Body Checking (Men of Havoc #3)

10

IT'S BEEN decades since I simply made out with a woman like I did with Maren the other night. In fact, the last time that I did that, the woman was actually a girl. Of course I was a boy, so it makes sense.

Today was an afternoon game, so I finally have more than an hour or two at eleven p.m. to spend with Maren. I asked her to dinner and planned on a very upscale place. When she asked where we were going and I told her, the tone of her voice changed immediately.

“What’s wrong with Chez Sois?” I asked her.

“Oh. Nothing. It’s a perfectly great restaurant,” she replied, but I knew there was more.

“It’s great but…”

She stayed silent for a moment then said, “Listen, Cade. I’m sure you’re used to dating fancy girls that like fancy restaurants that serve a piece of lettuce and a crumb and call it a salad. But it’s obvious that I like real food. Barbeque, burgers, fried chicken. I’m not the kind of woman you’ll find eating escargot and caviar. ”

There were a few things to dissect in that so I went down the list.

“Okay, There was a lot in that, so I’ll start at the top. One, I don’t date fancy girls and go to fancy restaurants. Truth be told, I don’t date.”

“Oh,” she says and I’m sure she’s thinking of what that means.

I don’t correct her because it’s true and I don’t want to lie to her.

“Two. I despise escargot and caviar. I’d rather tie a bib on and crack into some crab legs than eat fish eggs with tiny spoons. So if you feel the same, then those reservations are canceled. You pick the place. And last, what do you mean by ‘ it’s obvious I like real food’ ?”

I knew what she was about to say and I hated that she even thought that way. But I needed her to say so I could correct her and talk that shit straight out of her head.

“I know I’m not a size two, Cade. Hell. I’m not even a size eight. I have hips. I have an ass, and my waist is not small enough for you to fit your hands around. Let’s not pretend that you don’t see that.”

My anger was boiling because I wanted to find the fucktard that made her feel like she wasn’t good enough as she is, and break his scrawny neck .

“Maren, sweetheart. I’m only going to say this once and I hope you listen real good. I love your hips. They’re perfect for me to hold on to for when I finally get to fuck you. Your ass is delicious. I can just imagine what it will look like from behind and when I sink my teeth into it. Your body is a gift from God. Remember that. And as far as whatever number you define yourself as, don't forget…Marilyn Monroe. Raquel Welch. Sophia Loren. Those women are sex symbols to this day and none of them were size two. Thankfully. You are my dream girl, Maren Thompson, and I can’t imagine wanting you any other way than how you are.”

After our conversation, she chilled out and agreed to some good ole Texas bbq.

I showered in my private bathroom at the arena and took a little extra time trying to look casual, which takes much longer than it should. I fixed my hair, brushed out my beard, brushed my teeth, swished with mouthwash, then brushed my teeth again. Just to be sure.

I step out of my office, flipping off the switch as I go, and close the door behind me. With my jacket –that I probably won’t need– draped over my arm, I spin around and run straight into Joaquín and Goldie.

“Santos. Goldie,” I say, then pass right by them.

“Where are ya headed, Coach? Or should I say Hammer ?” Goldie’s smirk is a little too wide for me.

“Taking your little Swiss Miss out on a fancy date?” Joaquín’s use of her nickname irritates me, but not enough to sour my mood.

I feel a lightness in my chest and if I can remember correctly, that feeling is happiness.

“I do indeed have a date. Now, if you call her Swiss Miss again, I’ll be forced to hammer your sorry ass and sit you on the bench for a week.” They both freeze, their steps coming to a dead stop, and look at me with a stiff smile. “You boys have a good night.”

As I walk away, I hear Goldie ask Santos, “Did he seem…happy?”

Nothing can bring me down tonight. Not even my players that normally bring me nothing but headaches.

My truck pulls to a stop in front of Maren’s house and I take a deep breath. Sweat builds on my hairline, as I’m nervous about this being the actual first date I’ve had in fifteen years. After the divorce, I had plenty of “dates” that consisted of a drink and a hard fuck without breakfast or small talk the morning after. I want this time to be the exception .

