Page 23 of Tell Me Your Desires

Those questions fell out of Jaime’s mind when she came face to face with the woman who invaded her dreams night after night.

Except this time, it wasn’t Lady A. Gone was the intimidation of the mask, whips, and chamber.

In their place was the intimidation of piercing green eyes of a sleepy, fresh-faced, mussed-haired, robe-wearing, exceptionally beautiful woman.

And the robe left very little to the imagination. Jesus.

“Shoes,” Anya reminded Jaime. Yeah, she knew Jaime was checking her out. Her body felt it, causing her nipples to harden beneath the silk robe. Great. She crossed her arms over her chest, wishing she had thought to put a bra on. Too late now. Deal with it.

Jaime slipped her shoes off, thankful she had worn clean socks without holes. She cleared her throat, willing herself not to stare at Anastasia’s breasts. She should get a freakin’ award for her restraint. “So, um, Derek’s here?”

Anya smirked. “Mmhmm. He’s here. He’s always here. I don’t know what I would do without him.” Anya set off toward the kitchen, expecting Jaime to follow. “He’s my rock, you know?”

Jaime resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

She had no right to be jealous. She certainly had no claim on Anastasia.

Though she did wonder how he could handle what Lady A did at the club.

If she was Anastasia’s ‘rock’, she didn’t think she could endure Lady A’s job.

Perhaps that was old-fashioned, but that’s who Jaime was.

“Sure,” Jaime responded unenthusiastically. “Look, I just have a few questions for him and then I’ll get out of your way.”

“Okay. I have to warn you, though. He’s very vocal. Not always coherent, but he’ll say it loud and proud.”

“O…kay.” Jaime didn’t know what to think of Anastasia’s description of the person who obviously meant the world to her.

But that wasn’t Jaime’s problem or her job.

It was a mistake coming here. Seeing the woman behind the mask did nothing to quench the thirst for her.

And now Jaime knew she’d never be anything more than a client to… Lady A.

To get herself out of the ridiculous funk that put her in, Jaime surveyed the area around her.

The kitchen was modern and white but looked more or less unused.

The counters were immaculately clean. There was no clutter of cooking utensils or small appliances other than a cappuccino/coffee maker and some other contraption with a bowl attached.

A feeder? Did Anastasia and Derek have a pet?

Why did that bit of domesticity depress Jaime even more?

Anya allowed Jaime her time to look around. She was about to bust Jaime’s confidence; the least she could do was let her enjoy the moment. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No, thanks. I don’t want to impose. I just have those questions for Derek, and then I’ll be gone.” She couldn’t pinpoint why Anastasia’s smile or the mischief behind it caused her heart rate to spike. This woman was wreaking havoc on Jaime’s senses.

“Derek!” Anya called out. “You have a visitor!” She gave it a minute, knowing Derek wasn’t used to people being in the house.

On the rare occasion they were, he hid. However, it was close enough to his feeding time that Anya could get him to show his face if he heard the feeder.

“Hmm. This should rouse him.” She pressed the button on his feeder.

Jaime frowned. What did the feeder have to do with Derek? The noise wasn’t that loud. She couldn’t imagine Derek would be annoyed enough by it to make an appearance. Instincts had Jaime stepping back when a black cat popped up on the counter in front of her.

“Meow.”

The cat looked up at Jaime before turning its back and settling down to eat.

Jaime looked around. Still no Derek. The situation was beginning to get on Jaime’s nerves.

She didn’t like to be kept waiting. She nearly rolled her eyes at herself.

Jaime had shown up at Anastasia’s home without warning, yet had the audacity to complain?

“Cute cat,” Jaime muttered moodily.

“I think so,” Anya replied with a cheery smile. “He’ll probably be more sociable after he has a full belly.”

As cute—and odd—as it was to hear Anastasia say ‘belly,’ Jaime was anxious to meet this Derek guy and then get out.

She didn’t know what she had been expecting by coming here.

Did she think she was sizing up the competition?

Though her excuse of needing to verify Anastasia’s alibi was true, Jaime knew it was bullshit.

She was here for one reason only. Anastasia Grant.

And the woman she met at the club didn’t date dudes named Derek.

You’re an idiot, Baros. She’s just told you Derek is her rock.

Just because you don’t want it to be true doesn’t mean it isn’t.

“Um, sorry if it seems like I’m rushing you, but if Derek could answer a few questions, I can let you get back to your day.”

“Mew.”

Anya scratched behind Derek’s ears and smiled. “Back to my day, she says. That means going back to bed. So, if you would be so gracious as to answer some of the detective’s questions, that would be great.”

Jaime frowned. Anastasia was talking to the cat like it was… son of a bitch. It couldn’t be. “A-are you…is that…” Jaime took a breath, then tried again. “What’s your cat’s name?”

Anya looked up innocently. “Hmm? Oh, I’m sorry. Did I forget to introduce you? Detective Jaime Baros, this is Derek. My best friend, my rock… my cat.”

Jaime’s jaw dropped. “The cat is your alibi?”

“No, he’s my cat.” Anya picked Derek up and nuzzled him. “Aren’t you? Yes, you are.” She kissed his nose, and Derek responded by licking hers. “If the mean detective needs an alibi, she’ll just have to review the surveillance tapes, won’t she?”

The scene before her was so incredibly unexpected that Jaime couldn’t help but laugh.

She laughed until her sides hurt. She laughed until she cried.

This was Lady A? This gentle, sweet…cat lady?

That thought had Jaime laughing even harder.

But behind the laughter, there was fear.

This side of Lady A—Anastasia—was adorable. I’m fucked.

“Are you okay?” Anya asked, chuckling at Jaime’s reaction to Derek. The outburst of laughter softened Jaime’s hard outer shell, showing a tenderness underneath. Oh, boy.

Jaime wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, still snickering. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good.”

“You look so much lighter when you laugh. Like the weight of the world is lifted from your shoulders.”

Jaime thought about that for a moment. Had she laughed like that since…? “I, uh, think maybe I’ll take you up on that coffee.”