5. Pecker
Chapter 5
Pecker
The way she stares up at me has me feeling like I'm the only man in the world. I keep playing it off and acting like there’s no way Sophia’s interested in me, yet when she looks at me like this, it’s hard to believe. She looks like a woman in love, but she can’t be in love with me, we just met.
“Why are we going for a walk?” She asks quietly when we’re a dozen yards away from the house.
“A few reasons. It’s a nice night, a little chilly, but still nice. Leslie wanted to talk to Colton alone. And I sort of wanted an excuse to spend more time with you. Alone.”
“Why do you want to spend time with me?” She arches a brow, daring me to lie to her.
“Well, you’re new to town and so am I. I don’t really know anyone other than my sister and her kids. It makes it pretty lonely. I'm guessing you probably feel the same way.” I shrug, taking the easy way out of the conversation.
There’s no way I'm going to admit I want to know more about her. That I'm dying to ask her a million questions and beg her to go out with me.
When she told me at dinner how much she wants to own a bakery, I nearly wept with excitement. Sydney owns the bakery in town. I know the two of them will get along so well. I can’t wait for them to meet.
“Huh, I didn’t expect you to hide behind a bullshit answer.” She glances at me, then keeps walking.
I’m left frozen in my spot for a second before I shake my head and jog to catch up with her.
“How is that bullshit?”
“I just don’t believe you. I'm not moving to Maple Springs, Peck. I'm here visiting my cousin. I'm not lonely and I don’t need someone to hang out with.”
“Just because you won’t be living here doesn’t mean you can’t get lonely while you’re in town,” I murmur, trying to keep pace with her.
For being a tiny woman, she sure does walk fast. She moves until we reach a large stone and takes a seat. She folds her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. She’s still staring off into the distance and I can tell there’s something going through her head.
“What are you thinking about?” I slowly lower myself onto the rock next to her.
“Jimmy. What if he’s really in town?”
“Then we’ll protect you and Leslie. We’ll make sure you’re safe and hopefully we can catch him.”
“He’s dangerous,” she whispers. “The things he’s done to her… I can’t even imagine.”
“That’s ok, I can be dangerous too.”
“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes.
“What? You don’t think I could be dangerous?” I ask with amusement, but it makes me wonder how she truly sees me.
“I think you’re too sweet to want to hurt anyone.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to hurt anyone, but I could do it if I needed to protect someone… Are you scared?”
“Of course. I’d be stupid to not fear someone like Jimmy. People like him are underestimated. You’d look at him and think he isn’t strong or tough, but he hides it well. Just like he hides the evil side of him. The side that can hurt someone the way he hurt Leslie.”
“Colt and I won’t let him near you. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. You can call me any time, day or night, and I’ll come running.”
I tug my wallet out of my pocket and grab one of my business cards. It has my personal cell phone number on it as well as my contact information for the sheriff’s department.
“What if you’re watching your niece and nephew?” She arches a brow.
“They can sit in the back of my car, or stay home alone, or go to a neighbor’s house. I'm serious, Soph, you call me and I’ll be there no matter what.”
“Thank you,” she whispers as she takes the card from my hand and slips it inside her jacket pocket. She stands to her full height and waits for me to follow before slowly walking back towards the house.
“I think you should give me your number too,” I say softly. Her head snaps up and she meets my gaze. “You know, just in case I need to check to make sure you’re safe.” I duck my head, unsure of how else to get her to give me her number.
“Yeah, I'm sure that’s it.” She chuckles. “Alright, Romeo. Get your phone out.”
She waits for me to get to my contacts, then she rattles off her number. While I enter her name, she glances over at the screen.
“Robinson.”
“What?”
“My last name is Robinson. I wouldn’t want you to have incomplete contact information.” She nudges me with her shoulder.
“That’s very kind of you, Miss Robinson.”
As soon as we’re within a few feet of the deck, Colt’s launching to his feet and startling us. He looks upset and it instantly puts me on guard.
“Sophia, am I old?”
“Um…” She glances around, unsure of how to answer. “No? But also, kinda?”
“What does that even mean?” I eye her with amusement.
“Well, he’s not old ,” she stresses the word. “Like he couldn’t be my dad, but he’s too old for me to date, so…”
“But would you date me?” Colt asks a little too eagerly.
“Uhhh… I thought you were dating Leslie.” Sophia frowns.
“I am,” Colt groans like this isn’t that hard and she should be following along easily. He flops back onto the swing with Leslie. “But if I weren’t, would you date me?”
My brows draw together at his question. Why does he want to know if she’d date him? I don’t even want her to answer him, mostly because it’s going to make me angry if she says yes.
“Are you trying to figure out if I think you’re hot?” She tilts her head to the side and examines him like she’s trying to figure him out.
“Yes!”
“Sure. You’re hot for being older.” She shrugs her shoulders and my stomach drops.
Does she have a thing for Colt? I thought maybe, just maybe, she was starting to like me, but I can’t compete with Colt.
“That doesn’t even sound convincing.” Colt drapes an arm over his eyes, being as dramatic as possible.
“Wait until you meet Maverick,” Leslie whispers, making Colt fly forward in his seat so quickly, they both almost topple off the swing.
“Are you kidding me right now?”
