by A. R. Ford
“You know Brittney?” Leah asked. She finished the mixed drink.
“She’s my bestie,” Sarah giggled. “Now I have a dynamic duo to have girl’s night out.”
“Brittney and I attended Warner Central together. I’ll be back in a second,” Leah explained. “I’m off to the bar for another drink. It looks like Brittney is swamped.”
I excused myself to visit the restroom at the same time Leah walked through the crowd to the bar. By the time I returned to the table, Leah was surrounded by a crowd of insurance executives. I was on my feet the instant a drunk man attempted to kiss Leah.
“Fuck my life,” I muttered.
Lukas placed a hand on my forearm when he saw the expression on my face. “I’ll go with you. I’ll be back soon, babe.” Sarah nodded, but watched as we moved through the throng of men.
Leah shoved the drunken man away. She turned toward the bartender with a smile. “Do you have my drink?”
The bartender sat an oversized version of the Sex on the Beach drink in front of Leah. She took a sip, and grinned while giving the bartender a thumbs up. Two men blocked my intended path.
“Excuse me, guys,” I said politely.
“Who do you think you are, jackass?” one drunk man yelled.
I drew my fist back to show him who I was.
Lukas grabbed my arm. “Ease up, Nick. I’ve got this.” He smiled at the man before offering a handshake. “You’re new here, aren’t you? Let me buy you a drink.”
The path cleared just in time for me to catch Leah when she slid off the bench. She swayed uncharacteristically, drink in one hand. “I gotta pee,” she announced before taking the heels off, only to hold them in one hand.
“I’m going with you.”
Leah handed the heels, and half-empty drink to me. “I promise I’ll be right back.”
Sarah appeared beside me; brow furrowed. “We have a problem, Nick. Brittney said the bartender doubled the vodka, not just the peach Schnapps. Leah has probably had the equivalent of four drinks.”
“Great,” I muttered just as Leah appeared in the hallway. “Come on, baby, let's get you home.”
“But Lukas and Sarah just got here,” Leah frowned, hands on her hips. She wasn’t happy about leaving so soon. She snatched the mixed drink from my hand. “Let’s go, party pooper.”
It wasn’t a simple walk to the front door. The Flying Crown was packed with patrons. We wove our way through the throng. The drunk man who tried to kiss Leah appeared at my side. “Where are you taking my woman!” he slurred, tugging on my arm.
“Back off,” I warned. “The lady needs to go home.”
There’s always that one asshole. He made a lame attempt at throwing a punch. It bounced off my jaw, more irritating than painful. The hard blow I landed on his chin was a knockout punch. The asshole fell backwards into the crowd.
Sarah took the drink from Leah’s hand when we reached the front door. “Lukas said he would take care of the tab. Take care, Nick, Leah.”
Leah groaned when the Charger surged forward. “I think the bartender sabotaged me. Don’t be mad.”
A glance in her direction revealed damp eyes along with teeth worrying her lower lip. She was so damned sexy.
“I’m not upset. No more power drinking. And you’re going back to my place, so I can keep an eye on you.”
Leah gnawed her bottom lip before whispering, “What a heck of a first date.”
I laughed at her words. “Agreed. That bartender sure wanted to get you hammered.”
Once we made it to my house, I led Leah inside before closing, and locking the door. “This way; bathroom through the hall on the right. You can use my toothbrush. I’ll get you a t-shirt to sleep in.”
Leah brushed her teeth. I led her to the bedroom. She undressed, and slipped into the t-shirt, and curled up in the bed. I stripped down to my boxers. Joining Leah in bed was a dream come true. Too bad I couldn’t take advantage of the situation. Leah’s hand moved across my stomach. I caught it. I kissed her hard, nose rubbing against hers in an effort to ease the rejection.
“Go to sleep. I’m not taking advantage of you while you’re drunk. I’ll make sure to have coffee, and breakfast ready for you when you wake up.”
She snuggled against me while muttering under her breath. I distinctly thought I heard something along the lines of “uptight cops” followed by a whispered, “Love you.”
