She hung up and I wrapped my arms around her. Her back was pressed against my front and she turned her head up for a kiss. I kissed her softly and sighed – I could spend all day kissing her. I had no clue how I was going to let her out of my sight come Monday morning. It would have been hard enough without all this bullshit following us around. But now, I was going to have to deal with missing her, and fearing for her safety.
“They want to meet up for food. Colt said that someplace called ‘Spirit’ around here is pretty good?”
I knew the place. “Sounds good, when are we meeting them?”
“Twenty minutes.”
“Good, I’m starving.”
***
We arrived at the café before Colt and Q, and El picked a table by the fire.
We’d just ordered our coffees when they walked in. I narrowed my eyes at the pair of them – it didn’t take much to figure out what had them running late.
Quinn winked at Ells and I rolled my eyes. “Hey sis, how are you?” I stood up and kissed her cheek.
“I’m good. How are you? Any more news?”
““Hey man.” I shook Colt’s hand and we all sat down.
“Lawson.” He nodded at me. “Hey Ellerslie.” He smiled at El.
“Hey Colt, thanks for taking care of my girl.” El said with a cheeky smile.
“My pleasure.” Colt said with a sly grin.
“Dude.” I coughed loudly. “My sister.” I pointed a threatening finger at him. “Keep that shit to yourself.”
He laughed. “Sorry. Won’t happen again.”
Quinn glared at me and I shrugged with a ‘I’m not sorry’ look on my face.
El and I filled Quinn and Colt in on what Alex had told us, and what Mark thought about it all.
“I really hope it’s not someone from Rush Communications.” El said as she sipped her coffee. “My dad will string someone up by the balls if it is…well provided they have balls”
“Not if I kill them first.” I muttered under my breath.
El heard me and lightly shoved my shoulder. “Stop talking about killing people.” She hissed.
I smirked at her.
She was so cute when she tried to get angry with me. She continued to glare at me so I winked at her – she let herself down by cracking a smile.
“So you think it’s one of your guys Law?”
I thought about it for a minute. None of it made any sense – whoever this was, had claimed they were coming for us. My gut was telling me I was dealing with a man, and I was hoping I was right. I couldn’t exactly beat the shit out of a girl. But if it was a man, then they were after El… and she barely knew anyone here. This was the point where I always came back to Baxter – he had the most motive.
“I have no idea. I keep flicking through numerous scenarios, but none of them are really adding up. Maybe this asshole is paying someone I work with to keep tabs on me and El. That’s all I can really come up with.”
El cocked her head to the side and thought for a minute. “Yeah that could be it. What if one of your ex’s has got an employee on board?”
“I still don’t think that it’s anyone from my past, but I guess it’s possible.”
El stared at me with wide eyes. “So you think it’s me?” She squeaked.
I froze.
Shit.
I turned to face her – she looked shaken. “You think it’s someone trying to get me?” She asked again.
I nodded slowly and shrugged. “You must have thought about that possibility El?”
She shook her head quickly. “I mean yeah… I considered it, but I sort of just assumed it was the other way around. This is your city. I don’t even know anyone here Lawson. It can’t be. There’s only Baxter and I know it’s not him.”
I wrapped my arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t know Ells. But it’s something we have to consider.” I tried to reassure her. “You might be right, I might be the one they want.”
Quinn interrupted. “I think you should bait them.”
“Quinn what the hell?” I snapped. The last thing I needed was my stupid sister giving El any risky ideas, she had enough of her own risky ideas already.
“I mean the two of you together. You said it yourself, this person seems to know when you come and go. So go out. Walk down the street together. Have Mark watching for anyone suspicious.” She shrugged. “It’s just an idea. But I highly doubt that anyone is going to come at the two of you – not on a busy street. They’ll probably just get more photos.”
I thought about what Quinn was saying – it actually wasn’t that bad of an idea. I looked at El. “What do you think?” I asked her.
She grinned at me. “I think we’re going out for lunch on Monday.”
“Were both photos taken from the same angle?” Colt asked. Our food arrived and we stopped talking while the waitress got us set up.
“What do you mean?” I asked when she was gone.
“Do you think they stood in the same spot for both photos? They might be hiding in an alleyway, or out of a window of a surrounding building. If you knew where they were photographing from, it’d give your guy a good starting point.”
“Fuck why didn’t I think of that?” I shook my head. “I’ll look into it. Mark said it’s a long range lens, so I guess they could be a reasonable distance away.”
