by Harper Sloan
“If you brought bubblegum, I swear I’ll cry right now,” I mumble into his skin before both Molly and I laugh so hard he has no choice but to hold onto us both a little tighter.
“SHE ASLEEP?”
Megan drops down to the couch and curls into my side.
“Yes, finally. However I’m pretty sure she isn’t sleeping heavy since she is still riding her Lee high. ”
I laugh, “Lee high?”
She comes up with her elbow pressed to the back of the couch and her hand against my chest, “Yes! Apparently the ‘Lee high’ is just as intoxicating to her as it is to me. This isn’t funny,” she snaps when my head goes back and I laugh. Hard.
“Darlin’ that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard. Lee high,” I chuckle.
“Whatever,” she gripes, moving her body to rest against mine again.
Page 56
“Give me your mouth, Megan. I’ve missed it. ”
She shivers against my side. Her head snaps up and without giving her a second to think, my mouth comes down and I take her lips.
Just like I’ve been craving to do since she turned the corner earlier and stopped dead. But I wasn’t worried because she had an expression on her face that I’ve been waiting to see.
The pain wasn’t there anymore.
Not a single sliver of it had a hold on her beautiful body.
The weight of the world, off her shoulders, and even through her shock I could tell that she was . . . happy.
Bringing my hand up, I push my fingers into the silky hair on her nape and turn her head slightly so that I can deepen the kiss. Her tongue comes out, slowly, and slides against mine. Her head tilts and even though she doesn’t move past her hands curling into my side and chest, with just one swipe of her tongue against mine, the hunger in that kiss grows. My cock swells against my pants and I know I’m in serious danger of this kiss becoming out of control when I feel her scissor her legs together.
Fuck me.
My girl can kiss.
Pulling back slightly, not removing my lips from hers, I give her a few light pecks. Not only to bring her back down from the rush I hope to fuck is burning through her body too, but pray it’s enough to squash the urge scorching my blood, to sink my cock deep into her body.
Fuck me.
“I can smell you and, darlin’, I’ve never thought it would be possible to want you more than I already do. Fuck, I crave you, Megan. ”
“Oh, God,” she sighs and those damn legs start moving against each other again.
“I want nothing more than to lay you down, strip you bare, and worship every delicious inch, but that isn’t happening tonight. I have no doubt this will cost me huge, but not tonight. ”
Her head comes down and crashes into my neck and I feel her nod.
“When Molly is used to me being around. When the excitement isn’t so new and we know she’s handling us, handling the knowledge that I will not be going anywhere, then we play. But until then, we wait until she isn’t just a room away. ”
She nods again and her fingers curl even tighter, letting me know that I’m not the only one that is suffering right now.
“I need you to stop rubbing your thighs together, darlin’. Fuck me. ”
Her body shakes and when she pulls her head from my neck, her lips pulled in and I can tell she’s about to lose her hold on her laughter.
“You have no idea how bad I want to fuck you, Megan,” I tell her in a tone that came out harsher than I meant.
“I’m sorry,” she says, laughter leaving her face.
Pulling her tighter to me, I press my lips to her temple. “Don’t be sorry for wanting me. Don’t ever be sorry for that, darlin’. You just have no idea how small that thread of my control is right now and as much as I crave your sweet body, we both know it can’t happen. ”
“I know, Lee. ”
And fuck me if that doesn’t go straight to my cock too.
Trying to think of a way to distract my need to fuck her, I ask, “Want to tell me why you and Molly both about lost your mind at the mention of gum earlier? I swear I thought I was going to go down, you two were laughing so hard. ”
“You’re our gum,” she bizarrely tells me.
“I’m not real good at understanding code, darlin’. ”
I move my arm when she pushes up and wait for her to settle. Instead of doing that at my side, one long leg comes up and settles at the opposite hip of her other. Her ass lands mid-thigh and both of her hands come up to my neck, curling around and then she leans in. Her face just inches from my own. I reach out and settle my hands to her hips and wait for her to speak. Enjoying the way she feels in my arms like this a little too much and vow to have her riding my cock like this real soon.
