by Harloe Rae
“Good evening, ladies.” The lazy drawl comes from behind us. I peek over my shoulder and find Lance standing far too close. There’s no sign of the police uniform I’ve seen him strutting around town in. This preppy version reminds me of the kid I graduated with. He’s grinning at all of us, but his eyes are locked on me. I do my best to repress a shudder.
“Hey, Lance.” Molly’s greeting is all wispy breath and unbridled desire. Interesting.
His gaze skitters off me when he nods at her. “Hi, Molls.”
She twirls a lock of her ruby hair. “Off duty tonight?”
“I’m still patrolling, just a different kind.” He takes a moment to openly ogle us, licking his lips in an overly lewd fashion. Gross.
Lacie picks at her nails. “I heard you picked up Grady Bowen the other day.”
My hackles rise with a resounding screech.
“Sure did. He was asking for it. Arrested him on several counts. It was a pleasure slapping those cuffs on him.” Lance looks way too proud of himself.
Fiery heat fills my veins. “You did what?”
Lance blanches at the venom in my tone. “He deserved it.”
I cross my arms. “I find that highly doubtful.”
The surprise melts off his face, replaced by a fierce glare meant to intimidate. “You’re still defending him?”
Lance’s question is a cracking whip slicing through the space between us. Many would probably shrivel at this open hostility, especially from a police officer. But I’m not one of them. I sit up straighter and narrow my eyes.
“Of course. Grady is my friend.” I nearly choke over the last word.
“What a fucking waste,” he mutters.
“Oh snap,” Molly whispers.
Her stare is latched on something over my shoulder. Hair on the back of my neck rises from that look alone. A shiver ripples through me regardless of the balmy temperature. When I follow her gaze, my stomach bottoms out. Grady is hovering a few mere feet away.
The clouds darkening his eyes can be described as nothing but livid. My heart pounds a furious beat, enraged on his behalf. The reason escapes me because all my concentration is centered on him. No man has the right to look so fine in a basic T-shirt and jeans. His hair is wet, the dark blond strands sticking up in messy disarray. Thick stubble makes him look older and rugged. Flexing muscles ready to fend off any threat. Grady Bowen is a delicious package and I want to rip off every layer that keeps him hidden from view.
It’s been over a week since I saw him at my parents’ place. I was beginning to believe the entire ordeal was a figment of my imagination. But here he stands, ready to unleash the fury.
I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry. How does he still have this effect on me?
“Can I talk to you outside, Sutton?”
That voice. Dear Mother of all that’s holy. It’s a soothing balm and an abrasive scrape within the same few notes. I tamp down a moan as the words roll over me.
One of my ass cheeks is already off the stool. “Okay.”
But Lance blocks my path.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Bowen?” His tone is terse and accusing. I don’t care for it one bit.
Grady’s responding glare is vicious. “Is stepping foot on public property suddenly a crime?”
Lance grunts. “No.”
“Then mind your own damn business.” The growl booms off Grady’s chest.
“I was here first.” Lance resembles a petulant child, and the look is not sexy. The pout on his lips makes me cringe. When I glance over, Molly and Lacie have a similar reaction. Glad my redheaded friend came to her senses.
Grady prowls forward. “Doesn’t matter. Sutton is coming with me.”
When he puts it that way, I want to stay glued to my seat. Oh, who am I kidding. Having a moment alone with him is worth a little hit to my womanly pride.
I shove past Lance and follow Grady’s imposing form through the crowd. My brother is wearing a shit-eating smirk as we move by him. I fight the urge to flip him off. It’s abundantly clear he had everything to do with this intrusion.
Grady slams open the door into the alley. I trail close behind and prop myself up against the brick wall. The temperature has cooled off, the slight chill is blissful against my heated skin. He strides to the opposite side, ensuring the maximum amount of space is separating us. I ignore the burn that distance causes. What did I really expect?
