“You should probably sleep off this one first before we start planning the next drunken night out.”
Logan swooped his girl up from behind. “Very good point. Come on, Mads. Let’s get you home.”
I helped Tia into the truck and started the engine. On the other side of the street, Logan was wrangling Maddie into his car, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the ex-soldier struggling to keep hold of a tiny, drunk blonde.
“Is she gonna be okay?” Tia asked.
“Yeah, she’ll be fine. She’s just a lightweight. Logan will take care of her. Don’t worry.”
A warm smile crept on her face. “You can tell he really loves her. A room full of people, and his eyes were on hers the whole night.”
“I didn’t notice.” My eyes had been glued on Tia instead.
The entire drive home, I could feel her chocolate brown eyes on me. I glanced over, expecting her to bashfully look away. Instead though, she smiled playfully, stirring my excitement for what would come when we reached her place. “So, did you have fun tonight?”
She turned in her seat to face me and rested her head back on the worn headrest. “Actually, I did. I haven’t had a good night out since – ” she looked down for a moment, lost in thought. I could see a glimmer of sadness rush back in.
“Not since a long time.” I answered for her.
She smiled up at me and nodded.
“Well, I’m glad you came.”
“Yeah, me too.”
I turned down onto the clearing outside the station. It was lit up inside. The chimney smoke billowed out, bouncing off the moonlight.
“Is there someone inside?” Tia asked as she rummaged in her purse for her keys.
“ Carl’s on duty tonight.”
I turned off the engine and walked around to her side. She took my hand at the door and stepped down. Before we took a single step away from the truck, she rubbed her thumb over my knuckles and shivered a little at the cool breeze. “Do you want to come in, Ranger?”
I swallowed hard. “Do you want me to come in?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, hiding a smile. “You really gonna make me say it?”
“I don’t want you to do something that you don’t want to, Tia.”
She reached her other hand up and traced her finger down the side of my neck. “Then don’t let me go to bed alone.” She pulled away and walked up to her door, flashing me a wicked look over her shoulder along the way.
I followed her swaying hips up the porch and watched her slide the key in the lock. My hands instinctively gripped her waist from behind, and she sank back into my body with a moan. My cock hardened against her ass, pulling another shivered sigh from her throat. I bent down and placed a soft kiss on her neck. I could feel her pulse race under my lips, and just as I suspected, that toxic perfume left me gasping for more.
I chuckled against her skin when I saw her struggle to keep her concentration on opening the door. “Focus, Tia.”
She giggled and pushed me back with a hip bump. “How the hell am I supposed to focus when you’re doing that?” She tucked her hair behind her ear and got to work on the lock. It clicked open and she flashed me a smug look. “There. Happy?”
“Over the fucking moon, beautiful.” I grabbed her hard and pushed us both inside the cabin, kicking the door shut with my boot.
She dropped her purse down on the floor and wrapped her arms around my neck. Without a second beat, our mouths claimed each other in feverish kisses. The taste of rum and lust filled my mouth as Tia’s tongue entwined with mine.
I gripped her ass and lifted her up, pinning her to the cabin door. She wrapped her legs around my waist and giggled against my mouth. It was dark inside, but I swore I saw the playful spark in her eyes as the moonlight shone down on us from the window.
I pushed off from the door and walked over to the bed, tossing her down on the mattress. I could hear that sweet giggle in the shadows, calling me over, but before I could take another step her voice cut through, “Wait.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just want to put the light on first.” She stretched out to the bedside table and switched on the lamp.
“You want an eye full, huh?” I raised my eyebrows and slowly unbuttoned my shirt, tossing it to the floor.
“Actually, I don’t like the dark too much.”
I dropped to my knees in front of her and pulled off one of her shoes. “Imagine a tough city girl like you being afraid of the dark.”
She sat up on her elbows and scowled at me playfully. “I didn’t say I was afraid. I said I just don’t like it.”
“Well, what do you like, Tia?” I ran my hand over her foot and kissed her ankle. “You like this?”
Her eyes closed as I teased her with my lips and nipped at the delicate flesh. “Yeah. I definitely like that.”
I removed her other shoe, moving my kisses further up. I heard another breathless moan when my hands glided up the back of her bare legs. Her skin felt like liquid velvet against my rough hands. “Tell me what else you like.”
Her thick lashes fluttered open. “I liked that shirt you were wearing tonight. I like it even better now that it’s on the floor, though.”
I chuckled against her skin and gripped the edge of her blue dress. When I dragged it up and over her knees, Tia’s breathing grew heavy. I glanced up at her and felt my cock twitch at the sight of those huge brown eyes fixed on mine. “Keep going,” I ordered, as my fingers glided up her thighs.
“I like old movies.”
I pulled her dress up to her waist, smiling at those flimsy white panties hugging her hips. “And?”
She gasped when my fingers brushed the lacy hem just below her belly. “Drinking rum. Eating ice cream. Wearing dark colored lipstick and staining the edge of glasses with it.” She giggled at her random confession. “I don’t know why. I think I just like marking my territory.”
