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Christmas Day~
Christmas Day arrived with all the crazed excitement and cheer that the festive decor of Jamus and Samantha Holland’s home abundantly hinted at.
The atmosphere was even more alive with the arrival of new guests. Sofiya Nikolaides, Eris Miltiades, Ariadna Apostolou and Ianthe Eliades all arrived in time to celebrate the biggest holiday of the year with their sons and daughters-in-law.
Naturally, little Reina Eliades basked in all the adoration she received. Jamus and Sama were understandably reluctant to relinquish their monopoly on the baby’s time. They’d enjoyed the role as surrogate grandparents since the onset of the visit.
Ianthe didn’t mind at all and delighted in the attention her granddaughter received. She took added delight in talking with Jamus and Sama along with Sofiya and Eris about how much they were all going to enjoy becoming grandparents when Slayte and Prin and Mercuri and Tee presented their new bundles of joy.
For the first time in many years, the Hollands were hosting Christmas Lunch. There was no shortage of activity in the household. Much of Sama Holland’s family was in attendance as were many of Jamus Holland’s relatives. A mix of Christmas music, Jazz and 80s Pop energized the air and made the special day even sweeter.
Lunch was to be a buffet styled affair to give guests the chance to eat and congregate where they pleased. Nica opted for lunch in her room. She wasn’t trying to be totally anti-social and had mingled downstairs for a long while following breakfast with the guys’ moms.
It was a wonderful visit and she’d very much wanted to remain downstairs for the festivities. Knowing Gib was likely to drop in anytime to wish his family a Merry Christmas, got the better of her. Hiding out in her room was only about feeding her cowardice. What Benjamin Haahs had done wasn’t her fault and yet none of it would’ve happened if she hadn’t been there. If she hadn’t been there with Gib.
She was curled up on the long window seat in her room. From that vantage point, she smiled down at Rutger, LuCarolyn and Reina outside. Fresh snowflakes started falling around noon. While Reina was still too young to enjoy a good snowball fight, Nica could tell she was looking at the drifting flakes. She extended her tiny hands to watch them settle on her mittens.
Nica’s smile widened when she saw Rutger move in to rub noses with his daughter where she rested against her mother’s chest. He then straightened to ply his wife with the same treatment, but followed his attention to her with a long, sensual kiss. The little family was moving on to continue their stroll through the snowy landscape, when Nica heard a faint knock on her room door.
“It’s open,” she called, her tone breezy, relaxed. Her breath caught when she looked around and saw that her visitor was Gib. Suddenly self-conscious in her comfy attire, she flattened her hands over the white Yoga capris she’d changed into after retreating to her bedroom. Her festive red and green top suddenly felt much too snug across her chest. She left the seat, watching Gib close and lock the door. He rested back against it, hands deep in the pockets of a pair of loose-fitting dark corduroys. He radiated ease, though his almond-brown gaze was stormy.
“Aunt Sama says you’ve been up here since lunch.”
“Yeah I was just-”
“Trying to avoid me.”
“No-no Gib, I didn’t even know you were coming-”
“You knew there was a pretty good chance I would, though.”
The unexpected barb made her breath hitch again. “That’s not fair,” she told him.
“Fair,” a long brow elevated in challenge. “Oh I see. We’re talking fairness now?” Pushing off the door, he advanced.
“The way I see it, ‘fair’, is giving someone the courtesy of a response when they say they’re in love with you. And, by the way, ‘I can’t stay’, isn’t the kind of response I’m referring to.”
“Gib-”
“I’m talking.”
She pressed her lips together, allowing the admonishment to strike.
“The appropriate response is more along the lines of ‘I’m sorry Gib, I just don’t feel the same-”
“But I do! Gib I’m in love with you too! I just-”
She wasn’t given time to finish. His slow pursuit had gained speed and, in seconds, her breasts were crushing into his chest-her lips crushing against his. His tongue filled her mouth with hungry possessive strokes that she met with equal heat.
Gib’s hands were just as hungry, cradling her full derriere and squeezing lightly at first, harder when he tugged her off her feet.
Nica shivered, excitement and approval taking hold in equal measure. She basked in the sensation of being handled with so little effort. His strength was as erotic as his touch, his touch was as magnetic as his dark and devastating face. She felt the bed beneath her back soon after. The top she wore had no chance against Gib’s strong fingers when they peeled away the garment en route to the bare flesh underneath.
Gib wanted nothing to hinder his access and pushed Nica’s hands above her head. He kept them there with one hand smothering both her wrists. Again, Nica shivered, arching her back as if to offer herself for anything he wished. It was an offer Gib was incapable of refusing-unwilling to. His attention forced quivering moans from her throat that had Nica’s back bowing sharper-a silent plea for his talented tongue to turn its attention to her breasts.
