by Ella Goode
“So glad I could be of service,” I reply sourly.
“Working for you is a treat, Chief. A real treat. Should I call the EMTs?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
18
Khloe
“He slept with your mom?”
I groan, falling back onto the sofa at Tina’s question. What is he even doing here?! I’d left my house this afternoon so this wouldn't happen. Of course Derrick showed up at the police station and walked right into Dane’s fist. I never said he was the brightest bulb in the bunch.
“Yes, he slept with my mom.” I let out a long sigh.
“Who slept with your mom?” I look over to the door to see Dane’s mom is standing there. Could this get any more embarrassing? Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong I still feel embarrassed.
“Her ex,” Connie fills her in. Tina makes a face of disgust. I wish a hole would open up in the floor and swallow me. Then again, Dane’s place is uber nice, and it would be a shame to have a giant hole in the floor of the living room.
“Dane punched him,” Tina adds. Great. Now Dane’s mom is going to think I’m drama. Or that it follows me wherever I go.
“No, he tripped,” Connie corrects her.
“Right. Tripped.” Thea makes air quotes. I wonder what kind of crap my ex said to Dane. He left some nasty messages on my phone when I wouldn’t call him back. He acts like I was the one who cheated. God, I hope my mom doesn’t show up next. But with the way my luck is going, it wouldn’t surprise me.
“Can you girls get the groceries out of my car for me?” Thea asks Tina and Connie. They nod, heading out the front door. Thea comes over to sit down next to me.
“You all right, sugar?”
“I’m fine. It’s just embarrassing.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. If anyone should be embarrassed it’s him. He let you get away, but I’m guessing he’s seeing he messed up big time and that’s why he’s here.”
That’s never going to happen. Truth is, even before I busted him sleeping with my mom I was ready to call it quits. Sleeping with my mom was just the icing on the cake. I had been relieved in a way.
“I’m more embarrassed about my mom,” I admit. Thea takes my hand.
“I’m sorry you got a mom like her.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “You stick around and I’ll take care of you.” A knot lodges in my throat. I’m an adult, but it would be nice to have someone to lean on sometimes or talk to about girl crap. She’s been so sweet from the moment we met. It feels like I’ve known her longer than a few days. She brings me the kind of comfort that I’ve never known from my real mom.
“What if I want to talk shit about Dane?” I tease her.
“You can talk shit about him if you want.” She laughs. “You get a pass because you're in love with him.” What? Her words stun me for a moment. I open my mouth and then close it. I’m not in love with Dane. That man drives me utterly insane. Before I can tell her that, Tina and Connie are back with armfuls of groceries. I decide that I’ll tell her later when there’s not so many people around. That’s the reason I don’t say it now. Not because I can’t bring myself to deny it.
“Does Dane even cook?” Tina asks, heading straight for the kitchen. “Oops. Wrong way.” She turns, going the other way. Connie follows her. I don’t think either of them have ever been here before. The house is pretty dang big for a man that lives alone. I love the rustic feel to it. From the outside it looks like a giant modern log cabin.
“My boy can cook.” Thea stands. “What kind of mom would I be if my son couldn't cook? He’d never land a woman.” She looks over toward me.
“Dane doesn't have a problem getting women,” Connie says as she comes back into the living room. My stomach sours at her comment. Dane doesn't seem like the kind that cheats. Then again, I didn't think Derrick would sleep with my mom. I clearly don’t have a good track record with picking men.
“Yes, lots of women try and get Dane, but none catch his eye.” She looks down at me again. “Until now. He’s breaking his own rules.”
“Rules?”
“He won’t date anyone from town,” Tina says, rolling her eyes.
Relief hits me. I thought I might have to deal with crazy exes too. Connie and Tina are enough for me. That said, I don’t think they are in love with Dane.
Connie told me sorry earlier. That she didn't know how serious Dane was about dating me. That she wanted to make her boyfriend Mason jealous by hanging out with Dane. That it wouldn't work if everyone knew he was with me.
“How is Don?” Thea turns to look at Tina.
“How would I know how Don is?” Her cheeks turn a few shades deeper.
“Who is Don?” I ask, wanting in on this small town gossip.
“Don has been in love with Tina since grade school. She won’t give him the time of day because he was always pulling her pigtails.”
I snort a laugh. Going by her blush I think she more than likes Don. I’m starting to think these two use Dane as a safety net because they know he’s safe. That he was never really going to take them up on their offer. They know that clearly.
“He was a jerk!”
“He was eight!” Connie shouts back at her. “Now he does anything and everything under the moon to get your attention. You’re going to regret it when he finds someone new.”
“Who? Is he talking to someone?” Connie just shrugs, not answering her. “You better tell me if he’s talking to someone.”
“People talk to other people every day.” Thea laughs from beside me.
“I think you both should stop dancing around your men and just go for what you want.” They both turn to look at me.
“Really? You’re going to say that to us?” Connie lifts her eyebrows.
“She has a point,” Thea chimes in.
Damn it. I think they're right. I am dancing around Dane. I want him, but the man is consuming. I’ve only known him a short time and he’s all I think about. I have feelings I’ve never had before. Jealousy is at the top of that list. I never felt that way with Derrick. Not even when he slept with my mom. I’d only felt betrayal from my mother. I could care less about Derrick.
