The Inevitable

The ride home is different than the other rides we’ve taken, and I know it’s because there’s been a shift between us. I’ve given in, and by doing so, I’ve lowered the wall I had erected. In turn, Kolton feels less tense, as if my agreeing to go out with him has relaxed him.

Like the gentleman he is, he walks me to the door when we arrive at my place. Only, instead of saying goodbye, he gently pushes me against the wall. With one hand next to my head and the other gripping my hip, he leans in and brushes his lips against my cheek.

“You won’t regret this,” he murmurs into my ear, causing a shiver to race up my spine. “I can feel it. It’s going to be so damn good.”

He kisses the shell of my ear and then backs up. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Chapter Six

Kolton

“What’s so important that you couldn’t text me or tell me over the phone?” Keegan asks when I walk through the door. I’ve been meaning to talk to him about something, but he’s been at Blakely’s more than he’s been home lately.

“We need to talk.” I drop my briefcase on the couch and sit at the table where Keegan types away on his laptop.

“Yeah, I gathered that. So, what’s up?”

“I ran into Blakely and that asshole Brenton the other day… He had her pinned against the wall.”

Keegan’s head snaps up, giving me his full attention. “In what way?”

“Like he was threatening her or some shit. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but Blakely looked scared. She tried to play it off, but I got a weird vibe. Something isn’t right.”

“No, it’s not,” Keegan agrees. “I just need a little more time, and that fucker is going down.”

“Good. That guy is bad news.”

“I heard about your date tonight.” Keegan smirks, changing the subject. “She finally gave in, huh?”

“Yeah, now I just need to find a way to keep her.”

“I’ll be staying at Blakely’s tonight, so you have the place to yourself.”

“I already told you I’m not going to rush shit.”

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, it’ll be empty. Just make sure she’s home by early afternoon tomorrow. She’s watching Zane for me so I can take Blakely away.” He waggles his brows and stands. “I just came home to handle a couple of things. I’m heading back over to Blakely’s. Guess I’ll see you later.” He winks, and I chuck a pillow at his annoying ass.

I spend the afternoon attempting to grade papers, but eventually, I give up when the only thing I can think about is Sierra and what I’m going to do for our date tonight. I could take her to the same restaurant I had reservations at the night Keegan found out about Zane, and she bailed, but that feels like bad luck.

No, I need something different—special.

And then an idea hits.

Chapter Seven

Sierra

I’m in the bathroom, applying the last touch of makeup to my face, when the sound of someone knocking reverberates through the small apartment. Shit! Is it already six o’clock? A few moments later, Zane squeals in delight. Words are spoken, but they’re muffled, and then the pitter-patter of his feet gets louder and louder until he ends up in the bathroom with me.

“Uncle Kolton’s here,” he says, stopping in front of me. “He said he’s taking you on a date.” His nose scrunches up in disgust. “Are you going to kiss him like Mommy kisses Daddy?”

“Mayybbbeeee,” I taunt.

“Ewww. Kissing is gross! Girls have cooties!”

“What?” I gasp. “Are you saying I’ll give you cooties if I kiss you right now?”

I widen my eyes, and Zane shrieks, knowing what’s coming. Before he can dart out the door, I pick him up by his waist and pull him into my arms, raining kisses all over his face.

“Auntie Sierra, stop!” he yells through his giggles as I walk us out to the living room, not stopping my assault on his face until we arrive.

When we reach the living room, I drop him to the ground, stifling my laughter at all the lipstick kisses I left all over his face that he doesn’t know about.

“Yuck!” Zane complains, wiping his mouth, the only spot I didn’t actually kiss. “Uncle Kolton, you better be careful. Girls have cooties.”

“Hey,” Blakely says, mock hurt in her tone. “I don’t have cooties.”

“I know that,” Zane agrees. “Because you’re not a girl. You’re a mom.”

Kolton and Keegan both chuckle under their breath.

“I’ll be careful, bud,” Kolton says, “but if she tries to kiss me, I might have to risk getting cooties.”

Zane gives him an incredulous look as if he can’t believe Kolton would even consider such a thing. “I’m gonna watch the SpongeBob movie with my daddy and mommy.” He shrugs and heads over to the couch to get comfortable.

“All right,” Keegan says, his tone serious. “Curfew is eleven. No drinking and driving, and remember… no glove, no love.” He whips a condom out of his pocket and throws it at Kolton.