He lifts his shoulders. “Out. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous day, and you’re still fairly new here. I can give you the grand tour, and the best part is, since it’s a Monday, most everyone will be at work.”
Shifting in my seat, I ask, “Don’t you have stuff to do today? You work tomorrow.”
“Naw, I’m good. I have a little laundry to do and pack for work, but I can do that later.”
The thought of exploring Cooper Town does offer a little extra excitement to my day, especially with Collin as my tour guide. I know where all the basics are—the grocery store, thebank, and other local retailers—but I’ve never really been able to just drive around and discover all the wonderful little things that make this a great small town. You know, the parks, cute homes, and schools.
“Are you sure? I’m sure you have something better to do than chauffeur me around town,” I insist, even though I really want to join him.
“I’m sure. What do you want to see?”
My eyebrows shoot upward. “Everything?”
He chuckles and nods. “All right then. If we’re going to see everything, we should get ready to head out soon. Unless you want to go back to the bedroom and let me havebreakfastagain.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively, making me giggle. I’ve never seen this carefree and relaxed side to him, and frankly, I like it. A lot. Broody Collin is sexy, but this playful version is downright sinful.
I finish getting ready for the day, which consists of a little makeup and splashing on some of my favorite perfume. I leave my hair down, the curls somewhat tame, and grab my crossbody bag and a pair of sunglasses.
“You don’t mind if we swing by my place so I can run through the shower quick and change, do you?”
I turn around and find Collin standing in the doorway of my bedroom, leaning against the jamb. He’s wearing yesterday’s clothes and manages to look positively delicious, despite them being wrinkled from being tossed on the floor. “Of course not. I assumed you would want to.”
He nods and pushes off, stalking toward me. When he reaches my side, he gently slaps me on the ass and says, “Let’s go, woman. I’m wearing yesterday’s socks, and Ihatethat.”
I giggle and open my top dresser drawer. “I have a pair you can borrow.” Holding up the white ankle socks, I flash him a cheesy grin.
“No thanks,” he replies, grabbing the socks and tossing them back in the drawer. “Socks are the first thing I change when I get back to the firehouse after a call. I remember being at basic military training in Texas, and I felt like my feet were always wet from sweat. I can’t stand it now. I walk around barefoot almost all year when I’m home. My toes like to breathe.”
I glance down, but he’s wearing his boots already. “Makes sense,” I agree, and together we head for my door.
We move down the stairs after making sure the door is locked and push out the back. The sun is shining high in the sky, the air warm and promising. “It’s going to be a beautiful day,” I note unnecessarily.
He takes my hand in his and smiles. “Agreed.”
I climb inside the cab of Collin’s truck and together, we make our way to his place. He lives on Oak Street, several blocks from where the bar is. I take in our surroundings: the streets, the houses, the people. “I love small towns. I’ve only ever lived in a bigger city for college, and I couldn’t wait to get back to Stewart Grove when I was done. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
He glances my way for a brief moment before returning his eyes to the road. “I agree.”
“Where all did you live when you were in the Air Force?”
“I started in Texas, at Lackland Air Force Base. I went through training there before being sent to Goodfellow Air Force base then to Fairchild in Washington state. It was pretty cool, except I hated winters there. But I learned a lot. We did a lot of air refueling and supported the West Coast tanker fleet.”
I watch his facial features, and even from the side can see the emotions crossing over his face. Pride, fondness, and even stoicism. “Thank you for your service,” I find myself saying and meaning it wholeheartedly.
He flashes me the hint of a smile before focusing on the road ahead once more. “After Washington, I was lucky enough to spend my last year in the UK at Lakenheath.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Seriously? That’s amazing,” I say, suddenly wanting to know more about his time overseas. “Tell me everything.”
He snorts and keeps his gaze locked straight ahead. “After my time in Washington, I was given the opportunity to go to Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. Largest base in the UK and cool as shit. We flew a lot of aircrafts in and out of that place.”
“Only a year?”
Something crosses his face once more, and it’s gone almost immediately. If I hadn’t been staring straight at him, I would have missed it. After a few seconds he finally nods. “Yeah, only a year. Overseas are usually shorter assignments. I got a year, and at the end of it, they asked me to stay.” He swallows hard.
“But you didn’t.”
“Nope,” he replies, turning into a driveway and parking in front of the garage. When the truck is shut off, he turns to me and adds, “I just wanted to be home. I enjoyed my time in the military and got to experience things I never would have otherwise, but…stuff had happened back home, and my heart was heavy. I missed my family and all my focus was shifted.”
I nod, understanding what he’s saying, but at the same time, I feel like there’s a lot more he’snotsaying. Reaching over, I place my hand on his and give it a gentle squeeze. “There’s a story there.”
