Heartfelt Lies

by Alexandra Christopher

  "That's wonderful. Has that always been an interest of yours?"

  "Yes, sir, since I was about fourteen. I was having a particularly bad week. Mom, she had a really bad week," I say thinking back to the day I found her passed out next to my birthday cake. "Anyway, I was over at my best friend's house that weekend and his mom could tell I needed a little pick me up. So, she made me an appointment with her stylist and took me for a haircut and my first ever highlight. While we were there, Mrs. Masters, had them teach me how to apply a light make-up, and purchased a whole set exactly like the one they had applied. It was my birthday gift from her. It wasn't the make-up or the hair that stuck with me though, it was the way it made me feel. Something so simple made me feel so much better about myself and turned my entire week around. That's what I hope to do. I want to make people feel good about themselves and forget about their worries for a while. If I can lift their spirits, even just for a while, it'll all be worth it." I shrug.

  "I think that's wonderful, dear. You'll do a great job, I just know it," Beth says. "Do you want to open your own shop?"

  "That's my goal. Eventually."

  "Well, if you need any construction work done, search no further. We'll give you the family discount, no charge." Jack winks.

  "Oh, no. I couldn't possibly accept." I shake my head.

  "Nonsense. I mean it, Ella. It would be my pleasure. I owe your family so much. More than you could ever imagine." He smiles sadly.

  "Ok, time to get you home," Kohl cuts in, pushing back from the table.

  "Thanks for dinner. Everything was delicious, Beth," I complement.

  Kohl takes my hand, we say our goodbyes and head for the door.

  16

  Kohl

  I've not been able to spend near as much time with Ella as I'd have liked these past couple weeks. Work has been busier than ever. Classes will be starting back in a short three weeks, so I've been trying to stay ahead of schedule on all my current jobs.

  When I saw a quote request for some minor house repairs yesterday, I was prepared to pass it along to Troy or one of our other foremen that usually take care of the small jobs, however, when I noticed the address was on Cedar Cove, I decided to do it myself and steal a few minutes with my girl.

  I mean, bringing breakfast is the perfect excuse to stop by and surprise her, since I'll be working right down the street from her house. So, here I am at seven-thirty in the morning, about to knock on her door, armed with doughnuts and some girly frou-frou coffee.

  I'm in the process of balancing the coffee atop the doughnut box, and raising my fisted hand to the door, when it opens. I'm greeted by a smiling Ms. Ann.

  "Good morning, Kohl, I thought I heard someone pull up. Here let me help you with those before they fall," she says, taking the coffees. "Come on in, I'll just sit these down in the kitchen for you."

  "Thanks. Is Ella up yet? I'm working up a quote down the street, so I thought I'd stop by and bring her a little treat for breakfast this morning."

  "I've yet to see her but I know she's up. I've heard her shuffling around up there for a while now. Ella, you have company!" she shouts from the bottom of the stair case, before continuing on into the kitchen. "There you are, dear." She places the drinks down on the counter. "I'm going to put my face on. She'll be down in just a minute."

  "Thanks, Mrs. Ann. I have plenty coffee and doughnuts for you, too."

  "You're just the sweetest thing," she gushes, patting my cheek. "I may have some in a bit, I'll leave you two to enjoy your breakfast for now." She flashes a knowing smile before walking from the room.

  After her exit, I carry everything over to the small table by in the window. Just as I open the doughnut box, I hear bare feet slapping against the hardwood floor.

  Turning around, I barely contain the groan that tries to escape my lips. Ella's walking toward me in the tiniest pair of plaid shorts I've ever seen. All I can focus on is her long tan legs as she saunters her way over.

  "Eyes up here, Kohl." She grins, pointing at her face.

  "I would say I'm sorry, but I'm really not so…" I shrug.

  She laughs softly as she wraps her arms around my neck and rubs her cheek against my chest. "I've missed you."

