What Lies Beneath The Flowerbed

by D. M. Thornton

  * * *

  Fuck me.

  The bright blue and red lights flashing from the light bar of a cop car are following me. I groan as the siren wails, making it known that I need to pull over to the side of the road. This isn’t my night. The earth’s axis must be off kilter, because this isn’t typically how I go about life. My whole mantra is to stay anonymous...to blend in to society. The past seven hours I’ve been nothing but exposed, and it all started with Jett Roman coming into my classroom. Damn him and his sexy eyes and his...

  There’s a rap on my window, pulling me from my thoughts, which is a good thing. I can’t waste any more time on that man. He’s not good for my train of thought. My focus is shaky and unstable, and the last thing I need is to fuck up what I’ve got going on. I better pull myself together by Friday, otherwise Lord only knows the mess I could find myself in.

  I roll down my window and squint my eyes against the light that is shining into my face. “Well, what a pleasure seeing you three times in one day, Ms. Knight.”

  Son of a bitch, that voice. Is this some cruel joke some higher power is playing on me? Can I not catch a break? I go my whole life not knowing who Jett Roman is, but in one goddamn day I’ve been given the opportunity to be amongst his presence three different times. And each one of those three times my heart has fluttered in my chest and my panties dampened with some unfamiliar wetness that I will never be able to explain.

  The light moves off my face, giving my eyes a chance to dilate back to normal, and when I’m confronted with Jett’s face leaning close to my opened window, I offer a friendly smile and a, “Hello, Mr. Roman.”

  Shit, I hope he can’t smell the beer on my breath. The last thing I need is to be given a sobriety test. I’m pretty sure my buzz was killed off some time ago, but I can’t be sure if the numbing of my extremities and swirling of my head is due to the alcohol remaining in my system or if it’s the mere sight of Jett, who now has his arms folded and resting on the door.

  He grins. “Can I see your license and registration, please?”

  Really? I suppose he has to do his job, but shit...cut me some slack. Oh, I get it now. He’s going to give me a ticket or give me a DUI all because I turned down a date with him. Great. I grab my wallet, taking out my license, then lean over to my glove compartment and pull out the stack of documents that I have paper clipped together.

  “Wow, that’s probably the neatest I have ever seen a glove box. Tidy and organized. I’m impressed.”

  I give him a sideways glance before handing him what he asked for, replacing the paperclip back over the papers so I don’t lose any. “Yes, well, that’s how I like things. In order.”

  Jett holds his flashlight over my license then looks up at me. “Gray?”

  “Yes.”

  “Gray Knight,” he continues.

  “Yes, that would be my name.”

  And there he goes, not leaving it alone. He just has to say it. I cringe at the words as they roll of his tongue. “Gray Summer Knight?”

  My childhood flashes before me, and all the bad memories of being made fun of all because my mother had to name me a hippie-dippie stripper name when she was strung out on coke. It’s bad enough that I have to write out my first and last name, but to add in my middle is icing on the fucking cake. I swear that woman hated me from the moment I was born, and it has carried on my whole entire life. Now, I’m stuck with this name that sticks out like a sore thumb...not at all helping me stay camouflaged. Add my red hair on a voluptuous body attached to the name Gray Summer Knight and I’m like the long hair sticking out of a large mole that you can’t stop staring at. I’m a goddamn anomaly.

  “Are you going to make fun of me before you write me a ticket?” I ask, sulking back into my seat. This is so embarrassing and infuriating, to say the least.

  Jett hands me back my belongings with a smirk. “I’m not going to write you a ticket, but you do need to slow down, Ms. Knight.”

  I didn’t realize I was speeding, but then again, I’m in my own little world thinking of none other than the man standing next to my car. Which, by the way, isn’t in the typical patrol uniform. But then again, what do I know about what they wear nowadays? And to tell you the truth, I don’t really care. Especially because he looks mighty delicious in what he’s wearing right now.

  Fuck me, I’m a mess.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll be a little more cautious when I’m on the road.”

