by J. D. Rivera
I rolled my eyes and sniffled. He still didn’t know the worst part. If he did, he’d agree with Preston.
“I’m serious. You are. From the moment I saw you walk in that Chickie’s Chicken, I wanted you. I’ll admit I was able to control myself for a while because I hardly ever saw you, but after Harley’s party, it was like fate was forcing us together, and I was gone. Completely smitten with you.”
I smiled weakly. “I feel the same. Although, that night at Chickie’s? When I saw you sitting with Mackenzie, I wanted to knock her away and…I don’t even know what. I just remember thinking you were insanely hot.”
He arched a playful brow. “Were?”
“You still are.” He was definitely still hot. His amazing chest was only inches from my face and I couldn’t help but want to touch it. I almost felt drunk with my need for him.
He left one hand on my face and the other trailed down my body, finally settling on my butt. He gave it a squeeze. “This guy, this Fuckwad, is a dumbass. He’s the worthless one. And he’s not worthy of you. I honestly don’t think anyone will ever be, but he definitely was not.” Leaning in, he pressed his soft lips to my forehead, kissing me and letting his lips linger.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“For what?”
“For saying those things. For making me feel better.”
His thumb began brushing my cheek. “I’m glad you feel better, but, beautiful, I only said the truth.”
I nodded as I sniffled. He had made me feel better, but I still felt stupid. I had let that whore doubt my relationship with Brad. He had to be tired of my self-doubt. At some point, he was going to stop trying to prove his self and move on to someone else. “I’m going to try my hardest to believe in you. I’m sorry I let that woman outside get to me.”
“It’s okay. I mean, I didn’t treat you very well—at all—in the beginning and I knew you had some self-confidence issues. If someone had treated me the way I did you…” He shook his head, averting his eyes. When he finally cast his eyes back to mine, he looked pained. “I’m just so sorry. I treated you like a who…like yesterday’s trash. And then, with what Natalie said, I don’t blame you for getting upset.”
“Did you do that a lot?” I asked. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know how many casual hookups he’d had, but I asked anyway.
“Do what a lot?”
“Did you…have you slept with a lot girls? You know, casually?”
His hands left me, instantly scrubbing his face. “I haven’t slept with a lot of women. But there have been a…few.”
A few. I couldn’t help but wonder how much a few was to him. Three? Five? Ten? “A few? Girlfriends or hookups?”
He groaned. “I would say more like one night stands. Okay? I’ve only had like two or three girlfriends.”
So, he’d at least slept with three women. I’d only slept with two guys. Period. “What did you classify Natalie as?”
“Um, she definitely wasn’t my girlfriend. She was more like a one night stand who didn’t go away.”
I couldn’t stomach thinking about him with other women. “Why don’t we just go to bed? I’m tired.”
“Okay,” he replied as I stood up. I grabbed his hand, helping him to stand as well. He encircled my shoulders, pulling me toward his rock hard, bare chest. “Are we okay? You aren’t leaving, so I’m assuming so.”
“We’re okay.” I stared into his beautiful hazel eyes and I really did feel like we were okay. With his eyes locked on mine, I could see all of his love for me. My heart began to pound in my chest as goosebumps prickled my skin. I had never felt like this before—truly loved by someone other than my parents.
“I love you.”
I smiled. “I know. I love you, too.”
His lips met mine, kissing me hard, as if he was trying to prove his words were true. My hands trailed up his chest and over his shoulders. He pulled back a little. “Why don’t I show you just how worthy you are and hold you?”
“Hold me?” I actually liked that idea. With all the revelations of the night, I didn’t feel like doing anything else.
“Yep. Just hold you.”
I nodded. “I’d like that.”
He didn’t say anything else before picking me up and carrying me to the bedroom.
***
Gasping for air, my eyes shot open. I took in my surroundings: rock hard body beside me, a leg intertwined with mine, and the barest bedroom walls I’d ever seen. I was at Brad’s. I was safe and Preston and I weren’t getting high in some bathroom.
My breathing returned to normal and my heart began to pace evenly. I was thankful I hadn’t woken Brad, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. I took a moment to ogle him. He was built. Everything about him was built. Muscular arms framed his sculpted chest that led to a perfect six pack leading to an amazing V. Brad had an incredible body.
And he loves me! I grinned at the thought, but almost instantly frowned. He doesn’t know the real me.
I sighed. I knew what we had wouldn’t last, but I was going to enjoy every second of my time with Brad. No more doubting him, just enjoying him.
I gingerly pushed the covers down and got out of bed. He didn’t stir, so I tiptoed down the short hallway into the kitchen. My mouth was dry and I could feel a headache forming, no doubt a side effect of my nightmare. Flicking on the light, I grabbed a glass then searched the other cabinet for pain reliever. Once I located the medicine, I began to fill the glass with tap water.
“Hey,” I heard from behind me, scaring the crap out of me.
“Ahhh!” I screamed as I jumped, effectively dropping the cup in the sink.
“It’s just me. Calm down,” Brad assured, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”
I placed a shaky hand over my heart as I tried to control my breathing. My nightmare had scared me more than I thought. As soon as I heard his voice, I freaked.
