Page 20 of Kobalt

I poured the scent beads in the washer, threw in the sheets, and then poured the laundry detergent before I closed it. Kobalt had been instrumental in the renovations that were getting done at the barn. Although Royal had brought enough workers to get the project done, Kobalt had lent a hand, and he stayed there to ensure that the plans went according to his vision.

I headed out and hopped into my car to drive down to the old barn and stable. In times like these, I would normally call Niagara for advice, but she never knew that her brother and I were involved, and she never knew who I was pregnant by. I had refused to share that information, and it had frustrated her.

I drove down the road and parked where several trucks were already parked. Most days, Kobalt didn’t return to the farmhouse until late in the evening. I simply wanted to let him know that I needed to talk with him when he got a chance; hopefully that would make him return sooner rather than later.

A little hesitation arose in me as I climbed out of my car. Part of me didn’t want to interrupt him, but the other part knew that I needed to say something before it was too late.

I headed inside, and all the men were busy working. The barn was lively and loud with all sorts of power tools going. As I scanned the workers, one of them appeared to look familiar to me, but he turned away too quickly before I could recall where I had seen him before.

Kobalt and Royal stood in one corner talking, and Royal was pointing to something that had Kobalt nodding. His shirt was off, his jeans hung low on his waist, and his upper body was covered in sweat.

It made me lick my lips, seeing my baby look so damn sexy. He lifted an arm to wipe his forehead, and his muscles flexed and almost caused me to cream my panties. Royal spotted me first and winked at me with a friendly smile.

Kobalt turned around to see what he was looking at, and a frown came creased his face before he turned back to Royal and said something. I watched as he sauntered over to me.

“Hey, babe. Is everything good?”

“Yeah. I just wanted you to know that I need to talk to you about something today when you’re finished down here for the day.”

“You need me to come now?” His brow furrowed with concern.

“No, it can wait.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Next time you come down here, how about you wear a muumuu?”

“What?”

“I don’t like the way these niggas eyeing you in these jeans, and somebody’s about to get fucked up looking at you like that.”

I giggled. “Baby, I doubt wearing a muumuu would change that. A muumuu would cling to all my curves and have my booty jiggling. I think they’re just staring because I’m the only woman around in a space full of hot, sweaty men.”

He sneered. “I don’t even like the way you said that shit.”

I snickered and shook my head. “I’m just teasing you, baby.”

He turned around, waved his arms, and released a shrill, piercing whistle. It immediately gained some of their attention, and the others who couldn’t hear him were tapped by someone close by so they could stop their tools. Complete silence descended on the stable as everyone’s gaze fell on Kobalt.

“Aye. Y’all see this one? She’s off-limits. If I catch anyone looking her way, not only will you be fired from this project, I’ma beat that ass and then bust a cap in it! Y’all feel me?” Kobalt thundered, looking at each man.

“Yes, sir.” “Yezzir.” “You got it, boss man!” came the various replies. My face grew heated, and I wanted to disappear.

“Kobe, you can’t⁠—”

He gripped my chin, covered my mouth, and left a dizzying kiss on me that had my knees buckling. He wrapped an arm around my waist and stood me back up. When he stared into my eyes again, I couldn’t even think let alone speak. The men clapped and whistled.

“I can’t do what? Head up to the house. I’ll be there shortly.”

I nodded and rushed out of the barn on weak legs.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

I looked up from my computer where I was working on a mood board to upload to DesignFiles for one of my clients.

“Yeah. Dinner is in the microwave. I didn’t hear you come in.”