Her voice brings me out of my thoughts and I look into her eyes as she speaks.
“You, Lee. You are the chewy, icky, sticky, bubblegum that will never come off. ”
“Still not following, baby,” I mutter against her lips.
“Well, I guess you aren’t the gum. More like the one I want to stick the gum to. Or whatever. It makes a lot more sense when it comes from a five-year-old. ”
“Yeah, I’m guessing it does,” I laugh. “Care to add on to that a little?”
Her head tilts in the most adorable way.
“Please,” I try, earning me a curl of her small nose.
“It’s really nothing. Actually it is nothing. It’s silly. Just something that Izzy had said and Molly heard, then of course I explained in kid terms. So, I don’t think it really makes sense, you know, to a man and all, if I explain it like I did to Molly. ”
Page 57
If I thought her actions were cute before, this stuttering and rambling version of her takes the cake.
“It’s kind of embarrassing,” she tells me.
“I’ve been inside you. What I mean,” I rush to finish when her eyes narrow, “Is that I’ve seen every inch. Touched, licked and kissed those inches. There is not one thing you should ever feel embarrassed about with me, Megan. ”
“Oh,” she breathes.
“Yeah. Give it to me, baby. ”
And she does. God, does she. And in that moment I make a note to make sure Izzy Reid gets one hell of a thank you delivery of flowers.
“I might have been a little nervous this morning and blurted out to Izzy that I thought . . . that maybe you had . . . shit, okay, it just slipped out that you were maybe my boyfriend. Or had made me your girlfriend. But now, saying that out loud and to your face makes it sound kind of silly. Boyfriend and girlfriend, I mean. The label, that is. ”
I smile and she drops her head to mine.
“I told you it was embarrassing,” she exhales.
“No, it isn’t. The rambling you do when you’re nervous is cute, darlin’, that’s all. So cute that it hits me right between my legs, so I would say that isn’t embarrassing at all. I’m not huge on labels, but if that’s what you need to know you’re mine and I’m yours, then they work for me. ”
“Oh, okay,” she says with red cheeks.
“God, you’re cute. ”
Her lips curl and I pull my head from the back of the couch to give her a kiss, not deep, but I still feel it just the same and I’m fighting the urge once again to take her.
“And when did bubblegum come into play?” I ask.
“Right,” she breathes. “So Izzy may have told me that you guys—all of you guys—have a history of this. ”
I feel my brows pull in and wait, not sure about where this is going.
“I mean . . . this is kind of hard to explain, but she kind of said that all of the guys, your dad, Axel, and all the way down to Cohen, have a way about making someone yours. A way that, when it happens, sticks forever. Molly was curious, having heard that, but not understanding everything else, and asked what it meant to be stuck together forever. So, I told her it was like bubble
gum. ”
I nod, loving everything she’s said, but still not getting the damn gum.
“Right. So, the best way to explain it to her was to tell her how being stuck together or wanting to be stuck together is a feeling and not really being stuck, but if it wasn’t just a feeling, it would be like wanting to have someone as close as possible and that feeling is like being stuck with chewy, sticky bubblegum. ”
“Bubblegum,” I mumble and she closes her eyes.
“Bubblegum,” she echoes.
“Open your eyes, Megan. ”
She doesn’t move.
“Darlin’, see me. ”
And those brown eyes hit mine.
“I’ve got a brand new pack of spearmint in the truck. Happy as fuck that you would gladly use it to stick yourself to me, but you don’t need the gum. I’m happily stuck and have no plans to become unstuck. ”
Her eyes shine and then her head goes back and her laughter hits me like a punch in the gut.
Perfection.
Her happy in my arms, her daughter safe and warm—also happy—in her bed, having the chance at something I’ve known would feel like this, has my hands pushed into her hair and her mouth on mine in seconds.
