[WS02] Taming Alex (8 page)

Maybe attacking Grant in his wallet would be the best method? So many possibilities…Which
one to choose?

The next day Alex woke late. She didn't normally mind, but today she was due at Mama's
for the early shift. Jamella wasn't a tyrant boss, but she did always make whoever
was late take the trash out at the end of their shift. Alex hated hauling the trash
out, so she was almost never late.

When she arrived, she got the stink eye from Jamella, but quickly picked up her tables
and got to work. She didn't really know what had driven her to get the job in the
first place other than needed a little extra gas money. Maybe it had been seeing Lauren
struggling to pay the electric bill that year. Whatever it was, she'd quickly gotten
addicted to working there. The work wasn't backbreaking, but it was still work. She
had learned to deal with the drudgery; what she was addicted to was seeing and interacting
with the people. Some people in town she loved to catch up with, others not so much.
It was around noon when Savannah and her crowd of lemmings walked in. They were greeted
by several older ladies who ran charity events around town. The local paper was always
filled with the details and pictures of anything the ladies did. Sometimes it felt
like every time they sneezed, it was included. But when Haley's cow had won the county
fair last year, there wasn't a word printed in the local papers about it. Lauren had
been so upset about it, she'd taken a full-page ad out herself just to show the town
how great her sister was.

Alex pasted on her best smile and walked over to take orders. Savannah had made sure
to sit on the very inside of the booth, far away from any falling food this time.
When Alex walked into the back to place the orders, she realized that Savannah had
actually done her a favor. If she was still with Travis, she wouldn't feel so free,
and she wouldn’t be with Grant. And if there was one thing she now knew, it was that
she wanted to be with Grant as long as she could.

Being with him was the most fun she'd had in years. Not only was the physical relationship
a million times better that it had been with Travis, Grant actually listened to her
when she talked. He treated her like she was someone to be cherished, like she was
smart. She still couldn't get over how much they already knew about one another. It
helped that he'd always been around the ranch when they were younger. She'd just always
overlooked him, and he'd always treated her like a sister. Or so she'd thought.

When she carried out the group’s order, everyone all of a sudden got very quiet. She
knew they'd been talking about her; it was written all over their guilty faces. She
pasted on a smile and delivered their food, wishing they would hurry up and choke
it down and leave. But instead the older women left, leaving the three younger ones
and Savannah behind.

When she approached them with their ticket, Savannah sneered at her. “I don't think
so, Alexis. It cost me four hundred dollars to have my dress cleaned up from the last
time I was in here.” She looked down at her nails and smiled. “You'll just have to
dock it from your pay.”

Alex set the bill down, then crossed her arms over her chest. “Savannah, I suspect
you can read.”

Savannah's eyes got real big. “Of course I can. What kind of statement is that?”

Alex nodded towards the sign over the door. “You know Ma's rules. ‘
Either you pay, or you clean. One way or another, the bill is gonna be paid
.’” Alex walked away with a smile.

She'd just walked into the back when she heard the commotion out front. Looking through
the window, she saw Jamella grab Savannah's arm and stop her from walking out.

“Now girl, I know'd you are smarter than dat. I heard Alex warn you. You either pay
dat bill, or I'll call your folks. Better yet, da police.” Savannah's friends all
left when Jamella grabbed her.

“Jamella, you know full well that Alexis ruined my new dress last time I was in here.
She's your employee and therefore responsible to pay that bill.”

“Dat between you and her. In Mama's, if you eat da food, you pay for it. Now, are
you gonna pay or shall I…” Jamella reached for the phone.

“Fine, but see if I ever step foot in this establishment again.” Savannah's eyes darted
around to find Alex smiling back at her.

When Jamella walked into the back, a huge smile on her face, she mumbled, “See if
I let dat skinny girl back in here. Suits me just right if'n dat girl never come back.”

The rest of her shift, Alex felt lighthearted and free. By the end of the night, she
felt like she'd won the war with Savannah. She knew that people would talk about what
had happened. After all, the small town didn't usually have a lot to gossip about.
Since her breakup with Travis had made the list of top stories of the year, anything
to do with it was sure to spread fast.

