Eric

by Amy J. White

  Eric

  Hot Small Town Alphas Series

  Amy J. White

  Contents

  Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue I

  Epilogue II

  Thank You

  Also by Amy J. White

  Join Amy’s Mailing List

  Description

  Eric Stanton is Buchanan's hot, single handyman. As of right now, he doesn't really have eyes for anyone. That is until ‘Destiny’ - literally - intervenes in the form of a new transfer to the Sheriff's deputy position left vacant after the old one retired. Destiny Williams is a hard gal to get under the skin of. Luckily, Eric knows how to pry away the layers and fix what's underneath.

  Chapter 1

  Eric

  “Shit!” I shout from beneath the sink I’m currently fixing for Ethan and Ryley Ryder, the couple that I’ve recently started talking to more since they requested my help with home renovations.

  Water spews into my face, making me squirm and utter more cursing until I grab my wrench and tighten the elbow to stop the spewing cascade.

  Grunting, I wriggle out of the tight space to sit on my knees, running my hand through my brown hair, soaked through by the dirty dishwater, giving it a good shake for extra measure.

  “Oh my goodness,” I hear Ryley say behind me. “I’m so sorry. Let me get you a towel.”

  She leaves me as I smile at her gentleness.

  Her husband Ethan was one of the most wanted boys in school, the complete opposite of me. I started out as the boy many liked to bully – you know, shove into lockers, give the ever amazing swirly to or take my lunch money.

  I couldn’t blame them. With coke bottle glasses and braces, little to no muscle at all and the lovely button-up with a pocket protector, I’m not sure I wouldn’t bully myself.

  Thankfully, even though I don’t think he noticed, Ethan stood up against the football team and other jocks for those poor souls that they liked to target.

  I never told him I looked up to him or that he, Chaz and Casey played a pivotal role in my decision to bulk up, get contacts and a haircut.

  The change was so drastic, after high school many in Buchanan didn’t recognize me as the nerd they beat up. Some even welcomed me into town.

  Ryley returns with the towel and a bottle of water. “Thank you for doing this, Eric. With the twins coming, we’re going to need all the spare room and fixing we can get.”

  I offer a smile. “No problem. I’m really glad for the two of you.”

  Ryley holds her swollen belly, grimacing.

  “Here, let me help you sit down,” I say, moving to let her sit on the toilet or chair Ethan put in the shower for her.

  “Thanks.” She smiles that cheeky smile I’ve seen her with in the Choc N’Chip bakery. She goes there sometimes to meet with Lilah and Rachel, Casey and Chaz’s wives. “So, when are we going to see you settling down with a very lucky lady?”

  Not this again, I think to myself.

  Lately, with all the marriages of Buchanan’s most eligible bachelors, I have become somewhat ‘the talk of the town’. Mainly thanks to Ryley’s mom, Helen who prides herself on the title of “town gossip.”

  My hand goes to the back of my neck, running over it. “I’m not sure. There are some gorgeous women here, but I don’t know. Guess I haven’t met the right one.”

  This earns me a laugh. “Why Eric Stanton, don’t tell me that you are one of those romantics who believes in soul mates?”

  “Aren’t you? Come on, everyone knew you two would end up together. Who wouldn’t see that coming?” What I don’t say is how much a crush I had on Ryley back in school.

  Like me, she was a bit of an outcast. A larger sized girl; who stood out amidst the teenagers, with her shy demeanor and the most gorgeous subtle curves.

  She nods. “Well, hopefully you find someone for yourself soon. It’ll get Queen Bee Brittany off your case.”

  I wince at the name.

  Along with some of the guys, the Queen Bee made my life miserable. Lately though, she started taking more notice and being more pushy. Not something I really appreciated.

  Goodie for me, I work alongside her in real estate since I renovate and flip houses as a side job. “I’ll come back tomorrow to finish fixing up this sink. The bathroom should be done by the end of next week if no emergency comes up.”

  Ryley thanks me and offers me a bottle of water to go. I try to refuse but it doesn’t work so I nod another thank you, slipping out to my truck.

  Blistering summer heat – well, blistering here in Buchanan – shines down on me as I step out of my truck to romp up the steps of my latest masterpiece.

  The house isn’t too large since it started out as a small barn house barely large enough for a single room and a kitchenette. I’ve made that area into a smoke house after buying it from the local couple who decided to move once their son graduated and went off to college.

  Attached is a larger house built in the manner of a Colonial. Its tall spires are different than a few of the other houses around here, making me wonder what its history is.

  I plan on buying it myself once it’s finished.

  Placing the necessary tools on the plastic in the living room of the main house, I work on breaking down walls, repainting and replacing all the old piping until the sun sets.

  Wiping the sweat away, I say, “Alright, bar time. Ethan and the other guys might be there already.”

  I always liked to keep to myself until Ethan, Chaz and Casey pulled me into their group and made me feel like a brother. Since then, we meet one another a few times a week at the local bar to have drinks and so I can listen to them complain about how much they miss being single.

