Finding Home

My stomach lets out a growl like it hasn’t had a bite of food in over a week. I head down the hall toward the kitchen, where I know I’ll find Colt. The smell of food hits my nose as I get closer. It smells delicious and my feet pick up the pace to see what he is making.

He’s standing over the stove, his broad back to me. When he hears me approach he turns, gracing me with that killer smile of his. My stomach growls again but it’s not the only thing that’s hungry. My eyes feast on the sight of him. I’ve looked at him plenty of times since I’ve been here but I was always sneaking to do it. I am openly checking him out and he knows it. It feels different now that I know no one has a claim on him. That he isn’t pining after someone else. The only person he seems to want right now is me.

He winks at me and gestures for me to come closer. I almost run there, unable to hold myself back from him anymore. I stop inches away from his chest, tilt my chin up and silently ask for a kiss. He grants my request, his lips meeting mine. His hand on my back pulls me tight to his hard body. I let out a small moan at the same time my stomach lets out an obnoxious growl demanding food. I feel his smile against my lips, which makes me smile also.

“There will be plenty of time for this later, sugar. First, I need to feed you.” He lifts me up and seats me on a counter bar stool easily. “One more for the road,” he says as he steals a kiss from me and walks over to the stove.

“That’s an awful short distance to justify a kiss,” I say, laughing. My thoughts drift to how comfortable I am with Colt in his home. I feel at peace here and just overall happy right now. Something has clicked inside of me that makes me want a life here. Thoughts of work have been forgotten. I’m broken from my thoughts when I hear Colt call out to Gambit before tossing the pup a piece of meat.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to feed your pets from the table.” I never understood people that could resist slipping their dog a bite every now and then. Those puppy dog eyes would get me every time.

“Gambit deserves his treat. He did as he was told.” I watch as Colt starts to plate our food. “He kept an eye on you.” He tosses another piece of steak to Gambit, who catches it in the air.

“How can that little dog keep an eye on me? I think I kept an eye on him.” Gambit barks like he doesn’t agree with me.

“I‘m going to feed you too.” Colt slides a plate in front of me with a giant steak on it. It looks better than any I’ve ever seen before and I’ve been to some of the nicest restaurants in New York. That was one of the perks I enjoyed about my job. If Mr. Weston made me suffer through a business meeting usually he had it at a fancy restaurant.

“Gambit’s got a tracker on him. Told him to stick to you.” My eyes fly up to Colt, who is sitting down a plate across from me.

“I was worried he’d get lost!” I look to Gambit, who barks. I swear it sounds like a laugh.

“I couldn’t lose Gambit if I tried.” Colt shakes his head, walking to the fridge and coming back a moment later with glasses of iced tea for both of us. He pulls up one of the kitchen stools and sits down across from me.

“Then why did you put a tracker in him?” I rebuff.

“Vet said I should get one when I finally took him in.” He shrugs.

“Finally?” I ask, knowing there is a story there. He and Gambit don’t really match up. I guess neither do Colt and I. I reach for a fork, not wanting to think about that.

“Dog followed me around everywhere. I finally just kept him.” He looks down at Gambit while shaking his head.

“I’m rather fond of little Gambit here and he can come home to New York with me if you don’t want him. Isn’t that right, Gambit?” I hear a growl that I know didn’t come from Gambit. When I look over at Colton, his jaw is tight.

“That’s going to be impossible, sugar.” He doesn’t elaborate and I don’t push him on why he seems so upset about me suggesting taking Gambit. I was only teasing.

“I was just joking about stealing Gambit.” I look down at my plate. “Thank you for dinner. The food looks and smells delicious.” I shove a piece of steak in my mouth so I don’t start jabbering on any more than I already have. I suddenly feel shy, not sure what I should say.