BumpnGrind

by Sam Cheever

  He got down on his belly and managed to get one shoulder under the bed so he could reach for her, catching one of her ankles as she kicked at him.

  Felicia kicked frantically but he didn’t release her. He managed to pull her halfway out from under the bed and she had no way to stop him.

  Her hands were taped together behind her back and he had hold of both feet now.

  Something crashed at the front of the house and he let go of her.

  Felicia quickly scooted back under the bed, closed her eyes and cried quietly, praying it was help that had arrived, rather than more trouble.

  A deep voice called out, “Put your hands in the air and lie on the floor. Now, Rogers!”

  Silence followed this command, then the sounds of scuffling and a muffled cry of pain.

  Then footsteps, heading for the bed.

  Felicia’s eyes flew open and she waited, silently praying her ordeal would be over soon.

  “Felicia! Where are you?”

  Garrett!

  She tried to call out to him but the tape over her mouth reduced the words she gave him to mumbling sounds. She started scooting, desperate to get to him.

  Strong hands grabbed her arms, pulling her gently out from under the bed. She sobbed as she looked up into Garrett’s beautiful, worried face.

  He grabbed the edge of the tape over her mouth. “I’m sorry, honey, this is gonna hurt.”

  She nodded, suddenly finding it hard to breathe with the tape on her face. Her eyes pleaded with him to remove it quickly.

  Garrett ripped the tape away and immediately covered the tender skin with kisses. “Oh my God, Felicia, I was so scared. Are you okay, honey?” He held her arms and looked intently into her tear-filled eyes.

  “I…” she cleared her throat. “I’m okay, but I think I might have wrenched a shoulder.” She tried to lift her hands to show him the tape and winced.

  “Dammit!” Garrett moved around behind her and made short work of the tape.

  When her wrists were free, Felicia slowly pulled her arms forward, rolling her shoulders carefully. Garrett rubbed her wrists gently as the needles found their way into her numb fingers.

  The deep voice from earlier said, “Is she all right, Holcomb?”

  Garrett looked up. “I think so. We need to get her out of here.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Garrett stood and reached for her. “Can you stand?”

  Felicia grinned at him through her tears. “To get out of here? Just try to stop me.”

  Garrett chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

  * * * * *

  Bliss grabbed Felicia in a crushing hug when they arrived at the police station. “Are you all right, sweetie?”

  “I’m fine.” Her voice was husky with unshed tears.

  Brad hugged her too, when Bliss finally let her go. “You had us pretty worried.” The big man gave her a wry smile. “I thought I was gonna have to steal somebody’s handcuffs to keep Bliss here.”

  Bliss grinned, her brown eyes shining with unshed tears of relief. “Hold that thought, Bradley. I might just take you up on that!”

  The tall, handsome man laughed, shaking his head.

  Bruno touched her shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re okay, Felicia.”

  Felicia nodded, her answering smile wobbly.

  “Garrett! Felicia!” Giorgio and Penelope rushed into the room. Garrett kept his arm around Felicia but reached to shake his friend’s hand.

  Penelope clasped one of Felicia’s hands in both of hers. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Garrett would have been devastated if something had happened to you.”

  “Thanks!” It was a stupid, mundane response but she found herself tongue-tied under all the loving support.

  She suddenly realized that, despite all the recent ugliness in her life, she had found friends, new friends, and they didn’t care about her money or her status. They didn’t judge her because she was in love with a much younger man. They liked her because of who she was, rather than what she could do for them.

  While she’d been concentrating on all the wrong things, the things that were really important had been working themselves out, unnoticed. Felicia took a huge breath, feeling as if a huge weight had lifted away.

  Hanks hung up the call he’d taken shortly after they’d arrived and looked up at the crowd, his small, brown eyes widening in surprise. “Looks like we’ll need more chairs.”

  Felicia fully expected her friends to excuse themselves and leave. But instead they helped the detective pull chairs from around the room and they all sat down around her, like a support group.

