The Dirty South

  I look down at the huge collection again. “But… that almost looks like all of them—”

  “One hundred and twenty-seven to be exact. Some were already bought before I got there.”

  I stare at him, dumfounded. “But… all of them? Are you trying to give yourself diabetes or something?”

  He’s standing so close to me I need all my self-control not to reach out and wrap my arms around him. I want to, but I won’t.

  He obviously can resist me… so I certainly should be able resist him.

  But his musky scent and the heat of his body as he stands so close… it’s like he’s taunting me.

  Well, two can play that game.

  I take a small step away from him, and catch his eyes flash in the dark.

  “Like I said, I’m really picky.” His voice is low and husky. “So if I find something I really like, I take it.”

  He moves closer and his eyes grow more intense. I feel a subtle shift. Something has changed. He wants to kiss me. But more importantly… I want to let him.

  But I can’t.

  “That’s a whole lotta cookies for just one guy,” I say, raising an eyebrow. I reach out and quickly pat his taut abs. “Good thing you like running so much.”

  This gets a chuckle out of him. “Okay, you got me. They’re not all for me, obviously. Gonna give a bunch to Willie—that man has a ridiculous sweet tooth. Gonna give some to Della Mae and her kids, then gonna bring in a bunch for the guys in the shop.”

  He gets a devilish smirk on his face. “But make no mistake, I’ll definitely be enjoying plenty myself. Even if it means running ten extra miles, it’ll be worth it.”

  I slowly inch away again. I need to remind myself that I still have control here. “Is that water for me?” I ask pointedly, glancing down at the pitcher on the counter.

  “Oh right, yeah.” He looks at me for a moment, then opens the cabinet and takes out two glasses. He fills them up and hands one to me, keeping the other for himself.

  “Thanks.” I smile and take a sip. He reaches over and grabs a cookie, and takes a big bite.

  “Delicious.”

  We finish the rest of the movie, but I swear to God if someone held a gun to my head demanding to know how it ended, I wouldn’t be able to tell them. Colton is sitting really close now… any closer and we’d actually be touching. And he’s all I can think about. I can’t even hear what the dumb actors are saying. I only hear his sexy voice on a loop in my mind.

  I’ve been so caught up in my feelings for Colton, I’ve barely even noticed the storm still raging outside. Somehow being in here with him makes me feel good… safe. All the horrors from before seem insignificant and securely at bay.

  That is, until we’re suddenly pitched into total darkness and the room becomes silent.

  “Ummm…”

  “Yeah, we just lost power,” Colton observes. It’s so dark I can barely see his shadow.

  “Think it’ll come back on soon?” It’s one thing to be sitting in the dark by choice. It’s a whole other thing to be trapped in a pitch black room with a hot guy I’m already having a tough enough time staying away from.

  “Hard to say. Might come right back, might be hours. There’s a generator behind the main house if we really need it. I can go over there –”

  “No, don’t. I mean, it’s getting pretty late anyways. Maybe we should just go to bed?” I pause. “I mean, go to sleep?”

  He’s quiet for a moment, and I wish I could see his expression right now. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s been a long day.”

  “Where should I—”

  “Stay here… don’t move.” He rests his hand on my thigh as he stands up, sending a chill up my leg.

  He slowly makes his way across the room and over to the bookcase. I hear a drawer opening, and then the sizzle of a lighter as he ignites the wick of a tall candle.

  He disappears into the bedroom, taking the candle with him, and in a moment returns carrying what appears to be a blanket and a pillow under his arm. He tosses them on the cushion beside me.

  “Thanks.”

  “Those aren’t for you, they’re for me,” he says gruffly. “I’ll crash out here. You go sleep in my bed.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m fine on the couch—”

  “No. In the room you go. Come on.” He reaches out his hand and pulls me up, and we follow the flickering light into the bedroom.

  He carefully sets the candle down on the nightstand beside the bed, and the flame casts dancing shadows across the walls. My heart begins to race.

