Chapter Twenty
Colton
Remy wags his tail as I carry him up the stairs and through the open door. Amelia smiles as she closes it behind me. She stayed with the kids since neither of us got much sleep last night after Sam snuck into the bed.
Luckily, I’d just gotten up to use the bathroom, so he didn’t know I’d been in there minutes earlier. Since he was still upset about Remy and missing him, I didn’t bother trying to talk him into going back to his room. Instead, I checked on Lily, then went to my office and slept on the futon.
After a rough night at the vet’s, Remy’s more than happy to be home.
But even happier are Sam and Lily.
“Remy!” Sam squeals as soon as I set Remy in his bed.
“Be very gentle,” Amelia reminds him before he sits next to him. “Don’t touch the bandages.”
Lily rests her head on Remy’s back and rubs his belly.
The two of them murmur sweet things to Remy as he relaxes and closes his eyes.
“I think he’s their dog now,” I murmur to Amelia, grinning as I watch them. “The vet said he was restless all night and was anxious the whole ride home, but he’s calmer now with the kids near him.”
“They are too.”
I’m eager to pull her into me, but we don’t want to confuse the kids any more than they already are being here. Truthfully, I don’t want to think about how quiet and lonely it’ll be once they’re gone.
“Raven’s gonna stop over before she leaves,” Amelia tells me when we’re in the kitchen.
“She tell you anythin’ ’bout stayin’ at Bodie’s?” I haven’t talked to him since last night, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Raven eating dinner with him and the kids.
“Nope, and she probably won’t. As nosy as she can be, she’s a vault on her own love life. But from what I know, she hasn’t been with anyone since her ex-husband.”
“How long is he in prison?” I cross my arms, leaning back on the counter as she stands across from me against the island.
“Ten years after he finishes a mental health program. Not sure if he has yet. She doesn’t talk ’bout him. But her brother got two. So I think he has another year.”
“That had to be hard to go through, especially while she was pregnant and then becomin’ a new mom.” I can’t imagine the trauma she endured during such a vulnerable time in her life.
“Very, but you wouldn’t know it with how strong and resilient she is. Delilah and her visit Jonah once a month so he can see his niece and isn’t a stranger to her once he gets out.”
“Delilah’s still friends with him after he kidnapped her?”
“I think they’re workin’ through it. She knows he was blackmailed into it, but that doesn’t make it any less traumatic that it happened. Especially since she was also expectin’ at the time.”
“I dunno how Wilder didn’t lose his shit on him. If someone kidnapped my pregnant wife, they’d never see daylight again.”
Her cheeks redden. “I think he was more upset with Wesley who put Jonah in an impossible situation.”
Shrugging, I tighten my stance. “Both of ‘em then. Maddox would help me.”
She snorts, shaking her head. “I’m very curious to meet this cousin of yours.”
Pushing off the counter, I stalk toward her and lift her up, then stand between her legs. “Why? Lookin’ for another secret boyfriend?”
The word slips from my mouth before I can stop it, but I don’t bother correcting myself either.
And luckily, she goes along with it.
“Nah, one is plenty.”
I lean in and kiss her, more than satisfied with her response. “Thanks again for being with me yesterday. One of the hardest days I’ve had in a long time.”
“You’ve helped me so much, Colt.” She tightens her arms around me. “It was nice to return the favor, even in a small way.”
I tip up her chin, brushing my lips over hers again. She sinks into me, and I’m tempted to confess how deeply I’m falling for her. How desperately I want her to stay and never leave.
“Mommy!” Lily races into the kitchen.
I quickly pull back when Amelia jumps off the counter.
“Yeah, sweetie?”
“I’m hungry. Remy too.”
“I’ll make some lunch,” I offer, kneeling in front of her. “What’re you in the mood for?”
“Buttery noodles and sausage gravy!”
I furrow my brows. “Together?”
Amelia snickers. “She’s used to the buffet at The Lodge with their breakfast and lunch options.”
“Ah…” I smirk. “I can do the noodles.”
