24. Colt
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
colt
Sammy and I took turns sitting at the cafe over the next three days. Alice had agreed after hearing what happened and the only reason she hadn’t told Sarah to take off for a couple weeks was because we all knew Sarah would say no.
Today was my day at the cafe with her, and Sarah’s shift rolled by fast. I managed to get some work done too, even though focusing was a struggle. Sammy regularly sent us text updates. We occasionally got a selfie of him with his new guitar, which was the type of joy we all needed right now.
Seeing his face had been a gift to myself. The guitar was perfect for him, and I had to admit—hearing him play it in my house really made it feel like a home.
Aside from occasional slivers of happiness, the rest of the news wasn’t good.
David clearly wasn’t driving his old truck. Emma said she thought he was driving a small, gray car, which helped, but not enough to completely narrow down our search. I ended up going through all of the security footage, but discovered that the front porch camera wasn’t working.
Which meant we didn’t have anything to give to the cops to prove he was on the doorstep.
It infuriated me. It scared the shit out of me too. The fact that he’d had the balls to show up like that put us all on high alert. The group chat we’d created with the seven of us—Haley, Cam, Emma, Hunter, Sammy, Sarah, and me—was constantly popping off as we all sent updates. Emma had changed the name of the chat to ‘ Operation Jail David, ’ which we all approved of.
My eyes wandered across the cafe to Sarah. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a bun, but a few loose strands framed her face. She was so efficient in how she handled tables and talked to locals. Most of the people who had come through today were familiar Citrus Cove faces. Occasionally, one of them had come up to me to chat, but for the most part—I’d spent eight hours simply watching Sarah.
My phone buzzed on the table. I picked it up and smiled as I read Sammy’s text.
Sammy : How’s our girl doing?
Our girl. My smile widened. Everything was changing fast between us, but we’d known each other our entire lives so it was a natural jump. I didn’t have to question who he was, even though there were certainly things about him I didn’t know.
I could say the same for Sarah. I knew her. And that burning love, which had simmered to a quiet ember over the years, was reignited, burning hotter and brighter the more I found myself back in her orbit.
Me : Working hard, as always. Anything yet?
Sammy : Nope. Do you want me to cook dinner for us tonight?
For us . My stomach did a slow flip. How was it possible to feel so smitten with two people? All the butterflies I had with Sarah, I felt with Sammy too.
Me : Yes. I’ll eat anything you cook.
He sent back a wink emoji and I chuckled.
“Whatcha smiling about, Colton Hayes?” Sarah asked.
She slid a glass of sweet tea with a lemon wedge in front of me and planted her hand on her hip.
“Our man is sweet,” I said.
Her cheeks bloomed pink. “Yeah, he is. Tell him I said hi.”
“I’ll tell him you said you can’t wait to roll around in bed with him again.”
Sarah gasped and swatted my arm with a chuckle. “Sure, do that. It’s quiet tonight, so I think I’ll be here for only another hour. You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, sugar,” I said. “I’d rather be here with you.”
She tucked one of those stray strands of hair behind her ear and nodded. My gaze roamed over her as she turned to check on one of the other booths, chatting with the few customers left as the Thursday evening rush wound down.
I glanced out the window and frowned as that truck drove by, the one that looked like David’s. What if he’d sold it? Or maybe he’d swapped his truck for another car?
I made a mental note to follow up on that. Maybe it could lead us to where he was staying. Hunter, Sammy, and Cam had been driving around Citrus Cove for hours. Hell, I’d seen their cars drive by the cafe several times. This town was small so there was only so much area to cover.
Even Bob and Lynn, their Mom and Pops, were on the lookout. Honey and Lynn had mobilized every lady in the Citrus Cove Crafting Facebook group to keep an eye out.
All of us were pulling together around Sarah and the boys. That at least gave me some peace. And Emma and Haley were working on deep diving Sammy’s social media to flag potential stalkers—so that situation was being addressed too.
At the end of the day, we were all there for each other. Even with the rift between Emma and Hunter, we were a family.
Another hour went by quickly and I watched as the last of the customers left. Sarah locked the entrance as I got up, gathering plates and other dishes from tables.
“You don’t have to help,” Sarah said.
“I don’t mind. Who else is closing up?”
“Just me and Trey,” she said. “He’s closing the kitchen. He’s usually done fast. I’ll clean up out here.”
I nodded and made a stack, carrying them to the back. She was right about Trey, he had almost everything done already. He was an older guy with silver hair, glasses, and a gentle demeanor.
He glanced up and nodded. “Think it’s good you’re watching out for her,” he said.
“Me too,” I said. I didn’t really know Trey. He moved here a few years ago with his wife and kids—who were now teens, if I remembered correctly. I never ran into him outside of Citrus Cove Cafe or occasionally the grocery store. “Have you seen anything weird?”
