“Mural artist.” I raise my hand and give him a little finger wave. “That’s why I’m here in Whispering Oaks, the historical society hired me to do a few paintings in the downtown area.”
“No shit. That’s cool as hell. Nellie’s gonna freak and probably attempt to ask to help you.” It’s not every day you meet someone who thinks your job is actually a career. I usually get the ‘Oh, you’re one of those artsy types,’ to which I roll my eyes and move along.
“She’s more than welcome to come and watch. I can’t promise she’ll be allowed to paint, but I’m sure I can sneak a little something for her when no one is looking.” We hear the pitter-patter of feet and slowly disentangle from each other.
“I’ll be sure to let her know. Now, are you hungry? Because we’ve got maybe ten minutes until someone else goes from happy-go-lucky to a hangry hippo.” Colt’s lip tips to the side, well aware that while his back is to the door, he knows Nellie’s at the entrance.
“Hey, I heard that. Aunt Kara says you're worse.” Colt spins around and picks Nellie up with ease. She kicks her feet in the air, tosses her head back, lets out a loud belly laugh, and then they’re walking out of her bedroom. I follow their lead, smiling and laughing.
“Your aunt is going to get her butt kicked,” I hear him tell her, doubtful he’ll make good on his so-called threat.
“I am hungry, though.”
“Knew that. Come on. You and Sable can sit at the bar while I cook for you ladies this evening.” Colt plops Nellie on a stool, and I sit down beside her.
“Are you sure we can’t help?” I offer.
“Nope. Pretty simple dinner tonight. Lasagna, salad, and bread. I should have asked if you’re allergic to anything.” He looks up with an oh fuck expression on his face.
“Nope, no food allergies. Dinner sounds delicious. Maybe Nellie and I can set the table when the time comes.” Sitting down and not helping feels criminal.
“That you can do. You also didn’t need to bring dessert. Thank you all the same.”
“Yes, thank you. Daddy can cook…” Nellie pauses before she continues with her sentence, “but his baking is… umm…”
“Not so good?” I suggest.
“Terrible. He mixes up the sugar and salt. A lot.” Colt reminds me of Rafe with his demeanor and being teased.
“Well, then, I’m glad I could be of service. There’s a bit of everything. You’ll have to tell me what your favorites are for next time.” I’m about to wince thinking I may have just put my foot in my mouth.
“Anything that’s sweet, my girl loves.” I breathe a sigh of relief at Colt’s response.
“Daddy’s the same way.” Nellie gets down from her spot, moves to the mess on the floor, and rifles through a few pieces of paper before finding what she’s after. “Want to paint?” She brings back two notebooks and watercolor, one of my favorites to do when I need to recharge my system.
“I’d love to.” We settle in, and when Colt tells her about my job and what I’m going to be doing, Nellie’s face lights up. I’m already forming a plan on how to include her in the process.
11
Colt
“Next time, I’ll make sure Pipsqueak is with my parents or Kara,” I tell Sable as I help her out of the truck hours later, well past Nellie’s bedtime, as I push my luck to spend more time with her. Tomorrow morning is going to suck—waking her up, getting her to school, and working at the shop all day.
Completely and totally fucking worth it, though. The apprehension and the worry about opening myself and Nellie up for failure, closing myself off in order to keep her safe. Hell, to keep myself safe, too.
“I didn’t mind it. Nellie’s a hoot. I especially like it when she throws you under the bus. Plus, I got to recharge my creative side while having fun doing it.” Sable also had no problem pulling her weight in the kitchen, even though I wanted her to sit back and relax. She argued that between the three of us, we’d have it done in no time. She was right, and once the kitchen was cleaned, I had to leave her to her own devices while I got Nellie situated in the bathtub.
Now, we’re here, calling it a night when all I really want to do is put her back in my truck, drive home, and take her to bed.
“Grateful for that, too, but I want you to myself without interruptions. I want to be able to do this without someone sneaking between us, and I definitely want your undividedattention.” Sable’s back is to the passenger door, Nellie is fast asleep inside the running truck, and I’m about to kiss Sable like I’ve wanted to all evening.
“Well, when you put it like that, yes, please.” Her hands find my lower abdomen, nails scoring through the cotton fabric of my shirt and searing my skin.
“I knew you’d see it my way.” I drop my head and crowd into her space, keeping my eyes peeled and my ears open in case Nellie wakes up. That will be the only thing that stops me from finally getting a taste of Sable, and not the small teasing kiss, either. I want everything she has to give.
“Kind of hard not to when it’s what I want, too.” I move in as if she belongs to me, and instead of moving away, she sinks into my heat. That’s all the permission I need.
My mouth meets hers, deliberate, claiming, and mesmerizing all at once. The small sigh that escapes her lips lets me in. I take my time, go slow and deep, making it clear that I’m choosing this, choosing her, choosing us. I kiss her like she’s my entire fucking world right here in my arms. I memorize this moment, the stroke of my tongue sliding against hers, the underlying taste of chocolate and mint from the dessert she ate.
