by Claire Adams
Vince watched the view out the side window, and I took in the scenery in front of me, mesmerized by the peaceful and serene town we lived in.
I couldn’t help but chuckle over Vince’s excitement over our upcoming movie marathon. The little tike had to be tired after a long day at school, but he faked it well. His energy was at the top of the meter, excited for whatever was yet to come.
I took a quick stop at the convenience store to purchase some chips and ice cream, or so I told myself that was the reason. I really wanted to see Kylie. My body hardened just thinking about her. “Come on, man. Let’s get some treats for our evening together.”
“Yes!” He got out of the car and held my hand as we walked toward the store. We walked in and he pulled me toward the freezer section, finding his favorite ice cream flavor. He opened the freezer and took out a gallon of cookies and cream, grinning at me with the most adorable expression ever.
“Dad, can we buy this one?” he asked.
I liked the flavor he picked though, so I nodded and put it in the basket. He walked on, searching for the chips section. I followed him, searching for the ones that were not too salty for us. I glanced over my shoulder, looking for Kylie and hoping like hell she might be there. I hadn’t seen her when I walked in, but the place smelled like her perfume. That I knew the scent was a quick sign that I was in trouble should the pretty girl ever pay me a little bit of attention. I’d have her bent over a table or moaning my name in the shower the second I saw a way to make it happen.
And it wasn’t just about sex, but sex was all I had to give at present. Vince had to come first. Period.
Vince picked up three packs of potato chips, asking if he could take them all. I smiled at him and patted his shoulder.
“We can get them all, but some will need to be put up for next week. That work?” I smiled down at him.
He agreed, promising to eat junk food at a minimum. We continued our stroll through the aisles, grabbing some grape and cranberry juice to restock our fridge.
I took some salad dressing from the shelf, planning on making some greens for later. Vince would love it too. The kid ate anything. Everything. I wished I could cook better. Garren’s words raced through my head. He thought I needed a woman around the house. He was right…I did. For so many reasons. I just wasn’t ready yet.
“You good with everything then?” I asked him since I got everything I needed in our cart already. He nodded and smiled, his eyes glistening. I held his hand as we stood at the end of the line.
After the person before us had checked out, I noticed that it was Mrs. Tomms who took the spot at the counter. Her kind smile greeted me, taking the contents of the basket to scan on the computer.
“You brought Vince along today.” She smiled down at him. “Hi there. You’re getting so big. Pretty soon you’re going to be all grown up and big like your daddy here.”
“I hope so!” Vince waved at her, smiling brilliantly to greet her.
“We’re having some movie time tonight. A movie marathon.” I patted his shoulder as I spoke with Mrs. Tomms. “Has Kylie said anything to you about the hogs tearing up her yard? They’re wrecking mine something awful.” It was the only way I could think of to see if the beautiful woman was working today. I didn’t want to be too inquisitive. It was her mother in front of me.
“She hasn’t mentioned it.” She gave me a knowing smile. Shit. “She was here, but she ran an errand for me. She should be back soon. I’ll ask her for you.”
“Yeah. Thanks. Just concerned about it.” I gave her a sheepish smile. I was caught, or so it seemed. Where I wasn’t looking for a date, her momma didn’t need to know that. I was a good guy or hoped I still was. After so many nights alone, I was starting to second guess myself.
“Here are your shopping bags. I hope you two will have some fun time tonight.” I took the paper bags from her. Vince took the small bags, taking the initiative to lessen my burden of carrying the groceries all by myself.
“And for you, little boy. Here’s a free treat for being a super good kid.” Mrs. Tomms reached over with a lollipop to Vince, giving him a freebie before we left. My son bowed his head a little and stared at his free treat, grateful for Mrs. Tomms’ generosity.
“Thanks, Mrs. Tomms! This sure is one of my favorites!” He put the candy in one of the shopping bags, carrying two small, light shopping bags on his arms. He skipped happily as we walked out of the store.
“Thank you again, Mrs. Tomms.” I turned to face the kind woman before we went out of the convenience store.
