Page 24 of Love's Hot

“Do you want to talk about your day? I’m a good listener…well, sometimes.” Lilly lets out a soft giggle.

“I can’t imagine you as the listener, Lilly. I reckon you would always be the talker in any relationship.” Laughing at her, she just pokes her tongue out at me like a bratty child.

“Well, that’s okay then because this isn’t a relationship so then we’re fine. Now spill the beans, mister. You need to get something off your chest.”

What is it about this woman that captivates me?

One moment she’s at my feet submitting to my demands and the next minute she’s here in total control of me where I can’t seem to say no to her.

“My job is not your average job, Lil. Some days are just harder than others. That’s all. Now tell me about your week?”

“Ah, ah, ah, I don’t think so.” She waves her finger at me. “Nice try at changing the subject. I also know a brush-off when I hear it. Now start again and tell me what’s eating at you today? What’s sitting heavy on your chest?” Her voice softens as she finishes her sentence.

I want to tell her so many things are sitting on my chest and on my shoulders with my head full of visions no one should have to see day after day.

“I can’t talk about my cases, Lilly, you know that.” Maybe I can convince her it’s all confidential and she’ll let it go.

“Kane,” is all she says. But in the tone my mom would use when I was about to get in trouble if I didn’t move my butt and get into bed. The stop-stalling voice of a woman that you know means get started or world war three is about to erupt.

Looking at her beautiful face that has never been touched by darkness, I know I can’t look at her while I talk.

“Come and lay with me. I need you close.” She knows exactly what I need. Having her snuggle into my side and head on my chest, I wrap my arms around her. A feeling I wish my life would allow me to get used to.

Her hand lies on my chest, slowly moving up and down in a soothing motion. I could lay here all night like this, but I know she won’t let me stay silent for much longer.

“I can’t talk specifics, but I have a case of a missing woman that’s really bugging me. Unfortunately, missing people only usually become my case when they suspect they’re already dead. There is something wrong sitting in my gut about this one, though. I don’t know what yet, there’s just something not right.” I know my heartbeat is a little elevated. As soon as I start to think of the case it happens.

“Do you get feelings like this on all your cases?” Her body doesn’t move, she just lies there waiting for me to answer.

“Not always but sometimes. When I do, I’m usually right. That’s what is freaking me out this time. The victim is a woman who disappeared on a blind internet date.” I hear Lilly gasp quietly.

“She was stupid. She didn’t give anyone the details of who he was, where they were meeting or when. She was gone two days before anyone reported her missing when she didn’t show up to work. Why the fuck was she so careless? I thought every woman these days would know how careful they have to be with their own safety. Now I can’t fucking find her and bring her home to her family. There is something missing in the puzzle and it’s driving me crazy.” I can feel the anger starting to rise.

“Maybe she doesn’t have any friends she can confide in?” While she’s trying to calm me down, I feel a sudden urge to make sure she’s always protected.

I tilt her head so I can stare straight into her eyes.

“Promise me, Lilly, you won’t use online apps for dates. Promise me you will never take such a dangerous risk. I can’t bear to think of you out there with some random guy, so vulnerable to getting hurt. Promise me.” Her hand is still stroking me, trying to soothe me.

“I know it’s a lot to ask of you when you’re not mine, but I care about you and want you treated right. No matter where you meet a guy, if you decide to go on a date, please use me as your safe person. Text me his name, a picture is even better and the details of where you’re going. Promise me you will do that.” I can’t help but feel like there is a knife stabbing in my chest thinking of her dating anyone but me. Reality is, though, I can’t offer what she’ll need so I have to accept she will date other men. None of them will ever be good enough for her, but at least if I have a name and picture, I can run them through our database before she even leaves home. Not that she’ll agree to that but what she doesn’t know, won’t hurt her.

“Kane, you need to relax. Don’t worry about me. I can protect myself.” Her eyes plead with me to believe her. “I know how to give a good swift knee in the balls.”

“For fuck’s sake, this isn’t a joke. Women are being abducted, raped and killed every single day, while going on blind internet dates. I don’t want you becoming one of those statistics. Do you hear me?”

I’m sorry I’m scaring her, but I need her to understand the severity of this.

“I’m sorry, Kane, I know it’s serious. I wasn’t making a joke. I was just trying to calm you down. It’s okay, I’m always careful but if it makes you feel better, if there is ever a time I’m worried, I’ll let you know.” There’s a puzzled look on her face when she realized she’s agreeing to call me before she goes on a date. I can’t work out why. She drops her head back down to my chest. Her eyes have lost a little of their sparkle.

“Lil, what’s wrong?” There’s silence for a moment then her voice is a quiet whisper. It’s like everything I’ve said has sunk in.

“Do you really think she’s already dead? Is there any hope?” She makes no attempt to look up at me which is good. I take a deep breath before I answer her the unfortunate truth.

“There is always hope, beautiful. We never give up hope. It’s just each day the percentages of finding her alive get lower. But I never give up trying in any case. That’s why I do this job. To try to make a difference. Some days I just feel I’m getting nowhere, and I’m just treading water. Today is one of those days.” My arms wrap just a little tighter around her. We lay for a while just embracing the silence. There’s something about Lilly that is so calming to me. It makes no sense because from the outside you would say she is the least calm woman I know. Yet here in my arms she is so settled.

“Kane?” Her quiet voice breaks the silence.

“Yeah, baby?”

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