HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) (10 page)

He cringed at the use of his full name. “Well,” he looked at Jesse for help and found none, “we do have something. Let’s sit down and talk about it.” He gestured to the couch with a nervous smile.

A knock sounded on the door, and she turned and opened it to Agent Keller. “I’m fine.” She immediately regretted the anger in her voice.

He nodded at AJ. “Agent Brent and I’ll be outside.”

Before she finished locking the door, the old Jesse appeared. The one she worked with on the case. Not the one she’d had a date with.

“What the fuck? You didn’t even check to see who it was before you opened the door?” Jesse bellowed.

She didn’t want the old Jesse around her. She glared at him, her eyes stony with anger. “What are you doing here, Jesse?” Her conflicting feelings toward him seemed out of control.

“Don’t you want to take off your wet shoes and pants and get comfortable?”

Comfortable? The man had her nerves on edge. How could she get comfortable?

She kicked off her shoes. “Let me change. It’ll only take a minute.”

Walking up the stairs, Dottie at her heels, she heard, “Need an extra hand?”

She pretended she hadn’t heard Jesse or when AJ cursed at him. This meeting promised to be interesting.

Dottie led the way downstairs after Kate had changed. “Okay, what’s this all about? Did you figure out who the shooter is and who he’s after?” She sat in the chair. Something told her if she sat on the couch or the love seat, Jesse would sit beside her. She needed to focus on what AJ had to say.

“Yes and no.” AJ sat, fidgeting.

AJ didn’t fidget. Something had happened that she wouldn’t like. “Are you going to elaborate?”

She glanced at Jesse. AJ straddled a thin line keeping Jesse involved in this investigation, even if he was a possible target.

As if reading her mind, AJ spoke up to explain, “Kate, this may involve both you and Jesse.”

They’d already guessed that might be the case. “Wait, you said both.”

“Jesse and I don’t agree on whether the note refers to you or someone else.” He glanced at his brother.

Her eyes narrowed. “Note? What note? Have you been holding out on me, AJ?” She thought she could trust him to keep her in the loop.

His jaw tightened, and he gave her a tight-lipped smile. “When Jesse left from your um…date, he found a note on his SUV.”

His disapproval shocked her. Then she remembered his displeasure at Jesse’s use of women. She’d called AJ a hypocrite, and he’d agreed. But, now wasn’t the time to tell him that she and his brother wouldn’t have any more dates.

Jesse finding a note after leaving her apartment bothered her. They’d followed him, or they watched her apartment. “Okay, you’ve got my attention. Tell me about the note.”

AJ explained the note, handing her a copy.

She furrowed her eyebrows. “What does this have to do with me?” Her heart pounded. An image of Jesse’s daughter flashed through her mind. The little girl he was so proud of was in possible danger. Reagan. That was who he loved. Not her.

“I think it’s got nothing to do with you, but Jesse on the other hand has a different theory.”

She turned to Jesse, who had stayed curiously quiet. He appeared calm for someone who had a psycho after one of his loved ones. “What are you doing to protect Reagan? Why aren’t you with her?”

“The women I love, my daughter, my sister and my niece, are protected. It’s you I’m worried about.”

The look on her face expressed her confusion and disbelief. “Why are you worried about me? It’s obvious it’s you the Facilitator is mad at. He must have followed you here.”

Jesse leaned forward, put his arms on his thighs and clasped his hands together. “I think the note means you, Kate.”

Her eyes widened and she laughed. Strange and disquieting thoughts began to race through her mind. Surely she’d heard him wrong. “Me? But, you don’t love me. We barely know each other. Why do you think it’s me he’s after instead of one of your family?”

“It’s the shooting. Something bothered me about it, and I finally figured it out. That was your daily route, anyone who watched you would know you’d be there. Me? It was coincidental that I was there. This is a cold-blooded killer who is careful. He wouldn’t have just been on the street with the hope that I was there. No, he was after
you
.”

Kate shuddered. What he’d said made perfect sense. Still, the killer could have been following him. She looked at AJ who shrugged.

“That part bothered me, too.”

