Chapter 2

"Jess…" Rob said, rolling over on top of me, but not crushing me. He was breathing in my on my neck and lightly kissing it. I felt completely blissful and actually happy for once in my life.

Then Rob picked his head up and said those words that every girl wants to hear.

"Jess, I love you."

I grinned and then planted a big wet one right on his lips. That kiss seemed to go on forever and ever and ever.

…That is until we pulled away to get some air.

My – our – breathing was a little ragged – okay, big understatement. However, I managed to get these words out, "I love you too, Rob."

He smiled and we kissed some more and before we knew it, we were under the sheets – alone in the house – and completely naked.

I woke up with a start. No, I couldn't be having these dreams again – well, not technically dreams, more like memories. They went away for a long time, but they came back to haunt me. I knew this would happen as soon as Krantz had mentioned Indiana again. It got me thinking and remembering my past and what I had run away from.

I was sweating and the sheets were soaked with sweat. Great, I thought as I got up to go change the sheets.

I looked at the clock and it was five-thirty. Well, I had to get up in an hour anyway. I probably wouldn't get anymore sleep anyway after that dream.

Then I heard it.

"Mommy...!"

Damn! I rushed into the next room to find out what little Kia was whining about.

Oh, right you have no idea who Kia is.

Kia is my daughter. Yes, that's right, my daughter.

No, I didn't get busy when I moved out here to Florida. I have never been with anybody since Rob.Five years isn't that bad.

Okay, I lied. I went on one date, but that was totally not a romantic date. The guy was a complete asshole. What else is new?

All the guys here are complete jackasses. They hit on you then want to sleep with you. None of them have ever even heard of commitment, let alone actually applying it.

Back to Kia….

I got up and rushed to her room to see what the matter was. She ran right up to me when she saw me standing in the doorway. "Mommy...I had a bad dream..." She whined and then started softly crying.

She was the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. She had beautiful blue eyes, the color of fog, just like….no I'm trying to forget about him.

Anyway, she had eyes the color of fog and wavy black hair. She was absolutely adorable and anyone who set eyes on her fell in love with her instantly.

I brought her to my room so she could comfort me and vice versa. Kia is turningfour in a month.

She seemed wide awake now, and so was I. So, I went to the kitchen to make us both some food. Then I went to the living room and turned the TV on to Spongebob Squarepants. Kia loves this show and I have to say that I do too.

That was when my cell rang again.

I got up off the couch, leaving Kia there to watch the show. I went in my room, grabbed my cell, and walked back to the living room. I flipped open my phone and answered it.

"Mastriani," I said dully into the phone.

"Jessica, you must be ready to board the plane tomorrow at noon."

"Okay. You wanna tell me about this assignment?"

"Yes, right, of course. Well, it seems…"

"Yes…" I said in a 'get on with it' way.

"Can you just stop by the headquarters today and we'll give you the file."

"Sure. I've gotta bring Kia with me because I haven't gotten a babysitter yet."

"No, that's alright. Your daughter is welcome here. Just come by whenever today and you have off today for obvious reasons. Shopping and whatnot."

"Yeah. So, I'll see you in a bit then?" I said to Krantz in a tired, bored tone.

"Yes. Bye, Jessica." Then he hung up. Great, stupid job.