  She felt the shock and horror of the last few hours sliding away under a newfound hope that things would be better now. Now that she had someone to love and new friends to share that love with.

  Garrett had seemed withdrawn since finding her at Geoff Rogers’ house. He hadn’t spoken three words to her, and not many more than that to Hanks and his friends. Looking at him now, she saw an intensity in his gaze that was disconcerting.

  As if he felt her gaze on his face he turned. He squeezed her hand but didn’t smile. Felicia clearly read the hurt in his sexy blue eyes.

  She knew she had hurt him. They’d all hurt him. They’d assumed he’d beaten Dave Foust, judged him without even asking him about it first or taking into account all they knew about him as a man.

  It was inexcusable.

  Looking at his face now, Felicia began to worry that it would also be irreparable.

  “Okay, Dave Foust has been placed under medical arrest. He’ll stay in the hospital until he’s well enough to go to jail.”

  That caught Felicia’s attention. “What? Jail? Why?”

  Garrett didn’t look at her when he said, “For beating the living crap out of Geoff Rogers and then trying to pin it on me.” Finally he did turn and his gaze swept all the people assembled there. Felicia recognized the pain and accusation in the look. They were his friends, and they’d all thought the worst of him.

  Bruno and Giorgio both swore under their breath. Penelope reached for Garrett and squeezed his forearm. Bliss couldn’t look him in the eye.

  Felicia just sat there, guilty as charged. She didn’t know the words to make it right with Garrett again. Anything she said there—in front of all those people—would just turn the knife deeper. So she only whispered, “I’m so sorry, Garrett.”

  He turned away and looked at Hanks. “What about Rogers?”

  “We have a partial print placing him in Foust’s office. And Foust’s statement that Rogers beat him in retaliation for what he’d done at the club that night. They’ll both be spending some time in jail.”

  Felicia found her voice. “But why?”

  Hanks focused small, hazel eyes on her. “Why did Foust beat Rogers? I’m guessing it had something to do with pinning it on Mr. Holcomb, as he said. The man was most insistent that night that we round up Holcomb because he’d threatened his client prior to the beating.”

  “His client?” Garrett’s lips twisted with distaste.

  Hanks nodded. “Yeah. Rogers was a client of his at one time. Rogers was working for Foust when he accosted Ms. Jeffries in the club that first night. It was apparently all a plan by Foust to set up the scenario where Mr. Holcomb got blamed for beating Rogers.”

  “Rogers figured it out and went after the lawyer.”

  Hanks looked at Giorgio and nodded. “Foust insists he attacked from behind and hit Rogers with a baseball bat before he could see him. Something must have tipped the man off.”

  “Nice guy,” Bliss mumbled, glancing at Garrett guiltily. Brad rubbed her back in sympathy.

  Felicia suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Turning to Hanks, she said, “I’m not feeling well, Detective Hanks. Can I go home now?”

  Hanks stood up. “That’s a good idea. I have enough information from you for tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow and get your complete statement.”

  “Will you give me a ride home?” she asked Garret
t.

  Garrett shook his head and turned away. “I’m sorry but…I need to go.” He walked out of the room, leaving all his friends behind, looking shocked at his abrupt dismissal of them.

  And breaking Felicia’s heart clean apart in her chest.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Felicia stared glumly at the computer screen and fought tears. The excited words of a newly converted cougar stared back at her. She remembered the thrum of excitement from those first looks, that first, tentative touch, and the thrill of knowing that a young, sexy man could find her attractive.

  The experience, though terrifying at first, had been incredible. Felicia knew she’d never be able to replace it. She knew now that she was in love with Garrett. She probably always would be. He was a wonderful man.

  And she had treated him horribly.

  Her heart twisted and she stood up, eager to get away from the evidence of another woman’s joy at having found a new love in a most unexpected place.

