7 Degrees of Alpha (a collection of seven new BWWM, Alpha Male Romances) (13 page)

CHAPTER 4

Taylor hopped up from her portable lawn chair and snatched her pole off of the makeshift stand that she'd created from tree limbs. She'd watched the bobble dip into the water, but waited for a good tug on the line.

She had hooked a fish.

She gave the line a good yank, in order to snag the fish, and slowly began to reel it in.

"Yank it again, Small Fry," her dad yelled. "It ain't hooked."

"It's hooked, Daddy. I know what I'm doing."

"You'd better do what your daddy said and yank it again. It'll secure your hold as you reel him in."

Shocked by the voice, Taylor almost dropped her fishing pole. But her dad grabbed her line and gave it a good yank, making it easier for her to reel it in. Taylor was excited about the size of the Rainbow Trout that she'd caught as it broke through the surface. She grabbed the line and held up the big fish with pride as her dad, along with Governor Creed, clapped for her achievement.

"What are you doing here?" she asked Victor when the clapping ended.

"I came to fish. I like fishing," he responded with an innocent shrug.

Taylor shook her head and kneeled to remove her catch from the hook.

"Daddy, this is-"

"Small Fry, do you think that I'm so ignorant that I wouldn't recognize the governor of Illinois?"

"Daddy, I was just trying to be polite," Taylor giggled.

"Governor Creed, this is my dad, James Montgomery."

The governor, with his eyes narrowed at Taylor for not referring to him as Victor, extended his hand.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Montgomery. Please call me Victor."

Her dad shook his outstretched hand and responded. "Only if you call me James."

"Yes, sir."

"So, I'm assuming you're here because you're sniffing around my little girl."

Victor’s eyes widened. Visibly thrown off by James’ assumption, he cleared his throat and responded.

"Um... yes. Yes, sir, I guess I am."

"Alright. Well, I'll be back. I gotta go see a man about a dog."

Taylor gawked at both her dad and the governor. They were both blowing her mind; the governor for ambushing her fishing trip, and her dad for bailing out so easily.

When her dad walked away, she stared pointedly at the governor.

"Governor Creed, I'm really confused as to why you're here right now. Did you really come here to fish with me?"

"Yes, and I'm really confused as to why you refuse to call me Victor."

"Because you're the governor."

"And you're a police officer. Do you prefer to be called Officer Montgomery when you're not on duty?"

"No, but, it's a little different for me."

"Please, call me Victor."

"Okay, Victor," Taylor acquiesced with a smile. She was more comfortable being on a first name basis with him than she thought she'd be.

"Thank you, Taylor. Now, may I fish with you guys? I don't get to do this much."

Taylor perused his attire. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, Timberland boots, and holding a fishing pole. He came prepared to fish, and had it not been for the huge security detail standing in the trees, he almost seemed like a normal guy.

Taylor opened a small Styrofoam cooler. "Pick your bait.”

Although he hadn't expected to meet her father, fishing with the two of them reminded Victor of the fun that he used to have before he began a life of politics. He admired, almost envied, the easy way that Taylor and James interacted. His relationship with his father was far more formal. Victor and his father had been fishing, golfing, and other things, but their activities were always tied to some sort of business deal or political move. But as he observed father and daughter, it was clear that they simply enjoyed spending time together. They were fun and playful, sincerely enjoying each other's company. They had something that was special and just for the two of them.

If Victor was intruding on their bonding time, they hadn't made him feel like it. Not one time did they make him feel unwanted. In fact, they had embarked on a friendly competition, in which James was winning by a landslide. He'd caught four, Taylor two, but James was on his seventh catch.

Tearing his eyes away from Taylor was another challenge in itself. She was beautiful without effort. Even with no makeup and her hair in a wild bushy ponytail, she so easily put so many women to shame. Her skin was flawless. Her lips were full and luscious. Her exotic eyes had the ability to hypnotize any man that dared to look too long. And her body... so voluptuous that the dirty white t-shirt and ragged jeans were sexier than any piece of lingerie. Taylor was surely a tomboy, and Victor had never been attracted to that type. But she'd definitely changed his perspective. He wanted her; bad. Yet, the more time he spent with her, he wondered exactly what it was that he wanted from her.