It was past seven when she walked out to dump the trash in the bin. She paused momentarily
when she saw Travis smoking as he leaned against his truck in the parking lot. Leaving
the back diner door opened, she straightened her spine and walked past Travis to toss
the trash into the dumpster. When she tried to walk past him again, he grabbed her
arm and pulled her to a stop.

“What do you mean causing all this trouble?” His voice was low and his words a little
slurred. He flicked his cigarette butt. He was probably drunk. Sniffing, she smelled
the booze on him past the cigarette smells.

“Let go of my arm, Travis.” She tried to pull herself free, only to be spun around
and shoved against his truck.

“I'll let you go when I want to. Now answer my question.” He shook her arm and leaned
closer to her, his breath hitting her face. Cigarettes and cheap beer. How had she
ever allowed this man to kiss her, smelling like that? Her stomach rolled.

“I don't know what you're talking about.” She said louder, hoping Willard would hear.
When he didn't budge, she pushed at his chest and said, “Travis Nolan, let go of me
right now.”

“Why do you have the sheriff coming over to the house? I didn't do nothing. Besides,
whatever's happening to Grant Do-gooder, he deserves it.”

His fingers were digging into her arm and she felt his door handle biting into her
hip. “You leave Grant alone. You're the one who cheated.” She pushed him again, only
to have him come up closer and pin her body against his truck with his. Her hands
were pinned between them and she started to panic. Then she remembered what her pa
had taught her and she used all her strength to step on his foot and yank her knee
up to hit him in his crotch.

When he doubled over, she rushed towards the back door, calling out behind her. “You
leave Grant out of this.” She stopped just inside the door and looked back. She was
satisfied when she saw that he was still hunched over, grabbing his crotch. “Just
let it go, Travis.” Then she shut the door and leaned her head against the cool metal.

“You handled dat well.” Alex jumped at Jamella's voice behind her. When she looked,
she saw Jamella standing there with a huge frying pan in her hands. “Dat boy come
around here again, he get the heavy end of dis.” She patted the pan and smiled as
Alex laughed.

I
t had taken Grant three days to get the wood fence up for the corral. The heavy boards
were strong enough to keep even a charging bull in. He stood back and smiled as he
felt the cool air coming across the fields. They were in for some more rain, and he
was glad he'd gotten the work done before it came. It looked like everything was finally
falling into place; he'd even gotten his truck back earlier that morning.

He turned and watched as his parents’ car pulled in front of his house. His father
stepped out and waved as Grant walked towards him and shook his hand.

“Looking good, son.” His father nodded towards the corral. “You did a fine job.” He
slapped him on the back.

“Thanks. What brings you out this way?” His parents frequently visited his place.
His mother always brought him food or pies, and his father came out to lend a helping
hand when he could. But something told Grant that his father was out here for reasons
other than a social visit. His father's smile fell away.

“Well…” They both looked to the sky when it started to rain lightly. “Let’s head up
to the porch so we don't get soaked.”

They walked up the stone steps together. “Do you want a beer?” When his father shook
his head and sat down in one of his porch chairs, Grant knew it was serious.

“I hate to tell you this, but it seems like someone has filed a complaint against
you to the Texas Bar. They claim you haven't filed your
MCLE hours and want the state to revoke your license.” His father held up his hand.
“Now, before you get all gung ho, I've already filed an appeal.”

He stood up, ready to fight. “Damn it Dad, we filed those last month. They aren't
due for another few weeks.” He thought about how this would delay their business plans
and felt the anger grow.

“I know, I know.” His father stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. “It's a scare
tactic. Seems to me that someone in power around here wants you out of town. Or at
least out of a job.” His father winked at him. “Don't worry, not even the mayor has
the power to take away your license. But he does have enough power to make us jump
through a few hoops.” His father frowned, and patted him on the back again. “Is she
worth it?”

“She is.” He smiled when his father laughed and nodded.

“Good.” His father smiled back at him.

After his father drove away, Grant showered and dressed, then decided to swing by
Saddleback Ranch and see what Alex was up to.

When he got there, she was just parking in front of the barn herself. He smiled and
pulled ol' Betty back into her spot.

“Hi.” She smiled and walked over to the truck.