  Felicia moved restlessly around the house. She’d been at loose ends for the past two weeks, since Garrett had walked out of her life and left her alone and feeling stupid.

  She’d received a conciliatory call from Ben Miller at Children’s Hospital. Apparently his young wife had discovered what he’d done in firing Felicia and had given him no end of grief about it. He’d obviously been trying to get back in his wife’s good graces by bringing Felicia back.

  Felicia hadn’t committed herself to anything. She didn’t think she wanted to go back. She needed to move forward, put the past behind her, and try something different, something that would stir her senses and give her a new purpose in life.

  Sitting down at her computer with a sigh, she started searching for a job that would fit those parameters. An hour later she gave up and headed into the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat.

  The cupboard was bare.

  Felicia grabbed her purse and headed out. There was a deli downtown that she and Bliss liked. It had a truly stupendous salad with chicken and a warm, spicy dressing. She couldn’t wait to taste that salad again.

  It was the first thing she’d been excited about in weeks.

  She parked on the street outside the deli and headed inside. An attractive woman sat hunched over a stack of papers at a small table in back, chewing despondently on a large salad.

  Without stopping to examine her motives too carefully, Felicia headed toward the woman. “Penelope?”

  Penelope looked up, her attractive face brightening in a smile. “Felicia! How are you?”

  Felicia indicated the empty chair at the table and Penelope nodded. Sitting down, Felicia placed her purse on the table in front of her. “To tell you the truth I’ve been better.”

  Penelope reached across the table and touched Felicia’s hand. “You haven’t heard from Garrett?”

  Felicia struggled to hold back tears. She sniffed, determined not to make the visit about Garrett. “How are you? Did you get the studio back in shape?”

  A shadow fell over Penelope’s face. “The insurance company is dragging its feet. They want to wait until the legal issues are ironed out before they’ll pay for the damage.” Her gaze lifted to Felicia’s face, filled with frustration. “That could take months or years.”

  Felicia felt responsible for what had happened to Penelope and wished she could help somehow. “I’m so sorry, Penelope. I know how much that business means to you.”

  Penelope forced a smile. “It’ll work itself out. At least I’m rich in love.”

  “How is Giorgio?”

  The shadow finally fell away from Penelope’s face. “He’s wonderful as always! I’m so blessed…” Her smile faded as she realized that her happiness might not be exactly welcomed by the woman sitting across from her. “Oh, I’m sorry…”

  “Don’t be silly. The world can’t stop just because my heart’s broken. I’m glad you and Giorgio found each other. You’re both wonderful people.”

  Penelope grasped Felicia’s hand. “Thanks. You’re pretty great too.”

  Felicia looked away, all too aware of her guilt about Garrett.

  “I understand you like yoga?”

  “I love it. It keeps me sane.” She patted her hip, smiling. “And in shape.”

  Penelope took a bite of her salad. Silence reigned as she chewed and swallowed. “I feel the same way. You should come to the studio a couple of times a week. We have really awesome classes.” She determinedly kept her gaze on her salad. “And the best instructor in town.” Her gaze slid toward Felicia’s face, sparkling with mirth.

  Felicia stood up. Not sure how to take Penelope’s playfulness. “I just might do that, Penelope. It would be good for me to get out of the house a few times a week.”

  Penelope looked truly pleased.

  Felicia ordered her salad to go and left, waving goodbye to Penelope and feeling the other woman’s eyes on her back as she returned to her car.

  Had Penelope been trying to tell her something about Garrett? Was there a chance? Felicia shook her head, refusing to set herself up to the kind of pain those hopeful thoughts would bring her.

  Garrett was gone. She’d just have to learn to live with that.

  * * * * *

  The studio was filling quickly. Garrett had been moved to the smaller studio until his was repaired, and it was sometimes a little tricky fitting all the participants into the room. The overcrowding had spurred some interesting entanglements and the occasional mass collapse, domino-like, during some of the balancing poses.