She begged for as much when he freed her mouth. The brief span of time was all it took to drop small kisses along the curve of her jaw. At the same time, his hands worked over her hips and thighs still hugging the fitting capris. She gasped, deliciously tortured each time her nipples grazed the cream colored shirt that hung outside his pants and matched the hiking boots he hadn’t bothered to remove. Arousal had hardened her nipples until they were fiercely sensitive to the slightest stimuli. Yet, the stimuli she most craved, continued to elude her.
He took ruthless possession of her mouth again and cupped the breast he’d recently abandoned. He barely gave his thumb the luxury of stroking the tip before he abandoned it again. Intolerable frustration had Nica digging her foot into the thick mattress. She wanted to break the kiss in order to voice her upset, but Gib merely deepened it. She braced against his hold at her wrists, not at all surprised to learn that her strength had fled. When it came to Gibson Taylor, she had no power against what he made her feel.
The thumb that had swept her nipple so sweetly, was now at the crotch of her pants. Gib had shifted his considerable weight for better access to the treasure he sought. Discovering the material was damp, was enough to have him breaking the throaty kiss and resuming the feast on one of the puckered peaks of her cleavage. Nica bit her lip to stifle what was sure to be a voluminous moan. She flexed her fingers restlessly above where he’d confined her wrists. After dining heartily on one nipple, he focused on the other and closed the sultry display with a stop to the valley between her breasts.
She was mad to touch him, madder to have him as naked as she was on her way to being. When his hold loosened at her wrists, she made a play to have that happen.
Gib had already moved beyond her reach. He had come up there to lose himself in what her body- what she- did for him. Now, he knew that if he lost himself in the carnal bliss of her, he’d never let her go and he knew that leaving was what she needed.
Nica made a grab for his shirt tail only to have him yank the fabric free. She found her wrists captive once more. When she arched for another of his kisses, he averted his mouth.
“Gib-”
“Promise me something, okay?” He watched her nod eagerly and smiled, loving the way she stroked his ego in that moment. Her lips were lush, wet and parted, her brilliant eyes were wide and mesmerizing and he...well he dug excruciatingly deep for the will to refuse what she so very obviously wanted to give him.
“Promise to tell Prin if you need anything,” he said. “Don’t think there’s no one you can go to if you’re in trouble, okay?”
She nodded again.
Gib returned the gesture, the slight effort costing him. Bowing his head, he dropped a hard kiss to her knuckles. At the same time, Nica leaned closer to kiss the top of his head. A tender smile curved her lips, sparked by the scent of the shampoo clinging to the close-cropped waves of his hair.
“Gib-”
“Goodbye Nica.”
He left her alone on the bed. Nica waited for the door to close at his back before she let her tears fall.
***
New Year’s Eve~
Even for a small town, the Deaton County Sheriff’s Department was probably quieter than most on one of the biggest nights of the year. The required skeleton crew of personnel was even more skeletal than usual. In fact, only two of the deputies selflessly remained to answer phones and handle any foot traffic. The cells were blessedly empty.
The running joke-quietly shared-between Deputies Pete Rogers and Jeff Winnet was that their Sheriff’s bad mood had even scared the town’s petty criminals into good behavior. The man intimidated most with his presence. Factor in a bad mood and that presence was damn near terrifying.
Gib had been behind his desk for the better part of the evening. He’d started the day with an early patrol and arrived at the station by mid morning. Aside from random wildlife roaming the snowy streets, the town was silent. Besides Rogers and Winnet the other scheduled officers had opted for car patrol. The rest, along with the administrative staff had the night and next day off and were most likely beginning their celebrations to ring in the new year.
“You weren’t kidding, you really are a workaholic.”
Gib’s pen paused over the report he’d been poorly attempting to complete. The scowl he’d been wearing for most of the day intensified and he told himself he was hearing things now. Hell, she’d been on his mind everyday for nearly a week. It made sense to have her voice in his head-
“Gib.”
He had no choice then, but to investigate his wayward thoughts. Nope, his mind wasn’t tricking him. There she was, looking like a dream where she leaned against the frame of his office doorway.
Under a calf length black trench coat, a red frock covered her from neck to knee yet gloved her excellent curves with erotic precision. A side split gave a bold and tantalizing look at a voluptuous thigh while chic red ankle boots with their high, spiky heels, accentuated her long legs.
Well shit...how the fuck was he supposed to even pretend to be working now? Decided, he settled back in his desk chair and helped himself to the picture she presented. He had no qualms about objectifying her with a visual appraisal that left no doubt as to his familiarity with every part of her body.
“Crime doesn’t take a holiday,” he said finally. “Not even in Leeds V.A.,” he added.
“I see,” smiling, Nica pulled a hand from her coat and folded it over her hip. “And you’re fighting it all on your own. You and your two helpful deputies.”
