Free The Legacy: A Kimberly & Sykes Mystery Novel by Kasey Mulligan

her.
    “Sorry.  I do want some water after all.” Lauren reached into the cupboard to get a glass, and noticing the glass of water that Sykes must had poured for her, sitting on the counter. She picked it up and took a long drink before filling it again from the filtered water tap.
    On her way back to her room she thanked Sykes for bringing her the water. Sykes eyes glanced over her body and Lauren pulled her robe more tightly around her waist. Sykes was propped against the arm of the sofa, his arms behind his head and the sheet covering him to mid-chest. The muscles on his arms were well defined and Lauren caught herself looking more closely than she should. Embarrassed with herself, she clutched the robe tightly at her neck. She tried desperately to send a message to her feet to move; but the synapses refused to work and Lauren was rooted to the spot.
    Sykes’ eyes twinkled and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. It was as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. Lauren groaned. As if on cue, her feet finally responded and she turned and hurried back to her bedroom. She jammed the chair back under the door handle, pulled the robe off and threw it on the floor then jumped into bed and pulled the covers over her head in shame.

Chapter 11
     
    Her thoughts focused on Sykes, Lauren found sleep impossible. He was a good looking guy. Fit. Dressed well. Nice teeth. Polished shoes. All the factors that she would ordinarily checked out on a first date. But Sykes wasn’t a date! He was a guy who had been pushed into her life and it looked like she was going to be stuck with him until she found the missing things or gave up trying. Sykes was not what she expected from a security professional. There was a kindness to him that was unexpected and in conflict with the image he portrayed of himself - Mr. Cool, Calm, and in Control.
    Lauren’s thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of knocking at the door.
    “Yes?”
    “I can hear you tossing and turning. Would you like to talk? You’ve got a lot going on right now and…I don’t know… some people find talking helps.”
    Lauren picked up her robe from the floor, once again typing it tightly around her waist. Removing the chair from beneath the door handle she opened the door. Sykes raised an eye when he saw the chair in her hand but walked into the room when she motioned for him to come inside. He looked around the room and rested first on one foot, and then the other, before moving back to rest on the first. His hands were hanging at his side and Lauren noticed his finger tips were tapping his thigh in a silent staccato. Lauren wasn’t sure if inviting him in was the smartest thing she had done and hesitated by her bedroom door for a few moments. She savored Sykes’ discomfort, glad that the tables had turned so quickly.
    Lauren passed the chair to Sykes. The corner of his lips twitched and his eyes appeared to twinkle. He placed the chair a short distance from Lauren’s bed and sat down. He was wearing his slacks and t-shirt and his bare feet stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankle. Lauren sat on top of her bed covers and pulled the throw blanket over herself. She leaned back against the headboard and looked at Sykes with before glancing down and focusing on her hands.
    Sykes’ eyes were hidden in the shadows but Lauren could feel his gaze on her. Leaning over to her side table, she switched on the bedside lamp. Sykes was definitely looking at her now, even if he hadn’t been before. Lauren pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her lower legs pulling them close to her body. She rested her head on the top of her knees and waited for Sykes to speak. 
    He spoke softly. “It’s O.K. to feel out-of-sorts. This is a strange situation for you and I’m sure you must be wondering what the heck is going on.”
    “Out-of-sorts is a good way to put it. I am having a hard time trying to process everything. I mean, look