Page 38 of Tell Me Your Desires

Anya glanced back at Jaime, a raised brow the only acknowledgment of Jaime’s joke. She took out some leftover Chinese, opening the containers to sniff the contents. It smells fine enough.

“I hope you like Singapore rice noodles. It’s all I have that doesn’t need to be thrown out.

” Anya took a plate out of the cupboard and plopped a large portion on it before sticking it in the microwave.

It was more than she usually ate after a late night at work, but she couldn’t expect Jaime to survive on yogurt after the night she’d had.

“You and I seem to have similar eating habits,” Jaime smirked.

Anya narrowed her eyes as she passed Jaime a glass of ice water. “Was that another cunnilingus joke?”

Jaime barked out a laugh full of mirth. She couldn’t remember a time when she had genuinely laughed since… “No!” she snorted. “I meant I’m a terrible cook, and the contents in my fridge are iffy at best. I’m lucky if I have water in there that doesn’t have mold on it.”

The corner of Anya’s mouth tipped up in a reluctant smile. “I can cook, but it’s not worth the effort for one person. Takeout is easy. And don’t think being charming will get you off the hook.”

Jaime sighed. “Anya, ah!” She backed away from the counter, reaching for her gun, which was not on her hip at the moment. “Has he been here the whole time?!”

Derek sat down, stared at Jaime for a second, then started licking himself. Anya reached over and pressed a button on his feeder, perplexed at Jaime’s reaction. The big, bad detective was just scared by a little cat jumping onto the counter.

“No, he just got home from work,” Anya deadpanned before rolling her eyes. “Yes, he’s been here the whole time. He’s a cat. This is where he lives.”

“But we… on the couch… I was…” Jaime exhaled sharply. “Was he watching us?”

“Well, it seems watching me in intimate situations is the going trend.” Anya eyed Jaime curiously. “This is odd behavior from someone willing to have sex in my chambers, knowing or rather hoping someone is watching.”

“That’s different.”

“It is. The worst one can do is scratch your naked ass. The other one watching can dismember you, keeping parts of you for souvenirs. I can tell you which one Derek is if you’re confused.”

“My plan is a good one, Anya. I’m a cop, and I know he’s out there waiting for me. It won’t be a surprise attack. I’ll be ready.”

“Oh? And Max knows about this? Reno PD is willing to pay for you to have sex, while there’s an elaborate sting operation waiting in the wings to catch the killer?”

Jaime looked away and mumbled, “It’s a good plan.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Killers like your unsub are unpredictable, Jaime. You may think they have certain patterns they follow, but those can change, given the circumstances. If it’s Frank, he knows you’re a ‘cop.’ What if he doesn’t come after you like you think he will?”

“You’re the profiler, you tell me. If he sees me having incredible sex with the object of his desires, will he sit back and just let it happen without punishing me? Or you?”

“What I can tell you is you’re determined to do this, but you can’t without my participation. Or Max’s. That’s two against one, Jaime. Find another way.” The microwave beeped, effectively ending the conversation in Anya’s mind.

Jaime, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to give up on her plan.

Five women were dead, and they were no closer to finding the killer than they were after the first murder.

At least now they had a viable lead because of Anya.

Was the plan conventional? Hell no. But sometimes, you had to go off the books to find a ruthless killer.

She thanked Anya for the enormous plate of food. Once the aroma hit her nose, Jaime realized she was hungrier than she thought she was. “You’re not eating?” she asked, accepting a fork from Anya.

“I don’t eat heavy foods this late at night,” Anya shrugged. “Doesn’t sit well with me.” She grabbed a yogurt out of the fridge and peeled off the top.

“Meow. Mew. Meow.” Derek rubbed and bumped Anya’s arm until she broke down and scratched his ears.

“I just fed you. No yogurt.”

“Mowww.” Derek stuck his butt up in the air, then jumped off the counter and sulked away.

Jaime watched the entire exchange with a smile. Anya was completely different than Lady A, and Jaime was sure this was the side she liked more. The laid-back, imperfect side. She was also sure that Anya needed to eat more than just yogurt or days-old leftovers.

“About that date,” Jaime said suddenly. “Please say yes.”

“Jaime…”

“Wait. Before you shoot me down, just hear me out. We both know there’s something between us.

I want to explore that away from the club.

Away from here, where there’s a bed. Or a couch.

I know a quaint little place that has the most amazing Italian food.

Please, join me. Dinner and a conversation about anything other than the case.

I think we both deserve to see what’s happening between us, don’t you? ”

Anya thought about declining, but the truth was that Jaime was right. They both needed to know what this thing between them was. Maybe if Jaime was less charming outside of the perimeters she had mentioned, Anya could let go and move on with her simple life.

“Fine. One dinner. How bad can it be?”

Jaime laughed, not even the slightest bit offended by Anya’s standoffish attitude. She knew what was underneath that tough exterior. “It’ll be great,” she said before stuffing a forkful of noodles into her mouth.