“It’s called experience, brother. Plus, you’re my partner and I’ll always look out for ya.”
The lump in my throat was very real as I nodded and said, “That goes for me too.”
Lifting his hand, Derrick waved for me to get going. Turning, I quickly headed out of the building as I looked at the time. The reservation for dinner was for ten minutes ago. Waving down a taxi, I jumped into the cab and prayed like hell Meagan wouldn’t tell me to fuck off.
“Welcome to the Ore House, do you have a reservation?”
I scanned the restaurant quickly looking for Meagan and her father. When I turned back to the hostess, I couldn’t help but notice the smile on her face. “Gray? Oh my God, is that you?”
With a slight frown, I looked her over to see if I could place her. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun and the tight black dress left nothing to the imagination.
“I’m sorry, I’m not sure how we know each other?”
Her mouth parted open as her face flushed. With a quick look around she said, “You did a private bachelorette party for my best friend a couple years ago. You and I . . . well . . . we got a little cozy after the party in my car.”
It was in that instant I saw Meagan. She was staring directly at me with one seriously pissed off look on her face.
Fucking hell. How many women am I seriously going to run into that I’ve danced for at some point? “Um, sorry sweetheart, I don’t remember.”
My eyes darted back to Meagan as the hostess leaned closer to me. “Don’t worry, we didn’t have S. E. X. or anything. But you did give me one amazing org—”
“Okay, well, I see my fiancée is already here so I’ll make my way over to her.”
The hostess pouted as she mumbled, “Lucky girl.”
Luckily, I dressed in dress pants and a button down shirt almost every day. Today I dressed a bit nicer knowing I’d be coming to dinner with Meagan and Brad.
Meagan watched my every move as I made my way over to the table. Leaning down, I kissed her cheek softly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think I would be able to make it.”
Brad stood and reached his hand out for mine. “Mr. Atwood, it’s a pleasure seeing you again.”
Giving me a once over, Brad forced a smile. “It’s good seeing you again, Grayson. Please, call me Brad and you’re just in time. We haven’t ordered yet.”
With a quick nod of my head, I said, “Brad it is and please call me Gray. Great, I’m glad I’m not too late.”
I pulled out the chair and sat down as the waitress asked for my drink order. I remembered Meagan telling me once that her father dealt with a drug and alcohol addiction in the past so I played it safe. “I’ll just start with a water, thank you.”
Smiling, I looked between Brad and Meagan. If looks could kill, I’d have fallen over when Meagan lifted her glass filled with red wine to her lips and glared at me.
Fuck. Now I want a drink.
“So, I thought you weren’t going to be joining us?”
With a forced grin, I went to talk but let my eyes move down to Meagan’s hand. It felt like I had been sucker-punched when I saw her engagement ring gone. Meagan must have noticed me looking because she quickly pulled her hand back and placed it in her lap.
I tried to find my voice as the waitress set my water down. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll have a scotch on the rocks please,” I said as I took a long drink of water.
Brad cleared his throat as I looked at him and grinned. “We got a stakeout last minute, a guy we got a tip on that might know or have something to do with an ongoing murder investigation. Turned out my partner and I both didn’t need to be there, so I headed this way as quickly as I could.”
The waitress set the drink in front of me as I picked it up and forced myself not to down the whole damn thing.
Brad leaned forward and gave me a long hard look as if he was giving me an assessment. “Wow, so tell me, Gray. How is it you were able to pretty much skip doing patrol like every other officer has to do and move right into a detective position? Who does your father know on the force?”
“Dad!” Meagan said with a stern look on her face.
I reached up and loosened my tie some as I let out an amused laugh. “Nothing like cutting to the chase, sir.”
“I’m just curious how you moved into a position like that so quickly. It’s also very clear to me that my daughter is pissed off at you as well, so we might as well get all the dirty shit out of the way while we’re at it.”
