The more I think about things, the more I realize that I’m in love with her. I’ve never loved anyone but my mom. It scares the fuck out of me, but it exhilarates me too. I want to tell her I love her and I want to ask her to live with me.
It’s the logical thing to do. Gwen’s always at my place, even if I have to work. Do I need to get her dad’s blessing before I ask her? I don’t know the rules, but I do know you’re supposed to ask permission for something, maybe it’s marriage—although I’m nowhere near thinking about that.
I pull into the parking lot of the station and make my way inside. In the locker room, I change into my uniform. On the inside of my locker is a picture of Gwen and Butch sitting on our back steps—it makes me smile.
Before Gwen came screaming into my life, this guy was not me. I didn’t date, I didn’t smile just thinking about someone, and I didn’t look forward to going home to someone, except Butch.
I shut my locker and head out to the briefing room, finding Troy already sitting in a chair typing something on his phone. He looks up as I approach. “What’s up, brother?” I say before sitting down.
“Nothing, just chatting with a certain redhead.” He’s got it bad for Taylor. I’ve never seen him into someone the way he is with her.
“How’s that going?” Troy has never lacked female attention.
He shakes his head. “Slowly, it’s going very slowly.” Troy looks at his phone. “It’ll be worth it when I finally get through.”
Chief Malone comes walking in and we stop talking as he gets situated behind his podium. He gets down to business. Once he briefs us, Chief Malone dismisses us. We stand up and make our way toward the door.
“Officer Graves, a minute?” I stop and turn around.
He doesn’t say anything until the last officer steps out of the room. Chief stops right in front of me. “I wanted to see how you thought Gwen was doing.”
“A lot better. She’s uh… not jerking in her sleep. The nightmares have stopped.”
Chief Malone nods. “Good. Her mom and I were starting to worry. I appreciate you being there for her. I know things are awkward, it’s just that she’s my baby and we almost lost her. Just treat her right and we won’t have any problems.”
I’m not sure what to say so I give him a chin lift and walk out.
I step inside Lulu’s Diner and spot my girl sitting in a booth along the back wall. Gwen doesn’t see me as I approach, so I get a moment to take her in. Her strawberry blonde hair is in a mixture of tiny braids and one big braid. The white tank top she’s wearing makes her tan look darker and the red knit shorts make her legs look longer than they normally do.
When I get to the table, she looks up and smiles at me. “Hey baby.” Gwen gets out of the booth and wraps her arms around me as best she can with my belt and vest.
I lean down and kiss her lips and then we both sit down. She grabs my hands from across the table. “I met Ida today,” Gwen tells me, a smile gracing her plump lips.
“You did. How did that go?” Ida is sweet, but she’s nosy and sometimes has no filter.
Gwen’s laugh is music to my ears. “She brought over a package of Double Stuf OREO cookies. They’re your favorite, or so she says. We drank a glass of lemonade and then Butch and I walked her home.” She strokes the back of my hand with her thumb. “I think she’s your biggest fan. Should I be jealous?”
“Maybe.”
Our waitress comes and takes our order.
After dinner, I pay the check and then we head toward the door. A few of the patrons stop us to say hello. Everyone knows Gwen’s dad… of course, therefore they know her.
When we step outside I walk her to her car. “I’ll see you at home,” I tell her as I open the driver’s side for her. Once she’s inside, I bend down and give her a quick kiss. “Make sure you lock up.”
“Yeah, yeah.” There’s that sassy mouth I love.
I stand on the sidewalk and watch her drive away.
When I pull into the driveway, I immediately feel something is off. I climb out of my Jeep and quickly glance around, not seeing anyone lurking around, hiding in the shadows. I let myself in, locking the door behind me.
From down the hall, I can hear the low hum of the television. More than likely, I’ll find Gwen asleep. As I kick off my boots, Butch comes walking out. “Hey boy,” I say in a hushed voice. He gives me a head butt until I scratch him behind his ear. “Let’s go outside.”
After he sniffs around the yard and then pees we head inside. I give him a treat and then step down the hallway to my bedroom. In my room, I find exactly what I thought I would. Gwen is snoring softly from the middle of the bed, half reclined on a pile of pillows.
I grab a quick shower and then throw on some clean boxer briefs. When I climb into bed, Butch is already snuggled up to Gwen. “I’m starting to get a complex,” I tell him and he just sighs. “Right, well I don’t blame you.”
Lying down, I pull Gwen toward me. I drape her body halfway across mine. She burrows in under my chin and kisses my chest. Gwen’s silent so I don’t know if she’s asleep or awake. I kiss her forehead before shutting off the TV and let exhaustion take me over.
Tonight we’re driving to San Francisco to hit some club that Gwen’s been wanting to go to. There is a whole group of us going, including Taylor, Gwen’s best friend Marcie and her husband, Chad, Troy, and a couple of our buddies. We were all able to get rooms at the St. Regis—Gwen, Troy, Taylor, and me are staying in a suite. Sean and Ethan are staying in a room a couple of floors down.
Marcie’s brother-in-law lives downtown so they’re staying at his place. When I step into the bedroom, I find Gwen sticking a pair of black, sexy, stiletto heels in what she calls her ‘weekender bag.’
I wrap my arms around her from behind. “Whatcha got in the bag?”
“A hot little number to wear out tonight.” Gwen rubs her ass against my dick, which he appreciates because I immediately get hard. “Naughty boy, is that a nightstick in your pocket or are you happy to see me?”
I throw my head back, laughing harder than I think I ever have. She turns in my arms, wrapping her arms around my waist, smiling widely up at me. I grab her ass and thrust against her. “You like my big nightstick, don’t you?” I bite at her neck and she squeals. The doorbell interrupts us. “Fuck, it’s probably Troy.” I kiss her before leaving her to finish.
I’m looking forward to an incredible night, and before the night is over, I’m asking her to move in with me.
Twenty
Gwen
I run the flat iron through my hair until it falls in rose gold-colored, silky, smooth sheets. After a quick spritz of finishing spray, I give myself a once-over in the mirror. I bought a hot little black sequin halter V-neck minidress. Paired with my heels, my makeup, and my hair, I look fucking hot.
Everyone is waiting for me in the living room. I would’ve been ready on time, but I had gotten carsick on the way here. I’ve never been carsick a day in my life, but Maverick thought it was because we were on the same road that our accident happened on. When we got checked in, I lay down and ended up sleeping for two hours while they got the party started.