Page 60 of No Apologies
“Using your fists to fix your problems is probably what brought this on to start with.”
“Don’t start, Skylar. I’m a Bomar. I’ve told you before there are things about me that you’re never going to understand and dealing with this kind of thing is one of them.”
She stared up at him for a long moment and he prepared himself for another rebuttal so he was shocked when she once again completely ignored his bad attitude and moved into his personal space, “Colt, I worry about you.”
His hand had a mind of its own and he brushed her hair back, “Don’t waste your time worrying about me. I’m not worth it.”
“I think you are.”
“That’s because you’re an angel… and way too good for me.”
She caught his hand when he started to pull away and placed it back on her cheek, holding him to her, “One of these days, I’m going to make you see yourself like I see you.”
Someday, he hoped that was true. Because he had no idea what she saw in him but it made him want to be that man. The man that was good enough to earn her time and her affection. But he wasn’t that man yet, and standing in his ruined shop arguing about whether he was going to lay a beat down on the people responsible proved it.
He stroked his thumb across her cheek, “I’m going to handle the people responsible for this, Sky. I just need you to stay safe. I can’t stand the thought of you getting dragged into this mess.”
“Stop trying to protect me.”
“Never.”
That pain in his chest intensified as he looked down at her. He slipped his hand from her cheek back into her hair. He needed to kiss her. Again. Now. While he still could. He knew all the reasons it was a bad idea but right there, at that moment, all that mattered was that she was here, with him, and she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She tipped her face back just as he lowered his head.
And then a loud yell destroyed the moment.
“Well, well, a Bomar in trouble? It must be a day that ends in Y.”
Colt had been dealing with bullshit like that his entire life so he clenched his jaw and tried not to let it get to him. He dropped his hands from Skylar and stepped back. She frowned as she turned to face their intruder but he moved in front of her and shook his head. He didn’t need her defending him.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Johnny Law. Glad you could drag yourself away from the donuts long enough to do your job.”
The deputy that was strolling into his shop glared at him and Colt flashed his teeth. Damn, just knowing he could still get to the bastard was enough to lighten his dark mood. Sometimes it was about the simple joys in life and pissing off Lawson Trebly had been a particular pleasure for him ever since the little shit got him sent to juvie in middle school.
But lately, the biggest reason he’d found for wanting to put his fist through the cocky asshole’s face was the way he looked at Skylar. And as if he had no sense of self-preservation, the deputy caught sight of her standing there and his glare lessened. He smiled, flashing dimples and good ol’ boy charm, as he moved closer with all of his attention firmly on her.
“Sky, I’m sorry it took me so long to get down here. They gave me the address and…”
“And you thought it was just Colt’s shop so you figured why bother hurrying?” Skylar didn’t return his smile and the other man grimaced, “I guess I should just be thankful you finally showed up, huh Law?”
“I… uh… went next door but…”
“But clearly the real damage was done here, as you can see.”
Colt smirked when Lawson blinked at Skylar like he wasn’t completely sure what was happening. He figured this was the first time the lawman was seeing this side of Skylar. His girl was all sweetness with a dash of spice most days but damn if he wasn’t enjoying watching her put someone other than him in their place.
Wait… his girl?
Almost as if his misguided thought about Skylar being his had conjured his worst nightmare, another figure stepped through the open doorway. No, not one figure. Two. He took in the new additions to the party and scowled. If there was ever a shining example of the differences between him and Skylar, it was in the two men that walked in at that exact moment.
Owen Holland glanced around the destroyed shop and immediately moved towards his sister, “Jesus, Sky. This is a mess. Are you okay? What’s going on? Your message just said to come down and help clean up but you weren’t next door.”
Skylar moved toward her brother, meeting him in the middle, and Colt let her go. He had no reason to reach for her, to keep her by his side, even if he’d liked having her there. He had his own family to deal with and he knew that while Owen had showed up because he was worried, Lincoln was walking towards him for a completely different reason.
“Hey.” His cousin returned his scowl as his eyes scanned over him quickly, “You okay?”
“Fine. It happened overnight. Found it when I got in this morning.”
Lincoln scrubbed a hand through his hair, “This is a hell of a mess. Would have taken some time for one guy to do all this. Nobody heard or saw anything?”
