Page 5 of Officer Anders

I can tell this man is a hustler. During his first couple of shots, he was merely finding his footing, but now he sinks two balls with a single, fluid motion and narrowly misses a third, the cue stick gliding through his hands like it was an extension of himself. His 'I'm not very good' routine was clearly an act, a clever ruse. "I'm onto you, mister."

"That would be a dream come true," he replies, looking up from the shot he's carefully lining up. He gives me a naughty wink that sends an unexpected shiver right down my spine. Gone is the playful, bantering man from earlier; he has transformed into a hunky interloper whose teasing words strike a chord deep withinme, igniting long-forgotten desires and making my lady parts clench with an intensity I hadn’t anticipated.

6

ANDERS

Ihave no intention of getting Elaina drunk, but I certainly don’t stop her from ordering a gin and tonic from the waitress to sip on while we engage in our friendly competition.

She roundly defeats me in the first game, her skill shining through effortlessly, but I manage to hold my own in the second round, narrowly sneaking in a hard-fought victory. Just as we're gearing up to start a third game, a song comes on the radio that instantly transports us both back to our youth. "Can I trouble you for a dance?" I ask, as the familiar country twang of Randy Travis gently filters through the speakers, wrapping around us like a warm embrace.

Elaina sighs, a playful glint in her eyes, and sets down her drink with a soft clink. "I suppose I need some time to rethink my pool game," she replies with a teasing smile. She grabs my hand, her touch sending a thrill through me, and allows me to lead her out to the dance floor, where the world around us fades away.

With this curvy, beautiful woman in my arms, I can almost forget everything else in my life. The relentless day-to-day grind of handing out traffic violations, the heavy burden of arrestingpeople for DUIs, and the emotionally taxing duty of performing welfare checks on potentially unwell individuals—all of it melts away as I pull her closer, lost in the moment.

Holding Elaina gives me hope that there's more to life than coming home to an empty house. The image of one day leaving work, driving home, and catching sight of her sitting on the porch, a welcoming smile lighting up her face, fills me with warmth. We could share stories about our day—her laughter mingling with mine—as we reminisce about the mundane and the extraordinary. Then we might head inside, where the aroma of a home-cooked meal or a simple breakfast could fill the air, creating a comforting atmosphere that feels like a sanctuary from the outside world.

Being a single police officer in my thirties can be a profoundly lonely experience, especially when it often seems as if I might never find someone to fill that deep, aching void in my life. Yet, these last few hours spent with Elaina have sparked a flicker of hope, making me wonder if she could be the one to change everything for me. I know it’s a bit foolish to entertain such thoughts so soon, what with it being our first date and all, but sometimes love has a way of creeping up on you when you least expect it.

"I think this is the longest we've gone without you opening your mouth," Elaina playfully teases after a couple of moments, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"I was just pondering how beautiful you are." And she truly is. There’s something enchanting about the way she looks up at me with those big, soulful brown eyes, paired with that soft, genuine smile that warms my heart. "It just makes me want to do this." With that thought racing through my mind, I dip my head down to kiss her. I know it’s probably a bit daring to catch her offguard like this, especially on our first date, but the moment feels electric, and I simply can’t resist the urge.

I'm about to pull away when Elaina's lips part, and her tongue slips out, darting into my mouth with an unexpected boldness. She caresses my tongue, gently at first, her arms tightening around my neck as if to anchor herself in this moment. I pull her closer, my heart racing with desire. I want to have her, to lose myself in the warmth of her body pressed against mine. I need to feel that intoxicating connection deepening between us.

"Anders," she breathes my name, her voice a soft whisper when she finally breaks the kiss, her cheeks flushed with warmth.

"I'm sorry," I apologize instantly, a mix of surprise and regret flooding my thoughts. "I didn't mean to do that."

Elaina laughs, a small, delightful giggle that dances in the air, and shakes her head, playfulness glimmering in her eyes. "No, it's not that. I loved that," she assures me, her smile widening, though a hint of vulnerability lingers. "I just want you to know that it's been a while since I've been with anyone. I... I'm not even sure if I remember what I'm doing." Her confession spills out, and it makes her blush deepen, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks. Instead of looking into my eyes, she glances down between the two of us, her embarrassment evident as she fidgets slightly, caught between shyness and the thrill of the moment.

I reach up to gently grasp her chin, tilting her head so our eyes can meet. "Shh, it's okay, Elaina. You're doing everything right. And honestly, we don’t have to do anything you don't want to do. If this night ends right here, that's perfectly fine with me. I’ve had a wonderful time and?—"

But she interrupts me, her voice soft yet firm. "That’s the thing, Anders." Elaina bites her lip, her cheeks flushing deeper, looking even more embarrassed than before. "I kind of don't want it to end right here. I, well, I want it to go further."

I didn't see that coming. But who am I to say no to a beautiful woman? "Do you want to go back to your place?" I ask, my heart racing. Please, God, say yes.

She nods her head slowly, a mixture of excitement and trepidation in her eyes. "But only if you want to, of course."

We’re both dancing around the edges of a game of hesitation, our unspoken desires hanging in the air like a fragile promise. But if she wants me to make the first move, I’ll gladly take that step for her. "Just tell me to stop at any time, and we will. No questions asked." I say with sincerity, then gently take her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine as I start leading her toward the exit, the anticipation of what lies ahead buzzing between us.

7

ELAINA

Iignore a text from Mollie that informs me the pack of condoms I bought for her over the summer is in the top drawer of her dresser. I’m sure she means well, but I will not be pilfering my daughter's condoms for my own purposes. I have my own, thank you very much, and I intend to keep it that way.

"It’s not much, but it’s home," I say, flipping on the living room light to illuminate a space that feels inviting and warm. The room is adorned with a collage of photographs capturing moments of joy and intimacy between Mollie and me. There we are, canning tomatoes during the peak of summer harvest, vacationing together on my generous parents’ dime, and enjoying the whimsical atmosphere of the Renaissance Faire. Each snapshot encapsulates the laughter, love, and memories that define our little family unit. "Mollie's father passed while I was pregnant," I explain quickly, my voice steady but tinged with the weight of loss, "drug overdose." It’s a stark truth that reshaped our lives, and it’s also why she carries my last name.

Anders stands beside me, admiring the photos with a smile that feels genuine and fresh, one I haven’t seen from him yet. Athousand questions flit across the forefront of his mind, but he doesn’t voice them, respecting the delicate nature of my past. "I bet Mollie hates having a mother as beautiful as you. That’s a lot to live up to," he says, his tone light but sincere. With those words, he strikes the perfect balance to set me at ease and gently reintegrate us into the warmth of the moment we shared just moments before.

"Mollie's the one beating them off with a stick. I just have you, which I may need to beat off with a stick. You're very persistent."

He clucks his tongue playfully as he wraps his strong arms around my shoulders from behind, creating an intimate cocoon of warmth. "I believe that you're the one who suggested we come back here, Miss Taylor."

That I did. At thirty-five years old, the last time I had sex with a man was almost four years ago, and let me tell you, it wasn't the best experience of my life, trust me. Between the swirling hormones and the undeniable chemistry that Anders and I exude together, my brain whispered, why the hell not?

It feels good to be held by him, his warm body pressed against mine, radiating a comforting heat that makes the world outside fade away. The goosebumps on my arms don’t indicate that I’m cold; rather, they are a reaction to the electrifying closeness we share. "So what are we going to do about that, Officer Hemingway?" I ask, my voice teasing yet laced with curiosity.

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