Page 46 of Piston

“Lucky for you, Coop, your brother-in-law is a math whizz,” I say, getting their attention, and I admit reluctantly, “It's because of him that I managed to pass that class in college.”

Piston grins but furrows his brows when he looks at my hair.

Cooper inquires, “Uh, Sissy, why do you have yellow paint in your hair?”

I wince and slowly open my coat, showing them that my white wrap dress is also covered in yellow.

I say, “I may have bumped into the shelves in the storage room after the meeting with the parents, and a bucket of yellow paint fell on my head.”

Cooper bursts out in laughter while Piston wraps his arm around his stomach, and bites his fist. I narrow my eyes at his shaking, tatted body.

“I swear, Piston, if you laugh at me…” I warn, and he laughs, loudly, I might add.

With a growl, I walk over to him with purpose, and his eyes widen before he runs for it around the breakfast bar. I pick up pace and go the opposite way, and before he can realize what I’ve done, I wrap my arms around his body, spreading yellow paint all over him.

Cooper laughs loudly, nearly falling off the stool, while my husband, instead of getting mad, wraps his arms around my body, holding me close. I melt, giving him some of my body weight.

“Hard day, Diamond?” he asks.

I nod and admit, “I didn’t even get to eat my lunch; the boys knocked it off the table when they started fighting.”

He grunts, and then his chest rumbles against my ear. “Why don’t you grab a quick shower? I fixed the thermostat this morning so the water will be hot, and dinner should be ready by the time you get out.” I nod, and he squeezes me tighter and mumbles, “The black shirt I wore today is on the bed….”

I relax into him even more with a happy sigh, making him chuckle a little, then kiss my head.

Without thinking too much, I leave his embrace and kiss my little brother's head, who smiles wide at me, before I go to my room. I do, indeed, find the shirt he wore today. My eyes tear upas I lift the fabric to my nose, inhaling his musky scent with a hint of pine.

This is why I can’t keep doing this.

He’s making me want to keep him, but I know I can’t, not when he doesn’t trust me, and not when I’m broken….

A few hours later, I’ve just put the last dish away while Piston deals with my father, letting him know how Cooper's evening went.

See what I mean? A girl could get used to this, and it’ll hurt when he’s not around anymore, especially when I have to deal with Henry again. During dinner, Piston decided he’ll be doing the handovers from now on.

I hear the front door shut, and I swallow hard.

So far, since Piston has been here, he’s kept himself busy fixing the house up for Bulldozer’s sister. I have a feeling tonight he’s not going to do that, and considering he’s only in a pair of sweatpants, with some yellow paint on his chest, he’s not going out.

I quickly wipe down the counter, ensuring the kitchen is tidy, when I feel his presence.

He’s leaning against the breakfast bar, arms crossed over his chest, his head tilted, but his eyes are eating me up.

My hair is down, and I’m wearing a pair of shorts and his shirt that covers the shorts.

“I like you in my clothes,” he admits, and I snort, replying, “I know. You kept leaving your shirts behind back in college. Ihave roughly twenty of them in my closet, and no, you’re not getting them back, including this one.”

He chuckles and pushes off the bar before walking toward me. I don’t move even as he gets in my space, gripping my hips. I stay rooted, enjoying his closeness.

“They’re yours, Diamond,” he mumbles, his eyes drifting over my face before locking with mine. Then he asks, “Why are your cupboards bare of food, Nat?”

I wince internally, give him a sheepish smile, and admit, “I don’t get paid until next week, and after dropping a couple of meals accidentally, and having to buy takeout for Coop, I’ve not been able to afford to go shopping.”

He frowns. “But you have your bank card….”

Ah, crap.

I clear my throat, give him a sweet smile, and quickly reply, “I haven’t used it. Actually, I cut it up the same day you gave it to me.”

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