Page 9 of Blood and Sand

“I told him you were in a meeting and asked if he would like to leave you a message. He declined and said it was an urgent matter and that he needed to speak with you as soon as you were out of your meeting.”

Numerous thoughts raced through my head. Was it Mama LaCroix? Even though I talked to her a few days ago, she hadn’t been in the best health these past years after Mr. LaCroix passed from cancer. Could it be my family? Like me, Rey stayed in contact with my grandparents, who’d raised me, and they still considered him their grandson despite the divorce.

“Dr. LaCroix? What would you like me to tell him?” Renee asked, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Renee. Tell the front desk to get him checked in, then send him up. You can escort him in. Thank you.”

She nodded and left.

I stood and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the back wall of my office, which gave a spectacular view of the Atlanta skyline. It was even more beautiful at night. Although my office was on the smaller side compared to some of the others on this floor, it had the best view by far. Looking out the window, I tried to tamp down my anxiety and excitement to see Rey again.

After three years, what did he want?

After waiting only a few minutes, I knew the exact moment he stepped into my office. The air in the room shifted like it always did when he was around.

“Thank you, Renee,” I said without facing the man who still held my heart captive for all these years. “Please close the door, and make sure no one disturbs us.”

“Okay, Dr. LaCroix.”

The sound of the door shutting caused me to flinch slightly. I wrapped my arms around myself. We both stood in silence. I was sure he didn’t know what to say because it was hard for me to talk as well.

“You look good, DeeDee,” he said with a slight tremble in his voice.

I inhaled sharply, and my head dropped. His voice, deep and sensual, shocked my system. I knew I missed him. Certain smells, foods, and places always made me think of him, but up to that moment, I didn’t realize how much until he spoke. The last time I heard his voice was the night I walked away from him. And, to keep myself from giving in to my desire to be with him and throwing away the opportunity to pursue my dream, I requested we have no contact throughout our divorce proceedings.

Three years was a long time not to hear from or see the one person you loved more than anything.

Tears slowly found their way down my cheeks, and I furiously wiped them away, taking a deep breath to compose myself.

Keep it formal, DeeDee. Don’t let him see how much he still affects you.

“Detective LaCroix, how may I help you?”

I settled behind my desk, looking at the file folders laying on my desk instead of looking at him. I knew I would get lost in those beautiful eyes like I always did.

“DeeDee, look at me,” he commanded.

I ignored him. I needed time to think and strengthen the wall around my heart I’d built when it came to him. I motioned to the chair sitting in front of my desk.

“Have a seat.”

When I finally had the strength to face the man I’d longed to see over these past years, I looked at him. He was as handsome as I remembered, with stormy dark eyes staring back at me, shoulder-length jet-black hair pulled into a man bun I always enjoyed running my fingers through after a night of unadulterated sex, and his face covered in a full beard.

I leaned back in my chair and took in the man who held my heart while he did the same. The connection we shared was still there. The room was charged with it.

“Why are you here, Rey?” I pushed down the urge to run into his arms and finally feel those soft pink lips against mine again. “It’s been three years.”

I asked the question with a little more attitude than needed, but I had to hide how much he still affected me. Rey could read people like a book, and he was always in detective mode.

“I just couldn’t bring myself to see you or hear your voice after you left,” he said. “It was fucking hard, you know? It’s still hard, and I didn’t want to disrupt your life.”

I nodded instead of responding. I understood what he meant. I knew if I saw him or heard his voice, I would drop everything and go back to him. That wasn’t the best for me. This job was.

“But I had to push that aside because I need your help.”

“You have a case?”

“Not just any case.” He sighed. “I have a serial killer.”

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