All I've Ever Wanted by Adrianne Byrd

Author:Adrianne Byrd
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kimani Press
Published: 2001-11-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Max and Kennedy finished their dinner in silence, but not without their share of secret glances.

Kennedy couldn’t remember the last time she’d shared a meal with someone of the opposite sex, four-year-olds excluded. She had reached a strange level of intimacy with Max—being in his home, wearing his clothes.

She stole another glance at him, took in his bare chest and smooth complexion. How long had it been since she had enjoyed the touch of a man? When was the last time she’d lost herself in the folds of a man’s embrace?

Memories of Lee Carsey surfaced and Kennedy smiled down at her soup.

“Now that’s a smile,” Max observed.

Kennedy blinked; then her face grew warm with embarrassment. The reaction only fueled his curiosity.

“Come on. What are you thinking about?”

“It was nothing.”

“It sure didn’t look like nothing. You looked like the cat that swallowed a coveted canary.”

She shrugged, then flashed him a quick smile. “Women are allowed to have secrets.”

“Secrets, eh?” He stood with his empty bowl and reached for hers. “Are you through with that, or are you going to continue smiling at it all night?”

She handed him the bowl. “Here. I can’t eat another bite.”

“I hope not. That was your fourth serving.”

“You counted?”

His brows rose. “You didn’t?”

“All right, all right. So I was a little hungry.” She laughed. “What’s the matter? Are you running low on canned goods?”

“Hey, you should know how much a cop makes. It’s enough to make a grown man weep. Trust me.”

“So, why do you do it?” she asked with genuine interest.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you’re unhappy about the pay, then why are you a cop?”

He shrugged. “I guess because my old man was a cop and I thought he was the coolest guy on earth.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I mean, when I was young, my pop would come home late at night and regale us with stories about the good guys versus the bad guys. It all played like a comic-book adventure in my head.”

“It’s in your blood, huh?”

“Bad.” He cocked his head. “Your father was a cop. You were never tempted to join the force?”

“Not just no, but oh, hell, no.”

He laughed.

“You don’t understand,” she said. “My father may have been a highly decorated officer but, deep down, he hated his job. He hated what he saw on the streets night after night. He often told me that the job stole any hopes he had for the country and for our people. One part of our community is fighting for the right things and the right causes, while another part is busy destroying what we’ve achieved.”

Max nodded. “He was right.”

“He usually was.”

Max took the dishes into the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked, opening the fridge.

“What are my choices?”

“Let’s see. I have water, beer, water, did I mention beer?”

She shook her head and stood. When she leaned against the archway, she crossed her arms. “As soon as I get a chance, I’m going to pray for you.”

“What?”

She laughed at his feigned look of innocence.

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