Page 19 of Key Of Dreams

“So, after the fistfight and the kid who threw up in the hallway, I was at my wits’ end. Oh, and I had Josh in my afternoon class, and he wasn’t nearly as disruptive, which tells me that Calvin is the bigger problem. But I can handle it,” I tell him. I’ve been gushing all through dinner about my first day, and it dawns on me that I never asked about his day. “How was your day?”

“I was late, but it was worth it,” Bull says.

“I made you late?”

“I’m never late. I was due,” he jokes. “The guys got donuts. They were more than appeased.”

“Seriously!?” I ask in astonishment. He laughs, and I do the same.

Chapter10

Dessert Surprise

Maya

Dinner wasn’t fancy, but it hit the spot. Spaghetti and meatballs seemed like a good meal for a big man like Bull. He must like it because he’s on his second helping of spaghetti, and he’s had four meatballs. I never understood why my mom got such a kick out of watching us eat, but I get it now. Bull enjoying a dinner I made with him in mind makes me happy.

“This is great, Maya. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal made for me in a long time, unless I make it myself,” he says as he dabs a piece of garlic loaf into the sauce on his plate.

“Do you like to cook?” I ask.

“Hate it,” he answers, “but it’s necessary, and I don’t like having takeout every night. I’m a fair cook. Better than what we were served in the army.”

“The food was that bad, huh?”

“They did their best, but we were in the middle of nowhere, and it was hard to get fresh meat and vegetables. Most of the food was canned and processed, but it kept us alive and served its purpose.” He shrugs.

I make a mental note to keep fresh fruit and veggies in the fridge at all times. “I like cooking. It’s just hard cooking for one. I like cooking for two better.”

He smiles. Hooking a hand around the back of my head, he pulls me closer and kisses me softly. “We’ll find creative ways to cook together.” His playful grin causes a tingle to run through me. I return the smile.

“Looking forward to it, honey,” I whisper against his lips.

Bull insists on doing the dishes. He said since I cooked, he’ll clean up. I don’t know what to do with myself. Instinctively, I reach for a drying towel to help. Bull takes it from my hand and lifts me to sit on the empty counter.

“Keep me company.” He’s even sexier washing my dishes, if that’s possible. He chats about his day. I can sense he wants to tell me more, but is hesitating.

“Is something on your mind?”

“I may have to go out of town for a few days for work,” he says. I can see that he’s looking for a reaction from me.

“Okay,” I answer quietly.

“That’s it? You don’t want to know why or what or how?” He leans with his back against the counter.

“If you want to share, then I’ll listen, but if you can’t, then I’ll understand. I know from Kailyn that much of the work you and the other guys do is hush-hush.”

“If information leaks out, then we’re endangering the lives of others. We’ve got a couple of cases on the go, and I may be putting in some long hours. I may not be around as much as I like.” He eyes me cautiously.

“You’re looking at me like you’re expecting me to freak out or something. Will I worry? Sure. Do I trust that you’ll be as safe as you can be? Absolutely. Will I miss you when you’re not here? More than anything. But you have a job to do, and what you do is important.”

Bull pushes away from the counter and pushes my legs apart, coming to rest between them, his fingers digging into my waist, his hazel eyes piercing mine. “You’ll miss me?” he asks, his voice raw.

“Yes. More than anything. I’m falling in love with you. It sounds ridiculous, I know. We haven’t known each other long, and we’re still finding out so much about each other, but what I know, I love. This, tonight, is the best night I’ve ever had. This morning, the way you brought me coffee, I want that every day. But there will be times when I bring it to you because that’s what partners do.”

“There’s a kid who’s been kidnapped. His parents are frantic, and their only option is to get the kidnappers into the building where the father works. We have sixty hours to find this kid. If we don’t, there’s a good chance they’ll kill the boy whether the father cooperates or not. The statistics suck, but that’s our reality.”

I’m horrified by what he’s telling me. “The police?—”

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