by Evan Grace
I walk along the sidewalk and don’t miss the appreciative glances by the single women of Sunnyville. As the night wears on, they’ll start asking to take pictures with me. I try to limit it because then it begins to look unprofessional.
Hopefully the night will go fast because honestly, I’m exhausted. I decide to head toward Better Buzz and grab myself an iced coffee. After I finish it, I toss it in the trash and pop a mint into my mouth.
I stop and talk to Chris, a fellow officer. He started at the other end and we met in the middle. “What’s up, Mav? How are you feeling?”
We exchange a handshake. “I feel pretty good. Just glad to be back to work—I couldn’t stand sitting in the house another minute.”
“I don’t blame you. Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“I will, thanks.” We bump fists and I continue walking.
The streets get busier the later it gets, but luckily people are behaving themselves for now.
My phone pings and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s a text from Troy.
Troy: Hey, I’m at McGregor’s. Gwen’s here and she’s in bad shape.
I quickly type out a response.
Maverick: I’m heading that way now.
McGregor’s is the bar that we frequent after work. It’s the perfect place for us to unwind and it’s great because it’s filled with cops, former cops, and families. Yes, the occasional badge bunny comes in, and yes most of us have partaken in what they were offering, but it’s normally just a place for us to unwind.
I make my way down the sidewalk toward the bar. When I reach the door I pull it open, the air-conditioned air hits me right away and it feels good. Troy comes walking up. “Where is she?”
“She’s at the bar.” That’s when I spot her with her head resting on her palm. “I’ve kept an eye on her since she was already here when I got here.”
“Thanks, man.” I head over to the bar, leaning against it next to Gwen’s barstool, “Hey you. What’s going on?”
Gwen looks up at me, that is when I notice the dark circles under her eyes. I resist the urge to rub my thumb over them. “Hi.”
She turns back to her drink, wrapping her lips around the little red straw. “How much have you had to drink?” I ask softly.
Gwen holds up four fingers. “This is my fourth; I just needed to get out of the house.”
I want to pull her into my arm—I want to pull her into my arms and tell her everything is going to be okay, but I can’t, not here. “I’m done in two hours. Do you want to hang out?”
She nods her head.
“Sit tight, I’ll be right back.” I walk over to Troy. “Can you do me a favor and take her over to my place and get her settled there?”
He leans in close. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“She’s struggling, man. Who knows better about what she’s dealing with than someone who was there with her?” I hope he can read the seriousness of my expression.
“Yeah, okay. You’ve got it, brother.”
Troy follows me over to Gwen. “Troy’s going to take you back to my place. Get comfy, hang out with Butch, and we’ll talk when I get home.” She opens her mouth to argue, I’m sure. “Please, let him get you there safely—please, for me.”
I help her up and I don’t miss the way some of the older guys are watching us. I’m sure Grant’s going to hear about this and he’s going to want answers, but I’m not going to worry about that now.
The three of us walk out of the bar and I walk with them to Troy’s truck. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I hold out my hand. “Give me your phone, baby.”
She unlocks it and hands it to me. I quickly call myself and save her number. “Save my number and call me if you need me.” I look at Troy. “Thanks, brother.”
“You’ve got it.”
I watch them pull away from the curb and only once they're gone do I continue my patrol.
When my shift is over, I head back to the station, instead of wearing my uniform home, I change back into my street clothes; jeans and a t-shirt.
Troy sent me a text earlier that he’d let Gwen into the house, got her settled and was heading out. I thanked him, knowing I was monopolizing his night for a bit, but he knows I’d do the same for him.
When I pull into my driveway, I see that the house is dark. I let myself in and check the living room first, finding it empty. I head down the hallway to my bedroom and it’s empty too. Wherever she is, Butch is with her; otherwise he’d be all up in my business right now.
I head into the kitchen and see her purse sitting on the table and find the sliding door to the patio open. I poke my head out and find Gwen and Butch sleeping on one of my loungers.