“We were inside the first time.” El said quietly. “Do you think they were there?”
“I think it’s more likely that they took the picture through the glass honey.”
“I don’t know.” She looked up at me with wide eyes. “It was so clear.”
I kissed the top of her head again. “I don’t know Ells. Try not to worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” She mumbled.
Quinn changed the subject. “I was thinking we need another night out. Brooke wants to come out in a few weeks and I was thinking of inviting Lexie and some of our girls. Make a real weekend of it.”
“Hell yes.” El replied.
“God no.” I said at the same time.
“Why the hell not Lawson?” Quinn demanded.
Jesus Christ I did not need this right now. I had my hands full with these two already. I did not need however many more running around. No. Fucking. Way.
“It’s not a good time Q.” I growled. “There’s enough going on.”
Quinn waved my comment off with a flick of her hand. “Well too bad. It’s happening so maybe you should just accept it.”
Bitch.
Fucking Quinn and her stupid fucking ideas.
I peeked over at El and all the fight left me. She looked so damn excited at the idea and she had those giant puppy dog eyes working their magic on me.
God damn it.
“Fine.” I snapped at Quinn.
Colt smirked at me and made a whipping motion with his hand.
Prick.
I flipped him the bird.
There was no way in hell that Colt, Reeve and I could handle this shit. I was going to have to call my boys.
52. Quinn
Lawson was such a sucker. El had him wrapped around her little finger. I needed to get her alone, I was dying to know how her and Lawson’s talk had gone.
“I’m just going to the bathroom.” I gave El a look that said ‘and you’re coming with me’.
She jumped up. “Me too.”
We found the ladies room and I checked the stalls were all empty. “Ok spill. How’d it go?” I demanded.
El smiled so wide I thought her face might break.
“That good huh?”
“He asked me to dance, and I kind of ended up telling him with a song.” El scrunched up her nose. It was so her. “I told him I was his.” She smiled softly. “It was perfect. Our own weird kind of perfect.”
“It sounds amazing El. I’m so happy for y’all.”
I watched as a devious smile crept onto her face. “And then we screwed all over the show.
Holy. Shit... I know you told me that a man taking control was hot, but I had no idea just how-”
“La, la, la, la, la.” I cried out, covering my ears and interrupting her over-sharing.
Waaaaay too much information.
“Sweet Jesus El, I’m glad you finally sorted out your feelings and I’m stoked that Lawson is finally happy… but Jesus girl, get a filter. That’s my brother.”
She pissed herself laughing. “Oh god…” She gasped for breath. “Your face.”
“Were you just messing with me?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Oh no, we fucked like rabbits. But your face was the funniest shit ever.” She cackled.
“I hate you.”
“You love me.” She smirked.
Bitch.
“Fine. I love you.”
El grinned. “Love you more. We’d better get back. Lawson will come looking for us otherwise.” She rolled her eyes at the thought of my over protective big brother.
“You don’t need another human being to make your life complete, but let’s be honest. Having your wounds kissed by someone who doesn’t see them as disasters in your soul, but cracks to put their love into, is the most calming thing in this world.
- Emery Allen
53. Ellerslie
“Are you coming back to Lawson’s tonight Q?”
We were outside the café, sheltering from the rain, getting ready to part ways.
“Na, Colt asked me to stay again so I will.” She looked over at Lawson. “I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your ‘activities’ anyway.” She made quotation marks with her fingers.
I snorted. I’d be willing to bet that she was involved in plenty of ‘activities’ herself. One look at Colt’s face told me the truth in that. Quinn was going to have to have a word with him soon, I could see he had feelings for her, and they were definitely more than fuck-buddy feelings.
Shit I’m glad I haven’t got those kind of problems anymore.
I looked at Lawson and couldn’t stop myself from smiling. He was so much to take in. It wasn’t fair for one man to be so handsome and desirable, so rugged and sexy.
And he called me his girlfriend!
I was still high fiving myself for that one. I desperately wanted to ask him if he meant it, but I was too chicken shit.
Maybe I’ll put on my big girl pants and ask him tonight.
Maybe.
“What about tomorrow?” I asked her
“Yeah I’ll come by tomorrow and stay tomorrow night if that’s okay Law?”
“Yeah of course. I’ll take you both into the office Monday morning.”
“Great.” Quinn smiled brightly and gave Lawson and me both a kiss on the cheek.
“See you tomorrow.” She called over her shoulder.
“Bye! Cya later Colt.” I called after them.