“Nope. I’d tell Alice if I saw anything, though. Just leave the dishes in the sink.”
I nodded and did as he asked. I headed back to the front of the house and grabbed a broom.
Sarah shook her head at me. “Colt, just let me work.”
“I am,” I said. “Let me help. I’ve been sitting all day. Moving around is good for me.”
She pressed her lips together but returned to wiping down tables. I glanced at her shoes.
Earlier this week, I’d noticed she needed new ones. So I’d done the natural thing and had asked Emma to investigate for me. I found out what size and brand it was and ordered her a new pair. They’d be arriving today .
I pulled out my phone and sent Emma a quick text.
Me : Operation Shoe is still a go. They should be arriving today.
Emma : Got it. I’ll replace them when they arrive ;)
Emma was the best wingwoman around.
Me : Thanks, I owe you one.
Emma : If you can convince her to actually take some time off, then I’ll owe you one back
Me : I’ll do my best
Emma : Good. Haley approves too.
“You have that look on your face like you’re conspiring against me,” Sarah said.
I slipped my phone into my pocket with a shrug. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
Her honey-brown eyes narrowed on me and rolled when I did jazz hands, being silly as I used the broom to dance my way toward her.
“My god, you are such a dork.” She laughed as I spun and set the broom against one of the tables.
Once she was within arms reach, I tugged her close and dipped her low. She squeaked and held onto me, giggling as I kissed her.
“I’m working here, mister.” But she kissed me back, her arms winding around my neck.
“Mmhmm.” I cupped her face, stroking her cheek. “I wish I could spend the night with you.”
Her eyes lit up. “Me too, but…”
“We don’t need to rush,” I said. “How are Davy and Jake doing?”
“They’re okay,” she sighed. “They’re… This is a lot. It’s hard on them. And I think they’re slightly suspicious of you and Sammy, but I’m going to talk to them soon. Not that I need their approval. ”
“I do.” I brought us back to standing, still holding her close to me. “I’ll steal you away again sometime this week,” I promised.
“Please do.”
I lowered my voice to whisper in her ear. “If Trey wasn’t here, I’d take you in the break room.”
Her cheeks turned bright pink. “ Colton .”
“I could fuck you against the wall and make you come over an over…”
Her breath hitched. Both of us stiffened as we heard footsteps and I stepped back right as Trey came around the corner.
“Just wrapped everything up. Are you good to lock up?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Sarah said. “I have Colton with me. We’ll be fine.”
He nodded and put a ball cap on his head, tipping it as he headed out the back door. I heard it open and close before giving Sarah a wide grin.
“You fucker,” she said, slapping my chest playfully.
“Okay, but now he’s gone… Last I checked, the cafe doesn’t have cameras…”
“I’ve been working all day and I’m sweaty…”
“And?”
I held her gaze as I took a step back, and then another, until I flipped the light switch for the dining area. Light filtered through the wide windows from the parking lot, dipping us in shadows.
“What if we get caught?” she whispered.
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to,” I said. “I’m happy just being in your presence.”
Her eyes lit up and she closed the space between us. I sucked in a breath as she pulled me close, wrapping her arms around my neck again and kissing me hard.
My brain short-circuited.
I kissed her back, drinking her in. My hands slid to her waist and I twirled the two of us, pushing her against the wall hard enough to rattle the paintings.
The heat between us was explosive. For the last few days, we hadn’t caught a moment to have sex. And while I’d take whatever kiss or lingering touch I could get, I was starving for her.
“I want this,” she breathed out. “I want you.”
I leaned down, kissing her hungrily. I’d been watching her all day, wishing I could flip her over my shoulder and have my way with her, and now I was getting the chance to.
She yelped as I lifted her, pulling her legs around my waist. A nervous giggle escaped before melting into a softer sound as she felt my erection against her.
“I’m so fucking hard for you, sugar.” I nipped her bottom lip. “I’ve been thinking about bending you over the diner table for hours and fucking you until you can’t think of anything else.”
“Oh,” she rasped.
I put her down and spun her around, unbuttoning her jeans quickly. She squeaked as I pulled them and her panties down, exposing her. I slid my fingers against her pussy and groaned, finding her wet.
“Tell me,” I growled in her ear. “How long have you been wanting me to fuck you, Sarah?”
“All day,” she said. “I couldn’t stop looking at you while I was working. You kept distracting me. You were all I could think about.”
“Good. The only other man I want on your mind is Sammy.”
“ Oh .”
I meant every possessive word said. I slid my fingers over her clit, circling her. She gasped and bucked against me, but she wasn’t going anywhere.
Right now, she was mine.
