One Taste of Crazy (A One Taste Novel Book 3)

by Amanda Siegrist

  “You sure you’re okay, Sauer?”

  He flashed a smile. “I’m good.” He started to spoon the eggs around. He should pop some toast in, too. Did she like toast? All he had to do was ask.

  Not exactly tension, but something stretched between them in the kitchen. He was afraid to turn around and ask her even a simple question, like, did she want some toast.

  He shivered as a pair of arms circled his waist. She rested her head against his back.

  “What’s the matter? You’re barely talking to me.”

  “I apologize.”

  She chuckled. “I am not mad you made bacon. I love bacon.”

  He set the spoon down and turned around. Her arms fell away as she took a step back. “I was talking about last night.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I…the bed…naked…” He ran a hand over his face as he managed to take a deep breath. Now wasn’t the time to stumble over his words.

  Her soft fingers brushed his cheek. “I should thank you for last night. I needed that. This morning, I feel rejuvenated. Let’s find this bastard. Nobody attacks me and gets away with it.”

  His jaw clenched. “I will find this bastard. Not you.”

  “Whatever.”

  “You’ll listen to me, Dee.” He took a step closer, a breath away. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. Let me do my job.”

  She bit her lip as a sneaky grin emerged. “Every time it comes to your job, you get so dominant and assertive. Then, in the next breath, so shy. You are a very complex man.”

  “No. I’m pretty simple. I’m good at my job. You leave this to me.”

  Her lips brushed his. “I never listen well.” She laughed as she backed away. “You’re cute when you get upset.”

  He groaned and turned back to the eggs. She was going to be the death of him. Some man, most likely the killer he was looking for, attacked her, and she wanted to argue with him about who would catch him. Why did every little thing about her make him like her more? Even when she was annoying the hell out of him. Refusing to listen to him.

  “Who is this guy?”

  He gave a few shakes of the salt and pepper into the eggs.

  “Sauer?”

  He pulled the bread from the cupboard and untied the bag, pulling two slices out. He’d make some toast and she could choose herself whether she wanted one. He decided he wasn’t going to ask. She was really starting to piss him off.

  “I know you know something about this guy. Just tell me.”

  Scratch that. He was passed pissed off. She just wouldn’t let it go.

  “I hate it when you ignore me like this.”

  He slapped two pieces of bread into the toaster and hit the button.

  “Sauer!”

  Slowly, he turned toward her. “Did you want butter, jelly, or peanut butter on your toast?”

  Her lips fell into a tight line. “Are you kidding me right now? Tell me—”

  “Butter, jelly—”

  “Take your toast and shove it.”

  He smiled. “Duly noted. You don’t like toast.” He grabbed the jelly from the fridge and tried to ignore the rising tension in the kitchen.

  He didn’t care how mad he made her. He wasn’t going to share any information about the case with her. Not one tiny bit. It was his job to protect her and by giving her information he knew she wouldn’t stay out of it. That wasn’t her style. To protect her, he had to find this killer on his own, whether it made her mad. What did it matter? They were only friends. Friends got mad at each other and moved on. Now, if he were her boyfriend, perhaps that would make him a little more nervous. Good thing they were only friends.

  “If you don’t start—”

  The doorbell rang.

  Sauer set the spoon down after scrambling the eggs some more and glanced at Dee, who looked ready to explode. God, she was so beautiful angry. He walked out of the kitchen without a word. Surprisingly, she didn’t speak or follow him.

  He opened the door to Ben and Zeke and gestured them inside. “Hey, guys. I hope you found something good.”

  “Not really.” Zeke sniffed, pleasure lighting up in his eyes. “Bacon.”

  Ben chuckled. “Dude, we just ate. How’s Dee?”

  Sauer cleared his throat. “Pissed. I won’t tell her about the case. She’ll just try to do things on her own and I won’t let that happen. Did you interview her neighbor?”

  “Yep. He didn’t send the roses or notes. Although, he was creepy as shit. He has a real thing for her. Ben and I put the fear in him.”

