Case, suspect, and Body Box.
She avoided his gaze as she stepped closer and placed her mouth near his ear.
“You’ll have to lead me through this. I’m usually the man.”
Understanding shine thorough his expression.
He placed her hands on his shoulders and tugged her into his firm body. Her nipples hardened as they pressed into his swaying strong form. Her lips ached to make contact with any warm part of him.
Even as couples bumped into them and yelled at each other to be heard over the music, it had no effect on the passion building between them. The buzzing intensity unsettled her, forcing her to control an explosion of nervous energy. Yala swore her pulse pounded over the music as she caught breaths intent to escape her.
If Kevin’s ears were as good as his eyes, she was sure she’d be found out. Instead of holding his shoulders, she rubbed her hands across them, enjoying the rippling movement of his muscles. She failed to maintain a steady rhythm, and for the life of her, she couldn’t stop fidgeting.
Kevin led their movement because she didn't know how to deal with the heightened intensity between them. The warm flow of his breath caressed her cheek and neck and sent chills crawling down he back.
She closed her eyes and imagined caressing him, unrestricted, kissing him, shamelessly, and allowing him to do the same to her.
Yala honed in on the strength that made her a good agent in order to relax her body and apparently her mind too. All she needed to do was command her mind not to feel anything, something she’d seen her friend Sori do. Her attempt was ridiculous, since her emotions had taken on a life of their own. Her jittery hands slid over Kevin's shoulders and crossed at his nape. She buried her face in his neck and a deep inhaled closed her eyes. Despite her reluctance, she accepted the spark of passion that ignited between them.
***
Kevin fought the emotional rush. He placed his anxious energy on a feedback loop, wiring it into his confidence. He couldn’t allow Yala to see how much her closeness affected him, so he hid the fact that she’d flipped him inside out. Holding her gave him a spark of joy he hadn’t been expecting.
How had something so intangible between them come alive with such vibrancy?
He’d drawn her too close and didn’t know how long he could maintain a stoic expression when all he wanted to do was touch and taste her lips with his.
It was too late for Kevin to take it back; looking into Yala’s eyes. Now, he couldn’t say his own name. His heart pounded under his armored expression, and he prayed she couldn’t detect his true feelings.
He lowered his head and pressed his cheek onto the side of hers. He tightened his hold and made the last bit of space between them disappeared. Sandwiched against her now, the currents between them flowed like twisting rapids. Although he maintained a posture of strength, his insides were as charged as jumper cables on a revved up car. His demanding willpower was the only thing that kept him from kissing her. Words couldn’t possible describe what came over him.
Yala had a lot more than his desire searing, and he was forced to admit he was in trouble. Not only did she make his temperature rise, but his mind was also in the hot pan. The thumping music was as silent as a whisper because all Kevin heard was his heartbeat pounding in his ear.
He closed his eyes, only to have Yala's tempting scent further invade his senses. A mixture of lavender and honey, or honeysuckle and cream, he didn’t know; but it aided in driving him mad.
Strands of her hair tickled his face and forced him to fight yet another dizzying sensation she’d induced.
“We better get back to the table,” Kevin suggested.
They walked the short distance in screaming silence and sat at their table that was too small, all of a sudden.
Fortunately, they were both strong enough to set aside their personal feelings, and concentrate on what was most important—the case. They stuffed their feelings and discussed how they'd handle their suspect. Tailing her seemed the best short-term option.
Unfortunately, trailing Elizabeth didn’t produce anything substantial for their case. The woman took her escort to a hotel and proceeded to do what she was getting paid to do.
Chapter 14
Guidance Counselor
Yala couldn’t wait to get back to their suite. As soon as her feet crossed the threshold into her bedroom, she started dialing. Her friend Sori was an insomniac, so Yala didn’t feel bad about calling her after 3:00 a.m.
When Sori answered on the first ring, Yala smiled. Her voice was a breath of fresh air.
“Hey Yala. What’s up?”
It was beyond Yala’s understanding how someone with such a deadly reputation and a nickname like Smoke could sound so friendly and carefree. Sori had one of the most menacing stares Yala had ever seen; one that could put the fear of God in the most hardened person. But, in the same breath, she could look sweet and project innocence. She also cursed like a shit-faced drunk, and most of her assignments ended with a stack of dead bodies. Nearly half of Yala’s body count, as an agent, came from assignments she’d worked while partnered with Sori.
Yala attempted to match Sori’s cheerful tone as she paced.
“How are you doing?”
Sori’s voice zipped across the line. Her questions didn’t match the zest in her voice. “Are you okay? You don’t need me to kill anybody, do you?”
Sori was one of the only people Yala knew that could make her smile and wince at the same time.
“I’m fine, and I don’t need you to kill anyone. But, I do have a personal problem I could use your advice on.”
“Oh, really? I hope it has something to do with some man that has you all whipped up at this late hour of the night.”
The woman was a step away from being a fortune-teller. Had she any idea that she’d hit the nail on the head?