Lawson threw his arm over my shoulder and walked me back to the car. I waited as he opened my door for me – apparently chivalry wasn’t dead after all. “Why thank you kind sir.” I teased.
“You’re welcome Ma’am.” He replied in a thick Texas accent. He rounded the front of the truck and climbed in.
“That accent suits you cowboy.” I grinned as he hopped into the truck.
“You know what’s funny?” He smiled as be buckled his seat belt.
“What?”
“I wanted to be a cowboy for my entire childhood. I actually tried to buy a ranch back home, but it fell through. I’m glad now, but at the time I was pretty pissed off.” He chuckled.
I laughed lightly at him. “You can be my cowboy.”
He smirked and I knew he was thinking dirty thoughts. “Buckle up baby. I’ll take you for a ride.”
I laughed at our corny jokes and did up my belt.
***
I’d checked my emails and caught up on a little bit of work after we got back and then we’d spent the rest of the day talking, joking and eating. We had takeout Thai food and wine for dinner and watched a movie after.
I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in Lawson’s home – it felt like my home. Although that probably had more to do with him than it did the location. Being in his arms felt more like home than any place ever had.
“I love having you here.” He whispered in my ear as the credits rolled.
I snuggled back into his chest. “That’s lucky, because I love being here.” I told him quietly.
He loosely twined and untwined our fingers. “Do you remember when I told you how things would be between us where sex was involved?”
“Mmmhmm.” I murmured, suddenly nervous about where this conversation was going.
“I want to make love to you.”
I smiled and turned my head to look at him. “Is that a question? I don’t think you’ve asked my permission before.”
He chuckled and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I’m asking now.” His voice was soft and seductive.
“Make love to me.” I whispered. I was dying to find out what soft, slow sex would be like with Lawson. I wasn’t kidding when I’d told Quinn that we’d fucked like rabbits – each time seemed more frantic than the last.
“Zef, bed.” Lawson commanded to his dog.
Zefer got up and gave me a pleading glance. “Go to bed buddy, I’ll be here in the morning.” I reassured him. I smiled as he slinked off to his bed in the games room.
Lawson shook his head at me. “That bloody dog is as fond of you as I am.”
“He’s a sweet boy.”
He smirked at me and I could tell he was holding back on some smart-ass remark. Probably about how there was nothing sweet about him. I raised one eyebrow at him and he shook his head.
On best behaviour huh?
I stood up and turned to face him. “After you.” I gestured to the door.
He sprung to his feet and pressed his body up against mine. “Oh no pretty girl, after you.”
I walked ahead of him, doing my best to sway my hips.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me back suddenly, causing me to land against his hard chest. “Can you stop with the teasing?” He growled. “I’m having a hard enough time stopping myself from ripping those clothes from your body and claiming you right here.”
I grinned and squeezed his biceps in response.
That sounds like a great plan.
“Don’t tempt me Ells.”
I bit down on my lip as I caught the look in his eyes. He was not joking. He was right on the cusp of losing it.
“Take me to bed.” I whispered.
He didn’t say a word, just scooped me up lightly in his arms and did as I’d asked.
Having Lawson make love to me was like burning slowly. The look in his eyes lit the match, the touch of his hands stoked the fire, and our passion fed the flames.
He made good on his promise of worshipping every inch of me, and as much as I loved it hot and heavy, slow and sensual was incredible too. I was beginning to think that anytime our bodies met, there would be fireworks.
Neither of us had uttered a single word. I was afraid of popping the bubble we’d created around us. Lawson lay on top of me, his breath heavy and his forehead resting on mine. He was still inside of me and I felt completely sated.
His green eyes burned into mine with an intensity that had me catching my breath. “I’m in love with you.” The words were so soft, I couldn’t be sure I’d really heard them.
“Did you just-” I whispered.
He nodded slowly. “I’m in love with you Ells.”
There was no mistaking it this time.
He loves me?
HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT.
I was searching for the words I wanted to tell him – but he spoke again before I could get them out. “I don’t expect you to say anything pretty girl, I didn’t say it because I needed to hear it back, I said it because I couldn’t go another minute without you knowing.”
Oh god, swoon.
“I don’t know when I fell in love w
ith you… maybe it was that first day in the elevator, or it could have been the second time in my restaurant… but, when you smiled at me, called me cowboy, gave me a shot, and told me to live a little – you became the focal point of my life. I didn’t even know it at the time, but I know it now Ells.”
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