Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series (20 page)

“It’s not just that. I want you to trust me. When you say you love me, then you don’t trust me, it’s a little irritating.” He handed me my helmet.

“I’m sorry. That was not my intention.” I put my hand on his arm, “Lou. Please don’t be mad.”

He leaned in and kissed my cheek, “I’m not mad baby. Trust takes time to build, I’m just impatient.”

“You are not. You’ve been most patient with me, about everything. I don’t know if I told you this, but I am sorry for snapping at you back in Vegas. I never wanted you to leave. I don’t know why I said that to you.”

He pulled me in for a hug. “Oh honey, you don’t have to apologize. You were mad, and fired up. I understand completely.”

I hugged him back, and it felt so good. Every time I touch this man I feel at home. This is a new feeling, the only thing close was when I was in school.

He kissed the top of my head, “Hey. You okay?”

I leaned back and looked up, “Better than I’ve ever been. When you hold me I feel like I finally belong somewhere. Then we get on this bike and I feel so free at the same time. Like nothing can touch us. Nothing can catch us. Part of me wants to keep going forever.”

He cupped my face, “We will keep going forever, together. Anywhere you want to go, I’ll take you, and anytime you want to go home, you come right here.” He pulled me in for a long sweet hug.

We stopped a couple hours later to stretch and take pictures. The ones Lou took while we were riding came out a lot better than I expected they would. I’m trying to flip through the images on the camera before we resume our trip, but Mr. Wandering hands is distracting me.

“Lou, stop that. People can see.”

“That’s why I turned you around. All they see is my back.” He tickled my neck with that beard as he kissed. He breathed out a little too hard in my ear making me squeal and laugh as goosebumps consumed my flesh.

“Lou!! Behave yourself!” I almost dropped the camera when his hand slid all too easily right down the front of my jeans. I stilled as he quickly got my attention under my panties. “Oh my. Not here.”

“Shh. Nobody can see. Let go a little Barbie. I want to show you something.”

“Here??”

He laughed, “Not that silly, and of course not here. You are so adorably innocent.” He pushed into me and my innocence shattered. “That a girl. Trust me.” His words cut me to the quick. They also inflamed my desire to both please him, and let go to see what only he can show me.

I leaned back against him and tilted my head so he could get at my neck easier. He took it as a sign of my surrender, which it very much was, and tightened his grip as he brought me faster and harder to a climax that rocked me to my southern roots.

“Oh my. Don’t let go.” I begged.

“Never. I will never let go of you my love. Put your helmet on. I want you to feel this bike between your sensitive legs.”

“What???” I about fell into the bike.

He caught my arm and laughed. “You’ll see.”

“I probably don’t want to know.”

“Oh, you want to know. Trust me. You
need
to know.” He assured me with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

I put my forehead between his shoulder blades and cussed him inside my head.

I can feel him shaking with laughter so I smacked his arm. “You could have warned me!!!”

He can’t stop laughing. I’m not sure if I came, maybe I did, it was a little tough to tell with all the vibration. Maybe it was just that he brought it to my attention, or maybe it was just being sensitive down there after what he’d done, but he was horribly right.

Finally the assault on my lower body ceased and I could think straight again. I leaned forward so he leaned back a little. “You’re mean!!”

He turned and kissed me quickly. “Bored back there now baby??”

I sat back, “No, definitely not bored.” Oh my. Who am I?? All these new people and experiences are clouding over my old life, which feels like a really long boring movie I’ve been sitting through.

Since the day Lou came into my life I’ve had the wind in my hair, been shot at, tickled, kissed, made friends, and oh yeah. Lou’s… body. Just thinking about his body is making me all too aware of the large thunderous engine between my legs. The bike isn’t helping either. The joke in my head made me smile.

“You know I can see you, right??” He asked over his shoulder.

I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You see me alright.” I’m not sure if he heard that, but he brought my arms around to hug him tightly. I held him for a while until sunrise pictures beckoned.

We stopped again at a grocery store. “Almost there babe. I haven’t been home for a while so the house is empty.”

“I’m grateful for the chance to walk around a bit. Do you shop here regularly when you’re home?”

“I do. You should get used to saying that.”

“Saying what?”

“I do.”

“I do, what?” I’m confused. Maybe I’m tired.

He stopped when we reached the sidewalk and turned to lift my chin, “Yup, you’re tired. I think eight hours is your limit babe. Just hold onto me, I’ll do the shopping, unless you see something you want, then just throw it in the basket of course.”

“I look that tired?”

“You look a little road weary, but you’re doing great. I’m so proud of you I could burst. Two weeks ago you were a stuffy little southern belle. Now you’re my beautiful southern biker babe. You amaze me at every turn, I told you that. Loving you is like watching a big beautiful flower bloom every day.”

I’m lost in bright blue eyes and soft sweet words. Myles has complimented me before, on my clothing, grades, or achievements, but Lou’s kind words are completely different. “Thank you. I’ve been a little nervous during this transition.”

“I bet you have.” He smiled and kissed me before leading me inside. “You’ve been very brave. What would you like for dinner?”

“A pillow and a massage.” I leaned into him and rubbed my tush.

“I can help you with both of those once we get home.” He assured me.

“And a hot bath?” I looked up hopeful he has hot water and a bathtub.

“Yes, I have a very nice tub with your name on it.”

We picked out the basics to get us through a couple days. I offered to carry the bags, but Lou worked his bungee ninja magic and managed to secure everything on his bike. He definitely knows his bike. I was certain nothing else could fit on that bike, but he proved me wrong.

11

Ten minutes later he pulled up in front of a rather large mansion, I assume, to visit a friend, “What are we doing here?”