“Hi, I'm just bringing the ol' girl back.” He shut the door and pulled Alex into his
arm and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Thanks,” he said when he pulled back.

Her eyebrows shot up. “For the kiss?” She smiled and wrapped her arms tighter around
his neck.

He laughed. “For the loan. I got my truck back earlier today.”

She smiled. “Any time. Have you had dinner?”

“Yes, but I wouldn't mind a little more dessert.” He leaned in and was hovering just
above her lips when they both heard a cough. Haley stood just outside the barn doors,
with a large smile on her face. Grant pulled back but wrapped an arm around Alex,
holding her close.

“Heard you gave Travis what he deserved today,” Haley said, walking by them. “It's
about time.”

Grant watched Haley head towards the house. He turned to Alex and looked down at her.
“What did she mean by that?”

Alex looked after her sister with a frown. “It means that Haley has a big mouth, and
Jamella can't keep anything from my sisters.”

Grant turned her slightly. He noticed a dark bruise high on her left arm. “Did Travis
do that to you?” He dropped his arms and looked into her eyes.

She shrugged and smiled a little. “I'm sure it's nothing compared to how his balls
look now.” Grant felt his blood begin to boil. When he looked at her arm, he could
see the ring around it where Travis' hand had been. He knew Alex was fragile, and
he'd been raised to never raise a hand to a woman. Hell, he'd never even been in a
real fight. But his mind was flashing images of beating the shit out of Travis at
the moment.

“Listen…” She stepped closer to him, taking his mind off images of him standing over
Travis' unconscious body. Then she took his shirt in her hands gently, trying to pull
him closer. “I handled him. It's not the first time he’s been a little rough with
me. This time I had no reason not to retaliate.” She smiled.

His heart was pounding hard in his chest, and he felt like bashing Travis' face in.
But she looked up at him with those chocolate eyes, and he couldn't help but being
proud of how she'd handled Travis all by herself. “If he comes around again, give
me a call.” He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Sure.” She smiled at him, then she wrapped her arms around his neck again and whispered,
“What do you say you come upstairs and help me wash my back?”

His mind flashed to images of Alex wet, slick, and naked. A smile flew to his lips
so fast he couldn't stop it. Then he heard a screen door slam shut somewhere, and
he blinked the image away.

“I'd love to, but your place is a little too crowded at the moment.” They heard the
dogs barking, and Haley and Lauren laughing.

“I suppose you're right.” She sighed. “I could grab a bag and drive you home?” She
leaned back in to him.

“I'd like that.” He placed a kiss on her lips, quickly.

When she turned and rushed into the house, she called over her shoulder, “I'll just
be a few minutes.”

He stood there and watched her go, feeling excited. Then he heard another cough behind
him. Turning, he saw Chase leaning against the fence a few feet away.

“It's damn hard to get any privacy around here.” Chase smiled.

Grant walked over to him and shook his hand.

Chase nodded towards ol' Betty. “Looks like you've got everything fixed again.”

“Yeah.” Grant put his foot up on the bottom rung of the fence and watched an older
gray horse in the corral. “Sounds like Travis decided to approach Alex today instead
of sneaking around my property.”

“What?” Chase leaned up, looking like he was ready for a fight.

“She's okay.” Grant looked off towards the house. “Kicked him where it counts.” He
laughed and looked back at Chase. “But, if I were you, I'd keep an eye out around
here. Travis likes sneaking around.”

“That son of a…” Chase said, and then started pacing.

“Exactly.” Grant smiled and relaxed against the fence, knowing Chase would make sure
everything was secure and protected around the ranch.

By the time Alex drove him up his driveway, his mind was on one thing only. Her.

When they walked into his place, he didn't give her a chance to talk. Instead, he
pulled her close to him and walked her backwards towards his room as he rained kisses
along her neck, nibbling his way down to her shoulders. By the time they made it to
the bedroom, they were both naked, their clothes leaving a trial from the front door.
He didn't stop in the bedroom. Instead, he walked her back until they hit the shower
wall. He reached over and turned on the spray, not really registering the cold water
until he felt her shiver in his arms.

