Page 39 of A Photo Finish
Frustration surges up in me, fueled by our interaction. Fueled by my embarrassment. I can’t be this close to him right now. “Can you just throw me a fucking bone and not tell me what to do?”
Now it’s his turn to stare back at me wide-eyed. Dropping an f-bomb always does that to people. When you don’t use the word much, it certainly packs a different punch.
He holds his keys out, looking adequately chastised and more than a little shocked.Good.I swipe them and walk away to the other side of the truck, leaving a motionless Cole behind me.
“Drive carefully, please.” His voice is all gravel with a pleading tone to it.
I snort and continue to the driver’s side. My legs propel me, even though my head is spinning. It’s like that night at Billie’s. I just need to get away. And my new horse needs a blanket. I start the truck and pull out of the driveway, only sparing Cole a glance as I drive past where he’s still standing like a statue in the rain. He looks shocked, and I don’t care.
I need some fucking space.
* * *
Bang.Bang. Bang.
I peel my eyes open and look at my clock. It looks bright out. 10 a.m. I never sleep this long. But then, I hid out at the barn for a while, trying to get my bearings before coming back to the house and hanging with Pipsqueak, who is now privy to some of my deepest, darkest secrets, including the fact that Cole still gets under my skin.
Once I tracked down a small enough rain sheet, I drove back to the farmhouse. With my left foot. It was a short, slow drive, and my left foot worked fine, though it’s definitely not something I plan to make a habit of. Sitting on top of the fence in the rain, I stayed with Pippy until I was soaked and cold to the bone. She rested her chin on my lap, like the dog she obviously thinks she is, and let me braid her forelock. The best company I could ask for as I grappled with whatever the hell happened between Cole and me in the rain last night.
I genuinely thought he didn’t like me. And I assumed the attraction was one-sided. But the rock-hard bulge in his pants that he pressed against me told another story. I just couldn’t reconcile the cool, removed man I know with the person he was last night. None of it makes sense. Laughing, the odd, reluctant tip of the lips, and then the way his hands gripped my body. The way I melted for him.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The noise finally registers. Is that the door? I roll out of bed and strap the walking cast on my leg. I almost feel like I don’t need it anymore. The pain is gone, as is most of the swelling, and only the yellow remnants of the bruising remain. After grabbing my robe from the back of the door as I head out into the main living space, I move toward the front door, hoping I don’t run into Cole on my way.
When I yank it open a crack, because I don’t feel like I’m appropriately dressed to be answering the door, I’m met with Billie standing on the front porch with her palms cupping her eyes like blinders.
“What are you doing?”
“Open the door, Pornstar Patty.”
“Ugh.” I groan and tip my head back. “It was one picture. One time!”
She pushes the door and shoves herself through frantically, almost tripping in the process. “Holy shit. Let me in already. And close the door!”
“What’s going on?” I’m so confused.
“I’m trying not to check out my future brother-in-law. You’re going to need to put up some sort of neon sign on the driveway if he’s going to waltz around shirtless like that. Smoke signals would be effective too.”
Wait. What? It’s my turn to almost trip pushing past her, but I’m going in the opposite direction—back out the door. And holyhell. She’s not joking. I swallow hard and feel my mouth go dry.
Cole is just outside of Pipsqueak’s paddock, unloading lumber and setting up sawhorses, and he is gloriously shirtless. His body ripples in the bright sunlight. No rain today; instead, it feels hot, damp, and muggy. Apparently, Cole is a sun’s out, guns out kind of guy. And irritated as I am with myself for last night—I’m not about to complain.
“Like . . . couldn’t he just put some shorts on and call it a day? A glass of cold water does wonders to cool a person down.” I look over my shoulder to see Billie leaning against the wide-open doorway.
“I thought you weren’t looking?”
“I’m engaged to the love of my life. Not blind.”
I laugh. That’s so Billie. Turning away from the mouthwatering masterpiece on the front lawn, I usher her back into the house.
“What do you think he’s doing out there?” she inquires, now moving to watch out the front window.
I roll my eyes as I head to the kitchen. “You’re such a perv, B.”
“I know.” Her eyebrows waggle as she walks to the kitchen island and starts making coffee like she lives here too. “Go get dressed. I’ll make some coffee. I don’t know what kind of internet-sex-nudist commune you two are starting, but I’m not here for it.”
I look down at myself. “I’m wearing a robe.”
