Julian

“Stalked!” Desiree clutched the phone a bit firmer. I strolled to her taking the cell from her grasp, placing it on speaker. Santana’s voice filled our space.

“My house has been burglarized along with Lily Fosters, Tabitha McKnight, and Gloria Stephani. A note was left at all of our apartments.”

A visible tremor ran through Desiree. “What kind of note,” Desiree asked.

“Pretty reporter ladies shouldn’t be left alone after ruining a man’s life. Anything could happen to them.”

A foreboding crept through me.

“Oh my God,” Desiree covered her mouth with a hand, staring at the phone in shocked silence.

“If you’re in a safe place, you need to stay put. You probably shouldn’t be home alone tonight. If this guy broke into our homes on the same day, yours could be next if it hasn’t been already. When was the last time you were home?”

Desiree’s hand dropped. “Oh my God, Jasper!” She sat the glass down. “I’ve gotta go, Santana, I’ll call you back.” Desiree disconnected the call and threw the phone in her purse.

“Where are you going?” I barked.

“I’ve got to get Jasper!” She dug her feet into the Christian Louboutins and headed for the door, but I’d beat her to it.

“What are you doing,” she asked as I blocked her escape.

“I assume Jasper is your pet?”

“Yes, my dog, a Pomeranian. I haven’t had him a month! I need to get to him.”

“Give me your keys.” I held my hand out.

“Why?”

“Because I’m driving.”

“What?” Her voice rose. “No, I can’t allow you do that!”

I reached out to lay my hands on her shoulders. “I’m not letting you go home alone after that phone call. Do you hear what I’m saying, Desiree?”

Desiree looked like she wanted to object again, but thought better of it and handed me the keys. Swiftly, we left the solitude of the room and headed for the private elevator. On the way down, Desiree fidgeted, bringing her fingers to her lips to nibble on her nails. She followed the lights as each number lit up every time we passed another floor. I reached out, sending a soothing hand over her back.

“Hey.”

She looked to me; a worried glance etched on her beautiful face.

“Everything will be fine, alright? I’m sure Jasper is sitting by the door wagging his tail, waiting for you to come home.”

She gave me a halfhearted smile. “I hope you’re right.”

“I’m usually always right.”

That pulled a laugh from her.

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” She looked away briefly. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Trying to make light of this situation.”

  I pulled her over to me laying a soft kiss against her forehead. The elevator doors opened and we headed for her car. I could tell that her thoughts were with Jasper and the heaviness in my chest made me want to constantly reassure her that everything would be okay. I knew from experience that sometimes things didn't go the way we hoped, but that thought I didn’t share with Desiree.

“Give me your address,” I said.

“I live in Manchester Cove.”

I whistled. “The properties are nice in that area. How’d you settle on Manchester Cove?”

The sun began to set as I drove through downtown traffic navigating my way around pedestrians and motorists that moved at a snail’s pace.

“Before I relocated to Houston, I created a battle plan,” she smiled. “It was a notebook filled with different areas of Houston broke down into categories. I separated each area by highest to lowest crime. Manchester Cove was the place I wanted to be. Practically broke the bank paying for a year’s rent.” Her voice lowered. “Imagine the irony.”

The car grew silent before I spoke again.

“Who distracted you,” I said making another try at removing her thoughts from this situation. Desiree looked at me.

“What?”

“You said you thought you saw your father today, but someone distracted you.”

I could see the apprehension on her face. Ever since I took up the task of getting close to Desiree, she found ways to keep me at arm's length. The moment she stepped into Adeline’s hospital room, my axis tilted, taking me off balance in a way I’d never experienced before. My father always told me, when I found the one, I would know it. I would usually just laugh him off and shake my head. In my opinion, there were just entirely too many women on this earthly plane for me to settle down.

“That's alright,” my father said. “You’ll sow your wild oats until that time.”

He’d give me a rough pat on the back and walk away with a whistle on his tongue. Strangely, upon meeting Desiree, I had an inkling that I may know what he was talking about. Now, I was on a mission to explore this craving I had to be around her, to look at her, console her and make everything she longed for within her reach.

At first, I tried to shake it off as meager interest. But her pouty lips, flowing hair, and skin as silky as a piece of velvet, were a sight to behold. Desiree’s light brown eyes were what kept me hypnotized. They highlighted her complexion. And although I’d seen my share of beautiful women, Desiree’s figure put Jessica Rabbit to shame. Seeing her again at Claudia’s benefit back in Chicago, I knew there was something a little bit more to this growing awareness I felt that drug me to her like a magnetic field.

At Jaden and Claudia's engagement party, it hadn't taken me long to find her after she’d disappeared from the main area. Standing in the kitchen in heels that pulled her height to about 5’7, Desiree balanced a tray in one hand and a champagne flute of bubbly in another. My footsteps increased as I went to help her; taking the tray off of Desiree’s hands while simultaneously wrapping her in my arms.