“I can make the gravy,” Amelia offers. “It’s the one thing I actually know how to make.”
“Okay, perfect. Guess we can cook together.” I wink, very much liking the idea of working side by side in the kitchen. “Gotta give Remy his meds first.”
Once I swipe the bag off the counter, I grab the jar of peanut butter and scoop out a spoonful. Remy won’t take pills on his own, so I crush and sneak them into his favorite treat.
He gives me a bit of a hard time, sniffing it suspiciously, but I manage to get him to eat it.
“Keep an eye on him for me, okay?” I tell Sam, who hasn’t left his side.
“I will.”
I meet Amelia in the kitchen, and we get to work on making lunch. She tells me Sam won’t eat the gravy, so I grab a jar of marinara instead to go with his noodles.
We work effortlessly next to each other, focusing on our tasks, and subtly brushing shoulders as we move around. Lily colors at the table and sings along to whatever she’s watching on the iPad.
Her rocking horse sits in the corner, and I smile at the memory of how excited she was to see it yesterday. Although I was distraught about Remy, seeing her face light up brought me a moment of joy.
It’s so easy to envision this simple life with Amelia and the kids. Cooking together, eating lunch, hanging out. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Raven and Bodie arrive, and I swear I see a hickey on his neck, but don’t call him out on it. They visit with Amelia and the kids, then give Remy some extra love.
Once they leave, I bring Remy into the office with me so I can check emails and watch him at the same time. With the kids around, he wants to get up and play with them, but he needs to take it easy.
Since I’ve taken a few days off to focus on him, I’ve delegated most of my duties to my staff. But as I’m finishing up for the afternoon, Wilder calls, and I’m hoping there’s an update on the security footage.
“Hey,” I greet, closing my laptop. “Please tell me you have some good news.”
“Kinda,” he says with a faint sense of sadness. “Sheriff Wagner got some videos from the nearby businesses, but they’re grainy since they’re not high quality. He managed to piece enough of the videos together to get a license plate.”
I perk up. “And?”
He blows out a frustrated breath. “It’s under an LLC, but they used a registered agent, so there’s no specific person listed.”
“The sheriff can’t get a warrant to find out who the owner is?”
“He served the company with a subpoena, but they have fourteen days to respond or object to it. And before you say anythin’, yes, the wait is bullshit. But the good news is no one’s seen the black SUV ’round town, so it’s possible he moved on or is lookin’ elsewhere.”
I scoff, leaning back in my chair. Possible won’t be enough for Amelia to feel safe in her house again.
“So now what?” I ask.
“We’re takin’ steps to secure the ranch and added more security cameras. I added extra locks to her doors and windows, too. She can probably come home if she wants.”
“She seems hesitant since this guy knows where she lives and works, but I’ll tell her.”
“Y’all gettin’ along okay?”
I swallow hard, not wanting to lie to my cousin, but also unable to tell him the truth. The fewer people who know, the less they’ll be in our business when it’s over.
“Yeah, of course. Remy got attacked by a Bobcat yesterday, so he had surgery and is now home. The kids are already attached to him, so they were upset, but he’s recoverin’ at home now. Amelia’s findin’ ways to stay busy, as are the kids, and so yeah…goin’ well.”
“Hm.”
“What?”
“Nothin’. Just surprised is all.”
“’Bout what?”
“That you haven’t mentioned y’all slept together on my weddin’ night.”
My heart drops, and I quickly clear my throat. “That’s…personal. Didn’t think I needed to broadcast it like a tornado siren. That’s more your thing.”
He barks out a laugh. “Is it serious?”
“Is what?”
“Oh, c’mon. If you don’t gimme some details, Delly’s gonna stick her nose in it even more.”
Sighing, I scrub a palm through my hair and contemplate how to respond. “I don’t want ‘em to go, if that answers your question.”
“Eh, good enough, I suppose. Why dontcha ask her to stay? You have the space.”
