Colt
Back in the house,Nova’s cheeks are the same shade of red as her car. She waits on the living room sofa while I fetch my mechanic’s number. I grab my phone off the kitchen counter, my heart beating out of my chest. It almost feels like fate has intervened, keeping Nova here after hours. A pang of guilt racks my guts because I’m grateful her car broke down so that I can have more time with her when she isn’t upstairs working. I shake off the thought and meet her in the living room.
“Thanks so much, Colt.” Nova peers up at me with troubled eyes. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” I tell her and send the call through to the mechanic. “We’ll get it all taken care of.”
“I’ve had that car since college. Piece of shit,” she mutters and pulls out her ponytail causing her auburn hair to cascade around her shoulders.
Nova’s helplessness makes me want to scoop her up and tell her everything’s going to be okay. That if she’ll just trust me, I can make her life wonderful—perfect, even. But, I can’t seem to bring myself to say the words. I don’t want to appear too eager, even though all I can think about is what it would feel like to take her face in my hands and taste her soft lips.
The phone rings and rings. When I pull the phone away to check the time, I realize why. It’s after six o’clock, and the garage closed about a half-hour ago. I let out a sigh and end the call.
“I’m sorry, Nova. My mechanic’s gone for the day.”
“Shit.” She mutters, eyes searching the floor as if that’s where the answer lies. “I guess I can always take the bus.”
“What? Absolutely not.” I take a step toward her. “You live in the city, right? That will take you hours.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Her bright blue eyes melt my heart. She looks so vulnerable, and while I find it adorable, I know I’ll do anything I can to help her, to bring a smile back to her beautiful face.
“I’ll drive you home, obviously.” She opens her mouth to object, but I don’t give her a chance. “Then, I will make sure someone’s out here first thing in the morning to look at your car.” I sit beside her, and in the process, our knees touch. It shouldn’t make me hard, but dammit, it does. This woman tantalizes every nerve in my body. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want Nova.
“That’s like forty-five minutes away.” She licks her ruby lips. “I can’t let you do that.”
“You don’t have a choice,” I say, resisting the urge to place my hand on her thigh. “But, I do have one request.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s have dinner first. I’m quite hungry, and I imagine you are too.”
A tiny laugh escapes her lips. “Can you hear my stomach grumbling?”
“No,” I say, now smiling myself. “But now I’m going to listen for it.”
“Stop,” she says and playfully shoos me away. The intimate gesture sends a wave of butterflies flurrying around in my gut.
“Good thing I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought supplies. How do you feel about Coq Au Vin? I’ve been marinating the chicken since this morning.” Her mouth bobs open and closed a few times, but no words come out. “Or, I’ve got a frozen pizza?”
“No, it’s not that.” She shakes her head, causing a stray strand of auburn hair to brush against her cheek. “I…I don’t know what Coq Au Vin is.”
Jesus, this woman is refreshing. “That’s okay,” I say. “It’s really just a stupid, fancy term for chicken and vegetables marinated in wine.”
“Oh,” she says, turning to me. “That actually sounds delicious.”
“And so is the wine I bought to drink with it.”
Finally, my angel smiles, full and bright. She brushes her hair away from her face, and I swear I see my future in her sparkling eyes. “That sounds nice.”
I can’t help but smile myself. “Come and keep me company while I cook. It won’t take long” We both stand and head toward the kitchen. “Then by the time I’m done, all of the remnants of rush hour traffic will have died down, and we’ll have a smooth trip.”
“What about tomorrow, though?” She meets my eyes, that look of concern appearing once more. “Never mind, I’ll take the bus.”
“You,” I take a step toward her. “Will do nothing of the sort. I will come and pick you up. Hell, I’ll even bring you coffee if you want.”
“What?” Her shoulders shake when she laughs. “Why would you do that for me?”
Because I’m enamored with you. Because you’re all I’ve been able to think about. Because you bring a light to this dark and depressing house that it’s never seen before.