CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Garret

Stepping into the precinct, I find Jace at my desk, pacing in circles. He looks up and when he notices me, a huge smile breaks out on his face.

“Dude, where have you been?”

I check my watch and raise my eyebrows. “Well, I was due on shift at 9:00 a.m. and it’s 9:02 a.m., so I'm walking inside?”

“Chief left a letter on your desk about ten minutes ago.”

“Okay?”

“Dude. A letter?” Jace is staring at me like I have seven heads.

I toss my bag onto my chair, reaching for the envelope sitting on my desk. I still have no idea what his issue is, so I rip the letter open and hold it up. It takes me thirty seconds to read it, but I have to keep rereading it until it sinks in.

“So? What is it, man?”

“I passed.”

Jace gives me all of .2 seconds before he’s cheering loudly, pulling me into a hug huge. “Fuck yes!” he shouts, climbing onto my desk. “Excuse me, can I have everyone’s attention, please?”

The other officers in the room all look his way, laughing at his crazy antics.

“My partner and best friend of ten years passed the detective’s exam!”

Everyone starts clapping and I shake my head at him, currently doing the floss on top of my desk.

Dropping into my chair, I lean back and keep reading the words in the letter. I’m floored. Not that I didn’t think I had what it takes, but still. I fucking did it.

Jace hops down and sits on top, looking at me with a smile. “I’m proud of you, Garret. You’ve worked your ass off, and I couldn’t be happier for you. You know we gotta celebrate, right?”

“Yeah, we will. Definitely. You mind covering for me for a second?”

“Yeah, man. Go call your girl. I got your back.”

Slapping his arm, I duck out and walk down to the hallway near the bathrooms where it’s quiet. Taking my phone from my back pocket, I pull up Sadie’s number and hit FaceTime. It only rings for a few seconds and she answers, bare-faced and fucking beautiful.

“Garret?”

“Hey, babe. You got a sec?”

“For you? Always. What’s up?”

Leaning my back against the wall, I try to find the right words but I can’t, so I just blurt them out. “So when I came in, Jace was pacing like a caged animal waiting for me.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I fucking passed, Sades. I did it.”

Her brown eyes widen in shock, and she covers her mouth with her hand. “I knew you would. I’m so damn proud of you.”

Jace said those words to me only a few minutes ago, but coming from her mouth, they make me feel even better. Making my girl proud is top of my priority list, always.

“Thanks, baby.”

Her eyes are teary and she laughs at herself. “I’m such a mess, and it’s not even my news. Hope you’re up for a serious celebration tonight.”

“Yeah, you better be in bed when I get back this afternoon.”

“Oh yes, with bells and whistles.”

“Sadie Ward has a kinky side. Who knew?” I joke, and she bursts out laughing.

“Yeah, I’m real dangerous. Listen, I was about to jump in the shower, but call me later if you get a chance, okay?”

“You know it. Have a good day, Sades.”

She blows me a kiss, and then the call ends. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her how much I love her, but I haven’t. I may be celebrating passing the exam, but I’m not saying "I love you" for the first time over a video chat.

No, that’s not happening.

§

Finishing the last of my paperwork, I stretch back in my chair and look up to see Jace walking over in street clothes.

“You almost done?”

“Yeah, in another ten minutes or so. Why?”

“Just wondering. You sure I can’t tempt you into going out for a drink?”

I shake my head and toss my pen down. “Tomorrow night. I really just wanna get home to Sadie.”

Jace chuckles and scrubs a hand down his face. “Can’t argue with that. Congrats again, buddy. Say hi to your girl for me.”

Bumping my fist with his, he takes off and I get back to work.

Twenty minutes later, I’m heading home. After hitting the buttons on my dash, the sound of ringing fills my Jeep, and a second later Sadie answers.

“Hey, Garret.”

“Hey, baby. I’m about ten minutes from my place. What time are you coming over tonight?”

“Shit. Hold on a second.”

A loud commotion in the background has me narrowing my eyes, and then she’s back on the line. “Hey, listen, I’m so sorry but Caroline called out and Brody needed me. I’m working till ten.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry, Garret. I know you wanted to celebrate tonight, but I didn’t want to say no to your brother. Please don’t be angry with me.”

