Kentucky on the Rocks
By Gwendolyn Grace
Kentucky on the Rocks
Copyright © 2015 Gwendolyn Grace Books. All rights reserved.
Kentucky on the Rocks is © copyrighted by Gwendolyn Grace and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, with ALL rights reserved. No part of this may be copied, or changed in any format, sold, or used in any way other than what is outlined under any circumstances without express permission from Gwendolyn Grace.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Design: By Hang Le
Editing: Mattison Editing
Photo Credit: Emerald Raindrops Photography & Deposit Photos
Dedication
For those who are dazzled by the idea of true love, believe in kissing sparks, the existence of soul mates, and all that blah blah blah.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Playlist
About the Author
Prologue
A moment is a specific point in time. Life is full of moments both significant and insignificant, all of which are happening right now. Decisions made in the span of a single moment set into motion every related event that follows. It could be as simple as smiling at a handsome stranger or ignoring him, not knowing that he could have been the love of your life. Saying yes to something you wouldn’t ordinarily agree to, or learning to say no because it isn’t who you are. Understanding that the way you see yourself will shape the way others see you in return. It takes courage to be you. To open your heart not knowing if that love would be returned as freely as it was given. To discover who you really are and accept that you are enough. To believe that extraordinary is possible. To take control of your destiny. To just concentrate on your moments.
My favorite moment was when his lips first touched mine.
Chapter One
Derek Vaughn was my addiction. I thought he was funny, sweet, and extremely hot. He was an ultimate athlete with a body made to worship. Tall and lean, every inch of him pure muscle from his wide chest to his tight abs, but my favorite thing was his long, muscular arms. He was a star on the university swim team. I loved his wild, thick, curly dark hair and the way it flopped around his forehead and ears with every movement. His warm chocolate-brown eyes were enough to make me want to melt into a delicious puddle of pure bliss. I’d developed a habit of looking for him all around campus. Sometimes I’d find him at the coffee shop, the library, or in passing between classes. I began to obsess over him a little, well a lot, actually.
Natalie, my college roommate, had been dating a guy on the swim team, and I’d convinced her to let me tag along with her to watch swim practices and cheer at swim meets. And while she remained a supportive girlfriend, she made no secret to me that she thought my behavior was borderline stalking.
One night I’d gathered the nerve to talk to him at a party. We were standing next to each other—and not by accident—in a small circle talking. I made what I thought was a funny reference to an old television show, and Derek was the only person to get my joke. He nudged me playfully with his elbow and threw his head back and laughed. I stood there grinning back at him like a loon. He’d finally noticed me, and I was in heaven.
We hung out together for the rest of the night. He asked for my number, which I gave to him instantly, but he didn’t call. Not the next day or even the next week. I looked for him around campus but never managed to catch him in his usual spots. Just when I’d decided to give up waiting for my phone to ring, he surfaced one night. Natalie had just broken up with her swimmer boyfriend, and it was the reason we were all out. She said she needed a girls’ night out, but we all knew what she really meant was “I hate my ex so let’s go out to a place he frequents so I can bump into him on purpose and show him just what he’s missing out on.”
I was surprised to find Derek there with his friends. One of them happened to be Natalie’s ex, Sam. We spent most of the night avoiding Derek’s group for obvious reasons. I sat there trying my best to not look his way, instead focusing on the amusing drama Natalie was creating by pretending to be drunk and hanging all over every guy that was within reach. Finally, Sam couldn’t take it anymore and grabbed Natalie’s hand and pulled her out of the club. She gave a half-hearted effort of protest and barely managed to conceal her triumphant smirk as they rounded the corner together and disappeared.
Eventually, Derek approached me and apologized for not calling. He said something about having problems with his phone, blah, blah, blah. I tried to act cool about it and even pretended that I didn’t remember that he was supposed to call me. Stupid, I know. He seemed visibly relieved that I didn’t give him a hard time.
We were sitting at the bar taking shots together. In an effort to be a gentleman, Derek let me pick the first round, so I chose kamikazes, and for the second round he chose Jack Daniel’s. I was even cool about that too, though I’d never had whiskey before. It burned like a son of a bitch, but I handled it like a champ.
When the effects of the shots started to warm my body, I couldn’t resist bobbing up and down while “One More Time” by Daft Punk played loudly over the speakers. Derek instantly grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor. After turning myself in order to get into a basic grind position with my back to his front, he stopped me by placing his hand on my hip to still my movements, then mumbled bashfully that he wasn’t very good at dancing like that. Instead, he took me by the hand and proceeded to twirl me around. It was the most fun I’d ever had.
