With a shaky hand, I log out of my email and shut down the laptop. I turn off my new lamp, a sliver of light from the streetlight outside filters through the blinds and dances across the floor. I snuggle under the blanket for warmth. A chill sweeps through my body, though it has nothing to do with the temperature outside.
He doesn’t know where I am.
I know it.
If he did, he’d already be here.
I’m safe.
I just wish I believed it.
A voice filters through the wall, steady and sure. Even though tears soak my pillow, I smile. Colton is singing again to his son. My heartbeat starts to slow, and my body starts to relax, as I reach out and grasp that little sliver of comfort he doesn’t even realize he’s providing.
By Tuesday evening, I feel a proud sense of accomplishment sweep through me. Glancing around my apartment, I smile. My cabinets are stocked with new-to-me kitchenware, and my oversized chair and ottoman are positioned in the tiny nook by the window. There’s a floor lamp behind it and an empty bookshelf just under the window, and the small refrigerator has a little more food than it did the past few days.
The company I was working on the website for approved the model design yesterday, suggesting just a few minor tweaks. I should have the final product ready to go live by the end of the week, and the best part is they already paid their entire bill, including a ten percent tip. When that hit my account this morning, I went and purchased a few of the items I’ve had on my list, and still have cash in my account, a big thanks to the secondhand stores I’ve found in town.
The only thing I’m still needing is my bed, which should be delivered tomorrow. The furniture store called and said their shipment was arriving early, and while I hate to spend the fifty extra dollars for delivery, I don’t exactly have a way to get a full-sized mattress and box spring to my new place.
You could borrow Colton’s truck.
But that’s not going to happen. I’ve done well at avoiding him since Sunday evening. I’ve heard him come and go, and yes, heard him singing to Milo every night at bedtime, but that’s the extent of it. I’ve kept to myself, utilizing the laundry room during the day and working on my sites during the evening. So far, so good, especially when I have my earplugs in to block the sound of father and son bonding that makes my ovaries want to explode from my body.
I look over at the mountain view paintings I found at the secondhand store and smile at the serene story they tell. I’ve always lived in the city, but there’s something about that picturesque mountain landscape that calls to me. The trees, the streams, and the snow-capped peaks. I think that’s part of what beckoned me to Fair Lakes. I’d heard the stories, and while there are no mountains, it still gives that same charming and small-town feel.
Heading into the kitchen, I pull a Lean Cuisine from the small freezer and stick it in the microwave—another find at the resale shop. One thing I’m going to have to learn is what can and cannot fit in my small fridge. For as small as that part is, the freezer portion is even worse. I was able to stuff four Lean Cuisines, a pint of chocolate cherry ice cream, and a package of microwavable soft pretzels. Anything else isn’t going to make the cut.
When the microwave dings, I grab a hand towel and retrieve my dinner without burning my hand. I pull a glass from the cabinet and fill it with tap water, taking it over to the bookshelf beside my new chair. As I grab my chicken parmesan entrée, a knock sounds on the door that separates my place and Colton’s.
I head over and disengage the new lock he installed. When I open the door, my heart gallops in my chest. Colton stands there, holding a happy Milo, who gives me a toothless, drooly grin. The older man’s eyes do a quick scan before returning to my face, and I can’t help but wonder what he sees. I’m wearing a pair of jeans and a basic fitted T-shirt in an aqua color. My feet are stuffed in cozy socks, because no matter what time of year, my feet are always cold.
“Hey,” I say, running a hand over the top of my head, hoping like hell I don’t have crazy flyaways with my messy bun.
“Uh, hey.” He glances over my shoulder and smiles. “This place looks great.”
Stepping back, I give him a better view of the work I’ve put into my space today. “It’s getting there.”
He walks in and looks around, a small smile on his lips. “Love the chair,” he says, pointing to the tan-colored, oversized chair and ottoman.
“Thanks. I found some good deals today,” I tell him, trying to look around the room through his eyes. The curtains are a tan and navy chevron stripe, so I added navy rugs in the kitchen. My bedding is a blue, green, and tan floral print and will really tie the colors together when my bed arrives tomorrow.