  “She barely saw her attacker, but I don’t think it’s her neighbor. I think she would’ve recognized him. Maybe the guy who broke in is different from the one who sent the roses and notes. It’d be better if he left those things.”

  Ben nodded in understanding. “We hear ya, Sauer, but we don’t think he gave her that stuff. Like Zeke said, he’s creepy. He watches her. He mentioned seeing a guy stop by Sunday night. Knocked on the door and then bent down. Which was him probably leaving the rose and note the first time. He didn’t get a good look at the guy, though. Said he was tall. That’s about it.”

  “Damn it.” Sauer blew out a deep breath. “This isn’t good. Vanessa…it was a messy crime scene.”

  “Dee’s tough. Don’t worry.” Zeke clapped him on the shoulder. “Just curious. How come you didn’t call Newman last night? Not that Ben and I mind helping you, but, he is your partner.”

  Sauer shrugged. He was still trying to figure that out. Last night, he just knew he wanted Zeke and Ben on it if he couldn’t do it himself. “You guys are close to her. Zoe and Rina…I just thought it’d be best.”

  “Newman okay?” Ben asked, the concern prominent.

  “Yeah, he’s good.”

  “Are you okay?” Zeke glanced around the hallway. “Dee still sleeping?”

  “She’s in the kitchen. Want some breakfast?”

  “Bacon!” Zeke’s smile grew.

  Ben rolled his eyes. “We just ate.”

  Sauer laughed as he led the way to the kitchen. The eggs were probably burning right about now. Dee sat on a stool by the island in the center of the kitchen.

  “Oh, look who it is. Start talking.” Dee’s hard glare didn’t waver once from Zeke or Ben. “Because Sauer ain’t saying shit.”

  Zeke glanced between him and her, his brows high. “How do you stay strong under that scary gaze, Sauer?”

  He didn’t smile. Not even a small grin as he stirred the eggs. “Because I prefer her to stay safe. Not run right into trouble.” His eyes softened as he glanced at her, hoping the anger would disappear. It didn’t.

  “Well?”

  Ben shook his head. “I’m not saying anything. I don’t wanna be on Sauer’s bad side. I’ve never seen it before, but I’m slightly worried it’d be really bad.”

  “Worse than my bad side?” Dee stood up and slammed her hands to her hips.

  Zeke chuckled. “Actually, now that I think about it. You’re all bark and no bite. I’m going to respect Sauer and leave it to him what he wants you to know.”

  Her head whipped to him, the fury blazing like heavy flames. “I am not amused. This man tried to hurt me. I want to know who it is.”

  Sauer dropped his eyes from her, unable to handle the pain he saw behind all the anger. “You can hate me, Dee. As long as you’re safe, I’m okay with that.”

  “Damn you, Sauer!” Dee stalked out of the kitchen.

  “Wow. Everyone, and I mean everyone, always caves in. How do you do it, man?” Zeke asked with a small laugh.

  He shrugged, pulling the eggs off the hot burner. “I won’t compromise her safety just because she gets upset.” He looked at them. “You know as well as I do that if she gathers information, she’ll head right into the danger. She’s not like Zoe and Rina who prefer to let you guys handle things. Dee likes to handle things all on her own. This is one thing I’m not willing to let her handle. Last night…”

  “It
’s hard to see the one you love hurt, isn’t it?” The words left Ben’s mouth soft and low, almost reminding him of Rina.

  He averted his eyes. Love? Could he love Dee already?

  Well, that was a dumb question. Of course he could. He did. Last night had cemented that decision with ease. It was hard to see her hurt. Hard wasn’t even the right word. He couldn’t explain even to himself how that made him feel last night.

  “Does she know?” Zeke asked quietly.

  “Know what?”

  Zeke glanced at the hallway, then answered in a whisper, “That you love her, Sauer. It’s kinda obvious. I never saw it before, but it’s not hard to see now.”

  “Rina said one time that we should’ve tried to set you up with Dee. I dismissed the idea because you’re a shy guy and Dee is…well, Dee is the exact opposite.”

  Zeke nodded at Ben’s words. “Strangely, it kinda makes you the perfect guy for her. You handle her like I’ve never seen anyone handle her.”

