Chapter 17

It started that way. A stupid dare, proof that she wouldn't dodge him. Sarra stood still as he bent his head, his hands cradling both cheeks and lips touching hers. His palms were warm and calloused, and his fingers slid into her hair. as he angled her face upward and coaxed her lips apart. For a second she tensed sensing he could swallow her whole. but then something in her chest began to unfold and swell, something that might have been hope.

And desire. It was so unexpected her heart lost track of the beat. Reason slid from grasp, driven out by exhaustion, loneliness and fear and some absurd craving to be held and safe and warm.She didn't feel cold in Brian's hands Heat surged through her body instead.

That wasn't right.

"Stop." She said pushing him away.

He pulled back and for a half of second Sarra felt as if she couldn't stand on her own. She groped for the door frame and missed.

God get a grip.

She got her balance back and lifted her chin."Proof enough?"

"Proof of something. he said his voice a little ragged. "Maybe proof that its been a long time since you have been kissed like that."

oh yes

"Sarra." He hesitated and the sound of her first name on his lips did something strange in her belly." Has Evan.. Has he ever hurt you?"

"Of course no.No "

"OK. he said "I didn't want to have to kill him.

A ludicrous comment but it flipped in Sarra's heart sideways. The idea of someone looking out for her was so foreign she didn't know what to do with it. As if she was gifted a tool but she didn't know how to use it.She only knew it felt sweet to cradle in hand.

Until she thought of what it might do to Abby.

"You should go." she said.

"Why?"

"Because she told you so."

Both of them looked toward the voice.

"Evan? Beth said wondering where the hell he had come from."What are you doing here?"

His gaze locked to Brian's "Do I know?"

"No" Brian said and Sarra noticed he made no further to attempt to intrude himself. Two big dogs sniffing each other out.she almost laughed.

She looked at Brian hoping her cheeks were not red."Thank you for bringing us home."

He held her gaze long enough to set her pules skittering then dipped his chin."Someone will call you in the morning about getting your car back."

He left reeving up his engine of the maxima a little more than necessary. Sarra thought, and Evan stepped unto the porch."What is going on?" We had cops at Fosters this afternoon asking alot of questions?"

"About what?"

"About Kerry, Dealers we know in Denver and Omaha, you"

Great"Then you know as much as I do, They have been asking me alot of questions too.That was one of them.. Well not a cop but he is working with them."

Evan humped."You gonna invite me in?"

She looked up."No Please Evan not tonight."

"Then when?"

"I told you what happened between us is over it never really got started."

"In my world going to bed with someone is getting started  Yours too."

"But its over now.And I have work to do Did two more dolls come over to Fosters today? Mrs Chazz said they should be there today?"

"I didn't check." he said trying to nuzzle her."Come on Sarra."

She pushed him away."Evan stop."

He straightened at first seemed surprised but then gathering his pride."Call me when you change your mind."

Voices. A bump.Figures creeping close huddled low. Brian's senses rocketed to red alert. He tensed every muscle and tendon poised for strike. He could place the leader just beneath the left side of the bed. the others two.if his radar was working correctly were crouched near the foot.

He let the band close in just inches away, Then launched.from the bed with an animal cry.he caught one in the head lock tripped the others with his leg, toppling them.

"NOOOO! Squealed the leader fighting. The smaller ones thumped to the floor, gasping for air.

"NO" Brian said pulling Cody down on the carpet. He threw a leg over Justin. Tyler weaseled out and climbed on his back."What kind of sneak attack was that? I heard you guys from a mile away."

"Did not" Justin said."You were snoring until Cody was right on top of you"

"Smart Alec." Brian said. He went for the back of Cody's pants intending a wedgie Until Tyler lost his balance and tightened his arm on Brian's throat. He flipped Tyler on the floor and the wrestling match began.It drew Nancy into the guest room like a magnet.

"All right stop it." she said." If you are going to kill each other take it out side."

They untangled thereselvesmanaging a few pushes and shoves.

"Are you coming Uncle Brian?"asked Justin.

"Sure for a few Min's.he said rubbing a hand over his face."Just let me get some breakfast first."

"Breakfast?" Tyler said tagging the others down the hall."Its twelve o'clock."

Brian's brows went up and he glanced out the window,Sure enough It was pretty bright outside He got to his feet.

"What time did you come back last night. Phil came up behind Nancy a mug of coffee in his hand.He handed it to Brian.

"I dunno." Brian lied."Late"

"Anything happen with Mrs Jane?"

You mean did I lose my mind and kiss her? "Not that I saw. She worked most of the night down in the basement." He sat on the edge of the bed and sipped his coffee. a little embarrassed that he bothered staking out Sarra's house.What had he expected? That Gloria's murderer would knock on the door? That Evans  might stay all night? That she might put on something sexy and invite Brian back to chase away her nightmares.?

Christ.

"This sounds like cop talk." Nancy said excusing herself. she slipped through the door way past Phil not touching him.

Brian arched a brow."Did you stay here last night?

"Nah i went back to the station." He shifted looking down the hall at Nancy "It is where she says I want to be anyway."

"You too....Got to get it back together man.If you two don't make it-

"Yeah Phil said his eyes giving away the pain even if his words didn't."Look I got to get back.I'm in court today,"You got something on your agenda?"

"Gloria's parents I need to talk to them."

"ooh" Phil said shaking his head."That is one conversation i do not envy Listen Brian there is something else you should know. Lorra Called.

Brian's heart jumped a beat.

"Not about you. I mean she does it now and then. Calls Nancy, not very often."

"How is she?"

"Married again third time I think she can't seem to get pregnant or at least carry to term. She had a couple miscarriages. I guess you can ask Nancy."

Brian walked over to the mirror Ellen had been right He looked old. For a moment he wondered what the years have done to Lorra. If she was still slender and creamed skin with blond hair like Nancy and eve.Given what she has been through life had probably left her looking pretty beat up too, but he didn't want to think of her like that. Especially since he was responsible for alot of it.

"Sometimes you have to let it go." Phil said.

"And sometimes you don't" he said looking at Phil right in the eyes "That jobs is not worth sleeping alone Phil I ought to know."

"Yeah."

Phil left and Brian sat down a world of hurt seeming to lay its hands on him. Lorra. Phil. Nancy. Sarra Jane. The family of Gloria Michaels. The families of Jessica Davis and the woman who are missing even the family of Anthony Russel.

His Brother Eric  and thirteen people who died in an explosion Brian hadn't even tried to stop.

He pulled out his cell phone dialed a whole bunch of numbers and waited. The voice at the other end was that of stranger."Yes?"

"This is Brian Fuller he said "I want to speak to my brother."