Soul Possession(13)

He debated whether to shower first or go see what Jessie was up to. He finally decided to go check her out just in case she had plans to leave anytime soon.

He ambled into the kitchen to find Jessie bending over to peer into the oven. Her cute little ass strained at the not-much-to-them denim shorts and his morning hard-on just got harder.

Lord, but he had to learn to control himself around her.

Then she shut the oven and turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. That look warmed him to his toes.

“Oh good, you’re up! Breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes.”

“Have I got time for a shower?” He looked self-consciously down at his rumpled appearance. He was lucky she hadn’t run screaming in the other direction. He rubbed his jaw and decided he’d have to be extra fast in the shower because he needed to shave too.

“If you hurry,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “The biscuits aren’t good when they’re cold.”

“Biscuits?” He almost whimpered. “Like homemade biscuits or biscuits out of a can?”

“My grandmother would roll over in her grave at the idea of biscuits out of a can,” Jessie said with a laugh. “Now go or you’ll have to eat them cold.”

“I’m going, I’m going,” he said as he turned and all but fled to the bathroom.

By the time he emerged exactly eight minutes later with only one razor cut to show for his hastiness, Rick was already seated at the breakfast table while Jessie put out plates. She smiled again when she saw Truitt and he felt that funny tightening in his chest all over again.

“Have a seat. I’m dishing up the omelets now. The biscuits are ready to come out of the oven and the gravy’s done.”

“Ah hell. Gravy,” Truitt breathed.

Rick chuckled. “It’s been so long since we had anything resembling real home cooking. We might fall all over ourselves kissing your feet.”

Jessie arched an eyebrow and her lips twitched. “I might like that.”

She motioned for Truitt to sit and then she hurried around the counter. She was back in just a second with the omelets and then she went back. Two more trips and biscuits so light and fluffy were set on the table, along with a bowl of steaming brown gravy.

The smell was divine.

Truitt dug into his food and when it hit his tongue he about orgasmed all over again.

“Good?” Jessie asked.

Rick had his mouth full and eyes closed in delight.

“You’re a dream,” Truitt said when his mouth was free of food. “You’re gorgeous, sweet, and you cook? Do you have any faults?”

She blushed that pretty pink again, but pleasure shone in her eyes.

For the next half hour, he and Rick ate like they hadn’t been fed in a week. His stomach was probably going to scream What the Fuck? since he wasn’t currently poisoning it with shit out of a can.

When his plate was clean and he’d downed the last biscuit, Truitt leaned back in his seat and sighed. Jessie got up to clear the table, but Rick wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her back down to sit.

“You don’t need to be up on that knee after hurting it last night. Why don’t you just stay here. Truitt and I will take care of the dishes later.”

“Okay. I should probably be going now anyway. I have to work tonight. We’re going to be shorthanded.”

Truitt sat forward just as Rick stroked his fingers over Jessie’s wrist. Rick was just about to open his mouth when his cell phone rang.

Rick swore and Truitt groaned. “Not now. Anytime but now.”

Jessie shot them a puzzled look.

“Chief has his own ringtone,” Rick said dryly. “Sorry darlin’, I have to take this.”

He pulled out his cell phone and issued a short greeting. Truitt watched keenly as Rick frowned, then glanced quickly in Jessie’s direction before focusing his gaze on Truitt.

Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good if Chief was calling on their day off. He hoped to hell their serial killer hadn’t struck again.

“We’ll be there,” Rick said grimly.

He hung up and cast an uneasy look in Truitt’s direction again. Then he tugged Jessie’s hand into his and rubbed his fingers over her knuckles.

“Truitt and I have to go and I don’t know how long we’ll be. But I want you to stay here. Get some rest. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll call you. Give me your cell number.”

Jessie frowned but recited her number as Rick put it into his phone. Then Rick rose and gestured for Truitt.

“Let’s go. I’ll tell you about it on the way.”

Chapter 6

Rick stood over the body of Merriam Powell and blew out his breath. This was going to be sticky in more ways than one. He glanced at Truitt, who had the same look of resignation. But at least Jessie wouldn’t be going to work tonight.

To the side, Rick heard one of the other detectives who’d been called to the scene mention Jessie’s name. He quickly tuned in and then walked over to interrupt the conversation.

“What about Jessie Callahan?” Rick asked.

Trevor “Bull” Phillips narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated by the interruption. “You know her?”

“Yeah, I know her. Truitt and I both come in here a lot. Jessie’s a waitress. She worked here last night.”