Sori had two older brothers who made a habit of setting her up with blind dates; and although she voiced herself a lost cause where men were concerned, she endured the dates anyway.
Yala, however wasn’t sure she wanted to test the waters where men were concerned. Her past demons held such vicious intent, she’d never been interested.
Until Kevin came along, the voice in her head shouted.
Yala filled Sori in on everything about Kevin. She even disclosed that she’d spent the night with him.
“Unfortunately, I fear my curiosity about him is starting to get the better of me. A few days ago, I walked into my suite and found he’d somehow become my partner. He had to have asked for a big favor to get transferred so quickly. If I hadn’t been in one of my disguises, he would have seen right through me.”
Sori’s tone remained encouraging.
“Well, Kay knows his shit. You couldn’t have asked for a better partner. There are two people I like to work with, and you and he are two of them.”
The rare compliment made Yala smile.
“Thank you. I agree that he is a great partner and an even harder worker, but that is not the problem. I think I’m attracted to him, and I think it’s more than friendly. I actually like him, Sori. And the way he looks at me; it makes me nervous, and surprisingly not in a defensive sort of way. It’s starting to drive me crazy. I need you to tell me how to turn this attraction off, before it gets out of control.”
Yala closed her eyes, in despair, when Sori howled with laughter. Her cackling lit the phone lines. Yala had to remove the phone from her ear, for a few seconds.
Sori tried, but failed to take the laughter from her voice.
“There is no off switch. And if he’s looking at you the way you described, he undoubtedly has the same attraction to you as you have to him. At least you’re not on a one-way street.”
Yala’s despair returned when Sori, on the other end, failed to conceal more laughter.
“Have either of you discussed the situation?”
Not knowing how to take Sori’s laugher, Yala spoke with a frown fixed on her face.
“No,
we haven’t talked about anything. I pretend there is nothing happening. I don’t want him to know that I’m into him. We have a serious job to concentrate on. We’re not here to figure out what can only turn into a bad romance. I want this to be about the job and not my own personal…I don’t even know what to call this.”
This time, Sori’s voice was laced with care.
“I understand what you’re going through, better than you might think. When you’re facing a case or a scenario that looks like it may be impossible to solve, what do you do? You don’t say screw it. You do your best to rectify the situation or solve the problem. You do what you have to do to catch the killer or eliminate the monster. You deal with it. That’s exactly what you need to do about your situation with Kevin.”
Yala hadn’t thought about it in that manner.
Sori sounded like a midnight DJ giving out love advice over the airways.
“I can’t say I totally understand what you’re going through. All I can tell you is...if you feel strongly for him and the feelings are mutual, see where it goes. As long as you don’t let it interfere with your job, or endanger your lives, trust your instincts. Your instincts are all that matter.
“You’re a Top agent. If you didn’t have some of the best instincts in this country, you wouldn’t have been chosen. That being said, this world has a lot more to offer than this job. Knowing that someone cares about your day, your mood, and your well-being is an incredible sentiment that can touch the most stubborn mind. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon someone like that, you should not let him slip through the cracks.”
Yala took heed to Sori’s words.
“I understand and appreciate your advice, more than you know. But in the interim, you’re saying I’m stuck like this, and there are no shortcuts? I can either embrace this, or let it go?”
Sori’s voice softened.
“You’re not stuck, Yala. In my honest opinion, I think you should give it a shot with him and see where it goes. If it’s not something you want, you have a job that can remove you from the situation, easily. You could do worse. I mean, I can be a hard-ass sometimes, but I’m not blind; the man is sexy and hot as hell.”
Not at all used to hearing Sori talk like this, Yala laughed into the phone.
Sori’s words went from soft to serious.
“It took a couple of recent near-death experiences for me to realize what I should have realized in the first place. I need to embrace living and enjoy life more; and although it’s difficult, I try anyway. You should do the same, Yala. Instead of skimming through life, live it a little.”
Yala’s deep smile kissed the edged of the phone.
“I understand what you’re saying and appreciate it. Thanks for the talk.”
After they hung up, Yala found she had more to consider than she thought she would.
***
As he sat at his laptop, Kevin let his mind get the better of him. He’d never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted Yala, but his desire to respect her boundaries kept him from pursuing her further. The undeniable chemistry between them couldn’t be ignored, but he’d sensed early on that Yala wasn’t the type of woman that made impulsive decisions when it came to the opposite sex. His good sense reminded him—case before romance.
The fact that they were partners and shared the same suite didn’t help matters. He had undoubtedly underestimated his ability to handle their connection. He closed his eyes and prayed for the strength he needed to survive this assignment with his heart intact.
After he showered, he attempted to relax, but sleep remained elusive. Yala invaded his dreams and his imagination, renovating his mind to include a special place for her. He would have called his cousin, Devin, to talk about his dilemma; but his cousin was apparently about to become a newlywed. Kevin had found a message on his cell from his aunt stating that Devin would soon be married. The message must have been sent in error. His cousin was one of the most arrogant men he knew, and he changed women like the seasons changed weather. The idea of him getting married was almost laughable.