Leah
THE NEXT MORNING, I woke with a pounding head in a room I did not recognize. Nick’s spice and musk cologne soothed any worries I had. The smell of brewing coffee, frying bacon, and toast filled the air. I rolled from bed before going in search of the bathroom. When I emerged a few minutes later, Nick stood in the hallway with that darned crooked grin on his face.
He hooked a thumb over one shoulder. “I have breakfast, coffee, and ibuprofen waiting for you.”
Nick did indeed have breakfast ready. I drank a cup of coffee, and swallowed two ibuprofens. I moaned with delight, digging into the perfectly crispy bacon arranged on a plate, along with scrambled eggs, and toast.
“He’s a gentleman, and he cooks. I’m impressed,” I said after swallowing a bite of bacon.
“Was this before, or after you called me an uptight cop?”
I winced when vague memories of the muttered insult returned. “I think that was drunk Leah talking. I don’t let her come out often because she tends to get rowdy, and disrespectful.”
Nick’s laughter soothed any worries I had about him being upset over the insult. “I’ll take you home as soon as you’ve had a shower, and breakfast. I get to plan our next date, something calmer with no super-sized drinks from The Flying Crown.”
“Tell me about your family, Nick. I know you have a sister, but I haven’t heard much about the rest of your family.” I watched Nick’s expression while savoring the coffee. He didn’t miss a beat, giving me the rundown on the family tree.
“Not much to tell, really. Our family lived in Warner our entire life. Dad was a long-haul truck driver. He got killed in a pile-up on a foggy interstate up north when Rose and I were just kids. Mom worked two jobs to support us. Her health started failing about ten years ago. She had a stroke five years ago, and never recovered. We have a few relatives scattered across the country, but we’re not close like some families. Rose and you are the only people I have that I can call family. And I’m okay with that.”
Nick’s description of his family was matter-of-fact, and brief. There were no secrets, or axe murderers hiding in his family tree that I could tell. He was an open book.
“I suppose I should share something about myself since you’ve been so open. I kind of like this back and forth sharing we have. Let’s see ... I’ve lived in Warner all my life. I don’t know who my father is. My mother has been addicted to heroin as long as I can remember. I think I told you this in the safehouse. It’s really true. My best friend’s name is Ryder. We rarely get together, but we chat on messenger a lot. He’s a recluse computer, internet, whatever ... some kind of prodigy. I want to attend college, but have no clue what I want to be when I grow up. Other than being your girlfriend, and working at the diner, I have no real view of what my future is supposed to look like.”
Nick smiled before taking my hand. He held it briefly before kissing the palm. “You’ll be good at whatever you decide to do, Leah. You’re smart, and savvy.”
A goofy grin appeared on my face. Nick was an expert at making me feel good about myself. He was dependable, and kind. After we cleaned up the breakfast dishes, Nick insisted I take a shower. It relieved the remainder of the hangover. He took me home just like he had promised. Nick Fowler was turning out to be the very thing I needed.
Chapter 8
Nick
LEAH’S DESIRE TO SLOWLY rebuild our relationship meant everything to me. I often stopped by the diner for a cup of coffee toward the end of her shifts. We spent much of our free time walking in Warner’s picturesque park bordering Lake Orion. I still
hadn’t planned a follow-up date as promised. I waited until she had two days off in a row before making those plans.
I picked her up at her apartment for the short drive to the dock near Shoppes on Orion, a new shopping center built by one of Sam Warner’s many companies. The man had a sizeable hand in developing Warner, and bringing it into the modern age. He had my respect after I saw the shopping center.
Leah and I boarded a steam boat for the dinner cruise across Lake Orion. She held my hand while we walked to the dining room surrounded on all sides by glass walls. “Oh, Nick! This will be perfect. The sun should be setting soon.”
“I thought you might like it, baby. I’ve never seen the lake at sunset, at least not from the deck of an old steamboat.”