I give a low whistle and Butch lifts his head, looks at me, and then lies back down with his head on Gwen’s stomach.
“Traitor,” I say as I step outside and move my dog.
Carefully, I scoop Gwen up into my arms and she doesn’t budge. I carry her into my bedroom, laying her down on my bed. Butch jumps up on my bed, snuggling back into her. They must’ve bonded before I got home. I grab clean boxer briefs and take them into the bathroom so I can take a quick shower.
When I’m done, I quickly brush my teeth and then make sure the house is locked up. I should sleep on the couch, but what if she wakes up and panics when she doesn’t know where she’s at.
In my bedroom, I slide into bed and Gwen immediately rolls into me, wrapping her arm around my waist, tucking her face up against my neck. I hug her close and close my eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
I come awake with a start. I realize that Gwen’s no longer next to me. Rolling over, I find her sitting on the side of the bed with her head in her hands. She scoots over when I move to sit down next to her. “Bad dream?”
She rests her head on my shoulder. “Yeah”
I wrap my arm around her, giving her a squeeze. “What was it about?” I grab her and lay us back down, but this time she’s lying on top of me. Gwen’s cheek rests on my shoulder and her hand rests over my heart.
One arm goes around her waist and with the other, I grab her hand that’s covering my heart. “Tell me about your dream.”
Gwen shrugs, “I never remember it. I wake up to the sound of metal crunching. Then I can’t sleep.” She lifts her head. “Where are your blankets?”
“A week after the accident, I woke up wrapped in my blankets. I panicked and now I don’t like to be covered.”
“We’re both fucked up, aren’t we?” she says quietly.
I kiss her forehead. “Yeah, we are.” I rub circles on her back until I feel her sink into me and then she begins to snore.
Nine
Gwen
I open my eyes, and my heart hammers in my chest. Something is crushing me—my body starts shaking as I begin to cry. I start trying to crawl out from whatever is on top of me.
“Gwen? Gwen, baby stop,” I hear a voice say from behind me, grabbing at my arms.
The brain fog clears and I realize I’m in a bed, Maverick’s bed. I take a deep breath and burrow in as close as I can to him. “S-Sorry. I didn’t know where I was. I t-thought I was being crushed.”
“Don’t be sorry. I woke up and was wrapped around you. I’m sorry I triggered an attack.”
I push up so I’m looking down at him. Before I can chicken out I lean down, kissing him. He takes control of the kiss and my mouth immediately opens to his seeking tongue. Maverick reaches down, grabbing my thighs, pulling them up until I’m straddling him.
He’s in his boxer briefs, and there’s no hiding his erection. I lift my hips and line up with his covered cock. I begin to rock against him. As I moan into his mouth, he reaches under the dress I slept in and grips my ass cheeks in each hand.
We rock together until the ache between my legs grows so strong I’m about to detonate. Suddenly my dress is up and off and Maverick is sucking one nipple into his mouth. I cry out and grip his head in my hands. He flips us so I’m on my b
ack and quickly divests me of my panties.
At the first swipe of his tongue, I grip his hair. “Oh God,” I cry out. He eats my pussy like he’s starving for it, for me. Maverick sucks my clit into his mouth and shoves two fingers inside. I come with a shout, pumping my hips.
He continues his oral assault, easing me down from heaven. Maverick licks and kisses his way up my body, stopping to lavish my breasts with attention. First sucking one nipple into his mouth, and then sucking the other inside his hot, wet mouth. He releases it with a nip at the tip.
Once his lips are back on mine I reach between us, palming his cock through his underwear. Maverick grunts with his lips pressed against my neck. I feel him reach out and then watch as he tears the condom wrapper open.
He holds my eyes as he slides it down his length. Maverick rubs his dick through the wetness and then thrusts inside me until he’s buried to the hilt. His lips hit mine as I groan. God, he’s so big, it borders on painful.