  I release a contented sigh at having her nestled in my arms. "Not as much as I've missed you, beautiful. I couldn't go another day without seeing you. We got a job request for a house down the street, and I snatched it up as soon as I saw it. I had to come see my girl, I've been losing my mind without you."

  "Your girl, huh?"

  "Damn right, you’re my girl. You got a problem with that?" I smile down at her with questioning brows.

  "You'll hear no complaints from me. I kind of like being your girl."

  "Good, because you're kind of stuck with me." I slant my mouth over hers, taking my time, kissing her slow and deep. She tastes like a combination of mint tooth paste and the sweet taste of my Ella.

  Her body fits so perfectly against mine, it's like she was made just for me. Damn, she feels good, a little too good. I decide to slow things down when her pebbled nipples rub against my chest. We don't need to get too carried away right here in the middle of her Gram's kitchen. I pull my mouth from hers, but I'm not ready to let her go, so I don't.

  The two of us stand wrapped together in the kitchen. I have one hand cradling her head against my chest and the other around her back, holding her snug against me. Leaning forward, I whisper, "I could hold you forever, Ella," into her neck. She tightens her arms around me in response. We continue to stand there, until the loud rumbling of her stomach has me bursting into laughter.

  "Don't laugh! I can't help it. It's the coffee and doughnuts. I can't decide which one smells better. I think my mouth is actually watering." She takes a step back, out of my arms.

  This time I can't stop the groan that escapes my lips, as I get an up-close view at her. She has on a tight as hell shirt with thin straps and no bra. Her nipples look as good as they feel, and now my mouth is watering, and it has nothing to do with doughnuts or coffee. Damn, I need a taste.

  "Be good!" she warns seriously. Yet, her eyes are glued to my mouth as I lick my lips, my stare glued to her luscious breasts. "Gram could walk in here any minute." She tries to be serious, but I can see the hunger blazing in her eyes and it burns as hot as my own.

  "I'm trying, I really am. You're making it awful hard though," I smirk, while reaching down to adjust my throbbing cock.

  "You're so lame." She rolls her eyes.

  "I know, but you like me anyway." I give her a quick peck on the lips before taking a seat at the table. If Ms. Ann does walk in, the last thing I want her to see is this large bulge tenting my jeans.

  "Thanks for this." She holds up a chocolate glazed doughnut before taking a generous bite.

  "You're welcome, but I have to admit, it was a guise to see you. I thought breakfast would be an acceptable excuse to come knocking this early," I tell her honestly.

  Ella sits the doughnut down before reaching over, placing a hand on my arm. "You never need an excuse to come see me, Kohl. The doughnuts are a nice bonus, but you're the real prize here."

  We enjoy a doughnut or two and sip our coffee before her gram joins us. Before long she's telling stories about mine and Ella's dads. I'm enjoying the visit so much and hour passes before I realize it.

  "Oh, shoot! I've got to get going." I stand and say a quick goodbye to Ms. Ann before Ella walks me to the door.

  "I'm sorry I caused you to run late."

  "I'm not. If we get the job, I'll be doing it myself. I'll probably run late most days," I wink.

  "Well, I could always bring you breakfast instead, since you'll be so close. I don't have to be at work until ten each day. Whose house is it you'll be working on?"

  "The Bradley's. They live at the end of the street, it’s the big two story just off the cul-de-sac."

  We share a lingering kiss, and I promise to call her later before heading down the street. I need to make this qu
ick. I have lost time to make up for, it was totally worth it though.

  I grab my metal storage clip board and pull a work order from the inside before securing it to the top. I pluck a pen from the console and clip a measuring tape onto my front jeans pocket, before stepping out of my truck.

  I take a minute to admire the house from the outside. I remember when my dad built it for them about ten years ago. I used to love riding out here with him on the weekends as he noted the progress and planned out his next steps.