At the end of the evening, when the fish were sleeping and the mosquitoes were feasting on their flesh, Victor helped James and Taylor load their equipment into the back of James' pickup. Victor wasn't ready for his time with Taylor to end, so he walked over to her dad and asked, "James, sir, is it okay if I see Taylor home?"

"Well, young man, that's entirely up to Taylor."

"Yes, Victor," Taylor intervened. "That would've been my decision to make."

Victor walked around the bed of the truck and leaned into her.

"I was simply trying to be respectful. I didn't mean to be presumptuous. I planned to ask you as well."

"I know and thank you, but it's quite a drive back. I don't want my dad to have to make that drive alone."

"Nonsense, Small Fry. I can make that drive with my eyes closed."

"Sir, I wouldn't recommend that," Victor chuckled.

"Gone on, y'all," James said with a wave of his hand. "Drive safe."

With that, he climbed into his pickup and started the engine. Taylor jogged to the driver's side, leaned in the window, and kissed her dad's cheek.

"Call me when you get home,” she told hhim.

"Will do."

"Okay, Daddy. Love you."

"Me too."

With that said, he shifted into drive and took off down the road. Taylor watched for a few seconds and then turned to Victor. "Well, I'm all yours."

"Not yet, but you will be," he responded with a devilishly sexy smirk.

Taylor smiled, and if she was the least bit offended by his comment, she hadn't shown it. Victor had plans to taste every part of her body, and maybe she was coming to terms with that.

Taylor sat next to Victor in the back of the SUV and watched him as he attempted to field, what seemed like, hundreds of calls, while attempting to have a conversation with her.

Damn, it’s Sunday. His life is truly hectic.

Taylor wondered how he managed to sit on a bank with her and her father for so long without his phone ringing even once. When he ended his last call, he turned to Taylor and smiled sympathetically, before dialing another number. After a few seconds, he spoke into the phone, "Kena, handle my calls. I'll call you when I'm back in rotation."

He ended the call and turned to face her. The intensity in his stare caused Taylor to feel a tiny bit self-conscious.

"What?" she asked, forcing herself to maintain eye contact.

"You're absolutely beautiful, Taylor; so completely and naturally beautiful."

"Thank you, Victor," she responded, exhaling a breath that she didn't know that she was holding. The truth was, when he looked at her with such intensity, it took her to another place.

"I gotta tell you, Victor, this is really weird," she admitted.

Victor placed his hand over hers. "I know, but I'd really like to see you again." His response was filled with sincerity. "May I have your phone number so that I can call you?"

He grabbed something from the door of the SUV. Taylor realized that he was handing her a business card.

"This is my personal cellular number and my office number. Call me anytime."

Taylor took a quick peek at the card and stuffed it into her back pocket. "You can put my number in your phone."

After storing her number in his phone, Victor tossed it on the seat. Taylor glanced down at his hand that covered hers. The sparks between them were so powerful that she looked to see if the current would actually be visible to the naked eye. With his other hand, he gently ran his thumb across her cheek.

"Have dinner with me tomorrow," he said in a voice that was demanding, but oh so sensual. "I won't take no for an answer."

"You'll have to because I have to work tomorrow night," she said with more regret than she expected.

"What time do you get off?"

"Midnight."

''Damn. So when are you off?"

"Thursday."

"I suppose I can wait ‘til Thursday."

"Now, how do you know that I didn't already have plans?"

"Young lady, I'm the governor. Don't make me throw my weight around."

"Okay," she chuckled. "Thursday it is."

"Good. I'll call you to finalize."

Taylor nodded her response without looking away from his beautiful olive eyes. For the first time, she noticed light specs of hazel.