  Sauer’s jaw clenched. “I wasn’t handling her. I just refuse to let her get hurt.”

  Zeke held his hands up in apology. “You know what I’m saying. Not many can withstand an argument with Dee.”

  “You should tell her.”

  Sauer whipped his eyes to Ben. “I think not.”

  “She’s mighty pissed right now. Telling her you love her might lessen that,” Zeke said with encouragement.

  “Did you guys talk to Susan? She get any prints off the note? What about the alarm system?”

  Ben and Zeke shared a look at his change of subject. He didn’t care. He wasn’t going to talk about his feelings for Dee with anyone. If he wanted to broach that subject, the only person he’d be doing that with was Dee.

  “We talked to her this morning. She got two prints. She needs a sample of Dee’s. Could be hers.” Zeke tossed his head toward the hallway. “Can you swing by the lab this morning with her?”

  He nodded.

  “Nothing was damaged with the alarm. We called her company and the code was entered to disarm the alarm. He got her code somehow.” Zeke shrugged. “Or he’s a seasoned criminal. He could have a device that disarms alarms.”

  Sauer hoped that wasn’t true because then it could mean they had more victims they weren’t aware of yet. He turned toward the oven when the timer went off. The bacon was done.

  “Ready for some bacon?”

  Zeke clapped his hands. “Am I ever!”

  Ben chuckled, then nodded. “Well, I’m not gonna pass it up. But maybe we should take it to go.”

  Sauer looked questioningly at them. He saw them communicate silently together. He had always been jealous of their relationship, how they could communicate with just a simple look. Him and Newman could never do that. Simple things, sure, especially concerning a case. But things like this, never.

  “You can stay for breakfast.”

  Zeke smiled. “Na, you made breakfast for Dee. Maybe she doesn’t know it yet, but you’re perfect for her. Start showing her just how perfect you are. I’d love to see her happy with a great guy like you.”

  He cracked a grin. “Thanks, Zeke, but we’re only friends.”

  ♡

  He paused in front of the closed bathroom door and listened to the shower. The food was going to get cold. If she did what she did last night, crumbling into pain in the shower, the food would go Arctic cold. After thirty minutes of waiting, wondering, he had knocked on the door last night. Nothing. No words echoed back. Not even a quick, “be right out”. He didn’t realize he had the strength, but so much concern for her had him twisting the knob. He had called her name a few times, and when no answer came, he peeked behind the curtain to see her kneeling on the tub floor in so much agony. He didn’t hesitate once to step in and comfort her, clothes on and all.

  His eyes grazed to the door handle. Would he have to do it again this morning? He would. He’d do anything for Dee. Even make her hate him by refusing to share information about the case.

  Zeke and Ben left five minutes ago. She hadn’t been showering long. He’d give her more time before he breached the threshold.

  Walking away, he sat down on the edge of his bed, running his hand over his head. Getting used to the buzz cut would take time. He never cut his hair this short before. Maybe it hadn’t been such a great idea to cut his hair. He’d rub his head raw with stress. Back and forth. Back and forth. The worry, the nerves, the pain in her eyes. It all poured out of him as he rubbed his hand over his head.

  “That is sexy as hell.”

  His hand dropped as his eyes popped to the doorway. Dee stood with a towel wrapped around her slender body, her fiery red hair a wet mess. She looked so beautiful he lost his breath for a moment.

  And naked. Just a tiny towel covering her gorgeous body.

  She glided to him, rendering him even more speechless when she rubbed her soft hand over his head.

  “I love this feeling. What does it feel like to you?”

  Words still wouldn’t form. Why did he always revert to his shy self when it came to matters of the heart? She was right. When it came to his job, he wouldn’t hesitate to get into her face about it. But this, he was putty in her hands. A geeky, shy guy.

  “Stop ignoring me, Sauer.” Her hand slid down his head, grazing his cheek, then went to the simple knot at the towel and undid it with a flick of her wrist. The towel fell to the floor.

  He had finally died and gone to heaven. What virile man could ignore a naked woman twice? Not him. If she expected him to, she was in for a rude awakening. He stood up.

