Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,55

crossed, and his suit framing his wonderfully gorgeous body. I smiled, unable to hide the fact that I was happy to see him. It had been what, less than five hours, yet it felt like weeks. He reached out and grabbed a strand of my soaking wet hair. He grinned at me, amused.

“I was in the shower.” I explained, blushing as his eyebrows raised.

“So, can I come in?” He sounded different. I couldn’t put my finger on why, exactly. He had a tone for playing and a tone for ‘detective’ matters. I was slowly learning to distinguish between the two. I stepped aside, letting him in.

“What’s up?”

“Can we sit down?” Uh oh. This wasn’t good.

Whenever someone, particularly a cop, told you to sit down, bad news was imminent. I walked over to the sofa, sitting myself on the edge of the arm. I looked up at him expectantly.

“I have some news about your mother.” He began. He sat down next to me, avoiding my eyes.

“What is it, Devon?” I pressed. I knew this was bad. I just wished he’d tell me already.

“A motel in Colorado came to our attention. A room was trashed, and blood was found in the bathroom and on the bed,” He paused, as if trying to compose himself, “The blood matched your mother’s.”

“Oh.” I looked down at my hands, my fingers running over the now barely visible burn marks on my wrists.

“Kait, the case has been moved to the homicide division.”

“Homicide. As in murder. You think she has been murdered?” It was a question I really didn’t need a reply to.

Obviously they did, or it wouldn’t have been transferred.

“Not necessarily, Kait. We do think there might be foul play involved, but that doesn’t mean we don’t think she is alive.” I nodded. I wasn’t sure how I felt. The news that my mother may possibly be dead should have left me feeling something.

Instead, I felt dead inside.

How was I going to tell Neri and Sam this? I felt for those poor kids.

“If there is anything I can do…” I shook my head. He reached over and took my hand. His touch sent shivers through my body, “Kait. I’m sorry.” I didn’t answer. Feelings overcame me as I tried to process this information.

I should be feeling sad. Upset. Angry. What did it say about me that the first emotion I felt was joy? Joy that this case would no longer be Devon’s?

My behavior disgusted me.

No matter what, she was still my mother, and she didn’t deserve this. Pulling my hand away, I stood up, walking over to the window. Glancing out onto the street, I watched the trees sway gently in the wind. I focused on a small cat playing with a stack of leaves. I smiled as it pounced, then tried to chase the scattering leaves. I’d always wanted a cat growing up, but John had been allergic, so it never happened.

“Kait…” I felt his hand on the curve of my back. I closed my eyes, and imagined him kissing me, touching me.

When he turned me to face him, I didn’t fight him. His finger trailed past my temple, and down my neck.

“You’re such a beautiful girl. I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this.” I could see the need in his eyes. He wanted me, almost as much as I wanted him.

“You had better go.” My voice was thick, laced with emotion. He looked surprised. Then he nodded, realizing I needed my space.

“I better.” He agreed. His hand lingered in mine for a moment longer, “Will you call me if you need me? Please?” I nodded.

I pushed open the door to Sam’s bedroom slightly. His light was off, but in the stillness of the night I could hear his soft sobs. I flicked on the nightlight which sent patterns of cars driving around walls.

“Sambo? You okay?” I sat down on the edge of the bed, and touched his face. Wiping away the tears, I kissed his cheek, “What’s wrong? Come here.” He scrambled into my open arms for a hug.

“I miss mommy.” His little voice wobbled in a way that broke my heart. I hugged him closer. Tears sprung in my eyes as I struggled to realize he might never see his mom again.

“I’m sorry Sam, I know you miss her. We all do.” I added.

For his benefit, not my own.

“Why did she leave? Was I naughty?” He sobbed. I clutched him closer, knowing with all my heart that if mom had abandoned