  “No worries,” he says, standing upright. “I’ll catch you around, Gray Summer Knight,” he adds, walking away from my car.

  Not too soon...I hope.

  I roll my eyes, watching him get into his unmarked patrol car. When he flips on his blinker and sticks his hand out of the window and waves, motioning to me that it’s safe to pull out onto the road, I merge into traffic, anxious to get away from the one person who I fear will uncover my deepest and darkest secret.

  Chapter 11

  Jaz

  I’ve been waiting for tonight for a long damn time, and I’m amped up...pumped up and rearing to go. I haven’t been this excited since my wedding night, and I can guarantee that tonight will be far better than the day I married my cock-sucking husband. After showering, I’ve dolled myself in a tight, short, black lace sheath dress. And to add to my friskiness, I’ve slipped on a garter to attach to my thigh-high stockings and donned my feet with the sluttiest stilettos that I could find, which also match the same shade of red as my lips.

  I take a step back to get a full view of myself in the mirror and smile from ear to ear. My hard work of daily strenuous workouts is paying off. I am no longer a hellcat in a whale’s body. Nope, now my insides match the outside, and I can finally walk around with confidence knowing that I look fucking hot as sin. And this ensemble I’ve got going on hugs all the right curves, elongating my toned legs, and makes me feel as sexy as I look. I chose to leave my long hair down, letting the tight golden curls cascade past my shoulders. And with a swipe of my finger across the underside of my bottom lip, I grab my purse and head out the door.

  I have to admit I’m nervous, which is not what I expected, but then again, I haven’t had sex in over ten months. It’s ridiculous really, and tonight is no-holds-barred. I’m letting the beast come out on some random’s cock. He’ll be begging me to stop by the time I’m done with him. And this time, Andi won’t have the chance to dig her claws, or her medieval gadgets, into him first. It’s my turn to go first.

  I typically pick Andi up on the way to meet up with Gray, but Andi got caught up at the casino, so we decided to take separate cars and meet at the bar. Gray’s sitting alone with a Bloody Mary in her hand, glancing down at her cell phone, when I take the chair across from her. “Hey, brat.”

  She doesn’t lift her head, only her eyes, as she drops her phone on the table and takes a sip of her drink. “Hey.” She gives me the once-over and grins. “You look hot.”

  “Thanks. I beat Andi, uh?” I ask, waving the waitress over.

  The short blonde sashays over and before she reaches the table, asks, “Your usual?”

  I nod then turn back to Gray, who’s shaking her head. “What? I don’t want to get so inebriated that I don’t remember tonight. Shit, I’ve been waiting for this night forever...it’s like I’m coming out of my cocoon, ready to fly off into an orgasmic sunset.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Gray rolls her eyes. “One drink, that’s all you need...loosen you up a bit. I can tell from here you’re anxious.”

  “It’s more like a mix of excitement and nerves. I just want to find him and pounce.”

  With a straight face, Gray reaches into her purse and throws something at me. “Here, you might need this.”

  I pick up the tube sock and laugh. “You’re such a fucking bitch.” Our little inside joke of how I used to always have a tendency to need to take a shit in the most inopportune times, resulted in something we once read about a sock and a bowel movement. Needless to say, it described my digestive tract
to a T, and now I have a sock thrown in my face at every possible chance...literally.

  She shrugs, taking the straw of her drink between her plain lips. My plain Gray, always so dolled down, never up. She has got to be the most mundane person I know...her looks, not her personality. She’s definitely not lacking in the personality department, once you get to know her that is, but her wardrobe could stand a makeover. She’s too pretty to always be walking around looking like she’s wearing drapes from her grandmother’s windows.

  I chuck the sock back at her. “I haven’t had those problems since I got control over my weight and my eating habits.”

  “No more running people off the road to get to the next park porta-a-potty to take a shit?” she chastises me. “Good for you.”

  “Shut up,” I spit. I roam my eyes around the bar trying to figure out who our victim of the night is going to be, but no one is standing out. “So, who’s it going to be tonight?”

