CHAPTER 17
THERESA

I was excited to finally get some time with Jane. Grant had left for Boston, and I was on pins and needles for his return. I wanted to trust his promise. Despite being disappointed by the men in my life over and over again, I knew Grant would be different.

I found myself anxiously waiting for him to come back.

“So, what’s the big news?” Jane asked.

I embraced my best friend outside of our regular doughnut shop.

“Why does there have to be big news?” I asked.

“Because we always come to this place to get doughnuts when there is.”

“Correction. You always bring me to this place when there is.”

“Still, the precedent has been set. So, whatever it is, I want all the details.”

“You want the punchline or the whole story?” I asked.

“You know how I work. Punchline, let me stew, then story.”

“Great. Ready?” I asked.

“Hit me with it.”

“Grant and I hooked up twice, and now he’s promised to come back from Boston in a few days to see me.”

The look on her face was priceless.

Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped to the pavement. An earth-shattering squeal erupted from her throat as she threw her arms around me. She twirled me around in a circle before she backed up, then she raised her hands and started clapping for me.

“Thank you. Thank you. I’m here all night,” I said with a grin.

“You fucked Grant? Twice?” she asked.

“Come on. Doughnuts and coffee, then stories.”

The two of us placed our order, then went to sit in a corner booth. My family was well-known in the area, and the last thing I needed was someone overhearing Jane and I talking. If things got back around to my father—or worse, Hollis—it would not be good.

And I wanted things to stay good. I knew they would have to find out about us sooner or later, but I wasn’t quite ready for that fight just yet.

“Okay, start with the first encounter,” Jane said.

“You remember that first night we went drinking? When Ike and I broke things off and Hollis surprised us with Grant coming?”

“You did not. I told that man to take you home because you were drunk!”

“Don’t worry, I sobered up in his car. He even asked if I was sober enough to be making the decision. And then—it just happened.”

“It never just happens, Theresa. Details, girl. Details.”

“It was wonderful. And commanding. Jane, he picked me up and placed me into the wall. Like I weighed nothing.”

“Have you seen the muscles on that man’s body? That’s a stupid question. Never mind.”

I grinned as I took a bite of my food.

“So, what was it like? That first time?”

“Mesmerizing. Fantastic. Ike never made me feel that way. Ever. I had no control over the situation, and yet I inherently trusted him with everything. I knew Grant wouldn’t hurt me,” I said.

“What happened afterward?” she asked. “Did he stay?”

“We fell asleep on the floor together, yeah. And guess who showed up the next morning?”

“Holy shit. Does Hollis know?”

“I wouldn’t be living if Hollis knew. No, it was Ike.”

“Wait, you mean that tirade he went on about wanting you back?”

“Yeah. That argument. It was the morning after. Grant opened the door and everything. It was really bad, Jane.”

“Oh shit,” she said, giggling. “That’s a nasty mess.”

“It was. At first, Grant wanted to intervene, but I told him to go and that I would handle it. He didn’t want to leave at first, but I got him out of there and then I handled Ike once and for all.”

“Well, a good fuck will give you all kinds of confidence,” she grinned.

“I suppose that was part of it. But I think the fact that Grant treated me the way I wanted and deserved to be treated was what pushed me. I finally realized my strength was there all along, I just had to use it.”

“And use it you did. I still wish I could have been there when you physically threw that asshole out,” Jane said.

“It was pretty epic,” I agreed.

“Okay, so you said ‘a couple times’, when was the second time? Oh wait, was it when Hollis and he grabbed us at the bar that night?” she asked.

“No. He wouldn’t touch me that night because I was too drunk. I woke up the next morning pissed as hell and went to Hollis’ to give him a piece of my mind. That’s when it happened,’ I said.

“Wait, it happened at Hollis’ house? You fucked your brother’s best friend in his own house?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess I did,” I said, grinning. Jane’s jaw hit the floor, and I threw my head back in laughter.

“Who are you and what have you done with my Theresa?”

“I know, right? I mean, who the hell am I turning into?”

“Do you like it?” she asked. “This newfound rebellious streak?”

“I do,” I said. “I feel freer. Less restrained. More in control of my life.”

