She lets out a soft laugh. “Dinner is ready. Why don’t you join us, Colt? I’ve got a couple projects I need help with, and it’d be easier to go over it all at once.
I go to make some excuse, wanting to just lie in my bed, when Eli’s truck pulls up beside the house. Dawson and Rhett hop out of the cab.
Any desire to leave instantly dissolves when my eyes land on Rhett.
I haven’t seen my man all day, so, of course, I’m about to take up the offer to insert myself into family dinner.
I’ll be family one day, anyway.
“That sounds great, Miss Tierney. I just need to clean up real quick.”
She smiles at me, before greeting the boys.
Cash and I rinse up at the outside spigot, and I feel his eyes burning into the back of my head, sending a thrill down my spine, but I don’t turn around to meet his gaze.
Walking in the front door of their house, I’m hit with the smell of something amazing, and find the table is loaded up withrolls, steaks, green beans, and corn on the cob. The sight makes my mouth water.
Seeing the seat next to Golden Boy open, I slide into the chair, casually moving our seats closer together—just enough for me to reach him. The only sounds are forks and knives touching plates and some chewing. Taking a bite of vegetables, I slide my hand under the table, brushing my fingers against Rhett’s thigh. He tenses, but takes another bite of steak, as if I’m not there.
Come on, Golden Boy, acknowledge me. I know you want to.
Keeping my hand on his thigh, I dig my fingers into his jeans, gripping his thigh tighter this time. He sucks in a breath, but coughs to cover his tracks.
“Are you okay?” Tierney asks, her brow raised.
“Yeah, sorry. It went down the wrong pipe.” He acts like he’s grabbing his napkin off his other leg and throws my hand off his leg. His calloused fingers feel warm against mine.
Tierney shrugs her shoulders and clears her throat to gain the attention of everyone else at the table. “So, as you know, Grandpa’s birthday is tomorrow, and it’s a big one—he’s turning seventy-five. After talking to your dad and uncles, we’ve decided to throw him a surprise party tomorrow night. Luke’s got him out at dinner right now so that we can make a plan, and he’s going to get him off property tomorrow morning for us to set up. I’ll need you all to help me make this happen. Got it?” Her eyes scan each of her boys, ending on me.
We all nod as I place my hand on top of Rhett’s under the table. Slowly, I start rubbing circles on the back of his hand. He tries to jerk away, but I tighten my fingers around his.
No, baby, you don’t get to pull away. Not when I’ve missed you so much.
Tierney goes on, telling Dawson and Cash what she needs them to do tomorrow.
Taking a risk, I push past Rhett’s hand and move my hand into his lap, stroking over the seam of his jeans, feeling his dick throb.
Pressing harder against him, I stroke my fingers slowly up and down, tracing his length. He grabs my wrist, hard. One moment, it feels like he’s trying to pull me closer, and the next, it’s like he’s trying to push me off. As if he can fight what’s between us any more than I can.
Good luck.
He throws my hand off before Tierney turns her attention on us. “You two will need to set up the barn. I have some streamers that need to go up, but mostly, I need the main area of the barn clean enough to fit tables for about twenty people, give or take a few. Do you plan to bring Molly, Rhett? Just making sure we have enough chairs.”
She raises her eyebrows. She already knows the answer, but forcing Rhett to admit what happened the other night is satisfying. Dawson and Cash exchange a look and then we all look at Rhett.
Rhett says softly, “No. She won’t be coming around anymore.”
Tierney has the decency to look sad for him. “I’m sorry to hear that. I really thought she could be the one.” She looks back over at me, trying to change the tone. “Colt, I’m excited to see Sloane. It’s been a few months since they’ve been back home, with all the traveling she’s been doing around the midwest.”
Her words feel like someone just poured ice water all over me.
“My dad and mom are coming?”
“Yeah, they’re coming. Plus Aria, Matt, and Halle. You know y’all are family, sweetheart.”
Fuck. I have to face everyone tomorrow, when all I want to do is get Rhett to myself.
Lovely.
