22. Huntley
Chapter Twenty-Two
HUNTLEY
A knock on the window jolted me.
I turned, working the kink out of my neck as I did, and saw Bronson standing beside my car with an annoying smirk on his face. There beside him, hand in his, was Stormi. Her bright smile was actually like a ray of sunshine in the morning. Her father’s silly mug, not so much.
Instead of turning on the car and rolling the window down, I unlocked the door and got out. My legs and body protested a bit from sleeping in my vehicle for the second night in a row, but I’d slept in worse places while serving in the military so I could hack it.
River hadn’t seen me yet, but now that Stormi had, I was sure to be tattled on.
Pissed off at the fact that someone had made their way all around the home before Bre had seen them out her window the weekend before, on the nights I was not working, I’d found myself parked a little bit down the road from River’s place—out of sight of the cameras— so I could watch and wait in case anyone decided to pull that shit again.
As I stretched, I watched Stormi drop her dad’s hand and place both on her hips, tipping her head to the side as she studied me for a minute with a curious look on her face.
“Why are you hiding in your car, Uncle Huntley?”
I glanced at her father whose smirk was growing more annoying by the second. When he cocked a brow, I subtly—so no way Stormi would notice— used my middle finger to rub the corner of my eye. Bronson chuckled, the sound echoing through the cool morning air.
Ignoring the smug asshole, I looked back at his daughter.
“Well pipsqueak?—”
The sound of a door slamming interrupted the rest of my reply.
It looked as if it was another girl that I’d be explaining my actions too. I turned my head and my gaze followed River as she marched down the street like a warrior going to battle, her violet eyes flashing fire. Oh, she was pissed .
And I was struggling not to get turned on by it.
I didn’t think she’d be mad that I wanted to protect her, just that I’d slept in my car and maybe been uncomfortable doing it.
River was the type to feel guilty about putting someone out when for so long she’d been doing everything on her own. Since birth from what I had gathered. I hadn’t heard of one person yet that she’d been close to or could count on. But then again, she hadn’t told me much about herself.
It seemed she was only just recently getting used to having others be there for her, to care about her and the kids, and to help lessen any burdens that may be thrown her way.
I’d known that having me in her home the last time, while it had been growth for not only her, but for us as a…
I stumbled with that thought for a moment.
For us as a what? A couple?
We had something and I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t sure she was ready for me to put any labels on us. I didn’t want to rush her or set us back from how far we had come, which was also why I didn’t mention watching over her the last few nights after leaving her house.
I had come over, played games and watched movies with the family, along with dinner. Then I left the house. I just didn’t leave the property. If she’d known I insisted on sleeping in my car she probably would have made me take the couch. I’d done it once, and for me it wouldn’t be a hardship, but I was worried it was still pushing her a little too fast.
So, I fibbed a bit.
“You’re so busted,” Stormi said as her dad grabbed her hand and they started walking away. But not before the little one yelled, “Bye, Auntie River.”
River managed to give her niece a small wave and smile, before turning back to me. The beautiful pixie planted her hands on her hips much like Stormi had moments ago, those gorgeous eyes of hers shooting daggers at me.
“You said you wouldn’t be right out front!” she spit out.
When I went to leave the previous night, I said for her not to worry, that I’d be right out front. When she started to protest, I wavered about what to do. Trying to brush it off, I’d said, “Fine, I won’t be right out front,” and told her to just call me if there were any issues.
“I’m not, I’m down the road,” I told her, flashing her a charming smile.
It didn’t work.
She gave me a don’t mess with me look designed for a mom when scolding her children. I ducked my head and looked at the ground for a second trying to find the right words, but when I looked back up into her mesmerizing eyes, my heart almost broke in two.
“You lied to me,” she said, her face falling. No more daggers, her eyes now swam with hurt.
I’d take the daggers over the hurt look any day .