Maverick doesn’t ease into it, and just begins fucking me with brutal thrusts. I take each one, welcoming the bite of pain. It proves that I’m alive.
He stops long enough to get up on his knees, spreading my legs farther. I cry out as he sinks further inside of me—my body shudders, my mouth opens in a wordless cry. He begins fucking me with violent strokes. The bed shakes and the headboard slams into the wall.
An orgasm hits me out of nowhere and I moan, long and deep. He pulls out of me and quickly flips me until I’m on all fours. Maverick uses his legs to spread me wide, thrusting his cock back inside me.
He grabs my hips and begins the fast rhythm again. “Are you gonna come again, baby?”
I let out a surprised yelp when his palm connects with my ass cheek. “Ahh…” I cry. He slaps my ass twice more before reaching around, strumming my clit. In no time, those telltale signs of my impending orgasm begin. What is happening to me? I’ve never come more than once during sex, but he’s determined for me to do it again.
I start thrusting back at him. The only sound filling the room is our bodies slapping, the knock of the headboard, and our groans and moans.
When I begin to come, my whole body shakes with the power of it. Maverick thrusts once, twice, and then plants himself deep. He presses his lips to my back as he groans. His cock jerks inside of me, once then twice.
Only the sounds of our panting breaths can be heard. I whimper as he slides his softening cock out of me. He pulls me around so I’m laying half on and half off of him. “Fuck, you have got the sweetest pussy.”
I turn my head and drag my tongue across his nipple while I begin tracing the tattoos that cover his chest. The moment it pebbles against my tongue, I nip it. He grabs my hair at the base of my skull, pulling my head back.
Maverick kisses me deep, his tongue dueling with mine. He reaches around me and smacks my ass. “Let me get rid of this rubber.” I roll to my back and he grabs me by my ankles, spreading my legs, and bending my knees. “Stay just like this. I’m still hungry.”
My nipples immediately harden and that familiar fluttering starts low in my belly. I nod. “Okay,” I whisper as I fight the urge to touch myself. I watch as he climbs out of bed and disappears out into the hall.
While I wait, I walk my fingers down my stomach and am just about to rub my clit when he walks back in. I take a moment to appreciate the hotness that is his body. He’s built with muscles that are bulging just enough. His eight pack is highlighted by that V.
I can’t help the drool that pools in my mouth, threatening to spill down my chin. Now I’m not a virgin, obviously, but I’m not super experienced, having only seen a few. I do know that Maverick’s is just as big as I thought. It’s long and thick, getting hard as I watch.
He climbs onto the bed, stopping when he’s between my bent legs. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
My response is a cry as he begins eating.
I sneak in the back door, which is oddly reminiscent of my teenage years when I’d stay out past curfew. Of course I’m an adult now, but that still won’t stop the questions from coming if I wake them.
I slip my flip-flops off and shut the back door, locking it behind me. I tip toe through the kitchen, freezing when I reach the stairs because my dad is walking down them toward me. “Uh… hi Dad.”
He reaches out, rubbing the skin under my eye. “I think it’s time for you to talk to someone about the accident. You don’t look like you’ve been sleeping or at least sleeping well. Your mom and I are worried about you.”
Okay, he must think I was already home.
I wrap my arms around him, laying my head on his shoulder. “I promise I’m okay. If it doesn’t get better I’ll talk to someone.” Stepping back, I take a deep breath. “Is anyone staying at the apartment at Wings Out?”
“It’s empty, I think. Why?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I just want some space for a bit.”
Dad looks at me closely. “I’ll talk to your mom, okay?”
I give him, what I hope, is a believable smile. “Thanks Dad. I’m gonna take a shower and lay down for a bit.” I know it’s only a little after six in the morning but I’m beat.
“Okay sweetheart. I love you.” I kiss his cheek and head up the stairs. I’m thankful that he didn’t ask where I was or who I was with.
When Maverick dropped me off we both agreed it would be best if he let me out at the end of my street. Neither one of us wanted to deal with my dad. As he rolled to a stop, I reached for the door handle, but he stopped me.
