Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Easton

"That wasn't awkward or anything."

I gave Nolen a look that would've made most men quiver in their boots. "I told you I shouldn't have come."

Nolen threw his hands up. "How the hell was I supposed to know you were going to stand there and stare at her like a creeper? I thought you had more game than that."

Game? I echoed the thought out loud. "Game? Really? I'm forty-nine years old. Do we say things like game?" I was in way over my head when it came to women at this point in my life. Too many years spent randomly hooking up would do that to a guy.

"Hell if I know, but whatever that was, was the opposite of keeping it cool. I didn't think it was possible to make someone so uncomfortable."

I took the hat off my head and scrubbed at my hair. "I wasn't trying to make her uncomfortable."

"She's uncomfortable because she finds you attractive."

Nolen and I spun around, both of us reaching for the weapons strapped to our hips. But my hand fell away when I recognized the teenager standing in front of us.

"Sneaking up on people is a good way to get yourself killed," Nolen grumbled.

I was sure my buddy's statement would scare the kid, but he merely shoved his hands in his pockets like the threat wasn't a big deal. The kid was either brave or stupid.

"Lucien, right?"

Kati hadn't formally introduced me or my team to her son, but the fact that he was the one to open the front door made it easy to guess his identity. Plus, he had been the one sitting with her at the diner the night before.

"That's right."

The kid had a confidence about him that should come off as cocky but somehow didn't. It felt more like the kid was comfortable in his skin and who he was. Something that I would think would be rare in a teenager.

"Does your mother know you're out here?" Nolen questioned with more force than necessary. It immediately put me on guard. For some strange reason, I felt protective of this kid even though he didn't seem to need it.

"She's currently hiding in the bathroom. My guess is that she needed a minute to put herself back together. She doesn't like to show emotion around me."

"I'm guessing she also wouldn't like you spilling all her secrets." I put my hat back on my head, but this time backward so Lucien could see my eyes and the warning I was trying to give him. It wasn't cool that he was sneaking outside and ratting his mother out.

"No, she wouldn't, but you're the first guy she's shown any interest in for my entire life. That's got to mean something and I'm not about to let her hide because of me."

This kid had balls of steel. I admired that about him even if I didn't agree with what he was doing.

"What makes you think she's hiding because of you?" I didn't have the slightest clue why I was entertaining the conversation when I should be starting on the security system, but here I was asking questions.

The kid scoffed like the answer should be obvious and maybe it was. "Because she's a single mother of a teenager and every decision she makes is because of me. That includes swearing off men. I might be a kid, but I'm not stupid. She probably thinks I don't want her to date."

Don't ask. Don't ask. Don't ask.

"Do you want her to date?" I had zero control over my mouth today, obviously.

"I want her to be happy, and if that means dating, then sure, I want her to do it. I know who my sperm donor is. I know he was a shitty human being and he basically messed up her life when he got her pregnant. She deserves better than that. She deserves someone in her life other than me and Aunt Lyla."

Was I supposed to correct him for the use of vulgar language? I didn't know the first thing about parenting. Not that I was trying to be his parent but I didn't want to screw him up either. I decided to let it slide this one time.

"Why are you telling me all this?" This conversation was bizarre, but no matter how much I knew I should stop it, I couldn't.

"I've seen the way you look at her."

"Yes, but you don't know me."

This time Lucien shrugged. "You're right, I don't, but you're friends with Aaron and everyone in town speaks highly of him. I figured you have to be semi-decent if the two of you are friends." Then the kid met my eyes and shocked the hell out of me. "Besides, you know exactly what's in my DNA. If it turns out you're not the guy I think you are, then I'll find a way to kill you."

With that parting shot, the kid walked around the house and disappeared.

Nolen whistled. "Got to respect a kid who sticks up for his mother."

I continued to stare at where Lucien walked off to. I could say with complete honesty this was the first time I had ever been threatened by someone so young. I wasn't sure how I felt about it either.

"Let's get started."

We were halfway through getting the cameras installed when Kati stepped out onto the back deck. This time her hair hung in loose waves down her back. Her face didn't have a stitch of makeup and I couldn't help but stare at her beauty. Everything about her was natural and perfect.

"Can I get you guys anything to eat or drink?"

Hell, even her voice mesmerized me. There was nothing about her that I didn't like.

"No, thank you, ma'am."

"Ma'am?" Kati chuckled at Nolen's answer. "I would hope I don't look that old."

My friend laughed with her and it made me want to punch him in the face. As much as I liked the sound of her laughter, I didn't want it to be in response to another man. Even if I knew that man had no interest in her other than as a client.

"Not at all. Old habits are hard to break though," Nolen responded.

Kati's smile was electric and for once it didn't look forced when she turned it on me. "How about you, Easton? Is there anything I can get you?"

Suddenly an image of Kati on her knees, pulling my cock out of my shorts, popped into my head. I doubt that was what she meant when she asked her question, but it was sure as fuck where my mind went.

"No, thanks." The words sounded like they were ripped out of my throat and rocks took up residence in my mouth. I wasn't even sure they were recognizable at this point. Considering my response caused Kati's lips to turn down in a frown, I knew it sounded even worse to her.

"Well, okay. I'll leave you guys to it, then."

I wanted to slap myself. Nolen was kind enough to wait until Kati was back inside the house before he rounded on me and did the slapping for me. Right on the side of the head, no less.

"What the fuck was that? This is not the Easton I've known for over twenty years. Since when did you become a bumbling idiot?"

I grabbed the next camera and stomped over to where we’d agreed to mount it. Those were valid questions but the problem was I didn't have answers to them. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me.

Talking had never been a problem for me, and my friends liked to tease that I was a good listener. In the Marines, guys would seek me out for advice because I would encourage them and give them the push they needed. I was the nice guy, and yes, I knew that nice guys always finished last, but I was okay with that. I would rather help hundreds of others than do one selfish thing.

However, all of that seemed to vanish into thin air the moment Kati was within ten feet of me. I got tongue-tied and didn't know how to fix it. For once, I didn't have the answer, and the usual nice guy disappeared. Just like earlier at the office when I refused to leave so my friends could handle the assignment.

"You really like her, don't you?"

"What, are we a couple of teenagers? Besides, she's a client. Last time I checked, it wasn't appropriate to have feelings for someone who hired us. I might not be business savvy but even I know that crosses too many lines."

"Sure, if you became some crazy stalker, but if the feelings are mutual . . ." Nolen left it at that and turned back to the installation he was doing.

It gave me something to think about. I was worried about the power dynamic. Not only had Kati hired us, but she was dependent on my team to keep her safe. If I started something with her and it went south, how would she feel about my team protecting her?

That was enough of a reason for me to stay away. Kati needed to be safe more than I needed to get my dick wet. It had been a while since I got laid, what was a few more months?