She replied one last time with a smile on her face. “Have a nice day!”
Vince’s held up the lollipop, silently asking if he could have it. I nodded and smiled. “Fine. Just don’t eat too many snacks before dinner.”
“I won’t.” He pulled the wrapper off and licked it like he was starving to death. “Dad, I like the woman who worked in the store.”
“Yeah, the Tomms are good people. They are kind.” I spoke to him, picturing Kylie in my mind. She was also like her mother, kind and loving to the people around them. Maybe me asking her out or showing her attention was wrong of me. She was a good woman and needed someone who was looking for a relationship, but fuck…she was two years younger than me. She wasn’t a girl, but a well-developed woman. Why was she single? Did she have someone in another town? I had a million questions all of a sudden.
“Oh, I did not see the young lady in the shop today. Where is she?” His eyes were curious. I began to think about him recalling Kylie. He seemed to remember her. Well, she was one remarkable woman, and beyond beautiful. Even the boy had noticed.
“Yeah, her mother told me that she had to do something. It’s just her and her mom working in the store.”
“Hmmm…just like one day it will be just me and you at the gun shop?” He smiled and watched me closely.
“That’s right, buddy.” I reached over and ruffled his hair, loving him like crazy for all of his innocence. I was blessed by two things in my life: him and the shop. Now all I needed was a woman. A girlfriend. A lover.
A wife. A mom for Vince.
Chapter 6
Kylie
I wrapped up my errands and finished helping at the store before heading out to meet up with Bailey again. We were making up for lost time. She and Cat wanted to go shopping for the afternoon, and I was all for it. It had been forever since I’d bought myself anything. Pampering myself seemed a little much, but it wasn’t like anyone else was going to do it for me.
I strolled through the shopping center of town, walking alongside Cat. Her tiny hand was soft and smooth in mine. I wanted kids so damn badly, but there were no prospects. Not even Hunter. You had to talk to someone before you started practicing making babies.
At least I thought you did. Who knew…I’d never slept with a man and had a few boyfriends in the past, but nothing worth remembering. I’d be a virgin forever in my own mind.
“This would look good on you, Kylie. Check it out.” Bailey pointed to a dress worn by a mannequin. It was a black, sexy dress that would outline the full figure of the woman who wore it. I grimaced at her, put off by her suggestion.
“Really? My breasts are too big for something like that. And if I managed to make them look smaller, my ass would embarrass me. Stop acting like we’re flat teenagers again. We’re not.” I gave her a look.
She burst into laughter. She stopped walking and pulled me inside though, compelling me to try the dress on. I stopped, seeing as it was impossible to escape from her persuasive ways of doing things.
“Can my friend try that one on display?” she asked one of the salesladies, persistent to see me in that sexy dress. The woman in uniform gladly affirmed, taking one of the stocks on the clothing racks.
“After I try it on, can we leave? It’s too sexy for me,” I whined, ashamed of what was yet to come. She gave me a look that resembled a mad mother toward her kid, knowing what’s best for her child.
“I’m te
lling you, you will rock that dress! Believe me; I’m a hundred and one percent sure about that. Right, Cat?” I looked down at her young daughter who nodded at her mother’s query, uncertain of what Bailey really meant.
I exhaled heavily, nodding in defeat.
The saleslady came back carrying the dress. She led the way to accompany me to one of the dressing rooms so I could see how the dress fit. I looked one last time at Bailey who sat in front of the dressing rooms, waiting with Cat who sat comfortably on her lap.
She signaled two thumbs up, but I rolled my eyes before closing the door.
“What a pretty dress.” I held it up, studying the cut of the seductive thing before me. It was a backless, figure hugging dress with a low neckline. It was tailor made to fit snugly to the figure of whoever wore it, highlighting the assets and curves of any and every woman. It looked fabulous on the mannequin, but I wondered how it would look on me.
I was never comfortable with my own body. Where I wanted to be thin and sleek like a model, I was anything but.