  This house inspired the color theme in my bedroom. It became my dream home the first time I visited the job site. It's a big three-story farmhouse, a little over six-thousand square feet. The siding is a stormy gray, while all the trim and wrap-around porch is painted a crisp white. Tall white-trimmed windows line the front of the residence on the ground level, while the top floor houses a mixture of decorative ovals and smaller versions of the rectangular windows on bottom.

  The porch steps are extra wide and built of deep burgundy brick that match the tall chimney running up the left side of the house. The same brick covers the three feet of space between the porch and ground, behind it sits the basement.

  It's just as beautiful and majestic as the day we handed over the keys. A house like this is what I always envision raising a family of my own in one day.

  Mr. Bradley exits the garage, greeting me as I approach. "Morning, son," he greets, with an out stretched hand.

  "Good morning, Mr. Bradley. You still have the nicest house in town," I tell him, giving his hand a firm shake.

  "That dad of yours does build a nice home. It hurts my heart to have to give it up," he tells me solemnly.

  "Give it up? What do you mean?" I ask.

  "We're selling it. As you probably know, my wife was diagnosed with early onset dementia a couple years ago and she's getting worse every day. It's just become too much for me to handle alone," he concedes. I hear the catch in his voice. "We'll be moving to Utah to be near my daughter. The house next door to hers went up for sale and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be that close, it felt like a sign. I placed an offer and they accepted last week. We hope to close on it and have everything out of here by the first of next month."

  "I'm so sorry to hear that. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. You don't need to be lifting on all that furniture. I know plenty guys, we can come over and load it up for you if you want."

  "I appreciate the offer, Kohl. I already have a moving company lined up, but I might need some help getting some things moved around and packed up before they get here. I could pay you," he offers.

  "No, sir! No payment needed. I'd be glad to help anytime, just give me a call."

  "I just might do that. Now, let's get inside and I'll show you what needs to be fixed."

  It doesn't take long to write up a work order. There are only a few minor repairs to be done. A couple small holes in the dry wall and the wood under the kitchen sink needs replacing after getting soaked from a loose pipe last year. No major work is needed, just small insignificant repairs that in no way decrease the value of the house.

  It's been years since I've been inside here. After walking through and assessing everything, I'm reminded just how perfect it is. I decide I need to make a phone call to Dad. I need a co-signer, because I'm buying this house.

  I never dreamed it would be for sale, there's no way I can pass up the opportunity to buy it. It'll probably never go up for sale again, once it's sold. People don't move in or out of Gale, Kentucky often, so I've got to give it my best shot.

  "Mr. Bradley, can I ask you a favor?"

  "Sure, you name it."

  "Will you let me talk to my dad before you list the house with a relator? I've dreamed of owning a house just like this for years. It's where I'd like to raise a family of my own one day. If there's any way at all I can swing it, I'd love to buy it directly from you before it goes on the market."

  "You take all the time you need. There's nothing that would make me happier than to see you fill this house with a family. It's always been too much for just the two of us anyway. Sue demanded a house big enough for the kids and grandkids to all enjoy together during the holidays though. We've been lucky enough to have several years here together. I can't tell you how grateful I am for them either. You just let me know one way or the other, I won't do anything until I hear back from you."

  "Thank you, sir, I sure appreciate it. I'll start on the repairs first thing tomorrow. They won't take long. I'll have them completed by mid-week next week."

  "Sounds good. See you in the morning."

  As soon as I'm back in my truck, I pick up my phone and call Dad. I'm prepared to plead my case but he doesn't even hesitate. He knows how much I've always loved that house and he offers to help me finance it before I even get the words out of my mouth.

  I ride that high the rest of the day and all of Friday, too. Before I know it, I'm off work for the weekend and heading home to get cleaned up so I can go get my girl.

  Ella and I have just enjoyed dinner at one of my favorite cafes a town over from Gale. It was a simple burger and fries with chocolate shakes, but it was delicious. I needed a change of scenery this weekend. Living in a small town and eating out at the same restaurants over and over gets old quick.

