Tall Dark & Different Read online

  Tall Dark & Different

  A romance story by

  Kimberly Jon Biller

  *****

  Published by Kimberly Biller

  Copyright 2013 Kimberly Jon Biller

  This is a work of fiction based on the

  Imagination of the author

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimber-Jon/140481052779276

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter one

  Chapter two

  Chapter three

  Chapter four

  Chapter five

  Chapter six

  Chapter seven

  Chapter eight

  Chapter nine

  Chapter ten

  Chapter eleven

  Chapter twelve

  Chapter thirteen

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Megan should have never had the pure luck of meeting Justin. They didn't even run in the same circles. In fact, they were from two totally different worlds. She was a girl with a long history of heartache and bad mistakes. That consisted mainly, of four hasty marriages spurned by a childhood of neglect and abuse. The latter, had left such a void within her, that she spent many years desperately seeking to fill it. Therapy would teach her, only several years too late, marriage or sex was not the way to do it. The fear of falling back into the same patterns scared her enough, that she was not interested in walking down the aisle for a fifth time. She believed another marriage was not going to be an option for her anyway, since it had never worked in her favor. Megan feared the union of matrimony was not in her foreseeable future. So she wasn't looking for Mr. Right and definitely not, Mr. Right now. She was content with her life and her independence. Her sense of self-worth had finally started registering on the scale. It was a hard road learning to like the person she had become. She still had a long way to go and she knew that.

  Justin was laid back, and a very easy going kind of guy, with a great personality. He was very nice to look at and had a bad boy image that the girls seemed to love. He too had a failed marriage, and it was barely behind him. Justin also had a reputation at one time for screwing up his life. His job history, until the last five years, was sporadic at best. He couldn't seem to grow up and be responsible in his first twenty eight years of life. His twenties were a blur from drinking and all night partying. His dad would eventually give him the ultimatum, "You need to grow up, get out of my house and get a real job!"

  Justin knew the only way that would happen, was to leave Indiana and all the bad influences in his life behind. Even if that meant moving away from his family he loved so much. This included his two children, his ex-wife, now had custody of.

  His new wife had been all for the move to Tennessee, since she and her family were from there. After all the changes and everyday stress, she would decide two years after the big move, their marriage was not worth her effort anymore. She chose to push a good man out of her life and killed their seven year marriage. When Justin had finally became a responsible adult and was making his father proud, she chose to bail and leave him high and dry.

  Justin, was once again alone, but now he was in a state where he knew very few people and was having to start his life all over. It was not easy, living on a single salary, and the rentals in his price range were in the seedier parts of town. He knew he had no choice but to keep moving forward. He also knew, that letting his father down again was a pain he couldn't bear. If that meant living in a dump, then that's what he would do. He loved his job thankfully, and felt very competent at it. He loved the few friends he had made over the last five years. He felt in his heart and soul, that Tennessee was his home now. He would make it work, one way or another. He knew he had one shot left at making a go of things in Tennessee, and he also needed to keep his chin up and stay on the right path.

  Chapter one

  It was all a fluke really, a pure stroke of luck when Justin walked in and saw her sitting there. He was drawn to her instantly, but he had no idea why. A dark haired girl with the gentle look of kindness. She seemed to have a story and Justin felt like he was supposed to be the one she told it to.

  He thought she may have noticed him, but he couldn't be for certain. He knew she definitely looked his way longer than just a quick glance. Her brown hair was begging for him to reach out and touch it. The desire to do just that, was almost uncontrollable. He had no doubt if he did act on his impulse, she would have him locked up or possibly reported to his supervisor. He was there to do a job, after all and not pick up a date. The cable company wouldn't be impressed if he met a girl, they were only worried about how well he could get the job done and get out of the customers way. His love life, or the lack there of, was no concern to them.

  It had been so long since Justin had met anyone that he wanted to spend time with. One night stands were okay, but left a trail of problems in the end. Someone always wanted more, or usually the girl

  wanted more. No one had captured his full attention, until now that was. This brown-haired girl was like a magnet and he was the metal.

  He decided that he needed to strike up a conversation, at least. He wanted to see how she reacted to him. He was long out of the dating scene and rusty, he was sure, with the pick-up lines. His biggest worry; she might just tell me to shove off. She didn't have a wedding ring on, he had noticed. Not that it meant much of anything, because of that. A lot of people didn't wear a ring when they were married. He couldn't wear his when he was still hitched, it was too dangerous with his job. Justin had also noticed, that she sported a little tattoo on her ankle, so he decided that was a safe topic of conversation and hopefully, he wouldn't come off as a loser or even worse, lame.