He and I spun together on the floor, oblivious to other people around us. Stepping together, then apart. Twisting around each other, fingers entwined. I couldn’t resist giggling when he lowered me into occasional dips. When the song’s tempo slowed, he wrapped me in his arms from behind and we swayed from side to side, his warm breath brushing the side of my neck as I inhaled in his clean scent. Then when the tempo picked back up, he spun me out and away from him again in time to the music.
We laughed and stepped on each other’s toes as we moved to the beat. We might have looked like the biggest cornballs to onlookers, but I felt like the luckiest girl on earth. The way his beautiful eyes were smiling down at me, the sexy way he bit his bottom lip as he moved, and the way his arms felt wrapped around my waist all felt like a dream.
That was the moment I’d fallen in love with him.
At the end of the night, he kissed me and promised to call the next day, and he did. We went out to dinner that evening and spent the night together. I guess it was safe to say I was pretty easy where Derek was concerned. He didn’t have to work very hard to make me his.
Over the following months, we continued to see each other, though we never defined it as an exclusive relationship. I couldn’t even think of anyone else. Derek Vaughn was my world, and I couldn’t believe that I was with him.
He was also a notorious flirt. I soon realized the sexy grins and suggestive comments weren’t just for me. He had a roaming eye but was really good at making everything seem innocent and playful. I was willing to overlook the nagging s
uspicions of other girls, since he seemed to be into me when we were together. It didn’t matter whether we were hanging out with friends, at a nightclub, or swim meet after-parties; he kissed me openly and made out with me in front of everyone, no matter the place.
He’d often say to me, “You’re a cool girl, JoJo. A real cool girl, you know that?” after laughing at something fun we’d just done together or a crazy comment I used to impress him. My brain was constantly firing as I thought of ways to remain the “cool girl” he thought I was. It made me giddy the first time he’d shortened my name from Josette to JoJo. I’d never had a nickname, and I loved that my first one belonged exclusively to him.
Sex with Derek was the best I’d ever had, although my experience up until that point was very limited. I tried to be the best sex he’d ever had too by being up for anything, anywhere and anytime. Bathroom sex, car sex, closet sex, Ferris wheel sex, pool sex—both kinds, in the water and on the table.
In other efforts to maintain my cool status, I even drank Jack Daniel’s whenever I was out with him. I never made any demands. I didn’t get upset if he didn’t call for days at a time. Somehow in my mind I’d made it okay, because when we were together things were amazing. Basically, I never told him no because I didn’t want to seem “uncool.”
After a year of undefined dating, I’d questioned him about his feelings toward me, and of course, Derek remained evasive and wouldn’t give me anything solid.
“Come on, babe. You’re with me. My JoJo.”
This was pretty much his standard answer before he proceeded to remove my clothes and use his body to make me forget my questions. I was hopelessly in love with him but never could bring myself to tell him for fear that he wouldn’t return the sentiment. I felt he had the ability to complete me or completely shatter me.
So I didn’t push.
Derek graduated a year ahead of me and took a job in Louisville with his uncle’s investment firm. The distance made things even more difficult between us. I tried to visit him as much as I could, but it became too difficult with my school schedule. He never came right out and admitted to it, but I felt pretty sure he was sleeping with someone else.
So what did I do instead of being insanely upset and racing to Louisville to confront him? I tried to remain “cool” by letting him off the hook. I blamed my busy schedule and pointed out how unfair I was being to him. Telling him how he deserved a girl in the same city as him, someone he could see anytime he wanted. I suggested that we “hook up” the next time he was in town if he wanted to “hang out.” His response?
“Sure, that’d be cool, JoJo.”
I cried for three days straight. I never left my room, didn’t shower, didn’t change clothes. I wore one of Derek’s oversized hooded sweatshirts and refused to take it off. If it wasn’t for Natalie forcing me to, I don’t think I would have eaten or drank anything either.
By the fourth day, I was dragged into a cold shower by my friends and heavily doused with body wash and shampoo, with my clothes still on. I was able to finish out the year and graduate. Derek would text me occasionally but never made it back to visit. I preferred it that way because I wasn’t sure I could handle seeing him and not completely revert to basket case status. It got easier to deal with our break up as time went on, and I was able to reach what I felt was a good healing stage. My heart still skipped a beat every time his name was mentioned, but I didn’t want to burst into tears anymore.
It was a year and a half later before I saw Derek again at a local bar we all hung out at. He greeted me like a long-lost friend that he was happy to see. There was no awkwardness between us; it was as if we’d never been apart. Thus began the friends with benefits stage of our relationship.
I knew he wasn’t ready for more, but deep in my heart I hoped that he would eventually come around. We took turns traveling every few months between California and Kentucky for long weekends and holidays.
Two years into our arrangement, I took a job as a freelance writer for an online magazine and bought a condo in Louisville. Derek seemed happy with having me closer to him, and we slowly formed what I felt was a solid relationship. We’d agreed to be exclusive, and even though he kept his own place, he’d started keeping things at my house, too. For the next two years, it was enough for us.
