Sleepy Dale is my hometown and I've loved it since I was a kid. I would ride through it on the school bus and wave to my neighbors as they bought ice cream at the corner store on Main Street. My parents would bring me to meet my cousins at the city park in the summer so we could get into mischief before cooling down with slushies or ice cream. Many years later, Sleepy Dale is bigger and busier, but it's still just as charming. Now I drive through it in my patrol vehicle as a proud member of the Dawson County Sheriff's Office. The historic city center is clean, classy, and has a great selection of cafes and restaurants. The Southern charm of the people that live here has endeared it to me forever. I'm Deputy Rhody Russel, and I've served Dawson County for three years now. As the area grew, the extra traffic became annoying, but that's the only thing I really have to complain about.
Working in law enforcement puts me in close contact with the best and worst people of Dawson Country. We're lucky compared to most. Crime is low, and I often find myself bored, but I'd be an idiot to complain. As a deputy sheriff, my jurisdiction encompasses all of Dawson County, so I'm dispatched to rural farms in the south, picturesque mountain cabins in the north, quaint subdivisions in the valley, and apartment complexes and condos around the city. My first call as a deputy landed me in a thought-to-be burglarized rental cabin. Imagine my surprise when I found the place ransacked and a massive black bear sleeping on the kitchen floor. The next day, I was called to a golf club to break up a fight between two well-to-do elderly gentlemen threatening to beat each other with their golf clubs over a love interest. That's about the worst of it.
Back to the present, it's a sunny, not too hot day in early June as I drive into the heart of Sleepy Dale to have lunch with my girlfriend, Candice. Our favorite coffee shop also serves the best sandwiches in the city. We actually crossed paths there for the first time last year. I noticed a gorgeous redhead checking out my uniform and somehow made myself speak to her. I tripped over my words like a bumbling fool, but she miraculously found something charming about me and kept the conversation going. Now we're an item. We toy with the idea of moving in together, but we aren't quite ready yet. I'm honestly still getting to know Candice. The bottom line is, we're both independent and happy with our lives, so there's no point in rushing to change that.
I arrive on Main Street and grab the last parking spot close to the cafe. I see Candice sitting at a patio table in all her glory with our favorite drinks and food already there. She has less time for lunch than I do since she works year-round at the community college, but she almost always manages to join me for a meal. I take my time as I stroll up the sidewalk. Candice's strawberry hair falls over her shoulders in shimmering copper waves as she smiles at her phone. Her low-cut sky blue blouse, short black skirt, and sexy black heels accentuate her curves to the point that I have to remind myself not to drool. She always looks good enough to eat. She also tastes as good as she looks. Her cheeks are blushing as I saunter across the patio and take my seat at the table across from her. She looks up from her phone and greets me with a gorgeous smile. I can't help noticing her wide pupils and extra red lips. I know that look. It sparks my curiosity and warms my insides like hot coffee.
"Hey, Rhody. How's your day going?" she asks.
"Exceptionally good. You look excited. Who are you texting?"
Her smile widens, then she bites her bottom lip. God I love her lips (and everything else about her). The simple action stokes the heat inside me even more and causes a predictable reaction elsewhere. I'm glad I'm sitting down. How did a simple country boy like me get so lucky? I'm still trying to figure it out.
"Do you remember me telling you about my sexy boss lady? The cute, short-haired brunette that's about fourteen years older than me?"
My eyes widen as I recall those exciting stories. I nod as the predictable reaction below the table intensifies. Thank God for tablecloths. Candice had a wild streak before we got together. I love hearing about it, and I didn't mind hearing more since we were at the edge of the patio and had a little privacy.
"That happened a few weeks before we met, didn't it?" I ask.
"It did. You are why I cautiously stepped back into the friend zone with her. We still talk about what happened and we're cool with it. She and her boyfriend just invited me to their first experimental garden party of the summer. She said it's going to be an experience I'll never forget. Do you mind if I go see what they're up to?"
"What? Are you asking me if I want you to go alone to a sex party?" I whisper in hurt disbelief.
"No, it's not like that... Well, it might be something like that, but I won't be participating. I'll be watching, that's all. They want an honest opinion on their new garden party theme."
I scowl at her in doubt for a moment. Despite everything that happened before she met me, I trust her. She is always honest with me.
"I... guess I'm okay with you going," I sigh.
"Rhody, you don't sound okay with it."
"Sorry, I really am. I trust you. I'm just not used to having such a um... kinky and experienced girlfriend."
I smile, trying to smooth things over. She returns my smile with a thoughtful look about her eyes. I love it when she looks at me like that.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it afterward. Well, unless they forbid me to speak about it."
"Huh? They forbid you from talking about their parties?"
"Oh yeah. I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement for some of their parties. I obviously haven't told you about those."
A wicked, sultry smile followed that confession. I felt tingly at what she was implying.
"Wow... that's professional of them," I nod.