Gib smiled at her mention of Rogers and Winnet. Given what Nica Sloane looked like, he guessed they’d been more than helpful. He couldn’t fault them. Besides, the two deserved to have such a treat walk through their door given they’d been the only ones who hadn’t allowed him to run them off.
“Some have the night off. The rest...” he raised one shoulder lazily. “They’re out on patrol- weren’t jazzed enough by my mood to stick around.”
Nica only nodded, her bright eyes objectifying Gib with their own brand of sensual appraisal.
“Prin said you handed in your resignation,” Gib shared after enduring her wanton survey for nearly half a minute.
“That’s right, but I’ll be helping her scout and interview replacements for my old position and Aviva’s.”
“I know she’s sorry to lose you.”
It was Nica’s turn to lift a shoulder. “She understands. She said the door was always open for me to come back. She even invited me back for Christmas with her folks next year.”
Gib smiled thoughtfully. “That’s my cousin,” he drawled. “So what are your plans now?” he asked, once his easy smile had cooled.
“Oh...I thought I’d find out a little more about that freedom life promises,” she left the doorway to slowly move through the office. She studied the wall of plaques, commendations and framed photos.
“Any plans on how you’ll do that?”
“Well,” she sighed, smiling at a picture of Gib in uniform with Prin at his side-a graduation day photo from the academy. “First, I plan to stop running once I get where I’m going. Build a life somewhere nice. Somewhere that’ll take me as I am.”
“Good plan. See that you stick to it. Maybe one day you’ll see that your past has no right to keep beating you up.”
“You make it sound so easy,” she said while tugging the coat from her shoulders.
“You um...you have to want it, Nica,” Gib watched the satin-lined coat sleeves slide from her arms. Just then, his mind was on what he wanted. The dress adored her mouthwatering curves. His gaze rested happily on her generous ass until she turned to reward him with the view of her magnificent bustline. It took a moment for him to find his voice again once he’d cleared his throat.
“You have to believe you deserve it, Nica. The guy out there who convinces you of that will be the luckiest guy alive.” When he finally forced his eyes from her chest, he saw that she was smiling at him.
“Luckiest guy alive, huh?”
“Damn straight.”
“Well, well,” she lightly sang the words while making her way from his trophy wall. Her gait was a slow saunter that effectively resumed Gib’s objectifying appraisal of her.
“Sadly for that guy out there...he won’t get the chance.”
“Why’s that?” Gib angled his chair toward Nica, watching as she sidled up to his desk and moved behind it.
“I’m afraid another guy has already convinced me.” She leaned on the edge of the desk. Her dress’ split revealed an ample portion of thigh.
“Is that right?” Gib was through with denial and since she had put herself within his reach...he drew the back of his fist along her thigh, relishing the texture of her caramel-toned skin. “So this other guy has convinced you?”
“He has.”
“Sounds like something he’d like to hear.”
Her eyes flared when he stood, studying her from his imposing height. A hand braced near her hip on the desk, while the other continued its trek across her thigh.
He put his mouth to her ear and continued their word play. “You should go to him-tell him what you’re thinking.”
“Th-that’s why I’m here,” Her stammered words partnered with a flutter of lashes when Gib’s thumb brushed the center of her panties. Moments later, his middle finger was beneath the fabric, claiming her sex with a deep, rotating thrust.
“You were saying?” Gib rested his head on her shoulder and continued the X-rated act.
“I-” Nica gave into a few seconds of sensual gasping before finding her voice. “I’m hoping to see him while I’m here-hoping he’ll help me find a place to s-stay.”
“One of San Francisco’s best, coming to our little town?” he taunted, “Nice.” He gave her another thick finger to squeeze.
She gave herself over to pleasure. Hands braced over the desk’s edge, she leaned her head back and savored the sensation rippling from her wet center.
“I don’t-don’t know if it’ll h-happen it...depends on what he thinks. I’ve been kind of an idiot.”
“Mmm hmm, I think he’d agree with that.”
Nica couldn’t hide her quick smile or the sharp gasp that followed. “Do you think he’ll forgive me?”
“He already has,” Gib kissed her then. A deep, possessive, seeking kiss. His tongue engaged and invaded, scraping the roof and sides of her mouth, outlining her lips before breaking contact and starting the process all over again.
Nica engaged just as deeply, her manner close to desperate. She’d missed him so much. She’d missed him even as she took the plane back to California the day after Christmas. It was as she’d told him, she had to go. Somehow, leaving was what it took to make her see that being with him was all she wanted-all she would ever want.
The kiss went on and on, as did the skillful use of his fingers at the heart of her. Despite the lost, voracious manner in which he claimed her mouth, he still sensed when she neared her peak.