His features are a steel mask of indifference. He’s not giving anything away without me asking. I’m not sure why he bothered bringing me out here. A cramp tightens painfully in my belly. Why is this so difficult? The strain grows heavy in the air, a living beast determined to keep us apart.
Our silence expands and overflows across the narrow gap. My throat tightens and I rub at the growing lump. I finally glance up at Grady from under my lashes. An exhale shutters off my lips when I catch him staring at me.
“Hey, Gray.” I repeat the greeting from last time we were caught in a similar standoff.
A tremor wracks his limbs. I wonder if he plans to ditch out again. But his feet remain planted on the concrete.
“Hey, Sutton.” The sound is low and deep and deceptively soft.
I want to tell him so many things. Highlights from the last four years pile up in my mind, jamming the gears and leaving me silent. One sentiment stands out the most. I’ve missed him. The words claw up my throat, bubbling out beyond my control.
“I’ve missed—”
Grady speaks up at that same moment, shutting my confession down. “Glad I could steal you away from all the fun.”
A furrow dents my forehead. “What do you mean?”
“I’m sure Lance was entertaining you with sordid tales. He’s a damn snake.”
“Did he really haul you in?”
He snorts. “Wasn’t the first time.”
I let my jaw go slack. “On what charges?”
“Bullshit. He didn’t have anything on me. Chief Wilson released me within an hour of arriving at the station.”
A bitter taste settles on my tongue. “Doesn’t that count as a mark against Lance or something? He should care more about being a good cop.”
Grady snares me with those bottomless emerald depths. “You worried about him?”
“Not at all.” My tone leaves no room for argument.
“Could’ve fooled me.”
I rub my throbbing temples. “It doesn’t really matter. Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
“You sober enough to remember this conversation?” He straightens off the wall.
I roll my eyes. “I’ve had one drink, thank you very much.”
“Wasn’t sure how many Deputy Dipshit bought for you.”
That earns him a smile. “Wait, are you jealous?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. He was flirting with you.”
I drop my mouth open with a pop. My ears whoosh with crashing waves. I had to be hearing things. “W-what?”
“Stay away from Lance.”
“Are you giving me a reason to?” I have zero interest in hanging out with that dink. Getting more truth from Grady is what’s important.
He shrugs. “I don’t like it. Jace doesn’t either.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
I dip my chin. “I already have one protective brother. I’m not looking for another one.”
That was the wrong thing to say. Grady steps into my space, his jaw working back and forth. Golden flames and green lava swirl together in his eyes. “I’m far worse than your brother.”
“W-why?” That’s a popular word choice for me today.
“I have far more to lose.” His words settle into a deep, secret part of me.
“Tell me,” I whisper.
He leans in, giving me a potent dose of woodsy cologne and uncharted territory. The line between us barely exists in this moment. I almost reach for him. But Grady blinks and the spell crashes to the ground. He steps away, le
aving me cold and alone.
“What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry? I’m being an idiot? Because I’m not. My life is full of regrets, Sutton. The list is never ending. But there’s one thing I’ll never feel bad about.”
A shiver skates down my spine. I don’t need to ask, but my lips form the question regardless. “What’s that?”
“Turning you down, Sutt. You deserve far better than a lowlife like me. I hope you found him.”
I avert my gaze, focusing on a wash of purple and pink splashes across the horizon. “I did.”
In my dreams, with the memory of him.
Grady is quiet for a moment, and the silence stretches further. I glance his way, finding him staring at me with an intensity that makes every fiber of my being light up. His soulful gaze can cure the worst pain. If only his mouth could get the memo.
He nods, the bob of his head a slow beat. “That’s good. I told you to find a man. I’m not trying to be noble, or an ass. Even though that’s probably the opposite of what you think. What’s important is your happiness.”
The romantic buried deep inside of me springs to life. Her foolish lips curve into a seductive grin aimed at the man who only has a frown for me. Such a twit. But maybe she’s onto something. I nibble on my bottom lip. “Well, in that case, tell me a happy something of your own.”