Only now I have a hard time reminding myself why I need to pull back before I get too lost in her.
Bubblegum, I think to myself as her tongue slides against mine and the mint taste I tasted earlier invades. One that only a slice of gum can leave behind.
I’ve never loved bubblegum more.
MY BODY IS GOING TO burn up from the inside if he keeps this up. These slow kisses that I know will not go a step further with Molly home, boiling my arousal so bright that my veins are on fire.
“You taste good,” he mumbles against my neck.
“Bubblegum,” I wheeze out when his teeth bite down on the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder.
Then my brain catches up to my mouth when I lose his mouth and I feel his body move in amusement. My eyes open wide and I watch him attempt to stop his laughter, and fail.
“I’m never going to live that down. ”
His laughter dies down to a chuckle at my pouting tone.
“I’ll probably never even be able to chew a piece again,” I continue.
His chuckle stops, but his smile stays. His perfectly straight teeth bright against his tan skin.
Page 58
“You probably think I’m nuts. ”
His smile doesn’t slip as he shakes his head.
“I think I’m nuts. ”
His body starts to shake again and without a word, his mouth is back on mine. His tongue darting out to rub slowly against my closed lips until I give him the access he wants. Then he slides in and kisses me hard. So hard that all my thoughts of stupid bubblegum leave instantly.
A while later, still in his arms watching Pitch Perfect, my choice not his, he breaks the comfortable silence we had slipped into after my bubblegum meltdown.
“I’m working tomorrow, pulling a double for another officer that needs the day to take his daughter on a school trip. That means I won’t see you for a few days. The last double I pulled had me sleeping almost twenty-four hours straight. But, we need to finish the plans that got cut short—not that I mind one second of how they were cut short—but I still need to finish. ”
“Okay, Lee. You don’t need to explain that to me. ”
“You get that we’re together now?” he harshly asks.
“Uh, yeah. ”
“Then I need to explain that to you. ”
“I think, maybe, I should give you a little history of my life,” I tell him, trying to not get annoyed with myself or more specifically the lack of experience I have when it comes to relationships. “I’ve been in a relationship with one man, Lee. And while I was married to him, what we shared wasn’t a typical relationship. We were both faithful and while yes, we were intimate, it wasn’t often. That being said, he didn’t explain his plans for days to come with me. If he needed to do something, he would give us a kiss goodbye and go about his business. Before Jack, I didn’t date. Not once. So, I think it would be a good guess that I’m about as stupid as it comes, when it comes to this,” I point between him and myself. “I don’t expect you to report to me. ”
His eyes go hard during my little speech and when I finish talking, I wait, bracing for him to realize what a mess I am and leave.
“It might not be tomorrow, or hell even a month from now, but you’re going to fall into this relationship effortlessly. I know that because in the two days that we’ve established a togetherness, you’ve come out of your shell and without one doubt taken each step forward. I’m not telling you my plans for any other reason but for you to know while I may have to be somewhere else, I want to be here. I’m letting you know where I’ll be because I can’t be here, and trust me, I would rather be here than sitting in a patrol car for two ten-hour shifts. Give and take, darlin’. I’m giving you my plans so that when I don’t, I can take. ”
“Take?” I question.
“The other night, when I took you to the clearing, I had planned for a night of four wheeling. Had my ATV out there waiting. No way in hell that I’m going to complain about how the night progressed, but I still have plans and those plans include that clearing, us and my ATV. ”
“Four wheeling”?
“Muddin’, darlin’. We need to find another night after some rain though. It was a perfect night to take the trails, but the second it rains we get a sitter for Molly and go. ”
“Okay, why would I want to do that?”
He laughs. “You’ll see. ”
“That makes no sense, Lee. I’ve never been, but I know you end up dirty as all hell and I can’t imagine the fun in riding around getting mud up my nose. ”
Small lie. I’ve heard Dani and the girls talk about all the times they’ve been off-roading. Sometimes they go in trucks, but often on ATVs. Each time they talk about them, I’ve stayed silent. Even though I’m curious, the thought of riding one of them without fear seems impossible to me. I’ve heard horror stories about people getting hurt and sometimes killed.
