Page 30 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

“Let me make sure Ma’s okay with keeping Wyatt that long. I’ll be right back.” Ashley left the room and Wyatt trailed behind him.

Colt should’ve known better. He’d expected to win the kid over just because he was a nice guy and could offer free food at the diner. But he really hadn’t tried to get to know the kid. Did the six-year-old like blocks? Video games? Cats? Dogs? He knew nothing, but he wanted to hook up with Wyatt’s dad.

He scrubbed both hands over his face and checked his briefcase. The money was still there. He’d have to do the numbers when he got back to his house. He shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. He’d put Ash and Wyatt in an awkward situation.

“Okay, Ma is fine with Wyatt staying here until we get this sorted out.” Ashley yanked his shirt over his head and stepped into his running shoes. “Ready?”

“I am.” He checked his phone. One message from Jordan.

The diner is fine. Probably good if you stay closed on your regular day closed. Will keep you posted.

That was one thing he didn’t have to worry about. He’d drive past the building to check, but he always checked up on the diner. He tucked his wallet into the briefcase. Once Ashley had tied his own shoes, Colt grabbed his briefcase, phone and keys.

“I’m sorry about all this. I shouldn’t have dragged you into my problems.” Colt opened the door for Ashley. “Wyatt doesn’t like me.”

Ashley waited for Colt to slide into the driver’s seat and to turn on the engine before he spoke. “Wyatt is cautious like me. He’s also six and doesn’t understand what’s going on. I don’t usually involve him in my love life.” He bobbed his head. “I’d have to have a love life first, but that’s beside the point.”

“Ash.” He wanted to say something reassuring but had nothing.

“No, that’s how it is. He was too small to remember Lane. We were together for five years, but that last year he drifted away. He spent more time at the clubs and stuff and had his own apartment. That’s partially why we have the tiny one. I couldn’t afford to keep the house we all shared. I’m broke because Lane drained my funds and ran off.”

“Ouch.” Colt gripped the steering wheel and zipped down the street toward the diner. “I wish I could make that situation better.”

“No, it’s my own fault. I invested my time in a guy who was totally wrong for me.” Ashley crossed his ankles. “That’s why this thing with you is kind of freaking me out. I’m feeling the same way as I did with Lane but a whole lot faster. I’m scared.”

“I’m not going to take your money.” He slowed down as they approached the diner. The picketers were still there. Twenty or twenty-five people if he had to count. No one seemed to be violent, just strolling in a gigantic oval in front of the closed diner.

“Guess that’ll make opening tomorrow more difficult—the picketers.” Ashley groaned. “The coalition. Don’t they ever quit?”

“I doubt it.” Colt eased across the intersection and headed the rest of the way to Ashley’s apartment. “They want to make a statement. Maybe it’s a good thing the single dad group wants to make one, too.”

“Farin got the permits.” Ashley shifted in his seat. “We need to meet up and plan the festival out.”

“You’re right.” Colt pulled into the parking lot of Ashley’s apartment complex. He shut off the SUV and turned in his seat. “I won’t take your money. I said I wouldn’t break your heart and I’ll do my best to hold up that promise.”

“I know.” Ashley smiled. He rested his hands in his lap. “I started to say this was like with Lane, but it’s not. With him, I was always looking over my shoulder and checking my wallet. There was attraction, but I couldn’t trust him. I don’t know you that well, but I can already tell the trust is there. Plus, I’m dying to be with you.” He averted his gaze. “After last night and the stuff with Wyatt, I don’t know how you feel and I wouldn’t blame you if you ran the other way.”

“He did a real number on your confidence.” Colt grasped Ashley’s hand and brushed his thumb across Ashley’s knuckles. “Let me walk you in. We’ll see what happens.” Like crazy, against-the-wall sex—if he had anything to say about it. “Let me grab my briefcase. The take from yesterday is in there and I don’t trust leaving it in the vehicle.”

“Deal.” Ashley left the SUV and fished his keys from his pocket. “I wouldn’t—whatever’s in there.”

Colt strolled alongside Ashley to the apartment and draped his arm around Ashley’s shoulders. Just touching him and being a couple in public pleased him. He waited on the small pad while Ashley unlocked the door. “I lived in an apartment like this when I was in college. A studio version.”

“That would be too small.” Ashley laughed. “It’d make keeping an eye on Wyatt easier, though. Nowhere to hide.”

“True.” Colt closed the door behind them and placed the case and his keys on the couch. “Mind if I hit the lock?” He sounded so cozy and domestic.

“Are you planning on doing something drastic?” Ashley tossed his keys onto the table. “Are you?” He grasped the back of the lone armchair.

“I want to do this.” Colt gathered Ashley in his arms and kissed him. “And this.” He bit Ashley’s bottom lip then licked where he’d bit. He’d never get enough of Ashley. The same sizzles came back and manifested deeper. He felt Ashley to his core. Was it too early to feel so connected? Probably. He slid his palms into Ashley’s back pockets. He needed Ashley closer.

“I like it,” Ashley gasped. He clutched the front of Colt’s shirt. “This is too fast.”

“Good. You need fast and hard.” Colt rubbed his body along Ashley’s, tweaking Ashley’s nipples through his shirt. The bulge growing behind Ashley’s zipper spurred Colt on. He loved the feel of two cocks rubbing on each other, even through fabric. “Got rubbers here?”

“I do.” Ashley threaded his arms around Colt’s shoulders. “In my room.” He kept Colt in his embrace as he guided them out of the main room.

The frantic need suited Colt. He wanted more from Ashley—like everything. Together, they collapsed on the bed in a tangle of arms and legs. Colt didn’t care. He continued to kiss and taste Ashley—his throat, chest, belly and back to Ashley’s neck. The man intoxicated him and made him want the moment to last forever…except he couldn’t wait that long.

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