“Do you have something you would like me to tell you?”
“Cut the crap and spit it out.”
Cut the crap? That was awfully bold for his mother. “Spit out what?”
“You and Peyton have been spending all this time together and I suggest an evening in the city and you agree right away...you love her don’t you?”
Peyton knew and she loved him, it was only a matter of time before they all found out and he wasn’t one to lie to his mom. Omitting the truth was just as much a lie in his mind.
Colt grinned at his mother. “Yes.”
Elaine squealed clasping her hands over her mouth. “Good. That’s good. That’s great.”
Colt couldn’t possibly disagree.
Then he spotted shimmering on her left hand. His feet quickly moved him across the room to his mother and he took her left hand in his. A sparkling engagement ring stared up at him. Kent had proposed!
“It was unexpected,” Elaine said, tilting her hand so she could also view the ring.
Colt looked up at his mother and understood the excitement bubbling inside her. He didn’t have to ask, but he did anyway. “Are you happy?”
Elaine’s smile grew. “I’m very happy. I love him.”
Colt kissed her forehead. “He’s one lucky guy,” he whispered then pulled away. “But if he treats you poorly I will come after him.”
“Kent would never treat me poorly.”
Colt didn’t doubt it. His happiness for her was pushed to the back of his mind again. “I have lots to get ready for tonight.”
Elaine clapped her hands. “You better get started son.”
***
Colt called Timothy, who was already on his way to pick them up, booked private balcony seats in the theater, got a table at the highest end restaurant where reservations were booked months in advance...unless you threw the name Colt Patterson out there...and found Peyton exactly where he thought he would the back of the shop, surrounded by work.
The back door was still broken but it was Saturday so who knew how long it would take the locksmith to arrive. In addition, it would be a fortune. Since the lack of interest in rushing over to fix it was apparent, Colt was going to make a call after he left and set them a price they wouldn’t refuse to stop everything and fix it A.S.A.P.
Peyton no longer wore the mauve silky top underneath the black apron. But the grey see-through light beige shirt that draped past and revealed the same sexy shoulder his lips had touched only hours earlier was just as sexy, if not more.
Her hands were busy mixing. She hadn’t even heard him enter.
“What scent is that?” he asked.
Her concentration jerked in his direction, startled. Her green-flecked eyes were clouded. Probably counting all the scents she still had to make. His mother had been right; this woman needed a break.
He walked around the long table towards her. “Blueberry? Apple? Watermelon?”
She watched him closely. Her body seemed to stiffen, the complete opposite of the early morning when she liquefied against him. “Are you hungry?” She was referring to his fruit list.
He chuckled softly. “For you.”
She corners of her mouth had risen a bit but dropped. “I’m really busy here. I don’t want any...” She looked him over. “...distractions.”
“Am I a distraction?”
“Yes.”
He acted hurt, holding a hand to his chest. “After all the batches I mixed for you this morning.” He wanted to go around behind her and press his body against her back, slowly pushing her hair aside and trailing kisses down the side of her exposed neck. However that was exactly the distraction she was referring to. Before he got kicked out...which looked like exactly what she wanted to do...he wanted to invite her out. So he kept his feet planted.
“I’m picking you up at four. We are going into the city for supper and the theater.”
“I can’t I--”
He cut her off. “There’s no ‘can’t’ about it. I’ve arranged everything and we leave your house at four. Wear something formal.” Even though the beige material−from his current view−was hiked up just below her breasts revealing her porcelain sides.
“I wanted to get more of these finished.”
“I will help.”
“And the door’s not fixed so I won’t be able to leave.”
“I’ve contacted a locksmith who should be here shortly. Anything else holding us back from a nice evening out?”
She stared at him. “No, I guess not.”
He smiled. “Good.” He walked over and kissed her. “Pack an overnight bag,” he whispered. There was no point in them driving all the way back at the late hour when his condo was in the city. He headed toward the back door.
“I thought you were helping me,” she called after him.
“I will, but honestly we don’t have time today we can pick this up on Monday.”
Besides, he had to call a locksmith.
“Four o’clock,” he reminded her.
“Colt?”
He turned.
“Have you talked to your mom this afternoon?”
He nodded.
“Did she say anything?” Peyton must have known about the engagement.
“When I got home she was more excited than children on Christmas morning.” Peyton’s mouth dropped. “I saw this flashy piece of gold on her finger and learned your dad is going to make an honest woman out of her.”
Peyton’s mouth shut and she smiled...somewhat smiled...she looked distracted. A night out with him in the city was exactly what she needed. The turmoil on her face had to be the morning reaction to the bath bombs that still had to be made for their grand opening.
“Yes, that’s very exciting for them. Did she mention anything else?”
Colt shook his head. “No. Like what?”
Peyton looked back at her bowl...the cause of her distress. “Oh nothing. Four o’clock.”
Colt left feeling good. He had to buy a new tux, on a Saturday in Willow Valley, and have it to be fitted in only hours.