I stood in front of the mirror, studying my body. I looked about as worn out as I felt. Being busy at our convenience store filled my schedule, as well as my time for self-pampering and amusement.
I unbuttoned the checkered shirt I wore, eager to try the dress on all of a sudden. I hadn’t done anything nice for myself in far too long. Despite me saying I wasn’t interested in the dress in front of Bailey, deep inside I wanted to try it on. It was one of those pretty dresses women would stop and stare at during window shopping. It was beautiful, elegant and sexy.
I unzipped my loose, tattered pants, taking them off to strip down to my panties and glanced up. Would Hunter like what he saw? My breasts hung heavy, full, pretty. My waist was small, but my ass… I groaned and turned a little, hating how much of my skin poured out the sides of my panties. I had enough junk in the trunk for a group of men to share.
The chilly air conditioned breeze tingled my bare skin. I immediately moved to put the dress on, careful so as not to damage any part of it. After fixing the thin straps on my shoulders, I took the time to study myself again. I gasped, seeing my own reflection.
I barely recognized myself.
A woman of fine, mesmerizing beauty stood before the mirror. The perfect curves of her body defined her captivating charm. Undeniably, men would glance for a second look just to witness the goddess that walked on earth.
The immaculate fair white skin complemented the black dress, exposing a luscious and flawless complexion. Her golden blonde hair fell just under her breasts, its curls adding extra impact on her entire alluring ensemble. Those long, unblemished legs were inviting. What the fuck? Could a dress really make you feel so damn good?
This one did. Yep. I had to have it. Period.
“Hey, Kylie! Did it fit you well? Cat and I wanted to see!” She spoke over the door, bringing me back to my senses. I stopped looking at my reflection and turned the dressing room’s knob. As I opened the door slowly, Bailey’s eyes glowed in delight.
“I told you, Kylie! It looks great on you! So freaking hot!”
Even the saleslady gave an approving look, stunned by its fit on my body. I felt my cheeks flush for a moment, unable to believe that I could look this good. I guess those pants and cowboy shirts covered my body that I myself barely knew I had.
“If only I had the same body, I would buy all the sexy and pretty clothes I could. Unfortunately, these saddlebags loved me so much that they did not want to leave,” she joked and reached for Cat’s hand.
“Thanks, my friend. I’m not sure what to say. I’ve been dressing like a cowgirl for so damn long that I forgot how good this feels.” I ran my hands over my hips. “I love it. I feel pretty.”
“You should. Get the dress for sure. If you won’t, I’ll buy it for you, and you don’t have to pay me back. That looks totally perfect on you. Do it,” she whispered, smiling at me giving me no other choice.
“Okay. I’ll get it.” I smiled and closed the door, my heart light and burdens gone for the time being. Maybe I should find my courage and talk to Hunter. I had a few things I could bring up…like those damn hogs tearing up our yards. He was the owner of a gun store. He could shoot them for us. Yeah…that’s what I could do. Anything to get in front of him.
I returned with my checkered blouse and tattered pants again; I held the dress over my arm. I directly went to the cashier to check out. Bailey and Cat stood outside the shop, carrying a shopping bag from the store we were in.
I walked toward them, meeting my best friend and cuddly goddaughter outside the shop. Cat was pointing over to the ice cream stand, begging for her mom to buy her one.
“Yeah, Cat’s right. We need it on this hot afternoon.” It was late afternoon, but the sun was out and in full effect. It was late spring, but it already felt like summer.
While we walked toward the ice cream stand, I noticed how she struggled to carry her daughter and bring her bags all at once. I volunteered to hold the bags to ease her burden, to which she agreed.
“Thanks, Kylie. That saved my ass a lot.” She pulled Cat up and cuddled her.
Cat smiled at her mother, pressing her mother’s cheeks with both of her tiny hands.
“I know I don’t ask you often…” I trailed the words, searching the nicest ones to address my curiosity, “but don’t you want to find someone special?”