  “I like your tattoo, where did you get it? “No answer...He thought she was ignoring him. He knew she had to have heard him. Oh no, he thought, can't let her ignore me, I'll just try it again, a little bit louder. “Hey, are you not talking to me? That got her attention for sure.

  “Oh I'm sorry, did you say something to me? I didn't even realize you were even talking to me. I was too deep into my work I guess."

  He introduced himself, “Hey, I'm Justin, I was actually admiring your ankle tattoo. Do you mind if I ask where you got it done at and if you have any others?"

  She said “I do, I have two more, this one was on a whim and I can't remember the name of the shop, my niece took me to get it done on a dare and a drinking fest, I am afraid I must admit. She told him where she had her other two done, but he wasn't familiar with the tattoo shop and he told her that. My name is Megan, by the way. It's nice to meet you Justin."

  “Hi Megan, it's very nice to meet you." Justin decided to go out on a limb and get a little personal with his questions. All in, he thought. "Are you married, Megan?“

  “No I'm single, well, divorced actually. What about you?“

  Justin told her he was divorced and looking to start dating again. He was hoping she would take the hint, but just in case he threw in for good measure: “Would you be interested in getting a coffee sometime, or maybe hanging out?”

  He wasn't sure, but he thought she just blushed a little, because she wouldn't look directly at him anymore. Damn! He didn't mean to embarrass her. What should he say now, he thought? He didn't want to look like an idiot, but he did want to get to know her. He kind of stammered when he said to her:

  "I- I, mean, if you want to that is."

  She actually shocked him when she looked up at him with her hazel eyes and said, yes! Well you can't back out and run now, he thought. Not that he would have wanted to anyway, so he gave her his cell number and told her to text or call him with a time, place and directions.

  He didn't want to seem too desperate, but he wanted
to see her again as soon as possible, so he told her, “I'm actually free this evening if you are."

  “Well Justin, I am free late afternoon for coffee today, I already have plans for the evening though. Does that work for you?”

  Oh damn he thought, he was jumping on his opportunity to see this girl again today, so he said:

  “That's perfect. If you text me your address I can pick you up, or we can meet, whatever works best for you.”

  Megan said, “Okay, I'll text you later”

  They both said their goodbyes for now and a see you later.

  Justin left there with his chest swelled full of pride; he had a coffee date with an adorable brunette. He didn't know what it was about the girl, but she was already under his skin, and that quick. She was something special that was apparent. He could also sense she was a different type of girl than he usually encountered around town. Who was she and where had she been all his life, he wondered? Ah hell! That sounds so damn corny, even in his mind. He definitely couldn't ask her that; that was the oldest pick-up line in the world! No, he thought, he needed to act like a thirty-four year old man, not a teenage boy or she would escort him back to his car before they even sat down. He hadn't been on a real date in years, this was going to be a big adjustment. He felt like the ink had barely dried on his divorce papers, but, he knew that was stupid; the divorce was over months ago and the marriage long before that.

  He still had to finish his work for the day, before he could do anything. Plus, he realized, he may be putting the cart before the horse, as they say. What if he was getting his hopes up and she doesn't even call or text? That would really suck! Maybe, just maybe, it was fate that they had met. Yeah, if he could only be so lucky to find and keep a good girl like her. It is obvious, she had her life together. He was glad that he took the extra shift. He thought to himself, they might not have ever met. Time would tell about her and if they could have a true connection.

  Justin hadn't thought about his future in so long, he had only been living in the present. He knew he wasn't looking for a wife, at least not right away. He was however, ready for a relationship. That he had no doubt about, what-so-ever.

  Chapter two

  Justin was just finishing up his last job for the day when his cell phone alerted him with a text message. Oh how he couldn't help but think, he so desperately wanted it to be Megan! So he took a deep breath and turned his phone, screen side up, to see the message. It was from her and it read:

  "Hi Justin, it’s Megan. My address is 811 Hilltop Drive, would you like to meet me here, in say, thirty minutes? "

  Yes, he could do that, he thought. He sent his response text back, without too much of the extra enthusiasm he was feeling, he didn't want to seem overly eager so he told her if she could make it forty five minutes instead, it would work out great. He did need a shower and fresh clothes after all, not to mention a clean shave. He wanted to look his best he decided, first impressions and all. Although, she had seen him in his dirty, grungy work clothes and she still agreed to meet with him. That had to mean something anyway.

  He knew that he could have made it in thirty minutes easy enough, but he felt he needed to have a little control of the situation. Not to mention, if he was late for their first get together it would make him look pretty damn bad. He was thinking to himself that it was not a chance he was willing to take.

  She would be surprised to learn, his place was only five minutes away from hers. Who knew they would live so close together? Lucky for him, it was a small town, but not that small. Life was funny he thought, he had woke up that morning, dreading his day and now look how it turned out. Not too bad, even he had to admit.