“Golly! You shouldn’t sneak up on people in the middle of the night. Aren’t you an officer? You’re supposed to protect not scare the shit out of someone.”
His chest began to shake just before his chuckle sounded in my ear. I spun around and placed my hands on my hips, pinning him with what I hoped was a challenging stare.
Brad’s chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh. “I’m…” He bent over a little, letting out a snort. “I’m sorry, but did you just say golly?”
“Yes, I did. Did you just snort?” I asked, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
“I’m sorry, but who the hell says golly that’s under, I don’t know, fifty?”
“Lots of people. Me, for one.” My lips cracked and a small snicker escaped. “And I’m awesome, therefore the word golly is awesome.”
“You’re right. Completely right.” He bent over in laughter again before he stood back up, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m glad I could entertain you. I had no idea the word golly was such a knee-slapper.”
He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Now, what are you doing out of bed?”
“I was thirsty,” I responded, remembering I had dropped the glass. “Shit, I broke your glass.”
He gasped. “Not my dollar Walmart glass.” He leaned in, kissing my lips. “It’s fine. Let’s go back to bed.”
I smiled at his sweetness. This was a side he didn’t show to everyone else. “Let me get a drink and take some headache medicine. I’ll clean up the glass and then I’ll be right there.”
“Your head hurts?” he asked, looking worried.
“Just a little. I’m fine.”
“Get a drink and take the meds, but leave the glass. I can take care of it in the morning.”
“It won’t take but a minute.”
He smiled. “That’s a minute we could be in bed together sleeping.”
I nodded then turned to get my drink as he waited.
***
I woke up the next morning alone with the smell of food c
ooking. Flinging the covers off me, I padded down the hall into the living room. I leaned against the wall, watching Brad cook what smelled like sausage from the kitchen.
He turned around as two waffles sprang from the toaster. His gaze met mine. “Morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning to you, too,” I said, walking into the kitchen. Wrapping my arms around his naked chest, I placed a kiss over his heart. “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”
“I don’t give a shit.” His lips were on mine, waking every part of my body. “Damn,” he said, “maybe I’ll just have you for breakfast instead.”
“I’d love that, but I have class and we don’t have enough time.”
Groaning, he turned and forked the sausage onto a plate. “I made sausage and waffles. I hope that’s okay.”
“I love waffles. Like, really love them, so yes, waffles and sausage are very okay.”
He grabbed two plates from the cabinet, placing a waffle on each. “Can you get the sausage?”
“Sure,” I replied before grabbing the plate and following him to the table. “What do you want to drink?”
“Oh, uh, I only have soda, beer, and water.”
“Water it is.” I filled two glasses with water then sat down beside him.
“I don’t think I’ve eaten at the table before. I usually just eat chips on the couch.”
I laughed. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s not much of a shocker.”
He smirked then shoveled an entire sausage link into his mouth. After he swallowed and took a drink, he asked, “So, what time do you get off work? I have to pretty much work the entire weekend, but maybe I can figure something out.”
I couldn’t help the thrill that shot through me at knowing he wanted to spend time with me. “I get off work at five-ish. Tomorrow I work until close. Maybe we can see each other on Sunday?”
“We’ll definitely figure something out for Sunday, but I’d like to see you before then.”
“Me, too,” I said, drizzling syrup over my waffle.
“Then we’ll see each other.”
I shoveled the waffle into my mouth, enjoying each bite as he devoured the sausage links. I couldn’t help but grin at how great the moment felt. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but I loved it.
I glanced at the clock on the microwave and groaned. “I have to get dressed and get to class.”
“Yeah, I better get to work.”
***
I grinned at the memory of eating breakfast with Brad as I drove to campus. I knew it was silly but I didn’t care. I turned up the radio and jammed out, feeling carefree and happy—something I hadn’t experienced in almost two years.
I pulled into a parking spot in the very back of a lot and gathered my things. I checked my phone and my carefree, happy feeling vanished. The air whooshed out of my lungs as I stared at the text.
Poco Richard: I will find you and you will be sorry.
Why couldn’t he leave me alone? Why did he need to scare me like this? Why was he so intent on destroying my life? Destroying me? I didn’t understand. I had been tempted several times to block his number, but I wanted to see his texts. In the beginning, the texts and calls weren’t that bad, but now he was starting to act crazy again—which meant he was full blown using. Although, I had no clue if he’d ever stopped.
I tried to calm myself with images of Brad. I sleep next to a man who could probably kill Preston with one punch. Except he’s working all weekend and I’ll be all alone. “Ahh!” I screamed into the silence of my car. I hated Preston so much.
I crammed my purse and phone into my bag before exiting the car. I walked as fast as I could without looking like a crazy person across campus to my class. By the time I sat down in my seat, I was panting.
“Why in the hell are you breathing so hard? Were you running from the boogie man or something?” Carson asked from the seat beside me. My face paled at his question. “Is he still bothering you?”
“No. Yes. But I didn’t see him.”
“He’s still texting and calling?”
“Yeah,” I answered, confirming what I had already said. “This one was just…unsettling.”