"We're here."

She was so mesmerized that she hadn't even noticed that they had pulled into her driveway. He gave her hand a light squeeze, saying, "Come. Let me walk you to the door."

"Okay," she mumbled as she gathered her things.

Admittedly, she was disappointed that their time together was over.

When the door was opened, Victor stepped out and extended his hand for her. She placed her hand in his, and their electrical spark was reignited. He helped her from the vehicle and closed the door. He placed his hand in the small of her back and led her up the walkway. Halfway to the front door, he turned to tell one of his shadows to fall back. He held her hand as they walked up the steps of her porch.

"Nice house. It's pretty big though. You live here alone?"

"Yep. It's just me," she responded while digging her keys out of her purse.

She unlocked the door and turned to say goodnight. But, before she could speak, he placed his hands on both sides of her face and guided her face to his. When his lips connected with hers, Taylor literally went weak in the knees. She grasped his upper arms in order to stay on her feet. She wrapped her fingers around his muscular biceps as he made love to her mouth. As his tongue caressed hers, her body melded to his. He was literally sucking her in, and Taylor knew that she would never forget the kiss that she shared with the governor of Illinois.

CHAPTER 5

Three days later, Taylor was still fantasizing about the kiss that she shared with Victor. As she lay in bed the night before, she could still feel his lips on hers, his tongue teasing hers. She could practically feel the vibrations as he moaned softly into her mouth. Victor had invaded her thoughts for the last three days.

He was still invading when Taylor heard the dispatcher's voice blaring in her ear. "2234?"

Taylor reached for the radio on her shoulder strap. "2234. What's up, squad?"

"There's a call of a domestic disturbance. Wife says the husband hit her, and he won't leave."

After the dispatcher read out the address, Taylor responded with, "10-4. In route."

"Do you need backup?" asked the dispatcher.

"We'll let you know. We're three blocks away."

"10-4."

Maria sped up. After turning a few corners, she pulled over close to the address that was dispatched. Taylor stepped out of the squad car and assessed her surroundings. It was quiet.  Whatever the disturbance was, it was contained indoors. Taylor flanked by Maria, approached the house cautiously, and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door flew open and a young woman appeared. She couldn't have been any more than twenty-five years old. She had a panicked expression, and there was blood trickling from her mouth.

"He's in the bedroom," she said in a hushed voice, pointing to a closed door down a hall.

The woman stepped out of the way to allow them inside.

"Stay here," Maria told the woman as they cautiously made their way to the bedroom.

Taylor looked around the almost-empty house. In the living room, there was a beat up couch and a television that was sitting on top of milk crates. Once at the end of the hall, Taylor turned the knob and slowly opened the door. Soon they had an unobstructed view of a 6'5," butt naked man. The smirk on his face was proof that his intention was to use his nudity as a distraction.

Under any other circumstance, it would have worked. He was a fairly attractive, muscular man.

"Sir, we got a call. Did you hit your wife?" Maria asked.

"What goes on between a man and his wife is none of your business. Now, unless you're planning on sucking my dick, get the fuck out of my house," hissed the naked man.

"2234," Taylor called into her radio.

"Go, 2234."

"Roll us another car over here."

"10-4. We'll get you some backup."

Taylor and Maria triangulated the bigger man. Maria's hand migrated toward her pepper spray, as opposed to Taylor's, that inched toward her asp.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" the man bellowed, bolting toward them.

Taylor flung the asp to its full length and swung as if she was teeing off on a golf course, delivering a painful blow to the man's genitals. The woman beater fell on all fours. Before he could recover, Marie blinded him by spraying a good amount of pepper spray in his face. As he whaled loudly, Taylor thought to herself that no grown man his size should be screaming like a little bitch. However, though most abusers can dish out pain, but they can’t take it.

Suddenly, the so-called victim entered the room screaming, "What are you doing to him?! Stop! You're hurting him!"

Is this bitch serious?