Our dinner started off with wine, and appetizers. Leah picked at the selection of appetizers. She was more excited about Lake Orion than she was about exotic food. Dinner consisted of soup, salad, New York strip, baked potato, and dessert. Once the steak came to rest in front of her, Leah’s attention turned to food. I grinned at the sight of her slicing through the steak before chewing a bite with her eyes closed blissfully.
“If I knew that steak was the way to your heart, we would have had this dinner long ago,” I remarked.
“Steak is the only way to go for dinner. Although I do like lasagna, tacos, and pizza. I’m not hard to please, Nick. But put a medium rare steak in front of me, and I turn into a carnivore,” she said with a laugh.
After dinner we moved onto the steam boat’s deck to enjoy the sight of the setting sun in the distance. I stood behind Leah with my arms around her waist as she leaned on the rail. It was a peaceful time spent talking about our lives before we met.
“Am I your first boyfriend?”
“I’ve dated two men before you, Nick. Both were destined for failure not long after we started dating. What about you? Any wives, or psychotic ex-girlfriends I need to know about?” Leah turned to face me, a hand resting lightly on my chest. Shit. This was the topic I didn’t want to discuss, but I knew being an open book with Leah was the only way to proceed.
“There’s an ex-wife. We parted on very bad terms. As for psychotic ex-girlfriends, there are none. I haven’t dated, or even had one-night stands, since the divorce.” My hands came to rest on her hips. She licked her lower lip, looking up at me. The fire in her brown eyes made a finger of lust curl in my groin.
“That explains a few things,” she whispered. “No one has ever done the things you do to me, Nick. With my heart, or otherwise.”
Everything around us disappeared as the conversation took on an intimate tone. We were delving into each other’s lives, exploring sensitive topics. A bench in a deserted area of the deck beckoned. We settled there as the steamboat made its way around one of Lake Orion’s islands on the midway point of our trip. We were on our way back to Warner.
“Have you spoken with your mother lately?”
“I haven’t spoken with my mother in a couple years, Nick. She called me then saying she was going to rehab, and getting her life straight. I haven’t heard from her since. I’m afraid to know, really. Finding out might hurt worse than believing some distorted image I’ve held of her since childhood.” Leah sighed, looking down at the deck while worrying the hem of her shirt. She smiled when I kissed her cheek, an arm curling around her slender shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Leah. Is there anything I can do to make things easier in that area?”
“Don’t talk about it. I ... I would as soon not think about my mom, where she is, or if she’s okay. Can we talk about lighter topics? Like when are you inviting me back to your place again?” She licked her lips, teeth tugging the lower lip while she waited for my response. Her brown eyes searched mine.
“Are you saying you’re ready to make things more serious?” I grinned hopefully, reaching for her hand. This was what I wanted more than anything. Leah letting down barriers meant everything.
“Yeah, I think I’d like that. I’ve missed you so much, Nick.” The vulnerable side of Leah came out when she hugged me, her body pressed tight against mine, arms around my neck while her face lay against my chest. “I promised myself I wouldn’t be a wimp, but here I am.”
“I would never think that,” I said before kissing the top of her head. She was coming home with me.
It was dark before the steamboat made it back to the dock. Leah and I held hands, walking at a leisurely pace that belied the excitement brewing inside us. I felt it, and hoped she did. Right before she got in the car, a heavy-lidded look made my knees weak. She wanted this as much as I did. I could see it in her eyes. This evening just got a lot more interesting.
Chapter 9
Nick
LEAH PLACED SOME CLOTHING, and necessities in a backpack. She came willingly to my simple ranch-style home in Warner’s suburbs. I locked the door behind us, not for security, but to guard my time with her closely. She glanced around the living room, then headed for the kitchen.
“I didn't get the grand tour last time I was here. My fault completely. Nice house, Officer Nick.” She found the fifth of liquor in the back of the fridge. “I would try this, but I remember what happened the last time I drank.”
“I’m not a cop now, Leah.”
One corner of her mouth lifted. “I had fantasies of you handcuffing me to the bed, or vice versa.”
Well, shit. My pants got much tighter at her words. Leah strolled through the house, pointing out areas she remembered from the night after The Flying Crown.
