BumpnGrind (3 page)

“It’s okay. We’re just friends. We work together.”

Felicia was thrilled by his response. “Oh, well, that’s good
anyway.”

He chuckled as her face turned red again and leaned in,
taking her bottom lip between strong, white teeth and tugging it gently. “My
name’s Garrett Holcomb. I’d like to see you tonight.”

Felicia extended her hand. “Felicia Jeffries.”

“So nice to meet you, lovely Felicia.” He pulled her close
and captured her lips again. Thankfully, Felicia’s agitated thoughts calmed as
her body melted into his.

* * * * *

Garrett stood outside Felicia’s home and looked at the
ink-scrawled napkin in his hand again. Yup. It was the right place. He frowned.
The place was huge and opulent.

Apparently she had money.

Lots of it.

That definitely put a crimp in things. He’d come from a
family with more money than sense and it had brought them nothing but pain. As
soon as he could, he’d run from the depression, alcohol and drug abuse that
permeated his childhood. He’d never looked back.

Garrett believed that money was nice for buying what you
needed, but if you had too much of it, it tended to make you miserable.

Felicia hadn’t seemed miserable.

But sometimes these things aren’t readily apparent. He
didn’t want to serve as anybody’s crutch. Been there, done that. He wasn’t
anxious to do it again.

It had nearly killed him last time.

Garrett frowned at the napkin Felicia had scrawled her
address onto. He crumpled it up and stuffed it in his pocket. He left the way
he’d come, feeling as if he’d just thrown away something he wouldn’t find again
anytime soon.

* * * * *

Felicia sipped her iced tea and laughed at Bliss, who was
describing her date with her boyfriend, the sexy Brad, the night before. It had
something to do with dogs falling in a creek, a really big snake, and bird poop
on her favorite shoes.

She still couldn’t believe Bliss was dating a guy who lived
out in the country with four dogs and developed computer software for a living.
Bliss was the consummate city mouse who thought software was something you wore
over a cami and dress slacks. But it was obvious her gorgeous friend was completely
gooey about the man and Felicia was really happy for her.

“Hello? Anybody in there?”

Felicia jerked and looked up from deep contemplation of her
straw. “Huh?”

Bliss lifted a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Girl, you’re
more than distracted today. You get a little cougar action last night?”

“Cougar action?”

Bliss made a sound of disgust. “Do you ever listen to me,
honey? I explained all of this to you last week.”

Felicia grimaced, embarrassed to have been caught tuning her
friend out. It was just that Bliss’ sexual exploits were so far outside her
comfort and experience level that she couldn’t drum up any interest in them.
Besides, it made her a little jealous that Bliss was so successful with men
when she absolutely sucked at finding the right man.

“Cougars are older women who like younger men.”

Felicia wasn’t sure she liked being called an older woman.
“What do they call the men?”

Bliss’ smile widened. “Cubs.”

“Eww. That sounds kind of perverted. Like den robbing.”

Bliss threw her head back and laughed. “Do cougars even live
in dens?”

“In your case they live in ritzy apartments above the park.”

“Oh yeah, right.” Her brown eyes sparkled with pleasure.
“But seriously, go to this website and read up about it. I think you might need
it soon.” Bliss placed a small square of paper in front of Felicia. The URL for
a website was written in small, tidy letters across its surface.

Felicia narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

Bliss had that look on her face that Felicia had learned to
fear. It usually meant Felicia wasn’t going to like what came next. “You just
never know.”

“Hello, Felicia.”

Felicia stiffened. Garrett stood next to their table,
looking unsure of his welcome.

Bliss stood up. “I have an appointment for a quickie with my
honey. He promised he’d update my software.” Chuckling happily, she leaned down
and kissed Felicia on the cheek and winked at Garrett. “I’ll see you later,
honey.”

Bliss swayed toward the door, drawing the eye of nearly
every man in the place. Felicia turned an unfriendly eye on the young man who’d
taken Bliss’ abandoned seat. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“Why?”

“Look, I know I screwed up. I wanted to see you again to
explain.”

