Beneath Your Beauty

by Alexa Keith

  I tapped one flip-flop on the floor, then lifted my toes a little to admire my pink toenails, dotted with white and purple to go with my Hello Kitty watch, courtesy of Molly. What was I thinking going to the DMV this late in the day?

  Fifteen minutes later, they called my number, forty-six.

  “I’m here for a Florida’s driver’s license and plates,” I told the cranky woman with the curly red hair who sat behind the counter.

  She looked up from her computer. “Did you fill out the paperwork? Do you have two forms with your name and address on it, registration, and proof of insurance?”

  I happily placed all my paperwork on the chipped Formica counter. “Yep,” I said, proud of myself for bringing all the correct information.

  Niah, according to her name tag, flipped through my paperwork, then started entering the information into the computer. As she typed, she said, “You’re the first person all day that has the correct information.”

  “Umm…thanks.”

  “No, honey. Thank you.” She looked up from the computer and smiled.

  Five minutes later, I jumped into the driver’s seat, threw the plates on the passenger seat, and headed out of the parking lot. Tapping my fingers on the wheel, I navigated the unfamiliar streets as my gaze pinged back and forth between the road and the dashboard clock. The glowing red number read 2:38 and I was at least ten minutes away. Determined not to disappoint Molly, I pressed my foot down on the gas a little more and…

  Shit.

  Blue and red flashing lights signaled behind me.

  Double shit.

  After pulling my SUV carefully to the shoulder, I grabbed my still-warm, brand spanking new Florida driver’s license from my wallet, then rooted around in the glove box for my insurance card from the glove box, along with my new registration card. While I waited for the officer to walk to my car, I let my head fell back against the headrest, frustrated not only at the delay, but the praying like crazy that I wouldn’t get an expensive ticket.

  Catching a glimpse of myself in my rearview mirror, I noticed that my straight honey-blonde hair was starting to get natural highlights from the ever present Florida sun. I smiled, liking the look of the new me, and lifted my shades up into my hair. My gaze moved to the side mirror and…

  Holy mother of hot, sexy-ass cops.

  I stared at the uniformed man coming my way, who had to have been at least six foot two. Solid frame, muscles bunching underneath his blue button-down shirt as he made his way toward my SUV. His brown hair, peppered with sun-bleached highlights, was cut close to his head.

  He stopped for a moment and I watched his perfect lips move, white teeth flashing as he talked into the radio resting on his shoulder. When he started moving again, I swallowed the cotton ball stuck in my throat, then put a finger to the window switch and down the glass went.

  Resting a hand on the roof, he bent at the waist to study me with light blue eyes ringed with gray. Below those stunning eyes was a straight nose, a strong jaw with a neatly trimmed goatee, and strong male features. Really strong male features.

  Holy flipping hotness!

  He smiled, flashing perfectly straight teeth, before he spoke. Heat that I haven’t felt in a very long time rushed through me to settle between my legs, and I clenched my legs together. His gaze ran down my body and landed at my bare thighs. He cleared his throat, his eyes came back to mine, and it got even better when he spoke.

  “Ma’am, is there any reason you’re doing forty-eight in a thirty-five?”

  His voice was like nothing I’d ever heard before. Deep, so very deep with a rough edge guaranteed to hit you in all your girly parts. The type of voice any girl would want to hear whispering “I love you” in her ear.

  I clenched my thighs tighter as I felt dampness between my legs. I just stared at him. Words stuck in the back of my throat, and I froze.

  The officer slipped off his sunglasses, and his eyebrows drew together as he leaned a little closer to the window. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

  Oh my God, he really needs to stop talking or I’m going to have an orgasm right here. This is just flipping great.

  “Umm…” It was something, right?

  His voice strong and firm, he pointed to the plates on my passenger seat and asked, “Is there a reason they’re not on the vehicle?”

  “Umm…”

  “Have your husband put them on A.S.A.P.”

  That’s when it all came rushing back, 3 months of emotions that I held on a very loose string that Mr. hot cop guy just cut.

  Tears filled my eyes, and I started talking. No, not talking, griping.

  “I don’t have a husband-noooo-he kicked us out, 3 months ago. Yes, you heard me right, kicked us out.” I sucked in a shaky breath, tears now falling freely down my cheeks. “Now…now, I’m going to be late picking up my daughter at the bus stop, and she’s gonna freak.” I just started babbling, stumbling as tears continued to fall. “Why? Can you please tell me why they have the high school bus stop right at the end of my block and, the elementary school bus stop 3 blocks away-”

  “Reed and Elm?” that deep rough voice cut me off.

  I must have looked at him confused because he asked again. “Reed and Elm, that the stop?”

  It clicked and I said in a whisper, “Yeah.”

  “Follow me.” He demanded while pulling his black sunglasses down to cover those amazing blue eyes, and turned and jogged back to his car.

  Great flipping ass too.

  I followed him while wiping the tears from my eyes. Chastising myself the whole time.

  Stupid…stupid, just let it all hang out for the cop. Great, this is just wonderful. Not only will you get a ticket Ally, you’ll also get a trip to the mental hospital.