With Dane I fear I care too much. He’s making me get used to having someone around. I find myself craving it more and more. Why else would I have packed a bag to come over here? I could have let him set up his cameras and then took them down after he left. I all but jumped at the idea of staying with him. Gah. It’s clear.
I’m head over heels for Dane and his bossy, overbearing ways.
19
Dane
The EMTs come over and treat Derrick.
“I’m pressing charges,” he sputters through the cotton stuck into the side of his mouth to quell the bleeding. He bit his tongue when I punched him. Bev hands me a printed out report sheet which I fold in thirds and tuck into Derrick’s pants pocket.
“It’s a complaint form for the mayor,” I inform him. “So you can press charges.”
“Fuck the mayor!” Derrick screams. “Like he’s going to do jack shit about you.”
“It’s she and she probably will, don’t you think, Bev?”
“Definitely a few days in the cell,” Bev agrees.
“Worth it,” I announce cheerfully as I get to my feet. The EMTs wheel an unhappy Derrick out of the station so that he can have x-rays taken of his jaw. I don’t think I hit him that hard.
I glance at the clock again. Time’s a ticking, plus there are all those women at my house.
“Before you go, you might want to take a look at this. It might save you some time today.” Bonnie thrusts a piece of paper into my hand.
I shake my head. “Yeah, it will.”
A few minutes later, I walk through the door of the hardware store.
Don, the owner, gives me a chin nod of acknowledgement. “Chief.”
“Got a minute?” I ask.
He eyes me warily. “Kind of busy now.”
“W
e should talk.” I tip my head to the part-time worker standing a few feet away who is supposed to be stocking shelves but has stopped to listen.
Don’s shoulders slump in defeat. He calls Keith over to watch the register and then leads me to the back room.
“What is it?”
“I think you know.” I direct my gaze to his feet. “I got to ask, though, since when is your shoe size a ten?”
He lets out a long sigh. “Borrowed my brother’s.” He lifts a foot and squeezes the toes through his tennis shoe. “Hurts like a mother even today.”
“Dumb ass. Why are you sneaking around Tina’s house?”
I listen to him stammer through an explanation about how he didn’t mean to be lurking, but she wouldn’t answer the door so he was trying to check and see if she was safe. I write him out a ticket and tell him he needs to apologize to Tina or sit in my jail cell overnight. He says he will and that he’ll buy her flowers and chocolate, too. That sounds good to me so on my way out of the store, I buy some candy bars for Khloe.
I radio Bev that I’m heading home since the Peeping Don case is closed. She tells me that the coast is clear, which I find out later means Khloe is alone.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, tossing my hat near the back door and shucking my boots. The gun belt goes in a locked drawer and my leather coat on a hook.
“Your mom came and herded everyone out,” Khloe says.
I drop a kiss on her mouth before spreading out the candy in front of her. “They didn’t sell flowers at the hardware store,” I say by way of explanation.
“I don’t really understand what that means but thank you?” She unwraps one and takes a bite. I go fetch a beer.
Leaning back against the counter, I take a moment to appreciate how great it is that she’s here when I come home. I didn’t realize I’d like that so much. I’ve been alone for a while and figured that was the best way to live, but now that Khloe’s around, I’m starting to realize how empty my life has been.
“At the station...the visitor…” She hesitates.
“You mean your ex?”
She nods. “Are you going to get in trouble for hitting him?”
“Nah.” One or two nights in a cell isn’t going to hurt me or my standing. “But if I do serve time, are you going to come and visit? Maybe we can exercise my conjugal rights.” I wink.
She lets out a gasp of outrage. “They are sending you to prison for punching a guy? That’s not right.” She jumps to her feet and moves toward the door. “Who do I have to talk to about this?”
I catch her before she can grab the handle. “It’s all good, baby.” I swing her into my arms and hold her so she can’t run out. “Hitting him is worth a day or two behind bars and I’ve got a good jail cell. We keep it clean.”
“It’s not right.” Her lower lip juts out and it’s so fucking tempting I just have to swoop in and kiss her. It’s not meant to be a distraction, not really, but soon enough we’re not thinking about Dick or David or whatever his name is, we’re just thinking about how good the other person tastes and how there’s way too many clothes keeping our bare skin apart. Her hands push my shirt up, and mine dig under her pants to cup her round, juicy ass. My cock throbs and pulses, fucking eager to get inside of her.
She breaks away from my mouth. “Wait.”
I stop immediately. “What?”
“Why me? Why do you want me?”
My brows come together. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”
“I have and it’s not that great.”
“You must be blind.” I tug my right hand out of her pants and swipe her hair away from her face. “I’ve never seen a prettier face or a more banging body. Your ass would bring all the boys to the yard, but then I’d have to shoot them for looking, which means more days in my jail cell and honestly it ain’t that nice.”
A reluctant chuckle escapes her. “Okay, even if I agreed with you, we just met. How do you know I’m worth your time?”
