He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Okay. I’ll install that lock on the door tomorrow. It’s not that I don’t trust you with my house,” he starts, but I cut him off.
“It’s fine. You don’t know me,” I reiterate. “I’d do the same if I were in your shoes. I mean, you have a son to think about.”
He nods. “Yeah. I was going to put a lock on this side of the laundry room door. This way, it gives me privacy when I’m in here. I checked out the lock on the inside of the in-law suite before you got here. It’s a good lock, so you’ll be able to keep your privacy there when I’m in the laundry room.”
“It creates boundaries. I get it.”
“Okay,” he says, staring down at me. At five three, I’ve always been on the shorter side of average, but when I’m standing in front of Colton, I feel tiny. He’s easily six one or six two, with big broad shoulders and a tattoo on his left arm that peeks out beneath his shirt sleeve. I can’t tell what it is, and I have to keep my hands to myself, so I don’t grab the shirt and take a look. “Well, goodnight.”
“Night, Colton,” I say, heading to my door. “Oh, and thank you again for renting this place to me. I know you were expecting a man, but I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
His blue eyes follow my movement. “You’re welcome. Everything happens for a reason, right?”
I nod, throw him a quick wave, and disappear into my new mini apartment, locking the door behind me. I know I’m not exactly in the big city anymore, but it’s a habit to lock the doors the moment you securely close them. I can’t imagine there’s much crime here, not after the Mayberry-like stories my grandma used to share, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I quickly find my box with bedding and throw two blankets and my comforter onto the floor. In the bathroom, I’m able to locate the box with toiletries, and quickly wash my face and take out my contacts. After I brush my teeth, I turn off the light and head back to the living area. After finding a change of clothes, I take in my new place. It’s definitely small, but I think it’ll work just fine. It’s homey and cozy, just what I’ve been looking for.
I toss my pillow into the pile of blankets and lie under the comforter. Even in the heat of summer, I always have to have my comforter. I sleep cold, so the more blankets, the better. I snuggle into my makeshift bed, the familiar scent of laundry detergent filling my senses. The light is still on in the kitchenette, and I make no move to shut it off. Maybe someday, I’ll be able to sleep in the dark again. Today isn’t that day, however.
And tomorrow probably won’t be either.
As I lie here, I hear Chase and Gabby leave. It’s not super loud, but I can hear their movements on the opposite side of the walls. I’m hoping when both places have furniture, maybe it won’t be so echoey. Colton moves around in Milo’s bedroom. His back wall butts up against one of my walls, so it’s just a little noisier than before. I close my eyes and listen to the low hum of Colton’s voice as he talks to his son. No, I can’t make out what he’s saying, thankfully, but I can tell when his talking turns to something more.
With my eyes shut, I let the silence of the night lull me to sleep as the soft sounds of Colton singing to his son rocks me to sleep.
Chapter 3
Colton
When Milo begins to fuss at around six, I know my chance at sleep is no more. When my boy is hungry, he’s not afraid to let you know it. Typically, it wouldn’t be so bad. I’m a morning person. I have many years in the military to thank for that. However, I barely slept a wink last night.
My sexy new tenant is already keeping me up.
It’s not just because she’s hands down the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on. But the fact that I know she’s sleeping on the hard floor. I went around and around in my head, fighting the urge to let her sleep in my bed. I could take the floor, but in the end, I stayed put. I’m an asshole. I should have offered her the bed, but see there was a dilemma with that. Every time I pictured me going to knock on her door, offering her my mattress, we ended up in it together.
So, instead, I spent the night watching shadows dance across the ceiling as I chastised myself for being an inconsiderate asshole. Sometime around three, I decided I’d make her breakfast. Milo and I went to the store a few days ago and got the basics, and then with what Gabby brought over, I can find something better than cold cereal to offer her, surely.