Taylor took a second to look back at the stupid woman. Her lip was still bleeding, and it had tripled in size. She yelled at the woman to get out and returned her attention to the immediate threat. Taylor used the asp to sweep his hands from under him. When he fell face down, they pounced. It was a struggle, but they'd finally got his hands behind his back so that Maria could slip on the handcuffs. Once his hands were secure, they dragged the man from the bedroom. The pepper spray in the small room was beginning to affect their vision and breathing.

Taylor could hear sirens approach and the sound of screeching tires once they entered the living room. Since the offender was cuffed and ass naked, he was assumed secure and without weapons, so she leaned against the wall and coughed in between deep breaths, attempting to clear the pepper spray from her lungs. Maria did the same.

Taylor pushed off the wall when she heard the heavy footsteps of her fellow officers storming the front porch. She grabbed the radio on her shoulder and called for the dispatcher.

"Squad, you can slow it down. The offender is in custody."

"10-4."

The dispatcher informed the other officers, who were in route to provide backup, that the scene was secure. She thanked them for responding and instructed them that backup was no longer needed.

"2234?" the dispatcher called.

"2234. Go."

"Your victim requested a supervisor. Sergeant Howard is in route."

"10-4, Squad. Thanks."

Taylor looked up at Maria, who was shaking her head. Before either could comment, several officers entered the living room.

"Well, he is a big one," Corey Campbell commented. "But y'all don't look like ya needed no help."

"What you mean, Corey? We'll always need you and your big strong arms for protection," Maria responded, flirtatiously.

"Cut it out, Mendez" Sergeant Howard interrupted. "You can work on committing adultery when you get off the clock."

Taylor laughed and asked, "What's the deal, Sarge?"

"Don't know. I'll let you know when I do. Campbell, get this dude in the wagon."

Corey nodded and lifted the big naked man off the floor. He then turned to Taylor, saying, "Bring something for this motherfucker something to put on when you come out."

Sergeant Howard shook his head in disgust as Corey and his partner escorted the blind, naked man out of the house. Then he walked over to the battered woman, and before he could ask her one question, she announced, "I'm the one that called."

"What's the problem?" Sgt. Howard asked in a dry tone.

"These officers!" she shouted. "They used excessive force on my husband, and I want to file a complaint."

With furrowed brows, Sgt. Howard stared at the young woman.

"You want to file a complaint against these officers that you called to stop your husband from beating your ass? Is that correct?"

"They didn't have to beat him like that."

"Well, ma'am, unlike you, he doesn't have a mark on him. But I'll tell you what; I'm gonna take your complaint, and then I'm gonna have my officers release your husband so that he can come in here and kick your ass for calling the police on him in the first place. Would that suffice?"

Fear washed over her face as she contemplated the sergeant's, not so veiled, threat. She placed her hand to her chest and said, "Never mind. Take him."

"Sure, as soon as you thank my officers for saving your ass."

"Thank you," she mumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"Go get some clothes for him," Maria responded, without grace.

She walked into the bedroom without another word.

"I'm out," Sergeant Howard said over his shoulder as he left the house.

Maria started to giggle, causing Taylor to look over at her.

"What?" Taylor asked.

"Girl, did you see the size of that anaconda? No wonder her ass ain’t left." Then she  whispered, "Hell, if Mike had a dick that big, I’ll let him smack me around every now and then."

"Girl, bye," Taylor chuckled. "The first time Mike hit yo’ ass, you gonna Lorena Bobbit that motherfucker."

"I know, right?" Maria admitted. "Tell that bitch to hurry up so we can go."

No sooner than Maria spoke the words, the lady entered the living room with a bag of clothing. Taylor took the bag and they both exited the ungrateful woman's house.

Once they reentered their squad car, Taylor called for the dispatcher. "2234."

"2234?" the dispatcher responded.

"We're going into the station with one arrest. Thank everyone for the backup."

"Going into the station," she repeated. "10-4."