by Jodi Vaughn
Sloan stood and made his way to the door. “Allie . . .”
“Do you think he’ll be . . . you know . . . well endowed?”
“I really have to leave.” He sprinted out the door and down to the safety of his car.
***
Allison went to her window and watched as Sloan drove away. Damn if Mitch’s Mustang wasn’t parked along the street, headlights off, like a guard dog. Now that Sloan confirmed Mitch was okay, she let herself get mad at him for interfering with her date and running off to tattle to her older brother. It was bad enough that she had to deal with Sloan; she didn’t need Mitch butting in her life as well. They both needed to start seeing her as a woman and not some little girl.
The sooner she dealt with Mitch the better.
***
Grace watched from the sidelines as the girls began to arrive for practice. She didn’t get to see Sloan over the weekend. He’d gotten called back into work after a couple of cops called out sick. She put her free time to good use and recovered the two chairs she’d bought at the yard sale. They turned out better than she hoped.
She glanced at the time on her cell phone. It was time to start practice, but Melanie still wasn’t here. That was weird. Melanie was always on time, if not early.
A car roared into the parking lot and she turned. Chris’s red Camaro stopped. Melanie got out and Chris squealed tires out of the parking lot.
Melanie was dressed in a long sleeve shirt and yoga pants instead of the standard pink T-shirt and shorts uniform they practiced in. It had been in the eighties for weeks and it was clearly too hot for long sleeves.
Melanie walked toward her with hunched shoulders and eyes cast toward the ground. A chill went up Grace’s spine. It was the walk of trying to be invisible so no one could see your pain, your scars, and your shame.
“Miss Witherspoon, can we get started?” Linda yelled out from the group.
Grace forced a smile and turned her attention back to her dance team.
Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Maybe it was her old ghosts stirring up trouble in her head because they could.
She knew the only way to put her fears to rest was to ask.
Two grueling hours later, Grace dismissed the team.
“Melanie, can you stay for a minute? I’ll like to talk to you.”
Once the field was clear and they were alone, Grace sat on the bleacher and patted the seat beside her. Melanie sat, keeping her eyes averted.
“Did I get one of the moves wrong?”
“No, no. I think you did very well. In fact, you are the strongest dancer on the team.”
Melanie’s head jerked up, her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” Grace smiled. “Don’t tell the other girls. I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”
“I won’t. I promise.” Melanie smiled and her shoulders lifted.
“Melanie, I wanted you to stay behind because I wanted to ask you something.”
“About what?” Once again, she averted her eyes.
“Is everything okay, you know, with school and stuff?”
“My grade in English is slipping, but everything else is okay. Why?”
“I noticed you’re wearing a long sleeve shirt today.”
Melanie tugged her sleeves over her fingers. “Yeah, so?”
“It’s been in the eighties for weeks now. “
Melanie shrugged and looked away.
“You can talk to me about anything.” Grace wished the young girl would open up to her, but she also knew if she pushed, then Melanie would shut down.
“Everything’s fine.”
Grace knew that everything was not fine.
“If there is a problem you don’t have to deal with it alone. Sometimes we think things are hopeless when they’re not.”
Melanie’s expression shuttered and Grace knew the girl wasn’t going to talk. Maybe her hunch was wrong.
“I just want you to know I’m here for you any time you want to talk.” Grace laid her hand on her arm. Melanie flinched and pulled away.
Grace held her breath. “Melanie, show me your arm.”
The roar of a Camaro pulled into the parking lot and Melanie went pale. “I’m fine. I’ve got to go.” She grabbed her bag and ran toward Chris’s car. She got in and the couple sped away.
Grace pressed her palm over her fast beating heart. Scenes of Michael grabbing her and leaving bruises on her arms flooded her head. That was the first time Grace had worn clothes that covered her skin, careful to keep her shame hidden. She closed her eyes against the onset of terror she’d felt the first time he’d hit her.
She had to do something. She snatched up her stuff and headed for her car.
***
Grace swallowed her fear and walked into the one place she had avoided for months. The police station.
The officer behind the window looked up and smiled. “Can I help you?”
She cleared her throat. “Yes. I need to see Sloan Jackson. My name is Grace.”
The officer nodded and picked up the phone. After a few seconds of brief conversation, he placed the receiver back in the cradle. “He’ll be right out. You can have a seat over there.” He pointed to some green plastic chairs that looked like they’d seen better days.
Grace sat down and clasped her hands in her lap and looked around. Officers came in and out of the front door at a steady pace. Other than her, the waiting area was empty.
Grace’s stomach fell as Felicia walked through the door.
“What are you doing here?” Felicia gaped.
“Hello, Felicia. How are you?” Grace gave her a polite smile and hoped the rude woman would go away.
“I’m fine.” Felicia looked around. “Are you in some kind of trouble?” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.
“I’m here to see Sloan.” Grace stood. She hoped that the rumor mill had made it to Felicia about her date with Sloan.
Felicia’s face went red and she pressed her lips into a thin line.
Bingo. Felicia had heard.