Meagan moaned and dropped back in her seat while folding her arms across her chest. “Dad, I can’t even right now.”
I quickly glanced over to Meagan and winked as I focused back on her father. “You’re right on almost everything you’ve said, Brad. Meg is angry with me and I don’t blame her. I overreacted with a situation earlier today, but that is something she and I will work out later . . . privately.”
Seeing Meagan from the corner of my eye, I could tell she was staring at me. “As far as my career with the Durango Police Department goes, I graduated with a masters in criminal justice and tested for the police department. I didn’t have to go through their program because of my high scores and I indeed started on the force patrolling just like everyone does. There was a major shortage of detectives, so I immediately applied for a position, took the test and passed with a perfect score. I’ve been with my partner, Derrick Winn for almost eight months now. I don’t profess to be the best at my job, but every day I’m learning more and more and my goal is to be the best damn detective Durango has ever had.”
Brad took a drink of his water as he nodded his head. Every now and then he’d steal a look over at Meagan, whom I was guessing was still sitting with her arms folded.
I continued to focus on Brad. The last thing I wanted him to think was that he could intimidate me like he did his own daughter. “As far as knowing anyone, that is where you’re wrong. My father left my mother when I was very young. I’ve earned my way in everything I do. My mother wouldn’t have it any other way and neither would I, sir. I work for everything I get and nothing in my life has ever come easy to me. Including your daughter’s love.”
Brad lifted an eyebrow and then cracked a smile. “Good to know. I’m sure your mother is very proud of you. That had to have been hard for her trying to raise a son on her own.”
“If it was, she never complained.”
Meagan cleared her throat and said, “Dad, I was thinking we might take a drive up to meet Gray’s mother. She’s an amazing woman and I can’t wait for Mom to meet her.”
My head snapped over as I looked at Meagan. Brad looked between the two of us as he barely said, “I’d love to meet Gray’s mom.”
The waitress came back over to take everyone’s orders as Meagan started talking about her job and how much she liked it.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much, Meagan. When do you think you’ll be heading back to Texas? Your sister is graduating you know; it would be nice to have my girls close to home. I’m sure your sister would love to have you back in Texas. Set a good example for her on starting her own career.”
Oh hell. Here we go.
Meagan moved about nervously in her seat. “I like it here, Dad. I don’t have any plans on leaving anytime soon and why can’t I be an example to her here?”
Brad sighed. “Of course you can set an example for her, but, Meagan, there is nothing here for you. Your entire family is back home in Texas.”
Glancing down at my salad, it was my turn to move about in my seat nervously.
“Stop. Dad you have to stop doing this.”
“Doing what, Meagan? Wanting you to be home and near your family?”
Meagan tossed her napkin onto the table. “No. I’m not doing this anymore with you. My whole life you’ve told me what I can and can’t do. When all my friends went to A&M, you told me I had to go to Baylor. Set an example for Taylor by being your own person you said. When my grades would slip, you would ride my ass. By God
I had to set an example for Taylor by getting stellar grades and being the perfect daughter who listened to everything you told me to do.”
“Meg,” I whispered when her voice grew louder.
Her head snapped over to me. “I’m sorry, Gray, but I can’t do this anymore.” Turning back to her father, I watched as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “For years I did nothing but chase after the person I wanted to be. I was stuck though, stuck in a world you painted for me. Stuck in a world I hated so much I did nothing but cried myself to sleep most nights.”
Brad’s face dropped as he stared at his daughter.
“Newsflash for you, Dad. I didn’t have a perfect life, I hated college, I hate Texas and I never want to move back there. I’m not that perfect daughter you strived so damn hard for me to be. I’m the daughter who made mistakes, has regrets and was so beaten down by your expectations that I let myself be miserable in college because I couldn’t stand up to you or the people who made my life a living hell. Well not anymore. Everything I need and want is right here. Matter of fact—”
Meagan reached into her purse and pulled her engagement ring out and slipped it on her finger. “I love Gray and when he asked me to marry him, I finally felt like I was happy and safe. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.”
