Page 38 of Key Of Dreams

“How was your day?” she asks with a giggle. I laugh, hoisting her into my arms and twirling her around.

Chapter18

The Dresser Drawer

Maya

Bull and I cook in my little kitchen. Tacos and salad, quick and easy. When it’s almost done, I leave Bull to watch over the pan so I can get changed. By the time I’m back, he’s set the table and is talking on the phone.

“Yeah.” A pause. “I agree.” He looks up and sees me coming back into the room. “Maya’s back, and we’re going to have dinner. I think we’ll start there tomorrow.” He sighs. “I’m with you. I want them back too, but you know Falcon. We took this case on, and he’s not going to leave until Obi and Yakubu are safe.” I don’t know who these guys are, but if Storm is protecting them, they couldn’t be in better hands. “Right. I’ll be there early tomorrow.” Bull hangs up, still watching me intently, taking in all of me.

I’m wearing leggings and an oversized cream sweater with my hair up in a high ponytail, nothing special. “I want to be cozy,” I explain.

“I can’t make up my mind,” he says.

I tilt my head and bite my lower lip, then ask, “About what?”

“Whether I like sexy teacher, shy girl next door, or sleepy kitten more.”

“You have to love them all.” I move closer to hug him. “Because that’s all of me. Just like I love sexy caveman, protective commando, and sweet man who saves women in distress.”

“Babe—”

“I love you, Conall. I want you to know just how much you mean to me.”

He kisses me long and slowly. The kiss moves from soft to intense. His lips move over mine, his tongue darting and dueling with my own. The heat rises through me, and I cling to his shoulders to hold myself upright as my knees grow weak. This isn’t just any kiss. It’s a message. It’s Bull’s way of telling me he loves me too. When he lifts his head, he gazes into my eyes, the back of his fingers stroking the apple of my cheek.

His voice is low, barely above a whisper. “Love you, Maya.” And there it is, a simple man with a simple gesture, telling me how he feels, and everything is complete.

* * *

As the evening wears on, I tell Bull all about Josh’s visit and Calvin stepping up to finish his assignment. Then I explain what I saw in their files.

“I’m not sure what any of that means, but the fact that his attitude issues started around the same time as his return to school makes me wonder what happened to him. Is he having trouble at home? Could it be more serious and I’m just blaming his behavior on wanting attention? I’m just not sure.” I explain what I found in Calvin’s file and how the two boys come from very different social and economic backgrounds, and yet they’re as close as can be.

“I think your gut is right. Josh came to you for a reason. He may be trying to help his friend by betraying his confidence. Whatever secret the two are keeping, Josh is uncomfortable with it,” Bull says.

“What do I do?” I ask with a heavy sigh.

“Not sure there’s anything you can do until you know what the problem is. And even once you know, you may not have the means to do a damn thing about it. Well, except be there for them.” Bull’s right about that. Unless the boys are in danger, there’s not much I can do.

“What do you think it is?”

“Hard to tell. If it makes you feel better, I can ask Wire to do a search on the parents to see if something comes up.”

“I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

He chuckles. “Babe, I’m part owner in Storm, and the guys will do it because if something’s up, they’re going to want to help the kid.”

I would feel so much better if I knew what I was dealing with. I can’t get Josh’s facial expression out of my mind. He was worried about Calvin. I’m positive if Calvin hadn’t come in just then, Joah would have shared his fears.

“I’d like that. I just know there’s more to this.” I change gears and ask about his day.

“I think we’re finally getting close on this case. We’ve discovered a break-in that leads to other questions, but in the end, the answers to those questions may give us the person responsible for President Obi’s best friend’s death. I think we’ve hit on something. Falcon and Rebel are following up on a lead with the local police. We want this done, and we want Falcon and Rebel back where they belong,” he explains.

He loves these men. These are his brothers. Not of blood, but of the heart. I’ve only met the guys briefly, but I can see they’re pretty awesome. And all pretty hot. Not as handsome as my Bull, but still hot.

“When they come back, we should have dinner together. I’d like to get to know your family better.”

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