Chapter 23 #2
Feeling her cuddled next to me caused the exact same response physically as I’d had the night before. I could do this more often.
It was interesting that when the moment settled, the fog fading from the mirror that I could easily see that something had changed. Maybe it was slight embarrassment. Maybe a hint of regret. Or maybe she was no longer feeling as if what we’d shared was anything she wanted.
I gripped a handful of hair, pulling back her head and kissing her forehead. Wishing I knew what either one of us needed. “I’ll leave you to get dressed. Shower if you want. I’ll even make some coffee.”
“You’re going to make me coffee?”
Being with her, laughing easily and enjoying a usually boring morning routine was something I could get used to. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“That’s my line since you’re the hot internet man.”
“Don’t remind me. That’s still…” I rubbed both hands through my hair. “I’m no model.”
The way she cocked her pretty little head told me in no uncertain terms she was up to something.
“I beg to differ, but just so we’re clear, you weren’t lying to me.
Were you? You’ve agreed to pose for this delicious, juicy, yet oh-so wholesome calendar.
Right?” She dared brush the tips of her fingers down my chest.
I snapped my hand around hers, pulling her knuckles to my lips. “What’s my reward?”
Her other hand was free and she knew how I’d react when she ran her nail down the length of my shaft. Damn, were all women experts at getting what they wanted? “I guess you’ll need to pose for me to find out.”
There was no effort to answer. No blinking. Barely any breathing.
“Pretty please?”
Now she was batting her eyelashes. The woman could drive me crazy and she was fully aware she was pushing all the right buttons. “Alright, fine. But nothing lewd.” I’d never hear the end of it.
“Absolutely not. Girl Scout’s honor.”
“You are a true brat.”
When I pulled away, she kept her gaze on the mirror, barely shifting her eyes to watch me walk to the door. But when she did, I almost insisted on another round with the way my body reacted. I stopped before opening it, trying to think of the right thing to say.
Nothing came to mind.
Was that telling in one way or another? Time would tell. There was an uglier reality to her remaining in Missoula even to do her job. Maybe I was blowing things out of proportion, but I wasn’t thrilled about learning just how much power Kenneth Coleman wielded.
I continued to hesitate because of what I’d seen the night before. “Violet. When I get off work, I’m going to fix a few things at the rental house.”
“What things?”
“The lock was loose on the back door for one thing. I also heard some strange noises coming from the pipes. Trust me that Jasper isn’t going to come to your rescue.” Lying was exactly what I’d confronted her about only hours before and here I was doing it to her.
But given I wasn’t one hundred percent certain someone had been inside her house, terrifying her wasn’t going to help the situation.
“What’s really going on, Steel?”
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t look me in the eyes for one. Is this about the kids and the engine fire?”
I took on the challenge, grinning at the same time.
“Nothing is wrong, although you’re not taking the fire seriously enough.
This gang of kids had managed to do some serious damage in a couple weeks.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a lock that doesn’t work properly, especially after the fire they set just yesterday. Their antics are escalating.”
My instincts were telling me the kids were attracted to the area. Maybe location. Maybe the dense forest.
“You’re afraid they’ll turn to physical violence.” She could read me like a book, taking a step closer. “They have.”
“Yeah, the stupid bastards. Two of the puppies were… killed.”
She pressed her hand against her mouth for a few seconds. “That’s horrible. They need to be stopped. Don’t worry. I’ll be very careful. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were starting to get used to me being around.”
I knew she was teasing. That’s all it could be.
“Anyway,” she continued. “Just so you’re aware, I’m going to try and talk to the smokejumpers today, like I had planned yesterday until the fire. Will you be there?” Her obvious anxiousness regarding the project managed to bring a wave of desire to protect her.
“Unless another fire calls us out.” Why was it that standing naked with her only a couple of feet away after we’d… fucked seemed so oddly inappropriate?
Yet was so profoundly what I wanted.
After a few seconds of searching my eyes, she finally nodded. “Of course you can come over. If you’re not busy, I’ll make dinner. If you want.”
“Sure. That would be nice.”
The hesitation between us was thicker than before, a reminder once again that we were two different people on separate paths. But damn it. With every moment spent with her, I wanted more.