Having brought flowers just a few days ago, I decided to try something different. My fingers and toes are crossed that she sees it as a silly joke but also serious enough to not think I’m totally joking.

My finger presses the doorbell and I hear it sound throughout her house. The click of multiple locks is followed by the creaking of the door as it opens. A smiling Maren, looking more beautiful each time I see her, stands there to greet me.

“Hi,” she says, her voice breathy and sexy.

“Hello gorgeous.” I step in and kiss her lips chastely, then admire her full body.

I love all sides of Maren. Sporty when she’s at the games, comfy when she’s home, but this look might be my favorite. Kissing her delectable curves is a pair of high waisted jeans that split at the ankle, showing off her black heels and red painted toenails. Her top is black with sleeves that poof out just slightly and gather around her arm. But the sexiest part of her outfit is the very deep V of her top that gives the best peak of her supple breasts and is cut down to just above the waistline of her jeans.

“Fuck, you look amazing.” I kiss her once more, desperately needing to feel her lips on mine.

Her cheeks tinge pink when I pull back and I cup her face, running my thumb over her soft skin. She inhales as do I, and her sweet scent fills my lungs.

“What’s in the bag?”

I look down at my hand, having forgotten that I was holding it, and hold it out to her. “A little gift for you.”

She purses her lips like she’s upset but she is absolutely hiding a small smirk behind it. Taking the bag from me, she walks over to her small kitchen table and begins pulling out the tissue paper that I have overstuffed it with. Her eyes are aglow as she pulls out what I’ve given her.

“Mugs?” A sweet dimple appears with her tight smile.

Nodding I say, “Yup. For morning coffee. Thought it’d be easier to leave mine here so I don’t have to constantly bring it over.”

Her head whips up to meet mine, the Havoc mugs she was admiring forgotten. “Um, morning coffee? For you and I?”

I step closer and wrap her in my arms. “Yes. I want to have mornings waking up next to you and having coffee on your couch. Or mine. It doesn’t really matter as long as it’s with you.”

She laughs uncomfortably and sets the mugs down. “Moving a little fast, don’t you think? ”

“Not when you know you’ve found the woman you’ve always dreamed of.” She takes a couple steps back and I wince, having pushed a little far. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to scare you. I just…Maren, I don’t think you understand. The moment I saw you on that video, my life immediately changed. Do you know when the last time I smiled was?” She shakes her head. “Me neither. Not until you. That’s how I know I have to hold on to you with all that I’ve got.”

I watch her throat work as she swallows. “Are you ready to go?” she asks, changing the topic completely.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” I take her hand in mine and walk to the front door.

She grabs her purse from a hook hanging on the wall then locks up behind her. Escorting her to my truck, I watch her amazing ass as she climbs in. She catches me and I don’t even apologize.

The drive to the restaurant is slightly awkward thanks to my big mouth. I can tell I made her a little uncomfortable, so as soon as we sit down I quickly apologize.

“I’m sorry I was so forward with you. I thought the gift would be funny. I hope you forgive me.”

“No. I mean yes. Yes I forgive you. But no, it wasn’t forward. I get that it was more of a joke than not. It’s just…I’m not used to that kind of attention. I guess I don’t know how to react to compliments. ”

“What are you talking about? I’m sure you get boatloads of compliments.”

Her eyes drop to the table and she turns solemn. “Not even a little. Look at me, Cade. You think men are lining up to compliment me?”

“Yeah. I do. And if they’re not, they’re fools. You say to look at you, but I am. You’re stunning, Maren. Your gorgeous eyes called to me through the phone. I was hypnotized. Then you stood back from the camera and I about died from your pure perfection. If you didn’t think I was a creep before, this will most certainly convince you, but I don’t care. After watching your video several times, I had to take care of my situation in the shower. My reaction to you was visceral. It still is. Every time I lay my eyes on you, it’s like I’m experiencing your beauty for the first time. I’m smitten, Maren.”

Her eyes glisten with tears and I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.