“That’s good. That’s a really good thing. But you know what I want.”

“Details. Yes. Well, he pulled me into Hollis’ house and carried me upstairs to the guest bedroom. I guess that’s where he was staying. And it was—”

I sighed as I took the last bite of my doughnut.

“That good, huh?”

“You have no idea. I can’t even explain it. I felt like I was on another planet.”

“Damn. That boy must have a big dick.”

“And a very skilled tongue,” I said, sighing.

Jane and I giggled as the two of us sipped on our coffee.

“I still can’t believe it sometimes,” I said.

“Believe what?” Jane asked.

“I’ve wanted to be with Grant since I was fifteen years old. And now? I’ve been with him twice, and he’s promising to come back and see me. It’s like a fairytale.”

“Then why do you look like you’re panicking?”

I felt my face fall as I looked down into my cup.

“What if he doesn’t come back?” I asked.

“He will, Theresa. He came back after all these years.”

“To see Hollis. Not me.”

“Don’t do this to yourself. You do it every time. Something good happens, and you find a way to doubt it. This is a good thing, Theresa. Where did new Theresa go?”

“But what if—?”

“No more what ifs. Embrace what’s going on in your life. Enjoy it. Ride it out. Even if this isn’t forever, has he given you any indication that he would lie about something like that?” she asked.

“No,” I said.

“Then don’t doubt him now. Grant isn’t Ike.”

I sighed as I nodded my head. I knew she was right. I was holding Grant to Ike’s standard, and he was so much better than that. I smiled at Jane, and she relaxed in her chair before her eyes fell to her watch.

“Shit. We’re late.”

“What time is it?” I asked.

“Almost two.”

“Shit. I’m very late,” I said.

“Come on. I’ll give you a lift back to work.”

“Thanks, I almost forgot I walked over here,” I said.

Jane took me back to my father’s office before her hand fell to my wrist. My eyes whipped over to her, and I knew she could see right through me. I reached over and hugged her, knowing I was in for a good scolding by my father when I got inside.

“If he said he’d be back, he’ll be back.”

“Thanks,” I said, whispering.

I got out of the car with my coffee in hand and waved her off, then I drew in a deep breath and started for my desk. There was a line of people waiting to be checked in, and I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment.

My father was going to be livid.

He’d had always run a very tight ship when it had come to his office. He didn’t like his patients waiting any longer than was absolutely necessary and he rode his office staff hard about that. Even though he’d softened a bit since Mom’s passing, that was one thing that had never changed. My ass didn’t even hit the seat before I heard his voice around the corner.

“Theresa? A word?”

I looked up at the line of people waiting to check in, and I slid a clipboard their way. They could jot down their information, and I’d sign them in for their appointments as soon as I got back. I apologized with my eyes then headed to see my father. He was sitting with his back to me in his office chair.

“Come in and shut the door.”

His voice was filled with disappointment and my stomach flipped in on itself.

“Why have you been acting out lately?”

I furrowed my brow at his question.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said.

“You do, so save the act because you’re late from lunch and you have work to do. I’ll ask you again. Why have you been acting out?”

He turned his chair around to me as his eyes connected with mine.

“Do you need examples?”

“To define what you mean by ‘acting out,’ yes,” I said.

“Getting drunk in public with Jane. Needing your brother to pry men off you in a bar. Coming back late from lunch. I know you know how all of this reflects on me and my business. So why are you doing it?”

I clenched my jaw as I clasped my hands behind my back.

“I’m a responsible adult,” I said.

“You’re not acting like one.”

“Because I’m not following your rules? I don’t live with you, Dad. You’re my boss. And a boss wouldn't have a say in what his employees were doing on their off-time.”

“Unless it reflected badly on his company. And your actions reflect badly on my business.”

“Because I’m your daughter. But if I were an employee who was unrelated to you, this wouldn’t be an issue. You wouldn’t even care.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t. But I do care because you are my daughter, so I demand an answer. What the hell has gotten into you?”

“I pay my bills, and I never miss work. This is the first time I have ever been late in the four years I’ve worked for you. I don’t take an ounce of vacation unless it’s for the family vacation, and I don’t live with you. Haven’t for years. I’m not tethered to you financially other than an employee would be with a boss.”