Right now, I wanted to make her cry out my name and forget her own.
I moved my other arm around her and gently grabbed the sides of her throat with my hand.
“Yes,” she rasped.
My brows shot up. “Tap my wrist if you need me to stop,” I said. “Understood?”
“Yes. Oh god. ”
Her voice pitched high as I kept circling her clit. Her pleasure shot through me, edging me closer to coming myself. Pleasing her always pleased me. I squeezed her throat, holding her in place as her muscles contracted, her ass grinding against my cock.
The urge to fill her up with every fucking drop was so damn intense. Heat licked up my spine, desire pumping through me. I wanted to make her come and then bury myself deep inside her.
“That’s right sugar,” I huffed. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”
I circled her clit faster and she writhed against me. Sarah squeaked, arching back one last time as her voice rang through the cafe, her orgasm racking her entire body. I closed my eyes, inhaling her sweet scent.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I was so damn close. I jerked the button of my jeans and slid them down with my boxers, aiming my cock. She gasped as I shoved inside of her in one swift motion, her cunt slick and welcoming me with ease.
“Colt,” she cried. “You feel so good.”
I panted as I cupped her breasts, thrusting my hips eagerly. “Sarah,” I groaned.
I’d imagined moments just like this countless times over the years. Having her against me, my cock throbbing inside her, the thrum of her pulse at the base of her throat— “Fuck,” I grunted. “ I’m there , sugar.”
“Come inside me,” she rasped.
“I can’t,” I growled, even though I so desperately wanted to. “You’re not on birth control.”
“I want you to,” she rasped. “ Please .”
Fuck it. I slid my hands down her body and gripped her hips hard, ramming into her right as I came. I grunted as I filled her, pinning her to the wall and holding her tight.
She melted against me. I kissed her shoulder and then the side of her neck, enjoying every soft sigh and shiver.
I could barely think straight, my mind in a soft after-orgasm haze.
“Sarah,” I whispered, realizing what we’d done.
I slowly pulled out of her, cum dripping down her thighs. I hiked my pants back up, wishing now that we had more time to be together. But I’d still take these moments with her whenever I was lucky enough to have them.
I loved her so much. I pressed my face to her hair as she let out a soft hum.
“Fuck,” I mumbled. “I want to spend days with you. Weeks. Forever.”
“Me too,” she said.
My fingers grazed over her skin. I took my time to touch her, to feel her, and slowly helped her redress. Once we were situated, I turned around, kissing her again gently.
“We should talk about sexual health though,” I said, wincing.
It didn’t really seem like the right moment to, but it was something we had yet to discuss. The three of us needed to talk about it .
“I wanted that,” Sarah said, cupping my face. “I started taking the pill earlier this week. I should have told you and Sammy.”
A wave of relief washed over me. “I think I might look into getting a vasectomy. As much as I want to be a father to your boys, I’m not sure if I want biological children.”
“I can’t even think about another kid,” Sarah said. She smiled, relaxing against the wall. “I do like the process involved in making one, though.”
“Me too,” I said. “I like coming inside you.”
Her cheeks were already pink, but they went three shades darker. I kissed her forehead with a smirk.
A flash of headlights had both of us looking up. She let out a soft curse. “We should get going.”
I nodded. Luckily, the car that had pulled into the parking lot was just using it to turn around. They drove off, leaving my truck alone.
“Let me get you home,” I said. “I’ll talk to Sammy tonight. He’s making us dinner.”
“Jealous,” she teased. “I’ll talk to him too. I was sort of hoping to see him this week, but I don’t know when,” she said. “You taking him to the music store is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. I’m really glad you did that.”
I nodded. “I can’t tell you how happy it made me.”
She smiled. “I’m glad. Also, I just wanted to say—I don’t want there to be any secrets between the three of us. I know we’re still figuring out what all being together will look like, but I think communication is probably most important.”
“It is,” I agreed. “I’m an open book, sugar. My heart is on my sleeve for both of you.”
Her lips tugged into a soft smile. “It sure is. Let me do a couple other things and then we can get out of here.”
I helped her put up any last minute items before heading out the back door into the cool night. She locked the deadbolt and skipped to my truck with a pep in her step.
I caught up to her and looped my hand in her long hair, tugging her back against me. She laughed as she turned, her hands sliding up my chest.
“Haven’t you had enough of me?”
“Never,” I breathed. “I could never get enough of you.”
I opened the door for her and lifted her into the passenger seat before she could protest.
She shook her head at me. “What am I going to do if you keep spoiling me this way?”
“Fall in love with me?”
Her eyes softened as I reached around and buckled her in. I stole one final kiss before shutting the door and going around to the driver’s side. I got in and started up the heat.
“Alright, sugar. Time to get you home.”