Jane Doe's Return by Jen Talty Read Free Book Online

asked.
    “Nope.” Travis smiled at Jimmy as he set his items on the register counter.
    “Enough here for two?” Jimmy teased.
    “Just showing off to my new partner.” But why cook for her? If he’d been assigned a male partner, they’d probably end up at a hockey game, or more than likely, going their separate ways.
    Jimmy started ringing up the items; holding the shrimp in his hands, he said, “Must be a woman partner. I bet she’s a real looker, too.” He whistled, placing the items in a bag. He tossed in a few extra things like always. “The wife is going to love to hear about this one.”
    “Nothing to tell.” Travis tossed him several bills, then held his hand up to refuse the change.
    “Right. Tell me about the girl.” Jimmy smiled, putting the money in the drawer. Half his teeth were missing and his face looked like an old scrunched up piece of paper, but he had to be one of the most genuine people Travis had ever known.
    “Not bad, but she’s my partner. Strictly business.”
    “That’s why you’re cooking for her.” Jimmy laughed. “One of these days the right woman is gonna sneak up on you.”
    Travis grabbed his bags. “I’m too difficult to live with.” He waved and got in his truck. The right woman could come along and Travis would still pass. Women, other than bed partners, were nothing but a distraction and he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
    About a half-hour later, Travis rolled up his sleeves and greased the wok. The oil popped and cracked as he added some seasoning and veggies, getting ready to drop in the shrimp.
    The instant the shrimp started to change color, his nose told him he was in heaven. Almost as good as sex. Shauna’s face appeared in his mind. He shook his head and squelched his body’s reaction.
    Most of the women he dated were good-looking, but forgettable. They were safe. See them a few times and then move on. He didn’t really do one-night stands, but he didn’t really do relationships anymore either.
    He tossed the shrimp and veggies around in the wok. When he was satisfied they were done, he dumped them into the already cooked rice with his grandmother’s secret sauce. He put the casserole dish in the oven and started to clean up.
    His mind didn’t stay lost in the task. It kept going back to his attractive new partner. Everything about her turned him on. Her intelligence intrigued him. She was beyond smart and her instincts were natural, as well as her vulnerability. He could sense she’d overcome something in her life, but he didn’t have a clue as to what. Not that it mattered. He admired anyone who took adversity and used it to empower themselves. He’d like to believe that if Marie had survived, she would have done just that. He’d barely finished setting the table when the doorbell rang.
    He glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes early. He chuckled and opened the door, glad to know someone listened to him. “Hi.” He took her light coat and blinked as he caught her feminine scent. She smelled of fresh lilies or some spring flower. Actually, if he was being honest, she smelled of bottled sunshine, the perfect scent for a woman. The scent would prove to be his downfall if he wasn’t careful.
    “This place is great. I love the apartments on the upper level. I called on the one down the street.” The excitement in her voice sent a certain body part of his climbing, a sensation that had to be stifled immediately.
    “You get a chance to look at those case files?” He led her toward the kitchen.
    “A little. What did you cook?” Her arm brushed against his bicep. She looked at him, then took a step back.
    “Just a little something my grandmother taught me.” He smiled. “Come on.” Trying to lighten the obvious tension between the two of them, he nodded toward the kitchen.
    “It smells great. Can I help?”
    “Nah.” He pulled the casserole dish from the oven.
    “Wow. I’m impressed.” She sat down while he piled food on her plate.