  I take a drink of the cool whiskey, thankful my parched tongue now has something to ease the cracking from a hard afternoon’s work.

  The other three are rambling on about Ethan’s twins while Casey whines about Lilah needing to leave for a baker’s conference somewhere in Florida.

  I chuckle at the big baby, turning my eyes towards the door.

  That’s when she walks in.

  One of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.

  She’s a lot like Ryley with her thicker thighs, subtle curves and beautiful breasts all complimented by short rusty brown hair and green eyes bright enough, I can see them glowing from across the room.

  My God. I need to get to know her.

  Chapter 2

  Destiny

  Driving into the town that I transferred to, I’m not shocked to see it reminds me a lot of where I grew up. Buchanan isn’t my first choice of transfer when I heard the news they needed a new deputy since the older one planned on retiring.

  Still, being raised a cop’s kid has its perks. It helps to know I’ll never have to worry about dealing with him again. The man who ruined everything I worked so hard for. A man I once thought I loved and drew close to marrying until I found in bed with the bouncy breasted blonde neighbor.

  I grit my teeth at thinking about it. I saw all the signs, yet in ignorance I chose to ignore them.

  While he liked to show off for his big city friends, I spent tons of time at work trying to keep that city safe. Somewhere inside, I always knew the relationship could never be anything other than a toxic wasteland.

  My dad always warned me, told me I needed to rely on my instincts if I ever planned to get anywhere in life.

  Enlisting in the military helped me instill the same discipline that made me into the amazing and devoted cop I am. Experiencing the betrayal by that asshole of a boyfriend instilled an understanding no
man would ever make me feel that way again.

  Ever since then, I stopped looking at all. Stopped myself from believing that fairy tales would come true! After a life like mine, how could I not believe they were all total lies!

  Trees become buildings in the blink of an eye, dragging me from my thoughts. I can’t deny how pretty the town appears. Its historical buildings and storefronts; frozen in a time where small towns dominated the landscape.

  In the distance, I see the majestic mountains. They haze in the fading light of the dusk and I find myself unable to keep my mouth closed while marveling at them.

  Maybe I will like it here. It’ll be a nice change after the bustling city life.

  Swiveling my neck, I get a glimpse at something I can’t help but try to see again. A man, with the most gorgeous brown hair styled in waves drawn back from his face, places what looks like paint cans in the back of his truck.

  His exposed biceps bulge with each flex of his arms. Those legs, despite being contained in jeans, show off definition as mouth-watering as his arms.

  I yank my head back, locking my eyes on the road, angry at myself. Pretty or not! They’re all the same. They don’t want women like me. They want women like my boyfriend wanted.

  I’m not one of those women you see on the front of Sports Illustrated. My curves are subtle. I have bigger calves, a wider frame and smaller breasts, but I know I can take anyone down in a fight.

  I’d done it many times in the streets of Miami and in the Marines, proving you didn’t need to have those things to be strong or beautiful.

  Once I get a hold over my raging hormones, I direct my attention to the small gas station and I stop to refuel and ask directions to the local sheriff’s office.

  Coming out of the gas station, I run into a woman cradling a baby in her arms. She looks at me and smiles, saying, “Well hi! You’re a new face around here.”

  To be kind, I offer a clipped nod.

  The woman puts the baby back in the backseat, then comes to me and offers a hand. “I’m Rachel.”

  Again, to avoid looking rude, I reach to shake her hand. “Destiny Williams.”

  “Where are you from?”

  I don’t have time for this. I sigh. “Miami. I’m the new sheriff’s deputy here in town.”

  Rachel makes some comment about how Buchanan is a huge change from Miami. “What brings you here?”

  And there it is. The question I knew they would ask. The one I don’t want to answer.

  “Ma’am, can you direct me to the sheriff’s office? I’d like to get there as soon as possible.”

  Rachel’s mouth freezes mid-word. Her eyes search around for anywhere to look but at me. “Uh, it’s a few blocks up Main. You can’t miss it. I’m sorry if I said anything to offend you.”

  I feel like a bitch, knowing nothing that happened to me was her fault. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I sounded snappier than I meant to. I just really want to find my way around so I can get to work.”

  A smile creeps over Rachel’s face. “I understand. If you ever want to meet someone or make friends, I own the Choc N’Chip bakery. A lot of people in town meet there in the morning. Who knows, maybe you’ll find someone who can help you be less snappy.”

  Her casual manner – like we are old friends – confuses me, though it’s a nice change.

  I wave goodbye to her, doing the same when the youngster in the back waves and smiles.

  Once I find my way to the sheriff’s office, I decide to take a detour to the local bar to see if anyone knows any houses that are available around here.

  I enter through the doors, earning looks from everyone. Surprisingly, it brings a heat to my face. I don’t like being the middle of attention so I quickly move to the bar where I order a beer to calm my suddenly frayed nerves.

  Someone sits beside me. I don’t pay attention until a voice capable of melting ice says, “Hi, you must be new here. I haven’t seen everyone turn around that fast in a long time.”