Looking between the two men, she wavered, trying to comprehend what she’d heard. “So, what? You’re saying that I’m the target because someone thinks Jesse loves me? How could they think that?”

“I think it started with when we left the bar. Someone saw us and targeted you because of it.”

Could it really be her?

“Since he left a card in the car used for the shooting and then this one, we think he shot at Jesse on the street. He failed, so now he’s after someone close to him. Kate, the FBI doesn’t agree with Jesse’s assessment, so they’re not keeping a detail on you any longer,” AJ said in an apologetic voice.

“Actually, you’re getting H.I.S. protection.”

This had gone too far. The note let them know she wasn’t the target. How could they not get that through their thick skulls? “What’s wrong with the both of you? This note proves that I’m not the target. Even the FBI agrees. Jesse doesn’t love me. We mean nothing to each other, so I don’t need any men following me around.”

Jesse stiffened as though she’d struck him.

“Look, Jesse, I’m sorry to hear this psycho is after someone you love, but you two,” she pointed her index finger back and forth between them, “need to leave me out of this. I want this shooter caught because he hit me, but I don’t want, or need, protection since no one is after me.” She’d been collateral damage. In the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Kate, I may not agree, but I trust Jesse. It’s a long shot, but it’s quite possible it means you, and the killer is misinformed about your relationship. You should take this protection. Just in case.”

AJ surprised her by pleading his brother’s case. If he agreed, why hadn’t he fought for FBI protection to continue?

“It doesn’t matter what you want,” Jesse growled at her.

She stood. “Unless you can tell me who the shooter is, then this conversation is over, gentlemen.” Damn overprotective, alpha men.

Jesse stood. “No, sweetheart,” his face broke into a wide grin and a gleam appeared in his eyes, “this conversation is far from over.”

* * * * *

When angry, Kate’s body tensed, she squinted her eyes and clenched her fists, making her even more desirable. She’d changed into a pair of slacks, accentuating her tight, firm ass. Jesse wanted to reach out and grab it, massage it, and squeeze it as he pulled her close to him.

His desire for her had become all-consuming. To properly protect her, he had to distance himself from her. He couldn’t get personally involved. For the first time in his career, he didn’t think it possible. Every time they neared each other, a jolt of lust like he’d never felt before seared through his body, and his fingers ached to reach out and touch her.

Yeah, he desired her, but he didn’t love Kate, not like the Facilitator thought. But he liked her more than he should. He could’ve called in a favor and had the FBI protective detail remain with her, but he trusted his men to protect her. Jesse felt the overwhelming urge to personally keep her safe so her protection included him. No matter what she said, he’d damn well be staying.

He pointed to the chair she’d vacated. “Sit. We still have plenty to discuss.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, probably cycling through possible retorts. He didn’t need to argue with her right now. He needed her to listen so he said again, this time his voice pleasant, “Kate, please sit. We need to discuss this.”

She let out an exasperated sigh and reluctantly dropped into the chair.

He sat and glanced at AJ who looked ready to referee again. He liked his brother’s overprotective streak of his partner. But most importantly, he liked that the two of them had never slept together.

“I believe you’re still in danger, Kate. Whether you agree or not.” He prepped for battle with her.

AJ hastily stood. “I’m leaving. You two can hash this out. Kate, if you want the FBI detail, I’ll fight for it, but H.I.S. is the best there is, and I trust them.”

She stood. “There’s no need to keep them here, AJ. It’s a waste of manpower. I don’t need them. I appreciate it, but thanks anyway.”

He nodded to Jesse and turned to the door.

Jesse quickly deciphered the uncomfortable look that moved swiftly over her face when she realized they’d be alone. He didn’t like that look. He didn’t like it at all.

Jesse stood. “I’ll lock up behind you.”

“I’m quite capable of locking my own door.”

He chuckled at the color creeping onto her cheeks as her temper began to flare. “I’m aware of that.” He brushed past her and followed his brother.

Finally alone, Jesse’s eyes roamed over her again. They stopped on her injured hand. The injury she had because of him.

She looked about to erupt, and he would be on the wrong end of that lava flow.

“Kate, I don’t want to argue with you. This is too important, and we need to discuss it like grown adults.”