“I hear a lot of the ladies like Tucker too.” I wiggle my brows, more than willing to piss off Colt a little bit.
“Yeah, well, both of them are older than me! She’d hate them and tell them they were old!” Colt stands and paces the length of the deck. “What about Pecker?” He motions wildly to me and I freeze.
Though I really want to know what Sophia thinks of me, I don’t really want to find out with this many people around. If she doesn’t like me, I’d rather discover that when it’s just the two of us.
“What about him?” Sophia asks slowly.
“Is he old?”
She lets her gaze trail up and down my body. She takes her time making her decision. I’m not sure if it’s to ruffle Colt’s feathers even more, or if she’s picking her words carefully. Either way, she’s making me sweat. My cheeks flame with heat as I feel everyone’s attention on me.
“Pecker isn't old,” she says softly.
“So, is he hot?”
“Colton! You can't ask her that! Don’t answer him, Sophia.” Leslie stands from the swing, pointing a finger in Sophia’s direction. I think she’s trying to protect me, but now I feel like I need to know.
“I’d like it if she answered him.” I raise my hand slowly.
“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” Sophia watches me carefully.
“Uh… because you’re pretty?” I fidget under her gaze and run a hand through my hair.
When Sophia doesn’t answer right away, I'm seconds away from making up an excuse and making a quick exit. I could say Sydney needed me or I forgot I needed to help Danny with a project. Anything to get me out of here.
“That’s very sweet of you to say.” Sophia beams up at me. “I think you could potentially be hot.”
“Potentially?” I ask with a furrowed brow.
What does that even mean? How can someone potentially be hot? You either are, or you’re not.
“Well, I’d have to see you without a shirt on. I need to see what kind of abs and pecs you have. And do you have that drool worthy V that disappears into the waistband of your pants?” She fans herself with her hand and nibbles on her bottom lip.
I reach for the hem of my shirt, more than happy to give the lady what she wants. I have a decent body and I'm proud of it. There’s no reason for me to be embarrassed.
Apparently, Colt has the same thought because he’s also about to take off his shirt and I don’t like that one bit. I don’t want Sophia looking at him.
“Keep your shirts on! I don’t need Uncle Wes calling me and demanding to know why his little girl is hanging out with shirtless men when she’s supposed to be with me!” Leslie reaches for Colt and me at the same time.
“Well, you’re no fun at all. How will Sophia be able to tell if I'm hot if I'm not allowed to take this off?” Colt pouts.
“You’re hot, babe. Does it really matter if Sophia knows that?” Leslie closes the distance between them and wraps her arms around his waist. The two of them are cute together. It makes me want a girlfriend even more.
In Tuft Swallow, I was so close to having a girlfriend. I became good friends with Mel and I had finally worked up the nerve to ask her on a date. Right before I left to meet her for dinner, Sydney called me crying. She told me about Rob and though she never asked me to move to Maple Springs, I knew that’s what I’d be doing. I’d never let her face this alone.
Sophia’s the first woman I’ve been interested in since I moved here. There’s something about her that feels like I'm being drawn to her. Something different. Special. She’s unlike any other woman I’ve ever met. I just want to know more about her.
“No, I guess it doesn’t. I have you and that’s all that matters.” Colt kisses the top of Leslie’s head.
“So… am I allowed to take off my shirt or not?” I mumble, making everyone laugh.
Once we head back inside, Leslie and Colt begin cleaning up dinner. It’s getting late and I'm sure they want this night to be over. They have a lot going on with Jimmy potentially being in town and Leslie looks exhausted.
“Thank you for having me for dinner. I’m going to get out of your hair. It’s been a long night and I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“Oh, Peck, you don’t need to go. You’re always welcome here.” Leslie smiles.
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” I turn towards Sophia and run my fingers through my hair. I don’t want to say goodbye to her. What if I don’t get another chance to see her before she goes home?
Colt and Leslie are busy cleaning up the kitchen. They’re not paying attention to us at all and I think they’re trying to give us some privacy.
“It was nice to meet you, Peck. I’m sure I’ll see you soon?” She sounds a little hopeful and that makes me very happy to hear.
“Well, I do need to pose for you shirtless so you can decide if I'm hot or not.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug.
“That’s true. But you should probably do it without the shirt police around.” She rolls her eyes as she glances at Leslie.
“Are you saying we need to go out alone?” I grin, loving the idea of taking her out on a date.
I don’t have weeks or months to get to know her. As far as I know, Sophia will only be here for a short period of time. Maybe it’s stupid for me to get involved with her at all, but I can’t help myself.
“Possibly. I guess that depends on if you have the balls to ask me out.”
“Ah, I see how it is.” I nod my head, biting on my bottom lip to try to hide my smile, but I'm failing miserably. “Have a good night, beautiful. And call me if you need anything.”
I close the distance between us and press a soft kiss to her cheek. I wish I could pull her into my arms and kiss her until she’s breathless, but I don’t think that would end well for me. Especially if her dad and uncles are as scary as everyone acts like they are.
“Drive safe.” She waves as I walk out the door and down to my truck.
I climb behind the wheel and watch her until she closes the door. I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Sophia Robinson, but something tells me I won’t be able to get you out of my head tonight.