“No, I’m not angry, babe. I understand. I’m disappointed, but it’s fine. Jace was gonna take me out to get a drink, but I turned him down. Maybe I’ll just go anyway.”

“Well, why don’t you come here? I want to buy you a drink, okay?”

I can’t let her down, so I agree and end the call, figuring I can get changed and go. It’s only just after five, so the bar shouldn’t be too packed, and then I can head out with Jace.

Pulling into my driveway, I switch off the engine and send a quick text to Jace. He agrees to meet me at Walker’s, and I head inside to shower and change.

Fifteen minutes later, I stroll out of my house. The drive to my brother’s bar doesn’t take too long, and soon enough I’m parking in the lot.

Locking my Jeep, I head inside, spinning my baseball hat backward. I pull the door open and am immediately overcome by the loud cheers and shouts.

“Congratulations!”

Well I’ll be damned.

Standing in front of me is everybody I love. My parents and Brody are next to the bar, and all my coworkers are there, Jace included. And off to the side is the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my life. And fuck, does she look good. She’s clapping softly, and I don’t miss the sparkle in her eyes.

Brody comes over to me first and gives me a hard hug, cupping the back of my head.

“So fucking proud of you, bro.”

“Thanks, Brody. What is all this?”

“Sadie called me this morning, and we got it all thrown together.”

I shake my head at him in disbelief, and then my mom comes swooping over to me, throwing her arms around my neck. “Hey, Momma.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetheart. Congratulations.”

“Love y’all.”

When I shake my dad’s hand, he looks off to the side and finds me still staring at my girl. “Go see that pretty thing of yours. She’s one hell of a lady.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Leaving my parents behind, I make my way toward Sadie. When I get a foot away, she rushes me and jumps into my arms. I catch her easily, hoisting her up so her legs go around my waist. Burying my face in her neck, I breathe her in and close my eyes.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, and she pulls away, kissing me hard in front of everybody, earning a few whistles.

“Of course. And for the record, I’ve had this planned since you told me about the test.”

“How is that possible?”

“I told Brody that when you found out, we were throwing you a surprise party, and he was hosting it, and he better like it.”

“Sassy. I like this side of you. But how’d you know I’d pass?”

“Oh please, Garret. I know you better than you think. I knew you would because you’re the best person I know and you’re incredibly smart. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

Holding her tight with one arm, I cup her cheek with my other hand, forehead pressed to hers. “What the hell did I do to deserve someone like you?”

“I ask myself the same thing every day.”

Looking deep into her eyes, I lick my lips and then kiss her again. She tastes like home.

“I love you, Sadie.”

She doesn’t look shocked, and even though I see the tears shining in her eyes, I know they aren’t sad ones.

“I love you too, Garret. So much.”

Placing her down on her feet, it’s only then I notice something different about her.

“Hey, when’d you do this?” I ask, fingering her now much shorter hair. It’s just above her shoulders, and while it's different, it also looks good. More elegant, somehow.

“I like it,” I say, and she laughs.

“I did it to celebrate.”

“You cut your hair because I passed the detective’s exam?”

She shakes her head. “No, I did it because Graham was served the restraining order, and Mitchell said the divorce should be final in ninety days. He pulled some strings once he filed all the evidence of abuse.”

“Fuck yeah,” I growl, pulling her mouth to mine, completely devouring her in front of all our friends and family. Her tongue pushes into my mouth and I groan, her hands banding around my waist.

When I pull away, she looks up at me, flushed and breathless.

“Get a room!” Brody yells, and everybody starts laughing, us included.

Taking her hand, I bring her with me over to the bar and order a round of drinks for everybody. Sadie grabs a bottled water and winks at me, then blows me a kiss.

Together, we all celebrate. Surrounded by the most important people in my life, my girl by my side, I know life couldn’t get any better.

Or so I think.

§

Hours later, I step in the front door of my house, Sadie tangled in my arms. She followed me over here, and now I need to get her in my bed.