  Overall the practitioners in Garrett’s class had been good natured about it, though Penelope had been fretting because they’d had to limit the class sizes until they could find a way to get his larger studio repaired.

  Garrett checked his music and switched out the CD he’d had in there from that morning’s class to one that fit his mood better. He’d used upbeat rock music for the morning class, but his current, slightly depressed mood said classical to him.

  He kept himself apart from the social interactions going on behind him as long as he could. He just didn’t feel much like joining in. He probably should have given the class to Giorgio or Penelope and taken the night off.

  He was having trouble getting over Felicia.

  Garrett had thought he could walk away from her and never look back. He’d thought his hurt pride would be enough to help him make that break. He didn’t want to be with a woman who could think that badly of him, a woman who would assume he’d not only beat a man near to death out of temper, but who would also hurt her if he got angry.

  He’d been sure his pride would make the separation easy.

  But pride was a poor partner and it did nothing to heal the pain of a broken heart.

  “Namaste.”

  He dropped the blocks he’d been getting ready to distribute and turned, the blood running from his face as he looked at her. He frowned to cover up his shock. “Felicia.”

  She looked wonderful in her snug little top and sleek yoga pants. She’d pulled her dark hair back into a smooth ponytail that made her look about twenty. Her eyes were sad and she had her hands clasped in front of her, nervously twining her long fingers.

  She was a feast for his starving eyes.

  “How are you, Garrett?”

  Grabbing up an armful of blocks, he stepped down from the raised platform and started laying them out beside the mats.

  He could feel her eyes following him around the room. He fully expected her to walk out. He was being rude and he knew it but he had nothing in his armory of accepted behaviors that told him how to react to her sudden reappearance in his life.

  He was surprised to find her sitting on the edge of the platform, waiting for him, when he returned to the front of the room.

  “Garrett, I’d like to talk…”

  He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the studio, shocking both of them. Stalking across the lobby with her in tow, he opened the office door and glared at Penelope until she stood up from her d
esk and walked out, squeezing Felicia’s hand supportively as she slid past.

  As soon as the door to the office closed Garrett turned to face her, running a hand through his hair so that it stuck up in spots.

  Felicia fought the urge to reach up and straighten it, feeling a tender tug on her heart at the sight.

  “Why are you here, Felicia?”

  She wanted to wrap herself around him and hold on. She wanted to murmur that she was there for him…but she didn’t. “I just signed an agreement to partner with Penelope. I’m now co-owner of the studio.”

  His eyes widened at that. She watched emotions play across his handsome face as he assimilated all the more obvious outcomes of her announcement.

  Finally he nodded. “Well. I’m happy for Penelope. That takes a load off. With your money…” Then his gaze sharpened and he said, “I guess I’ll be looking for another job then?” He put his hands on his hips and glared at her, daring her to fire him.

  Unbelievably Felicia felt the urge to giggle. She bit her lip and shook her head. “I hoped you would stay.” Felicia took a step closer, her hand coming up to touch the side of his face. “I’ve missed you, Garrett.”

  He stiffened and closed his eyes. For a long moment he didn’t move or speak.

  Felicia held her breath.

  Then he turned his head and placed a soft kiss in her palm. “I’ve missed you too, honey.”

  Tears rolled down Felicia’s face. “Oh God, Garrett, I’m so sorry. I was such a bitch…”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I was wrong too, Felicia. I was blaming you for a moment of doubt, when I was far from perfect in that area myself.”

  Felicia shook her head, burrowing deeply into his chest. She felt as if she was home again. She wanted to stay there forever. “What I did was terrible…”

  “Shhh!” He grabbed her ponytail and pulled her head back gently, dropping his lips to hers.

  Felicia made a little sound and tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him more deeply into the kiss. The air in the little office heated and sparked under their hunger. Felicia forgot to breathe for a moment as her body melded to and throbbed against his.