Chapter 5
I went in the next day wondering if his mom had said anything to him about the invite, all night I tossed and turned like a crazy person, thinking about things I hadn't let cross my mind in quite some time, like what should I wear.
I got cold bumps just thinking about it, it had been a while since I'd worn anything other than a gunny sack, my protective shield.
I'm coming to realize that it's silly, in my head I know that, it's getting the rest of me to go along with it that's the problem.
Oh well, if push comes to shove I can always wear one of dad's old flannel shirts and some sweats.
Classy Kat.
Well if my biggest problem was what to wear then I'd say I was making progress, a few months ago just the thought of being out in public surrounded by all those people would've sent me into shock.
I heard voices coming from the game room, that's the room the guys hung out in and ate or played pool and video games when they were having down time.
There was even a kids' corner and when I'd asked Colton about it he'd told me in his gruff way 'bitches got shit to do sometimes so their old man brings the kid in and we take turns watching over the little tykes.'
I went down to the room to see what was going on since I'd done my morning's work and was bored out of my mind, I get into trouble when I'm bored.
The men were having some sort of pow wow it looked like because everyone was here. Colton stood in front of them giving out orders for some up coming riding event.
The way he stood with his arms folded across his muscular chest, legs braced apart as he looked down at his men like a king with his subjects did something to me.
It might sound weird but I wanted to worship at his feet, I'd never seen a more beautiful human being in my life. Too bad he would eat me for breakfast and keep going.
Men like him didn't fall for girls like me, if only.
He turned that piercing green gaze on me as if sensing my scrutiny, my inner turmoil.
His eyes travelled up and down my body before settling once more on my eyes.
"Something on your mind Sloan?"
Eeek, I just soiled my panties.
I should start charging him for those,a girl could only go through so many panties before she ran out.
"Well!"
He hardly speaks but he sure does get his point across, I think one of his hard glares is worse than a shout.
"Going back to work sir."
Oh shit, I remembered the sir thing too late as I made a bee line for the office.
I could hear the soft drone of his voice as he continued speaking to the men before there was a line of footsteps tromping back to the shop.
It wasn't long before the door was opened and you know who came in.
Working here, take your sexy eyes and bitable ass on down the hall thank you very much.
"What are you thinking about now?"
"Uh...excuse me?"
I hate this stupid bun, if I wore my hair down I could hide behind it, with my hair pulled back like this he could see my blush.
"You're blushing again, do I make you nervous or something?"
I was shaking my head before he was through, and why was that? I'd just realized that he didn't make me nervous at all, in fact this whole place made me feel safe, I had no doubt it was because he was here. Weird.
Funny, I hadn't even thought of it until now, but my dad and Jared were the only two males I'd been able to spend anytime around without going into panic mode.
The thought made me smile, maybe, just maybe, I was healing.
* * *
What the f*ck is she smiling about now, I think Jake sold me a lemon, I just can't figure out what the hell is the issue.
When she isn't blushing like a medieval virgin, she's tearing into someone or smiling for no damn reason.
"Are you trying to make me crazy?"
"No sir...uh...uhm...nope."
She shook her head again.
"I'm going to start tallying up those sirs and hold them for future payment, now was there something you needed before?"
"No...ahem...no, nothing."
She was one strange duck, now her voice sounded like she was strangling.
Where the f*ck is Jared, I'm gonna kick his ass, his 'little sister' was driving me nuts, kept me up all night wondering about her, the f*ck, that's not my style.
Besides, I don't have time for some little wilting flower with split personality disorder or whatever the f*ck.
"What's going on with you and Jared?"
Real smooth Lyon, why don't you just drag her by her hair into your lair.
"Jared, like what?"
Good, she didn't seem to pick up on the undertone of pissed off in my voice.
One of the reasons I'd been up all night was because of that little byplay I'd witnessed between those two yesterday.
"Forget it, I'm in the shop."
I turned and left before I made an even bigger ass of myself.
I don't know who she was getting to me, she wasn't even my type, except for those eyes of hers she didn't really have anything going for her, she wore her hair like an old school marm, her clothes were less than anything approaching attractive and she was nuts.
Not a very enticing combination, so why the f*ck was she the only thing I could think of for the last twenty four hours?
F*cking Jared.
Instead of going to the shop I decided to go for a ride and clear my head, there was no point in staying around here with her so near, I wouldn't get anything done anyway.
I was gone for about an hour before I felt it was safe to return, I'd done some thinking while I was gone and realized that part of my problem was Char's stupid prediction which made no sense because I didn't believe in that shit anyway.
So there was really nothing like a blooming attraction or anything going on, just the power of suggestion I guess.
I turned the corner and almost had a heart attack, she was standing on the seat of a power bike holding onto the handle bars while my crew stood around watching her.
I didn't run or yell or make any fast movements, didn't want to scare her, make her fall.
She flipped herself over the bars and back into the seat in a seated position.
That's when I moved forward, well when my legs finally worked anyway.
The crew was whistling and applauding while she grinned the biggest f*cking grin I had ever seen on her face behind the helmet.
Everyone grew quiet when they saw me coming and some of the men started to scatter.
"Off."
She climbed off the bike and removed her helmet, placing it under her arm, head down biting into her lip no doubt.
I'm sure she expected me to lash out at her, and though that had been my first inclination I wouldn't take her joy away like that, neither would I embarrass her in front of the men.
"Good job."
F*ck the smile on her face rivaled the sun for brightness.
"Don't you clowns have better things to do?"
"Yes boss." They grinned as they walked away, giving Kat more praise as they left.
"Come with me." I turned and headed to the office, Kat behind me chattering away like a magpie.
I held my shit together until we got to the office.
I opened the door, waited for her to precede me, closing it I pushed her back against it.
"You ever pull a stunt like that again I'll tan your little ass you hear me?"
"What...I...you, but you said."
"I know what I said, it was a nice stunt but not for you."
"But why, you don't say anything when the guys do it?"
How could I explain it to her when I couldn't explain it to myself, all I know is that the thought of her being hurt made my blood run cold.
"I'm really careful Colton promise you don't have to worry, and I wear all my protective gear see."
She showed me the arm and knee pads she wore over yet another ugly ass suit.
She seemed so f*cking happy, unlike her usual withdrawn self, how could I take that away from her?
"Isn't there anything else you like as much, anything safer?"
I was caving but how could I put out that light in her eyes?
"No, not really."
There she goes with that soft little girl voice again.
I studied her for a moment, the kid had very little to make her happy it seemed like, it wouldn't be right to take this away from her too, but damn couldn't she find a safer hobby?
And why do you care Lyon, thought you weren't interested!
I ignored the annoying voice in my head as I looked at her.
"Okay I'll make you a deal, if you want to do these stunts you'll have to wait until I'm there to make sure you're safe, okay?"
"I don't want to take you away from stuff, I'll be careful I promise." She wouldn't look me in the eye as she blushed.
Damn this girl was some kinda shy.
"Take it or leave it katarina, either I'm there or you don't do them."
"Fine, I'll only do them when you're here."
She actually pouted, it was cute as hell.
I guess that ride was a waste of time because she was once again planted firmly in the forefront of my mind.
* * *