Kicking the door shut behind us, I pick her up and her legs tighten around my waist, my hands clutching her ass. Stumbling up the stairs, I make it to my bedroom and toss her on the bed, her laughter filling the room. Toeing off my boots, I rip my shirt over my head and drag my pants down, falling onto the bed on top of her.

My mouth attacks hers in an aggressive kiss, her breathing coming in quick pants. Nipping her bottom lip, I pull it between my teeth, causing a moan to break from her throat, her hips thrusting against mine. Leaning up on my knees, I yank her pants down while she pulls her shirt off. Beginning at the swell between her breasts, I work my way down, tongue swirling around her belly button.

Sadie sits up and with her hand grips the hair on the back of my head. I slip her underwear off and spread her legs, running my tongue along the inside of her thigh. I spread her for me and my mouth waters, needing my taste now.

“Garret—”

She breaks off when I lick straight up to her clit, sucking it roughly into my mouth. I’m not gentle as I devour her, my tongue and fingers moving in sync with each other. Curling my fingers, I stroke the spot that makes her shatter every single time. I’m greedy for her pleasure, and I need her to come now.

I can tell the second she does, her body taut and her back arching. My name ricochets off the walls, and her grip on my hair tightens to the point of painful.

Wiping my mouth on the inside of her thigh, I straighten up, my cock aching to be inside of her. Reaching over to the end table, I grab a condom and rip it open, rolling it down my shaft as fast as I can.

“How do you want me?” she teases, sitting up to unhook her bra.

“You’re trying to fucking kill me, woman.”

“Nah, I’m just really turned on, and I have this hot-as-hell man in front of me.”

“Oh, well say no more, then.”

Climbing onto the bed, I slide her down so she’s in the center, then flip her onto her stomach. Moving behind her, I take advantage and run my hands down her spine to that perfect ass. Gripping the base of my cock, I rub the head up and down her wetness, teasing her clit on every slide.

“Stop screwing around back there,” she groans and I take mercy on her, driving in balls deep on the first thrust, causing us both to moan in unison. I start a steady pace, reaching up to grip her shoulder, the other hand on her hip. The bed shakes with the force of my thrusts, and she cries out with each.

“Fuckin hell,” I moan, head dropping back onto my shoulders. Her pussy is gripping me so tight, and I know she’s close to coming again, so I slow my thrusts, not wanting this to end yet. I slip my arms under her body and pull her upright so her back is flush with my chest.

Sadie’s head falls back onto my shoulder and I bite down on her bare shoulder, my free hand cupping her breast, fingers pinching her hardened nipple.

“Oh my God, Garret. Yes.”

“So good, baby.”

Grunting louder than before, I begin canting my hips harder, the hand on her breast slipping down to finger her clit. The tingling in my spine is growing stronger, and I can’t hold on for much longer. Moving both hands to her thighs, I spread her legs even wider and slam into her as hard as I can, her cries turning into shouts as she begins to milk my cock, coming harder than she did before.

The harsh groan I release vibrates off her skin, and I bury my face in the crook of her neck, my release tearing through me, my legs shaking with the pleasure. Slowly I lower her onto the bed and pull out, falling next to her.

Panting, she turns in my arms and kisses my bare chest.

“Fuck, that was good,” I tell her, running a hand up and down her sweaty back.

She laughs and rests her head on my chest, tangling her legs with mine. A moment later, I force myself to climb off the bed and take care of the condom, returning with a warm washcloth so I can clean her up. After throwing it into the hamper, I come back into the bedroom to find her lying in the middle of the bed wearing the T-shirt I had on tonight.

“Aw, did I wear someone out?”

“Yes, you and that giant dick,” she whines, rolling over when I climb in behind her.

“Well, my giant dick and I are more than happy to oblige.”

“So lucky I love you, jackass,” she mutters.

Within minutes I hear her breathing even out, and I know she’s asleep.

“Yeah, baby. I really am.” Placing a kiss to the top of her head, I pull her close and settle down, falling asleep almost instantly, dreaming of the short-haired beauty in my arms.