Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

C ady was going to do this. She'd put her hands on his legs and was a goner. Even if this was a one-night thing and her heart was broken, it would be worth it. The way he had defended her and the things he said about her were so much sexier than saying she was pretty. Although, knowing he found her sexy was also really nice.

Cady stood up and she smiled at the confused look on Colton's face. She turned her back to him, looking down the small hallway toward his room.

"Let's see what you have to show me, Mr. December."

Cady peeled her shirt off as she walked toward his room. She didn't look back and hoped he'd follow. She didn't need to worry. The second she was in his room, his hands were on her. She thought he'd move fast, but he didn't.

Colton's hands rubbed down her arms as his lips fluttered against her neck. Cady moved her head, giving him access to her neck as his hands ran back up her arms, stopping on her shoulders. His finger slid slowly under her bra as he slid one strap down. Colton followed its path with his lips before doing the same for her other strap.

Cady didn't realize she was pushing her bottom against him until she felt his hardness against her. It turned her on even more and gave her sexual confidence she didn't know she had. It had been six years since she'd been with Jordan. She'd been an adventurous twenty-two year old then. Now she was older and wiser but somehow more self-conscious. Yet, feeling Colton's erection and hearing the soft words he whispered to her about how beautiful she was made her feel like a goddess.

Cady reached behind her head, spearing her fingers through his hair as he continued to kiss her neck while he unclasped her bra. It fell to the floor where they were standing at the foot of the bed. Colton reached around her and cupped her breasts, teasing her nipples and causing her to groan.

Slowly, Colton ran his hands down her sides until he reached her pants. He slipped his fingers under the waist and pushed them down as he continued his feather-light kisses.

"Is this a boyfriend audition or do I have the position?" Colton asked as his hand dipped between her legs, causing all kinds of fire to race through her body.

"What are your qualifications for the position?" Cady was struggling to keep her attention on the conversation.

"I'm incredibly loyal. I can cook and I clean. I like to think I have a good sense of humor. I'm not intimidated by strong, intelligent women like yourself. In fact, I find it incredibly sexy. I love to support people I care about. Oh, and I'm very talented with my hands."

Cady stopped talking as Colton demonstrated his talent. She couldn't form words as one hand went to her breast and the other went to work between her legs. When his audition was done, she slumped against him. His arm wrapped around his waist, holding her up, and he guided her to sit down on the bed.

"So, do I have the position of boyfriend?"

Cady could only smile at the smirk on his face. She loved it. "I'm enjoying the audition process. But you had me at cooking."

Colton's head tossed back and he laughed. "So, are we going to do this?" he asked when he looked down at her.

"Well, I'm sitting on your bed naked. I think that's a good sign."

Colton looked at her hungrily but didn't strip yet. "I like seeing you in my bed, angel. But since this is a new relationship, we don't have to rush anything. I want to go at your pace."

Cady glanced around the room, scooted back on the bed, and leaned onto her elbows. "Are you getting naked and making love to your girlfriend or what?"

Colton was on the early shift at the fire station and Cady needed to get home, shower, and get ready for another day of the conference. However, lying naked in bed with Colton's arms wrapped around her after making love twice last night was a damn good reason to be late.

"I wish I could stay in bed all day with you, angel, but I have to get going." Colton kissed her, his hand lingering over her breast as he did so before he reluctantly climbed from bed. "Feel free to stay as long as you want. You're welcome in my house anytime you want. I can give you the code for the front door lock. I'd love to come home to the surprise of you in my bed."

"I need to get going too, but thank you. You're welcome at my home too. Anytime. I think I'm going to like this relationship."

"I already do." Colton bent down and kissed her one more time before she stood up and swatted his perfect ass as he walked toward his shower.

Spending the night with Colton was a perfect way to make her forget about the mice.

"Why did you groan?" Colton asked over the sound of running water.

"I forgot about the mice."

"I have an idea for that," Colton called out. "I'll stop by after your conference wraps up for the day and my shift ends."

"Thanks! Crap, I have to go. I'll see you tonight."

Cady didn't bother brushing her hair. She barely got her shoes on as she rushed out the door and straight into a hard chest.