His hefty back account came in handy in times like these.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Peyton unpacked the remaining boxes of clothing she had been avoiding. Colourful mounds of material piled high on her bed, the chair and the trunk at the end of the bed. Everywhere she had looked for clothing earlier in the morning. But not a single piece was a long flowing formal dress.
She sat on the edge of her bed between two mountains and dangled her feet, tapping them on the rail of her bed and looking around the room.
Clothing was the last thing she felt like searching for today and that was an unusual thought for her.
Before she had even touched the boxes she had unzipped all the hanging dress bags in her closet. She had lots of dresses. Mounds of glitzy, sequined clubbing dresses, that she frequently wore when she was out in the early morning hours of the city clubbing with friends. She tore open cardboard box after cardboard box, deciding maybe if she had managed her spending money a little more in the city she could have saved a lot more.
There was nothing suitable for the theater. She was irritated that he sprung this on her and wouldn’t let her just spend the weekend alone to wallow in her own self-pity. But how would he know? His mother was too proper to say anything.
Peyton grabbed her purse, coat and keys and jumped in her Escape. She found Secret Wishes was still open on the main strip. A cute fancy dress and tux shop the only one in Willow Valley. Attached to it was Secret Wishes Weddings by the same owner.
“Can I help you?” a slim brunette, with paper thin hair in a pencil skirt, asked.
Peyton could pick her own dress just fine, although she wasn’t in the mood for shopping now so letting this friendly employee search the racks sounded uplifting...almost. She quickly explained her search for a formal dress to the theater but nothing boring and nothing too flashy either. Ordinarily she loved flashy, bling and glitz but she wasn’t feeling f
lashy. She was overtired and mind heavy.
Not five minutes later she’d been ushered into a large fitting room where two full length mirrors reflected her image and there was even a little bench behind her. Her image. That was soon going to change.
Three gowns were lined against a wall and she pulled the material door closed then slipped into the black sweetheart neckline, strapless gown that any girl would freeze in if she wore it in February. The shiny silk gown was gorgeous even without the sequin or rhinestones she was accustomed to. It was form fitting to her body and pushed her breasts up perky and high. But she would have to add a jacket or a little throw that would cover it up so this dress was a no.
She was about to unzip the back when in the reflection of the mirror she saw the curtain rustle and Colt slipped into the change room with her. So shocked, but not at all surprised, he would do such a thing, all her worries vanished with the swoop of the curtain closing.
“Colt!” she laughed and scolded at the same time whipping around to face him. “What are you doing in here?” He was so entitled to everything. It was shocking. “Get out.”
He grinned, not listening to her of course. He crossed the change room that now seemed tiny with him standing hovering over her. One hand cupped the side of her face...so possessive, like it belonged to him...while the other wrapped around her waist, lifting and pulling her against him in a quick motion. His lips hungrily met hers in a wild passionate kiss that had an edge of danger. He left her breathless and panting as he continued kisses down her neck, across her bare shoulders and down into the mountains splayed for him to freely roam.
She regained her wits and slapped the side of his arm. “Quit it.”
“That is not what your body is telling me,” he said against her skin. Another kiss. And another.
“Colt.” She pulled away as much as she could in his strong grip. “Stop it. This isn’t my dress.”
Before she knew, it his sneaky hands unzipped the back of her dress and he was tugging it off her body.
“No,” she whispered reaching for the dress.
“Peyton how is everything in there?”
They both stilled.
He opened his mouth and she thought he was going to talk so she covered it with her hands and sent him a warning shake of her head.
“Good,” Peyton replied.
“Do you need other sizes or styles?”
The amused expression on his face told her he was enjoying this awkward moment.
“I’m going to try the red one on again. I’m leaning more toward it.”
“Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” She glared down at him holding her almost naked body. “Let go of me.”
He kissed her nose then made himself comfortable on the little material covered bench. She didn’t even bother telling him to leave again since he did whatever he pleased anyway. Secretly, she loved it. She loved that he snuck in with her. She loved that he loved her body so much he acted like he couldn’t resist. She loved him.
Scooping the black dress off the floor, she replaced it on its hanger and slipped into dress number two...the red dress. Skimming the floor and perfectly fitting her body the matte red dress had a lower dipped neckline, but it had sleeves so no jacket was required. That was her selling point.
“Gorgeous,” he said. She was thankful when he didn’t get up and try to remove it from her body. “Is this dress for tonight?”
Why else would she be buying a formal dress? His tone was teasing her like it was prom and she was out buying a new dress for the special occasion...which happened to be him.
“Yes. What are you doing here?” she pointed out.
“Buying a tux.” That’s what she thought.
“For tonight?” She was pretending to examine herself in the mirror as if debating whether to choose the dress or try on another. She was definitely taking this dress because she wasn’t in the mood to try on another.
“Yes. Unlike yourself, my wardrobe is in the city. I’m flattered you’re buying a new dress for me.”
“Half my wardrobe is in storage,” she lied. A lot of her belongings were in storage so there was truth to some of her lie, however clothes weren’t being stored.