  My eyes jolt to see the same man with the red truck I gawked at like a stupid teenager sitting beside me with the most gentle of smiles on his face.

  Thundering in my heart forces me to squelch the feelings I thought I suppressed months ago before I do anything that can get me hurt.

  “I’m Eric. Eric Stanton,” He says. “What’s your name?”

  In seconds and in as few words as I thought possible, this man has started to chisel away at the walls I fought so hard to build.

  Chapter 3

  Eric

  I stare into those gorgeous, hypnotizing pools of whiskey-brown for what feels like hours. The moment she walked in, something inside me exploded into an overwhelming flood of need to know her.

  Watching her stroll across the floor, I can see from the tight clenched fists at her sides she isn’t happy, her eyes remain focused on the bar where she sits and orders what appears to be a beer.

  I let my gaze wander down her straightened back to the perfectly round ass poking out around the bar stool. A chuckle leaves my lips at noticing the tattoo on her lower back playing peekaboo, wondering if she knows it’s doing it.

  “Hey, what’re you staring so hard at?” Ethan elbows me.

  I gesture my chin towards the woman. Ethan follows my line of sight, a dopey grin forming over his face.

  “Ah, I see. Is lone wolf, Eric Stanton finally willing to chase down his girl?”

  I chuff through my lips like a horse. “Please. She has to be new here. From the looks of how she’s sitting, she’s not interested in anything I’d want to do to her.”

  Ethan shrugs. “Never know. From what Rachel said before she left, her name’s Destiny Williams. Supposedly she’s the replacement for the sheriff’s deputy.”

  This is news to me. Never in my life did I think I’d fall for a cop, but that’s exactly what I was doing. Falling and falling faster. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

  Ethan pats me on the shoulder, wishing me luck. Something I always prided myself on was my ability to observe and read people.

  The moment I sit down next to Destiny, I know she wants nothing to do with my company. Her shoulders draw up towards her jaw, eyes never leaving the far wall beyond the bar while her finger twirls around the rim of the glass.

  It gives me time to get a full look at her. Those gorgeous breasts doing the same as her tattoo, those mouthwatering thick thighs, and with an ass so perfect I want nothing more than to dig my fingers into it all ignite a powerful lust sending my cock into overdrive.

  Her serious manner adds to her appeal and I know. This woman is mine and I’m not going to stop chiseling away at her until I get her.

  Finally, I get up the nerve to talk, introducing myself and saying the stupidly obvious.

  Destiny looks towards me, an annoyed look in her eyes. She doesn’t fool me however, when she tries to hide her eyes roaming down my body. “Destiny Williams.”

  Don’t chuckle, don’t chuckle. I chuckle. “I know. Word travels fast around a small town like this. Where are you from?”

  No idiot, don’t ask her that! Why would you do that?

  Destiny heaves a sigh. “Look, you seem nice, really. But, I’m here to do my job until they find someone who’s a better fit for a place like this.”

  “So you aren’t staying?” My heart sinks. Maybe she doesn’t feel she has a reason to stay.

  Rachel also mentioned Destiny is from Miami. “I can only imagine coming from a big city to a place like Buchanan is a bit of a shock.”

  “Does everyone around here gossip like this or is it just you and that Rachel girl who does it?”

  This time I don’t fight laughing at her frustration. Yeah, clearly a big city girl. “Everyone does. If that annoys you, don’t talk to Helen Dorsey. She’s the town gossip and everyone will know your whole life if you let her get a hold of it.”

  Destiny groans, her hands running through her hair, gripping it at the roots. She returns to her more composed state and asks, “I’m not sure h
ow long I’ll be here, but is there a place I can lease or rent around here?”

  Perfect. The perfect way to get to know her since I was the town handyman and knew what real estate was around and available; when I had almost given up. “You know, I’m pretty familiar with the real estate around here. Would you like me to show you some of the houses I worked on that are available?”

  Destiny’s eyes meet mine, holding me prisoner in their gaze. Something else – interest, maybe? – shone through beyond the surly attitude. “Guess that makes sense. I don’t know anyone around here and I do need a place to stay. Might be nice to talk to the guy who knows this place.”

  The excitement I go through has me reverting to the boy back in high school when Ryley first said hi to me. I know I want Destiny Williams as my own, but I also know something inside keeps her from opening up.

  In order to get what I want, I need to break down her walls. “Great. I’ll meet you at the sheriff’s office tomorrow. Around 3pm?”

  Destiny nods and I leave it at that to give her space.

  The following day, I drive my truck up into the parking lot of the sheriff’s office, throat tight from the thought of taking Destiny around town. Especially when I know the inevitable meeting of the woman I’m interested in and the Queen Bee is looming over the horizon.

  Destiny steps out of the front glass door dressed in her tan colored uniform minus the hat we usually saw the officers wear. Her eyes scan the lot until they fall on me.

  God, she’s even more stunning in uniform with pants snug enough to hug that perfect ass I still want to get my hands on.