Falling Fast

“Hopefully they’ll get that all sorted out soon.”

“I hope so,” I let out a breath. “Grandma’s insurance is covering her right now, but I don’t know if that will last long term. If it doesn’t, I’m going to have to find a way to pay for her to stay at the nursing home until I can sell the house for her.”

“Let me know if you need me to help you out.”

“It should be okay. Except to pay for school, I still haven’t touched the little bit of money my dad left me. If I need to, I’ll use that.”

“Still, you know you can ask me and I’ll give you whatever I can.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s what best friends are for.”

“So when do I get to be the one to save you?” I joke.

“You got suspended for beating up Nick Krouger when we were eight when he put gum in my hair. I think we’re even.”

“I enjoyed beating him up,” I mutter, and she laughs. It’s not a lie. I did enjoy it. He was a bully; he picked on everyone all the time. And after I punched him in the nose, he stopped doing that and actually became a good friend.

“Speaking of beating people up, how are things with Colton’s ex?”

“She’s been quiet. I don’t know if her dad talking to her worked, but she hasn’t been around again.” I say leaving out the fact that her friends did come by the bar when Colton’s friend Evan was in town with his girlfriend June.

“That’s good.”

“It is. Hopefully it stays that way,” I sigh.

“I hate to let you go, but I need to get to sleep, I have court in the morning at eight, but I need to be up by five to go over a few things before I head into the city.”

“Get some sleep.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Call me soon. Don’t wait so long next time.”

“I won’t,” I promise, hanging up when she does. Dropping my cell phone into my lap, I bend over and place my face close to Loki’s. “You get to meet my best friend soon,” I tell him, burying both my hands in the fur on either side of his head, and he lets out a huff then his ears perk up.

Hearing the purr of a motorcycle engine getting closer, I lift my head and watch Colton pull up and park in front of the house. I knew he would be a sight to behold on his bike, but I had no idea just how turned on I would get seeing him straddle the seat, put on his black helmet, and start the engine this morning. When I saw all that, I wanted to run out the door after him and make him come back inside to take care of me. It was even hotter than when he came to get his keys in the middle of the night before the fire happened.

As Loki takes off down the steps to greet Colton, I pick up my wine glass and walk over to the railing. I lean against it, smiling as he takes off his helmet and puts it on the seat behind him before running his hand through his hair.

“How was work?” I ask, and his eyes come to me then heat as they travel over his T-shirt I have on, and my bare legs.

“Good.” He dismounts and comes toward the house, his eyes never leaving mine, even as he pets Loki. “I like coming home to find you in nothing but my shirt, standing on the porch and drinking wine,” he says, climbing the steps and right to me, wrapping his hand around my hip and touching his mouth to mine.

“I also have on socks,” I inform him when he leans back, and he smiles, dropping his eyes to my feet.

“I see.” His hand skates up my naked outer thigh and over my hip, then under the edge of the panties I have on. “Were you waiting out here for me to get home?” he asks, skimming his fingers along the edge of fabric, across my stomach, and down over my pubic bone. “You’re wet.”

Latching onto his shoulders I dig my nails into his leather jacket. “I came out here to call Nat,” I reply breathlessly, and his fingers slip between my legs as my head falls back to my shoulders.

“Look at me, baby.” Lifting my head, I hold his gaze as he circles my clit with his thumb. “Were you waiting for me to get home?” he asks again, and I nod. I was waiting for him to get home. I wanted to see him again on his bike, but this time I wanted to be able to have him after I saw him.

“Colton.” My hips jerk and my head falls back again as his thumb circles faster.