Page 9 of Cementing Her Love

COLTON

Watching Shayla pretend not to notice me watching her was beyond entertaining. It affirmed I’d gotten under her skin, in the best way possible. She played games with the kids while Hayden, Brock, and I discussed Brock’s upcoming retirement from the Idaho Outlaws. He’d been with the United States Baseball Team since the franchise began, but he was ready to focus on other things now that he and Thea were expecting another baby.

By the time the kids' bedtime rolled around, I overheard Allie and Poppy conspiring to have a sleepover. Beau had moved on from the girls and was playing with trucks on the patio near his mom while the rest of us sat around the firepit.

Shayla sat directly across from me, but she kept her attention on my sisters as they discussed the new location for All in Bloom. She accepted another beer from Brock who wanted her to try a new brand he’d discovered. I’d tried it earlier and thought it might be too heavy for her taste, but Brock was thinking of investing, and wanted her thoughts as someone who enjoyed IPAs.

I might consider it as well, but I’d invested my salary from the Army wisely and most of the time I lived in base housing, so I really didn’t have a lot of bills the past twenty years besides a personal vehicle.

Besides the property I’d purchased to build my home on, I’d put most of my money into my cement business.

The end of the evening was winding down and I tried to come up with a way to see Shayla again, sooner rather than later. Little did I know my sister my sister was already working on it for me.

The next thirty minutes were a whirlwind of amped up kids and logistics. I helped Thea clean up while still being within earshot of Shayla.

“Of course, I’m okay to drive. I didn’t even finish that second beer and we’ve been here for hours.” Shay waved off her brother-in-law’s concerns.

“We can drop you off, Shayla. It’s not that far from our place.” Brenley yawned, then glanced over at me and grinned.

“Oh, wait. What am I thinking? Colton’s renting a place not too far from you. “Hey, Colt. Can you take Shay home? We’re taking the girls to our house, and it would really make me feel better knowing she got home safe.” Brenley kept a straight face as she spoke and I bit my tongue to keep myself from laughing at my sister’s match making. I definitely owed her big time.

“It would be my pleasure. Whenever you’re ready to go, Shayla, I’m ready.” I answered.

Brock and Hayden both busted out laughing, but Shayla wasn’t paying any attention to them. Looks like everyone was on my side in this one.

“I am perfectly fine to drive, but thank you. Brenley really.” Shayla stood with her hands on hips. Hips I couldn’t wait to get my hands on.

“Okay, but just humor the pregnant lady. Please?” Brenley gathered her things and walked over to her husband, making it literally impossible for Shayla to argue further.

Walking closer to her, I offered again. “Well, you didn’t have anything to eat so, it’s not a bad idea. And we can wait to leave until after they do so Aria doesn’t see you and me together in my truck. Sound good?” I did my best to keep the excitement at having her to myself from my expression, but it was tough. She was so damn cute when she was riled up.

Looking from my sister to me, Shayla shrugged her shoulders. “I’d forgotten about not eating. It makes sense and I appreciate the offer.” She walked off to give Aria a hug while I finished with the clean-up.

Fifteen minutes later, Shayla and her unique scent of flowers and woman were in my truck. The sun was beginning to set, but there was still time to make a quick detour. “How’d you like to see my property? It’s about five minutes from here and the view is almost as good as Thea and Brock’s.” I wanted to add, “and almost as good as the one I’m looking at,” but I didn’t want to appear desperate to impress her. Even if I was.

“Sure.”

Her one-word answer had me wondering what was going on in that pretty head of hers. I couldn’t quite get a read on her mood, but the air in the cab was definitely charged between us.

I’d picked the lot with the size in mind to add a shop next year. I was still going over floor plans with the builder, so the foundation hadn’t yet been dug out. Parking near the lookout at the back of the lot, I’d angled the truck so we could see the protected wetland and meadow below.

“This is beautiful, Colton.” Shay jumped out and walked to the edge.

Taking my time, I sat and watched her for a moment with the sun low in the sky and the thought of her and me building a home and family here felt more than right. It felt inevitable.

She turned back to me and laughed. “Aren’t you going to join me?” She shouted.

I rolled down my window. “Nope. I like the view from here much better.”

Shayla’s shoulders went back and rigid at my words. I couldn’t read her face to see if she was scowling or not. Damn, did I just ruin the moment? I held her gaze. I wasn’t going to take back my words or apologize, but maybe I should join her. However, before I could open my door, she was marching back to her side of the truck, yanking the door open and climbing back in.

And she didn’t stop climbing until she was nestled in my lap with her thighs spread open, resting on either side of my growing erection. Instinctively, my hands went to her waist. There wasn’t a spare inch between us or between her back and the steering wheel.

I fumbled behind her, finding the lever below the dashboard and adjusted it as far up as it could go, then hit the electronic switch on the lower seat and pushed it back.

“I’m not complaining, but what did I say? Because I need to commit it to memory for future use. Damn Shayla, you make me harder than the cement I work with every day.”

Instead of answering, she just smiled and started to unbutton her blouse.

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