Clean Lines (Cedar Tree #4)

by Freya Barker

  Fox is scheduled to stay with Neil at the motel tonight for an evening of gaming. The kid's been going stir crazy being cooped up inside, and frankly, I could do without the constant sound of gun battles in the background for a night. I've secretly been hoping for the damn Xbox to give out, but that would probably create an even bigger headache. No. This is good. Although I did tell him to get his crap off the floor and pack a decent bag before I'd let him go.

  A quick peek at the clock tells me Neil should be here shortly. I'd expected Joe back by now too. He'd gone off early this morning to pick up a few clean clothes and run some errands and other than a quick text midday asking if I needed anything from town, I haven't heard a thing from him.

  "Mom! Have you washed my Drake shirt?"

  Good lord! Grabbing the pile of laundry I've been folding, I walk into the bedroom where if anything, it looks like an even bigger mess than when he started.

  "Holy shitballs, Fox! You're supposed to be picking stuff up, not spreading it around."

  "Yeah, but I can't find any of my stuff. I need space. I can normally find everything just fine on my floor, but with you cramping my style, everything is a disaster." For dramatic effect he runs his free hand through his hair and gives it a good yank. That coupled with the pained expression on his face makes me burst out laughing.

  "Oscar-worthy performance, Bub. High marks for angst and torture, but you're talking to your mother. You forget nothing much impresses me."

  A little tilt to his mouth and the sparkle in his eyes lets me know he hasn't lost all of his good humor yet. Well...and he's probably excited to be spending another night with Neil staring at a screen. Whatever.

  "Your Drake shirt is in this stack and—" I have to intervene and rescue the perfectly folded laundry he almost flung to the floor in his haste to get to his precious shirt. "And did you find your cap yet?"

  "What cap?"

  "The one you were hollering at me for just five minutes ago? Coyotes?"

  "I was? I think I may have left it in Joe's truck. Doesn't matter, as long as I have my Drake shirt."

  Oy vey. The attention-span of an ant when it comes to anything but gaming. Putting away the folded clothes, I turn to my son who seems to be staring at his peach fuzz in the mirror. "Hey, pick up this stuff and put it away...again, before you leave this room, okay?" When I get no response, I prompt, "Fox, you hear me?"

  "Yeah whatever. Do you think I should let my beard grow?" He leans in even closer to the mirror picking at the sparse hairs sprouting from his chin and I'm struggling not to snort.

  "Maybe wait a year or two, Bub. Give it a chance to fill in a bit?"

  "Ya think? I just hate shaving and beards are in now."

  I have to leave the room, I can't take it anymore. If the kid shaves once every two weeks it's a lot. I mean he's in the shower night and day, but the rest of his grooming leaves much to be desired. A beard though? On his baby face? I snicker to myself as I sit down at the dining table to do some more online shopping, when Joe comes in. He walks right over and kisses me full on my still smiling mouth.

  "What's funny?"

  "Fox wants to grow a beard," I enlighten Joe, making him chuckle

  "I have some fertilizer left from last year. He's gonna need it with that spotty shit he's got on his chin."

  "Hush, don't let him hear you," I giggle cuddling into his neck. "What've you been up to?"

  "For me to know and you to find out. And you will soon, Neil is right behind me to pick up the boy."

  "Is my Coyotes cap in your truck?" Fox walks in and immediately makes his opinion of our PDA clear by rolling his eyes dramatically.

  "Hello to you too and no. Haven't seen it and I cleaned the truck this morning. Where did you last have it?" Joe straightens up but keeps his hand on the back of my neck.

  "I was sure it was in your truck. I was wearing it when we came home from the hospital. Wasn't I? Maybe I left it there. Damn, I—" A knock on the door has him swing around on his heels and leap for the door. "Neil! Awesome! I'm ready; I just gotta get my bag. Let's go."

  Ball cap forgotten, Fox disappears into the bedroom leaving Neil at the front door with his hand still half raised.

  "Come in Neil. Never mind him. He's a bit cabin-fevered and can't wait to 'get out of jail,' by the look of things."