Meagan stood and looked down at her father. “I’m not perfect, Dad, so please stop trying to make me be. And by the way, I like my hair brown and have no intentions of ever going back to red!”
Meagan grabbed her coat and her purse. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve lost my appetite and will be sitting at the bar drinking a very strong drink and I don’t give two shits if you approve or not.”
Both Brad and I watched as Meagan retreated over to the bar.
After a few minutes of silence, Brad shook his head. “My God. She is her mother’s daughter.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched the love of my life stomp over toward the bar and sit her sexy ass down on the bar stool.
“Gray, I have to ask you something.”
Turning, I looked directly into his eyes. “Anything.”
“Will you please allow me to spend some time alone with my daughter this evening? I not only need to process what she just hit me with, but I also need to process she is engaged and right now all I want to do is hit you.”
With a grin, I pulled out my wallet and placed money on the table. “Of course. I’ll go let Meagan know I’m heading home and I certainly don’t want to have to arrest you for assaulting an officer.”
With a smile and a nod of his head, Brad said, “Thank you, son. That means a lot to me.”
Meagan
WHEN THE BARTENDER set the drink down in front of me, I raised my hand to grab it. My hand was shaking so bad I had to make a fist. Could my life get any crazier?
I felt him before I saw him. “Hey,” Grayson whispered as he leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I’m so damn proud of you, baby.”
My eyes burned as I fought to hold in the tears I wanted so desperately to let out. “I just told my father everything I’ve been wanting to say for years and I’m scared shitless he’s going to hate you.”
“As long as you’re not mad at me anymore.”
Turning, I gave Grayson a bemused smile. “I’m a little mad at you still.”
“How can I make it up to you?”
With a lift of my eyebrow, I let the naughty thoughts I was having invade my mind. “I need to relax before I talk to my father. How are you going to make that happen?”
Grayson’s eyes turned dark as he swallowed hard. “Your father just asked me to leave so he could spend some time with you.”
“You better think fast then, Mr. Bennett; time is running out.”
An evil smile spread over Grayson’s face. “You naughty girl.”
“You bring it out in me.”
“Excuse yourself to use the restroom; I’ll take care of it from there.”
My cheeks burned as my body hummed with anticipation.
With a quick kiss on my lips, Grayson walked away as I sat there, horny as all get out and pissed beyond belief.
Motioning toward the bartender, I asked, “Will you please add this to the bill for that table?” I asked as I pointed at my father.
“Yes, of course.”
I picked up my jacket and purse and then grabbed the vodka and cranberry juice and made my way back to my father.
“Meagan, please sit back down and let’s talk.”
With a dramatic sigh, I set my drink, jacket, and purse down. “I need a few moments to calm down, Dad.”
My father nodded his head. “You’re not angry I asked Gray to leave, are you?”
A part of me was angry he asked my fiancé to leave. But that was a battle I wasn’t ready to fight. “I’m not happy about that, but I understand. If you’ll give me a few minutes, I’ll be right back.”
My father stood and said, “Of course, sweetheart. Your meal should be coming out soon, though.”
It was then I realized Grayson had paid for the meal and left without eating. The idea of him rushing over here to be with me only to be asked to leave had me longing to see him even more and say how sorry I was for earlier today. My emotions were all over the place lately.
Ugh. I need a girls’ weekend.
Turning on my heels, I quickly made my way to the restrooms. Right as I was about to walk into the ladies’ restroom, Grayson grabbed me and pulled me down the hall and through the kitchen.
“Gray!” I whispered as he guided me out through the kitchen and down a hall. “Where are we going?”
“I told the manager I had to question you regarding a case. He graciously offered me the use of his office.”