The slow drives of a middle and ring finger, paired with his thumb sliding across her clit, sent Nica’s desire into frenzied status. Her nails curved into the shirt front of his light brown uniform as the desperation present in her kiss, elevated. Her bottom lifted from the desk as she was starving for the satisfaction only he could bring.
“Gib,” she nearly sobbed when he deprived her without warning. “Gib?” she didn’t know what to make of the stern look appearing on his handsome face then.
“I need you to understand me, Nica,” his words held a slightly breathless quality. “If you come back to me, you’re never getting rid of me.” He held the side of her face against his palm, stilling her movement when she began to nod.
“I let you walk away from me once,” he said, “I let you get on that fucking plane when all I wanted to do was...I don’t think I can watch you leave again. I know I can’t. I can pretty much promise you it wouldn’t be my finest moment.” Grim acceptance further darkened his face. “Guess that doesn’t make me much better than that idiot you ran away from.”
His hold was firm on her face, yet Nica managed to give a defiant shake of her head. “You’re all the way better and I never wanted that idiot. I want you. I want us. I hope you want that as much.”
Wicked promise lurked in his rich, warm stare. “I’d terrify you if you knew how much I want that,” he said.
She blinked against the pressure of tears behind her eyes. “Then I guess you’re the guy I came here looking for.”
“Be sure of that, Ms. Sloane,” his resulting grin carried the same wicked promise. “This guy... I mean, he’s cool and all, unbelievably good looking...”
“I’ve seen him,” she agreed, her eyes brighter as laughter began to tickle her throat. “He’s a sheriff too,” she added.
“Damn right he is,” Gib confirmed while wincing playfully. “I gotta tell you though, he’s kind of clingy.”
“Is he?”
“Mmm,” his hand started a new journey under her dress. “He’ll have his hands on you every chance he gets. Most days he may not even let you out of bed.”
“Wow...that sounds pretty intense,” she bit her lip, eyelids feeling heavy under the pressure of the orgasmic caress he’d resumed inside her panties.
“It’ll be very intense,” he panted close to her ear.
She shivered. “Do you promise?” her breath hitched as climactic waves began their steady climb.
“I’m a man of my word. But if you prefer, I could put my words into action.”
Nica laughed then, delighted, fiercely aroused and hopelessly in love. “Oh yes, Sheriff,” she said. “I’d prefer that very much.”
*******************
Dear Reader,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you for settling into your favorite reading nook, cozy chair or comfy bed for the next stage in the Giant’s saga. I hope you enjoyed my newest Giant and his lovely heroine as much as I did. If all sheriffs could be like Gibson Taylor, right?
I’m so excited about where this series is headed and I can’t wait to continue the story. Gib and Nica were just a taste of the character types you’ll find in the next chapters of the saga. Flawed yet endearing, haunted yet passionate, they are sure to intrigue, amuse and excite.
Be sure to check out my audio podcast: AlTonya’s Library where I’ll be chatting about this story and the upcoming titles that will be dropping as the series continues. Visit the link to check out current episodes:
https://anchor.fm/altonya-washington
So drop me a line, reach out on social media, rate or review the story and let me and other readers know what you think.
Thanks so much for reading.
Happy Holidays!
AlTonya aka Ally
BONDED
Cast of Characters
B
Bazile Lubin- GAN Alum
Benjamin Haahs- GAN Alum
Berrill ‘Bear’ Apostolou- Friend of Nica’s. Married to Pope
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D
David Jaggins- GAN Alum
Deleigh Taylor- Gibson Taylor’s Grandmother
E
Etienne ‘Tee’ Nikolaides- Friend of Nica’s. Married to Mercuri
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G
Gibson ‘Gib’ Taylor- Hero of “Bonded”
GAN- The Grodins Alberts Network (Criminal Organization)
Gustus Harper- GAN Alum
J
Jamus Holland- Gibson Taylor’s Uncle
L
LuCarolyn Eliades- Friend of Nica’s. Married to Rutger
M
Magnus Barnaby- GAN Alum
Mercuri Nikolaides- GAN Alum. Married to Tee
Myrna Terry- Friend of Nica’s
N
Nica Sloane- Heroine of “Bonded”
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P
Pope Apostolou- GAN Alum. Married to Bear
Princess ‘Prin’ Miltiades- Nica’s Friend/Boss. Married to Slayte. Gibson Taylor’s Cousin
R
Rasheem Taylor- Gibson Taylor’s Cousin
Reese Tovin- GAN Alum
Reina Eliades- Rutger and LuCarolyn’s Daughter
Rutger Eliades- GAN Alum. Married to LuCarolyn
S
Samantha ‘Sama’ Holland- Gibson Taylor’s Aunt
Samuel Taylor- Gibson Taylor’s Grandfather
Slayte Miltiades- GAN Alum. Married to Prin
An AlTonya Exclusive