My boy decides to exercise his lungs as he wails. Quickly, I toss back the covers and shuffle down the hall to his room. “Hey, buddy,” I coo as I lift him into my arms. Quickly, I feel around in his bed for his binky and pop it back in his mouth. “Daddy’s got you.” I rub my hand up and down his back, trying to soothe him. “You know, before we get breakfast, we have to take care of your diaper.” His cries turn into a whimper, and then one shuddering breath later he’s calm, nestled in my arms.
I love these moments.
When I’m the person he needs.
Carefully, I lay him on the changing table, and start unbuttoning his pajamas. His little arms and legs are flopping all over the place, and from the sound of the suckling, he’s going to town on that binky. My time of calm is limited. So, I opt to leave him in his jammies for now. A quick swap of the diaper that weighs thirty pounds for a clean one, and I button him back up.
“All set,” I say, lifting him into my arms and kissing his chubby cheek. “Now we get some breakfast.”
In the kitchen, I make his bottle one-handed with ease. I’m becoming a pro at this dad gig, if I do say so myself. My feet pad across the hardwood floor to the living room and settle on the couch. I stretch out, and through the early morning light, watch my son as he eats. As usual, he gets pissed off when I take the bottle from him to burp him. “I know,” I tell him. “Daddy’s just trying to keep you from a belly ache. Aunt Gabby said that was important. Come on, buddy, you can do it.” A few more pats on the back and he belches, and it’s one for the history books. “There it is.” I place the bottle back in his mouth, and he goes to town.
Ten minutes later, the bottle is empty, and he has a blissed-out look in his eyes. His belly is full, and he’s a happy baby. I move to put him in his swing, crank it up and go to the kitchen to see what I can scrounge up to make Hollis and me for breakfast. That’s another selling point of what sold me on this house. I love the open concept and to know that I can be cooking and still keep an eye on Milo.
I have some eggs, some cheese, and some ham lunch meat. Omelets it is. Pulling out everything I need, I search through the cabinets for a pan. I know I saw Gabby washing one yesterday. I finally find it on the third try. I’m not much of a cook, but omelets I can do.
Ten minutes later, I have two omelets plated, and I’m popping some toast in the toaster. Glancing in the living room, Milo is still just swinging away, taking in his new surroundings. “I hope you like it, little man. This is home.” Nothing left to do except finish up the toast, I find myself in front of her door, raising my hand to knock. I’m just getting ready to knock again when the door slowly opens.
I swallow back the urge to tell her she’s beautiful. Her hair is pulled up into a ponytail haphazardly as tendrils that have come loose in the night frame her face. She blinks those big green eyes at me. “Colton?” she asks, clearing her throat.
That’s the moment I realize I’ve woken her up. It was just a little after six when Milo woke me up. “I’m so sorry. I forgot not everyone is on my son’s timeline. I made us breakfast but go back to sleep. I’m so sorry.” I say it again. I feel like an ass. That’s the second time I’ve done wrong by her. Hell, I don’t have to worry about her being a distraction; she’s going to get tired of my shit and move out.
“You made breakfast?” she asks, placing her hand over her mouth, covering a yawn.
“I did. I forgot what time it was, and I felt bad for not giving you my mattress, and I wanted to make it up to you, so I cooked, and then here I am waking you up. I’m sorry. Go back to sleep.” I turn to walk aw
ay when she calls my name.
“Colton.” I turn to face her once again. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen?”
I nod. “Okay.” Turning back around, I go to check on Milo, who is still just swinging away and then finish the toast just in time for Hollis to appear.
Her hair is now smoothed back in a knot on top of her head, and she looks more alert. “Thank you, Colton. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I did. Tonight, you take my bed.”
“That’s not necessary. I plan to go shopping today and get some things for my room. A bed and mattress are at the top of the list. It’s not your responsibility to worry about me.”
Then why does it feel like it? “You’re welcome to take my truck,” I offer. I have no idea why I just offered the use of my only means of transportation to a complete stranger, one who is living in my house, I might add. However, my gut tells me that even though I don’t know her, she’s trustworthy. It’s something in the depths of those green eyes of hers. It also helps I’ve already seen her background check. I know she’s not a criminal.