“Maybe you should let someone else do this for the rest of the night. I’ve watched you host the room with ease. It’s about time you take a break, don’t you think?”

Her beautiful mouth fell back into a blissful smile. “Maybe you're right,” she said. There was an extra twinkle in her eye. I knew she'd had one too many drinks, but I hadn't had a chance to keep up with them.

“So,” I asked, “How many of these have you had tonight?”

“Oh two, maybe three,” she shrugged, “but whose keeping count?”

That sent a giggle from her. “Maybe you should have a glass of water,” I offered.

“Why,” she said. “I need the liquid courage so I'll have the balls to seduce you the way I've been thinking about all evening.”

I was surprised by her admission, but I didn’t show it. She’d set a flame on a path that covered me in an instant. “Unfortunately for us both, as much as I would love that, I couldn't allow it with your state of impairment. Besides, you don't need it. You're perfectly capable of seducing me without saying a word. Trust me. You've been doing it all night.”

“I should make a note to self to remember exactly how it is that I accomplished that while I'm sober.”

“I'll be sure to remind you.”

The kitchen door swung open, and Claudia and Jaden strolled through speaking in hushed tones to one another. They stopped when their eyes met ours, and both of them smiled.

“Excuse us, do you guys need privacy?” Claudia asked.

Desiree blushed.

“Nah,” I concluded. “Some other time, yeah?”

My gaze swept over her mouth.

“Um, sure,” she said.

Another flush fell over her face, and her cheeks reddened.

“I was about to get Desiree here a glass of water.” I willed myself to release Desiree and strolled to the refrigerator.

Claudia and Jaden looked from her to me, then Claudia put her hands on her hips. “Desiree, are you drinking again?”

With upturned lips, Desiree rounded to peer at Claudia. “What do you mean again? Am I not allowed to have more than one drink?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Claudia defended.

“Then what are you saying little sis,” Desiree said back. There was a strain in her voice that told me her level of patience was wearing thin.

Claudia walked over to me. “Thanks for getting her the water,” she whispered. It was of no use. Desiree left the kitchen with a scowl on her face. It was no secret that she and Claudia had some bad blood between them. I felt that same energy when Desiree arrived at the hospital to visit their mother. I didn’t see her anymore that night. I searched, but not good enough since my efforts didn’t pan out.

Making a left turn, I exited the highway and drove three additional miles before seeing a sign displaying Manchester Cove. The expensive condominiums had security sitting at a gate, so incoming and outgoing traffic was monitored at all times. I felt better about Desiree’s safety. I pulled into the entry, and Desiree handed me a badge. I waved the key and entered as the rod lifted and the gateways opened.

When we approached the door, Desiree’s hands trembled as she fumbled with the keys. I covered her hand with mine, and a spark coated my palm. She looked up to me, and for a long moment, our gazes held. My hand dropped to her waist, and I pulled her gently behind me.

“Let me go in first.”

“We go in together,” she said.

I smirked. “Okay Pam Grier, we go in together.”

I opened the door and blocked Desiree from rushing around me. Moving down the hallway, I checked the living area, dining, kitchen, and pantry. There was no sign of Jasper yet, but I didn’t let myself worry about it. The condo was intact, and nothing was out of order.

“Where’s your bedroom,” I asked wanting to give the place a thorough check.

On the second level. I’ll check it,” she said.

I reached out and grabbed her. “This is not the time to be coy. Let me check it out.”

She held in a breath, then wordlessly agreed with a nod of her head. I took the steps two at a time getting to the second level quickly. Seconds later, I felt her move in behind me. She was stubborn, but I couldn’t fault her for wanting to get to her beloved Jasper. Her bedroom door was opened, and I whistled.

“Jasper…”

We entered her master bedroom. Light blue drapery hung from the large panel windows against the wall. The canopy bed was king in size with a platform style base. A pair of lace panties lay flung across the covers, and the sheets were ruffled from what seemed to be a good night’s rest. Desiree shot past me and grabbed the lacey thong, fisting them to a crumble inside her hand. Hurriedly, she doubled back around me and I caught her arm just as she entered the bathroom.

A wail of a scream ripped from Desiree, and I pulled her back into the room with such force she almost lost her breath. I entered the bathroom with a stomping force and grimaced. My eyes landed on Jasper, unmoving; floating in a tub of water. I carried my vision around the room and landed on a note that was taped to the bathroom mirror. I snatched it down and opened it.

“Pretty reporter ladies shouldn’t be left alone after ruining a man’s life. Anything could happen to them.”

From the room, Desiree’s cries tore through me. I stuffed the paper into my back pocket and left the bathroom gathering her in my arms.

“Pack a bag. I’ll call the police.”