  “Breakfast is ready.”

  Who was he kidding? He couldn’t make a move toward her when he knew all she wanted was friendship. If she wanted more, that was a different story. Only problem, he couldn’t seem to voice that.

  “Don’t you want me?”

  What kind of question was that? Of course he wanted her. He wanted her so badly sometimes it hurt to breathe.

  “Yes.”

  ♡

  Dee slowly let out the small breath she had been holding.

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  He had stared at her with such passion, intense passion, when she stepped into his room. His eyes had followed her the entire trek from the doorway to where he sat on the bed. His breathing had become heavy when she rubbed his head, his cheeks turning a rosy red. When she dropped the towel, she saw the desire in every facet of his body, especially the thick bulge in his pants.

  Yet, he stands up and says breakfast is ready. What was she doing wrong? She never met a man who didn’t want to eat her up right away. How much more blatant could she get? So she asked the question she feared to hear the answer to. His answer was yes. Then why was he still standing there not touching her?

  “Sauer?”

  His jaw clenched, then unclenched, his features softening. “We’re just friends. I don’t sleep with my friends.”

  She pointed to the bed and laughed. “You slept naked with me last night.”

  “Naked, sure, but that wasn’t sexual. That was comfort. I can’t fully define what that was last night.” He groaned. “I’m not a guy who sleeps around with just anybody. I want you. I have for a very long time. But I want more than friendship. If you can’t give that to me, then you better put your clothes on.”

  Wow. That was sure putting her in her place. He was the only man capable of doing that. All. The. Time.

  Not once did he stutter. When he was passionate about something, generally his job, he never faltered. His words came out strong and fierce. He was serious with what he just said. He didn’t sleep around. What did that make her? Granted, it’d been a while for her, but still. She had her fair share of men between the sheets. Thank God, she didn’t give in to Raul. She didn’t want any other man anymore. Only Sauer.

  But he wanted more than friends. Could she do that?

  He nodded, as if her silence was her answer, and started to walk away. She grabbed his hand before he was out of her reac
h.

  “Don’t go.”

  His eyes refused to turn her way. “It’s okay, Dee. We'll just be friends.”

  “No, it’s not.” She whispered it so softly she was surprised the words even left her mouth. Where was strong and tough Dee? She needed that woman to come out.

  He turned her way, his grip becoming stronger. “What are you saying?”

  “I suck at relationships, Sauer. Like, really suck at them.”

  “Me, too.” He chuckled. “Shy guy, remember?”

  She bit her lip with a sassy smirk and pulled him closer. He didn’t hesitate in his steps. “I like your shyness. It’s just one of the many reasons you stick out among the rest. In a very good way.”

  “I like everything about you. I’ve never had a woman affect me the way you do. Hence, all my garbled words half the time.”

  She let go of his hand and gripped the edge of his shirt. “I can’t promise I won’t screw up whatever this is. I don’t even know how to define it. What I do know is I don’t want to be just friends.”

  His hands curled around hers. “The definition part is easy. Exclusive.” His eyes glided to the bed, then back to her. “I won’t share with another man.”

  “Not a problem.” A silky smile lit up her face. “I haven’t had another man on my mind since you asked me out.”

  “Umm…guy from the café.”

  “Lame attempt to try to forget about you. Please, don’t remind me. I didn’t sleep with him.”

  He smiled. “Breakfast is ready.”

  She shook her head as she pushed him a little, his hands still grasping hers firmly at the edge of his shirt. “I want a different kind of breakfast right now.”

  “Good. So do I. I was just…I don’t know…making sure.”

  She leaned in, kissing his lips lightly. “Don’t get shy on me now.”

  He lifted his hands, hers gliding with him as he pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the floor. “Never.” He nodded to the bed. “Lay down. I’ll go grab a condom from the bathroom.”

  “Condoms.”

  His brows rose in surprise, a little bit of delight mixed in. “Of course. That’s what I meant.”

  She chuckled as he walked out of the room. Jumping on the bed, she settled into the middle, the anticipation rocking her body. She was about to sleep with Sauer. Sweet, caring, loving Sauer.