Page 60 of Fourteen Years

“It's your favorite color,” I said, standing up to tower over her. Taking her face in my tattooed hands I leaned down and kissed her deeply while the room behind her filled with our loved ones.

The teenagers were so excited they were jumping around like little kids, Becks was crying and congratulating us when I pulled back, and Lucas shook my hand, scooping Monica into a huge hug.

Lacey had her nose twisted up, although she was grinning.

“Did you all have to make out like that?” she asked.

“That wasn’t making out.” I replied. “If you want I can give a demonstration…”

“Ew no!” she shrieked as the adults laughed.

“I’m so happy for you all,” said Becks, patting Will’s back as he laid against her chest. “Now I get to help plan your wedding like you did mine.”

I felt myself pale again as the two women shrieked and started talking, Lucas laughed at the look on my face.

“I just thought we’d do something small and intimate.” I said, causing both women to freeze and stare at me appalled.

“You’re cute,” said Becks, grabbing Monica’s hand to pull her to the kitchen.

“Fuck,” I muttered as Lucas watched gleefully.

Chapter 36

“You know you’re going to have to talk to me eventually right?” I asked, storming after Nick around the side of the house. “Other than to just be a bossy asshole.”

I watched his body tense, turning slowly to face me, his brown eyes flashing with anger and something else. I came toe-to-toe with him, crossing my arms and craning my neck to stare.

“You really wanna do this here?” he practically growled, glaring down at me. I took him in, towering over me, tattoos covering him from the neck down. Brown hair longer on top and threaded heavily with gray, along with his short beard.

Nick Larson was a forty-four year old man. Fifteen years my senior. The mysterious bachelor of the town that nobody knew.

A month ago he’d come into the cafe when we were closed and I’d forgotten to lock the door. Dazed and a mess from the shift he’d just finished. I hadn’t turned him away. I’d gotten him some cookies and hot tea. I’d been worried about the look in his eyes.

He’d almost seemed to stare vacantly through me. When he’d started to leave, I’d come around the corner and given him a hug without even thinking. I’d always had a thing for older men. When he’d come in with Lucas, Trevor, and the guys, I’d admired him from afar.

I hadn’t expected him to lose control that night. After the hug we’d pulled back and I’d been pinned under his stare.

The next thing I’d known we were kissing. It was unlike any other encounter I’d ever had. The way he’d taken control yet ensured consent. The way he’d reached over and locked the cafe’s door and then taken me.

I didn’t regret it.

But he seemed to.

“Caroline,” he said, rubbing his hand over his face, my eyes drank in the tattoos there hungrily. I loved every bit of him. I had since I’d gotten back into town and I’d first set eyes on him. “We can’t do this. It was a one time thing. I don’t do relationships. It's not you. I’ve always been this way.”

Scowling up at him I asked, “So, what happened that night? Everything that clicked with us was just a one off?” I whispered.

Something in his eyes softened before he threw his guard back up.

“You’re fifteen years younger than me, Caroline. This can’t happen.” he turned and stomped off to his police vehicle, slamming the door and peeling out.

I stood watching his taillights turn at the end of the street.

If Nick Larson didn’t want me, if Nick Larson was the same as every other male in my life, then I’d just raise this baby alone.

Chapter 37

Ipulled over once I left Lucas and Becks’ street. Into another quiet neighborhood and slammed my hands against the steering wheel. That fucking woman. This is why I only slept with women that I never saw again.

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