  Colton turns back to me.

  He doesn’t say a word. And he doesn’t let go of my hand.

  Instead, he squeezes it softly and pulls me closer to him… pulls me to that perfect place where I so badly long to be.

  He places his other hand gently on my hip, and my bones tremble at his touch. The tip of his finger sneaks between the top of my pants and the bottom of my shirt, sending cold waves of electric fire across my abdomen. I catch my breath, and his gaze never wavers from my face. He gently squeezes my hand. Then slowly, deliberately, he traces the curve of my hip, and his fingers move to my wrist. He moves up my arm… his touch so feather-light it sends a shiver all the way to my toes. He reaches my throat and gently pushes back my hair, and strokes the slender curve of my neck.

  I stand perfectly still in the flickering candlelight… under his spell, as his fingers softly dance along my cheek and to my ear. His rough hands feel tender against my skin, and his finger grazes lightly across my lips.

  He holds my hand and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. His eyes are only inches from mine.

  “Tell me to stop,” he says, his voice raw.

  Oh, God.

  “Don’t stop,” I whisper. For a while neither of us moves, as time stands still. Then his lips are on mine with an unexpected softness. I feel my body relaxing, as he slowly massages my lips with his. His hand gently cups my chin, and he starts to take the kiss deeper.

  I feel a passion stirring deep inside of me, as the spark I felt before slowly grows into a flame.

  He pulls back slightly, and softly kisses my cheek and down my neck. I shiver again, as his fingers delicately trace up and down my bare arm.

  Then he stops. He graces my lips with the lightest of kisses, and looks at me.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers, so quietly I can barely hear him.

  “I’m not,” I breathe.

  He gradually releases me from his embrace. My body cries out for more, I so badly want to pull him back to me, but I don’t. Something holds me back. We both stand there, silently, in the candlelight.

  Finally, he lets out a deep breath.

  “Goodnight, Cadence St. Claire.” His voice is low.

  Then, he slowly turns and walks out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

  I sink down on the bed. “Goodnight, Colton Lassiter,” I whisper back.

  Chapter 18.

  When I open my eyes, bright sunlight is streaming in through the shades. It takes me a second to orient myself to my surroundings, but suddenly the memories of last night come rushing back. I smile as I pull the blankets around me and roll over on Colton’s pillow, breathing in the scent that is uniquely him. Just smelling him again brings it all back—him kissing me, touching me.

  The clock on the wall says it’s almost 10 o’clock. How did I sleep so late? I try to squash the nerves in my stomach as I get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. A light is on in the hallway, so obviously the power came back on sometime during the night. I keep an ear out for Colton, but it’s strangely quiet.

  I splash some water on my face, and note my cheeks have a slight redness from where his rough face rubbed against them. I smile again. Who knew making out with someone could be so… hot? He obviously knows what he’s doing.

  Unlike me.

  I run my hands through my hair and tie it back in a loose ponytail. Not exactly supermodel material, bu
t I have no other choice. I take a deep breath and go back through the bedroom to the main living area.

  He’s not here.

  The couch is empty, and the blankets are neatly folded with the pillow on top.

  “Hello? Colton?”

  Nothing.

  Okay…

  I wander into the kitchen and immediately spot three things on the counter: my keys, my cell phone, and a note. I pick up the piece of paper.

  Vivi found these and dropped them off for you earlier.

  That’s it.

  That’s it?

  I flip it over. Nothing on the other side. I mean, it’s not like I’m expecting a Shakespearian sonnet, but even a ‘hey’ would’ve been nice.

  I wonder where Colton is, and why he’s gone, but I am relieved to be able to get myself more presentable in the comfort of my own place. I grab my dirty clothes from last night and hurry across the gardens. Willie is on his front porch in his rocking chair working on his carvings, and there’s a plate of my cookies on a stand next to him.

  “That Miss Cady I see out there?” he calls.

