Bleeding Love

“Oh. Well. I guess I could partake in a little off-road fun,” I say, my voice hoarse with arousal.

Lee keeps his eyes on mine, the brown depths not hiding how turned on he is, and when a few minutes pass, he pulls me back into his arms and while looking at the television I hear, just barely, him mumble how ‘cute’ I am.

Lee’s double shift ended up taking a lot more of his time than planned. He worked Monday for his shift and then the one he was covering, however he ended up having to take another one—with only two hours of sleep—when they called him back on. Apparently being understaffed is a huge issue for the HTPD. So huge of an issue that when two officers are down with a massive stomach virus, they have to call in one that’s just come off a double.

Lee doesn’t complain. He actually said he didn’t mind going in, but was pissed that meant he would need to crash the second he finished his shift and wouldn’t get to come over.

That was over a week ago and things have just been too crazy for us to get together. Between his work, my deadline, and Molly, there just hasn’t been time to go out. That being said, our late night phone calls have kept me plenty entertained. If I thought Lee talking dirty in bed was hot, hearing his deep voice rumble over the phone, telling me everything he can’t wait to do to my body, is unbelievable. Add to that the sounds of him coming when I return promises of my own has kept me aroused for eight very long days.

I pick up my cell and smile when I see Lee’s text, reminding me that he’ll be over tonight to pick me up for dinner. Actually, his reminder was that he was taking ‘his’ girls out and the mention of me and Molly being his girls has created a smile on my face that I’m pretty sure won’t be slipping for a while.

Scrolling through my texts, I bring up Dani’s and type out a new message.

Me: I need your help.

Dani: Shoot!

Me: Tonight is my first night out with Lee. I need to change some things up. It’s time.

Dani: I’ve got a block empty around nine if you can get here in the next fifteen. I take it this is going to be more than just a cut?

I take a second and think about her question. I’ve been thinking about this since my quest to move on started. It’s time, for me to let go of the old Megan and get a new look. Nothing crazy, but since I’ve had the same long blonde hair cut at regularly since I was a teen, yeah . . . it’s time.

Me: It’s for the new me.

Dani: Well, right on, babe! Sway is going to eat this up. That man lives for makeovers.

Me: Uh.

Dani: Don’t worry. This is going to be a blast! See you in fifteen.

Okay. So I guess I’m getting a makeover.

SHOCK HOLDS ME IN PLACE as I’m being circled by Sway—the short, but fit, owner of the salon that Dani works at. He’s probably a good three inches or so shorter than my five-foot-nine, however the five inch heels that he’s rocking make him taller than I am. Not to mention, the man makes skinny jeans look better than I ever could. Of course, he doesn’t have my hips. I’ve heard, but never seen, that he also rocks his long blond wig better than most women can.

Yeah, Sway is a force that you will only understand if you know him. He’s flamboyant and over-dramatic, loves glitter to the degree that it is probably unhealthy, and isn’t afraid to tell you exactly how it is.

He’s also Stella’s dad.

But even though I love Stella and even though Dani seems to think this is a brilliant idea, having Sway circle me while muttering, is freaking me way out.

“Those hips, child! God, only the lucky ones have hips like that. I’ve tried, trust me. I had hips when I was a sexy plump man, but they never looked as good as yours. I bet that gorgeous man just grabs hold and goes to town!”

My cheeks heat and I hear Stella, who also works at the salon, yell at her dad to stop embarrassing me.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve told you before, child, I don’t bat for the kitties but I still think like a man. Well, sometimes. And those hips. Yes, honey . . . oh yes! Now come sit in Sway’s chair and tell me all about that hunk Liam Beckett.”

Then my hand is in his and I’m being pulled past Dani and into Sway’s chair.

“You do realize she is my client, right?” she huffs.

“No. She was. Now she’s mine.”

I watch through the mirror as Dani puts her hands on her slim hips and snaps, “You can’t just steal my appointment. She’s my friend, you weird old man. I swear, if I didn’t love you I would quit.”

He laughs, throwing his head back and his arms in the air. “You,” he points to her and then reaches out to unbutton the top button on her black blouse, “Will never learn to let those babies free. Can you believe her?” he asks, looking at me through the mirror. “She has those great girls now that she’s turned into a human milker. Never shows them off. I tell her, time and time again, now that she has the man doesn’t mean she should put them away. And you,” he snaps, turning back to Dani. “Leave me to this sweet child. She needs Sway. You need to go tug up the girls and go give your man a nooner before he calls here, again, and yells at me for keeping you away from the house.”