  “That guy.” Gray points her index finger as she removes the glass from her face, placing it gently on the table. “Blue button-up shirt with the hair in the ponytail.”

  I kink my head to the side to look to where she was pointing and grimace. The man at the bar that she’s describing is hideous. He has a large forehead and a pointy nose, and his beard is scruffy, which matches his frizzy hair that’s pulled back in a ponytail. “What? You’re joking, right? I didn’t get this sexified to come here and screw some pornstache. Oh God, he makes me want to vomit in my mouth. Ew. No. Not gonna happen. I’ll find someone else. You and Andi are on your own tonight,” I rant.

  “Son of a fucking bitch.” Gray groans, sinking down into her seat, ducking from whoever just walked into the door. Naturally, I spin around in my chair to take a look as she snaps at me under her breath. “Don’t look, dammit!”

  Too late.

  My eyes grow wide and my lips curve into a smile. “Who is he, and can I fuck him?” But then the man from behind him steps to the side and my chest tightens, and my heart threatens to explode. Shit, he’s hot. Short dark hair, tanned skin, and a sleeve tattoo on his left arm. He’s ripped...just how I like ‘em. His shirt hugs every muscle and his jeans are slightly fitted, showing off just enough of a bulge that makes my imagination run wild.

  Oh, the things I could do to him.

  “No,” she snaps. “Oh my God, I think he saw me. Shit. Sit back in the chair the right way and cover me.”

  Of course, I do no such thing. It’s much more fun exposing Gray and her wild behavior. Let alone, I need to meet this guy’s friend. So, I go one step further and yell out to them. “Hey, boys!” I shout, waving them over.

  Gray’s fuming mad. “I’m going to kill you,” she seethes.

  I giggle as one of the guys drags a chair from a nearby table, spins it around, and straddles it. His friend, the one that I can’t take my eyes off of, does the same on my other side, and I damn near swoon out loud being sandwiched between these two fine looking specimens. But the guy on my left is completely focused on Gray. “Ms. Knight,” he says with a nod. “How are you this evening?”

  Unwillingly, I drag my eyes from this gorgeous piece of flesh to Gray, who looks as if she’s on fire, squirming in her seat. My brows pull together as I watch her grow more and more uncomfortable. The man looks at me and holds his hand out to me when Gray doesn’t answer him. “I’m Jett Roman, and this here is Cole Larson.”

  I shake Jett’s hand then slip my hand into Cole’s with a breathy, “Well, hello. I’m Jazmine Nevens. It’s very nice to meet you both.” I’m still holding Cole’s hand when I steal a glance back at Gray, who’s sitting quietly, staring at me. I know that look, and I know that it’s my duty as her friend to push every button that sets her off. Before I begrudgingly remove my hand from Cole’s firm grip, I offer him a playful smirk then look back at Jett. “So, you’re the Jett Roman that Gray can’t stop gushing about.” I choke back a stifled groan when the toe of Gray’s shoe nails me in the shin. I give her a wink, but she still doesn’t speak.

  Jett smiles and turns his stare to Gray, who looks at him with a tight, forced grin. “Is that so?” he asks.

  Gray shrugs.

  “Oh yeah. She’s been talking about you nonstop. Seems you have lit a fire between her...”

  “Shit, you’re having all the fun without me?” Andi interrupts, taking the seat next to Gray.

  Saved by the stray.

  “Nice for you to join us, Andi. Meet our new friends, Jett Roman and Cole Larson.”

  Andi perks up in her seat, trailing her head from side to side, not sure who to greet first. She shakes Cole’s hand first, but quickly takes back her hand to give to Jett. “The Jett Roman?” She beams. She giggles, but abruptly stops when she catches the way Gray’s staring her down, as if she’s going to pop her head off her shoulders like an inflamed zit.

  “Yes. I am the Jett Roman. Nice to meet you, Andi.”

  “Likewise.” Andi scans the table with a pout, mentally counting the men to women ratio, noting she is the odd ball that is left out of the equation.

  “Where the hell have you been?” I ask.