I smiled through my lips as I kissed the spot my fingers had just touched. “Territory, huh. You grow up in a busy house?”
“Something like that.”
I lifted my head up and soaked up the sight of this gorgeous woman under me. She looked sexy as fuck with her dress bunched up to her waist. In the light, I could make out her arousal through the thin panties between her legs. I pushed the dress up further and licked her stomach. Tia’s back arched up off the mattress. She let out a soft moan when I blew gently over her belly button.
I moved further up her body to capture her lips with mine. Her tongue shot into my mouth begging for more, and with my cock rock hard, I was only happy to give her exactly what she wanted.
At the very second I was about ready to rip off that dress, there was a small knock at the door before it flew wide open and banged against a shelf. “Colton, you in here?”
Tia screamed and scrambled up to the top of the bed.
“What the fuck, man?” I yelled over my shoulder, recognizing who the voice belonged to instantly.
Carl stood in the doorway in his ranger uniform and outdoor gear. “Shit. I’m sorry boss. I did call out but you didn’t answer.”
I jumped up off the bed and stormed over to him. “So what, you just figured you’d walk straight in?”
“No, I knocked, but I guess all these locks have weighed down on the old wood. As soon as my fist hit, the damn thing just swung open.”
“Get the fuck out!” I grabbed him by the arm and pushed him back outside.
“I need to talk to you, boss.” Carl yanked himself from my hold and tried to get my attention. It wasn’t easy. I was fucking pissed. At no point tonight did I want to stop for a friendly chat with him. “Listen, Colton. We gotta go.”
I stopped at the porch, noticing the genuine urgency in his voice. “Why? What is it?”
“Bill Ackley called. He said a coyote spooked his horses. They broke out from his farm about ten minutes ago. They’re heading down the main road towards Candace. We gotta go, now.”
“How many?”
“Eight.”
“Fuck,” I gritted out in frustration. Carl could handle one or two, but a herd that size would take way more men to handle. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the sudden job. “All right. You go on horseback. I’ll take the truck. Call Betsy and tell her to saddle you up a horse. I’ll meet you up on the road.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Carl turned and jogged down the porch.
I ran my hands over my hair and turned back inside the cabin to apologize to Tia. I expected her to still be on the bed with an embarrassed flush on her cheeks, but when I stepped inside, she wasn’t there. Instead, I found her crouched down between the wall and the dresser, shaking like a leaf with her eyes glued to the open cabin door.
“Tia?” I walked up to her, trying to gain her attention. I crouched down to her, seeing only what could be described as sheer terror. “Hey, it’s all right. It was just Carl.” I lifted my finger under her trembling chin. “Are you okay?”
Tears edged in her eyes when she finally looked up at me.
I raised my hand up to her cheek, brushing away a small drop as it fell. “Tia, baby. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t lock the door.” That tiny voice smashed my heart to pieces.
“It’s okay. It was just Carl. He shouldn’t have scared you like that. I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t his fault, Colton. If I’d have locked it then it wouldn’t have opened. And what if it wasn’t Carl? Anybody could have just walked in here.”
More tears fell. I brushed them away and cupped her face. “Shh, it’s okay. It was just an accident.”
She squeezed her eyes shut tight, and took a sharp breath before opening them wide and determined. “You should go.”
I shook my head. “No way. I’m not leaving you like this.”
She shoved me away and stood up. I did the same but took a good step back. I hadn’t known Tia long but I knew she liked to have her space when she felt at her most vulnerable.
She sniffled and bent down for my shirt. “You have to go, Colton. Carl’s waiting for you.”
“You’re shaking, Tia. And you’re upset. I can’t just leave you.”
She growled at me and thrust the shirt into my hands. “I can handle it.” She wiped away whatever tears were left on her face and forced a smile up at me. “See, I’m fine now.”
It was impressive how easily she could switch off her emotions and snap out of it. But that didn’t mean I bought what she was selling.
Tia could clearly see the obvious doubt on my face. She smiled a little more naturally this time and put her trembling hand on my forearm. “I’m fine, really. I just got a little spooked, that’s all.”
“You’re not spooked. You’re terrified.”
“I don’t need anyone taking care of me, Colton. I’m a big girl. Like I said, I can handle it. Now put on your shirt and go catch those horses, so I can bolt the door back up.”
I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Only minutes ago I was ready to spend a night in the sheets with this girl, and now she was kicking me out.
She lifted herself up on wobbly tiptoes and kissed me gently. “I still had a good time tonight. Really, I did.”
I didn’t want to leave her like that, but I knew I wouldn’t win this one. “Are you sure you’re gonna be okay? I can come back afterwards.”
She shook her head and looked down at the ground. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I think if you stayed or came back tonight, I’d be...you know.”
My chest hurt at the thought. “Scared.”
“Nervous,” she corrected. “I’m all jumpy, and I don’t think having a man in my bed right now is going to make that any easier. Really, I’m better on my own when I get like this. You don’t want to get attacked with a metal poker, do you?” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Really, Colton. I’ll be okay. Maybe we can try this again some other time?”
I took what I could and nodded. “Absolutely.”