“How did you get all of this in here?” he asks, noticing the small four-drawer dresser I have in the closet.
“Well, everything but the dresser, bookshelf, and chair and ottoman all fit in my car, and the owner of the resale shop volunteered her husband to deliver the furniture this afternoon for free.”
“Herb and Jeanette? They’re pretty awesome. I grew up with their daughter Kaitlyn,” he says, his blue eyes returning to mine.
“I tried to give him some money for his time, but he refused.”
Colton chuckles. “That sounds like Herb. I’m glad he helped you get it all in here.”
I shrug and wait him out, wondering why he dropped by tonight. I’m saved from asking when Milo lets out a holler for attention. “Oh, that’s right. Milo’s hungry. He had a big day this afternoon, didn’t you, Milo?” he asks, holding his son up and giving him a small bounce. “Little man here had his four-month doctor’s appointment, and while we had to get two shots, his doctor agreed that it’s time to start him on baby food. We’re starting with green beans tonight, aren’t we, buddy?” His blue eyes meet mine once more. “He’s very excited about this.”
I laugh as I watch Milo try to shove his entire fist in his mouth, drool hanging from his chin and dripping on his shirt. “His mouth is already watering at the thought.”
Colton glances down and wipes away the drool. “Yeah, I should probably start putting a bib on him during the day. He’s like a faucet with this drool.”
“He’s probably going to start teething soon,” I tell him.
Colton shakes his head. “Doesn’t seem possible yet. It feels like yesterday I was told I was a father to an infant.” Again, the room falls silent. “So anyway, the reason I stopped by was I thought you’d like to witness the amazing feat of feeding Milo yummy green beans for the first time. It’s sure to be a photo-worthy affair,” he says with a burst of pride. “I picked up some fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy from the deli and thought you’d like to join me.”
“Oh,” I say, glancing over at my now-cold Lean Cuisine. Honestly, it doesn’t really look as appetizing as the fried chicken he’s proposing, but my budget is pretty tight, and I don’t want to waste a meal just because I’m offered something that sounds better.
He looks over at my food, and as if he can read my mind, he suggests, “You could probably throw that in the fridge and eat it tomorrow.” When I still don’t reply, he adds, “Or not. You probably already have plans tonight.”
He’s giving me an out, but I instantly realize I don’t want it. I’d actually much rather eat chicken and watch Milo try to eat green beans for the first time, than to be here alone, reading, and eating my Lean Cuisine.
That’s probably the exact reason I should decline his offer, but I don’t. I can’t. “Umm, okay. Let me wrap this up and put it in the fridge.”
His smile could melt the glaciers in Alaska—it’s that hot. “Great! I’ll just get Milo ready in his high chair. Come over when you’re ready,” he says, heading for the door. “Oh, Hollis? Those mountain paintings are amazing. They make me want to move to some small mountainside town.”
I smile broadly. “Thanks. I thought so too.”
Colton nods. “Don’t worry about knocking. Just come in when you’re ready,” he says, and then
he’s gone.
I wrap up my forgotten meal and try not to dissect the excitement I feel at heading over to Colton’s. I’ve done so well at avoiding him—forty-eight hours strong—and suddenly, I’m throwing all my hard work out the window the moment he offers me chicken. Going over there is just going to make it more difficult to separate the attraction I feel toward him and the fact he’s my landlord and shouldn’t be ogled over. Yet, here I am, heading over to ogle.
I’m a mess.
But every reason to stay away doesn’t stop me from opening the door and stepping into his living space. As soon as I do, a smile stretches wide across my face. Milo is seated in his high chair, a large bib wrapped around his neck. The little boy is banging his hand on the tray as if telling his dad to hurry up.
“Grab a plate,” Colton says without turning my way. He walks carefully to the table and takes a seat beside his son. Milo reaches for what his dad has in his hands, but isn’t able to reach it. He goes ahead and lets his dad know exactly what he thinks about that and lets out a screech. “Settle down, little man.”
