Now, that I’d gotten her to talk about one of her passions she was animated and couldn’t stop. It was so cute.
“I’m still not certain exactly what I want to do with my life. Since I started selling Nova, I can see a lot of possibilities within the company. They give women a chance to get on their feet and realize their self-worth. They develop confidence in themselves, and many have become independent, so they don’t have to rely on a man to take care of them.”
It wasn’t my intention to laugh, but I couldn’t help myself.
“What’s so funny?” She eyed me cautiously unsure if I was laughing at her.
“Here you are saying you don’t know what you want to do. Then you have a list with bullet points, sub-bullet points, and everything. I think helping other women in situations like Megan or just someone trying to make ends meet is wonderful.”
“Then again, I could just be turned on by the idea of an independent woman to be very sexy. Do you know where I might find one of those women?” I winked at her which made her blush ever as she rolled her eyes.
“Whatever!”
“Seriously, though, the idea you can support yourself apart from being in a relationship isn’t a bad thing. I know some women like to call themselves liberated and would rather jump off a cliff than be in a relationship with a man. But when it’s with the right person, you should be on equal ground. Support each other, be there through life’s ups and downs, but I think a woman can be fiercely independent and still be married.”
There I’d said the m-word and hadn’t thrown up. Maybe it was time for me to grow up and see what my future held.
“When a woman has a job or something that she is passionate about, it gives her a purpose apart from just being a spouse. I can tell you that you’re amazing all day, but when you hear it from others it helps reinforce it.”
“Well, amazing is something that’ll take a lot more work than what I’m doing now. You really don’t have a problem with your girlfriend having a career? Even if she might make more than you do?” Her brow furrowed as if confused by the idea.
“No, silly. My ego might have a problem adjusting, but in the long run, it means that I’m with someone I can not only relate to but respect and admire. An independent woman might be able to keep up with me and keep me on my toes at the same time. I want someone I can respect, who can respect me back. If that’s not happening, then it’s not a relationship; it’s just sex. Those kinds of relationships don’t last very long. I want someone that’s willing to stick around for fifty-plus years or death parts us. The whole enchilada. Scared yet?” I issued the challenge to her.
She just sat there looking at me as if I’d grown a third head because I wanted a long-term, white picket fence relationship and not just a quick boink in the bedroom.
“Are you telling me you’re serious about us starting that kind of relationship? It could last fifty years?” Her voice sounded nervous.
“I’m not asking you to marry me right now, so no. If you can handle hanging out with me for the next few weeks, then maybe you could handle half a century or so. Can we at least give it a try?” I didn’t want to pressure her, but I wanted her to know I was serious and give her a chance to think it over.
“Don’t give me an answer now. Think about it and let’s see where we stand then, okay?” I breathed a sigh of relief when she nodded.
The rest of dinner was eaten with jokes and lighter conversation as we both tried to table the subject.
I even refrained from kissing her goodnight when it was time for bed.
Chapter 22
Allie
The night at his apartment had been surreal. We hadn’t discussed if he was going to stay the night with me, but instead, we both just got ready and crawled into bed together.
It felt so normal, but at the same time, it was really strange to listen to his breathing steady as he fell asleep.
I could feel a smile plastered on my face.
He has more self-control than most men I’ve met in my life. He makes me feel safe. The whole idea of someone’s interested not only in a long-term relationship doesn’t seem as crazy as it did just a few days ago.
Justin treats his mother and family with kindness and a loving spirit that I didn’t think could exist except in the movies. This is such a better feeling than any tv show could ever portray.
My mind was blown by the fact that he was willing to work through my trust issues. If he could take care of me when there wasn’t anything in it for him, then what would he be like when he had a vested interest?
Together. It was such a strange word to use. I’d always had to watch out for myself because no one else was going to take care of me if things went wrong.
It might take me a while, but if he could be patient and let me move at a comfortable pace, then he was definitely worth keeping around.
Drifting off with my body snuggled up to his, I pondered ideas on how to let him know we could take a small step forward.
Back at the ranch, I tried all morning and afternoon to find a way to let him know I wanted to give a physical relationship a try.
The family atmosphere was amazing, and I really enjoyed being there, but I was starting to worry I wouldn’t get a chance to tell him about my change of heart until everyone was asleep that night.
“Do you want to go shoot some pool?” I asked in a lowered voice so that Sally wouldn’t hear us and leave the movie they were all interested in.
“Sure,” He’d taken my hand as we snuck out of the room.
The first game came and went, but all of my subtle flirting wasn’t working. I was going to have to just spit it out there.
“Um, so Justin, I know we’ve been sleeping in the same bed this week and I really appreciate how considerate you’ve been, but I’m feeling fine now.” I tried to concentrate on my next shot and not his expression.
