Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,194,966 members, 7,956,618 topics. Date: Monday, 23 September 2024 at 03:27 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / Caught (917 Views)
Caught by bellefidel(f): 6:29pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Chapter One Cord Canyon leaned his head back against the leathered seat and drew his hat lower over his eyes, only half listening to the sports radio announcer's monotone voice. As the sheriff in the small town of Lander, Wyoming, he'd given his men the night off to spend with their wives and lovers to celebrate Valentine's Day, and he'd taken the shift solo. It wasn't like he had anyone to spend the holiday with. No one to give flowers or even a corny red card to. Not that he couldn't have found a willing partner to spend the lovers' holiday with, but the idea held no appeal for Cord. He'd had enough lately of that kind of relationship. Most of the women he'd dated hadn't made any kind of impression on him beyond what they could provide for the night— meaningless sex to temporarily fill a void. Nothing more, nothing less. He'd decided long ago that was the only way he wanted it. He'd given the whole "happily- ever-after" thing a try once, and once had been more than enough to let him know that it definitely wasn't his thing. His glance moved to the sealed manila-colored envelope on his passenger seat. He didn't have to open it to know what it was, or who it was from. Which was the reason this Valentine's day, like all the rest over the past eight years, may as well have been any other day of the week for him. He damn sure wasn't going to make it any worse by opening up the package. He shrugged off the dark thoughts and leaned his head against the seat again, thankful for the solace the quiet night afforded him. The radio announcers began talking about auto racing, and he lifted his head away from the seat, his interest piqued. They were announcing the winner of the first race of the season. "Stock car racing season started today in Daytona, and this year promises to be the most exciting yet with Brook Jasper beating his competitors like they stole something as he annihilated the track!" "Yeah, they don't call him Brook the Beast for nothing," the second announcer piped in, barking out a laugh. "Got that right! And with the addition of Brick McNeil standing in as crew chief…" Hearing the name, Cord jerked, turning up the volume of the radio, his heartbeat kicking harshly against his chest. "…Yeah, that was a smart choice for the Beast. McNeil comes from good bloodlines, her daddy being the one and only, legendary, four-time champion Mac Axelrod. With a team like that, Brook stands a good chance of going all the way in the cup!" "That is if she can stay out of trouble long enough to hang on to this gig," the announcer said and both men laughed. Cord frowned, sitting up straighter, intently listening to the announcers. "Did you hear about her latest antics?" "Oh, yeah. Seems she's aspiring to be more than pit crew chief if the number of speeding tickets she's got under her belt are any indication!" Again both men laughed. At that moment the Doppler mounted on Cord's dash started flashing like crazy. With a curse, Cord glanced over at the monitor. Seconds later a low-slung souped-up hot rod raced by, kicking up a cloud of dust as it blew past. Hell, even without the monitor he knew the driver had to be going at least 30 miles over the speed limit. He cursed, threw on his sirens and skidded out of his cover to go after the car, forcing everything else out of his mind but the chase. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 6:34pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Chapter Two Cord should have known that his peaceful Valentine's was too good to be true, that it had been wishful thinking to believe most folks around town would be too busy making love at this time of night—the nookie night, as one of his deputies put it—to be out causing problems. He should be so damn lucky. Instead he was chasing down a speeder who thought he was on a racetrack instead of a sleepy country road. But, hell, it wasn't like he had anything better to do, he thought, turning into the deserted two-lane highway. He bit back a foul curse as a debilitated truck pulled in front of him, slowing down his pursuit. When the driver of the truck refused to move over, Cord glanced at his side mirror and smoothly maneuvered into the opposite lane. Once he'd passed the elderly truck driver, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, sirens blaring, hoping like hell this wouldn't turn into a drawn-out chase, and the young fool driving the hot rod would pull over. Cord breathed a sigh of relief when after about a quarter of a mile, he got the driver's attention and the hot rod pulled to the side of the road. Beyond pissed off, Cord didn't even bother to run the plates. As soon as he shifted his car into gear, he grabbed his ticket board and slammed out of the car. Impatiently he waited for the driver to roll down the window. Pulling his hat low, he ordered, "License and registration, please." The driver was turned away, already in the process of hunting for the documents in the glove compartment, and Cord hid his surprise when he saw the driver's long ponytail escaping from beneath the hat tugged down on her head. His speeder was a woman. He ran his eyes over the car. Souped, chopped…pimped-out —just a few adjectives that came to mind. The classic Shelby Mustang was painted metallic gray, with two wide scarlet-red bands adorning the top, sides and hood, set on custom twenty-four-inch chrome-plated wheels. From the type of car she was driving and the expert way she'd been handling it, he'd assumed the driver was a man. He of all people should know better than to assume something like that. Switching his attention back to the woman, Cord's frown increased as he watched her frantically search for the missing documents inside her glove compartment. He crossed his arms over his chest, ticket board in hand. "Listen, Miss…" She turned around to face him then, the ends of her bow- shaped mouth curled upward, and Cord felt like a semitruck had slammed straight into his gut. His gaze trailed over her heart-shaped face; her satin- smooth, rich honey-colored skin; her large bow-shaped mouth and dark brown doe-shaped eyes before settling back on her mouth. Lush, one corner was curled up, lending her an innocent yet somehow slightly wicked look. It was the same mouth, the same look that had invaded his dreams for over eight years. They belonged to the woman who, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how far he'd run, he'd never been able to get out of his mind. Brick McNeil. His wife. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 6:38pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Chapter Three Brick composed her face into what she hoped was a contrite look and pasted on a smile…an innocent smile, a butter- wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth type of smile, as she turned to the officer, hoping he wouldn't take out his handcuffs and demand she get out of the car and spread 'em. Although… She studied him covertly from beneath lowered lids, reconsidering. She might be willing to allow Mr. Tall, Dark and Fine to do exactly that, she thought, running a glance over him as he stared down at her, his eyes hidden by the aviator glasses, his face shadowed by his wide-brimmed hat. She could only see his mouth—wide, unsmiling, the lower rim just a fraction fuller than the top. Testosterone practically oozed from this guy's pores. She mentally shook her head. If she was going to make it to California in time the cop was an indulgence she couldn't afford. Not that she would. She hadn't indulged in that kind of activity in nearly eight years. Her gaze slid back to his eyes. Although obscured by the dark shades, she felt his unflinching stare trained on her. She checked her rearview mirror, then the side mirror. There was no one around but the two of them, it seemed. She felt a chill run over her arms. Reminding herself that he was a cop and there was nothing to be nervous about, she quelled the nervous pit in her stomach and upped the wattage on her smile. "I, uh… I can't seem to find my registration," Brick said. She paused before going on. "Or, uh…my license," she finished, biting the corner of her mouth, her voice low. Her eyes fell to the star above his badge and she stifled a groan. Oh hell, just her luck to get the sheriff to bust her. She cast her eyes down toward the narrow space between her car seat and the console. She hoped he didn't search her car because he'd find both her registration and her driver's license. All it would take would be a quick search of her record and her plans to make it to California in time would come to a screeching halt. Luckily the plates weren't registered to her. She mentally slapped herself, wishing she had taken care of the ticket she'd gotten back in Daytona when she'd had the chance. Then she wouldn't have to worry about Mr. Tall, Dark and Fine Sheriff running her in. Please just give me a warning…please give me a warning, please give me a warning… She fervently recited the litany over and over, as though some magical being would intercede and grant her wish. Don't look inside my car, don't look in my car… She sent the second litany up, with just as much desperation, if not more. "Step out of the vehicle, miss." So much for magical beings, she thought, blowing out a breath of air as she opened the car door and got out. "I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me, Ms. McNeil," he said, his voice deep. "You're under arrest." Her mouth widened in an O of surprise when the officer spun her around and pressed her against the car. Seconds later she felt cold steel clamp around her wrists. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 6:41pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Chapter Four "Arrested! For what?" Angrily, Brick tried to glance over her shoulder and up into the face of the officer, jerking away from him even as he led her to his car, but he forced her to keep moving. "Hey! You can't do this…what am I being arrested for?" She cried out as he placed his hand on top of her head and assisted her into the backseat of the patrol car. Without a word he slammed the door and strode over to the driver's side before hopping in. "I have a right to know," she said sullenly, her face flushing as she caught his gaze on her in the rearview mirror. "I think you know why," was all he said. Again his voice was a low growl, muffled. Brick frowned, staring at the back of his head. There was something familiar about his voice, despite the muffled tone. When he said nothing more, she turned and looked out the window, gnawing on the bottom rim of her lip. Her car wasn't registered in her name and he didn't have her license. How did he know about the tickets or… Her eyes widened and her head whipped around to stare at him again. He'd called her by her name. She closed her eyes, briefly, her heartbeat ricocheting a staccato beat against her chest. His eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. She'd been so caught up in the potential trouble she'd be in if the cop ran her license, the little fact that he'd called her "Ms. McNeil" had flown under her radar. There was no way he could have known her name. Slowly he tossed his hat away, throwing it on the seat next to him, revealing close-cropped blond hair. Then he drew his glasses from his face. He gazed at her with light blue eyes surrounded by a dark fringe of lashes that if she hadn't known better, she'd have thought were fake. But she did know better. Her heartbeat thudded hard and fast, each beat pounding erratically against her chest so loud and strong Brick felt as though she could count each one. Unreasonable, crazy tears burned the back of her eyes as she stared at the one man, the only man, she'd ever loved. The same man she had once pledged to spend her life with, for better or for worse. It was her husband, Cord. She met his hard, cold gaze in the rearview mirror. He looked at her as though he hated her. Brick swallowed down the instant swamp of emotions, her eyes locked with Cord's. For long moments they simply stared at one another, the years spent apart falling away as though they'd never happened. His face softened as his eyes ran over her. "It's been a long time, Brick," he said, his voice a low grumble. Brick sat forward, raising her joined hands as if to touch him. At the same time Cord leaned toward her. "Cord…" Her voice trailed away. "Don't do this." His face hardened, losing its momentary softness. "You should have thought of that before you broke the law, Brick." "I was going to pay the ticket! I just didn't get around to it, and…" Real panic set in when he put the key in the ignition and started the engine. He flipped a U-turn, heading back in the direction she'd come, back into the small town of Lander. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 7:22pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Chapter Five Brick slumped back against the seat and closed her eyes, quelling the ridiculous tears that threatened to fall. She knew the fact that she was sitting in a police car, headed for jail, had nothing to do with her speeding tickets. Her day of reckoning had finally arrived…. "Baby, everything is going to be fine. We'll still go ahead with everything we planned—" Brick was already shaking her head before he could finish speaking. "It's not that, Cord. It's—" She stopped when she felt his hands on her shoulders, turning her around so that she faced him. He stroked a finger beneath her chin, forcing her eyes upward. "Baby, we'll get through this together. I know it's hard…it's hard for me, too. I—" He stopped as his voice broke. After a few moments, he continued, "Everything will be okay, just trust me. We're in this together." He brought her close, pressing his lips to her hair. Brick heard his deep inhalation, the feel of his mouth on her head. Leaning into his embrace, she wrapped her arms around him. She allowed him to hold her for a while before she broke away. "We wanted to get married anyway," he said. "This only pushed the timetable up a little, that's all." He thumbed away the tears from her cheeks, but she saw the uncertainty in his eyes before he forced a smile. She felt as though her entire world was falling apart around her. Brick smiled shakily past the tears, and nodded her head, more to stop him from making any more empty promises than because she agreed. Brick had known from the first time she'd laid eyes on Cord that he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But she wondered if he'd only asked her to marry him because she was pregnant. And now that she no longer was, did he still want to go through with it? Did he still want her? Brick slumped against the seat, exhaling a long shaky breath, fighting back the emotions the memories brought along with them. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 9:17pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Since noboDy Is commntinG maybe I should stop updating because nobody is intersted with my story |
Re: Caught by Komzzy1(f): 9:54pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Nice writeup keep going |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 11:34pm On Dec 14, 2014 |
Komzzy1: |
Re: Caught by Flakkydagirl: 8:08am On Dec 15, 2014 |
I'll get you arrested if in a few hours time there's no update on this page. And don't ask me why. |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 11:23am On Dec 15, 2014 |
Chapter Six Cord unlocked the front door to the deserted police station, flipping on the lights as he ushered Brick inside. The short drive to the station had been done in a tense silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Cord cursed himself, wondering what the hell had gotten into him to bring her back here, to let her turn his world completely upside down. But the moment he'd realized who she was, there'd been no way in hell he was going to let her go. He wasn't going to let her walk out of his life. Not again. At least not without an explanation this time. He shot an angry glance toward her. She stood nearby, her back to him, her body stiff. "Have a seat at my desk, we can go from there." She turned to face him then. "Okay, so what now? I mean, why have you brought me here? Obviously you know about the tickets, and yeah, I should have paid them. I plan to as soon as I get back home. But what's the real reason I'm here, Cord?" she asked before lifting her joined hands. "And really…is this necessary?" She jerked her head toward her bound wrists. "Yeah, it's necessary. Given your…propensity…for fleeing sticky situations, I'd say they're definitely necessary. Take a seat, Brick." Cord tossed his hat onto his desk and removed his jacket, taking his time, desperately trying to get it together and not follow her every move. Old habit. To say he'd been aware of what Brick was doing at every moment was putting it mildly. There had been a time in their lives when they were inseparable. They'd met when she was seventeen to his eighteen. He'd been looking for work and scored a job working the pit crew for several drivers on the stock car racing circuit. He'd met Brick on the track and their relationship had quickly progressed, though Cord had waited —barely—until she reached eighteen before consummating their relationship. And from there, it had gone nuclear. The chemistry between them had always been combustible. Whenever they were in the same room with each other, everything and everyone faded away and it was as though it was only the two of them, alone. Didn't matter where they were; their chemistry was off-the-charts hot, a burning intensity the likes of which Cord had never experienced before or after Brick. And long after it was over, he still felt the lingering embers of that flame. The day they'd gotten married had been the happiest in his life. And the following day, the worst. He'd woken up alone, a note left on the pillow where she should have been telling him it had all been a mistake and that she'd file the papers for their divorce as soon as she returned from Daytona with her father. Just like that it was over. It had taken the better part of a year for Cord to stop trying to contact her, finally getting it through his thick head that she no longer wanted him. And it had taken years after that for him to finally stop waking up and reaching for her. Her voice drew Cord out of his thoughts. "Is this the only way you can get a woman to stay…by keeping her against her will?" |
Re: Caught by udison(m): 11:32am On Dec 15, 2014 |
bellefidel pls wats dis story about...is du is a love story or...... |
Re: Caught by bellefidel(f): 11:44am On Dec 15, 2014 |
udison:it is romantic love story oh |
(1) (Reply)
Wed, I Said, Not Marry / 2016 List Of Schools That Has Released There Screening Form / Iba: The Scourge
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 49 |