by C. A. Harms
“Can we not talk about that, please?” I let out a slow, even breath, hoping to calm my nerves. “I’ve been trying my best just to pretend that entire thing didn’t even happen. There honestly isn’t a reason we need to revisit that disaster.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Again I knew I shouldn’t look at him, but I couldn’t stop myself. Tilting my chin upward, I was met with those gorgeous brown eyes. “I didn’t call you a kid, Chloe.”
His left hand left my waist and touched the hair that had fallen down from my loose braid. As he moved it back, his thumb skimmed over my jaw. Chills flowed over my shoulders and along my arms. “I called you Kitten.”
Again I felt like my heart might race right out of my chest but this time for an entirely different reason than before. “And you should also know that putting you in that cab and watching it drive away without me by your side was not easy. It was excruciating.”
I just stared at him, wondering if this was all nothing more than some kind of joke.
“Had you been sober,” he cupped my jaw in his palm and grazed over my cheek with his thumb, following the movement with his gaze, “that night and every night since would have been a whole lot different.”
“Is that so?” My words sounded breathy, but it was pointless to hide the way this man made me feel.
“The last thing I think of when I look at you is a kid, Chloe.” My chest was rising and falling quickly as I practically panted. Being this close to him, having his hands on me, and seeing the way he was watching me was almost too much. Sensory overload, a rush of so many different feelings all at once. “I think you and I should start over.”
“Do you?” I smiled in return when his lip tilted up at the corners. Then he nodded his head, and I laughed. “How would you suggest we do that?”
Dragging the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, he leaned in a little closer, and my breath hitched as he pressed a soft, gentle kiss at the corner of my mouth.
“First, we should go back inside and rejoin the group I’m sure is going stir crazy wondering where I carried you off to.” It’s then I remembered that we were not alone and was surprised that Rhett and Mike weren’t already outside looking for us. “Tonight we’ll talk, have fun, maybe dance a little.”
Mm, Landon Layne dancing, that could be a sight, I was sure.
“You dance?” Arching a brow, I waited, doing all I could to hide my excitement at the thought.
“Do I dance.” He laughed it off and pulled his hand away from my face. I missed the touch instantly. Stepping to the side, he placed his arm over my shoulder and began to drag me back toward the entrance of Lucky’s. “By the time the night is over, your feet are going to be begging for a break.”
Begging, damn, I was so close to doing just that.
Chapter Ten
Landon
I held up my hand and gained the attention of the bartender. Motioning between Chloe and myself, I held up two fingers. Carl gave a little nod and walked toward the opposite end of the bar.
A few minutes later, there were two beers placed on the counter before us, and I tossed a five down on the bar top in return.
“How did you know I wanted a beer?” Chloe made no movement to grab the bottle, only crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at me with sass. Her lips pursed, her eyebrow arched, and the tilt of her head to the side added a little more flare. Gorgeous, that was the first thought that filled my mind.
“I’ll take it if you don’t want it.” Rhett reached around her and attempted to grab the bottle, only to get his hand smacked. When he pulled it back, he let out a growl, and she laughed.
I watched in silence as the two of them bantered back and forth like brother and sister. One of the greatest things about this group was the closeness they shared. Blood or not, they were family.
I knew Mike long before he was ever a part of this group. We were friends back before the accident took place that claimed the lives of both of his parents. After that, we lost touch when he was placed into the foster system until, years later, my father retired and decided to settle in Brooklet.
I was just about to intervene when Rhett grabbed the beer quickly and brought it to his mouth, taking a long pull.
Chloe looked defeated as she watched Rhett with her mouth hanging open in what I assumed was shock. Then she slugged him in the arm. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t shock.
“Asshole.” Pushing him out of her way, Chloe stormed past him and straight to AJ.
“Now you’re in trouble.” If there was one thing I knew about the men in this crowd, they feared their women. As in, they would do just about anything to keep them happy—within reason, that was. Don’t get me wrong, they stood their ground, too, but I could already see the fear in Rhett’s eyes. Chloe turned around, AJ stepped up to her side, and together they glared at Rhett.
“Carl,” Rhett hollered out, only he remained focused on the two women staring holes in him. “Need another beer, stat.”
Just then, the women began to descend, and I chuckled when he backed away.
“Pussy,” I mumbled.
“Word to the wise, don’t ever piss off two of them at once. They are sneaky and vicious when necessary.”
Carl placed another bottle on the bar top, Rhett grabbed it quickly, and just as the two women paused before him, he held it out, plastering an innocent look on his face. “See? I got you another one.”
By this time, Mike and Maddison had joined us and were also enjoying the show.
I noticed the way Mad was nursing a bottle of water and wondered to myself how long it was going to take for anyone else to notice.
The band began a familiar song, and I leaned in close to Chloe, whispering near her ear. “You done screwing with this fool?” Looking back, her cheek glided over my lips. “I think there was a question of my dancing abilities.” Smiling wide, she shifted her gaze from my lips to meet my stare, and that very second I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. Chloe Rigdon, all it took was one sweet look from her and I was wrecked.
I held out my hand, and she turned completely around to face me. “Are you gonna step on my toes?”