  “This cocksucker decided to grab his drink from my tray, which of course made me almost lose the whole set of drinks I was holding. He then proceeded to run his stubby little finger down the outside of my arm before tossing a twenty at me, saying ‘there’s more where that came from.’ I smiled for the cameras, keeping my cool, as I explained to him that he was cut off from alcohol, and when he became irate and cussed at me, I called security to have him removed. He didn’t like that much. So, he tried to slap the tray out of my hands, but I’m a lot quicker than some drunkass idiot, and when I spun out of his reach, he tumbled over. Needless to say, he screamed obscenities at me as he was being removed out of the casino.” Andi sighs. “Fun times.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t break his finger,” Gray finally speaks.

  We all look at her simultaneously, but it’s Jett who responds. “So you do talk. I was beginning to think you lost your tongue.”

  Andi bursts out in laughter. Of course, it’s only Gray and me that know why she finds that remark funny, but it doesn’t stop her from giggling far too long. I think my panties are ready to explode when another sexy motherfucker walks up behind Jett and slaps him on the back. Holy hell. He’s tall and thin, but you can tell by his fitted clothes that he has washboard abs under is shirt. His dark blonde hair is cut close to the sides of his head, but the top is left long and swept back to one side, and his beard is neatly groomed. But nothing stands out more than his light green with a hint of hazel eyes.

  “Hey, asshole. How’d you manage to get these pretty ladies to talk to your ugly face?” his smooth voice purrs.

  “Thank God you showed up,” Andi chimes, damn near knocking our drinks over as she leans across the table, holding her hand out to the guy. “I can’t stand looking at these trolls another minute. Buy me a drink, stud?” Andi pushes her chair back, keeping her hand tightly clasped with the stranger’s, and pulls him away from the table.

  “Well, that would be Drew Madison, another buddy of ours,” Jett says.

  Gray is eyeing me from behind the rim of her glass. She knows what I’m about to do, but she still attempts to intimidate me with her daring eyes.

  I watch her head cock to the side and her lips press tightly together when I say to Cole, “What do you say about taking care of this girl, Mr. Larson? Drinks?” With a nod and a tender smile, Cole takes my hand and walks me to the bar like a gentleman, pulling the bar stool out for me. I toss my hair to the side as I look back over my shoulder. If looks could kill, I’d have a dagger straight between my eyeballs. Good Lord, Gray’s livid, and I can tell by the way she has her arms crossed over her chest she’s trying to hide her inner most darkness...and her heart.

  Chapter 12

  Gray

  “So, you’re gushing over me, uh?” Jett asks.

  I’d like to smack that smirk right off his too-good-looking face
. I can’t keep myself from staring at his plump lips and imagining how they would feel against mine. And to make it worse, he’s fully aware of the fact that my eyes have barely focused on anything other than his bottom lip. How do I know? Because every time he catches me gawking at him, his tongue darts out and leaves a trail of saliva along his lower lip, and then he smiles so wide his mouth partially opens, exposing his brilliant white and perfectly straight teeth.

  Ugh, he’s too perfect.

  “Um, no. I am far from gushing over you.” I chuckle awkwardly. It’s so far from the truth, but he doesn’t need to know that. “What I am, though, is curious as to why you are in this bar. You seem, oh I dunno, a bit stuffy for a dive like this.” Not that I would know if he’s stuck up or not. I really don’t know him at all. I suppose I’m assuming...he is a cop after all. They don’t get bad raps for nothing.

  I’m having a difficult time keeping my tone even and friendly. I’m on the cusp of becoming extra snotty...which was set off by my so-called friend, Jaz. I’ll be sure to return the favor real soon. Truth be told, I’m not sure how to act. I have never experienced what I think they call butterflies in my tummy before. Well, shit...butterflies my ass. It’s more like a need to take the biggest crap of my life type of cramping. This is all new to me and, quite frankly, it’s scaring the bejesus out of me. I’m an old pro at shutting down any real emotion. All I know is that when Jett is in the same room as me, my palms become sweaty, my insides tremble, my heart races, I become lightheaded, and I have moisture seeping from my lower extremities.