The sex with Desiree had been another ten out of ten.The first night’s amazingness could have been attributed to the connection they’d felt that evening combined with need and liquid courage.Now he knew for sure it was so much more.
Not a fluke.
And not something he could give up again.At least not without a whole lot of grumbling.He lifted his head and read the clock beyond Dez’s shoulder: 1:58 a.m.
Maybe if he held her this tightly all night she wouldn’t escape from his bed.Now that was a fucked-up thought.He’d never hold her down if she wanted to leave, but he hated that he was afraid to wake up and find her gone.She owed him nothing.This was sex.Casual and consensual.Nothing more nothing less.She had every right to run off if she wanted, and there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.Least of all hold her in place.
If she left in the morning, he’d be really disappointed he hadn’t gotten to taste her again.Who knew if he’d ever get her back in his bed?He stroked his fingers down the cavern of her spine.She let out a sigh and snuggled closer.
Nah, she was too tired.He’d just have to hope she stayed in place for the night, and in the morning, he’d bury his face between her legs and prove to her that sharing his bed was worth it—
Buzz,buzz
He jerked toward the noise.His phone lit up the nightstand.After easing Dez out of his arms and tucking the blankets around her, he picked up the device.
He was on call, and rarely did anything happen when he was on call.Of course the night Dez slept over all hell would break loose.He grabbed his briefs from the floor, stepped into them, and swiped the green button on the screen.“Hello?”he asked, as he slipped out of the bedroom.
“Hey, Aiden.It’s Mary.Sorry to bother you so late.”The dispatcher’s voice was laced with genuine regret.
If she only knew what she was interrupting...
“It’s okay, Mar.What’s up?”
“We’ve got a fire on Main Street.The fire department’s taking care of it, but since it’s connected to a case you’re working on, I figured you’d want to know.”
His body tensed.“What’s on fire?”
“It’s uh...”She cleared her throat.“It’s Desiree Zimmerman’s store.Raven’s Nest.”
He slammed his palm against the wall.“Fuck.”
“I guess police tried to reach her but there was no answer.They got ahold of the store manager, Louise, and she’s there now.”
“All right.I’ll be right there.”He hung up and went back to the bed.Sitting on the mattress, he gripped Dez’s shoulder and gave her a gentle shake.“Honey, you need to wake up.”
She rubbed her eyes, rolled onto her back, and winced.“What time is it?”
“It’s after two.There’s been a fire at your store.”
She bolted into a sitting position.“What?Oh my god!”She threw back the covers and stumbled from the bed.
He switched on the bedside lamp and a warm yellow glow filled the room.
“Why didn’t anyone call me?I can’t believe...oh my god.Everything must be ruined.”A sob caught in her throat.She pulled on her underwear, then her dress, her fingers fumbling over the buttons, missing more than one on the way.
She jammed her arms into the sleeves of her cardigan and then scooped up her phone.“Crap, my ringer was off.”
He stood and held her elbows.“It’s going to be okay.”
Her brows came together in a sharp line.“No, it’s not.Books, incense, cards, crystals...it’s all destroyed.”
“We don’t know how bad it is yet.But you have insurance.These things can be taken care of.All that matters is you and your staff are safe.”
She rubbed her palm between her eyes.“You’re right.”Releasing a deep breath, she nodded.“Okay, can we go now?I need to see for myself.”
“You bet.”He pulled on his pants and shirt and shoved his phone in his back pocket.Then he grabbed his holster and strapped his gun on and followed Dez out of the room.
He’d said what he could to calm her.The last thing she needed was his anger on top of everything, but goddammit, when he found out who was targeting Dez he’d put his fist through their fucking face.