Felicia reached for her purse. “That’s not necessary. I get
it. I’m twenty years older than you…”

Garrett grabbed her hand. “Please, hear me out. I can’t…” He
cleared his throat, and then fixed the saddest blue gaze on her that she’d ever
seen. “I made a huge mistake. I thought I could just walk away. But ever since
that night, it’s like there’s something unfinished between us. I can’t explain
it but I feel like I need to spend time with you. I’d like to try again…if
you’ll give me another chance.”

Felicia felt the hit first in her lungs, which clenched shut
and cut off her breath, and then in her stomach. She dropped her purse from
numb fingers. Swallowing hard, she said, “Go on.”

He pulled her hand closer and turned it over, running a
slightly calloused finger over her palm. It tickled but she was strangely
reluctant to pull away. “I come with baggage.” He laughed and the sound was
harsh. “It’s funny. I did come to your house the other night. Like I said I
would.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“But then I turned around and left because I told myself you
would have baggage…because of your money.”

Felicia opened her mouth but he held up a hand.

“No, don’t bother to tell me I’m an idiot. I already know
that. You see, I have some bad history. My family…well, we won’t go into that
right now, but you might say I’m obsessed with the idea that money is a
corrupting influence.”

“But you seem to be doing all right…financially, I mean.”

“Well, I work two jobs, but that’s true. Which is why I’m an
idiot. One of the reasons, anyway.” He gave her a crooked smile. “The other
reason I’m an idiot is because I walked away from the first person who’s made
me feel anything…romantic…in a long time.” Garrett pulled her hand to his lips
and kissed the back of it. But he didn’t stop there. His tongue slipped out and
he ran it across her hand. “I want you, Felicia. However I can get you… I just
want to spend time with you. I want to explore these feelings you create in me.
And see if you have them too.”

Felicia licked her lips. The sensation he’d created with his
tongue on the back of her hand shot through her body like electricity, warming,
igniting feelings she’d been afraid to recognize. She pulled her hand away. “I
don’t think it’s a good idea.” She leaned forward, her hazel eyes fixed on his
face.

“I let myself get carried away the other night…at the
restaurant. But you and I…we’re not a good match.”

“I disagree.”

A part of her wanted to grab his hand and run home with him.
She wanted to pull his clothes off and fling him onto her bed, riding him long
and hard until they both dropped from exhaustion. That part of her was
screaming for attention at the moment, but Felicia had a ruthless grip on that
little part of her and didn’t plan to let it go.

After he’d stood her up the other night, in the brutal light
of day, Felicia had told herself it was a good thing. She didn’t have what it
took to flaunt tradition and go after a younger man. She didn’t have the
feelings of self-worth that would make it fun rather than a constant worry. She
didn’t have the spine to lift her chin against the whispers, the judging
glances.

She just plain didn’t have the energy.

She stood up, avoiding the pain in his eyes as she grabbed
her purse off the chair. “It was really nice meeting you, Garrett. I hope you
find the woman you’re looking for someday. She’ll be a very lucky young woman.”

Felicia headed for the door, fighting tears. She suspected
that she’d just said no to something important. But she didn’t have the
strength to turn back around and say yes. Her judgment where men were concerned
hadn’t been all that stellar. Going with her heart had always gotten her into
trouble. This time she was making the rational choice. Despite the fact that
she ached to follow her heart just one more time.

Chapter Three

Dave Foust was leaning against the front of her car when she
exited the restaurant. Felicia was surprised to see him there, especially since
his face was dark with rage.

“Hello, Dave.”

He inclined his head. “Felicia.”

She waited for him to tell her why he was there. When he
didn’t, she walked past him and pressed the unlock button on her key fob,
reaching to open her car door.

He reached out and held the door so she couldn’t close it.
“Who the hell was that man you were talking to, Felicia?”

She was torn between anger and amusement. Apparently he
didn’t recognize Garrett from the restaurant the other night. She finally
settled for anger. Dave’s attitude was entirely inappropriate and worse, it
reminded her of her ex-husband’s manner. “Not that it’s any of your business,
but that was Garrett Holcomb. You saw him the other night.
He
helped me
when I was choking.” She couldn’t help adding the emphasis. It still pricked
her that Dave had only glared at her, embarrassed that she was causing a scene.

