Chapter 31
Piper
When Holt breaks the news, something happens in my body.
I can’t exactly explain it, but the tears just start to come.
I tried to escape, so he didn’t see me ugly cry— but Holt would’t let me.
I’m grateful to have him here— but I’m so used to handling the hard parts of life alone, I don’t know what to do with this support.
I don’t want to get used to it. I don’t know what Holt wants, but I can’t let myself get caught up in the fairytale.
He is rubbing my back and running his hand through my wet hair to soothe me— and what I can only assume is a nervous break down. I need to get it together.
Holt is still rubbing my back and rocking us back and forth gently a few minutes later when my tears have dried up. I pull away a little and rub my face. He is looking down at me in concentration.
“Sorry,” I blurt out. If my face wasn’t so red from crying it would be red from embarrassment.
“I am not normally a crier,” I explain. I go to throw out more excuses but they are muffled with Holt’s mouth. His lips are on me and he is gently kissing me. His tongue is coaxing it’s way through the seam of my lips. I automatically grant him entrance.
Holts massive hands are on either side of my face as he continues his takeover— my mind and body easily melting into him. Holt pulls away but not before pecking my lips quickly.
“Shit,” he breathes out, “I could do that all fucking day— but we need to meet Carter and the Sheriff at your cafe,” he says as reality crashes through my lusty haze. I nod my head and turn to get my shoes on.
“Oh and Piper,” Holt interrupts me mid-step. I turn to look at him and wait for him to continue. He reaches me in two quick and aggressive steps. I automatically go to step back but his hands reach out to hold the side of my face and my waist.
“Stop apologizing,” he says and then before I can respond, the hand on my waist smacks my ass. It stings and I jump. I gape at him.
“That is your last warning before you really find out. You won’t be able to sit without squirming.
Understand,” he asks me firmly. Looking into my eyes.
I nod quickly and swallow. I’m wondering why I bothered showering again.
If my panties will be in a constant state of dampness from being in his presence, what is the point?
He kisses me quickly again and turns to the kitchen to grab the food he was putting together.
“We can eat these on the way,” he states definitively.
He sets the food down on the small table and starts threading his arms through the leather jacket that was slung over the back of the chair.
Once again, I’m caught up just watching his movements.
The tattoos on his arm dance as his muscles flex before disappearing into his sleeve.
“Piper, jacket,” he says. I can hear the amusement in his tone. I look up and see the smirk. Danger. Danger. My mind is screaming at me. Not loud enough. I’m beginning to ignore that little voice. She hasn’t done me any favors lately.