My stomach dipped at the idea of doing something naughty with Grayson as my father sat in the restaurant. Covering my mouth, I tried to hide my smile as Grayson stopped at the door marked General Manager. Opening the door, he pulled me in, shut and locked the door.
His hands were up my dress and his lips pressed to mine before I could even utter a word. Warm fingers dipped into my panties and slid effortlessly between my lips.
A low moan vibrated between our mouths as I pushed my hips against his hand. Being with Grayson meant forgetting the world. We were both guilty of using sex as a way to forget the now, and I was totally okay with that.
“Gray, fuck me. I need you to fuck me now.”
His eyes roamed over my body like a hungry lion waiting to eat his prey. “Goddamn it, Meg,” Grayson said as he unzipped his pants and pulled out his hard dick.
“Yes,” I hissed as I walked up against the wall opposite the door and pushed my panties out of the way and.
Grayson lifted my leg and teased my clit with the head of his dick. “Gah! Grayson! Now!”
With one quick move, he was balls deep as we both gasped.
“Tell me you’re not angry anymore.”
My eyes widened as he stood there, buried inside of me in some stranger’s office in a restaurant where my father was sitting at a table waiting for me. “W-what?”
Barely rotating his hips, he grinned. “Tell me you’re not angry with me anymore.”
Narrowing my eye at him, I smiled. “Unless you pull an orgasm out of me in the next three minutes, I’m not going to say that.”
The smile on his face caused my body to tremble. “Challenge accepted.”
Holding my leg up, Grayson moved in and out of my body like he couldn’t get enough of me. It was raw, hard, fast, and the hottest fucking thing I’d ever experienced as his lips moved across my neck.
“Oh God,” I whispered as I buried my face into his neck and rode out my orgasm while I felt Grayson’s own release pouring into my body. Nothing felt as amazing as Grayson’s cum inside of me.
Pulling out, Grayson gently let go of my leg as he moved my panties back into place and zipped up his pants.
My head dropped back as I fought to catch my breath. “That was almo
st too fast.”
With a laugh, Grayson pulled me to him and cupped my face with his hands. “I love you so fucking much.”
His lips brushed gently over mine as he stole one last kiss before turning and walking over to the door. I peeled my body from the wall and walked over toward the man I would do anything for. The man who helped me find a piece of myself I had buried away for so long I almost forgot who she was.
“Will you be coming by my place later?”
Grayson frowned as he jerked his head back. “What about your father?”
With a shrug of my shoulders, I winked and said, “Give me two hours with him and then bring a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a movie.”
Grayson opened the door and motioned for me to take the lead. “If that’s what my girl wants, that’s what she’ll get.”
An hour later, my father and I were still sitting at the table at Ores. The conversation started off shaky as I finally told my father everything that happened at Baylor. I had let my parents know some things, but I never fully told them everything and how bad the bullying got.
Now we were on the subject I was most afraid to talk to him about.
“So . . . Grayson.”
His name caused me to smile and my father noticed it right away.
With a frown he slightly shook his head in disbelief. “Engaged? I’d say this is pretty serious.”
My stomach fluttered as I looked down at my ring. “He makes me happy, Dad. I can’t explain how I feel about him without smiling like a silly teenager.”
“Meg, why didn’t you tell us about him sooner? Why wait until you’re engaged or one of us was coming to visit you?”
Glancing down at my dessert plate, I shrugged as I moved the last piece of cheesecake around mindlessly. “I guess I was afraid you might try to push him away from me.”
My father reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “I’m so sorry I made you feel that way, Meagan. I really wish you had come to talk to me. My heart hurts knowing I was the one who pushed you away from us.”
I shook my head, “No, Dad. Please don’t feel that way. I never pictured myself moving back to Mason after college. I know everyone else wants that life and that’s great. I’m so happy for all of my friends and happy that most of our family is right there. For me though, I needed something different. I didn’t want to marry a cowboy and live on a ranch and play the rancher’s wife. I wanted the life I have right now.”