Page 57 of Desire

“No, it isn’t. The only time I want to hear about Christmas is on December twenty-fifth.”

“Okay then, well, pass the details of Chattanooga on to me. I’ll work that angle.”

I tilted my head slightly. “I thought you were forbidden to investigate the Christmases.”

She shook her fist. “I am, but we’re so fucking close.”

I leaned toward her. “Close to what?”

She leaned away from me.

I folded my arms. “Then tell me the truth. Why are you misleadingme, Kylie? You’re not in love with Dale Rumor for goodness’s sake. What’s the real reason behind your obsession with the Christmases?”

“I’m not obsessed.”

“You are obsessed.”

Our stare down was of epic proportions. However, I could see that whatever she was hiding wouldn’t be revealed that evening. But I cared for Kylie. It was because of her that I felt so much better afterbeing accosted by Valentine and his goon.

I sighed in defeat. “Okay, I’ll look deeper into Chattanooga.”

She clapped her hands once. “Yes.”

I threw up my hands, palms facing her. “Don’t celebrate yet. My lines dried up as of yesterday, but I have my investigator working on getting me a fresh catch.”

She pressed her lips together, smiling thankfully. I could see thatmy investigation meant something to her. I wished she would tell me the whole story.

“Maybe one day soon, you’ll let me know why you have such a vendetta against the Christmases,” I said.

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Maybe. But I don’t want to think about it right now. I just want results.”