“Thank you. I think I’ll just venture out and see what I can find. If I need your truck, I can always come back and get it.”
“I’ll be home all day. I have some class schedules I need to nail down for work for next month. Dig in.” I push her plate toward her, and she smiles.
“Thank you.”
I nod, and we dig in. I finish a few minutes before her, so I start washing the dishes. She brings her plate to me, just as Milo lets out a screech.
“I can get him if you want?” she offers.
“That’s all right. You didn’t move here to babysit,” I say, trying to quickly rinse the soap off my hands and dry them to go see what’s up with my son.
“Colton.” Her hand on my arm, against my bare skin, stops my movements. “I don’t mind. I love babies. Let me help. That’s the least I can do for you making me breakfast.”
“I woke you up,” I say as Milo’s screeches have turned into all-out wails. “He never cries, not unless he needs something.” I reach for the kitchen towel, but she’s already on the move to the swing and has him in her arms.
“What’s the matter?” she coos softly to Milo. His cries instantly stop as he stares up at her. “Oh, I think I know,” she says, wrinkling up her nose. “Daddy, I think we have a dirty-diaper situation.”
He’s mesmerized by her. I guess what they say is true, like father like son. “Come here, buddy,” I say, taking him from her arms. My hand brushes hers and a current sparks between us. I pretend like I don’t feel it and keep my attention on Milo. “Let’s get you cleaned up,” I tell him before looking up at Hollis. “Thank you. I’m just going to go change him.”
“Thank you for breakfast.”
“Anytime,” I call over my shoulder. I don’t stick around to stare into those green eyes of hers. I could easily get lost, and that has bad idea written all over it. A quick diaper change that has me gagging and a change of clothes, and Milo is ready for his day. I had planned on staying home, but I need to get out. Maybe we’ll go visit Mom and Dad, or Chase and Gabby. Hell, I don’t know, just a stroll to the park?
“Hey,” Hollis says, smiling. “All better?” she asks as she closes the cabinet door.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her when I see that she has dried and put away all the dishes. “The dishwasher is broken, so that’s on my list to fix or replace.”
“You cooked. That’s the least that I could do.”
“Hey, I’m thinking about running to my parents’ place. You have my number, right? In case you need me to haul anything for you?” I definitely need to get out of the house. It will do Milo and me both some good.
She nods. “Yes, but I don’t think I’ll need you.”
Why does the thought of her not needing me, bother me? “Well, if you do, don’t hesitate.” I look down at my son. “I’m going to grab his swing and try to grab a quick shower.”
“Colton?”
I turn to look at her. “Yeah?”
“I can watch him for you. I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”
“It’s early on Sunday. None of the stores are open for a couple of hours. I’m up. Let me help you. I can’t imagine how hard it is caring for an infant all on your own.”
“He makes my life better.” I’m not just blowing smoke up her ass. I can’t imagine my life without my son. He’s given me something to come home for, a reason to stay.
Her eyes soften at my words. “He’s a sweet baby. Now, hand him over.” She holds out her arms, and I hesitate. Already, I’m crossing the lines, and they’re starting to blur. She was supposed to be a male tenant who I never saw or heard. She’s anything but, and when I can’t see her, I can still feel her presence. I should see if Mom and Dad can keep him next weekend. I need to go out. I need to get laid. That’s what this is. It’s what it has to be. It’s been too long.
“Colton, hand me the bundle of cuteness.” She wiggles her fingers as she holds her arms out, still waiting for my son.
“I’ll be fast.” I take one small step and then another, and another until I’m standing close enough to transfer Milo into her arms.
“Take your time. I’m sure a long shower is a rarity for you these days.”
“It is. Thanks, Hollis.” She settles on the couch and sits Milo on her lap, facing her. She makes faces at him and talks softly. Seeing he’s in good hands, I rush down the hall to my room. I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower before the water has even had a chance to heat up. It’s a jolt to my system but does nothing to quell the ache in my balls as my cock grows hard.
