9. Sarra

9

Sarra

I loved the RV. It was twenty-six feet long with two beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower. I already knew I would buy a big RV for myself and stay in it all the time. I could go anywhere I wanted. I could even buy a house near my cousins and stay there when I needed a break. Anyway, that was my plan. Sometimes, plans change.

"Do you want to stop at In-N-Out Burger?" Reaper asked.

"Yes, I love their hamburgers."

"Me too." We parked and walked inside. Reaper got two burgers, and I also got two, saving one for him later because I knew he'd be hungry again soon after eating.

We were driving down a country road when we saw a sign for a lake. Reaper turned and followed it. We arrived at a beautiful lake with maybe five other RVs there. I looked at Reaper and smiled.

"We'll stay here for the night. Whatever you do, don't get too friendly with the people here. They can be nosy," Reaper said as he paid the fee for the night.

We found our spot and parked. I looked at Reaper. "Should we go for a run?"

"That's a good idea. I don't want to get flabby. Besides, Bub needs to stretch his legs."

"I don't think you have to worry about any flab. You're all muscle from what I saw when your shirt was off."

I felt my face burning when I looked at him. "I need to rehearse what I'm going to say before I speak. But you have to admit you have a great body. There I go again."

"Thank you," Did his face turn a little red?

"You're welcome. I'll change into my running clothes," I said, closing the door to the bedroom. I put on my leggings and shoes.

"You also have a great body; I can tell you run," he said when I walked out of the small space. He walked up, felt my arms, and then smiled. "Have you always worked out?"

"No, I started when I turned sixteen. My friend told me I needed to stay strong in case I needed to fight for my life."

"Is that the friend who left when you turned twenty-three?"

"Yes, the same one."

"I don't know why the of you two lost touches. To me, that seems so strange. What did Amanda say about you working out?"

"I didn't tell her. I worked out in private. I did a few things that she didn't know about. I don't even know what to call her."

"You can call her whatever you want. Do you think she would have stopped you from exercising?"

"Probably. She thought anything that wasn't schooling or working was wasteful."

"Let's not think about her anymore."

"I agree; let's run," I said. We ran for an hour, Bub right beside me, before heading back to the camper. I showered while Reaper got the grill outside going. When I came out, he was cooking bacon, which smelled amazing. Bub stood next to him, waiting for some.

"I'll finish the cooking, and you can shower," I said, reaching to push his hair off his forehead. "Sorry, I thought it might get in your eyes."

"No problem. I'll shower and be right back." He said, watching my lips. I stepped closer, thinking he would kiss me, and licked my lips. Then he stepped back and left. So I turned to the grill. I got some eggs, and everything was ready when Reaper walked out fully clothed.

My mind wouldn't shut up. Why would he want to kiss me? You've never been kissed before, so why would he? Will he kiss me again? We sat at the picnic table and ate our breakfast.

"This is a pretty place," Reaper said, watching me.

"It is. I should advertise that I'm having a book signing in a week and see if that brings Brian out."

"Are you tired of me already?" He asked, tilting his head and smiling.

My heart beat fast; my dream man was here with me; there had to be a reason for that. "No, but I'm sure you have more important people to help than me."

"You are very important. Right now, my main concern is keeping you safe. I'll ask the team about a book signing. I thought you hated those?"

"I do. But if it will catch that killer, I'll do it. I don't know if he's hurt anyone else. We have to hurry and catch him."

"I agree. We'll have a book signing in California since we're headed there anyway."

"I can't wait to see the California coast. I hope it's as beautiful as its photos."

"It is. I stayed at Big Sur once, guarding a politician. It was beautiful. That was the only good thing about that job. Turns out the politician was involved in human trafficking of women and children."

"I hope he's locked up in prison," I said.

"He stayed two nights in jail. His wife divorced him, his kids disowned him, and he hung himself. At least, that's what they say. He had lots of famous people on his list of clients who used his trafficked women and children."

"So, more than likely, he was murdered," I said, my mind racing with plot ideas. I grabbed some paper and started jotting things down quickly.

"Are you getting ideas for a book?" he asked.

"Yes, when my head starts like this, it's a good sign I'll have a hit. Sometimes, I'm writing more than one book at a time. Can you tell me more about some of your clients, not their names, just the cases? Any gruesome stories will be appreciated." I laughed. I couldn't help it; the look on his face was hilarious.

"So, the way to your heart is blood and guts stories?"

"Not usually, but heck, I have you right here. I might as well use you."

"Baby, you can use me anytime you want." I felt my face burning again. I got up and took the paper plates to the garbage while Reaper cleaned the frying pan.