“But you’re not just my employee, you’re my daughter.”

“I am your daughter, yes. But I’m a grown woman who doesn’t need Daddy to tell her how to live her life,” I said.

“Your mother would’ve been ashamed of your actions. Her little girl getting drunk in a bar around a bunch of men who wanted nothing more than to grope you.”

“Wow, Dad. That’s pretty low to bring Mom into this. And I see you and Hollis have been talking, so I’ll save you the rest of this fight. Do I need to find a new job?”

“It depends. Are your actions going to change?”

“No,” I said.

My eyes hooked onto my father’s as he leaned back in his chair. He looked tired. Worn. Haggard. But I wasn’t going to go easy on him any longer. I hadn’t stood up to him and Hollis soon enough, and now I was having to fight for the little bit of freedom I still had in my life. And if that meant finding another job, then that was what I would have to do.

I already negotiated a lower rent with my landlord, so I wouldn’t have to move. Finding another job would be easy as pie compared to that conversation.

I watched my father shake his head before he turned back to his computer. But I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay. Working with my father came with job security, but at what cost? Were we going to have these fights every time Hollis decided my actions were worthy of my father’s knowledge? Was I going to have to walk on eggshells in my place of work because of things that bore no relationship to the business?

Maybe it was time I found another job.

I worked through the rest of the day and stayed an extra half hour to make up for the time I lost at lunch. I clocked out at five thirty and made my way to my father’s office, but his door was closed and locked. The light was on underneath so I knew he was there, but I figured he didn’t want to be disturbed.

I’d wait until the end of the week before putting in my two-week notice. I made my way home and found a manila envelope taped to my front door. I plucked it off and found a note from my landlord telling me that Ike’s name had officially been taken off the rental agreement. I pulled out the new agreement and smiled when I saw nothing but my name and a place to sign. I double-checked to make sure the lower monthly rent was incorporated into the deal, then I pushed myself inside and signed the papers. I felt a massive boulder being lifted off my shoulders. This apartment was now solely mine. All I needed to do was get the spare keys from Ike, and that part of my life would all be over.

I stuck the agreement back in the envelope and carried it to the kitchen. I’d be dropping it off with my landlord the second I could in the morning. I was one step closer to reclaiming my life and as I stripped myself of my clothes and climbed into bed, my mind raced back to Grant.

He promised me he would call tonight when he was done with a meeting.

I looked at my cell phone and noticed it was almost eight o’clock. What meeting ran this long in the world of construction? I restarted my phone to see if it was messing up or anything, but when there were no missed calls or voicemails, I tossed my phone to the side.

But my body was heating up.

I couldn’t get him off my mind. His tattoos. His muscles. The way his skin stretched around his strength. I felt my nipples hardening as my legs began to part, and slowly my hand was sliding down my stomach. Down my hips. Down between my legs.

My free hand reached up and tugged on my nipples as my fingertips circled my clit. My eyes fluttered closed, and I could see him. All of him. His raging cock leaking for me and his low-hanging balls itching to be in my mouth. I felt his lips on my neck as his teeth nipped at my skin. I pressed my fingers deep into my pussy and pushed my hips from my bed. My heels dug into the mattress as I slipped two fingers into my soft, wet heat.

“Shit. Grant. Don’t stop.”

I saw him peeking up from beyond my legs. His devilish eyes claiming my gaze as his tongue raked along my slit. I cupped my pussy, massaging all of it like he did with his lips whenever he licked me clean.

I was panting. Moaning. Rolling my hips deep into my hands when my phone rang.

Breathlessly, I reached out for my phone with my fingers between my pussy folds. I looked at who was calling and groaned when I saw his name. I looked down at my hand and slowly removed my fingers from my pussy, my legs trembling as I did.

I drew in a deep breath, hoping my voice could steady itself before I answered the phone.

“Hello?” I asked.

The crack in my voice gave me away, and there was dead silence. My clit was throbbing between my legs, and my knees were cast off to the sides. Fluids were slowly dripping down my skin, and my tits were aching to be touched. I tried to steady my breathing. To get my mind to think about anything else.

But I couldn’t focus, and I felt my breathing beginning to tick up again.