“You’re kindly trying to tell me it’s time for me to move on, huh? Guess it had to happen eventually.” He took a shot and sank his ball as if what I’d said wasn’t a big deal.
“Oh, gracious no. That’s not what I meant.” I blushed because he was going to make me state the obvious. “Just the opposite, in fact. I know that we have great chemistry. I’d like to see where it leads us. I don’t want to wonder what could have happened. I’m trying to say the ball’s in your court.”
The ball completely missed the pocket.
“I’m starting to feel that I have this big wart on my nose that’s making you not want to kiss me. I don’t mean on the forehead or nose, but a real kiss.” Frustrated, I didn’t know how to make it more obvious to him.
“I want sex…”
He swung me around as the words were cut short. Sandwiching my body between his and the table, leaned forward covering my mouth with his. Deepening the kiss before he released me, he grinned.
“I always like your wart and thought it was cute.” His hands cupped my rear and I let out a groan.
He nipped at my bottom lip before sliding his tongue in my mouth.
Breathless, my hands gripped his hair gently tilting him down so that I could bring him just a little bit closer.
With little effort, he lifted me onto the pool table taking advantage of the perfect fit between my legs as they wrapped around him.
A hand snuck up toward my breast as his other began to unbutton my shirt.
Our lips were busy, and it was hard to concentrate on anything else as I didn’t want to stop what I was feeling.
Not moving fast enough, I pulled back and yanked his shirt off as he returned the favor.
His mouth landed on my neck.
I gasped and found myself laying back on the table with our shirts as pillows.
The trembles from my body weren’t only from anticipation, but because his touch was igniting something that I hadn’t know existed inside me wanting to be let out.
“Justin,” I moaned as he proceeded to lick and kiss me up and down me.
As his hand moved to
ward the top button of my pants, the door at the top of the stairs creaked.
We both scrambled to adjust our clothing back on our bodies before someone could catch us.
Justin ran a hand through his hair in relief.
“We’ll continue this later,” He promised as Sally came down the last few steps into the room.
When there was still no sign Mike by Thursday, we decided that it was time to reconvene and find out what protective measures could be put into place, so we were able to return to semi-normal lives.
The Chief of Police, Dan Roberts, had personally called for a meeting at the ranch with everyone involved.
“We’ve been looking for Mike for two, almost three full weeks now.” He brought everyone’s attention to the facts at hand.
“There have been a few signs he’s still around. Someone is certainly helping, but we haven’t found a trace of who it is. I’m the only one who knows exactly where you’re staying. While I would love to keep you out here protected forever, we just can’t use the funds or the manpower with Julie gone to continue doing so.”
“Allie and Justin have reached out to me about Allie returning to work. He’s volunteered to act as her bodyguard at the bar. Then at closing time, we’ll have an obvious officer presence there to make sure we don’t have a repeat of last week.” He gestured to us, “Your boss is good with that and is going to have you stay behind the bar. The other waitresses will cover the floor for this weekend. If there aren’t any incidents, then we’ll see about changing things again next weekend.”
“Karen has been on loan to us for the past few weeks and they need her back at her regular job.”
Megan spoke up, a hint of fear in her voice.
“Mike won’t stop trying to find me. No matter how many people you do or don’t have won’t change things. Other people who can be protected need to take priority over us.”
Karen started to protest, but Megan cut her off.
“Look, Karen, you’ve done a great job. While we don’t know where Mike is, this is the safest place we could stay. He would have to be really bold to just walk in here and take us out.”
“I’m still scared, but that’s okay. I don’t know that will ever go away, but I want to try to start living again.” She nodded to the Chief. “Let’s try things out this weekend. If nothing happens, then you can take the protection away.”
The discussion centered on the logistics of Allie working and what to do if anyone saw Mike.
“Justin already has a concealed handgun license so if anything happens, he’s cleared to use force.” Chief Roberts gathered up his things in preparation for leaving.
“Before everyone leaves, I just want to thank you all for keeping Sally and me safe during this difficult time.” Megan smiled and nodded to each person.
“If things stay clear, we’ll move into an apartment in town. I don’t want to impose on any of you longer than necessary. We are so thankful that you were willing to let us stay with you. It’s time for us to stand on our two feet.”
The Chief left, but GG wasn’t going to let Megan have the last word.
“Megan, James, and I have discussed this at length. We’d like for you to rent the old guest house from us. Provided that you’re willing to clean it out and do some minor repairs to it as you’re able. Would that work for you?”
“Well, I’ll be looking for a job, but I have a little from what Mark told me to be able to use until I can get on my feet. Are you certain we won’t be in the way, though?”
I knew she didn’t want to be a burden to anyone ever again. We were a lot alike in that way.
