Page 50 of Mine to Share

“I know, Jameson,” Rhyan said, the exhaustion in her voice clear even states away. “And it’s worse for us because we see how often it happens on a national scale. We know it’s not just Santa Coasta, it’s everywhere. Listen, you’re doing all you can to catch the unsub, but sometimes we need to take a step back for a fresh perspective. It’s what, eight o’clock there? Go get dinner, have a beer. Pick up the case tomorrow. Charlie will create the algorithm needed to search the old Santa Coasta files, and I’ll keep going over the new ones to see if there’s anything else we can add to the profile we discussed earlier.”

I swallowed. “I just feel guilty. What if she’s… what if she’s a victim herself, Rhyan? How do we—” Fuck, I couldn’t finish that thought.

“You’re a good man, Jameson. But we have a job to do. If she is a victim herself, then we can sympathize, and that will adjust how you approach her to ensure she gets the help she needs. But she has killed five men. We can’t turn a blind eye to that.” I collapsed into the chair, the exhaustion suddenly too much to stay standing. “And where are you staying, by the way? The travel coordinator said you checked out of the hotel but haven’t checked into another one.”

“Erm.” I rubbed at the back of my neck and squeezed. “So, what happened was….”

“Go on,” she encouraged, humor lifting her tone.

“The hotel was in a rough part of town, as in you might have come here to investigate my murder, so I checked out to find another place where I wouldn’t end up outlined in chalk, but then Dr. Evans offered another place to stay.” My features twisted in a wince. “With her.”

“Oh, did she now?” Oh hell, I would never hear the end of this. I just knew it. “Well, I’m sure that is super beneficial for the case. Among other things.” She paused, but I kept my lips sealed shut, not giving her any hint to how I really felt about staying next door to the woman currently consuming my thoughts. Well, half consuming—the other half was filled with murder and mayhem. “So, I have to ask, since as your boss and all, I need to know these things… did you two date when you worked together in Nashville?”

“Nope. She was married, so all we did was talk. And flirt a bit. Then there was the occasional lunch and—” I shook my head. “But she was married and nothing happened.”

“But she isn’t now.” I blinked at the blank phone.How the fuck does he know that?“Don’t stare at the phone, Jameson Leslie Bend.” Oh, I fucking hated that bastard for even knowing my full name. Curious motherfucker. “I noticed the divorce filings when doing my bit of digging for my girl here. Not sure if you know this or not, but the divorce was messy. Looks like he took her through the ringer and still wanted more. He even wrote out the canned goods on the list of assets that he wanted.”

“Sounds about right,” I grumbled. “He was a fuckhead.”

“You’re not a fuckhead,” Rhyan commented.

“Thanks?”

“I’m just saying. You’re there. She’s there. A spark from years before. Which is fine. I can’t cast judgment on something happening between you while you’re there for the job. You know how Charlie and I met.”

“Best. Case. Ever,” Charlie blurted.

“When I almost died?” she laughed.

“Minus that.”

“Just don’t let it distract you from finding the unsub, Jameson. You’re there for a job, but you’re allowed to still have a life while working.”

But that was the problem, wasn’t it?

I knew in my soul that if I pursued something with Rain, it would be a distraction. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the moment I touched her soft fair skin, she’d instantly consume every part of me. Even more than she already did.

But I also knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. If Rain wanted me, wanted our flirting to lead to more, why push aside what I’d wished for all this time because of the job?

Only one way to find out.

15

SLADE

Already done with my massive salad with three grilled chicken breasts added, I pushed the plate to the side and wiped the thick paper napkin across my lips. Across the table, Rain continued to devour her double-patty burger, little content moans escaping her along with strange happy dances in her seat with every bite. Every sound had my attention snapping to her and my mind sinking straight in the gutter.

Because hot damn, if she made those noises about food, what would she sound like if I made a meal out of her?

With a little satisfied hum, she wiped her fingers, bouncing slightly in the seat as she slurped down the chocolate milkshake she’d ordered for a drink. This had to be the single most entertaining dinner I’d ever had, and we hadn’t talked about anything other than work. It was just her being one hundred percent Rain, and I was sitting here enjoying every second.

So many of my past relationships revolved around the physical side, all fucking and nothing else. This between me and Rain, the simplicity of enjoying being in each other’s presence, was a breath of fresh fucking air. That didn’t mean I didn’t crave something physical, because how could I not with a woman like Rain?

But I wouldn’t.

Which reminded me that I still needed to apologize for my slip.

“Hey, so I’ve been meaning to talk to you about yesterday.”

---