I scoff at the simplicity of his words. “It’s been ten days, Wilder. Not all of us get drunkenly hitched in Vegas after one night. Pretty certain that’d scare her away for good.”
“You won’t know unless you ask.”
Yeah, if only it were that simple.
“And for the record, Delly and I had years of history, so it’s not like she was a random hookup turned wife.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I chuckle. “How’s Maddox? He still in trouble?”
“Ha! When ain’t he? But nah, not really this time. Kinda hard to be when you’re the sheriff’s son. Plus, he already apologized, not willingly, but it seemed to do the trick to appease Sienna.”
“So now what? He’s agreed to be her maid of honor?”
“I’m not sure. He’s still pissy ’bout her comin’ back engaged, so he won’t talk ’bout it.”
“I can’t imagine Madd standin’ next to her and holdin’ her flowers while she vows to love another man. There ain’t no way.”
“Unless he’s ready to confess his feelings, he’s gonna haveta.”
We chat for a few more minutes before I let him go. Remy needs his second dose of meds, and the kids will want dinner in an hour.
Once I’ve checked on Sam and Lily, I find Amelia soaking in the tub with her eyes closed, looking stunning as always with her blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun and a soft pink tint on her lips.
“Hello, gorgeous.” I lean against the sink, crossing my arms and ankles. I came in here to tell her what Wilder told me, but now I’m too distracted to remember a word from our conversation.
She eyes me up and down in my jeans and blue button-up. “Hello, handsome.”
“Should I be insulted that I wasn’t invited?”
“To what?”
I lift a teasing shoulder. “To join or watch.”
“Watch me do what?”
“Where’s your li’l toy?” I arch a brow, wondering if she already has it in there.
She nods toward the shower.
I push off the counter and grab the vibrator from the shelf.
“Show me,” I demand, handing it to her. “Show me how you get yourself off.”
She looks around me toward the open door.
“Lily’s still nappin’, and Sam’s watchin’ TV in the living room with Remy and a snack, and I gave him strict orders not to move.”
Plus, I deadbolted the front door earlier, so no one’s coming in or out of this house without my knowledge.
Amelia spreads her legs and lowers the toy between them. As soon as it comes alive, she moans and her head falls back against the tub.
“Fuck, you’re sexy.” I lick my lips, wishing it was my mouth making her go wild. “Rub that clit, baby. How’s it feel?”
“So good…and intense.”
“Mm…lower it to your pussy and slip it inside.”
She gasps when she pushes in deeper. “Oh God…it’s so good.”
Her back arches, and I kneel next to the tub, wanting to get a better view.
“Keep edgin’ yourself, but don’t finish. Not yet.”
“But I need it,” she whines. “Please.”
“You can take more,” I coax. “Gotta get you ready for when we’re both inside you.”
“And what ’bout when I use it on you?”
Her taunting voice has me grinning. “I’ll let you do anythin’ you want to me.”
“Anythin’?”
Dipping down, I slant my mouth over hers and slide my tongue piercing between her lips.
“Anythin’, darlin’. You wanna tie me to the bed or fuck me with a nine-inch silicone dick, then by all means, do it.”
“You’re kind of a freak, aren’t you?” she quips, her eyes fluttering as she continues her movements.
“Actually, I was pretty tame and vanilla until you. No one else made me want to explore or try new things.”
“And I make you curious to do that?”
“Mm-hmm.” I dip my hand under the water, finding her sensitive clit. “You make me want everythin’.”
She explodes moments later, trying hard to keep it down, but the bathroom echoes. I kiss her through the rest of her release and then make my way down her neck to suck below her ear—one of her sweet spots that makes her melt.
“Is the bedroom door locked?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“Help me up.”
After I do, I wrap a towel around her body and lift her out of the tub.
“I want you to bend me over,” she pleads when I set her on the bed. “But you gotta be fast.”
My brow arches. “Right now?”
“You have somewhere else to be?”
Unbuttoning my jeans, I shake my head. “Nope.”
“Good.” She sets the vibrator on the bed next to her. “Grab the lube.”