"Shoot, I'm sorry," Cady blurted before looking up into a very familiar set of eyes. Hazel, just like his son's. "Mr. Davies!"

"If you're running out of my son's house with your shirt on inside out and only one shoe on, I think you can call me Cade."

"Oh, it's ...um . . . Yeah, I gotta go. Please don't tell Mrs. Davies."

Cade grinned, his smile so much like Colton's. "Don't worry, Cady. I won't say a word."

Colton heard the front door open and close as he got out of his rushed shower. He hadn't stopped smiling since he and Cady had made it official last night. Colton grabbed the towel and walked out of the bathroom as he dried his hair. His angel must want a quickie before work.

"Miss me already?"

Colton froze for just a split second before moving the towel to cover himself. "Dad! What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to stop by and see if you were going to be able to make it to family dinner this weekend. Plus, your mother wanted me to drop this off. She thinks you don't eat enough."

Colton cringed. He loved his mother. Bless her heart, she just wasn't the best cook.

"Should I put it in the usual place?" his father asked.

"Yeah, thanks." Colton watched as his father tossed the Ziplock bag of... something into the trash. "Tell her thank you and that I can't wait to eat it."

"Go get dressed. We have to talk."

Dread filled him. His father had been in the military then he'd been a high school teacher and football coach. He was currently using that voice—the one that said Colton was about to be lectured.

Colton dressed and when he came out of his bedroom, he found his father cleaning up the dinner for two that had been left out. "Is everything okay?" Colton asked, trying to play it cool.

"I ran into Cady on my way in." Most people would make an excuse, but Colton knew better. He kept his mouth shut and his face carefully blank, giving his father no indication of how he was feeling about this. Internally, he was freaking out. "I thought I told you to stay away from her."

"No, you said she was too good for me. I agree. She is. But for some reason, she likes me and I like her."

His father groaned. "You stubborn man. Do you have any idea what I'll have to put up with if this gets out? Your mother and all your aunts... oh God, your grandmother! They'll have you booked with Father Ben within the hour."

"And what would be wrong with that?" Colton was used to his playboy persona and being teased about it but enough was enough. He wasn't a bad guy. He was certainly worthy of love and marriage.

"We both know you're not going to propose. Let it run its course and then be done with it without getting your mother all worked up about wedding bells and more grandchildren."

Colton frowned. Who said he wasn't going to propose? Sure, they just started dating, but they'd been friends for years and the chemistry between them last night was equivalent to the heat of a five-alarm fire.

"Sure, Dad." Colton grabbed his keys from the counter. "I have to run an errand before work."

Colton and his father were rarely in opposition, but this time he was afraid he'd say something mean to his father. Well, he'd show his father and his uncles. This was real. The feelings he had for Cady weren't the run of the mill lust. Sure, lust was part of it, but it was so much more. She had a backbone. She had drive. She had passion, in and out of the bedroom. She was simply amazing. Colton didn't know how he got lucky enough for Cady to take a chance on him. His father was right about that. She was too good for him, but Colton wanted to show Cady every day that he was worth the risk.

Colton pulled into Wyatt Farm minutes later. Wyatt, Colton's cousin, was outside with his wife, Camila, and their baby, Ruth. They stopped walking and stared at Colton as he parked.

"Hey. I was about to call you," Wyatt said as he held little Ruth, who was currently chewing on her father's finger. Drool was pooling on her bib and Wyatt acted as if it were nothing for his hand to be treated as if it were a chew toy.

Camila said hello and pulled out a tube of bright red lipstick. "Good to see you again, Colton. But I have to go make my rounds kissing the horses. They get all anxious if I don't do it by nine. Do you want me to take Ruth?"

"Nah, I got her." Wyatt kissed his wife and she winked at him as she left. Wyatt's grandmother had kissed the horses every morning with her signature bright red lipstick. Camila was carrying on the tradition after Wyatt inherited the farm upon Mrs. Wyatt's death. "What's going on?"

"I need some cats."

Wyatt blinked. "I thought you were more of a dog guy? After all, your family's had bearded collies since before I was born."

"The cats aren't for me. Cady has a mice problem at the distillery. I thought some friendly distillery cats might help."