I watch as Colton carefully scoops a tiny bite of the green goop from the container and moves it to his son’s mouth. Milo opens wide and closes it on the spoon. When Colton pulls it back, I’m holding my breath to see what the little boy will do. He chews and chews, spitting out just as much as was put in his mouth, and opens his mouth for more. When it doesn’t happen fast enough for his liking, Milo hollers loud.
“Okay, okay, little man. Give me a second here,” he says as he drags the spoon across Milo’s chin and moves it back to his mouth. The little guy’s eyes are wide as he eats, his arms and legs both pumping with excitement.
I grab my phone from my back pocket and snap a few pictures of this moment. Colton laughs as he tries to drag the food off Milo’s chin, but the second it’s clean, more oozes from the baby’s mouth.
Then Milo opens his mouth and blows.
And green slime sprays all over Colton.
My eyes are wide as a bubble of laughter spills from my lips. I try to cover it with a cough, but Colton looks my way, totally busting me on my laughter. He looks equally shocked at his son and my reaction to it. “You think this is funny?” The quiver in his lips tells me he agrees.
With my phone camera in hand, I nod and snap another picture.
Colton turns and looks at his son. “You just sprayed me with green shit, and the pretty girl is laughing about it,” he says. My heartbeat jumps at his comment, and even though he doesn’t elaborate anymore, I’ll never forget the way he said I was pretty. That touch of midwestern accent, his tone all deep and husky. It does inappropriate things to my lady bits.
Milo reaches for the food, so Colton shovels a few more bites in his mouth. I grab the paper towels off the counter and hand him a few. Between feeding his son bites, he wipes at his face and blots at his T-shirt. “You might as well eat,” he says, pointing to the containers of food.
Feeling relaxed, I go ahead and help myself to a chicken drumstick and a small pile of mashed potatoes and gravy. I join them at the table, staying as far away from Milo as possible. There’s not much time for chitchat, as Colton spends a big part of his time focusing on feeding his son. When he makes it about halfway through the container, Milo appears to be done, refusing to open his mouth for another bite. Colton jumps up and grabs a warm washcloth and goes to town on clearing the food from his son’s face. Upon closer inspection, however, he finds that green slime… everywhere.
“He’s going to need a bath,” he says, almost dejectedly.
“He’ll get better at eating,” I reassure him.
“But will I get better at feeding him, so he’s not wearing half of his dinner?”
I smile over at him. “Yes, you’ll get better too.”
Colton sighs. “Well, I better grab a bite to eat quickly and then throw him in the bath. Sorry I’m not very good company,” he says as he fills a plate with food.
“You’re fine,” I state, finishing up my mashed potatoes and gravy. “Oh, I have a few pictures of dinner. Would you like me to send them to you?” I ask, retrieving my phone and pulling up my photo app. Leaning over, I hold up the phone, so Colton can see the pictures I snapped of him and Milo. He leans in as well, smiling at the phone display. I catch another whiff of his woodsy, earthy scent mixed with green beans and pull back a little so I don’t do something silly like lick his neck.
“Yeah, I’d love for you to send me those. I’ll forward them to my mom and Gabby,” he says with a smile.
We chat a little while he eats, mostly about Milo’s doctor’s appointment. Apparently, he’s notorious for peeing the moment his diaper is removed, and today was no different. The moment the doctor pulled it open to check him out, Milo let a steady stream of pee fly, barely missing the good doctor’s chest.
Milo starts to fuss. “It’s getting close to his bedtime. I should get him cleaned up,” Colton says as he stands up and takes his plate to the trash.
“Go ahead. I’ll put the food away and head back to my side of the wall,” I tell him, already standing up and moving.
“Oh. Okay.”
There’s something in the way he says those words. It’s as if he’s slightly… dejected that I’m leaving.
Or maybe it’s just me and my wishful thinking.
“Come on, buddy. Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed,” he says, taking Milo out of the high chair.
