“You’re out early this morning. I thought you’d sleep in.”
“Not this morning. I had errands to run.”
“When will I see you?”
“How about this weekend? Could we do what we did that night I showed up drunk?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean. If I promise to only hold you, wear shorts, sleep with a sheet between us, and Sam in the next room, can we come down tomorrow?”
“Are you and Sam on the same rotations?”
“Yeah, pretty much. It works out great. Plus, if we promise to go to Charleston, he’ll agree.”
“You want to go to Charleston?”
“I want to take you on a date. I’m waiting to hear back from Thomas, but I know if I throw Charleston into the mix, Sam will come. We won’t be alone.”
“Are you going to behave?”
He chuckled. “I promise, beautiful.”
“If you don’t, you’ll have to sleep on that old lumpy sofa.”
He burst out laughing. “You drive a hard bargain. I’ll behave.”
“So, I’ll see you and Sam tomorrow?”
“Yes, we’ll go to dinner in Charleston. If Thomas and Cat can make it on Sunday, we’ll find somewhere else to go or grill at your place.”
“No, there’s a cute little seafood shack that we can walk to. It’s fun and casual. Nothing fancy.”
“That sounds fun. God, I can’t wait to see you.”
Vanessa giggled. “Me too.”
“How did you sleep?”
“After I stopped giggling like a school girl, terrific.”
“Why were you giggling?”
“Obviously, I’ve never done anything like that. You make me feel like it’s okay to do those types of things. It’s just so new and exciting.”
“Vanessa, it is okay to do that. I want to watch you do it.” Just thinking about watching Vanessa pleasure herself, turned him the hell on. He adjusted himself. “Baby, we’ve got so much to explore and talk about. I want to show you how good we can be together, and how much fun sex can be between two people who love each other.”
“I can’t get used to hearing you say that you love me.”
“I love you, Vanessa Harper.”
“I’m glad you do, but um, you ought to think about getting used to calling me Vanessa Calhoun.”
“Calhoun?”
“I’m taking my maiden name back as soon as the divorce is final.”
“I don’t want to get used to calling you Calhoun.”
“Why?”
“Because I hope you’ll take my name soon.”
“What? Nathan…”
“Not yet, baby. I’m just planting the idea. I want you to think about it though, okay?”
“Okay.”
Nathan’s phone beeped, so he pulled back to look at it. “Baby, this is Thomas. Can I call you back in a minute?”
“Yes. Talk to you soon.”
Nathan switched over to Thomas. “Please tell me you’re in.”
Thomas chuckled. “Yeah. I’ll get a few hours sleep, but I can’t promise I’ll be much fun.”
“Listen, Vanessa suggested a causal seafood shack on the beach. We’ll walk from her place, so nothing special.”
“That, I can do. See you Sunday.”
“Thanks, Thomas. I’ll text you the address. I owe you, man.”
“Don’t hurt her, Nathan, and we’ll be even.”
Nathan nodded even though Thomas couldn’t see it. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Now to get Sam on board.
Nathan waited until he was home before he made his next call. “Dude, what are you doing this weekend?”
“I don’t know. Why? You want to go to Charleston?”
“Funny you should mention that. I was thinking we should go to dinner in Charleston by way of Vanessa’s.”
“What? Man, you’re going to mess up. Have you already messed up? Please tell me you haven’t done something to hurt her divorce.”
“Someone would have to walk in with me balls deep inside her to overturn all that the dipshit has done. Even then, I’m not so sure thanks to the gunshot wound.”
“This isn’t California, Nathan. Don’t tempt it, okay?”
“Well, that’s why I’m calling you. How about we go to her place, then to dinner in Charleston, crash back at her house. On Sunday, Thomas and Cat are coming down.”
Sam sighed. “I’ll follow you on my bike because I don’t know if I want to be a fifth-wheel.”
“I understand. Thanks, Sam.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Nathan disconnected the call and spent the rest of the day detailing his truck. He wanted it clean and shiny for Vanessa to ride in. The next stop was the gas station. As the pump clicked off the gallons of gas, Nathan caught an approaching figure in his peripheral vision. He turned in time to catch the purse flying through the air at his head.
“What the hell? Who are…” He didn’t need to finish that sentence because he recognized the curvy blonde.
“You! It’s all your fault!”
“Ms. Gregory, what the hell are you talking about?”
Linda put her hands on her hips and glared at Nathan. “Charles. He’s back in jail. He said it was you who arrested him.”
“I’m sorry, but he’s mistaken. It was Sam Baxter who arrested him for breaking the terms of his release. Did you know he was going to Vanessa’s?”
“Yes, that bitch has caused us nothing but problems for nine years. We want to get married and have a family, but we can’t because of her! Why couldn’t she just die?”
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“It’s her fault we’re not together!” Linda quickly turned to walk away, but Nathan caught her arm.
“You need to explain that statement, Ms. Gregory.”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you, Officer Cox, especially when you’re off duty.” She jerked her arm away from Nathan and stomped toward her car.
The pump turned off, and Nathan jumped in his truck, calling Evan before the door was shut.
“Nathan, what’s up?”
