Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Easton

I glanced down at my phone for the third time expecting to get a text message from Kati that she was canceling on me. It was clear by the time I left her house that morning that nerves had set in.

She was fine last night, when I first told her what was going to happen, but I chalked up her agreement to the lust. I had known she could change her mind in the light of the morning. What I hadn't accounted for was Lucien overhearing us. I had never been so grateful for slowing things down. The situation could've been completely different if I had given in to my urges and fucked her against the wall like I wanted to.

Instead, I was rewarded with appreciation from Kati's son, something I both wanted and needed more than I thought possible. This wasn't just about Kati and me. Lucien's opinion mattered, and if he decided tomorrow he didn't want me anywhere near his mother, I would have to walk away. Never would I come between a mother and son. I had seen it happen before, had lived it. I wouldn’t force Kati to make the same mistakes my mother did. Even if I knew I was a better man than my mother's second husband could ever be.

"Man, are you even listening to me?"

Shit. I had forgotten Nolen was on the phone. My mind had been taking a trip down memory lane, despite not having thought about my mother in years.

"Sorry, I was distracted."

"Dude, she's not going to cancel on you. Lyla practically skipped to the door an hour ago to help her get ready."

I glared down at the phone sitting in my cup holder. "How do you know Lyla is helping her get ready?" Last time I checked, my friend was supposed to be sitting outside in his vehicle after he replaced Hendrix a couple of hours ago.

"Umm because Lyla told me that's what she was there for as she skipped on by. Literally skipped. That woman wouldn't know subtle if it smacked her in the head."

Didn't I know it? No one had ever called me out on my shit the way Lyla did. Not even Hendrix, and that was saying something.

"You're staying the entire night, correct?" I confirmed.

It was still early in the evening but it made me feel better that it would be one person continuously rather than a change of guard. I trusted everyone on my team, but between Hendrix and Nolen, I knew which one was more honorable.

Besides, Hendrix would've given me shit when I showed up in a nice pair of jeans and my green Henley. My friend didn't wear anything but black, so a pop of color would've been enough to cause him to rag on my ass.

"I am. Lyla said I was more than welcome to hang out with them for the evening so I didn't get bored."

"Do you plan on taking her up on that offer?"

Nolen was a great guy. He always had a smile for everyone, and I'm sure he and Lucien would get along great.

"Debatable. The kid is cool, but I have no idea if I can match Lyla's level of energy. I know you guys say I have a lot, but that woman puts me to shame."

Laughter burst out of my mouth without my permission and relaxed all the muscles I didn't realize had tensed up due to my nerves. I was barely a minute away from Kati's house and felt so much lighter than I had when I was getting ready. I owed my friend for that.

"I see your truck. Be there in a second."

I ended the call and let my newfound calm take over. I didn't do dates, so it wasn't much of a surprise that I needed one of my friends to ground me.

Nolen was out of his vehicle before I completely stopped and parked. I met him where he leaned against the hood and glanced around the neighborhood.

"It's kinda eerie knowing how many people are watching us right now and not a single one is a threat."

"I'm not sure I would say none of them are a threat. There's one out there, just hard to pick out the difference when so many people are watching."

In our line of work, we learned pretty quickly to listen to our instincts. One of those was when to know when someone was watching you, a talent that came in handy when a threat was focused on you. Not so great when everyone on the block was nosy and watched every move you made. It was making our job harder than it needed to be.

"A lot of people rave about small-town living. Aaron was no different, but I have to admit, it's a little creepy. I'm used to the anonymity that city life afforded me."

"What city life is that? You've spent the last twenty-five-plus years traveling the world same as me. Half the time we were in the desert or on base. What city life could you possibly be referring to?"

Nolen chuckled. He crossed one foot over the other and gave me his standard lopsided smile. The same one he wore nearly every hour of the day, even in the middle of shit hitting the fan.

"You know damn well I was born and raised in New York City. You can take the man out of the city but you can't take the city out of the man. Even after all these years, the blaring of horns and shouting of residents is music to my ears. This much quiet is freaky. Not sure how people live like this."

I playfully punched my friend on the shoulder. "Better get used to it. Pretty sure this is your life from here on out."

The light turning off in Kati's bedroom was my cue that I needed to get my ass moving. If she was done getting ready, then I needed to knock before she had time to freak out. With any luck, Lyla had reminded Kati why this was a good idea. It helped to have someone in my corner.

I barely had my foot on the landing before the door swung open. Standing there with one hand on the door, and a smirk on his face, was none other than Lucien.

"Glad to know you can be on time."

I glanced down at my watch. It was six fifty. I wasn't just on time. I was ten minutes early. I figured it was better to stand outside Kati's house and have someone to talk to than to sit around my house alone where I had time to overthink what I was about to do.