That was until Natalie and Sam got married along with most of our college friends. When all eyes began to focus on Derek and me, followed by questions about why we weren’t engaged, it became too much to handle. After a drunken night full of Jack Daniel’s courage, I gave Derek an ultimatum.
Marry me or lose me.
He stopped by last night to pick up the rest of his things.
I wanted to feel extraordinary. I wanted someone to feel like they couldn’t live without me.
Apparently Derek could.
Chapter Two
“So you’re just going to leave and sell the house?” Natalie asked.
“Yeah. I can’t see the point in staying. I moved to Kentucky for him, and I don’t know anybody here.”
“What about that dating project? Are you going to be able to finish it in time? Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have you back home, but uprooting your whole life and moving back to California is a big step. There is a lot to be done.”
A few years ago Natalie, who has a fascination with all things French, started a small online pop culture blog, Tout Amore, which eventually morphed into a successful online magazine of the same name. She was able to line up sponsors and generate enough money to hire a few people to handle various aspects of the site. I was one of three people who regularly wrote articles. It had been an extremely profitable arrangement. I got to work from home, basically setting my own hours and writing about the things I chose. It provided enough income for me to afford the mortgage on a two-bedroom condo in Louisville.
“Until I can get the house sold I am going to upgrade the security system, plus the Realtor says that would add value to the house. I have enough in my savings to cover it, besides I’ll replace it all once I get the place sold. She recommended a company to me, and they are coming out today to do an estimate,” I said as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“Today? Really? Wow, Josette. You broke up with Derek just a week ago. Are you sure you’re ready to make that kind of decision?”
Having been my best friend since freshman year of college, Natalie had seen all of the ups and downs with Derek. Sadly, we’d been here before. I would swear that I was done with him and somehow take him back. She stopped reserving judgment a long time ago and always claimed to want whatever it was I wanted. I knew deep down that she would probably throw me a congratulations party for breaking up with him if she could get away with it. She liked Derek, just not for me.
“I’ll feel better with the knowledge that he can’t just get in the house anytime he wants. How many times have I come home after we’d ended things only to find him sitting on the couch and acting like everything was fine? I can’t handle that right now, and I just need distance. Plus, he knows all the codes and where I hide my spare key.”
“Um, okay.”
“I know, but I’m serious this time, Nat. I really need you to support me and always be honest with me. Even if it doesn’t seem like I want to hear it, okay?”
“Of course, honey. You got it.”
I was pouring half-and-half into my cup when the door chimed.
“Hey, Nat. I gotta go. I’ll call you later.” After we’d exchanged good-byes, I hit End and went to answer the door.
The first thing I noticed was the company name Secure Point Systems stretched across a wide muscular chest followed by the name Aidan stitched into the fabric. I lifted my head and stared into the most striking pair of green eyes. Only a matter of seconds went by, but it was like time slowed as I watched his mouth curve into a smile as the corners of his eyes crinkled.
“Hi.” He spoke in a rich tone that seemed to vibrate from his chest. “Are you Ms. Lewis?”
“Yes
. Yes,” I stammered and nodded my head.
“My name is Aidan Ross. I’m from Secure Point Systems. Your Realtor, Hannah Dillon, referred me. I understand you want to upgrade your security system?”
“Uh, y-yes.” God, why couldn’t I get my bearings? Aidan stared at me as I stared back at him for an uncomfortable stretch of time. He held a clipboard in one arm and had his other hand in his pocket as he rocked back and forth on his heels.
“Do you wanna, um, show me the system you are currently using?” he asked.
“Y-yes. Sorry. Please come in.” I quickly moved away from the door and let him inside. He followed me to the left where the control panel was for the alarm system.
“Okay, I see what you have. Yeah, this is an older system. Probably put here when the place was first built.” He opened the little door and looked inside as he wrote something down on his clipboard. He then strode down the hall to the coat closet where the main access box was. After shoving aside the items I had hanging on the bar, he examined the wires. Occasionally, he made noises such as “ah-ha” or “oh, that needs to be replaced.”
After Aidan was done with his initial assessment, I asked him to follow me into the kitchen where he accepted a cup of coffee with a friendly smile. He pulled out several brochures and talked to me about the benefits of each of them. The entire thing was extremely overwhelming and expensive once he got down to the details of installation and monthly charges.
“I’m not sure what to choose. Which do you think is best?” I asked him. Aidan studied me for a second and then looked back at the brochures. He shoved one forward confidently.
“If I were looking to keep my girl safe, this is the one I would pick. It’s the easiest to use and very secure.” My stomach dipped just a bit as I thought about how lucky any girl would be to have this hunky man call her his.
“That one sounds perfect,” I confirmed not even sparing a glance at the brochure. “When can you get started?”
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