Chapter Five

Stone could tell she didn’t feel totally comfortable. But she took a deep breath and licked her lips before beginning to talk.

“I don’t know where I was exactly when it happened, but I felt like a wave of pain was washing over me. Like souls crying out in pain.” She shook her head.

Could it be true? Stone fought back the urge to press her with more questions, opting instead for her to talk at her own speed. Watching her drink some water, Stone shifted when her tongue snuck out to lick the remaining moisture from her lips—a simple action that caused a huge sexual reaction within him.

“The reason I swerved was…was because I thought I saw a man on horseback coming straight at me. After I stopped, I realized I’d obviously been mistaken for there was no man or horse there. Then you pulled me over.”

Stone sat there and stared at her. What she’d described had happened to him along that same stretch of road. He chalked it up to his heritage, but hearing Jasira say the same thing, he wasn’t so sure about that anymore.

“It was like something out of a movie. One second it was me and the road…the next this black horse is barreling down the asphalt, but I could see the dust cloud that each hoof stirred up. I don’t know. The man had black marks on his face, like war paint maybe, and his bow ready with an arrow. Which was aimed directly ahead and from my point of view that meant at me.” Jasira ran her hand over her brow. “I don’t know. I’ve ran it over and over in my head, trying to convince myself I was having a hallucination. But it…it seemed so flipping real.”

Stone leaned forward. “Did you hear drums?” The way her eyes narrowed, he knew he’d delivered yet another question which threw her.

Her brows furrowed as she stabbed a green bean. “Drums. Drums? No. My iPod was going, and I was listening to it.”

His heart pounded erratically. Flames of need burned in his blood. “And since, have you seen anything like it?”

“Not other than when I replay it in my head.”

Stone could see she still struggled with this so he changed the topic slightly. “How long have you been here in Rapid City?”

“A little over two years.”

“And you do this recruiting thing often?”

She chuckled and ate a bite of her steak. After she swallowed, Jasira said, “No. I’m in my last year of that. Then I’ll be back out to sea. Or at least back on the coast.” Relief resided in her tone at that statement.

Eating the last of his roll, Stone questioned. “What do you usually do?”

“I’m a CTI.” He lifted his eyebrows and she got the hint. “A CTI is a Cryptological Technician, an interpretive one.”

He thought about that for a moment. “So you’re a code breaker?”

“In a nutshell. I deal with radiotelephone comms and foreign language translations.”

Stone smiled. “Somehow I bet there’s more to you, than what could fit in a nutshell.”

The corners of her eyes crinkled as she grinned. “Doesn’t sound so bad when you say it as opposed to when Justice does.”

Jealousy reared within him. Who the hell is Justice, and why does she say his name with such affection? Adopting what he hoped was a calm and controlled tone, Stone asked, “And he is?”

It was like she knew. The tiniest of smiles flitted across her full tempting lips. As much as he wanted an answer, Stone craved the feel of his mouth on hers even more. It took a great deal of control to remain seated on his side of the booth.

“Justice is my brother.”

Relief swamped him. What claim do I have on her? It didn’t matter. She was his. “Older? Younger?” Stone wanted to learn everything he could about her. Everything.

“Older.” She held up a hand. “Not by much, but he thinks it makes him so much more knowledgeable. Please, like five minutes gives him that much of a head start.”

“Five minutes?” It hit him. “Ahh, twins.”

“Yes. So according to him, I’m the runt.”

Stone took a drink and stared across the table at the woman with him. “Tell me more,” he ordered, genuinely intrigued.

“No…tell me about you,” she countered. “Actually tell me if you think I’m crazy.”

The need to be told she wasn’t came across clear as day for him. Resting his elbows on the table, he leaned closer to her. “I don’t think you’re crazy. Had you told me when I pulled you over, I wouldn’t have believed the story. And most likely would have pegged you as loony or tryin’ to scam me.”

Jasira mimicked his action of leaning in closer. Tipping her head to the side, she licked her lips. “Really? Why?”

“I’ve heard a...” He paused to look up at the waitress who handed him the dessert menu. “A lot of excuses from people when I pulled them over.” Stone handed Jasira the menu knowing what he wanted. “Just tends to make me skeptical.”

The waitress returned and they told her what they wished. Once they were alone again, Jasira scooted to the corner of her booth seat and sat back. He presumed she stretched out her legs.

“Why didn’t you give me a ticket?” Her question ran full of true curiosity.

Very good question. I’ve wondered that myself. “Fair enough,” he conceded. “I had every intention of it, but the look of panic on your face convinced me of your words. That and you didn’t argue with me, like so many do.”

Jasira shifted. “Then why come here looking for me?”

She’s very cautious. “You intrigued me. I want to learn more about you.”

She smiled but shook her head. “I’ve shared enough for now. I want to learn something about you.”

While they ate dessert, Stone told her a bit more about what it was like to be the sheriff on the Reservation. They ate slowly and drank coffee. With each passing moment, Stone felt closer to her. She was a delight and a lot of fun. Quick witted, charming, and totally unaware of how adorable she truly was.

I can’t explain it, but I don’t want the night to end. The check sat beside him and yet, he was in no rush.

Jasira placed her coffee mug down and reached for her purse. “Thank you for this lovely evening, but I need to get going.” She pointed at the bill beside him. “What’s my cost?”

“Zero.” She arched a brow and he cocked his in return. “I asked you to dinner, I’m paying.” Stone could see the protest forming. “No arguments, Jasira.” His sharp gaze caught her slight shudder and he grinned, well aware of his affect on her.

“I’m not going to win this debate, am I?”

Stone stood and waited for her to join him. Placing his hand on the small of her back they then moved to the counter. “No, my dear, you won’t.”

He paid and soon they were stepping out into the night. The rain still streamed down in torrents. Where they were under the awning they remained dry. Stone took her umbrella, opened it, and handed it back to her. Her eyes stared down at their feet.

“Do you have a day off soon?” he asked.

“Why?” Jasira looked up at him.

“I want to see you again.”

Her lips curved up slightly and his heart rate increased. “I’d like that.” Jasira laid her hand upon his chest. “A lot.”

When she went to remove her hand, Stone covered it with his own and stepped into her. Jasira stepped back and he followed. Soon they were protected from the rain only by the umbrella. A tight fit; one Stone greatly approved of.

“When’s your next day off?” he asked, using his free hand to slide around the back of her neck and tangle in her thick luxurious hair.

Her fingers moved in small circles where her hand rested against him. “Sunday.”

I want you on my turf. “Do you like horseback riding?”

“I’ve gone a few times. Not recently but yes, I do like it.”

“What’s your number?” Stone entered it in his phone when she rattled it off, then covered her hand on his chest again. “I’ll call you tomorrow evening with directions.”

“Okay.”

“It has been a pleasure, Jasira,” he murmured lowering his head to her ear. She smelled amazing. The same as she had the first time they met.

“Good night.”

Releasing the hold he had upon her hand, he placed it upon her face. His thumb skimmed her full lips. Electrical pulses shot through him at each touch. Stone maneuvered so he could stare into her eyes.

“Good night.”

Moving slow, he closed the distance between their mouths and placed a gentle, chaste kiss at the corner of her mouth. It was as if he got hit by lightning. Every synapse in his body reacted. Moving back, Stone struggled for control as he led her to her vehicle. He held the door for her and forgot about the rain cascading around him as she left the parking lot.

She was on his mind the whole way back to his home.