Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2)

by Stephanie St. Klaire

  While Morgan helped with the shoes, the rest of the group chuckled. Meg tossed her head back, eyes closed, and swayed to the music only she could hear while stroking the top of Morgan Jameson’s head. Morgan froze, looked up through her lashes with a shocked look and said, “Are you…” She paused, scanned the table before pinning a what the fuck look back on Meg. She finished her thought with, “…are you petting me? Is she petting me?”

  The table of women roared with laughter, Jessie in particular. She handed Megan her wine glass looking for more cheap entertainment at her friend’s expense.

  “No, I’m HUGGING you!” she replied, wrapping her arms around Morgan and pulling her in for a hug. “You guys are the best. Really the very best. I love you guys!” She declared, letting Morgan out of her vice like grip.

  “Holy shit! This is epic! Tell us more, Priss Pants, tell us everything!” Jessie instigated, pouring herself another cold one. She enjoyed being fairly sober. She was glad it wasn’t her about to deliver on the truth serum.

  “Jessie, that’s enough. Poor thing is completely shit faced. We can’t let her go home like that!” Carigan reasoned.

  “Like hell we can’t! Sparks will fucking thank us. If she loooves us, this can’t go bad for him. Look at her! Who the eff is she dancing with? Oh my God, where’s my phone? I need to record this!” Jessie blurted while shuffling things around looking for her cell phone on the table. “FOUND IT! Yes!”

  “Jessie, put it away! That’s low, even for you!” Morgan scolded.

  “Ahhh, come ooon! Don’t be such a piss…piss…priss pants, Morgie!” Megan slurred, pointing her thumb back at herself. She stood in a not so steady manner, ready to address her friends with a heartfelt speech.

  “Loook, I’m just so happy, and I love you guys like sisters, even though you’re not my sisters, but if I could have more sisters, you guys…would be my sisters!” She shouted the last few words with an emotional conviction that was as much sweet as hilarious. Jessie was holding herself at the waist, lost in her fit of laughter. Granny Lou kept fist pumping above her head shouting yes, amen, and hallelujah. The rest of the ladies just sat there, hands over mouths trying to stifle their laughs, each afraid to look at each other and risk completely losing it!

  “You guys are my bitches! Not like my side bitches, you’re like my main bitches, but in a totally platonic hetero way!” Meg proclaimed.

  Just when they all thought she was done pledging her love for them, she delivered her grand finale, and was it ever grand. “Even Jessie, that’s how much love there is, cause she can be a total bitch, but that’s what makes her Jessie, and why everyone loves her, so it’s alllll gooood.”

  All eyes shifted to Jessie, who wasn’t laughing anymore, like deer in headlights. She had a sharp glare on the wino in the room. If looks could kill, Megan Johnson would be dying a slow, painful, heinous death. Jessie glanced around the room, taking in all the looks of concern. Morgan was halfway standing ready to prevent a punching versus hair pulling brawl, when Jessie blurted out a deep roaring belly laugh that shocked them all, sending them into fits of tearful laughter.

  Megan was on a roll, enjoying her freedom to say whatever crossed her drunken mind.

  “Yeah, well I love you too, Princess, even if you annoy the shit out of me with all of your proper bullshit. Christ, now you’re making me all sappy so fuck off…and stuff!”

  “I knew it! You do like me! This is the best fucking night, I really like using that word, I get why you use it all the time,” Meg admitted.

  Snorts and more laughs encouraged her to continued, fist in the air. “We are like a really small gang of really awesome bitches!”

  “Kind of like Colton’s animals, they’re a small gang.” She laughed to herself at the inside joke about the animals, oblivious to the fact that Colton and Blake had just walked in and stood behind her completely shocked by her final declaration. “I love the animal gang. I love him too.”

  Gasps filled the room, Colton the center of their attention. Stunned didn’t begin to describe the look that washed over his face. His eyes were wide, eyebrows raised, head tilted, mouth wide open. The guy was floored and completely speechless.

  “What’s wrong Sparks, you okay there buddy?” Jessie questioned with an unflattering snort that caught Blake’s attention.

  “Was that a…snort? Did you seriously just snort?” Blake said with a laugh.