  I was excited to tell her my news, that I'll be buying the Bradley's house and living right down the street from her soon. Dad wanted to pay for the house himself and gift it to me, but I refused. It's important to me that I make my own way. I want to provide for the family I'll have one day, and I want that to start by providing them a home, just like my dad did for my mom and me.

  I wanted to pay for it all on my own, but Dad put his foot down and insisted on giving me a hefty fifty thousand dollar down-payment. He said he wanted my monthly mortgage payments to be reasonable. I didn't argue—I can accept that compromise. Besides, I've always been told you don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

  We went to the bank first thing this morning and they gave us the loan without batting an eye. All the paper work has begun, and a title search will start first thing Monday morning.

  "So, what are your plans for tomorrow?" Ella asks.

  "No plans. What's up?"

  "Gram is insisting that we go car shopping," she complains, with a huff. I don't know why, I've told her over and over it doesn't bother me, I'm used to walking. It's what I've always done."

  "Are you crazy? Car shopping is fun. You want me to tag along?"

  "Will you?" she asks, hope clear in her voice. "I know nothing about cars, and I doubt Gram is much better. I need you to help me pick something out that's dependable but not crazy expensive.

  "Of course, I'll go. I'd be happy to."

  "Thank you so much, Kohl. She wants to get an early start, so I'm warning you now, there can be no Saturday morning sleep-in."

  "I think I can handle it," I assure her. "Now, what do you want to do the rest of the night?" I reach across the booth for her hand.

  "Jessa pretty much begged me to come out to the bonfire tonight. She's been guilting me all week because I've only been to one since I moved here. It's totally up to you though. I don't really care what we do."

  "Yeah, the guys have been busting my balls lately for not hanging out with them more. We can go and just stay for an hour or two and then head back to my place." I waggle my brows at her suggestively. "Does that work for you?"

  "I think I could be convinced." She's trying to play it cool but that sparkle in her eyes, says it wouldn't take much to persuade her.

  "Let's get going then." I stand and throw enough cash on the table to cover our tab and a nice tip. I wrap an arm around Ella when she stands next to me. "The quicker we get there, the quicker I get you home and in my bed," I breathe quietly into her ear.

  I don't miss her quick inhale or the slight shake of her body as she shivers against me.

  We've been at the bonfire for well over an hour and I'm ready to grab Ella and go. I was ready thir
ty minutes ago, but she's been having so much fun visiting with the girls, I couldn't bring myself to interrupt, I've never seen her laugh this much or act so care free. And as bad as I want her writhing under me, I know it's important to let her have this time.

  I talk to Jax a few more minutes before excusing myself. She glances up as I start toward her, her eyes unabashedly taking me in from head to toe. Her tongue peeks out to wet her lips as I come to stand before her.

  "See something you like, Ella?" I grip her waist firmly between my hands. Her arms immediately circle my shoulders and pull me against her. Bending forward, I place a wet kiss to the corner of her mouth and nip her bottom lip lightly. Her blue eyes blaze with desire, and I know she's as ready to leave as I am.

  She clears her throat before speaking, "I see a lot of things I like, Kohl."

  "Oh, yeah? You want to get out of here and take a closer inspection?"

  "Lead the way."

  We say quick goodbyes and start for my truck hand in hand. I parked away from the fire at the edge of the field tonight, so we wouldn't get blocked in. There are a few other vehicles parked close to mine. Everyone knows this is the place to park if you don't want to go searching through the crowd to find someone to let you out.

  I'm just about to open the passenger side door for Ella, when I hear it. I know that moan intimately, I drug it from her lips for years. I see Zach's truck parked a few feet from mine.

  The windows are rolled partially down but not enough to see what lies behind their tinted covering. With the movement of the truck, however, there's no mistaking what's taking place behind those closed doors.

  It's not unusual for Zack to give Kennedy a ride. But is he seriously letting her fuck someone in his truck? What the hell? I swear, she has no shame. All I can do is shake my head with disgust.

  "Is something wrong?" Ella asks warily, pulling my attention back to her.