She frowned. As we stopped and recited our orders to the ice cream store attendant, she answered my query. “You know how things worked out for me and Marco. All the shit that happened in our relationship. Most men are nothing but trouble. I can’t risk my heart again. Not yet at least. I’m not ready.”
She had a point. Too bad her previous marriage ruined her perspective about men and relationships. So, what was my problem? I’d never really had a bad relationship, just boring ones. There hadn’t been a guy in my past worth sticking with, or even thinking about once it was over.
Thoughts of Hunter rolled through my mind. His career choice was dangerous, as were his hobbies. Such a daredevil. A brave kind of man with strong hands and a fearless spirit. Hot.
Maybe taking more risk would be a good thing. It made him who he was. Interesting. I felt my body warming and turned my thoughts. The last thing I wanted to do was get turned on in public. Brother…
After we had finished up our ice creams, we decided to go home. I parted ways with Bailey and Cat at the parking lot, got in my car and drove home.
Thoughts began to flash before my eyes. I imagined myself wearing the dress once again. What if Hunter saw me in it? Would he finally notice and like me then?
I shook my head and focused on the road. Anyway, he’s my neighbor. I could peek in the windows and see him out in his barn. He often cleaned the place without any shirt on. A little eye candy during the mornings, he was my buzzing espresso.
I looked at the digital clock on my car’s dashboard. It was already 6:08 p.m. I hoped he was finally home, but I guessed he was still busy at his gun shop. I just hoped I could see him.
As I slowed down in front of my house, I realized that my front door was wide open. My heart skipped a beat. “What the fuck?”
Without a doubt, I remembered triple locking the house before I left that morning, but now it was unlocked and open for anyone to enter. I called 9-1-1 on my phone and locked the doors in the car, parking out in front of the house. Fear raced through me. Someone might attack and abduct me if I showed up outside without a weapon: not that I would know how to use the damn thing anyway.
“9-1-1. What’s your emergency please?”
“Hello? Please come by my place. Someone broke into my house.” I enunciated my address to the police and the details of the surroundings of my house. They advised me to go to any nearby neighbor’s house and stay. Seeing Hunter’s lights on, I knew he and his son were inside. Shit. I had no clue what to do.
I sat there, lost in indecision until the sound of sirens filled the air around me. As the cop car pulled up, I
got out and walked toward him. Hunter’s door opened, and he walked out in jeans and a t-shirt, his shoes off and his hair a mess.
Had I not been terrified of what I was going to find in my house, I would have stared him down with unabashed intent. He was beyond gorgeous. Vince jogged up beside him, reaching up and taking his hand. My heart melted. How cute were the two of them, living life together?
“Hey. What’s going on?” Concern crossed Hunter’s handsome face as he walked toward me. “You okay?”
“I don’t know.” I glanced over at the cop car. He’d pulled right up to the house, and two of them had their guns drawn and were going into the open front door. I jumped and yelped as Hunter squeezed my shoulder.
“Hey. It’s just me. I’m sorry.” He gave me a warm smile.
“You okay, lady?” Vince asked, reaching up and slipping his hand into mine. “You look upset.”
I smiled down at him. “I just got home from shopping all day. Well, working and shopping.” I glanced over to Hunter, not quite sure why I felt the need to tell him that I was working. I was such an idiot sometimes. “The house was open. Like the front door was wide open.” I let out a soft sigh. “I saw someone driving around the other day, and it seemed suspicious. I don’t know. I just called the cops.”
“Good. You should have.” Hunter released me as his eyes moved across my face. “Come on. Everything’s going to be okay. Come with me and Vincent and let the cops do their job.” He extended his hand toward me, and I took it without question.
“Come join our movie night!” Vince yelled with excitement. We were just making popcorn.
“No, buddy. She’s gotta lot going on. Let’s just help her through this, and if she wants to come over after the cops leave, she can.” He gave me an apologetic look, stealing my heart for the millionth time. I’d never been in his house, but I loved the idea of going over there now. I was freaked the fuck out.