Page 80 of Needing Your Love
For almost two weeks, I’d been living in absolute bliss in a haze of orgasms, snuggles, and candlelit dinners where Sutton showed off yet another thing he excelled at—cooking. If he hadn’t already owned every inch of me, I’d have fallen in love with him for his ability in the kitchen alone. I was all heart eyes and butterflies.
This man tookcareof me, and I couldn’t get enough of him.
“You’re digging, Gram,” I said, “but there isn’t much to tell.”
“Liar. You and Sutton are the talk of the town right now. We all know you’re shacking up with that man.” Zero trace of judgment laced her tone, and I grinned, my chest swelling. “Mmm hmm,” she hummed with a smile. “I see what you think about the gossip.”
“It’s nice that everyone is aware he’s no longer on the market,” I stated, wishing I had more evidence of that truth than us just fucking like a couple of sex-craved teenagers.
“But for how long?”
My smile faded, and Gram eyed me for a few brief moments from where she rested on an armchair behind the counter I leaned on.
“Has the chief made his intentions known?”
“We haven’t labeled what we are, but both of us have kinda dropped hints about wanting this for the long run.” At least, I’d thought so. Was I reading into our conversations? Wishful thinking again?
Hell, every other topic other than what we were had been covered at length over the dinner table, while snuggled on the couch, or in bed after we wore each other out. From our favorite bands to bucket lists to the one place we could vacation given the chance. Both of us had suggested a tropical island full of sun and sand, but he’d imagined a beer in hand while I envisioned a fruity drink with a cute, little umbrella.
Sutton had to put in quite a few hours at the station but enjoyed a few personal days to lounge around naked with me, answering whatever questions I had for him and vice versa. I learned about his upbringing here in Pippen Creek, his time away from his wife and child while at the police academy.
The day after Jamie and Chaz’s visit, he told me all of the details about his ex-wife, who’d cleaned him out and almost ruined his name. While zero hint of bitterness laced his tone while speaking of her, I held enough jealousy and anger in my heart toward her for the both of us.
Thank fuck for the forgiving people of Pippen Creek, who adored their chief regardless of the money she’d stolen from the town.
“So you’re sticking around, I take it,” Gram stated rather than question.
“Until he no longer wants me.”
Gram huffed, tapping her cane on the floor twice. “That man hasn’t dated since Darla left, which says a lot. He choseyouafter over a decade of being single, Jimmy. If anyone changes their mind in this relationship, it won’t be him.”
“Icertainly won’t..” I frowned as goose bumps rose along my arms, causing the hairs on my nape to stand on end. “You’re well aware I’ve had my heart set on him since before I was too young to even know what people got up to in a bedroom. Once I figured that out, I was evenmoredetermined to get him right where I wanted him.”
She smiled.
Arms slid around my waist, tugging me against a hard chest and loaded police belt, and I melted, glaring at Gram. She’d set me up in the hopes I would make a declaration he would overhear.
The front door had been propped open this afternoon because of the abnormally warm October afternoon after a weeklong cold snap, so the bell announcing customers hadn’t alerted me to Sutton’s arrival.
So that was what had shifted awareness over my skin—I’d thought it was annoyance over her suggestion that I’d end whatever was going on with me and the chief.
“You did that on purpose,” I accused her as Sutton kissed my neck.
Gram chuckled and didn’t bother arguing. She was almost as bad as Babs at playing matchmaker.
“How’s Kurt?” Sutton asked her while holding me tight. I clasped my hands over his atop my stomach and tipped my head back onto his shoulder.
“I think he’s depressed, Chief.” Mary’s eyes flooded with concern. “He’s lost weight and has been isolating himself lately.”
“How’s the drinking?”
“He’s attempting to get sober but is fighting me on seeing a therapist. Says it’s too late for him.”
Sutton made a noise beneath his breath. “And DJ?”
“That boy is doing okay, but he misses his friend.” Gram’s lips pursed for a moment before she continued, her eyes troubled. “He doesn’t understand why his dad doesn’t care for him spending time with Jimmy. What does it matter who a man loves?” Gram shook her head. “I’m working on him though, and I promise to call you the minute he gets his head screwed on straight.”
Hearing again that I wasn’t welcome to visit with Gram while DJ was in her care caused my heart to ache. I missed my little buddy, shooting hoops, playing Xbox, and laughing like I hadn’t done as a kid. I’d never had such a friend when I was younger, and being with DJ felt like I got to experience the childhood I’d always wanted but was denied, thanks to Dad.