Grady offers a sharp jerk of his head. “We’re done with that. Haven’t heard one in years.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“Mine, of course. We don’t need to play the blame game.” The light snuffs out from his gaze. My chest aches as I watch him disappear behind that damn mask of indifference. “Everything is my fault.”
“That’s not true.” I shuffle forward, but he retreats further.
“Doesn’t really matter, Sutt.” He juts his chin toward the door. “Go back to your friends. Ignore that douchebag if he starts any shit.”
I lace my fingers together. “Where are you going?”
“Home.”
I want to know where he rests his head at night. I’m desperate to hear him admit his jealousy again. I need more truths from him. The possibilities spin on repeat. But he turns away without another word.
“Hey, Gray?”
He pauses, but doesn’t turn around.
“Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
His shoulders bunch under the weight of my request. He looks back at me, the barest hint of a smirk lifting his lips. “No promises.”
Warmth tickles my lower belly as the hum of his words caress me. I’ll have to accept that. For now.
The initial Grady haze is fading and I become aware of our surroundings. Very specifically, a motorcycle that’s parked right in front of me. The chrome glints under the overhead lamp. He approaches the bike and straddles the seat. I’m sure my eyes are bulging wide.
“Surprised?” He palms a gleaming black helmet.
I nod. “Yeah, a lot.”
Grady strokes over some orange flames painted on the fuel tank. “It’s dangerous and chaotic. Fits me well.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond. The motorcycle roars to life and he peels out of the alley. I stand there silently, gaping at the cloud of dust left in his wake. What the hell happened while I was gone?
Happy something #32: A home-cooked meal. Even better if there are others sitting around the table to enjoy the food with.
I shove the crowbar under another piece of rotting wood. The old board gives way with a single pop. I toss it onto the growing pile beside me. Wash, rinse, repeat. I’ve been at this for hours and barely made a dent. At this rate, the wraparound porch will never get replaced. Much like the rest of this house.
My stomach grumbles with a loud protest, but I’m not ready to quit. I’m losing daylight by the second and need to get some semblance of progress done. Jace’s recent offer to lend a hand is sounding a lot more appealing.
From his spot on the lawn, Bear suddenly snaps to attention. A low growl is already rattling from his throat. His head jerks to the side, ears pointing forward with rapt interest. Before I can blink, my dog leaps to his paws and tears off toward the driveway.
“Shit.” I toss down my tools. “Dammit, Bear.”
His howling bark echoes off the trees and I jog to catch up. When I round the house, Bear is rearing up on the driver’s side of a red coupe. The glare from the windshield hides my trespasser's identity. I stride forward and squint at the figure behind the wheel.
No fucking way.
But there’s no mistaking her beauty. Sutton’s mocha hair shines in the setting sun, those golden rays streaking the dark tresses. A flush stains the smooth skin of her chest and neck. A large majority of my blood shoots south at the sight. I want to trace the path with my tongue. The semi in my shorts agrees with a twitch. A startled yelp drags me from the erotic fantasy.
Sutton is cowering in her seat, gawking at my dog’s vicious snarl through the glass. She seems to be frozen in place. I catch the rapid breaths puffing off her lips. Those big baby blues are blown open wide while she absorbs the very high probability of being attacked.
I reach for Bear’s collar and tug him off her car. He pulls at my hold with the force of a buffalo. I wince at the pressure on my sore muscles. Bear doesn’t relent, attempting to break free by any means necessary.
She cracks open the window and pokes her head out. “Uh, hey there.”
Bear bites at the air with her greeting. I haul him in tighter. “Hi, Sutt. Wasn’t expecting you.”
“Yeah, maybe I should have called.”
“Would’ve been a good idea.”
She eyes the vibrating hound at my side. “You’re not gonna release him, right?”
I almost crack a smile. “That depends. What’re you doing here?”
“Thought we could catch up. We used to be, um, friends.”
