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He didn’t move, just stood there staring. After a couple of uncomfortable moments of silence, I cocked my head to the side.
“What?” I wasn’t sure what was going on. Here was Courtland King standing in my doorway, and I had rendered him speechless. Molly Steel, score two.
“Are you okay, Courtland?” I stood, blinking up at him, and my breath caught in my throat. He was sex on a stick in dark gray trousers and a black button-down shirt. The top two buttons were undone, and there was a smattering of chest hair teasing and begging to be fondled. His eyes were darker tonight, more intense, and his hair was perfection. He always wore it short on the sides and longer on top, but it had grown out some, and that wayward strand that fell across his forehead had me panting on the spot. My fingers were itching to tousle and give it that just fucked look.
We were frozen in time, unable to move or speak. A throat cleared, and I realized he had come back to life. I clasped my hand over my mouth and tried to stifle my grin. I guess we both surprised each other tonight.
“Hi.” The breathless way the word poured out of my mouth sounded like I had just finished a marathon.
“Buttercup. You look… That dress…” Wow, he was speechless, and it was adorable.
Taking pity on him, I rescued him from his blundering. “This dress is perfect, Courtland. Thank you for this.” I twirled around so he could see what was considered the back, and when I turned back toward him, he was smiling, but his eyes paused on my face. He lifted his hand to my neck, then slid his fingers to my ear, touching the pearls as he caressed my delicate skin.
“You kept them.” His voice was quiet, and when he looked into my eyes, I could see so many things hiding there. Regret, sorrow, tenderness, love.
I could tell he wanted to kiss me. Our mouths were only a hair’s breadth apart. The way he looked at me with hooded eyes spoke volumes, but I wasn’t ready, not yet. So, I was the first to break contact. “I guess we’d better go. Don’t want to be late.” My smile wasn’t very convincing, but he didn’t protest. Grabbing my wrap, we left the moment behind us.
Chapter 27
Courtland
Ithought the lights of New York were something to talk about, but I had to hand it to the residents of Stone Creek; they really pulled out all the stops with this one. Mom and Dad visited over the years before moving here and tried to describe the festival, but nothing could prepare me for this. There had to be a million tiny white lights strung throughout the square and into the trees.
Because it was such a nice night, Molly and I decided to walk the few blocks to the epicenter of the celebration. As soon as we’d rounded the corner, Jackson and Knight met us with mugs of spiced cider and smiles on their faces. Lucy and Tess were following close behind. As soon as they saw us, their mouths dropped. Or should I say as soon as they saw Molly.
“Hey guys, have you seen Julia? We need to get in place for the parade.” Molly was oblivious to their stares.
Everyone seemed to ignore her question because they were gawking openly at my beautiful date. I wanted to smash all their faces in for the thoughts running through their minds, girls included. Unfazed by their sudden mutism, she continued.
“You know, after being on my feet most of the day and slipping into these heavenly shoes, I thought my feet would be screaming by now, but there must have been something magical in this leather because I feel as light as a feather, and my feet never felt better.” She turned and showed off her heels, and I preened like a peacock. I did that. I put that smile on her face.
It was Lucy who answered her question. “Ben grabbed her, and I think they’re scheming about something.”
Jackson shot her a warning glare and rolled his eyes while Knight quickly changed the subject. “Hey, Tess, how about we take a carriage ride after the parade?” He gave her a wink, and she turned a pleasant shade of pink as she laced her arm through his, and they strolled ahead of us.
“Julia, there you are.” When I looked up, Ben and Julia were heading toward us with fucking blue raspberry cotton candy hanging from their mouths.
“What the hell, man?” I wasn’t really mad, just messing with him.
“Hey, Courtland, I knew if I didn’t get to the stash first, you’d snag it all.” He wasn’t backing down.
“Damn right.” We both laughed, and I slapped him on the back, maybe a little harder than necessary. But, hey, we’re talking about blue raspberry cotton candy.
“Boys, boys, calm down. I’m sure there’s plenty to go around.” Molly spoke with a voice of authority, and damn, it was hot. Maybe we’d skip the parade after all.
Tabling those inappropriate thoughts until later, we set off for the staging area. She was walking a few steps ahead of me, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her luscious ass and how that dress hugged all the right places. I was so hard I thought I’d come right on the spot like an idiot teenager. Dear God, you created a masterpiece.
“Okay, girls, we’ll be right over there by the Bluebird when everything ends.” Jackson was talking to all the girls, but I couldn’t help but notice his gaze burned into the eyes of one particular redhead. He could deny it all he wanted, but there was something cooking there.
I couldn’t stand still. I was as nervous as a cat in a fucking rocking chair factory. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I had to move. Knight and I walked over to the Bluebird where we’d meet the girls afterward. My parents already had lawn chairs set up for our group, and Molly’s mom and dad were in the mix. Hopefully, I wouldn’t get punched tonight.
As I approached the storefront, my dad stood, offering his hand. When I tried to shake it, he pulled me into a hug. “Son, you look fit to be tied.”
I swear, my parents have only been out of the city for six months, but his vocabulary turned country before they hit the state line. I knew what he meant. He could feel the tension coming off in waves like I was waving a red fucking flag. Everyone around us had a front-row seat to my unrest.
Tonight had to be perfect. I only had one chance to get it right, and failure was not an option. Calm the fuck down, Courtland. You’ve got this. Just before I could launch myself in front of the Stone Creek Middle School Band, a hand gripped my shoulder. Ben pulled me off to the side.
“Court, get it together, man. It’s going to be fine.” He sounded so sure it made me almost believe him. But I knew better. Everything I’ve achieved in life, I had to fight for.