The only other person Kevin could call was Sori.
She answered on the first ring.
“Hi, Kay. What’s up?”
Her cheerful voice at such an ungodly hour made him smile.
He told Sori about his and Yala’s encounter in the alley and disclosed that she’d spent the night with him. It surprised him how easily he’d admitted his attraction to her. He kept his voice firm, because it felt like he was making a confession.
“I don’t know what to do. I’m sure this is more than a random attraction because I have never before experienced it.”
Sori's smooth voice returned. “I must say. I’m glad you’re not afraid to own what you’re feeling.”
Kevin remained quiet and listened.
Sori could have doubled as a glorified guidance counselor as her calm voice filled his ears and dished out advice.
“It is extremely difficult to have a relationship and do the type of work we do. But, if you care for Yala, it doesn’t matter. You will find a way to make her an important part of your life. You will find a way to show her that you’re willing to tackle tough obstacles to prove her importance to you.
“You two won’t have a traditional relationship, in any sense of the word. All that being said, if you play your cards right, you could end up with something special.”
He let her words soak in.
“Can I ask you something?” he asked, skeptical but curious.
“Yes, of course.”
He’d known Sori for four years. In one breath she could be lovable, and in the next breath she could turn into an unyielding deadly force. He’d worked up the nerve to ask her the question he’d been anxious to ask the entire time.
“Her name is not Kris, or Damien, or Yala, is it?”
A long pause followed his question.
“No. And I know why you’re asking. I’m not telling you her real name, Kevin, so don’t ask me again. I will tell you this, though. If she tells you her name, her full name, she probably knows what you intend to do with it, and it can only mean one thing: she is willing to invest in you as much as you would invest in her. It took me over a year to get her name.”
Kevin appreciated the insightful conversation and thanked Sori for her advice before they disconnected.
Chapter 15
Missing Part
The following day brought the second Body Box victim’s second part: the torso. The ominous presence of a head, lying in the center of the exam table, next to a detached encased torso, was a difficult display to comprehend. Two separated body parts belonging to the same man, both unexplainably alive and functioning.
How were they supposed to wrap such a scene into logical understanding?
The doctors slid the torso box into the box containing the head and the magical reattachment followed. The victim now appeared as if he’d never been taken apart. The only thing that signified that anything substantial had taken place was the low click-pop sound when the parts reconnected. The instantaneous connection hadn’t been seen by the group.
Yala glanced at Kevin.
Had he seen the reconnection with his enhanced sight?
He must have understood her look, because he shook his head, no. They slowed the videotape of the reconnection, but it didn’t revealed anything substantial.
Kevin submerged the original Body Box in water, in an attempt to find anything that would yield clues. He also checked to see if the murderer used special tools to make it appear as if the rest of the man’s body was missing.
As the doctors checked and rechecked the victim’s vital signs, Yala and Kevin studied the video of the man’s reattachment. They weren’t certain if the split-second blur that flashed across the screen was from the camera angle or from a hidden energy source within the box.
In their line of work, Kevin had seen many things that couldn’t be explained; this body box was one of the most baffling. There was also Yala an
d her special ability to shift into other people that left his mind in jigsaw pieces.
This case was proving to be a treasure trove of hidden abilities and unexplainable anomalies. He felt like he was in the middle of a science fiction movie versus a case. He played it cool with Yala, but what they were able to do was constantly on his mind.
How many more people with special abilities were out there? Did the inventor of these boxes have a special gift? Why were they gifted with abilities? Where these abilities a blessing or a curse?
The doctors couldn’t explain the logic behind the Body Box; and although the first patient hadn’t survived, they seemed hopeful their current victim would. However, there was enough of the second victim still missing that he wouldn’t survive if they opened the box before receiving the third part.
There was no way the victim could eat or drink, and they had no way of knowing how long he was in this state before arriving at the medical examiner’s office. They were left wondering how long a person could remain in this unusual condition without suffering long-term effects.
The realization left them wondering if the mad-magician-scientist pushed the victims right to the edge of death with his timeline.
After they spent hours studying the victim, Yala and Kevin set out to investigate, ask questions, and seek answers.
They conducted more interviews. Kevin picked up hints of deception when speaking with the security guards.
“The big guy kept shifting, which means he was thinking way too much to be telling me the truth. I didn’t need my senses to know that he was lying. Since I couldn’t drag the information from him, we’ll have to spy on him in the digital world.”
Kevin taught Yala a few tricks of the trade when it came to digital spying. They checked out the background of the shifty guard, Mark Jenkins, and found he was a convicted felon: two B&Es and an aggravated assault charge. Kevin preferred talking face-to-face with suspects, but he was forced to wait until they received the last part of the current victim before heavily engaging potential suspects. It drove them crazy that they couldn’t fully engage a potential killer without risking the chance of not receiving the last part of the victim’s body.
Body Box: Adult Paranormal Romance (Supernatural Thriller) (Dark Suspense) (The Smoke & Fire Series Book 2) Page 9