  “Fuck off, Coop!” She replied.

  Colton stood before the group pointing to Meg, and then the table littered with wine bottles, looking back and forth trying to put together the obvious.

  “Did she…” He began to ask, pointing at Meg, then the table again. “Is she…” His shock and confusion landing back on Meg. “Did you guys get her…drunk?”

  Everyone spoke at the same time, some offended by the accusation, some, finding it hilarious.

  “We didn’t get anyone drunk, Sparks,” Evie defended. “We’ve all been drinking, and well, I guess we didn’t realize she was such a light weight, and maybe we lost count of how much she had.”

  He counted the wine bottles, noting the beer and bottle of whatever Lou was sneaking back into her rather large bag.

  “Holy shit, that’s like nine bottles!” Blake said laughing.

  “Oh yeah, and Fancy Pants here polished off close to two herself, I’m guessing!” Jessie offered, not helping matters. “I got it all on video, we can review the footage to better determine her level of indulgence…when she’s sober of course!” She said with an asshole smile.

  “You taped it? Jesus, Jess…dick move, even for you!” Colton shot back.

  “What? Why does everyone keep saying that, it was funny, she loves everyone, or didn’t you catch that part? You’re welcome, asshole.” Jessie wasn’t mad; she was rather enjoying the show and Colton’s state of bewilderment. She was pretty sure he had no clue what to do with her now.

  “Heeeeey! I wasn’t expecting you here!” Meg said approaching Colton, pulling him into a big awkward hug. She grabbed his face and planted a big sloppy kiss right on his lips, full of dramatic sound effects and all. Colton’s surprise made obvious by his stiff posture and rapidly blinking eyes.

  “High five, Blake! Isn’t this fan-fucking-tastic? This Holiday bow down, blow down, whatever it’s called is going to be amaze-balls! Right? Where’s my amen, Lou?” Megan said with a half turn, pointing an extended arm to Granny Lou.

  “Amen, Pussy Pants! It’s going to rock, girl!” Gran tossed up the classic rock and roll gesture of two fingers and bobbing her head as if at a metal concert.

  “Uhh, isn’t it…Priss Pants?” Blake asked, shrugging his shoulders when Colton gave him the stink eye.

  “Pfffft. I think Lou is a little tiiipsy!” Megan joked, in a sing-song voice, completely unaware of just how tipsy she was.

  She began to fall back, losing her footing a bit, landing right in Colton’s arms.

  “She’s completely shit faced, man!” Blake laughed.

  “Yeah, I can see that, thanks Captain Obvious,” Colton rebutted, balancing a three sheets to the wind and giggling Megan.

  “We came down to see if anyone needed a ride home. Saw the bottles out earlier. Didn’t expect this though,” Colton laughed, finally, the humor of it all settling in.

  “I’m good, Sparks, didn’t have much. I’ll get Gran and Evie home. Why don’t you leave Jax at my place. I’m sure he’s asleep anyway. I think you are going to have your hands full with our drunken friend here,” Sam offered. It was pretty obvious that Meg was about to have a really bad night full of rooms spinning and toilet hugging.

  “Are you sure? I’m pretty sure this one is going to pass out cold the minute we hit the road.”

  “Nope, I insist. The kids love having him anyway! You guys go.”

  “Dude, Sam’s right. Jess, Cari, Jameson, and I will deal with this and lock up. We got it man,” Blake finished.

  “What? Why the hell am I cleaning?” Jessie fitted.

/>   “Because you’re a pain in the ass and owe her a solid. Delete that video too,” Blake scolded, as he received the middle finger wave from Jessie.

  “Jessie,” Megan whispered for all of Oregon to hear. “It’s a good plan; you get to be alone with Blake. I see how you guys look at each other. You go, sister!” Megan gave an awkward, wide mouthed, wink accompanied by a thumbs up.

  She finished with more loud whispering, “Later Blake, thanks for…all of the everything! Keep your gun to yourself, if ya know what I mean…she’s secretly a good girl!”

  “Okay, on that note, we’re out of here. She’s done enough digging for the night!” Colton threw Meg over his shoulder, with an awkward grin. Her last sharing episode was bold, he was afraid of what she would say next.

