“Close your eyes and rest, sweetheart. We’ll wake you when we get home,” Mom says as she pats my knee. I rest my head against the door and close my eyes—it takes no time at all before I’m out.
I only sleep for about a half hour before I sit up and pop a piece of gum in my mouth. “Tay Tay, how did your finals go?” My sister is brilliant—she’s going to school to be a landscape architect at UC Berkeley.
“Perfect, of course. I’m taking the summer off so I can spend time with you.”
I turn to smile at her. “Yay!” I shout and throw my hands up in the air. We pull down the street to my parents’ home and see my dad standing on the sidewalk. Before Mom can even put the car in park my door is open and Dad is pulling me out of the car hugging me tight.
“Hi, my beautiful girl. I’ve missed you.” He kisses the top of my head.
I smile up at him. “I’ve missed you too.”
Dad smiles at Mom. “We made the prettiest babies.” He grabs my suitcase and the four of us head inside.
I’m very aware that my dad is a hunk—over the years I’ve gagged numerous times listening to women lust over my father, Grant Malone. His brown hair has a sprinkling of silver throughout, his brown eyes always sparkle whenever he looks at Mom, and he is still handsome as ever.
My brother, Grant, he’s Junior of course, runs down the stairs, scooping me up in his arms. He looks like a younger version of our dad. I look like Mom, and Taylor is the perfect combination of both of them. Her hair is light auburn, she’s got brown eyes, and is built like me; tall… ish, curvy, and slender.
We sit around the kitchen table and Mom cuts slices of my favorite cake; white cake with rainbow chip frosting. The five of us all dig in and I look around the room, smiling, and so glad I made the decision to come home.
“What was your favorite thing you did in Fiji?” my brother asks before shoving a chunk of cake into his mouth.
I look at my parents and then back at my brother. “Swimming with sharks.”
“Sharks?” Dad says before looking up at the ceiling. I know right now he’s counting in his head so he doesn’t explode. It has been a common occurrence in the Malone household ever since I can remember.
“Dad, I promise it was very safe. It was also one of the most incredible experiences of my life.”
He grabs my hand. “I’m just glad that all my kids are here under one roof for the first time in a long time.”
I tell them about the rest of my trip, smiling the whole time—happy to be home.
Two
Maverick
I open the door and then turn back to Kelly. “I’ll see you around.”
“That’s it?” The busty blonde crosses her arms over her chest.
This happens more often than not. I make it clear to these women that I’ll go home with them, I’ll fuck them, but then I’ll leave and we don’t do this again—well, I don’t usually go back for seconds, but sometimes I do.
They always agree, but that changes quickly the moment I try to take my leave. “Yeah babe, I told you I don’t stay. You agreed.”
“I thought I could change your mind.” She pouts.
“Well see, that’s not my fault, is it?” I step out into the night and climb onto my bike and head home. A short drive later, I pull my bike into my driveway and shut it off. I dig my keys out of my leather jacket and let myself inside.
I bought this house about a week after I moved to Sunnyville, two years ago. It’s a craftsman style home with a nice-sized porch. It was a little beat up when I bought it, but I got to fix it up how I wanted.
The outside is a mixture of gray siding, white trim and pillars and the bottom portion is all red brick. I let myself inside and my yellow lab Butch comes trotting over to me. “Hey boy.” I scratch behind his ear. “Let’s go outside.”
I take him out back and let him do his business. We play catch for a few minutes before we head inside. I lock up and then jump in the shower really quick. When I’m done, I walk into my room where Butch is already sprawled out on his half of the bed.
Damn dog is spoiled rotten. I’m exhausted because even though the night ended with Kelly getting attitude, the fucking was still phenomenal, and in no time I fall asleep.
I pull into the parking lot of the Sunnyville Police Department. I’ve been an officer with them since I transferred here from the Oakland PD two years ago. I’d been involved in a domestic disturbance call that ended with me getting shot. After that, I wanted to work somewhere smaller than a huge city.
The change was an adjustment, but my boss, Grant Malone, chief of police is a great man to work for. He’s a highly decorated officer himself and takes care of the officers and detectives below him.
Today is our monthly meeting, which is basically a chance for us to bring up things we have concerns about or suggestions we might have. I climb out of my patrol SUV and head inside.
My best friend Troy stands just inside the door. “What’s up, brother?” We pound fists and then head toward the back to the conference room.
“Not much, went to Kelly’s last night. It was fucking great and then she pouted when I went to leave. Same shit, different day.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “You poor baby. It must be so hard to have women throw themselves at you.”
I’m aware that I have a bit of a reputation, but fuck it—I don’t have to answer to anyone. I’m single, so it’s not like I’m cheating on someone. I like pussy and I prefer variety. “I can’t help it that I’m better looking than you.” Of course women are all over him too. They see us in uniform and immediately get horny.
Troy punches my shoulder before we grab a cup of coffee and take our seats. At nine on the dot, Chief Malone comes walking in.
“Good morning, everyone. Happy Friday. Before we get down to business, I want to invite you all to my home tomorrow night. My daughter, Gwen, is home from her latest globetrotting adventure and we’re having a welcome home party. I’d love to see you all there and introduce anyone to her that hasn’t met her.”
Troy leans in. “Do you want to go?”
“Sure. Mrs. Malone is a phenomenal cook,” I tell him.
Grant stands in front of the whiteboard. “Now let’s get down to business.”
I climb off my bike and wait for Troy to climb off his. We walk around the side of the house into the back yard that is full of people. We spot Grant’s old partner and best friend Nate and make our way across the yard.
“What’s up, Detective?” Troy says as we reach him.
“If it isn’t double trouble, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind you.” He holds out a couple of beers for us. I’ll drink this one and possibly one more before we head out.
“Har har… you’re just jealous, old man,” I tell him. Of course that’s not the case because he’s happily married and has a couple of great kids.
I scan the back yard and spot Chief Malone and his wife. She’s a babe, that’s for sure. I have seen pictures of their kids, but I’ve only seen their son in person. I take a drink of my beer and look around the back yard. I freeze when my eyes land on the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.