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She’s warm and soft and everything I want in a woman. Her curves melt into my body like she was designed to be the other half of my puzzle piece.
When she finally fell asleep, she snored, tiny little rumbly sounds that had somehow made me smile. She didn’t have a single nightmare in the moments she caught of sleep, and the cocky part of my brain wants to scream to anyone who will listen that I chased away her demons, at least for a night.
Even with the storm passing and the sun peeking out around the clouds all around us, there’s another hurricane brewing, this one threatening to overtake my life. And I can’t stop the conversation I had on the phone with Brian replaying in my mind mixed in with the fun between me and Brandi.
“Please, dear holy baby Jesus,” Brian growled as soon as I answered. “Please tell me you did not sleep with Brandi. Poppy told me she’s there. Don’t worry, she didn’t just blurt it out or anything, but she made sure I knew when I came on duty this morning. Said something about making sure Maya wasn’t freaking out. But I didn’t believe it. There’s no way you’d be that stupid.”
That was only the beginning.
“Maya would kill anyone who hurt that girl. She’s had a messed-up life. She took care of my girl when no one else was there.” Brian had gone on. “She doesn’t deserve to be one of your random hookups, Trav. Maya and I care about her. Deeply. So keep your dick away from her. Point it in the other direction.”
Then Brian, his so-called friend, had added a little more.
“And just because she looks like your ex, doesn’t mean you get to fuck with her. She’s good and sweet and if you break her heart, I’ll break you. Got it?”
The words burned deep into my brain. No one was even supposed to know about Jessica. How did he find out?
But the warning is there, too.
How can someone who’s my friend just assume all I have are random hookups? I couldn’t argue with him, though, because he was telling the truth.
That doesn’t mean he has permission to stick his nose into my personal life.
If I want to start something with Brandi, I can.
If I want to tie her to my bed and keep her there until she agrees to go on a date with me, I will.
I’m not stupid. I know why I pushed her away so hard.
I wanted her the moment I set eyes on her the first time. I can finally admit it to myself. More than I had wanted anyone since Jessica, and now that I’ve had her once, well…
She’s a revelation.
A revelation I don’t have time to focus all my attention on, at least not yet.
By end of day, the power is restored to the island, and all the major trees are removed from the roads. All residents have been accounted for, and luckily there aren’t any casualties. Both the Emergency Management Agency and the sheriff’s department are considering commendations for all those who chose to assist in the cleanup effort, which isn’t something I was prepared for.
Brian stands at his car when I get back to the Serenity Harbor Police Department, arms folded and the kind of hard look usually reserved for the worst kind of criminal aimed right at me.
“What?”
Brian sighs. “I’d ask, but that look on your face is all the answer I need. You slept with her, didn’t you?”
“That,” I say, pointing at my friend, “is none of your fuckin’ business.”
“Maya will kill you first, and then she’ll kill me for letting one of the guys hurt her friend.”
“I’m not planning on hurting her.” The words are out before I even know I am going to say them.
Brian frowns. “So you’re in love now? After one night together.”
“Should I fucking repeat myself? This is none of your business.”
“She’s my friend, and she’s Maya’s. She’s not a conquest or a badge bunny you can fool around with. She’s one of us. Don’t mess around with our dispatchers. It’s the only rule we have from the sheriff about interoffice relationships.”
“And,” I say, “she’s of age and can think for herself. Besides, what do you have to say about what happened with you and Maya?”
Brian leans against the car. “C’mon, man. I know you and your reputation, one you earned by sleeping with anyone and everyone you’re attracted to. And I know who she looks like.” His eyes narrow. “Yeah, I’ve seen her photo.”