  Megan was hootin’ and hollering all the way to the truck, smacking Colton’s ass with one hand, and awkwardly fist pumping the other.

  “He has his hands full, doesn’t he?” Morgan asked as everyone burst into laughter when she started blowing kisses from the sidewalk.

  Chapter 17

  Colton drove all the way home with a smile on his face. Sure Megan was out of her mind drunk at the moment, but he heard her loud and clear, she loved him. She may have a hard time owning her deepest most raw feelings when sober, but alcohol tends to be the liquid courage one needs to let their heart sing. He had felt it as much as he had felt her resistance, a true battle of mind versus heart.

  Maybe now he would have an easier time getting through those mountain high walls of hers and help her with whatever had such a haunting hold on her. Her odd behavior earlier in the evening, before the meeting, or party rather, had left him uneasy. She thought she saw someone, or something. He didn’t doubt her sanity in the least, but he was concerned about whatever, or whomever had her spooked lately.

  He wanted to relieve her of her fretful burdens. He would show her that she didn’t have to live in such dread and worry and that he would carry the burden for her, if needed. Protecting her and Jax would show her that she didn’t need to live in such a bubble of fear anymore. Her past couldn’t hurt her; he wouldn’t let it, whatever it was, near her again. It was past time to have a come to Jesus conversation about it, and soon they would, when she was sober.

  Colton looked over at her and laughed, her window was down, hair was blowing, and she was singing and dancing along to her own music, assuming the wine told her she could dance. Man he loved her…even drunk as a skunk.

  Driving home with the window down on a cool fall night went a long way with Megan’s “condition”. It appeared that she was still rocking a great buzz, but she was a bit more “together”. Getting herself up the steps and inside the house was a much easier feat, than climbing into his truck and negotiating her seatbelt had been. As it turned out, the seatbelt was indeed just a seatbelt and not a kinky game he was playing as he locked it around her. She needed much less help with this round.

  As over the top and out of character as her behavior was, he rather enjoyed the fun, light hearted way she had about her. Of course it was good for the laughs, but he enjoyed seeing her carefree for a change. She landed in the living room with a plop on the floor, smack dab in the middle.

  “Hi guys!” She shouted gleefully as the animals surrounded her. Each one hesitated ever so slightly, taking turns sniffing her, unsure what to make of her disposition.

  “What’s wrong? It’s just me, but a funner me, who wants to play? Oh wait, who wants a treat?” That had their attention, ears perked; they followed her to the treat jar.

  She even attempted to give Boss a hand signal which was more of an obscene gesture than signal of any kind. Boss cocked his head to the side, unsure what he was being told to do, until he looked to Colton for help. Colton signaled accordingly and Boss lined up for treats.

  Colton couldn’t help but watch in wonder. Where on earth had she come from, and how did she find her way to him. Amused by her dancing around with the animals, and silly chatter with them, he found himself completely taken by her. That wasn’t the alcohol, that was genuine; the wine just gave her the freedom to express who she really was.

  She was stunning inside and out. Her heart as big as her fussy, yet fun, personality. Even intoxicated, he was mesmerized by all that she was. In that moment he realized just how deep he was in. He knew from a young age, what heartache was, to be unwanted, to be abandoned. She literally held his heart in her hands and it scared the hell out of him. He didn’t remember life before her, and couldn’t imagine one without her. He prayed, “Please God, let it be her, let me keep her.”

  ***

  Megan was having a good time, playing with Colton’s pets, laughing at anything and everything they did, or didn’t do. She couldn’t remember a time where she felt so light and unburdened. She also couldn’t remember a time where the floor seemed to move beneath her feet or the room tilt with every turn. Moving floor and walls aside, she couldn’t help but notice Colton watching her every move with that adorable half grin of his that showed off a single dimple on his left cheek. The more she played and moved about, the more intently she noticed him watching. He was fucking hot. His beautiful golden eyes and thick lashes could go from adorable to sexy and mischievous at the flip of a damn coin. She felt like flipping that coin and betting on mischievous. She moved closer to him, ever so slowly, admiring the view he provided. She provoked a twitch of his pecs, and then biceps, with the sway of her hips with every step.