  "S'okay," Neil chuckles, "I was gonna see if he wanted to go grab a bite at the diner, but seeing as he's probably eager to get down to playing, maybe we'll just run into Cortez for some fast-food instead."

  "Fuckin' A!" Fox appears with his bag and pillow in hand and a big smile on his face on hearing the words fast-food.

  "Language, Bub. Watch your mouth. Did you finish cleaning like I asked you?" Another eye roll, this one aimed at gaining sympathy from his 'buddy' Neil.

  "Yes, Mother. All done."

  Little snot.

  "You dare 'Mother' me and I might just start pinching your cheeks in public. Better watch that smart mouth of yours, mister." I try to look all stern, but it's difficult when I can feel Joe's restrained chuckle against my back and see Neil staring at the ceiling to hide his amusement. Thanks guys.

  "Sorry, Mom," he mumbles, coming over to give me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

  "Neil," Joe's deep voice says from behind me, "Make sure to stay alert."

  "Drive-thru, Joe. Just the drive-thru." A message passes between the two of them that I can't decipher but can guess at, before Neil says to Fox, "No time to sit down, got a game waiting, don't we?" And with a fist bump and a final goodbye, those two are out the door.

  I lean my head back against Joe's stomach and close my eyes.

  "You think Neil's gonna be able to look after him all right?"

  "Neil may not look the part, but he's one of the very few men I would trust with that boy's safety, Doc."

  "Okay," I sigh.

  "That's it? Okay?" he chuckles, leaning down to kiss my neck, "You're not going to fret all night? Worry about him? Call him every two minutes?"

  "Hush. No I'm not, not every two minutes. Besides I trust you, and if you say it's safe, then it's safe."

  Coming around the front of the chair, Joe pulls me up and into his arms.

  "So compliant. I like it." The low rumble of his voice makes my insides do a little jerk. It's been a good week since we've anything but kissed and I am craving his hands on me and from the feel of the hard length of him rubbing against my lower belly, he's craving something too.

  "We've got the place all to ourselves..." I raise one eyebrow and bite my lip suggestively, making him groan.

  "Don't, babe. I made plans for us. I'm following through on something I said to you last week, so you're just gonna have to be patient." Stepping back from me, he quickly adjusts himself with a grimace. "And I'll have to keep my hands off for a little longer, or that'll be the end of my honorable intent."

  "Watch it! Fucking moron."

  A car comes flying out a side street cutting right in front of us, and I almost end up in oncoming traffic. Straightening out the truck, I try to have a better look at the car speeding off in the distance.

  "Was that a green Toyota?"

  "Don't know, didn't really pay attention to that," Naomi says beside me. "Where are we going anyway?"

  It took everything I had to step away from Naomi earlier. Sleeping on the couch every night while knowing she was just a hallway away curled up in bed almost did me in a few times, but Fox served amazingly well as cock-blocker. I wanted nothing more than to pick her up, throw her on the bed and sink myself balls deep into her warm, tight pussy, but I'd fucked up before because of my eagerness to get what I want before doing things in the right order. I might be a little slow off the mark on this, but I'm determined to show her how much more she means to me before I tell her.

  "Joe? Are we going to the Parker place?"

  Fuck I'm glad we're almost there.

  "Bear with me okay, beautiful?"

  Not easy to organize a surprise in a town this damn s
mall. Everybody is sticking their nose in everyone else’s business making it impossible to keep a damn thing hidden. Not only had Arlene already called Emma after I went to the diner to pick up dinner, but Emma was waiting by the kitchen door when I walked past on my way to the guesthouse half an hour later. I'd just dropped everything I needed off and was planning to simply pick up Naomi and go, when Emma called me in for a minute while she put the finishing touches on a load of cupcakes. That woman is forever feeding people. Finally, fifteen minutes later, with twelve iced and boxed up cupcakes tucked in the back of the truck on the floor, I'm finally picking up my girl.