“Did we?” That doesn’t sound right to me. That term has never fit for how I picture her in my life. But the platonic label is what’s best for her sake.
“I like to think so.”
“All right then.”
Sutton reaches over and lifts a bag. “I brought you dinner.”
A mixture of melted cheese and garlic wafts over. Without hesitation, I suck in a deep inhale. Another rumble attacks my gut. Bear gets a whiff and releases a pitiful whine. Damn, she’s reeling us both in.
“What is it?” The question is stupid. As if I’m going to turn her away.
“I made my mother’s lasagna.” She hoists the paper sack higher.
“You cooked?”
She nods. “I did.”
“For me?” This deal keeps getting sweeter.
“Well, yeah.” Sutton nibbles her bottom lip. “This used to be your favorite at our house.”
A deeply broken piece inside of me twists painfully. “Can’t remember when I had that last.”
“Figured as much.”
I glare at her assumption. “And why’s that?”
“Looks like you’ve been occupied elsewhere.” She nods toward the house.
Her soft tone soothes me in a way I can’t reason with. The fire in my veins is tempered, but the lust boils hotter than before. This girl reaches me on an elemental level. I widen my stance to hide the evidence. “Yeah, I keep myself busy.”
Sutton glances away, a furrow in her brow. “Is it okay that I stopped by?”
I want to tell her no. This is a terrible idea. Having her in my space is an invasion. There are no scenarios where this ends well. The word curls on my tongue, but I swallow it with a shrug. “Guess so.”
“Can I come out?”
“Why couldn’t you?”
She points at Bear. “Your dog doesn’t like me very much.”
“He’s just protecting me.” I ruffle the fur on his head.
Her twinkling laugh is a siren song, and I’m helpless against the pull. “I’m not a threat.”
“You sure about that?”
Sutton’s throat trembles with a rough
gulp. “Yes.”
I wave her toward me. “Come on.”
Her movements are rigid and robotic. She creaks open her door at a pace that rivals paint drying. She steps out of the car even slower.
There’s no fighting my chuckle. “You don’t have to worry. I’ve got a strong hold on him.”
Some of the strain falls off her limbs. “Okay. I’m not really afraid, but he seemed pretty determined to get rid of me.”
I glance down at my trusty sidekick. “Most of that is for show. Not sure he’d really hurt anyone. He’s a total softie with me.”
Sutton doesn’t look convinced. “What’s his name?”
“Bear.”
She smiles. “That’s fitting. Can I pet him?”
“Go ahead and try.” I tighten my grip on his collar.
“You’re really selling it.”
I lift a shoulder. “I don’t get many visitors so this hasn’t been tried and tested often. He’s a guard dog. It’s his job to scare off harm.”
She shuffles another foot closer. “To keep you safe. You always wanted a dog.”
These strolls down memory lane are bashing at my armor. It’s a constant battle to keep my guard in place when she’s around. I force my expression to remain stoic. “One of my best decisions yet. He’s great company.”
“And very handsome,” Sutton coos while inching forward.
He yips and drags me her way. “Don’t just dive straight in. Let him smell you first.”
Sutton extends her fingers in Bear’s direction. One sniff of her hand and his defenses crumble. In the next beat, Bear’s tail is wagging in a happy dance. The final threads of his reluctance unravel within moments. His entire body begins wiggling with the type of joy that only occurs when he’s gained a trusted ally. He scoots on his ass trying to erase the remaining space between them. His efforts are successful when she kneels in front of him. If she’s not careful, one-hundred pounds of German Shepherd are about to be sitting in her lap. Lucky fucking mutt.
“Oh, you’re such a good boy.” Sutton scratches Bear behind the ears. Pretty sure he’s giving her a dopey smile in return. She’s been initiated into his inner circle and has no clue. Sutton is too busy fending off his slobbering kisses. Her giggle tells me she doesn’t mind too much. “What were you worried about, Gray?”