“I heard he took you to out to dinner.” She clicked her tongue. “I’m afraid our little town doesn’t offer much in the way of entertainment. It’s quite boring, actually.”
“I thought the restaurant was charming.” She smiled. “I assure you, what happened afterwards was anything but boring.”
Felicia gasped and her face went beet red.
“Grace, what a nice surprise.” Sloan grinned as he slipped his hand to her lower back. “Come on back to my office.” Completely ignoring Felicia, he escorted Grace down the hallway into his office.
Shutting the door, he turned and pressed her against the door and covered her lips in a scorching kiss.
His hands went to her hips as his tongue sought hers out, licking and curling around hers.
He pulled away too soon and gazed at her with those beautiful blue eyes. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
She swallowed and tried to slow her breathing. “I’ve been thinking about you, too.”
He walked her to the chair. She sat while he rested a hip on the edge of the desk. “I’m glad you came to see me.” He held her hand, his thumb making tiny circles across her suddenly heated skin.
“I think someone is in trouble. “ She pulled her hand away and wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs. She’d come right over after practice and was still wearing her running shorts.
He straightened and his expression sobered. “Who is it?”
“It’s one of the girls on the dance team.”
“What kind of trouble? Like on drugs?” His eyes hardened as he put on his cop face.
She shook her head. “No, nothing like that.” She took a deep breath. “I think one of the girls is being abused by her boyfriend.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Did you see him hit her?”
“Not exactly. I tried asking her about it, but she wouldn’t say anything.”
“Who’s the boyfriend
?” He walked around the other side of the desk and sat. He pulled out a pad and pen.
“Chris Meadowbrook.”
He dropped his pen and looked up. “The quarterback? You think Chris is abusing Melanie?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask her?”
“Yes, but I think she’s lying. She was wearing long sleeves to practice.”
He sighed. “Grace, I can’t go arresting someone because of some girl’s fashion choice.”
“It’s not a fashion choice. She’s wearing long sleeves to cover her bruises. When I touched her arm she flinched.” Grace curled her fingers into fists. “I know the signs.”
He stood and walked around the desk. “Grace, I want you to be honest with me.”
“I’m trying, but you’re not listening,” she hissed.
He took her hand and his gaze softened. “Tell me who hurt you.”
Grace felt the blood drain from her face. For a few seconds she forgot to breathe and her head spun.
“Grace.”
She jumped to her feet and her purse fell to the floor, scattering the contents.
She knelt, trying to gather the items.
Sloan dropped to his knees and reached for her. “Talk to me.”
She eased out of his grasp and clutched her purse to her chest. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” They both stood.
“You can trust me. You know that right?”
She stared at him, wanting to believe what he was saying. She so desperately wanted to run into his arms and burrow into his chest. In the end her fear won out.
“Just look into it, please. I don’t want to see Melanie hurt, or worse.” She opened the door and hurried out of the building.
***
“Damn it.” Sloan grabbed his keys and hurried down the hall, hoping to catch Grace before she left the parking lot. The look of fear on Grace’s face had almost knocked him to his knees. He needed to find her, to take her in his arms and show her how much he cared for her. He needed her to know he would always protect her.
“Sloan!” Felicia stepped in his path.
“Not now, Felicia.” He moved past her.
She grabbed his arm. “I need to talk to you.”
“I can’t. I need to find Grace.”
“It’s about Grace.” Felicia tightened her grip on his arm.
“What is it?” He glared at her until she released her hold.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
He laughed. “Really? ’Cause you didn’t seem to think about that when you were screwing around on me.”
Felicia’s cheeks reddened as she nervously glanced around. This time when she spoke she made sure her voice was a whisper. “Sloan, how many times am I going to have to say I’m sorry?”
“You know what? I’m over it. And I’m over you.” He shook his head. “I’ve got to go.”
“Something’s not right about Grace. I think she’s hiding something. I think she’s a criminal.” Defiant, Felicia cross her arms over her chest and lifted her chin.
Stunned, Sloan stood there staring at her. Yes, Grace was hiding something. To suggest that she was a criminal was ridiculous. “Are you that vindictive?”
“What do you mean? I’m just looking out for you.” She gave him her most sincere expression. It didn’t work.
“Here I was thinking you were just stirring up some shit because you know I’m seeing Grace.”
Her face flushed bright red.
He smirked. “I overheard you two talking. In case you were wondering, let me affirm the fact that I am seeing Grace. I think she is an incredible woman. She’s kind and generous and gorgeous.”
Felicia’s mouth tightened as he ticked off each glowing attribute.
“To be honest, I have never been happier.” He turned and walked out into the parking lot.
He scanned the area, but Grace’s car was nowhere in sight.
***
For the first time since trying to stay out of trouble, Grace broke the speed limit going home. Lucky for her, traffic was light and she didn’t see any cops.
The second she walked in the door, she stripped off her clothes and jumped into the shower. Her dirty memories needed to be scrubbed away.