“If you need me, call me. I don’t care what time it is.” He pulled me toward him, kissing my lips hard. Maverick pulled back until our lips are a hair’s breadth apart. “Promise me you’ll call.”
I nodded. “I promise I’ll call. You can call me too, you know.”
“Deal.”
Then I got home, which leads us to now, and I unfortunately shower Maverick’s smell off of me.
I finish making the bed and put the pillows back on it. Mom, Dad, Taylor, and my brother just left. The apartment is furnished, but they brought dishes, towels, and other small appliances.
Mom got someone to come clean it before they’d let me move in. While I’ve been traveling, my car has been out at my grandparents’ house. Dad got it for me and brought it over.
I know my parents are worried about me—they don’t say it, but I can see it on their faces, but they’ve at least given me the space I needed. The door opens and my bestie comes in with grocery bags and a smile. “What up, girlie?” I come to her, taking one of the bags and giving her a hug and a kiss.
“Hey bitch! I brought pizza rolls, Ben and Jerry’s, and two bottles of rosé.”
We carry the bags into the little kitchenette. I hand her the bottle opener and she pours us two huge glasses of the light pink wine. I preheat the oven and stick the ice cream in the freezer.
I pick up my glass and take a drink. “This is so good,” I tell her. I hop up on the counter and she does the same across from me. “Are you spending the night?”
“We have two bottles to drink so, yes.” Marcie looks at me closely. “How are you doing?”
I take a drink. “Ummm… okay, I guess. Sometimes I can sleep all night, and other times I wake up and then can’t find sleep.”
“You haven’t really talked about what happened while you guys were trapped. I get it if you don’t want to talk about it, but I’m here if you do.”
We’ve helped each other through painful times in our lives. I know she wants to help, but honestly, I don’t want to talk about it—I’m not ready to talk about it. “I know you are,” I take a huge gulp of wine. “I’m just not ready to talk about it. Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Not much, Chad wants to start looking for houses to buy. I’m kind of scared to take that next step.” Marcie is my only friend that’s married. Her husband is a cool guy and I love him. They’ve been together since high school.
“Babe, why are you scared? You’re m
arried and you’ve talked about wanting to have a baby. You don’t want to raise your kids in an apartment. They need a yard to play in and place to campout, like we used to do.”
The oven beeps, so I hop off the counter and throw our pizza rolls on a cookie sheet before sticking them in the oven.
“I know you’re right. It’s just scary because it’s such a big thing. We do need a bigger place.” Marcie drains her glass and then gets us both a refill.
I jerk awake and cover my face with trembling hands. Marcie snores softly beside me. I slide out of bed and go into the kitchenette to grab a glass of water. The cold water soothes my dry throat.
Not wanting to wake Marcie, I grab my phone and carry it outside, sitting on the steps. First I take a minute to take in the beauty of the night’s sky. Out here, the stars are more visible. The moon glows brighter, and it’s just peaceful.
I look at the time and see it’s three o’clock in the morning. I want to call Maverick right now, and since our night together last Friday, I’ve called him twice in the middle of the night and he’s called me once.
Talking to him definitely helps, but the night, or well, early morning we had sex worked a hell of a lot better, but it’s not really a good idea to go there again. Don’t get me wrong, I want to—I really, really want to, but it won’t go anywhere. Of course, I swore I wasn’t going there because he’d been with Tawney—obviously that’s not the case or hasn’t been.
I’ll also start planning my next excursion toward the end of summer so there really is no point. I pull up my contacts and find Maverick’s number. He’s saved under the name TG, Top Gun, it’s stupid to hide it, but I don’t want to have to explain what we’re doing to anyone.
Luckily I know my sister will keep it quiet. I press the call button and he answers almost immediately. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Yeah, just the usual, jerking awake and then can’t find sleep. I know you told me to call you, but I feel bad.” I brush my hair out of my face.