“Oh, sorry.” He chuckled, then turned on the hot water. He grabbed a handful of shampoo
and started rubbing it into her hair and down her body until she was moaning and holding
onto the sides of his shower. Turning her until she faced away from him, he used his
soapy hands to wash her hair and back. “I like your hair this length. Of course it
was nice shorter too, but this seems to fit you better.” Her hair was so soft as it
ran down to the middle of her back. She moaned and placed her palms against the shower
wall, holding herself up. He continued to roam his hands lower, over her ribs and
her narrow waist, until he reached her perfect bottom. He leaned closer, his chest
hitting her back as he reached around and ran his fingers over her hips, pulling her
against him.

“Please,” she moaned and leaned her head back against his shoulder.

He smiled. “I never thought I'd have Alexis West begging me in my shower,” he said
softly into her ear. He felt her shiver as she reached around and tried to pull his
hips closer. He pulled back for just a moment, long enough to slip on the condom he'd
been lucky enough to think of grabbing before they'd entered the shower. Then he was
pulling her back towards him.

“Here, put your foot up on the seat.” He helped her move her right foot up, then she
leaned forward as he ran his eyes over her. She was perfect. She had a little freckle
on her right cheek, and he ran his finger over it, smiling. Then she arched her back
and he forgot everything except for the need to be inside her.

It was another first for Alex. She'd never made love in a shower before, or standing
up, for that matter. She smiled to herself and arched her back. The anticipation was
almost too much. She felt her legs quiver as she waited for him to touch her again.

Then his hands were lightly on her bottom and her hips as he held her still and slowly
entered her. She moaned. He filled her completely as she tried to grip the slick walls
of the shower. His hands pulled her back towards him as he thrust deeper into her.
She closed her eyes, letting the water run over her, enjoying the motion as he slowly
drove her crazy, building her up.

“My god,” he said, then turned her a little so she could hold onto the built-in shelf
that held his bottles of shampoo. She gripped it tightly, holding on as he moved faster.
His slick hands reached around, running over every inch of her, causing her nipples
to pucker into his palms. Then he leaned over and whispered in her ear, telling her
how good she felt, and she felt herself convulse around him, screaming out his name.

She felt like she was drowning. Her head was under the spray, and water poured down
the back of her head and into her eyes and nose.

Grant pulled her up and away from the water, then turned her around as the water was
shut off. He grabbed a towel and gently started drying her. She smiled. “I could get
used to this kind of treatment.”

“Good.” He smiled down at her and continued to rub her skin, softly. Then when he
was satisfied, he quickly dried his chest and legs. She watched every movement. He
was tan and toned, and when she reached out to touch his chest, she realized every
part of him was hard. Smiling, she walked closer to him and wrapped her arms around
him as he tossed the towel on the countertop.

She laughed as he picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. “I could definitely
get used to this.” She kissed his neck just under his ear and heard him growl a little.

Then he set her down on the bed and covered her again. “Where were we?” he asked as
he settled between her legs. “Oh, I think I remember now.” He slid into her slowly
again, and her hips rolled up to meet his thrusts. Then he was leaning in and kissing
her, and her body felt like it was spinning out of control. His hands roamed over
her sides, over her legs, pulling them up closer to her chest until she felt him completely
inside with every thrust.

Her fingernails dug into his hips and his tight butt as she tried to match every stroke.
Her breath was hitching and she felt like there were goose bumps rising all over her
body. Still, she wrapped her legs around his hips and held on until she felt herself
melt around him as he held himself still over her.

When he collapsed, he made sure to move to the side so he wouldn't crush her, another
thing she enjoyed about him. He was so thoughtful and considerate. She smiled up at
the ceiling and started to mentally list the reasons Grant was so much better for
her than Travis had been. She'd made it up to twenty-four when his hand moved over
her hip and she lost her train of thought.

He pulled her close and snuggled into her hair. “Now you smell like me.” He laughed.

“What?” She blinked a few times while trying to understand him.

“The shampoo.” He leaned up and looked down at her. “I like the smell of yours better.
It's softer, sexier.” He leaned in and sniffed. “Yup, all I smell is me.” He frowned.
“Maybe you can bring some of your stuff over here, so if we end up doing that again,
I'll get to smell you instead.” He smiled at her.