“It’s a rush, Megan. It isn’t about just driving around and splashing mud all over the place. You pick the right trail, hitting those climbs and knowing but not seeing what’s coming has your body on one hell of a high. After a good rain, those trails are slippery and when you come over the climbs then race down to the waiting mud—it’s all part of the rush. When that water and mud flies all over the place, I promise the last thing you will think about is that you’re dirty and may or may not have mud in your nose. ”
“I still don’t see the appeal here. ”
His face gets soft and I watch something move behind his eyes, gone too quickly for me to pinpoint. “How about you look at it this way. You’ll be on the back of my machine while it rushes through the trails back on old man Sampson’s property, your arms will be wrapped around my body. You will be pressed so tight to me that when the motor is rumbling and your hips move against mine, you will have to work real fucking hard not to think about how hard that is going to make me. And, darlin’, when we’re done, dirty and wet, I’m going to have a lot of fun cleaning you up. ”
Page 59
“Oh. Well. I guess I could partake in a little off-road fun,” I say, my voice hoarse with arousal.
Lee keeps his eyes on mine, the brown depths not hiding how turned on he is, and when a few minutes pass, he pulls me back into his arms and while looking at the television I hear, just barely, him mumble how ‘cute’ I am.
Lee’s double shift ended up taking a lot more of his time than planned. He worked Monday for his shift and then the one he was covering, however he ended up having to take another one—with only two hours of sleep—when they called him back on. Apparently being understaffed is a huge issue for the HTPD. So huge of an issue that when two officers are down with a massive stomach v
irus, they have to call in one that’s just come off a double.
Lee doesn’t complain. He actually said he didn’t mind going in, but was pissed that meant he would need to crash the second he finished his shift and wouldn’t get to come over.
That was over a week ago and things have just been too crazy for us to get together. Between his work, my deadline, and Molly, there just hasn’t been time to go out. That being said, our late night phone calls have kept me plenty entertained. If I thought Lee talking dirty in bed was hot, hearing his deep voice rumble over the phone, telling me everything he can’t wait to do to my body, is unbelievable. Add to that the sounds of him coming when I return promises of my own has kept me aroused for eight very long days.
I pick up my cell and smile when I see Lee’s text, reminding me that he’ll be over tonight to pick me up for dinner. Actually, his reminder was that he was taking ‘his’ girls out and the mention of me and Molly being his girls has created a smile on my face that I’m pretty sure won’t be slipping for a while.
Scrolling through my texts, I bring up Dani’s and type out a new message.
Me: I need your help.
Dani: Shoot!
Me: Tonight is my first night out with Lee. I need to change some things up. It’s time.
Dani: I’ve got a block empty around nine if you can get here in the next fifteen. I take it this is going to be more than just a cut?
I take a second and think about her question. I’ve been thinking about this since my quest to move on started. It’s time, for me to let go of the old Megan and get a new look. Nothing crazy, but since I’ve had the same long blonde hair cut at regularly since I was a teen, yeah . . . it’s time.
Me: It’s for the new me.
Dani: Well, right on, babe! Sway is going to eat this up. That man lives for makeovers.
Me: Uh.
Dani: Don’t worry. This is going to be a blast! See you in fifteen.
Okay. So I guess I’m getting a makeover.
SHOCK HOLDS ME IN PLACE as I’m being circled by Sway—the short, but fit, owner of the salon that Dani works at. He’s probably a good three inches or so shorter than my five-foot-nine, however the five inch heels that he’s rocking make him taller than I am. Not to mention, the man makes skinny jeans look better than I ever could. Of course, he doesn’t have my hips. I’ve heard, but never seen, that he also rocks his long blond wig better than most women can.
