Page 6 of Tell Me Your Desires
“So?” Taylor rested her arms around Jaime’s waist.
“So, that’s not the woman I saw myself with. Though if I’m being honest, I didn’t see myself with anyone. I know being with me is difficult, but we love one another enough to deal with any issues we have, right?”
Taylor smiled weakly, lowering her eyes between them. “We do. We always work it out, even if I hate it when you leave suddenly.”
“Because we love each other. And this time next year, we’re going to be married. Another thing I didn’t imagine happening to me.”
Taylor held Jaime close, toying with the buttons on her open blazer. “I can’t wait to be your wife, baby.”
“Right back at you.”
“So, about those plans. And that food.” Taylor narrowed her eyes, pulling Jaime flush against her. The way Taylor’s bodyfelt, lean and supple, had Jaime wanting to remove her clothes in this very spot. But she wouldn’t. She’d do the decent thing and set the table for dinner.
While she could…
“Jai?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get to those plans.” Jaime shed her blazer, hanging it over the back of a stool at the breakfast bar. “I need to fuel that body of yours. We’re in for the long haul.”
“Maybe…I could get dinner set up while you go to the corner store and pick me up some smokes?”
Jaime lifted her head, eyeing Taylor. “Yeah, that’s not happening. You know I’m not doing that for you. If you want to continue your habit, you can go yourself.”
Taylor groaned. “But, baby?”
“No! Not doing it,Tay!” Jaime was about to expand when her phone rang in her pocket. She sighed, taking it out. “Baros.”
“We’ve brought him in. I know what day it is, but you told me to call if we had any leads.”
“You’ve got him?” Jaime’s brows rose.
“He’s in interrogation now. Your call. Do you want me to wait?”
Jaime swallowed down the guilt she knew was rising. Taylor wasn’t going to like this, but they’d been looking for William Glover for five days. This was Jaime’s case. She wanted to see him trip himself up. “I’m on my way.”
The sigh Jaime heard from Taylor didn’t require any follow-up conversation. Her fiancée was looking at her with disappointment as their eyes met.
“Tay, I’m sorry. But we’ve got a breakthrough, and I have to be there. I can’t not be there.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s your job. Whatever.” Taylor turned her back and shook her head. “Take dinner with you. I’ll find something else.”
“Babe, come on.”
Taylor spun around, her long dark hair whipping around her face and shoulders. “No! Don’t! It’s one night, Jai. One night. Our anniversary.”
“I know. And I’m sorry, you know I am, but?—”
Taylor lifted a hand, silencing Jaime. “Yeah, I know. You’re always sorry. Just go.”
Jaime turned her watch towards herself as she grabbed her blazer. Taylor wouldn’t even look at her, but what did Jaime expect? Time and time again, she let Taylor down in some way. Plans were constantly interrupted. “Taylor, you know who I am. What you were signing up for. I’m a homicide detective, and when I get the call, I gotta go, babe. Give me an hour…two, max. I’ll be back, okay?”
Taylor cleared her throat and crossed the kitchen, kissing Jaime’s cheek. “Bye, Jai. Be safe.”
Taylor turned to walk away, but Jaime held her wrist. “Hey, I love you. Not just today but every day. And if we have to celebrate our anniversary for the next ten days until you forgive me, then we’ll do that.”
“Just go.”Taylor cast her gaze on the floor, pulling her wrist from Jaime’s grip. “I’ll see you whenever I see you.”
Jaime grabbed her keys and rushed towards the door. But something felt off. Not Taylor’s attitude—this was standard when Jaime was called away—but something else. Jaime just didn’t know what. “Hey!”