  Yay…

  Hunter

  Fuck…

  Seven years on the force, I’ve stopped all kinds but that was my first crier. Most of the time it’s woman trying to show me there tits but, never a crier before.

  In addition, to make matters worse.

  A fuckin’ gorgeous crier at that.

  When she clenched those silky tan thighs together, my cock twitched. That hasn’t happen in a long time. I have no problem getting women into my bed but that’s all it usually is. Just a fuck. All the women I’ve been with and not one have made my cock twitch the way the crier did.

  Damn.

  When she started ranting, it was fucking adorable.

  Down right, cute as hell.

  Those full pink lips, fuck, I wanted to sink my teeth into them. When tears started falling from those hazel eyes with deep amber coloring dominating them. It took all my strength not to run my thumb over those flawless pink cheeks.

  Maybe it wasn’t right, but, when she said her husband kicked her out 3 months ago, I’m not gonna lie, I liked it. I know, I’m an asshole.

  Watching her in my rearview wiping her eyes, fluffing that honey blonde hair of hers. Damn, she is just beautiful. Who in there right friggin’ mind would throw that woman out. That’s a woman you want in your bed.

  Every night.

  I pulled up into the driveway, shut the car off, got out and waved her in. My eyes flew over to the women and one guy standing at the corner.

  Fuckin’ wonderful-the cougars.

  She pulled in right behind my patrol car, and I made my way to the driver’s side of her suv. I halted to a stop when I saw those tan legs emerge from the car. Her full ass, curvy hips, fucking perfect.

  Not a friggin’ stick, thank god.

  That blue ribbed tank pulling across her breasts, not too big, not too small. I bet they would fit in my hands perfect.

  She slammed the door, and turned towards me. “Should we be parking in someone’s driveway? I know you’re a cop and all but-”

  My lips curved up and I told her, “This is my house, gorgeous.” I watched her small hand grab the door handle to steady herself. “You okay?’ I asked concerned.

  She flung her hand into the air waving
it around. “Oh yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You gonna go say hi to your, honeys?” Spencer yelled while emerging from the garage. “Whoa…hello there, beautiful.” Spencer came to a halt in front of us.

  “Hi. Things got crazy back there, I’m Allison Winters?”

  Her voice, Allison’s voice was soft and sweet, but damn I would love to hear it screaming my name.

  “I’m Spencer…but, you can call me Spence.” Spencer put his hand out to Allison and she took it. I shot a look over at Spencer and he dropped her hand.

  A screechy female voice filled the air breaking my moment with Allison. “There you are, where have you been?” Fuckin’ Phoebe, that woman has been on my ass for 2 years.

  She’s nice and all but get the friggin’ hint woman. I’m not interested.

  I turned to Allison. “Shall we.” I waved my arm towards the corner of my yard.

  For the five years I’ve lived here, this has been one of the bus stops for Birdsfall elementary school. My grandmother passed away five an half years ago, leaving me her house, which her and my grandfather had built. Along with a nice size, chunk a change.

  “Hey buddy what’s up?” Nick slaps me on the back. He’s a single father of two boys, ages eight and ten. His wife died four years ago.

  “Nick.” I nod my head.

  “Hey Ally.” Nick says with a smile that I do not like, on his face. I watch his eyes move to gaze at her tits, my fists clench on their own accord and I loudly clear my throat.

  “Ally?” I look down to Allison, and she smiles that fuckin’ amazing smile at me.

  “You can call me Ally too.” She says behind her grin.

  Phoebe, Corinne, Janie and Gina -the cougars- as me and Spence refer to them as, come marching over. Maybe not Janie but she has thrown me some looks. If I was her husband, which thank god I’m not, and my wife looked at another guy the way she at me, I’d blow a gasket.

  Phoebe puts her hand on my bicep and leans her front into my side. “You hiding from me, copper?”

  I think I just threw the fuck up in my mouth.

  I wiggle free, turning too Ally. “Phoebe, have you met Ally?”

  “Yeah, we’ve met. Hi, Allison.” Phoebe says not hiding her bitchiness one bit.

  “Hi.” Ally answers quietly, while looking down.

  Shit, she’s like a scared little mouse in a room full of cats. I put my hand on the small of her back, and fuck, it’s soft. Her body tenses under my fingers, trying to relax her, I start talking. “Have you met everyone…Janie and Corinne?”

  Her body relaxes a little as she talks. “No, hi.” She puts her hand out to Janie then Corinne. “I’m Allison Winters, or Ally.” She gives a small smile. They both shoot Ally the same small lip curve and say in unison. “Hi.”

  The squeaky brakes of the big yellow school bus sound breaking the thick tension air surrounding all of us. All turn to the bus and the door opens.

  “Mommy!” A small dainty girl with honey blonde hair and blue eyes comes running off the bus. She jumps into the arms of a crouching Ally.

  “Hey, baby girl.” She hugs her daughter tight and kisses her temple, then stands. “Molly, this is Officer…” Ally leans to read my nameplate. “Quaid, Officer Quaid this is my youngest daughter, Molly?”

  I crouch down, fit the littlest hand I think I’ve ever seen in mine. “Nice to meet you, Angel.”