“Buy that one and I will buy a red tie to match.”
She laughed. “That is so tacky.” Just like prom.
“I don’t mind tacky if you’re on my arm.”
She turned to face him. “That’s just as tacky.”
“Mr. Patterson your tux is ready,” the voice came from directly on the other side of her change room curtain.
Peyton’s eyes widened and she mouthed, She knows you’re in here?
He nodded. “Thank you Heather. I will be out in a second.” He stood.
Heather? she mouthed.
He stepped toward her and caught her in his embrace with enough distance between their upper torsos that he could look down at her clearly. “Jealous?”
“No.”
“You shouldn’t be. I’m not interested in anyone but you.” Fireflies lit her stomach in excitement. Why did he have to go say such wonderful things?
She pointed at the door. “Go.”
“I’m going. Both dresses are gorgeous. Anything looks gorgeous on you,” he said with a wink and ducked out behind the curtain.
She groaned.
Throwing her clothes back on, she settled for the deep red dress and brought it to the cashier. She wondered if Colt had grabbed a red tie just in case before he left. Matching. He was so strange.
“Mr Patterson already purchased this dress for you,” Heather said.
Of course he did.
Heather’s smile reeked of romance by his gesture when Peyton was thinking, what a pompous jerk.
“Let me get this wrapped up for you.”
***
Peyton had slipped into the red dress and styled her hair and waited by the front door for Colt to pick her up. A limo pull across the front of her house. A limo. Why was she not surprised?
She nibbled on her bottom lip, feeling annoyed and confused, while she stood by the front door and considered not going. She could fake sick...like she would really have to try all that hard. Her stomach was teasing her with the reality of morning sickness not always being in the morning.
She could turn off all the lights and pretend she wasn’t home.
She watched Colt walk to the limo driver and shake hands and have a short conversation. Was he a regular driver for Colt? There were so many things she didn’t know about Colt. Soon they would be thrown together permanently whether they wanted it or not. She wanted it...oh how she wanted him.
Colt looked at the house and caught her watching. Every excuse vanished with his wave. Great, just great.
His grey tux fit his body perfectly and moved like silk as he walked to the front door.
He was gorgeous.
A three hour drive in a limo with that. They were so going to end up naked. Like it made a difference now.
She opened the door not giving him a chance to knock.
Colt stopped and his eyes roamed over her, slowly taking in her pompadour-styled, sixties look hair, down every inch of her body and down the length of the red dress to her heels.
“You look gorgeous.” You look gorgeous! You look sexy! You look like my Prince Charming!
“So you’ve said.”
“Let’s skip dinner and go right upstairs for dessert.” Okay. No, if you get into bed you will forget what needs to be discussed.
“I’m really hungry.”
“I can make you forget.” He stepped forward and she knew if he touched her she would falter so she shoved her long satin jacket in his arms.
“You promised me supper at a fancy restaurant.”
He helped her into the jacket.
“And no funny business in the limo. I spent hours to look this gorgeous.”
“Scouts honor,” he promised.
“I bet.”
Colt
grabbed the overnight bag she had packed. No doubt he was planning on sleeping at his place in the city. By the way he had consumed her in the change room she didn’t think he was planning to sleep at all.
The limo was beautiful inside with a little bar. He offered her a drink and she had to decline. She knew now, there was no guessing game. Surprisingly, he didn’t pour himself a drink and instead settled beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Tired?” he asked.
“A little.” They hadn’t gotten much sleep.
“It’s a three hour drive to the city. Why don’t you close your eyes for a bit?”
That sounded wonderful. It felt even more wonderful to close her eyes snuggled against his side and feel his breathing sing her a lullaby.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
After the curtain was drawn and the show had ended in a standing ovation, Colt led Peyton back to the limo. A light mist fell from the star-filled night.
Colt held Peyton’s hand as she climbed inside and he followed behind, deciding he’d been a gentleman long enough for the night. He’d kept his hands to himself the entire long, agonizing ride there with her next to him in that skin tight dress he wanted to tear away from her body. He hadn’t temped her in the empty elevator ride up to their private balcony seats, nor had he instigated anything in the balcony. And he could have. They were tucked away alone with curtains blocking them. He could have easily slid his hand under her dress or pulled her to the floor and done away with the dress like he desired. But he hadn’t.
“The show was amazing,” Peyton said. “And the seats were incredible.”
He’d instructed Timothy to drive around until they were ready to go to the hotel suite he’d rented. He’d considered spending the night at his place but he wanted to spoil her with room service and breakfast in bed. He had other plans in the limo for him and Peyton first.
She had scooted to the far side of the limo but, unlike the ride here, he didn’t stay in the far seat. “I like these seats better,” he said massaging his thumb lightly against her skin. He liked her hair down, natural and wild but he liked the view of her neck while it was up.
Her eyes drifted down. “Colt...” his name escaped her painted lips like a whistle in the wind.
Lakeshore Legend: The McAdams Series (By The Lake Series Book 2) Page 21
