good, huh?”

I shrugged, “It’s nothing. There is nothing going on at all. Apparently it was just a one-time thing that shouldn’t have happened.”

“And I’m guessing those were his thoughts and not yours?” I nodded. Was it that obvious? “Did he actually say that, Kait?”

“He may as well have.” I shrugged. I replayed our encounter again. “That to me screams not interested.” I doodled circles on my jeans with my finger, “He came over today. With his partner. Work partner.” I added, seeing Ara’s eyes widen.

“Male or Female?”

“Female. Twenties. Pretty.” I added. Ara screwed up her nose like she’d just smelt off milk. “They found blood in mom’s car.”

“Oh shit, Kait.” Ara cried, jumping to her feet and enveloping me in a giant hug. “How are you?” I was silent for a moment.

“When I saw them, mom was the last thing on my mind. All I could think about was how much I wanted him.” I whispered. I felt tears prickle my eyes. I stabbed at my eyes, refusing to let myself cry. “My mother’s missing, and I care more about how some boy treated me?”

“No, Kait, you’re not doing this. You are not going