When I turn, I spy a glob of green goo on Milo’s pants that smears all over Colton’s shirt and have to fight my grin. I’m sure Colton wouldn’t appreciate me laughing again at his mess. “Thank you for dinner,” I tell him, reaching over and shaking Milo’s little fist. “Goodnight, Mr. Milo. Sweet dreams.”
Colton is standing directly in front of me, his gaze burning into me. I feel it so strongly, and when I glance up and my hand brushes against his arm, an electric current charges through my blood. I pull back quickly and move to finish cleaning up the food mess.
“You’re welcome,” Colton says behind me. “Goodnight, Hollis.”
“Night,” I reply brightly, barely glancing over my shoulder as I close the mashed potato container.
The moment he heads down the hall, I exhale the breath I was holding. Jeez, Hollis, get yourself together. You can’t act like a crazy, lovesick teenager every time he’s near.
I finish closing the containers and seal the chicken in a baggie. After a quick rinse of the washcloth, I wipe down the messy high chair, grinning at the smears of pureed green beans on the top of the tray, and the bottom. I find the dirty bib and toss it in the washer. Once I clean off the table, I take the soiled washcloth and throw it in the washing machine.
I remember the green food all over both Milo and Colton’s shirts and know it won’t be long before it stains the material. Before I can even give it a second thought, I head through the kitchen and down the short hall.
“Hey, Colton, if you want, I can throw the dirty clothes in the—” I stop dead in my tracks, the words evaporate from my lips.
Colton steps out of Milo’s room, standing directly in front of me, wearing nothing but a pair of basketball shorts. The baby is naked too, wearing only a diaper, but my eyes… oh, my eyes are glued to his chest. His wonderfully magnificent, perfect chest. It’s hard and muscular, with definition that only comes from hard work and labor.
My God, this man is… wow.
“Hollis?”
I blink. And blink again.
Is he speaking?
“What?”
I can’t stop staring at his chest.
“Did you need something?” he asks, the humor very evident in his voice.
When I glance up, I find his eyes dancing with laughter. Suddenly, it hits me. I’m standing in the middle of my landlord’s hallway, ogling his bare chest as if it were my job. Milo slaps me out of it with a hand to his dad’s face.
“Oh, God,” I gasp, my eyes wide with shock. “I’m so sorry!”
“
It’s okay.” He takes a step forward, invading my personal space. I can’t think when he stands this close to me. “Hollis, did you need me?”
Yes, yes, I do. So many things I could use you for….
“I’m so sorry just to barge in,” I reply, averting my eyes. “I’ll just…go,” I add, pointing behind me as I backtrack down the hallway. “Bye!” I holler as I turn and practically run back to my place.
The moment I’m on my side of the door, I slam it closed and engage the lock. I’m panting, my mind reeling with embarrassment and disbelief. I can’t believe I just walked into his house like I owned the place and stumbled on him in his… nearly nakedness. Sure, glorious, but inappropriate. I had no business wandering around, even if it was under the guise of helping him.
I close my eyes and try to not picture Colton’s chest, but it doesn’t work. There’s no doubt I’ll be thinking about that marvelous display of man long after I should have fallen asleep.
Chapter 5
Colton
It’s been a week. Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours since Hollis moved in. It’s been… that exact amount of time that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. It’s wrong, and I know that, but that doesn’t stop my cock from rising to the occasion anytime she’s near. I can still see her eyes and the way they raked over me the night she caught me without a shirt on. I’ve been shirtless in front of women countless amounts of times. Never in my life have I ever felt more naked yet alive, than I did when her eyes were on me. It’s as if I could feel the heat from her gaze.
Not only do I think about her, but I also find myself thinking about ways to invite her over. Reasons to knock on her door and ask her a question. Anything that gets me access to her. What’s worse is that I can’t pinpoint any one thing that makes me feel this way. Sure, she’s beautiful, but I’ve met many beautiful women in my lifetime. Is it her kind yet shy demeanor? She’s not out to seduce me, although her eyes tell a different story. Is it because she’s so good with my son? The way she holds him and talks to him as if he’s precious to her… is that it? I wish I knew. I wish I could say it’s X, Y, or Z that makes me think about her all the damn time.
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 58