“I can’t promise I won’t.” Thing was that I could dance. My mother was a dance teacher for as long as I could remember. When my father retired, she did, too, but growing up, she ensured that I knew my way around a dance floor. I was ashamed of it as a young boy. I mean, what boy wanted to share with his friends that he was in dance classes three nights a week? Mainly it was because my mother had classes and I was forced to tag along, but still, young boys could be cruel. Now, years later, I was thankful for those days. Being able to woo a lady was a necessity.
“Maybe we should just sit this one out.” Chloe wasn’t yet convinced.
“Not a chance, Kitten.” Her eyes widened at the endearment. “I promised lots of dancing, and I plan to deliver.”
Before she could argue more, I gave her hand a light tug and began walking backward toward the dance floor. I ignored the looks from the ladies but didn’t miss the knowing smirk on Mike’s lips. He knew all about my years of dance classes.
Immediately, I lifted the hand that held Chloe’s high above her head and gave her a little twirl. Laughter fell from her lips, and when she was facing me once more, I pulled her body in closer to mine. “Are you ready?”
I wasn’t just talking about the dance, but for now, I would keep that fact to myself. She offered a little nod, and I slid my free hand around her waist. Still holding onto her left hand with my right, I began to move my hips against her, and her eyes widened.
Instead of calling attention to it, I leaned in and took full advantage of how close we were. Breathing her in, I closed my eyes and committed this moment to memory.
The first time I saw Chloe, I’d admit I thought she was a lot younger than twenty-one at the time. That was a year ago. Not once in the last year had I been able to look at her and not feel my heart race. She held that kind of elegant beauty that could knock a man flat on h
is ass.
When the music switched to a faster beat, I sped up with a little more seductiveness, and she matched my movements. Her cheeks reddened, and I wanted nothing more than to lean in close and kiss her pouty lips, only I held back. Chloe deserved more; she deserved better than being mauled on a dark dance floor with a few dozen drunks standing around taking it all in.
“So about that second chance.” Not kissing was harder than I had anticipated. “I think we should start on Sunday.”
She got that confused look in her eyes. Her brows wrinkled, her nose all bunched up as she stared up at me. “I’d say it starts first thing in the morning, but I have to be at the station and am on for twenty-four hours.”
“Sunday I promised to babysit Blake while AJ and Rhett finalized some wedding stuff.”
“Then I’ll help.” Again, she looked surprised. “I’m good with kids. They love me.”
“Okay then, Sunday it is.”
Twirling her once more, I pulled her back to me just as she threw her head back and laughed. “See, I told you I’m not such a bad guy.”
Something crossed over her face, and she tucked her chin toward her chest. “Thank you for the flowers.” Doing my best to see her face, I moved back and caught the tail end of her nervously worrying her lower lip. “I’ve never gotten flowers before, and they were beautiful.”
I made a mental note to shower her with more flowers than she knew what to do with. What in the hell was wrong with the men in this town? This woman shouldn’t have had to wait so long to have a man send her flowers.
“No need to thank me. I would have done just about anything to get you to understand I was a good guy. You wouldn’t let me close enough to explain.”
“Sorry.” Again she tried to shy away.
“I got my teeth cleaned for the second time in less than six months just to get the chance to be near you.” Her chin lifted, and her eyes widened. “Told you I was willing to try anything.”
“Including reminiscing with an old girlfriend?”
It’s my turn to react, and I narrowed my eyes, which only made her laugh. “Not an old girlfriend, just a few dates. Believe me, it never went any further than that.”
“It’s none of my business.” Chloe held up her hand that had been resting on my chest, and I instantly wanted her to put it back. “There was some mighty heavy talk of plans being made for a reunion after you left the office that day. I think I heard her tell Mary that you were the one that got away.”
“I think I may have rendered that plan of hers the other day and gave her a detour.” Why I felt so nervous suddenly was a new feeling.
“Oh, you mean you told her that you and I were dating?” I was surprised to find Chloe smiling at me. “Just so you know, she didn’t buy it at all. I think the words were, a man like him couldn’t be interested in a girl like me. So I wouldn’t be too sure that you’re in the clear.”
“You should know that I am.” I slowly moved my hips with her as we swayed to a beat that was much faster than our movements. “Interested, that is, in you.” This woman had no idea how alluringly beautiful she was. “You and I got off on the wrong foot, but going in now, I need you to understand that never once have I not been attracted to you. There was some confusion, but I plan on clearing that all up.”
We were interrupted by a loud squeal of happiness, and both Chloe and I looked toward the bar to find AJ hugging Maddison and Rhett shaking Mike’s hand. “Looks like the two of them finally decided to share the news.”
“What, that’s she pregnant?” Chloe asked so casually that it made me laugh.
“You knew?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. For weeks he’s been treating her like she’s made of glass. Well, more than usual, anyway. Then there is the fact that he continues to rest his hand on her stomach, so often that I’m not sure he even realizes he’s doing it. Oh, and she hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in weeks, and Maddison is a wine junky.”
Chloe shrugged, and I placed my arm over her shoulder. “Let’s go offer our congrats to the happy couple.”