She undressed when we stood in the bedroom. The lacy bikini panties were all that stood between me, and paradise. She turned to face me. “You’re wearing too many clothes, Nick. How are you supposed to show me how much you missed me with all those clothes on?”
I began undressing. When I was finally naked, she smiled. “I really want to kiss you right now,” I muttered when I stood inches away from her. The heat from her body was a tantalizing magnet that drew me closer.
“You can. But not here,” she indicated her mouth with a finger. “Here is the only place you can kiss me until I say otherwise.” A hand slid between her legs.
My cock twitched when Leah lay back on the bed while beckoning with one finger. Yes, baby. I can show you how much I’ve missed you with my tongue. Her clit was deep pink, and swollen. The touch of my tongue against her sensitive bud made her hips buck. I slid a finger inside her, and rubbed that spot that drove her wild at the same time that my tongue lashed her clit. My mouth and chin were wet with her arousal before she begged for my cock.
I was more than glad to slide inside her hot, slick core. It felt like heaven. Our movements were perfectly in sync. I devoured her mouth, groaning when her tongue slid sinuously against mine. The instant her heels dug into my ass, I pounded into her with a desperation bordering on insanity. We reached the peak together, sweat-slick limbs intertwined.
I would never get enough of Leah. Ever.
She curled against me; face buried against my chest. Her arms clutched me tight. “Did I hurt you, Leah?”
The only response was a shake of her head. Tears wet my chest for several minutes before she spoke. “That was beyond beautiful.”
“You had me worried.” My fingers combed through her dark hair.
“I’m a lot of different things, rolled into one. And for some reason, I know you can handle it. That’s why I’m open to this, trying again,” Leah murmured. “Of course, the mind-blowing orgasms you give me are icing on the cake.”
I gave her a crooked grin. “I could get used to hearing that, baby.”
It was a memorable night. After Leah’s earlier aggressiveness, her vulnerable side came through. I took the lead, teasing, and wooing her as if she were a virgin. We fell asleep tangled in each other’s arms, and legs.
I woke early the next morning, as was my habit. I hadn’t had a night like that since college. I sat at the dining room table drinking coffee when Rose came breezing through the front door. Regret is a strange thing, e
specially regret that your older sister has a key to your place.
“I brought breakfast casserole,” she said at my look of surprise.
“I wasn’t expecting you, Rose. I, uh, have plans for the day.” I could feel the heat of blood as it filled my cheeks. I felt like a horny teenager getting caught having sex in the back seat of his car.
Leah chose that exact moment to walk into the dining room wearing my blue button-down shirt from yesterday. Her hair was tousled, legs long, and bare. She glanced at Rose, then at me. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t know I was interrupting.” Just like that, the switch flipped. Leah left the room, and returned minutes later fully dressed, the backpack on one shoulder. “I’m out. Good seeing you again, Rose.”
Thankfully, Rose interceded since I was frozen with a case of the morning-after stupids. “Leah, please stay. I dropped by unannounced. I’m sorry for interrupting your plans with Nick. Do you like breakfast casserole?”
God bless my sister. She was a smooth negotiator, and problem solver. Leah visibly relaxed after the invitation. She glanced hesitantly at me. “Rose loves to cook. You’ll get used to it. Please stay,” I said in an effort to reassure her.
“I’ve never had breakfast casserole,” Leah said as she sat beside me. The tension in my gut eased instantly.
The most important women in my life sat talking as if they were old friends. They genuinely liked each other, and had common interests. This would have never happened with my ex-wife. Ever. Rose despised the woman the first day she met her. In hindsight, I should have listened to my sister’s warnings. There were so many warning signs. For a moment, I was caught up in the pain of the divorce and self-pity, then Leah found my hand, intertwining her fingers with mine.
“We should meet, and go for a run some time,” Rose said with a smile. “If Nick can spare you for an hour, or so. Better yet, you should put on those running shoes, and go with us, baby brother.”
“I usually run around Lake Orion,” Leah added. She was an exotic beauty without the short haircut. With it, holy shit, she was even more exotic, and sexy. And she was all mine.