“Since you’re being so helpful, you wouldn’t know of any babysitters, although my son is getting too old for me to call the person keeping him out of harm’s way a babysitter. If the project is given the final approval, I’ll actually need to do a little work on my own.”
“The project isn’t approved? I thought it was.” My heart drifted into a stutter step, an ache that was as unexpected and up until recently, unwanted.
“Not completely yet. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was on a thin line with my boss.
After I told him in no uncertain terms how ridiculous I thought his ideas and marketing abilities had been since purchasing the company, he threw out a gauntlet so it’s do or die on the vine.
First the project must be greenlighted. I need actual photographs for that. ”
“So you’re saying you need my help and if I’m able to convince my fellow smokejumpers to pose for this fabulous calendar, you’ll owe me your entire career and therefore your future livelihood.
Is that exactly what you’re saying?” Resisting her was a feat yet to be accomplished and wasn’t going to happen this morning.
With her hands planted on her hips, she would have appeared formidable had her hair not been in a beautiful, tangled mess and her rosy nipples not continually drawn my attention.
Her mouth twisted in the same level of frustration as when we’d first met. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a horrible man? Using my predicament against me is… It’s sickening.” She cinched her eyes shut, her fingers trembling as she pressed them against her forehead.
Wait. Were her eyes filled with tears? Well, shit. “I’m sorry. I was only teasing.”
She sobbed twice before lifting her head and with the smile returning to her face, all I could do was roll my eyes. “Gotcha, although I will need your help. The team looks up to you.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.”
“I happen to know you’re wrong.” She took a purposeful step away.
“What does that mean?” Since she was easy to talk to, I had a feeling a few of my teammates had opened their mouths to win her trust. Or something else. The green-eyed monster roared back to life.
“They might have said a few things to me last night.” As before, her expression changed. “Before all hell broke loose. Don’t worry. All good.”
“You are a menace. However, I’ll put a good word in for you and just because you asked so nicely, I’ll see if my sister has any time coming up to do a little babysitting. She takes a few classes at the community college and works mostly from home. But you will owe me big time.”
Her squeal brought another sweeping wave of desire that was entirely different than satisfying my physical needs.
I enjoyed making her happy. She rose onto her tiptoes, planting a kiss on my lips before freezing.
As her body stiffened, she backed away again, the warm flush crossing her cheeks just another adorable tic that made her seem so special.
“You’re very sweet and I always pay my debts.
” When she backed away, her smile slowly faded.
“Let me know about Zorro. I know I keep asking for favors, but if the puppy does belong to this breeder, will you ask if they’ll give us a few days?
I know that’s probably horrible to ask and very inconsiderate considering what happened to their animals, but I just don’t want to destroy Damon’s happiness.
Or maybe Mom just needs to find the right way to tell him. ”
“I understand.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you do but that’s okay.
He’s my little man to deal with and I will tell him about Zorro in a couple days.
I’m certain you think that inconsiderate or being a terrible mother.
Trust me. I’ve had those feelings for a long time.
It’s just been a very long time since he’s been genuinely happy.
” She was completely despondent at the thought.
“We’ve been here a couple days and he’s different. Maybe we’re both different.”
Hearing her labored breathing and the way she was second guessing herself was infuriating. He’d managed to do that to her. Kenneth Fucking Coleman the third.
I hated him even more.
“Don’t do that, Violet. I might not be an expert, but from what I’ve seen, you’re an amazing mother. Don’t worry. I’ll make certain you have more time with the pup. If he’s even part of their litter. Maybe not.” The sad, almost absent look in her eyes was an emotion I wasn’t good at dealing with.
“Thank you. You’re a good guy. That is when you want to be. Other than that, you’re…”
Now I laughed. “I don’t know about that.”
“I do. But like I said, only when you decide it’s worthwhile. Anyway, I should go. I have a lot to do today.” When she tried to walk past me, I snagged her arm.
“Violet. Has your ex ever threatened you?”
“God, no. Why would you say that?” Lifting her head, she narrowed her eyes. Something I’d learned about the dazzling woman was that she was a terrible liar. Every typical facial tic in the world could be seen on her face.