She walked over to the door and hugged herself as I put on my shirt. I followed her over and grabbed one last kiss from her soft lips. “I’ll fit a new door if you like. Something sturdier that can handle the weight of all the locks.”
She smiled up at me, her eyes still wet. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want you to feel safe.”
She glanced down at the floor again, shaking her head. “You must think I’m crazy.”
I ran my hand through her silky hair, tucking it behind her ear. “Never.”
“It’s not easy to explain. I just have this thing with doors and locks and – ”
I pressed my finger to her lips. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to explain. I’ll fit you a brand new door tomorrow and this is the last time we ever have to mention it, okay?”
She nodded and kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Goodnight, beautiful Tia.”
She smiled and whispered back, “Night.”
I stepped out into the cold and heard the bolts slide shut behind me. The evening hadn’t gone how I’d hoped at all. I could have killed Carl and those damn horses. But no matter how pissed I was, I still had a bounce to my step as I reached the truck.
Tia was staying, and even though the night had ended lousy, I was already trying to think of a way to make it up to her.
Chapter Thirteen
Tia
I stood back from the mural and admired the work so far. With my new design in hand, I walked the length of the wall, checking the outline matched my concept sketch. “It looks great guys. Are we all happy with the outline?”
Mackenzie screwed up her face when she looked up.
“Say what’s on your mind, Mackenzie. We won’t start painting until we’re all satisfied with it.”
“I don’t know, Miss Lopez. Maybe the skyline looks a bit dull. It’s missing something, don’t you think?”
I helped her off the ground and stood back again with her by my side this time. “A little more on the left?”
“Yeah. I just think it needs a little something.”
Shay wandered over and looked up with us. “What about a flock of birds.” she suggested. “Just to break up the negative space.”
Mackenzie nodded. “Yeah. Peacocks are pretty.”
Tucker’s laugh echoed through the large, empty building. “A flock of flying peacocks? That’s the little something you think is missing?”
Kyle climbed down from the scaffolding, dropping his chalk marker in the tool box. “Ostentation.”
Tucker scowled at him. “What the hell did you just call me?”
“A group of peacocks is called an ostentation, dumbass.”
I clapped my hands together, gaining back everyone’s attention before the boys began arguing and the girls wandered off in frustration. “Well, I think that’s a great idea. You should all have a say in the final piece, and I think peacocks are a perfect addition, Mackenzie. As long as no one does anything obscene or offensive, you guys can add in anything you like.”
I knew that’s what Lily would have wanted. Her original design was similar to this one. An abstract landscape, full of imagination and surrealism. It was as close as I could get it, and with some input from the kids it would be perfect for the main building.
A car horn sounded from outside.
“That will be Mr Greer. You guys better get going. Work on your ideas and we’ll add them next week before we start painting.”
Kyle and Tucker dropped their equipment and practically bolted for the door. “See you later, Miss L.”
Mackenzie grabbed her bag and jacket from the floor. “You really think peacocks are a good idea, Miss Lopez.”
“Oh, totally. I don’t know how we didnt think of it sooner.”
She smiled brightly and skipped towards the door. “I’ll sketch up some samples tonight. You coming, Shay?”
“Nah, my mom’s picking me up today.”
“Okay, see you both next week.”<
br />
I waved Mackenzie off and got to work on tidying up the tools.
“Hey, Miss Lopez? Would it be alright if I added a boat to the lake section?”
“Absolutely, Shay. Any ideas on the type of boat?”
She ran over to her bag and pulled out her thick sketchbook. “There’s one in here I did a few months back. It’s not as fancy as peacocks, but I think it would fit well.”
She handed me the open page and pointed to a small fishing boat in the bottom corner. “I know it’s small, but I could work on some bigger concepts before I lay it down on the wall. What do you think?”
“I love it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it would fit perfectly. Did you draw this from life?”
“From a photo. It was my dad’s but he sold it before I was born.”
“It meant a lot to him, huh?”
She giggled, fastening up her jacket. “Yeah, he’s still pretty bitter about giving it up. My mom made him sell it so they could afford the extension above the garage. They needed the extra room with me on the way. Anyways, I figured he’d be really happy to see it on the mural.”
“I think he would too.” I flipped through the next couple of pages in awe of this young girl’s talent. “Does he support your art?”
“What do you mean?” she asked with her eyebrows creased.
“A lot of parents freak out when their kid tells them they’re applying to art colleges. I’ve seen it happen.”
“Oh, Mom and Dad aren’t like that at all. As long as I’m happy, they’re happy.”
“That’s great, Shay. You’re extremely lucky.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
I turned the page, stopping at a portrait of Colton. It was incredibly accurate. His kind eyes and mischievous smile. She had even included the slight hint of his faint freckles. They were barely noticeable in person but Shay had captured them to perfection.
She turned her attention to the drawing in my hand. “I did that one on New Year’s Eve. My mom threw a party and started singing karaoke. It was so cringy that we both snuck out of the kitchen door and went to Frank’s diner for cherry pie and milkshakes instead.”
Lost at Heart: A Steamy Small Town Romance (Bluerock Series Book 2) Page 10