  When his eyebrows rose, she knew she had his attention. The shifting in his seat and uncrossing of his legs let her know she had all of his attention. Standing in front of him, she took a wide stance, with one hip cocked. Her hands ran up her hips, to her ribs, and she slowed her drift over her breasts while licking her lips.

  Her seductive glare never lost eye contact until she closed her eyes and tossed her head back as her hand coursed over her collarbone. A breathy sound escaped her while her hands released her hair from the top of her head letting it fall slowly around her shoulders. A provocative shake was added, inviting a touch of allure.

  Her movement increased from a simple sweet sway to a heated captivating charm that held his fascination with every swivel and grind of her hips. Hands making their way back down, pausing again at her breasts she held them together while gifting him with a little shimmy. She pulled the hem of her shirt, betrayed by her liquid courage as she fumbled it over her head in an awkward and uncoordinated move. He gave her a chuckle, finding her attempt at sensuality absolutely adorable. Even if the shirt debacle was a sharp reminder that his sexy little vixen was a drunken little vixen.

  She earned points for her recovery when she slowly turned, watching him over her shoulder as she released the front clasp of her white lace corset style bra, and let it fall to the ground. Her erogenous movements continued as she fumbled with the fly of her pants, finally succeeding.

  She slowly moved her perfectly fitted black pants over her ass, and down her hips, revealing the perfectly matching white lace cheeky panties she had on underneath. Fancy Pants just took on an entirely new meaning. He appreciated her finer tastes, especially in underwear, she was so fucking sexy, smoldering.

  Her arousing show continued with a perfect view of her ass when she bent over to free herself of her pants. God have mercy. Knowing exactly what she was doing, she slowly stood, dragging her hands up each side of her legs to her ass where she made a point to drag her nails as she moved her hips in a sexy response. She traced her way past her hips and beyond, finally covering each breast before finally turning to him.

  Her seduction merged from bold and enticing to sweet and shy. Her full lips slightly pouty, doe eyes twinkling she tilted her head down, watching him through the thick lashes of her heavily hooded eyes.

  “You’re beautiful. Come here,” he said, reaching for her. He landed both hands on each hip and pulled her in. His mouth found her abdomen, hands drifted to grip her ass as his kisses trailed down past her navel.

  Freeing her breast
s, her hands ran through his hair and held his head, encouraging his descent. Every ounce of pleasure he offered was happily accepted and she greedily wanted more.

  A slight stumble in lieu of her sway was a harsh reminder of her state of mind. She was drunk, and he was a gentleman. He kissed each hip before resting his forehead against her stomach.

  “What…what’s wrong?” She asked with a confused look and concerned tone. “Did I do something?” She finished feeling a sense of insecurity.

  She placed one knee on either side of him, straddling him where he sat, trying to keep the mood heated.

  “No, baby, it’s just that it wouldn’t be right of me to take advantage after you have…well, after the wine, honey.” He tried to deliver his conscious gently and honestly, in a way she would understand despite her inebriation.

  The fact was, he respected her far too much to make a cheap move and have his way with her in this condition, and it wasn’t his style. Sure, they had made love plenty of times before, but she was fully aware, more than a willing participant. She seemed to know what she wanted, which was apparently him since she was undressing him. She began to nibble on his ear, then jaw, and so on. She was so damn tempting, had him hot and ready, but he would never give her a single opportunity to doubt him or their relationship. She meant more to him than the hot and dirty sex she was offering.

  “I’m not drinking wine anymore. I’ve moved on to hot, kinky, sexy time with my guy.” She said in a seductive whisper while peppering his neck and shoulder with kisses.

  “I’d love nothing more than to spend the rest of the night making love to you on every surface of…” He paused as she quickly stiffened, looking him dead in the eye with big eyes.

  The color began to drain from her face, and she started to sway as tears welled, and eventually slid down her cheeks.

  “Megan? Are you okay honey? I promise I want you, I want you real bad, I just…”

  And then it happened…all down the front of both of them. Megan Johnson couldn’t hold her liquor, literally. Just sober enough to be horrified by what had just happened, she began to sob. She tried to get up unsuccessfully which just worsened the mess since she was still pretty inebriated and apparently not done getting sick.