I led her off the dance floor, knowing that this was just a start for us. I meant what I told Ripp that night after I followed him to his car. It may not be my job yet to protect her from arrogant pricks or any harm, but it’s a title I will hold soon.
Chapter Eleven
Chloe
“I thought you said babies loved you?” I stood back, covering my smile with my hand, and I observed the man before me. Landon Layne, big burly rough manly man, and he looked like he just might cry. That would make two males trapped in this loft that were hysterical.
Blake was extended out away from Landon’s body, his little legs kicking and his head thrown back while wailing as loud as he possibly could.
And again Landon looked lost, frightened even.
“Children, Chloe, they love me.”
“I hate to break it to you, but this,” I motioned to the pissed off baby, “is a child.”
“This is the devil’s spawn,” he mumbled, and I was sure I wasn’t meant to hear it, but I did, clearly.
“Blake is generally a very sweet baby.” I moved in and snatched him up. “Maybe he isn’t the spawn.” I dared him to argue as I took Blake in close to my chest and nuzzled him. “Don’t worry, I’ll save you from the mean, mean man.”
“I’m not mean,” Landon attempted to argue as he followed behind me on my way to the kitchen. Blake quieted while I shushed him softly and rocked him in my arms as we walked along. Landon still trailed behind, insisting that he was good with kids.
I paused at the sink, using one arm to hold Blake and the other to rinse the pacifier I had picked up from the floor. I felt the closeness of Landon’s body against my back and closed my eyes to calm my reaction to him.
“I think it’s safe to say this one belongs to Rhett. He probably gave him a pep talk on how to torture me before he left.” Landon reached around me on both sides, bracing his weight on the countertop. “His daddy most likely hung a picture over his crib and lectured him on easy ways to terrorize me and make me look bad in front of the lady.”
Honestly, I couldn’t concentrate much on his words because I was too engulfed in his scent and his embrace. Part of me wanted to turn around and press in deeper to gain all I could get, but this wasn’t the time or the place.
He seemed completely oblivious to the way he was affecting me, anyway. “It could be that this little man is smarter than I’m giving him credit for and he’s playing this all out to be closer to the pretty girl.” Okay, so maybe he did know. His hot breath spanned out over my cheek and onto my neck. “If I throw a fit, will you cuddle me, too?” Without a second to stop myself, I turned my head and looked up at him. My eyes widened in surprise, I was sure. Landon smiled knowingly, and it all happened so quickly. He moved in, his lips only inches from mine, just as the door flew open.
“Where’s my boy?” Rhett’s voice boomed throughout the space. Blake heard him and immediately begin wiggling in my arms, his little arms trailing wildly as one little fist filled the small space that was left between Landon and me.
He moved back and I shifted to the side, just as AJ stepped in through the doorway that led to the kitchen. I ignored the way her gaze shifted between Landon and me. “Y’all just missed one hell of a fit.” The shaking nervousness in my voice could not be hidden. “I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t care much for firemen.” I nodded in the direction of Landon, who was now scowling.
“I think you were secretly pinching him when I wasn’t looking.”
“Please, if I hadn’t rescued you, I think you may have been on the floor crying right along with him. I have never in my life seen a grown man so frightened by a baby.”
Humph. “Frightened, please.” He held his hands out toward Blake, and the little man’s lip puckered out in the most dramatic way.
“Are you scaring my kid?”
We all looked behind AJ as Rhett moved in to snatch up
Blake. “C’mere, boy, Daddy’ll save ya.” He didn’t stick around, disappearing out of the kitchen whispering about teaching him to beat the shit out of big apes with blond hair.
AJ and I both shared a smile. Landon pushed off the counter and exited the kitchen in the direction that Rhett had gone.
“Looks like the two of you are getting along well.” If there was something that every single female in our family had in common, it was prying, the eagerness to know everything about everyone, and none of them were shy to admit it. Hell, I was the same way…when it wasn’t me that was being questioned, that was.
I shrugged and turned back around to place the now rinsed pacifier on the folded dishtowel at the edge of the sink.
“Did you just cold shoulder me?” Oh, and sassiness, that was something we shared, too. “If you think you can just turn your back to me and I’ll forget the question I asked, you are sadly mistaken, Chloe Rigdon. Either you fill me in or I will call your momma. You do know that will only lead to your dad knowing, too, which then will lead to a visit and his beady eyes interrogating you on the subject of the time you’re spending with a certain man that we all thought you hated.”
“Hated is such a strong word.” I would be forced to tell her something, but the thing was I still wasn’t sure what was going on. Landon and I had only spent a little time together…Friday night at Lucky’s and then a few hours today. It was safe to say we were nothing more than friends.
“All I can offer is that he and I are friends.”
“Friends?” Spinning around, I faced AJ and realized what Rhett referred to as the look firsthand. That motherly you will tell me what I want to know and you will tell me now look. “Friends do not dance with one another the way you two were dancing the other night. And I can assure you that friends do not get caught in a compromising position while they are supposed to be babysitting, either.”
I felt my stomach bottom out.
“We are just hanging out,” I said in a hushed whisper, “and there was no compromising anything going on. He was trying to get your son to like him.”