  Molly’s cheeks flame red and she giggles. “I’m not an angel silly.”

  I jolted back, and asked surprised, “What, you sure?”

  “Yes.” She giggled again and glanced up at Ally.

  My eyes moved up too, Ally was smiling down at her daughter.

  Fuckin’ gorgeous.

  I brought my attention back to a still giggling Molly. I leaned in and whispered. “I think I know an angel when I see one, and guess what?”

  Molly’s eyes got really big and she leaned into me. “What-” She breathed out in anticipation.

  “You’re the second one I’ve seen today.” I told her.

  “Who was the other one?” Her little blue eyes glued to mine. I looked up at Ally, her looking down at me with parted full pink lips I winked at her, and looked back at Molly. “Right there.” I jerked my head towards Ally.

  “Mommy?” She squealed.

  “Yep.” I said, nodding my head.

  Molly leaned into me and whispered, “I think she’s one too.”

  Ally leaned down picking Molly up into her arms. “Okay, let’s say goodbye to Officer Quaid?”

  “Ice pops! Who wants ice pops?” Spence bellowed. All the kids went running except for Molly.

  Her little eyes lit up and focused on Ally. “Mommy, can I have an ice pop?” She asked quietly.

  Ally gave Molly a small smile, “We should get home, baby girl.”

  “Puweeeze.” Molly pouted.

  Shit, the little thing was killing me. How the hell do you say no to that face?

  Damn.

  Ally dropped her forehead onto Molly’s. “Puweeeze mommy, I wuz really good in school today.”

  Ah, Fuck!

  Seriously, this kid is killing me. At this point, she could have asked me to sign my house over to her, and I would have.

  And I fuckin’ love my house.

  “Molly Cray…” Ally started, and got hit with Molly’s little lips pooching out.

  Damn woman, let her get a friggin’ ice pop.

  “Let me call your brother and sister first and see what they’re up too.”

  “Okay.” Molly said pleased with that answer.

  “Would it be okay, if I took her over to get an ice pop from Spence?” I asked Ally, ready to pout like Molly if I had too.

  Ally removed her cell from her back pocket. Thumbed the screen. “Umm…”

  “It’s right over there.” I pointed 10 feet away from us were Spence was using his ice pop like a light saber with the other kids. “He does this all the time, he’s a big kid himself. Really, ask any of the moms.”

  I shouldn’t have said ask any of the moms. Spencer Latten loves his cougars, and for some reason they love him. He stands about six one, reddish brown hair, brown eyes a full beard kept neatly trimmed to his face. He has more of a stocky build, compared to my muscular one.

  But, Spence has been around the block with most moms of elementary school aged kids. He’s even fucked Phoebe and Corinne. Not at the same time, although he would have loved that.

  “Okay.” Ally said putting Molly down.

  I held my hand out to her, “Ready little woman?”

  “You’re funny.” Molly giggled again, and returned, “Ready big man.”

  “Now who’s the funny one?” I chuckled.

  Once Molly settled on the grass with her ice pop, and listening to one of Spence’s adventures, I made my way back over to Ally. She was still on the phone, but her eyes were focused on Molly. I stopped next to her, turned and watched the kids make scrunch faces. Spence is really good at describing gross stuff.

  “Brie, that’s great honey.” Ally looked too her feet, slid one flip-flop off and ran her foot through the grass. “Yeah, she’s eating an ice pop and sitting with the other kids from the bus stop, listening to this guy named Spencer tell stories.” Ally’s eyes were back on Molly, but her foot still skimming the grass. “She seems a lot better today, happy.” Ally said hesitantly into the phone. Almost like if she said happy to loud, she would jinx it. “Yeah, I sent in a few applications today. I even applied for a bookkeeping job for that bar on Main Street called Murrays.” Ally chuckled. “I don’t even know the first thing about bookkeeping.” She paused with a smile on her face watching Molly.

  Her eyes came to me for a brief second.

  “Listen honey, we’ll talk when I get home. Tell your brother to get his homework done too.” She paused and then said, “I love you, see you soon.” Then she tapped the screen and shoved the phone into her back pocket.

  She watched her foot slipping as she slipped it back into her flip-flo
p. “Listen, I’m really sorry about before…you know…my crying out-burst. I wasn’t doing that to get out of a ticket, it’s just that-”

  “No worries.” I cut her off. “Whatta say we just forget about that?”

  Her amber eyes came to me and she whispered. “Thanks. It’s not one of my finest moments.”

  I smiled at her. She smiled back.

  As I watched the back of Ally’s cream-colored Cadillac pull down the street, I pulled my phone from my pocket. Thumbed through the contacts and hit Murrays.

  “Murrays.” Shirley’s southern voice filled my ear.

  “Shirl, it’s me.”

  “Hey boss, what’s up?”

  I started walking towards the garage. “Did we get an application today with the name, Allison Winters on it?” I heard her tapping buttons on a keyboard.

  “Yep, we sure did.” She said, and went on to ask, “Should I be concerned about this?”

  I grabbed a beer from the fridge in the two-car garage and said, “Nope, call her tomorrow morning and tell her she has the job.”