Her nostrils flared as she breathed in deeply to control her anger. “There’s really nothing to discuss. I don’t know how you came to your conclusion, but you’re wrong.”

He stepped toward her and watched her take a step back. That hurt. Last night they’d shared some good moments. He thought they were moving forward. Obviously, she didn’t want what he did. What exactly did he want?

“I don’t think I’m wrong, Kate. Maybe he thinks we’re dating and things are more involved than they are.” He had to convince her that she needed his protection.

She dropped into the chair with a deflated look about her. “No. I don’t believe it’s me he’s after. You really need to be with Reagan.”

That was the second time she’d worried about his daughter, and he’d heard real concern in her voice both times. She hadn’t even met Reagan, and yet, she wanted to ensure her protection from this psycho. A chunk of ice broke off of his frozen heart.

“My brothers are with her. She’s in great hands.”

He sat on the couch. “Kate, you can agree or not, but I’m going to ensure you’re protected.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Not enough, you’re injured. I’ve already added a team to watch over you.”

She slowly took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Jesse, I appreciate your concern and the offer of protection, but I don’t want it. I don’t need it. All I need is this asshole caught.”

“They’re going to be there whether you want them or not.”

“Dammit, Jesse! Do you purposely try to piss me off?”

He laughed. “No, but I like you when you’re angry at me.” He winked at her.

Before she could argue, he stood. “I’m hungry. How about you? Let’s take our minds off of this and make some dinner.” He moved to the kitchen leaving her to process what he’d said.

She joined him and didn’t say a word about his still being there as they prepared spaghetti with meat sauce together like a couple who had been with each other for years. It reminded him of the intimate times with his wife. If only he hadn’t taken that call. He mentally shook his head. He had to wash away those thoughts right now. He needed to focus on Kate’s safety.

They chatted during dinner over safe topics like the Orioles and the upcoming Ravens’ season. They avoided any mention of her safety or his team.

As they cleared the dishes, he remembered the gift he’d brought her. “Come into the living room with me.” He grabbed her good hand and tugged.

She followed and accepted the box he handed her with a look of surprise on her face.

“If you’re going to protect yourself, you’re going to need this.”

She glanced at him nervously then opened the box. When she pulled out the gift, pleasure washed over her face. Was that how she’d look when she came? Damn his raging libido.

“It’s a left-handed holster. I thought you might want to try shooting left-handed for a while.”

“Jesse, this is so thoughtful. You didn’t have to do this, but thank you.”

He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome. Maybe we can go to the range some time and let you practice.”

She smiled softly. “I’d like that.”

He needed to do something or he’d end up grabbing her and doing what he’d said he shouldn’t do. He had to protect her dammit, not carry her to the bedroom. “Why don’t we sit and watch a movie?”

“We need to talk about your men first.”

“There is no discussion. They stay. Now, let’s see what’s on TV.” He sat on the couch and patted the seat beside him. “Come on.”

Steam radiated off of her. He grinned when she sat in the chair. He stretched out his legs and crossed them as he picked up the remote.

Patience.

* * * * *

Kate yawned at the end of the movie. “It’s time I turned in.” She stood and stretched her arms above her head, inadvertently pushing her breasts out.

Jesse’s mouth watered. “Okay, let’s turn in.”

She froze. “Um, Jesse. I’m not going to sleep with you.”

“So you’ve told me.” He grinned at her. “I guess now’s as good a time as any to tell you that until the Facilitator is captured, where you go, I go.”

He waited for her explosive reaction.

“That’s ridiculous, and you know it. You
are
not
following me around.” She’d raised her voice and her left index finger poked his chest.

He grabbed her finger. “Yes, I am. And, I’m staying here. With you.” Before she could shout at him again, he added, “My bag is already in the guest room.”

His heart sank when he saw the relief on her face. Relief that he wasn’t taking her to bed. He knew she wanted him but didn’t know why she held back. It didn’t really matter right now because his focus needed to be on protecting her.

She spoke slowly and softly, “I’m safe in my apartment. I don’t need you to stay. Good night, Jesse.”

“Good night, Kate.” He turned and headed to the stairs and the guest room, leaving her speechless and staring after him.