  I had hoped to sneak past him unnoticed, but apparently even a blind man can see my walk of shame.

  I put on a smile and call back to him, “Good morning, Willie. How are you?”

  He gives me a toothy grin and holds up a cookie. “Doin’ great since Colton dropped these off for me earlier. These sure are good, Miss Cady.”

  “Glad you like them… not sure how appropriate they are for breakfast though.”

  He chuckles. “At my age you learn sometimes it’s smarter to eat your desserts first.” He winks and takes a bite.

  “Well, enjoy.” I hesitate. “Any idea where Colton might be?” I ask, then immediately hate myself for doing so. I’m not going to go all stalker after just one kiss. Okay, a few kisses. And maybe some light side-boob action. I guess I’m just curious why he would have to be gone when I woke up, leaving me all alone in his place.

  Willie nods over toward the garage. “Pretty sure he’s tinkering around in there…”

  “Cool, thanks. Enjoy your day!”

  “I will. You too, Miss Cady.”

  After a proper shower, one that includes my coconut oil soap and actual hair conditioner, I put on a white sundress and pull my hair back on top, letting the back part fall free. Just a light dusting of makeup, and I grab my phone and head on outside. It’s an absolutely beautiful day, as if the storm has washed everything dirty away, and left just a clean, fresh beginning.

  As I wander slowly through the gardens, I call Vivi and thank her for returning my phone and keys.

  “I had no way of getting a hold of you, so I called Colton,” she says. “I felt so terrible when I saw them in my car! I hope you weren’t inconvenienced any.”

  A smile spreads across my lips. No, not at all…

  “It was fine. Colton had a spare set of house keys for me.” I don’t want to lie, but no way am I telling her I slept at his place last night.

  “Oh good. Well, that was a ton of fun yesterday, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it was.”

  We make some small talk for a few minutes, and then she has to meet Freddy for church. I’m about to call Stacia when Colton comes around the side of the house, headed toward the garage. He sees me and stops in his tracks. As usual he’s wearing his jeans and a black t-shirt, but today he’s also rockin’ a cowboy hat, and totally pulling it off.

  He stares at me a minute, then nods his head in my direction and carries on about his business. I frown, trying not to read anything into it. I sit down on the marble bench and call Stacia, but get her voicemail. Then I remember she had said something about being on an assignment in the Hamptons all weekend, so she must just be busy.

  Unlike me.

  I’m beginning to realize just how much free time I actually have. Too much. For years I was so swamped with school and Brandon and Stacia and numerous social events, I barely had time to catch my breath.

  But things are different now.

  Something occurs to me, and suddenly I feel a powerful, exhilarating sense of rediscovery that brings tears to my eyes… like unexpectedly running in to a beloved old friend.

  I’m going to paint.

  Here I am in one of the most beautiful, inspirational places I’ve ever seen. Everywhere I look, the exquisite, timeless palette of nature is just begging to be immortalized. When I’m painting is the only time I really feel like me— like nothing else matters. I don’t know if I’m any good or not, and I don’t care. I just know I love it, and it brings me joy.

  And I can use a little joy right now.

  *****

  I finish up a quick breakfast in the kitchen, relieved that I haven’t run into Colton. But I do cross paths with Della Mae and a few of the overnighters who are staying in the main house, and we exchange some small talk about last night’s storm. Apparently they see overnight guests only occasionally on the weekends, as Sweet Oak is more of a “drive- through” town than a “stay-over” one. But at least a few dozen visitors a week stop by just to tour the historical house.

  I’m so excited to get started on painting again that my mind is already flooded with scenes I’d like to capture. But first things first – I need supplies.

  I check my phone for the location of an art store. There’s a small arts and crafts store nearby, but it’s closed on Sundays. There’s another, bigger one, but it’s over an hour away. That’s not too bad, I suppose. Besides, I haven’t got anything else to do today, and if I go now I’ll have all afternoon to get started.