  Justin didn't know it, but Megan was just as excited as he was. She was terrified of letting it show how anxious she felt. She was just as worried about seeming too desperate or out of the loop, as Justin obviously was. Megan was pacing the floor, killing time until he arrived. She had been ready for two hours and it was the longest two of her life, thus far.

  She had way too much pent up energy and let’s face it, sexual frustration had been building and brewing for quite some time. She knew she really needed to burn off some of her nervous energy, before he arrived. This man with all his tattoos and the earrings in his ears, was very delicious and dangerous looking. She was sure, he must be a wild one, or so she thought. He probably rides a motorcycle too. That would be a shock to my family, now wouldn't it! Megan pictured it, her riding up at their place on the back of a motorcycle with a tall, tattooed man. She couldn't help but crack a smile at the thought.

  Megan was going through every emotion she could think of in just a short span of time. She hadn't been so taken with anyone as much as she was with this Justin character. He was different and it was hard to figure out what was it about him that made her insides shake with such delight. Other than how he looked, of course, with his bad-ass image. She was drawn to him, that was for sure, and not just because he was so tall and handsome. He was almost exotic looking. The small town boys she was used to were more redneck, than intelligent or refined. Justin definitely had a sophistication and an intelligent air about him. He was almost too gorgeous really, so why was he interested in her? He could probably have any girl he wanted. He was probably a big-time player looking to score, she assumed.

  It didn't make sense, she thought. Megan usually didn't attract guys like him, she always attracted the losers. Oh god, she thought, please don’t let him be a loser, I couldn't handle another one in my life. She did not need the drama or the B.S. She had too much baggage and drama of her own. Megan was worrying it to death and thought, I swear, if he is just another big time loser, I'm giving up on men for good!

  Four failed marriages behind her. Yeah, she knew that was going to be hard one to explain. That's if they even got that far. For only thirty two years old, she had dealt with more than her share of heartache and heart break. She had no patience left for rude, obnoxious men or men who were self-centered jerks. One more, was one more too many, in her life!

  Another thought just occurred to her, he had better like dogs and kids or this coffee date will be over before it even gets started. She didn't care how hot he is! Well, he was hot enough for a one night stand and that might not be a bad thing, she supposed.

  Who was she fooling she wondered, with that train of thought. She hadn't had a date in so long to even have the chance at a one night stand. She was so freaked out, that her heart was pounding from her chest with just the thought of it, of him.

  What was wrong with me, Megan thought, am I a damn school girl? This is not junior high or even high school, this was all adult and I needed to start acting like one.

  Okay time to pace a little more now, because she was too damn nervous for this whole dating life and all it entails.

  I need to be on valium, she thought, or something! It's been so long since I have shared the company of a man, but even more so, one I was actually attracted to.

  She keep telling herself to stay calm, maybe it would eventually sink in. She didn't need to give herself away in the first two seconds that he walked through the door.

  Megan was terrified, that her screaming hormonal vibes had to be going off loud and clear; sexually deprived woman here, in need of a steamy night in bed! That was true though, as sad as it is. Wow, what a pitiful sight she must be, she lamented.

  Chapter three

  As Justin was pulling in her driveway, her heart started skipping beats. It was actually dancing to a tune, that Megan couldn't hear, but she could sure feel it. Well she thought, here goes nothing.

  “Hi, Justin, thanks for coming over, please come in “

  Damn, I hope that came out okay. I will keep this ridiculous grin pasted on my face and hope and pray I didn't look, as goofy as I feel at the moment. Megan couldn't help admonishing herself, as she felt like such a failure with the opposite sex.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Megan.” Justin said.

  Okay, was this guy for real? He was
too polite, almost! “If it's okay with you Justin, I thought we would just have coffee here, so we could save a little time, since I do have plans a bit later. Plus, it's a lot quieter too."

  I Hope he didn't read that as his okay to throw me down, right here, right now. Oh wait a minute, that only happens in the movies, you idiot!

  “I made a fresh pot coffee for us, so if you will just tell me how you like it, I will fix it right up.”

  “I like mine sweet, lots of cream and sugar. “ Megan wasn't sure if she missed some inside joke, but Justin was grinning really big, with an, I know something you don't, kind of grin. He's a real charmer, she thought.

  “I agree Megan, this is much better than going somewhere. “ Justin looked around her quaint little home and admired her tidiness, without being such a neat freak. He liked that. It was never a comfortable feeling when you were in someone's home and you were afraid you might dirty it. She had things sitting around on display; pictures of her kids, he would assume, plus several knick knacks. Souvenirs from her vacations and probably gifts from friends.