Play with Me (Novella) (14 page)

“Kali, are you there?”

“Where is he?”

“He left the police station about an hour ago.”

“I have to go.” I hang up and dial Damion. He doesn’t answer. I race for a drawer and rip away my robe and shove on jeans and a tank top, slide on my Keds. I don’t have a car, since I let go of my rental, so I decide to take a cab. I race for the door and stop. Where the heck am I even
going? He isn’t at the police station. I dial Dehlia to discover he’s not at the shelter, either.

The door buzzes and opens, and a weary Damion appears, dropping his briefcase on the floor. I launch myself at him and throw my arms around his neck. “I would never write a tell-all about you. I told her I’d investigate before I met you, when she told me a horror story. The minute I met you I knew she was lying. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. And I love you. And I think we should get a house that is a home and get away from work all the time. And—”

He wraps his arm around me and kisses me. “I didn’t believe her.”

“You didn’t?”

“No. I told you. I’m sure of you. Of us, Kali. I love you, too.”

My heart warms. “You do?”

“Yes. I do. And we’ll get a real home on one condition.”

“Condition?”

“That you marry me. Be my wife, and neither of us will ever be alone again.”

My heart swells. “I would be honored to be your wife.”

He scoops me up and carries me to the bed, settles me on the mattress, and then braces his elbows above me. “Happy Thanksgiving, Kali.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Damion.”

PHOTO: © DIEGO HARRISON

New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author L
ISA
R
ENEE
J
ONES
is the author of the highly acclaimed Inside Out Trilogy, which has been sold to more than twelve countries for translation, with negotiations in process for more; it has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (
Alice in Wonderland
).

Since beginning her writing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than thirty books, with publishers such as Simon & Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley, and Ellora’s Cave, as well as crafted a successful indie career.
Booklist
says that Jones’s suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned a multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by the
Austin Business Journal
and also praised by
Dallas Women Magazine
. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the
number-seven growing women-owned business in
Entrepreneur
magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her through her website, and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.