“I just spoke with Linda Gregory. Something she said felt off. She asked why Vanessa couldn’t have just died.”
“Do you think she was talking about the gunshot wound?”
“I don’t think so. When I asked her to explain, she told me she didn’t have to. If she were talking about the gunshot, wouldn’t she just have said that?”
“I don’t know, man. What’s running through your head?”
“Hear me out. If the gunshot was just in the heat of the moment as Charles claims it was, then it’s just attempted murder or criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. If Linda knew about it beforehand, it’s premeditated.”
“And if she knew nothing beforehand?”
“Then the only other thing she could be referring to is the poisoning.”
“Fuck, Nathan.” Evan took a deep breath. “We need to make sure. That’s Kayla and Thomas’s cousin. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think they were close.”
“They aren’t. Do you want to bring her in for questioning?”
“Not yet. I want a warrant for Tuesday to search her premises.”
“Yeah, okay, I can do that.” There was a pause. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
“We’ll talk when I get back.”
22
Nathan is taking me on a date. A real date.
Vanessa was so excited that she didn’t know what to do first. Max helped her make that decision when he whined and stood by the door.
“Oh, Max! Let me throw on some shoes. I’m sorry, boy.” Three minutes later they walked out back. Max ran down the walkway and was finishing his business by the time Vanessa made it to the steps leading to the beach.
“You must’ve had to really go because you didn’t search or anything. Feel better?” She squatted to
his level and rubbed his neck and head. “Good boy. Nathan is coming today.” Her voice rose with excitement as she spoke. Max barked and wagged his tail. “That’s right. I’m excited too.” She clipped on his leash and started walking up the beach. With her heart racing and the excitement rushing through her body their pace quickened. Before she knew it, they were at a slow jog, and a smile split her face. For the first time since that awful night when she was sixteen, she was truly happy. They turned and headed back toward home.
“Come on, Max. We’ve got to get back. We need to clean the house, and I need to pick out my outfit and do my hair. Should I paint my nails? Max, this is my first real date!” Max barked, and she laughed.
After she took a shower, Vanessa changed the sheets on both beds. She tucked in the one side like she’d done before. Her stomach was in knots, and she didn’t know if it was nervousness or excitement. She sat on the floor and loved on Max.
“You’re going to have to help me make him behave, Max. I don’t think I’m strong enough to tell him no, but I can’t give in until the divorce is final. Are you going to help me, boy?” Max’s tail wagged, and he licked her face. “That’s my boy.”
Vanessa changed her clothes several times out of frustration. She didn’t know where they were going, so she didn’t know how to dress. With an exasperated breath, she picked up her phone.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey,” she said with a sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what to wear. Where are we going?”
Nathan laughed. “Baby, wear whatever you’re comfortable in. We’re going to a bar on East Bay in Charleston. Nothing fancy.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.
“Ness, we’ll do the fancy when it can be just the two of us, okay?”
“No, that’s fine.”
“I can hear that it’s not in your voice, baby.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be ungrateful.”
“What? What do you mean ungrateful?”
She took a deep breath. “You know, I’m grateful you’re taking me out—on an actual date.”
“Vanessa, get used to it. We’re going to have many dates, and they won’t stop once you marry me either. That fuck-up of a husband of yours should have taken you on dates. Baby, I’m sorry you’ve never experienced this before, but I’m happy I’m the one who gets to give this to you.”
“Me too.”
“Okay, we’ll see you in about half an hour.”
“See you then.” She disconnected the call and looked at all the dresses on her bed. “Well, Max, let’s get these put away. I won’t need them tonight.” She cleaned all the clothes up and found a nice pair of dress shorts, a fitted top, and sandals. She was glad she hadn’t done her makeup, so she kept it simple with just a little color on her cheeks and a sheer gloss on her lips. Her hair was curled into loose waves and pulled to cascade down one shoulder. When she was dressed, she looked to have put in a little effort but not over the top.
Max growled, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up with the rumble coming from outside. Vanessa walked out of the bathroom and picked up her phone. As she went to step through the doorway, Max stood still. He was between her and the rest of the house.
“Max, let me through.”
The rev of an engine caused Max to growl again before the engine shut off. She knew the sound of Nathan’s truck, and this wasn’t it. With her phone poised to call 9-1-1, a knock came from her door.
“Ness?”
“It’s Nathan, Max. It’s okay. Come on, let’s go see Nathan.” Her voice was calm as she patted Max. When she nudged him this time, he moved so she could answer the door.
“Vanessa!” Nathan called as he banged on the door.
With a smile on her face, she opened the door, and all she saw was her big, blond haired, blue eyed man. His eyes were furrowed with concern, and his body was tense with his hands white-knuckling the doorjamb.
Once he scanned her from head to toe, his eyes softened, but he didn’t let go of the doorjamb. His focus was on her mouth. “Do you have any more of that,” he pointed to her lips, “stuff—gloss?”
“Yes,” she hesitantly answered.
“You’re going to need it.” He immediately stepped inside and cupped her face in his big hands. His lips crashed onto hers, and his tongue thoroughly plundered her mouth as she gripped his large arms to steady herself. Their bodies weren’t close enough to touch but close enough to feel the heat radiating off them as Max wedged himself between their legs. Nathan didn’t break the kiss until Sam cleared his throat.