  When we pull around the feed store—it is where we were headed—I hear Naomi's gasp beside me. While Neil was working on installing the high-end alarm system today, I put up a few strands of Christmas lights around the porch. Too early yet, but at least it gave the place a bit of a homey feel. I'd managed to get the key off the realtor a day early and Gus and Caleb helped me move in some of Naomi’s furniture this morning. It looked semi-liveable.

  "So pretty...when did you do this? Wait. Did you get into the house? How?"

  I turn the ignition off, turn in my seat and cup her face.

  "Stop asking questions," I tell her with a smile. "The house is yours. It’s safe and dinner is getting cold. Let's go." I can't let her go without bending down to have a thorough taste of her mouth. Mistake. My relief deprived cock is back. And so fucking hard I want to unsnap my jeans right here and now to let the poor bastard out.

  "Mmmm..." she moans in my mouth and I tear myself away forcefully.

  "Inside. Food first."

  With a high flush on her face Naomi blows out air through her pursed lips.

  "I'm thinking maybe a cold shower."

  "Babe, no talk of showers, please. I'm trying to behave. Showers equal nudity. You and showers equals me coming in my jeans like a pimple-faced teenager any minute now. Have mercy."

  The soft giggle as she slides out of the truck does little to relieve my situation, and I forcefully adjust myself getting out.

  "You should've waited. I would've gotten the door for you."

  "I know," she says, slipping her arm around my waist, "but I wanted to give you a chance to...calm the beast?"

  "This is why you were gone all day." Naomi walks around the large living space touching the few pieces of her furniture the boys and I moved over here earlier.

  "I didn't know where you would want everything so I just guessed, but it can be easily moved around if you like. We only brought over some basic stuff for now. The rest we'll do this weekend or whenever you want." I start rambling a bit when I see a deep frown appear on her forehead. Hadn't really considered she could get pissed. I'd been so focussed on getting her out on a date to a place she would love, but where I could make sure she was safe at the same time. Her new place seemed the perfect solution.

  "I'm sorry if I—" I'm cut off when she suddenly turns and throws her arms around my neck.

  "It's perfect," comes her mumbled voice from my neck.

  I snake my arms around her waist. "Yeah?"

  The furious nodding against my chin is my answer and I let out a sigh of relief. Thank fuck I didn't screw that up. I was worried there for a minute.

  "Come. I have food." I try to step away before my body gets too distracted with hers again, but this time she holds on, her face tilted back; dark eyes full of emotion.

  "Joe, I lo—"

  I swallow her words, with my mouth on hers. Not gonna let her live the rest of our lives thinking maybe I gave her those words because I felt I had to. No fucking way. She'll hear it from me first and the right way. I pull back tentatively, replacing my lips with my fingers and when I see the hurt in her eyes, I know I have to be fast or this is going to hell in a hand basket.

  "Beautiful, please... let me? Trust me?" I hold her chin when she tries to look away, trying to show it all in the way I look at her. Slowly I see the sting disappear from her eyes and the warmth returning. With a crisp nod, she concedes.

  "Let's eat," I say leading her to the bar in the kitchen where I laid out two place settings earlier when I dropped off the insulated bag with the food from the diner. Appliances were not coming until this Saturday, otherwise I would've cooked something. Waiting till then wasn’t an option.

  "Pretty." Naomi smiles when I light the candles I set up around the room. I'm a long way out of my comfort zone here, but I want to make her feel special.

  During dinner I tell her a little about my parents, about losing them when I was still fairly young and about my strained relationship with my dad. One I never really had a chance to resolve. Give a bit of background on my friendship with Gus and then I ask her about her past. Though hesitant at first, she tells me she too was an only child and had a great childhood, but lost her parents in an accident shortly after Fox was born. She's happy they never knew how bad her marriage had been. We give some insight and tell stories back and forth, sharing anecdotes and memories and slowly get to see a more complete picture of the other. This is what I wanted tonight to be about. Well, that and getting in some skin to skin time. Well hell, I am a guy.

  "Leave that. Come sit with me."

  I'm lounging on the couch watching Naomi put shit away in the kitchen.

  "Just a sec."

  "Doc," I say firmly, "Quit stalling and get over here."