“Mae’s been a long-time resident here and she thought you were worth leaving her house to. When I took you home, my mom fell in love instantly. You’re not going to tell me my mom is a bad judge of character, are you?” I challenge.
Khloe shakes her head no.
“Right. And instead of being bitchy to Tina and Connie, who were nosy and trying to incite a fight with their boyfriends, you welcomed them into your home, so you’re decent, kind, open-minded, friendly, and you have a fucking hot-ass body that I want to maul with my fingers, mouth and cock. Are those good enough reasons?”
20
Khloe
All my insides melt at his confession. I slide my hands up his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Don’t hurt me.”
“I’d never hurt you.” He lifts me into his arms, his hands going to my ass. Everything feels right when I’m in his arms. As though it’s where I was always meant to be.
“Then I’m yours.” I don’t want to fight this pull to him anymore. I know it’s fear that has kept me running. I’m scared to get close to someone and then have it taken away from me. That another person who’s supposed to love me will disappoint me. My mom had done a real number on me growing up. But I know I need to try with Dane. That if I continue to run scared I’ll miss out on something special. I’m not willing to miss another moment with Dane.
“I know,” he says with a smile on his lips. It makes me laugh.
“Take me to bed, you cocky jerk.”
He gives my ass a squeeze. “You’ll pay for that comment.” Before I can ask how, his mouth is on mine. He steals my breath away with how possessive his kiss is. It’s almost as if he’s trying to brand me. Leave his mark on me for everyone to see. And there is nothing I want more than to be his.
I wiggle against him. The throb between my legs growing to the point of being unbearable. “Dane.” I moan his name, needing more. Wanting everything he’s offering physically and emotionally.
“I got you.” He lays me down on the soft bed. I hadn't even felt us move. “Clothes off, babe. If I take them off you they’ll be in shreds.”
I watch as he pulls his shirt up and over his head, revealing his broad chest. Every muscle is defined, and my fingers itch to trace over each of them. Holy shit he’s hot. No wonder all the women in town want him. He’s never leaving this house without a shirt on again. Now I’m the one who’s being possessive. Hell, if he gets to do it so do I.
“Clothes,” he growls. The sound goes straight to my clit. I sit up, pulling my shirt off first. I unsnap my bra next, my boobs falling free. “Fuck me.” I look up to see him staring at me. He licks those gorgeous lips of his as if I’m the most delectable morsel he’s ever seen and he can’t wait to devour me.
I’ve never been this naked in front of someone before. I’m a little on the chubby side compared to Connie and Tina. The way Dane is looking at me now makes me think he more than likes how I look.
“Clothes.” I point to his pants. If I have to get naked so does he. I shimmy out of my shorts, leaving myself in only a pair of white silk panties. They are the sexiest thing I own at the moment. I knew this was going to happen. Why else would I have put them on?
I watch as he takes his belt off and places it on the dresser. He tosses his badge next to it. His pants are the next to go. He doesn’t remove his boxer briefs.
I can see the outline of his very hard cock. I bite the inside of my lip, wondering how that is going to fit inside of me. I should have known he’d be big. He’s big all over, and his cock isn’t an exception.
“I’ve never done this before,” I blurt out. Something dark flashes in his eyes. I clench my thighs together. His hands go to my ankles as he pulls me down the bed closer to him, my legs dangling over the side.
“Has anyone ever kissed your pretty pussy?” My face heats at the question. I’m sure I’m three shades of pink. His comments might make me blush, but I love them. I shake my head no.
“You knew that little fuck wasn’t go
od enough to get on his knees and lick your pussy. You were saving it for me.” Dane drops to his knees, pushing my legs apart to make room for himself. I suck in a breath as his rough hands slip up my thighs to my panties.
He’s right. I never let my ex get close to this. Now here Dane is about to take all of me, and I’ve only known him a few days. It’s because he feels right. All of this does.
“I told you about the clothes.” I gasp when he gives my panties a tug, ripping them from me. I didn’t actually think that was possible. I stare down at him in shock. His warm breath flutters against me. I wiggle, needing release so badly it’s starting to hurt.
“Dane, please,” I beg. He grabs my hips, his fingers digging into me as he pulls me down to his mouth. I cry out his name when his tongue circles my clit before he sucks it into his mouth. The orgasm hits me fast and hard. My body jerks as the pleasure rolls through me.
My hips try to lift off the bed, but he’s got me pinned. He doesn’t stop. His tongue travels down the slit of my sex. He pushes it inside of me.
“Dane.” I moan his name as he fucks me with his tongue before his finger enters me, his mouth going back to my clit. He adds another one of his fingers, stretching me. “I’m going to come.” I dig my fingers into the sheet, not sure how this is possible. How could I be coming again already?
“Give it to me,” he growls against my sex. The vibration sends me over the edge as the second orgasm hits me. I cry out his name again, my whole body going lax. I’m not sure I’ll ever move again.
Dane doesn’t have the same problem. He moves up my body, peppering kisses along my stomach until he reaches my boobs.
He sucks one nipple into his mouth while his fingers pull on the other one. I let out a whimper at the feeling.
“I fucking love when you moan my name,” he says, releasing my nipple before going to the other breast and giving it the same attention.