Stepping forward a little, she dropped her arms, and I slowly raised my hand to touch her arm, letting her see my action the whole way. She didn’t move away from me or jump when my palm made contact, so I considered that a plus on multiple accounts.
Maybe she was getting used to my touch and me, but also I might have just been able to repair the trust I had broken with my little white lie. I softly ran my hand down her arm until I found hers and I clasped her palm in mine.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just wanted to protect you but didn’t want you to feel like you had to let me stay inside. I don’t ever want you to feel uncomfortable.”
Her gaze softened.
Giving her a pleading look to forgive me, I said, “I promise, no more lies, even if I’m doing it for a good reason.”
She bit her lower lip, something she did a lot when emotions were getting to her.
“I promise,” I reiterated, needing her to hear it again and believe me.
Bringing our hands up between us, I gently placed them over my heart that was thumping like mad.
Releasing her lip, she replied, “I forgive you. Just don’t do it again.”
With our hands still clasped on my chest, I made a crossing motion over my left pec. “Cross my heart.”
She smiled and all seemed right in the world at that moment. I’d thought Stormi brightened my morning with her smile, and don’t get me wrong, she had, but if I woke up to River’s smile every day, I would be in heaven.
“Since you forgive me, does that mean you will still go out with me this weekend?”
River was shaking her head yes but something in her expression told me that she had reservations about it and I didn’t want her to feel that way .
“Sweetheart, if you’re not ready it’s okay.”
She released my hand and rubbed her palm down the side of her leg, nervously. That’s when I noticed for the first time she was still in her pajamas and had bare feet. I was about to point out we should get her in the house, but she spoke first.
“I want to go, I’m just nervous.”
Being alone with me on a date when she’d never experienced one before was probably very nerve racking. An idea formed so I put it out there.
“What if we did a group outing with your sister and even some of the others?”
Interest entered her eyes but then she blew out a breath in what seemed to be frustration. “You would be okay with that and not think I’m crazy that I can’t just go with you alone?”
“Of course I’d be okay with it. Honey, I’d never think you’re crazy; any time I can spend with you is a gift.”
Torturing her lower lip again, I wanted nothing more than to be able to kiss her, to soothe the spot where she’d practically drawn blood. I managed to refrain.
She studied me as if looking for the truth. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. I’ll set something up and see who can go on Saturday.”
After nodding her agreement, I said, “Now how about I get you in the house since you’re still in your jammies,”
River looked down at herself and then back up to me. “Crap.”
“What? Nobody is looking but me and I happen to think those blue pants with the cows all over them are pretty darn cute.”
She rolled her eyes, but then a blush covered her face. “The kids got them as a joke for me.”
I chuckled. They were cute and right above the cows it said, ‘Moody’ .
“Permission to pick you up?”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? Why?”
“Because you have bare feet and I don’t want you stepping on anything.”
She scrunched up her nose in an adorable way. “Oh, I’ll be okay.”
Wanting to make sure of that and also needing her in my arms, I went for the truth.
“I’d like to be sure you don’t hurt your feet, but I’d really like to hold you. Permission to pick you up?” I asked again.
She hesitated for a second but then said, “Permission granted,” in a formal tone that made me laugh.
I bent down and placed my arm under her knees and swept her up into my chest. “Wrap your arms around my neck so you don’t fall.”
When she did as I asked, my body hummed with satisfaction. She pressed her body close to me and I inhaled her beautiful scent. She was a tiny thing. Hell, my fire gear weighed more than her, I thought.
Hesitating for too long as I soaked up the feel of her, she said, “I’m probably too heavy, put me down.”
“You’re not heavy, you feel perfect.”
That made her blush even more and so to lighten the mood, I started jogging back toward her house.
Not to sound like a girl, but the sound of her giggling was more enchanting than the collective twittering and tweets of the dawn’s chorus of birds.
It was either think along those lines, real sappy shit, or about the way my cock flared to life.
And that I’ve been trying to keep that under wraps.