HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) by Sheila Kell Page A

is already in the guest room.”
    His heart sank when he saw the relief on her face. Relief that he wasn’t taking her to bed. He knew she wanted him but didn’t know why she held back. It didn’t really matter right now because his focus needed to be on protecting her.
    She spoke slowly and softly, “I’m safe in my apartment. I don’t need you to stay. Good night, Jesse.”
    “Good night, Kate.” He turned and headed to the stairs and the guest room, leaving her speechless and staring after him.
    He settled in for the night and thought about his predicament. He had a psycho after someone he loved. He’d spoken with Reagan and his brothers earlier in the evening and had relaxed a little. She’d be kept safe. His tension over Kate wasn’t just because of a killer. The sexual tension between them couldn’t be ignored. He knew he shouldn’t, but he’d have her in his bed.
    He told himself that he could still protect her and have amazing sex with her. He had to figure out what it would take to get her there.
    * * * * *
    He hadn’t been asleep long before the nightmare returned.
    Jen picked him up from work, and they were on their way to her parents’ house where their two-month old daughter was being babysat. He noticed they were low on gas and pulled into a gas station.
    “I’m going to grab a soda. Do you want one?” Her hand rested on the door handle.
    “I’d like a bottle of water.” He leaned over the seat and gave her a quick kiss. “I love you.”
    She smiled. “I love you, too.”
    He watched her walk away before he filled the gas tank. He liked watching her from behind. She had a luscious ass.
    The tank was full, and he wondered what kept her. She should have been back by now. There was only one other car here, so there shouldn’t be a line. He smiled. Maybe she was buying a lottery ticket and couldn’t decide on the numbers. He decided he’d go in and hustle her up. His stomach growled. He looked forward to her homemade lasagna.
    He walked toward the store and stopped midway to answer his cell phone.
    “Devon, what’s up?”
    “My security clearance came through. It’s official. I’m CIA.”
    Devon made him feel like a proud papa, but he wished he knew what Devon would be doing. Even though his brother was a grown man, he still worried about him. “Congratulations! This is big. Sounds like it’s time to get the boys together and celebrate.”
    Jesse heard a gunshot. His body went on instant alert and a sudden sinking feeling ran through him. Jen was in the store. She had to be all right. She had to be safe.
    Frantic to get to her, he pulled his weapon and ran toward the store. He reached for the door before his FBI training kicked in. It took everything he had not to rush into the store, to Jen. After several deep breaths, he calmed himself as much as he could.
    He put the phone back to his ear hoping Devon was still on the line. “Devon, call 911.”
    “Already done. You can relay through me. Tell me what’s going on.”
    He peeked in the window and couldn’t see her. He had to know. He couldn’t wait for backup. It was Jen. His wife.
    Ignoring protocol, he put his phone in his pocket and entered the store alone. She lay on the floor with a gunshot wound to her head. There was so much blood. He knew. He knew.
    His blood boiled. He’d never felt this much rage. “FBI! Drop the weapon!”
    He walked further into the room. The robber held his weapon on the clerk. Jesse fought to keep from pulling the trigger. This bastard had killed his wife. He deserved to die.
    The robber turned to him, his eyes wide, his weapon still pointed at the clerk. The robber’s hands shook, and the look in his eyes told Jesse he was strung out on drugs. He’d been in volatile situations before, but he’d never been this much on edge.
    He’d been an Army Ranger and was an FBI agent. No punk would get the best of him. “You don’t want to do this. Drop your weapon.”
    The blessed sound of sirens