Hollis.
Bracing my hands on the wall, I tilt my head forward, letting the now steaming hot water rain down on me. I close my eyes, and hers are all I see. Green eyes, dark hair, and a body made for a man’s hands. My hands. My mind wanders to what it would feel like to trace every curve, to palm her breasts, testing their weight.
My hand slides between my legs as I grip my cock. I know this is wrong, but it feels all kinds of right. With each stroke, it’s her that I imagine. I can’t fight it. Not the need for relief, not that my mind only sees her when I close my eyes or the orgasm that blazes through me, like fire in my veins. Peeling open my eyes, I watch as the proof of my desire for her washes down the drain.
Fuck, I’m in so much trouble.
After my shower, I threw on some clothes, packed up the diaper bag, and fled. I started to go to Chase’s, but he knows me too well, and he’s met Hollis. He would be able to see right through me. Hell, I’m terrible at hiding it. I could barely look her in the eye this morning as I rushed out the door. I did give her a reminder that if she needed my truck to let me know, and then fled.
That’s how I ended up at my parents’, and I’ve been here the entire day. Mom has had Milo while Dad and I have worked on replacing the steps to the back deck. It’s been good to stay busy and keep my mind off life and my sexy new tenant.
“What gives?” Dad asks as we’re packing up the tools.
“What do you mean?”
He chuckles. “You’re my son, Colt. I know when something’s up. A father knows things.”
“Is this what I have to look forward to? Reading my son, and drilling him to let me into his life?”
“Yes. When he’s a teenager, hell even preteen. Yes. And then when he’s a grown man and living on his own, you still have that right.” He gives me a pointed look.
“Fine,” I concede. “My new tenant moved in yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot about that. How’d that go?”
“He’s a she.”
“What?”
“Hollis is a she. Not a he.”
His reply is to throw his head back in laughter. “I’m not even going to ask you what she looks like. That pained expression on your face says it all.”
“Funny,” I say, deadpan. �
�Seriously, I can’t let her stay, right? I have to ask her to find a new place?”
“Depends. Is she going against the initial agreement the two of you had?”
“No.”
“Do you feel as though it’s not safe to have her around Milo?”
“No.”
“Then, what would be your reason to ask her to go?” He smirks because he already fucking knows what my reason is.
“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He nods with a self-satisfied grin pulling at his lips.
“Fine. She’s a fucking knock-out. There, I said it.”
“So, get to know her, and who knows, maybe she’s the one.”
“She’s my tenant.”
“Technically, she’s your roommate.”
“That’s even worse, Dad. Come on, and you have to see that this is a bad idea.”
“I don’t see it that way at all. What I do see is my son. A man who has fought for his country. Dedicated his life to his country. I see him not as a soldier but as a man. A man who has been thrust into fatherhood and has risen to that challenge better than anyone could have expected. I know I’ve told you this before, but I’m going to say it again. Son, I appreciate your service to this country, but as your father, I’m glad you’re home. I’m glad you’re home to stay. I want nothing more than to see you and Milo find a nice woman to bring into your lives. I want you to be happy and live a full life, one I wasn’t sure I would ever see you have.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. My parents knew that life in the military was my plan. I got to see the world, and I had a job, a career I was damn proud of. I miss my brothers-in-arms, but no way could I leave my son. His mother might not be in the picture, but I want him to know that I, his father, loves him more than anything. Not a day will go by that my boy won’t know I’m there for him, just like my father was there for Chase and me.
“I see those wheels turning.” Dad chuckles. “Just take it one day at a time, Colt. I would advise you to keep it in your pants until you know for sure she’s someone you want to stick around. However, with that being said, you are the only one who can determine that. There are no rules and no set time limit. Go with your gut. It’s brought you home to us many times in the past. It’s not going to fail you on this either.”
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 56