Vanessa slowly opened her eyes and touched her lips. “Wow,” she whispered. With her hand over her heart, she looked over Nathan’s shoulder. “Hey, Sam. Sorry.”
Sam chuckled. “Don’t be. Good to see you.” He moved past Nathan toward the sunroom.
Nathan hadn’t taken his eyes off her. When she looked back toward him, an intense look was on his face. His eyes were fixed on hers, his breathing had barely calmed, and his fists were clenched at his sides.
She touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
He shook his head and placed his hands around her neck with them relaxing on her shoulders and his thumbs tilting her face toward his. Resting his forehead on hers, he closed his eyes and whispered, “I want to make love to you so fucking bad it hurts.”
Vanessa gasped. “Nathan…”
He took a deep, steadying breath and stepped back. “You look gorgeous. I’d say I’m sorry for taking all your gloss off your lips, but I’m not.” A crooked smile tilted his lips.
Happiness twinkled in her eyes, and she bowed her head. “I’m glad you’re not sorry.”
“Why are you blushing? Look at me.”
She shrugged. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
“God, Vanessa, you’re killing me.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry.”
Nathan shook his head and chuckled. “Don’t be.” He took her by the hand and led her to the sunroom where Sam was. “What took so long to get to the door?”
“Max.”
Nathan cocked an eyebrow. “What did he do?”
She flashed her eyes toward Sam. “He didn’t like the loud noise outside.”
“My bike?” Sam questioned.
“Shit, I forgot to tell you Sam was bringing it.”
“It’s okay. I figured that’s what it was. Anyway, Max wouldn’t move from my doorway.”
Nathan rubbed Max’s head. “Good boy.”
“Let me fix my lips again, and we can go whenever you’re ready.”
“Bring it with you because you’re probably going to have to fix them many more times tonight.”
She smiled and felt her face get warm as she walked out of the room.
23
Sam watched Nathan and Vanessa. He’d never known Nathan to be a patient man, but damn, if Vanessa hadn’t changed that. Sam didn’t know if he’d have been able to hold it together as long as Nathan had. He smiled at the thought because he still enjoyed no attachments. Cut loose and have a good time.
He looked at his watch and wondered if that little blonde waitress was working tonight. He’d like to get down and dirty with her. He adjusted himself in his shorts and wiped his hand slowly down his face to cool his train of thought. Damn, I need to get laid. Being around Nathan and Vanessa surely wasn’t helping his situation at all.
It was late afternoon when they piled into Nathan’s truck for the drive to Charleston. Sam was determined to meet a willing bedmate for tomorrow night when Thomas and Cat would take over his chaperone duties. It had been a while, and he needed the company of a pliant woman. His mind was picturing the cute little waitress when Vanessa’s hand touched his arm.
“Sam?”
He quickly turned his head and focused on the big brown eyes looking at him. “Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
Sam ran his hand over his head
. “Sure, why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, you were just staring out the window a million miles away. I’m sorry we still have to deal with this for a few more weeks. Thank you for making it easy for us to see each other.”
Guilt ran through him because getting laid was fast becoming more important than being a good friend. Damn, had she noticed he was getting hard in his shorts just thinking about Christine? Caroline? Carrie? Yeah, Carrie. The way her jeans molded to the shape of her ass. The strategically placed holes. They were right where a man would want to stick a finger to see what else was around it.
Shit, his dick moved.
Ice cream, handcuffs. No, no handcuffs. Ice cream, dammit, ice cream. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cherry.
He mentally rolled his eyes. This wasn’t working.
Family. Dad, talked to him last week.
His blood was cooling.
Sister, needed to check on her. Pain starting to subside. Mom, needed to call her soon.
Yep, things were under control.
“Nah, I’m fine. Just got a few things on my mind.” He raised his eyes and caught Nathan giving him a knowing look. Yeah, he’s had blue balls for over two months. He knows exactly how I feel.
“What’s good to eat at this restaurant?”
He chuckled at the excitement in Vanessa’s voice. It had been a long time since he heard someone get excited over pub fare. “It’s predominantly bar food, but since it’s in Charleston, they usually have fresh seafood on the menu.”
Sam leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he listened to Nathan telling Vanessa it was okay for her to eat more than a damn salad. He couldn’t believe the shit her ex had put her through, and knew Nathan was the best thing to happen to her. He was happy for his friend.
The truck slowed, and he cracked an eye open to see them pulling into the parking garage close to the microbrewery. Once Nathan found a parking spot, they walked down to East Bay Street. Sam walked into the bar first as he searched for Carrie while he waited on the hostess to speak to him. “Three, in Carrie’s section, please.”
The smile on the hostess’s face was a little more than friendly as she looked Sam up and down. With brown hair, an olive complexion, and a fit body, he’d never had a problem getting women, so he was used to the stares. What he wasn’t used to was a girl who treated him like every other guy in the bar. Did she flirt because it was part of her job, or was she attracted to him? He wasn’t ready to show his cards just yet, so he’d play the game.
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