Concern was written all over his face. “Have you told Mr. Detective?”
“No. I don’t really want him to know about that part of my life. And quit calling him that.”
Concern morphed into confusion. “Why not? I think of all people, your boyfriend could help you the most.”
“Because he wouldn’t want anything to do with me. That’s why, now drop it.”
“Fine!” he roared. “I’ll drop that, but we need to figure out how to deal with this asshole. What did his text say?”
“I don’t remem—”
“Tell me what it said!” he demanded.
“It said he would find me and I’d be sorry.”
“Motherfucker! Are you working tonight?” I nodded. “Then you’re going home or staying with Brad?”
“Going home. Why?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I think you need to stay with Brad. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be at your apartment alone.”
“I wouldn’t be alone. I have a roommate, remember? And Brad’s working this weekend.”
“Then I guess you’re having a sleepover at my place.”
“What? No! I will not sleep on your nasty sheets. And besides, I’ll be fine.”
He grinned. “I’ll buy new sheets. You’re staying with me. End of discussion or I call your boyfriend.”
“You asshole!” I shot back before realizing he didn’t have his number. I shrugged and opened up my textbook, trying to ignore Carson.
He leaned closer to me. “I can get his number. Don’t forget I’m friends with Hayes.”
Well, I guess I was sleeping over at Carson’s.
Chapter 24
Brad
I had texted and called Miranda a couple of times while working Friday night. I would’ve rather been wrapped around her in bed, instead of her being alone, but I also loved my job. I loved watching the awful people of the world get what they deserved. Before each shift, I reminded myself exactly why I had chosen this line of work.
By Saturday night, I was ready to leave work. We had been doing boring surveillance on a suspect and although I was tired, I was determined to drive down to Miranda’s apartment. Even if we did nothing but sleep, it was better than not seeing or feeling her.
I rapped on her apartment door and cringed. I hadn’t even looked at the time. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was past midnight. If I hadn’t been so desperate to see her, I would’ve felt bad about bothering her roommate.
She opened the door, sporting a frumpy expression and frumpy clothes to match. “Sorry,” I offered. “I’m just here to see Miranda.”
“I don’t think she’s home, but you’re welcome to check.” She shrugged then walked toward her room.
Wasn’t home? Why the hell wouldn’t she be home?
I knocked on her door and waited. After about a minute, I shoved the door open and entered. I took one glance at her made bed and knew her roommate had been correct. I took my phone out of my pocket and checked for missed calls or texts. Miranda hadn’t sent me anything since ten o’clock saying she was tired and ready to go to sleep. What the fuck? Why would she lie to me?
Taking out my phone, I brought up her number and hit send. If she told me she was home in bed, I’d call her on it.
“Hello?” her tired voice answered.
“Hey, beautiful. Did I wake you?” I asked. I didn’t want to hem-haw around the subject but I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear her response either.
“No. Unfortunately, I’m up. What’re you doing?”
“Nothing,” I replied, taking a deep breath. “What about you? You said you were tired earlier.”
“Ugh. I’m at Mackenzie’s.”
I exhaled, relieved she wasn’t going to lie to me. “What are you doing there?”
“It’s stupid, really.
Or…the person I’m here with is stupid.”
“I’m not following you, beautiful.” Although relieved she wasn’t lying, irritation that she wasn’t telling me everything swirled inside.
“Carson talked me into coming over here to watch a movie. I let him pick me up and he fell asleep on the couch. So, I guess I’m sleeping on the recliner.”
“I’m coming to get you,” I blurted. Cousins or not, I didn’t want her sleeping next to another man. To hell with that.
“I’m okay. You don’t need to drive twenty minutes from your apartment to pick me up.”
“More like ten. I’m at your place.”
“You are?” I could hear the confusion laced with excitement in her voice.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I chuckled. “See you in a minute.”
I jogged out to my truck and raced out of the parking lot. It being after midnight, the streets were pretty bare and I pulled up outside Mackenzie’s house within a few minutes.
I was about to kill the engine, when the door flew open and Miranda darted to my truck. I reached over and popped the door open for her, offering my hand to help her inside.
“Hey,” she said, a goofy smile across her face.
I slanted toward her and placed a kiss on her soft lips. I pulled back, gazing at her—she was absolutely gorgeous. And perfect for me.
I sucked in a breath realizing just what that meant. I knew I loved her, but I hadn’t realized exactly how much. She was my one. My everything.
I suddenly understood how Hayes felt about Mackenzie. He must’ve died on the inside when she left. If Miranda ever left me, I’d die.
Fuck me!
I wasn’t sure whether to be scared or happy at this revelation. I finally settled on both before she pulled me away from my thoughts.
“Are you okay?”
I blinked before staring into concerned brown eyes. “Yeah. I’m…I’m way more than okay.” I kissed her again and settled back in my seat.
She grinned. “Well, let’s go. I’m tired and ready to cuddle up next to you.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I placed my truck in reverse and pulled out. Ten minutes later, I was parking my truck in front of her apartment again. “Wait there,” I told her before crawling out. I rounded the truck and released her door. “You never let me open your door. You just immediately jump out.”