For just a second, surprise replaced anger on Dave’s face.
“That punk who accosted you when you were making a spectacle of yourself? What
the hell is he doing here?”

She pulled on the car door. “He came here to see me.” She
was shocked even as she said the words. She hadn’t wanted to fight that
particular battle. Hadn’t thought she had it in her. But it seemed the battle
was upon her…and surprise, surprise…she appeared to be up for it after all.

Color flooded Felicia’s face as Dave’s expression took on
the judgmental quality she’d been expecting. “To see you? Why, Felicia?
Certainly you aren’t having a fling with that young man? He’s young enough to
be your son, for God’s sake!”

Although she’d been expecting the words they still stung.
“Who I choose to spend time with is none of your concern, Dave. Now please
remove your hand from my door so I can close it. This conversation is
finished.”

He stepped closer and grabbed her arm. Felicia was caught by
surprise. His long fingers pinched as he jerked her into his body, his face
purple with rage. “You will not see this young man again, Felicia. Do you hear
me?”

Felicia gasped as terror washed through her.

* * * * *

Garrett exited the restaurant and headed for his car. As he
hit the button on his keychain to unlock his car door he heard raised voices.
One of them was familiar.

He turned toward the sound and saw Felicia, standing beside
her open car door talking to a man. He had slightly graying hair and wore a
well-cut suit. His stance toward her was predatory. He stood too close and
leaned toward her as he spoke. One of his hands was on the car door next to
Felicia’s. It looked like he was keeping her from closing it.

Garrett was striding toward them before his mind had time to
tell him it wasn’t a good idea. When the man grabbed Felicia’s arm and she gave
a little cry of pain and alarm, he was only two steps away.

Garrett grabbed the older man and flung him up against the
side of Felicia’s car. He gripped two fistfuls of the man’s expensive suit and
leaned close, putting his face just inches from the man’s terrified face.
“Don’t ever touch her like that again.”

Felicia gasped. “It’s okay, Garrett. Dave was just leaving.”
When Garrett didn’t immediately let the man go, Felicia touched his back and
spoke into his ear. “Please, Garrett. I don’t want any trouble.”

Garrett kept his gaze locked on the furious older man for a
moment longer before releasing his lapels, but he stayed between Felicia and
the enraged man. The man she’d called Dave stood up and smoothed his hands over
his lapels.

Garrett was disgusted. “For the lady’s sake I’ll overlook
your disrespect.” He leaned closer. “But if you ever lay a hand on her again
I’ll make sure you and your nice suit become intimately acquainted with the
ground. Is that clear?”

The older man smirked. “You’ll be sorry you did that, son.”
He threw Felicia one last glance before turning and striding away toward a
Mercedes two-seater at the edge of the lot.

Garrett watched until he drove out of the lot and then
turned to Felicia. She was pale and shaking. “Aw hell, honey. Come here.” He
pulled her into his arms and held her tight while she shivered and sobbed
against his chest.

Holding her while she cried, Garrett decided he was going to
do everything in his power to win Felicia’s heart. He didn’t really have a
choice. His heart had already made the decision.

* * * * *

Felicia typed cougar into the search field and hit enter.
Several links to stories popped up. There were a couple of scientific papers
that talked about the psychology of older women wanting to be with younger men.
The stories were clinical and started with the premise that society found the
pairing of an older woman with a younger man perplexing.

However, the real-life stories she read implied that the
stigma to the term “Cougar” was changing. Many women appeared to relish cougar
relationships and found great pleasure and satisfaction in them. Felicia knew
that was true. Bliss was a perfect example.

Her friend fit the cougar description perfectly. Before
she’d met Brad, she’d spent a lot of time visiting bars and clubs, looking for
men who were much younger than she was. But Bliss wasn’t some kind of monster.
She was a caring woman who truly cherished her young lovers and treated them
very well. Her lovers cared for Bliss too, showing every sign of wanting to
spend as much time with her as possible.