At first glance, she had my hackles rising, and not because she seemed like the type to be dangerous. Oh no, it was for a different reason entirely, one that made my dick harden behind the material of my jeans. Her warm, expressive smile was inviting and made me want to step closer, daring me to see what would happen. The only thing holding me back was myself. Her dark brown eyes held mine, steady and unflinching, even with the way I behaved. Darker hair framed her face in soft strands, loose enough to tempt me to reach for them, to feel them between the tips of my fingers.
The rolling of a suitcase across concrete makes me pause in my thoughts, probably for the better, before I get too fucking deep. Except it still doesn’t stop me from taking in the woman before me. When I admired her bent over, her lush ass and lean yet muscular legs, for the first time in years, I let my baser thoughts take hold. Now that she’s walking toward me, it’s even harder not to let my gaze linger on her, complexly. I trace the smooth line of her shoulders, the way her skin catches the light as each subtle movement of her body carries her closer to me, which only makes my own tighten.
“Sorry, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” she says, edging closer, a big bag on one shoulder and a rolling suitcase following behind her.
“Nope, not at all. I guess I should have introduced myself. I’m Colt. Colt Barlow.” I go to shake her hand but think better of it. She’s clean, whereas I’m dirty, in every sense of the imagination, right now.
“Hi Colt, I’m Sable. I really appreciate you looking at my car.” I notice she drops her hand after I do the same and slides it down the length of her shorts.
“Not a problem. You got a way to get to Oak Haven B&B?” The subtle shake of her head tells me what I expected.
“No, but that’s okay. It’s only a mile or so from here, and I can walk. Might do me some good after the long trip.” Sable is a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Too bad she’s not for me. Not sure anyone is. I might not have loved Nellie’s mom, but losing her made me take a step back and think just the same.
“It’s more than a mile away. Give me a few minutes. I’ll drive you,” I offer to make up for being a dick.
“No, you’re already doing enough. I can maybe order a car?” She words it like a question, so I give her the answer I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear.
“You won’t find one here, not at this time of night, and even during the day, they’re few and far between.” There isn’t much in the way of entertainment in Whispering Oaks or the neighboring towns. If you’re looking to blow off some steam, this isn’t the place for fun.
“That’s okay. I have two feet. They can get me just about anywhere.” She points one elongated leg in my direction, and I’m once again caught up in the fact that Sable is beyond fucking comparison.
“Yeah, doesn’t mean you have to use them. Why don’t you fill this paperwork out? I’ll shut down the shop, and if you won’t allow me to drive you over, I’ll walk with you.” I get it. Sable’s being smart, not trusting some guy she just met, one who has a chip on his shoulder. I’d want Kara and Nellie to be safe, too. Still, that doesn’t mean I want Sable or any other person, male or female, walking the streets alone.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I’d like to.” Our fingers graze one another as she takes the clipboard and pen from me. I watch for a moment as she starts the process. Her forehead furrows with each swipe of a letter,and only when she looks at me do I remember I’m supposed to be closing down the garage.
“Thanks,” she replies. I give her a slight nod and then move into the garage. The tools can stay where they landed. They’ll be a problem for tomorrow morning, which will no doubt find me back down here. I know Nellie and my parents well enough that her spending the night will lead to an all-day affair tomorrow.
“No problem.” I head in the opposite direction, picking up a few things here and there. The empty bottles, the dirty rags, and a couple of boxes from the parts I replaced. Once those are taken care of, I go about turning off the lights, then call it a night. After Sable is secure at the bed and breakfast, I’ll be heading upstairs. A shower is in order, and being around her for any amount of time will have me needing to wrap my hand around my dick. I’m finished with the few things in a matter of minutes and am heading back where I left Sable.
“You about ready?” I ask, snagging my keys off the toolbox. The jingle of the metal clinking together is the only noise in the area.
“Sable?” I call her name out when she doesn’t respond. It’s only when I round the corner that I see the clipboard and a set of keys. I also don’t see Sable anywhere. I move out into the parking lot, turning my head from one side to the other, trying to find out where she disappeared to. It’s only when I walk to the sidewalk and look down the main drag that I see her way far off in the distance. She is moving with a quickness, whether that’s her usual walk or to get away from me, I can’t tell you.
I go against every grain of my being in choosing not to go after her, even though I’m tempted to hop in my truck, fire it up, and follow her. I don’t. I watch until she’s nothing but a shadow before I head back. “Damn,” I mumble, kicking a pebble on the ground with my boot.
All that’s left to do is go over her paperwork, close the door, and head upstairs. The clipboard sits on the hood of my car, and while the pertinent information is filled out, there’s also a small note off to the side.
Colt,
Thanks for the offer and working on my car. See you around.
Sable
I’m half-tempted to text the number she left on the form, but being a creep is the last thing I need to add to my dickhole behavior. I finish the task of closing down the garage, keeping the clipboard, paper, and her keys with me while accomplishing my tasks. I’m not unpacking the reasons why I’m doing everything in my power to keep a piece of her in my hands. Nope, not fucking going there, not tonight at least.
6
Sable
I’ve never been in a jam quite like this evening, and while I know that sounds very naïve with a smidge of privilege, considering most women my age have done a lot more and a lot younger than me, still, it had me second-guessing walking to the bed and breakfast or taking Colt up on his offer. In the end, I skedaddled away like a thief in the night, leaving him a note and taking what I thought would be the best plan of action, which meant hoofing it as fast as possible with as little noise as possible.
The host at the front saw me climbing the front steps two at a time and hurriedly opened the door for me. She probably thought I was running for my life. Nope, just a hot-as-fuck man with a chip on his shoulder. I’m still pissed at myself for thinking about the tall, dark, and handsome stranger. I mean, who wouldn’t have wild thoughts about Colt Barlow? He’s rough around the edges and rugged in the hottest way possible. Sure, he’s a little bit on the abrasive side. Okay, fine, he’s a big growly bear, but beneath it all, his eyes tell a different story completely. One that has layers of complexity, only when you really look do you see it.
I also reminded myself that Rafe can be the same way. And given his job, I can’t blame him, even if learning how to navigate his moods can be dicey at times. It usually requires me to backaway, let him have a moment, stay quiet, and then he’ll come and find me to apologize. Maybe the same could be said for Colt tonight.
“Here’s your room. I hope you enjoy your stay. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call down.” Nora, the innkeeper, and her husband, Gus, run Oak Haven, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay for the next few weeks.