Grace stood under the spray of the water and closed her eyes until the water ran cold and she started to shiver. She turned off the shower and grabbed her robe.
Grace padded barefoot into the kitchen and took a wine glass out of her cabinet. She uncorked the bottle of cabernet and poured the garnet liquid into the glass.
A hard knock at the back door made her jump.
“Come on, Grace, I know you’re in there,” Sloan called out.
“Damn it.” She secured her robe and grabbed her glass. Didn’t he know she wanted to be alone?
She flung open the back door and the bell jingled overhead. “What do you want?”
Ignoring her, he walked into the house and eyed the bell. “I see you left Mrs. Hadley’s dinner bell.”
“Excuse me?”
Sloan pointed to the bell over the door. “Mrs. Hadley had that installed for her cat. Every time she opened the back door to feed her cat, the cat would come running.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why didn’t you take it down?”
“So nobody can barge in unannounced.” Her heart pounded in her chest as anger filled her. She wanted to be alone, that much was obvious. He needed to take the hint.
His gaze landed on the baseball bat tucked behind the door. “And you have the bat for…”
“Unwanted visitors.” She took a drink of wine.
He sighed. “I came here to talk.”
“I don’t feel like talking. I’ve had a long week.” She grabbed his hand to look at his watch. “Aren’t you still on duty? You’re going to get in trouble.”
“Mitch is covering my shift for me.”
She clutched her wine glass to her chest and arched her brow. “I’m busy.”
“Did I interrupt your shower?” His heated gaze raked across her robe-clad body like he had X-ray vision.
“No, you interrupted my drinking.” She smirked.
He quietly pulled a wine glass off the shelf and helped himself to the wine.
“I didn’t figure you for the wine type.”
“I’m not. I prefer beer.” He took a drink and set the glass down on the counter. “Grace, I’m not here to argue with you.”
“Then why are you here?”
He tugged her wine glass out of her hand and set it on the counter next to his. He closed the distance between them, standing so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body. He reached up and caressed her cheek and she met his heavy gaze.
“I’m here to do this.” He kissed her. His lips were warm and gentle and it made her heart tremble.
Her anger melted away and her fingers moved up his shoulders. She pressed her body against his and opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue. The kiss changed, morphed into something tangible, something hot.
She pulled his uniform shirt out of his pants and began to unbutton him. He pulled away.
“I need to get a shower.”
“No. I want you like this.” She pulled him down to her mouth. He groaned as she ground her hips against his bulge.
He moved her hands out of the way, pulled off his shirt, and tossed it on the floor. His boots and pants followed until he was standing before her in his boxers. He bent and retrieved his wallet from his pants. He dug out a condom from his wallet.
Her gaze roamed over the taut muscles of his body. His wide shoulders and six pack abs made her mouth water. He hooked his thumbs in his underwear and pulled. His erection sprang up against his abs. Her eyes widened at the size of him.
“I need you, Grace. You have too many clothes on.” He stepped close and tugged her tie. The robe fell open, baring her to his gaze. “God you’re even more beautiful than I’d imagined.” His reverent words drifted over her and settled into her soul.
His fingers t
railed down the valley between her breasts. She sucked in a deep breath. She reached for his cock. He caught her hand. “If you touch me right now it’s going to be over too soon. I want to savor you.”
He shoved her robe off her arms. The material landed in a puddle on the hardwood floor. He brushed back a wet strand of hair off her shoulder and kissed her in that same spot. Her head lolled back, granting him access to her neck.
“Sloan, please.” She moaned.
He bent and swept her up in his arms. “Where’s the bedroom?”
“That way.” She pointed and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kept his eyes open, maneuvering down the hall to her bedroom.
He let her feet touch the floor and pulled her into his chest. His muscles strained against her body. She trailed her hands over his chest, feeling each muscle cord under her touch.
His lips claimed hers as he walked her backward to the bed. Her knees bumped the mattress. Breaking the kiss, she eased back on the bed.
His eyes devoured her as she lay sprawled out before him. “You’re killing me, Grace.” He knelt in between her knees, his hands caressing up her thighs and stopping just before the very spot she wanted him to touch. He spread her thighs wide and dipped his head. She gasped when his mouth, hot and wet, found her core.
His tongue licked and teased until she exploded into an orgasm.
She met his heated gaze and reached for him. “Now, Sloan. I need you now.”
He put on the condom and settled between her thighs, guiding his hardened length to her core. She clutched his shoulders and pulled him down, needing him skin to skin. He thrust deep, burying himself deep inside her. She moaned as pleasure washed over her.
“God, you feel so good.” He clenched his teeth and looked down at her. He slid in and out methodically, slow.
She dug her nails into his hard ass and wrapped her legs around his ankles. “Faster, I need faster.”
He thrust faster, bringing on her second orgasm at lightning speed. She cried out his name, as she squeezed around his cock.
He cursed and buried himself deep inside her body as he came.
They both stayed there, unable to move. He kissed the side of her neck and tried to roll off, but she tightened her arms around him. “Stay like this for a little while longer.”