“We’ll be happy that someone is using the little house again. It may take a few weeks to get it completely livable again. We can discuss details with money later, but we’ve adopted you and that means we want to help watch out for you as well.” GG walked around to give her a hug.
“We can do a much better job of looking out for you if you’re nearby. Monday, we can have a game plan ready to get you through the next year.” GG always had the last word in family matters.
Everyone scattered to get ready for the weekend ahead. It was hard to imagine going back to work again after the week that we’d just been through, but it was time.
Friday arrived and with it the need to be extra cautious as we arrived at work.
I’d wanted to get there and make sure we were stocked up properly. The fill-ins normally did a great job, but I had a certain way that I like things to be situated to make it easier to serve everyone.
“Hey, Stan.” Justin greeted him as an old friend. “I’m here to help check all of the security with you. How many doors lead outside?”
“We have four main exits. Here, I’ll show you where they are.” He slapped Justin on the back. “No hard feelings about last week. It’s for the girls' safety, you know.”
“Absolutely.” Justin acknowledged following him to work out the security details.
“Can I move the mirrors just a bit so I can get a better angle from this side of the bar?” He sat on one of the barstools to see which angle would be the best to see the room from.
“Sure, let me help Allie with these cases and we can rearrange anything you need to.” Stan agreed easily.
“I’m going to take a walk around and see if there’s anything we’ve missed.”
“Knock yourself out.” Stan huffed as he lifted a case onto the counter. “Well, not literally.”
With all of their prep work, the evening went off without a hitch. The only people who had shown up were regular paying customers of the Triple T.
Desperate not to have a repeat performance, the chief himself was waiting at the door to escort us to Justin’s truck.
He then followed us to the apartment and waited until we were inside.
Justin: We made it and under the bed is clear. ‘Night.
Chief: Have a good night.
This was the first night together since we’d had that wonderful make-out session yesterday.
“Um, did you know that we’re alone?” I stated the obvious but wanted to see what Justin’s response would be.
He didn’t answer until everything was secure. Then he took my hand and pulled me toward the bedroom.
“Now,” He slammed the door even though there wasn’t anyone else in the apartment. “We can finish what we started the other day without half-sized interruptions.”
Catching me by surprise, he threw me onto the bed. Moving slowly, he began to kiss me until any nervousness completely disappeared.
It wasn’t until the next morning, I realized that he’d planned it all so that I’d feel comfortable as we started exploring a future together.
Waking to find his body wrapped around me, I tried not to panic. This would be a perfect opportunity to shower.
Hoping that it wasn’t a one-time thing and he’d had his moment with me. I tried to calm the fears that wanted to creep in.
There was no reason to assume that he’d changed his mind after what I considered a mind-blowing amount of sex.
Almost convinced that things were going to be good, I turned to find Justin standing in the doorway looking at my naked body with such heat that all self-consciousness fled.
“Now, I feel like the one with a wart on their nose. Did I grow one overnight?” He teased and walked closer to kiss me.
“Nope, not anymore. I’m all good.” I stepped into the shower hoping he would join me as I winked flirtatiously.
The future was looking bright. I wanted to see what it held next because this was the best thing to happen to me so far.
Chapter 23
Mike
J.D. had promised to help me move out of this hovel in the hospital, but I was beginning to think he’d forgotten about me.
They were planning to release me and at the moment I had nowhere to go unless he arrived soon.
As I was about to find a taxi, he came strolling into the room.
“ ’Bout time you showed up. I’m ready t
o get out of this hellhole. These nurses don’t know what the hell they’re doing. They just want to poke you with needles and watch the clocks so they can come back to poke you again.” I grumbled but was secretly thrilled to see him.
“Don’t you have to have a doctor release you?” J.D. questioned.
“I told them to release me. I signed the paperwork that says I’m doing it against recommended advice. Spending another minute here is going to make me commit murder.”
A nurse arrived as I was about to tell J.D. to go get a wheelchair.
“Can you stay here with him while I go get the truck?” J.D. asked the poor nurse pushing me.
If he hadn’t, she might have left me unattended just for spite.
“Certainly.” She smiled cheerfully, “I’m the nurse that’s going to be taking care of you while you get back on your feet.”
“I’m Suzie.” She held out a hand which I grudgingly took.
“Ah, nice to meet you. Now, I won’t have to worry about those stupid idiots from inside.”
J.D. pulled up and they both helped make sure that I could move without falling over.
Suzie went to get her vehicle after returning the wheelchair inside. When she was out of hearing, J.D. lowered his voice.
Don’t you do anything to make this woman suspicious about who you really are. There’s a reward for turning you in.” He warned. “Just take your meds and treat her as nicely as you can. You don’t want to end up in a prison cell.”
J.D. was acting like I was a horrible person to be around. He might have a point about not being as grumpy, but damn it I’d been hurt.
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