Wyatt owned the horse farm, but he and his mother, Katelyn, were also veterinarians. They knew all the animals that needed homes.

"I can help with that. Kandi and Bill Rawlings have several rescues. I think they are keeping one, but there are two kittens, about five months old now, and are looking for homes for them. I have to warn you, one is an orange tabby and they can be... unique. The other is a Maine Coon rescue. She's going to be huge. Like, really big." Kandi and Bill were Colton's parents' age. He was good friends with their daughter, Tandy Rawlings.

"Great. Do you think it's a good idea?" Colton asked his cousin.

"I do. They're really sweet rescues, and they're already showing incredible hunting drive. They'll do really well there. I'll text her and make sure they're still available. Here." Wyatt handed Ruth over to Colton.

Colton easily took the baby and played with her as much as you could play with a young baby while Wyatt sent the text. Colton would make a great father. He'd always wanted kids, but the timing hadn't been right. Or was it the partner? Was it right now?

"Kandi said she'll have them all ready for you to pick up in fifteen minutes. Now, I'm glad you stopped by, because I wanted to run something by you," Wyatt said.

"Sure, anything." Colton and his cousins were extremely close. They all grew up together and were all as close as siblings.

"I got a call from a horse farm owner in Lexington. His wife had gotten a bearded collie because of how pretty she thought they were with that long hair." Colton could already see where this was going. "She didn't expect the high energy herding dog that came with the pretty long hair."

"Let me guess, it's herding the very expensive race horses?" Colton asked, but he already knew the answer.

"Exactly. She's just eight months old. She's been fully trained and is apparently incredibly smart, which might be the problem."

"Ah, the typical beardie stubbornness mixed with intelligence and natural herding drive."

"The owners think the dog believes she's smarter than they are. They called me since I have a bit of a reputation for finding homes for animals, be it horses, cats, or dogs. They said if I didn't have a place for her, they'd just send her to the humane society."

Colton frowned. "She doesn't respect them. That's why she's acting up. I would say the timing isn't great for me to get a dog, but I won't let her end up in the shelter. If she doesn't work with me, I know my parents will take her."

"Great. Let me give the owner a call."

"I can't get her today. My shift starts soon and I need to pick up the cats," Colton told him as he placed the call.

"Dixie, it's Dr. Davies. I think I found a home for your girl." Wyatt glanced up at Colton. "He can't get her today. He's the fire chief here in Keeneston and needs to be at the fire station." Wyatt muted the phone. "She's in the car driving to the humane society. She wants to know if she can drop her off at the fire station. She can be here in thirty minutes. She said one way or the other the dog was gone today."

"I see why the dog doesn't like her. Give her the address. I'll grab the cats and meet her there in thirty minutes."

Colton hopped into his car and took off toward town. Kandi and Bill lived near the station, so it wouldn't take too long to get there. Kandi was waiting on her porch with a large brown box on each side of her.

"Colton, honey, thank you so much for taking these rascals off our hands. Wyatt said they were going to Cady's distillery. They'll be perfect there. They love people but have already killed my slippers, the duster, and all of Tandy's old Alvin and the Chipmunks stuffed animals." Colton had to smile at that. It did seem as if they'd be perfect for the distillery. "They're all fixed, one boy and one girl. And I didn't know if Cady was going to let them indoors, but I'm sending their litter box, some litter, and their food and bowls with you to give to her. Tell her to call me anytime if she has any questions and I'll be sure to stop by and see them soon."

"Thank you, Kandi." Colton reached into the box with the cats inside and was instantly being rubbed against as the box began to vibrate with the purrs of the cats. "They sure are sweet."

"We've worked really hard to socialize them."

"You've done a good job. I hate to cut this short, but I have someone dropping off a dog at the station any minute."

"You're in full rescue mode, aren't you? You know, Tandy loves men who love pets."

Yeah, that was his signal to leave. He wasn't going to be set up with Tandy. He liked Tandy—don't get him wrong—but Tandy wasn't Cady and Cady was the only woman he wanted.

"See you soon!" Colton called out as he loaded the boxes into his SUV and drove the short way to the station.