  I can hardly wait.

  As I make my way back to the cottage to grab my purse and the keys to the truck, I realize there’s something I should do first. So I make a slight detour toward the garage, commanding the nerves in my belly to give it a rest.

  Colton is bent over a table shining up some hunk of metal that is probably important to some car somewhere. He’s totally fixated on the greasy silver contraption in his hands, and doesn’t see me come in. Soft county rock is playing from a radio on the workbench, and a rusted, banged-up, antique Chevy sits up on blocks.

  I watch him for a moment, but he remains absorbed in what he’s doing. Finally I clear my throat and step forward. “Hey…”

  He glances up, then turns his head to look at me straight on.

  I manage a small smile. “Sorry to bother you...”

  “No bother.” He doesn’t smile back.

  It’s hard to believe that the last time I saw him he was running his hands through my hair, holding me close, and kissing me. Now…

  “I just needed to check if it’s okay that I take the truck to Millbrook Springs. I know you said you wanted it back soon ‘cause it needed work, and the town’s kinda far away–”

  He frowns. “I know where it is. What do you need to go all the way out there for?”

  “There’s a store I want to go to.”

  He shrugs, then lifts his hat to wipe his brow with the back of his sleeve. “Sure, you can take it, but it might not be your best bet. Kind of a gas guzzler, and not the most comfortable ride I’m sure.”

  “No, it’s fine. Really.”

  He smirks. “Sure, for puttin’ around Sweet Oak it is, but if you need to go out to Millbrook—” He walks over to a hook on the wall and grabs some keys. “—Here, take my car.”

  I’m confused. “Your car? I thought you drove a big truck too.” At least that’s what I see him driving when he pulls into the lot at the Grease Monkey… a faded red Ford pick-up.

  “I have a few different rides. These are for the Chevy Bel Air convertible in the main house garage.”

  “Convertible?”

  His eyes narrow. “Yes… and it’s an antique, so it doesn’t have those fancy airbags that saved your pretty hide before. So don’t be crashing into any trees.”

  I give him a look. “I won’t. Thank you.” I take the keys and start to leave.

  “Must be a special store to have to go all tha
t way.”

  I turn back and shake my head. “Not really. It’s just an art supply store, but it’s the closest one that isn’t closed on Sundays.”

  He cocks his head, mildly curious. “Art supply store? For what?”

  I hadn’t expected him to ask questions. For some reason my painting feels deeply personal to me. Brandon had mocked me about it, and I don’t want Colton doing the same.

  I shake my head and give him a little smile. “Just some things I need for a project I want to do. Thanks again. I’ll fill up the tank when I’m done.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he says. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away.

  *****

  The drive out to Millbrook Springs is the perfect way to spend the day. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, with clear sunny skies. Colton’s restored classic looks and feels like new. It’s easy to maneuver, and has a surprisingly smooth ride. But I suppose after driving the clunker beast around for the past week anything would be a huge improvement.

  I cruise with the top down, feeling like a movie star. But the best part is how scenic the drive is, with trees and flowers lining the center divider and acres of lush greenery on either side. Nothing like the concrete jungle back home.

  The trip is over way too soon, but my destination is just as rewarding. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning, and I spend at least a solid hour browsing through all the supplies.

  I begin my return journey as giddy as I felt waking up in Colton’s bed this morning.

  But that… that I can’t really get too excited over. I mean, come on. Whatever happened between us was just two relatively attractive, young, healthy adults in a bedroom with no power while trapped during a storm. There’d be something seriously wrong with us if we didn’t mess around a little bit! It was nice, yeah. Definitely fun. Definitely something that fired me up inside in a way that I’ve never felt before, not even with Brandon. And I can’t stop thinking about it.

  But Colton is making it clear that it didn’t really mean anything, and I’m definitely not interested in any more romantic drama now.

  So we kissed. So it was hot. Sooo hot. So I can’t stop thinking about him.