Page 5 of Don't Leave Me

My gaze shifts to the other people in the room and I freeze. Standing next to Leslie is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her long chocolate brown hair is hanging in loose curls. Her bright blue eyes are shining with mischief and excitement. But it’s her smile that’s really captured my attention. It’s big and bright, making a smile spread across my own lips.

“Sophia, this is Pecker, one of my deputies. Pecker, this is Leslie’s cousin, Sophia.” Colt motions between the two of us.

I hurry to close the distance between us and trip over my own two feet. I right myself and try to act like a man and not a middle school boy begging for a girl’s attention.

I clear my throat and take her small hand in mine. Her skin is so soft and warm. I don’t want to let go, I just keep shaking it.

“That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

“And Pecker? Is that a nickname because of…” she lets her words trail off and drops her attention to my crotch.

My eyes widen and my mouth falls open as I search for something to say. Anything to keep her attention on me.

“It’s his last name,” Colt groans. “How old are you? Do I need to worry about jailbait?”

“Oh, stop it!” Leslie giggles from next to him. “She’s twenty. No one is going to jail.”

“That’s good to know.” I grin, doing the mental math.

I’m three years older than her. Not enough to make a huge difference, but it’s a big enough age gap to hopefully get her interested. Women love older men, right?

“Are you that sure you can convince me to give you a shot? You did just trip over yourself trying to shake my hand,Pecker.” Sophia arches a brow, teasing me.

I swallow hard and try to find the right thing to say, but I'm stuck on her calling me Pecker. Somehow it doesn’t feel right.

“Brad. Uh, my first name is Brad, but everyone calls me Peck or Pecker.” I drop my gaze as I grip the back of my neck and peer at her through my lashes. I'm so uncomfortable around her. I swear there’s something wrong with me.

“Sophia, come help me in the kitchen and leave Pecker alone.” Leslie practically drags Sophia out of the room. As she goes, her attention never leaves me. Her smile grows impossibly bigger and it makes me want to chase after her.

“She’s…”

“A handful? Going to be the death of me? Give this town something to talk about?” Colt fires off a few choices on how to finish my sentence, but they’re all wrong. I shake my head. It’s taking everything in me to stay in this spot. I want to follow her. I want to ask her a million questions and get to know her better. I just want to be with her.

“Nah, she’s beautiful.”

“You keep saying that.” Colt chuckles as he takes a seat on the couch. “You know, if you want her attention, you can't keep tripping all over yourself.”

“I know,” I groan. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m never nervous around women.”

“Pretend she’s someone else.” Colt shrugs. “And if that doesn’t work, show up in your uniform next time. That always has women melting into your arms.” He smirks.

Chapter 4

Sophia

“He’s really cute,” I whisper as I help Leslie finish dinner. I keep stealing glances at Pecker and his sexy grin.

He might’ve been stumbling to get to me, but I can tell that isn’t normal for him. He has this confidence about him even though he’s nervous. It’s not something he’d be able to pull off if he’s always this anxious in front of women. Maybe I just make him nervous.

“I know! He’s the sweetest guy too. He moved to Maple Springs a few months ago to help his sister after her husband cheated on her and left. She has a ten-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl. From my understanding, Pecker’s helping her with the kids.”

“That’s really nice of him.” I wonder what else I don’t know about him. I’d love to learn more; I'm just trying to decide if I should push Leslie for information or try to steal a few minutes away with him.

I glance over my shoulder at him again. My teeth sink into my bottom lip when I find his gaze already on me. His eyes are moving up and down my body, making my skin heat. When herealizes he got caught, his cheeks pinken, but he doesn’t look away. He shrugs and grins.

“Alright, boys. Dinner is ready!” Leslie announces as we place the last dish on the table.

I take a seat on one side of the table. Colt sits to my left, Leslie to my right, and Pecker right across from me.

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