Page 110 of All the Missing Pieces

Pain speared through me. Somewhere along the line, I’d messed up. Because this thing between Colt and me wasn’t just fun and games. It was that, but it was so much more. He saw things in me that no one had ever taken the time to recognize. He understood the colors I painted my world with because he spoke the language of my pain.

And now I couldn’t imagine walking away from him.

But I’d have to. Whether that was in three days or three months, it wouldn’t matter. It would kill a piece of me—the piece I was beginning to love most.

Colt pulled to a stop in front of the sunny-yellow house. His hands didn’t leave the wheel for a moment. His strong fingers flexed around it, then readjusted and flexed again. Finally, he put his SUV in park and turned to me. “Why don’t you come to the station with me instead? You can hole up in one of the conference rooms to work.”

One corner of my mouth kicked up. “First you don’t want me at your house alone. Now staying at Emerson’s isn’t enough, even though Trey’s going to be here too.”

Colt grimaced at the space between us. “Don’t like that Baker’s out on bail and we still don’t know who attacked you.” He reached out, tracing the faint marks on my wrist that I knew would deepen to a darker bruise by tomorrow. “Hate that this happened to you.”

“I don't.”

Colt’s gaze flew to my face. “Why the hell not?”

“Because it showed me what I needed to see. I severed a business relationship that I never should’ve started. But if Baker hadn’t grabbed me, said what he did, I would’ve always wondered if I’d done the right thing. Now, I know I did.”

Colt stared at me for a long moment, his gaze roaming over my face in a gentle caress. “You always see the silver lining.”

My lips pulled into a full smile. “I try. Now kiss me and go catch up on all the work you’ve been missing because of me.”

That familiar scowl was back. “Bossy.”

I leaned across the console, my mouth just a breath away from his. “You like me that way.”

“Damn straight I do.” Colt closed the distance, his hand delving into my hair as I opened for him. His tongue stroked mine, reminding me just how quickly he could spark my body to life.

I pulled away, trying to cut the kiss short so I didn’t climb on top of him in the middle of Emerson’s driveway. “Have a good day, Law Man.”

I was out of the vehicle before he could say another word. I slung my bag over my shoulder and jogged up the steps. Before I reached the porch, the front door opened. Emerson was there, a hint of anxiety bleeding into her features.

A weight settled into my stomach. I’d thought she’d gotten used to me from all the time I’d spent here the other day. I’d had the sense that she trusted me, but maybe I’d been wrong. The last thing I wanted was to cause her any more pain.

I opened my mouth to tell Emerson I could go to the station with Colt, but my words were cut off as she rushed out and pulled me into a hard hug.

“You’re okay? He didn’t hurt you? Trey said you were all right, but he can hedge to protect me sometimes.” Emerson released her hold on me but quickly gripped my shoulders as she did a head-to-toe sweep.

I couldn’t help it; I beamed back at her.

Her brows quirked. “You smile at the reminder of some douchebag grabbing you?”

I shook my head. “I’m smiling because it’s nice to have someone care, and at the reminder that I tased that douchebag’s balls.”

Emerson burst out laughing. “Treydidtell me that part. Come on inside. I’ve got tea brewing.” She gave Colt a wave as Bear weaved around us, and then we headed in.

Emerson led me toward a warm and inviting living room. The space was a patchwork of colors that all somehow managed to work. And the huge picture window that looked out on the backyard only added to the effect.

Through the window, I caught sight of Trey working in the garden. A wheelbarrow sat to the side, already half-full of what looked like weeds. And I didn’t miss that Trey himself had lost his T-shirt somewhere along the line.

As I lowered myself into one of the two overstuffed chairs by the window, I noticed Emerson’s gaze lingering on Trey. I didn’t blame her. If I hadn’t been so caught up in her brother, I would’ve taken advantage of that view a little longer.

A yapping bark made Emerson jump, her gaze pulling from the window, her cheeks flaming. I bent down to greet the little barker. He looked to be more fluff than dog.

“Who’s this?” I asked as I lifted the little Yorkie up into my lap.

Emerson reached for the tea to pour us each a cup. “I forgot you didn’t get to meet Saber the other day. He’s named for his vicious snaggletooth.”

I grinned down at the little guy, who did indeed have a single tooth that seemed to hang over his lip. “Nice to meet you, Saber.” I gave him a scratch behind the ears, and he immediately curled up in my lap.

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