"I'm a man who prefers to keep my word."

"I don't need to know that." Lucien cringed. "Not after what I heard you say to my mom last night."

I don't think I've ever blushed in my nearly fifty years, but here I was; if I looked in the mirror, my face would be as red as a tomato because it just dawned on me that every dirty thing I said to Kati was overheard by her teenage son.

"Lucien, stop embarrassing Easton and let him in." Lyla stepped up behind the boy and smacked the back of his head. I'm pretty sure Lucien mumbled something about crazy aunts but he slipped away before I could fully let the words sink in.

"Well, don't you clean up nice? And good choice with the shirt. The green really makes your eyes pop."

"Uhh, thanks?" I looked down at my outfit.

I wanted to believe that her comment was sincere but the sparkle in her eyes, and the way she was holding back a laugh, made me wonder if I was on the outside of some joke.

"Come on in. Our girl is ready and too much time alone will result in her finding some reason to change her mind. She needs this. You need this. I need this for her. I'm getting sexual deprivation by association.”

"Lyla!" Kati hissed from a different part of the house.

I looked around but didn't see her at first. Then like a fantasy come to life, Kati stepped out of the bathroom and stole my breath. She was the vision of perfection in a sundress just a few shades darker than my shirt. Her brown hair cascaded down around her shoulders in beautiful waves and framed her face. Kati had gone the route of minimal makeup, just enough to make her eyes shine brightly and a shimmer on her lips that I couldn't wait to lick off.

"Beautiful." The word came out on an exhale as I moved closer. When I was close enough that I could take her hands in mine, I leaned forward so that my lips brushed against the shell of her ear. "Absolutely breathtaking."

I stepped back and watched her green eyes darken with lust. It sent a thrill right through me to know I had the same effect on her that she had on me.

"You ready to go?"

Kati's tongue flicked out and traced along her lips. My cock took notice and wished that tongue had something else to lick.

Patience. One step at a time.

Even though the plan was for Kati to spend the night at my place, if she had changed her mind, I would respect that decision. We were taking things at her pace.

"I just need to grab my purse and bag from my bedroom."

Damn, I could watch her walk away any time. An ass like that was meant to be cradled in a man's hands. Preferably mine.

"Now do I need to go over some rules for the night?"

I turned around to see Lyla watching our interaction with a smirk on her face.

"Rules?" I lifted my eyebrow but gave her my full attention. "Go ahead. Lay them on me."

"Rule number one: Be a gentleman. I shouldn't have to tell you that, but let this be a reminder that if I find out you weren't, I will make your life hell. Not a hard feat in a town this small. One rumor and every woman within a twenty-mile radius will steer clear of you and your red, pimply, swollen, infected dick."

I didn't allow my hand to reach down and cover myself like I wanted, but I did fidget at the mental image Lyla painted. No wonder the woman was an artist. She had a way of bringing an image to life.

"Rule number two: Wrap it up. I know we've already had the ‘wanting kids’ discussion, so make sure you protect the two of you. We don't need any more accidental pregnancies for our girl. The first one turned out amazing and there's no topping Lucien."

It was good to know Lyla thought that. From what I've seen, Lucien was an amazing teenager. Kati had done a good job. But even so, I wasn't looking to add more kids to the mix. Intentionally or accidentally.

"Done. Anything else?"

"Yes, one more. Rule number three: You better return my best friend happier than when she left me."

Well, damn. Lyla knew how to lay on the pressure.

"I'll do my best." I wasn't wearing a collared shirt but suddenly I felt like I couldn't breathe. I cleared my throat and stepped back into the front entryway to wait for Kati.

She didn't make me wait long. When she walked straight up to me and placed her hand on my arm, all the noise bouncing around my mind quieted down. Just like that. A simple touch and my worries floated away.

I knew without a shadow of a doubt I had what it took to make this woman happy. I just needed to let myself be me and to stop overthinking every move I made.

"Let me take that for you."

I grabbed the bag and wrapped my other arm around her waist. We said good night to Lucien and Lyla before making our way out to my truck. As soon as Kati was settled into the passenger seat, I leaned in and gave her a kiss.

It wasn't like the one we shared last night. It was a sweet promise of what was to come.

"I've been waiting to do that all day," I told her as soon as I pulled away and met her eyes. I let my hands skim up her neck and just held her face for a moment. I wanted Kati to see the sincerity of my words.

"You can kiss me anytime you want."

"Good to know." I smacked another quick peck on the corner of her mouth before stepping back and slamming the door shut. I moved around to my side and climbed in. I could feel Nolen's eyes on me, as well as Lyla's. I was sure there were probably a few of the neighbors too, but I paid them no mind. I was taking Kati out and there was no one who was going to stop me.