“What happened to the grumpy guy everyone talks about, because I don’t see him anywhere,” she says with a wobbly smile.

I shrug and tell her, “He disappeared when the clouds cleared and a bright light named Maren Thompson shone down. ”

Her white teeth sink into her plump red lips and if it weren’t for the server walking up at that exact moment, I would’ve jumped over the table and taken that mouth for myself.

“Hello. Welcome to Burnt Ends. Can I start y’all off with a local IPA or our famous spiked sweet tea?”

I sigh and stamp down the growing erection popping up under the table. “Sweetheart. What would you like?”

“Um. Could I just have a water for now?” I order the same and the waitress walks away, returning us to our little bubble.

“Maren. I have a pretty important question to ask you and if you say no, please know I won’t be offended.”

“Shoot. Whatcha got for me?” She props her elbow on the table and rests her chin in her free hand as I still hold on to the other.

“Will you spend the night with me?”

Her mouth drops and her eyes widen. Once again, my extreme haste to fast forward this relationship about three months ahead is showing, as is my crazy.

“I…well what if…we haven’t even had dinner. I mean, you could change your mind after you see me tear into some ribs.”

“Fuck, Maren. Do you even know how sexy that is? You sucking on juicy meat, licking the bone clean and enjoying every morsel? There is no fucking way I’m changing my mind. The only thing you should be worried about is me locking you in my house and worshiping you daily. Several times a day.”

She diverts her eyes to our hands locked on top of the table, and her shy laugh is my undoing. I push up from my seat and she lets her eyes follow. Leaning in close, I zero in on her lips and capture them in a deep kiss. No tongue. No teenager groping. Just a kiss that tells her this isn’t some flight of fancy. I want her. All of her.

We’re interrupted, again, by the server as she places our drinks down and takes our order. We laugh and laugh throughout our meal, and I can honestly say it’s the best time I’ve had on a date. We have more in common than one would think a twenty-six year old woman and almost forty year old man would. Music, movies, sports, but not our feelings on chocolate. Those stand strictly on opposite sides.

I pay the bill and hold my hand out to help her from her seat. “I never got an answer.”

“To what?” she asks, slightly confused.

“To spending the night with me.”

Her sweet face turns red and she whispers, “Oh. Um. I don’t have anything of mine and

kinda need… stuff . ”

“Then I’ll stay at yours. My mug is already there and I don’t need anything to sleep in. I

may need to borrow some toothpaste so I can finger brush my teeth, but other than that, I’m good. Problem solved.”

With a laugh and a shake of her head, she says, “Fine. Sleepover at my place, it is. C’mon Hamlin. Let’s go.”

She squeezes my hand and begins dragging me towards the exit. Well, she isn’t so much dragging me as I am stalling because I want to see her glorious ass move in those tight as sin jeans.

We pass by a table of women about the age of Maren and we overhear one say, “I’ll never understand why hot men date girls like that . Is it like, they started dating before she blew up and now they have to stay with her because he’ll look like a dick if he leaves because she’s fat?”

The table giggles and I see red. I slow in my steps and Maren looks at me and shakes her head, tears building in her beautiful eyes. No way. Fuck that . I skid to a stop and pull Maren to me, throwing my arm around her waist.

“What do guys like me see in women like her ? It’s simple. Beauty. Confidence. Happiness. Intelligence. My woman radiates more sexiness than you and all your little friends combined. When you go home tonight, think about the fact that while you’re laying your skinny ass alone in bed, she’ll be getting the life fucked out of her ten ways to Sunday. Someone is going to scream for God and I can guarantee it won’t be you.”

I pull Maren after me as we exit, her feet stumbling to keep up. When we’re on the sidewalk I tell her, “I’m sorry sweetheart. That just really pis–”

The words are stolen right out of me when she grabs my face and kisses me like we’re the only ones who exist. My eyes are shocked still for only a moment before I melt into her. My arms are wrapped around her waist with my hands splayed on her ass. She purrs and my dick twitches.

We separate and she breathes, “How fast can you drive?”

I hope the smile that spreads slowly across my face conveys just how much trouble she’s in for.