Page 29 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

Chapter Ten

Colt settled on the bed with Ashley tucked up against him. He’d forgotten how nice it could be to have a hot man beside him. He’d missed the warmth and the intimacy. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of Ashley’s hair, or was it his shampoo? Colt didn’t care.

Within seconds, he slipped into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Colt woke before Ashley. He smiled as he surfaced from slumber. Ashley had ground his ass into Colt’s crotch and held Colt’s arm against his belly. The man was so sexy in his sleep. A bit of scruff showed on his cheeks. With his eyes closed and his lips parted, he snored a bit. Colt noticed the sunkenness of Ashley’s cheeks. The man had held the world on his shoulders. No more. Colt refused to let him carry the load alone.

“Dad?” Wyatt strolled into the room and paused. “Dad?”

“He’s sleeping.” Colt disengaged from Ashley and thanked God he’d kept his pants on while they slept. “What’s up?”

“Nothin’.” Wyatt wandered out of the bedroom. “Nothin’.”

Colt knew better. He eased out of bed and grabbed his shirt from the floor. He followed Wyatt down the stairs to the living room. The kid lay sprawled on the couch where his father had been the night before.

“What’s up?” Colt sat beside Wyatt. “Your dad has a lot on his mind and needed his sleep.”

“With you?” Wyatt narrowed his eyes and frowned. He kicked his foot on the floor. “Dad doesn’t sleep with stuffed animals.”

“He’s a dad.” Colt rested his ankle on his other knee. “You’re upset.”

“He’s my dad, not yours.” Wyatt folded his arms. His blond hair mashed to the side of his face and stuck out on the other side with the slept-in look. “I don’t want to share.”

“Why?”

“’Cause. It’s me and him.” Wyatt stood then stretched and yanked his sleep shirt down. “You can’t live in our apartment. There isn’t room.”

“You want me to live with you? Or no?” He’d be willing to bet Ashley fed Wyatt plenty, but the kid looked so thin. Maybe it was his desire to take care of them, but he wanted so much more for Ashley and Wyatt. He’d prefer the kid liked him.

“Are you gonna live with us?” Wyatt tilted his head to the side. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Huh?”

“I don’t know.” Demanding little man, wasn’t he? Colt bit back a smile. The kid had learned to stand up for himself and his father—good traits to have.

“Am I gonna get food at the diner whenever we go?”

“Probably.”The kid’s sizing me up and bargaining? Fine.“Wyatt, I like your dad. I want to be in your life and his, too.” He fought the urge to tug Wyatt onto his lap and hug away the fears he saw growing in Wyatt’s eyes. The poor guy was scared. He’d lost so much and may not have understood it, but he didn’t want to get close to someone who’d leave, too.

“You do?” Wyatt rubbed his chin in a gesture more mature than something a six-year-old would do.

“I do.” Colt noticed the footsteps on the carpet. When he saw the feet on the steps, he knew—Ashley. “Here comes your dad.”

“Dad!” Wyatt bounded through the room and threw his arms around Ashley’s waist. “There you are.”

Ashley blushed from his hairline to his pecs. He scooped the six-year-old into his arms. “Sorry, tot. Did you have a bad dream?” He smoothed down Wyatt’s hair. “You must’ve slept okay. Your hair is a disaster.”

“When I went looking for you, I found you with him.” He nodded over his shoulder and kicked his foot. “Is he your boyfriend?”

Ashley slid his gaze over to Colt then back to his son. “Would you be upset if he is?” He stood Wyatt on his feet and knelt down in front of him. “What do you think? It’s your apartment, too.”

“He can’t live in our apartment. There isn’t room.” Wyatt plopped down on Ashley’s lap. “Why does he have to sleep with you? You’re my dad. Dads don’t share a bed.”

“Wyatt.” Ashley sighed and wiped a hand over his face. “That’s not always how it works…but you’re too young to understand.”

Colt cleared his throat and nodded. “I’ll be in the other room.”

He strode past Ashley and Wyatt and headed to the bedroom. This had to be part of what Ashley was worried about—Wyatt’s feelings. Colt wanted Wyatt to like him, but he’d also intruded on a special situation. Wyatt hadn’t had anyone else really in his life. Colt sat on the edge of the bed and put on his socks then made the bed. Never let it be said he had no manners.

Colt wandered back down the stairs. He stopped in the doorway to the living room. “Ash? Want me to drive you back to the apartment to get your car?”

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