“Hopefully a lot of sex, and maybe raising some kids. If you want kids. I could go either way.” He dug around in his saddle bag and pulled out a remote. The garage door opened and he walked the bike right inside like he owned the place.

Then his words hit me. “Wait… what?? This… this is your house???”

He smiled and did that mischievous eyebrow dance again. “Our house. Welcome home love.” He grabbed my bag and one of his before holding a door open for me. “In you go.”

I all but ran inside. I feel like I’m seeing into his soul.

He flipped on the lights as the house unfolded in front of me. “Lou, this is amazing.”

“I had a little help, but designed most of it myself. Contractors did the electrical and drywall. I had a hand in, or did a good bit of, the rest. Unfortunately I have no clue what to put in here. I can build shit, but I can’t stock it.” He set our bags down by a sleeping bag that was in the middle of the living room floor.

I walked over to the wall of windows, “Honey, this view is incredible!” There’s a lake lined with boats, and the city below is lighting up as the sky darkens above. It’s dark, but beautiful.

“I’m glad you approve.” He came up and wrapped his arms around me. “Think you can be happy here?”

“Are you kidding me??” I turned around. “I can’t believe you let me think you lived in some average house in town or something. I would have been happy there too, but this is incredible! And why didn’t you tell me??”

He shrugged, “I like surprising you, your face lights up. I wanted to see that look on you face again, like when you opened the present from the girls.”

“You must make some pretty good money being a transporter, or whatever you call it.”

“Sometimes. I’m also an architect.”

“What??” I leaned back, “You are??”

“I didn’t tell you?”

“NO!! You said you were a transporter, someone who takes people to safety.”

“Oh, well, that’s what I was for you. I’m sorry, I guess it hasn’t come up. I take a few contracts a year and work on them between jobs for the club, and some on the road. The only room in this house that’s half furnished is my office. I needed some tools, drafting table, desk, storage for drafts, stuff like that.” He took my hand, “Let’s go get our things so you can get in that bath, and I can get you naked.”

“Oh Lou, I don’t know if I have the energy for all that tonight.” I whined as he drew me back through the beautiful house with it’s vaulted ceilings, are those antique wood beams?, stone fireplace, and wrought iron light fixtures.

“For your massage Barbie, get your mind out of the gutter.”

I laughed as he handed me bags, “It’s your fault. You’ve corrupted my mind and my mouth. I keep catching myself cussing.”

“I’d like to corrupt your mouth some more.” He teased and stole a kiss from lips as he held the door for me with hands full of bags too.

“You’re terrible.”

“You’ll have to teach me some manners.” He followed me to the kitchen where we dropped our bags.

He picked up the ones with our clothes, “Follow me.”

“What about these?”

“I’ll take care of those. You need a soak. Then we’ll eat, and start on your massage. You’ve been a trooper the last couple days. I want to spoil you.”

Lou’s bathroom is incredible. High ceilings with skylights so clear you can see the stars. He’d brought me a beer from the six-pack we’d bought earlier and vowed to leave me to my nice long hot bath.

So when he opened the door and stood in the doorway with the ring box in his hand I sat up. “You snooped.”

“I unpacked.” He corrected and walked over to kneel beside the tub. “I… don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“You’re not supposed to thank me nosy.” I teased and splashed his ever growing beard with bubbles.

He took my ring from the box and picked up my left hand. “Will you marry me Barbara? Will you be my wife?”

My heart is pounding in my chest. Up until this moment I haven’t taken his talk of marriage seriously. Even after buying the rings it didn’t feel real. “Lou, I…” And that’s when I saw it.

He looked up at me with those crystal light blue eyes and I knew there was no way I could say no. There’s a fear in those eyes that breaks my heart.

“Yes. I will be your wife.” He caught me off guard, but there was only one answer.

He exhaled and slid the ring on my finger. “I’ve never been so relieved in my life. I thought you were going to say no for a second there.”

“Saying yes came so easily it knocked me off balance, plus you surprised me.”

He leaned in and kissed me until he fell into the tub with me. Water went everywhere, but we didn’t notice until I shivered, what was left of the water had cooled around us.

We took a quick hot shower and dressed for bed. He in his boxers, and me in my sweats. I’m chilly, he seems to be comfortable.

I slid the sleeping bag over by the window while he gathered dinner from the kitchen, “Aren’t you cold?”

“I need to be a little cold right now babe. Are you? I can turn up the heat.”

“I’m okay, but I’m wearing quite a bit more.”

He sat down putting plates of fried chicken and macaroni salad in front of us. “Showering with you like that will take me a little while to recover from.” He picked up my hand. “You’re chilly. Hang on.” He looked up. “Computer on.”

A voice from the sky, not unlike Turner’s Daisy, replied, “Welcome home sir. What can I do for you?”

“Put some heat to the floors for me, seventy-six should do it.”

“Yes sir. Shall I add your guest to the system?”

“Yes. Her name is Barbara Whitmore, soon to be Colson.” He looked back to me.

“Yes sir, and congratulations. Welcome home Miss Whitmore. My name is Lily, just say my name if you need me.”

“Thank you Lily.” I remember Daisy well enough to not be surprised completely, but I am in awe. “Lou.” I gave him that scolding look children are used to. “What other surprises are you full of?”

He pointed to the fried chicken. “I can cook.”

“We bought this meal prepared by the grocery store.”

“I heated it up.” He argued taking a big bite.

“Oh! My rump!” I felt the floor heat flare up then die down a little.

“Sorry. I should warn you Lily is our prototype with a sense of humor. She’s harmless, but she does tend to find little ways to amuse herself.”

“I didn’t think it was possible for computers to have a sense of humor.”

“It’s not, if anyone asks. When you marry me I’ll tell you all my little secrets. Until then, just don’t mention Lily, or Daisy, to anyone. Okay?”