  With an eye roll, but a small smile at the corner of her mouth, Naomi wipes her hands and slowly walks over to where I'm sitting and grabs the hand I'm holding out. When she goes to sit next to me, I give her a little jerk so she lands on my lap. Right where I want her. I push her back so her head leans against the armrest and I can look down into her eyes and touch her face. I trace the lines and edges of her face with my fingers.

  "Do you even know how beautiful you are?"

  She scrunches her face up at that and gives a small shrug. "I'm just average, Joe."

  "Quiet. You're always beautiful. After pulling a twelve-hour shift you look just as beautiful as when you started it. When you first wake up in the morning, you're as stunning as when you are dressed to go out. It doesn't matter under what circumstances I see you, you're always knock-out gorgeous. But you know when you take my breath away the most? When you make my heart skip in my chest? It's when you're smiling. Happy. That's when the high beams go on. When all of you comes shining out all at once and it's damn near blinding. I want to be responsible for putting that smile on your face. I want to be the one who gets to make you happy. I love you, beautiful. So much it makes me crazy. Can't tell you when it started, but I know it feels like the most natural thing in the world."

  Her mouth is half open and the eyes looking up at me are large and a liquid brown.

  "You're gonna catch flies." With a finger under her chin I gently close her mouth and smile as she swallows and blinks. Leaning down I touch my mouth to hers, tracing her lips with my tongue before I slide my fingers into her hair and tilt her head for better access. When I start kissing along her jaw and down her neck, I'm interrupted by the buzzing of my phone.

  "Fuck." All too aware this could be important, I kiss Naomi on the nose before sitting up and fishing out my phone to look at the screen. Not quite believing what I’m seeing, I tap my finger on the screen to get a closer look.

  "Is this some kind of joke?"

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  I'm a puddle.

  The lights, the date, the food; all of it, so thoughtful and ridiculously sweet. I almost lose it when he stops me from spilling my heart all over him. Almost run for the door then, but when he asks me to trust him, there is nothing but warmth and tenderness in his eyes and fighting down the urge to take off and hide somewhere, I stay. Fuck am I glad I stayed. Talking about our childhood, our life before we met is a little awkward at first, but nice...so nice. He doesn't run off when I tell him about my bouts of depression after the death of my parents, nor does he seem to make a big fuss about it. Same as with the panic attacks, he appears to take everything in
stride. And I've been so worried that a man like that, one who had been marked once before by someone with mental health issues, would be at the very least sceptical or suspicious. Not Joe. He simply asks how I would deal with things or what some of my triggers could be and leaves it at that. Huh.

  Now he gives me these words; the truth of his feelings visible in his eyes and spilling from his lips. Beautiful sentiments about me. His full attention so focused on my face, as I'm laying back on his lap. These things he sees in me, make my chest swell like a bubble about to burst. When he says 'I love you,' it fills me to the brim. I want to tell him...it's been on my lips so many times before, but just when I'm about to, we are interrupted by his phone.

  "What's wrong? What is that?" I try to get a peek at the picture he is looking at on his screen, but I don't see much more than a blur. Before I get a chance to take a better look, he is dialing with one hand and grabbing my hand with the other.

  "Neil. Good. Everything okay there?"

  I raise my eyebrows in question and struggle to sit upright. Joe helps me up before pulling me against his chest, his arm wrapped firmly around me.

  "Nothing then? No disturbances? Okay good. I'm forwarding a text from an unknown number I just received. Check the image and carefully ask Fox if that is his ball cap. If you have to obscure part of the picture, do it. I'm calling Gus next."

  When he disconnects, I immediately try to grab the phone from him.

  "What the hell, Joe? Show me."

  "I will. I'm sorry, I needed to make sure first." When he pulls up the text, I can barely see. The image is so small, but then he clicks on it. A Coyotes’ cap. Covered in blood with a bullet hole right in the center. My hand goes up to my mouth, whether to stifle a scream or hold back the vomit that's threatening to come up, I don't know, but Joe grabs my shoulders firmly and gives me a little shake.