Colters' Lady

Chapter Fourteen

Lily was a little dazed when she and Seth returned to the house. It hadn’t settled in. Yes, she’d told him she’d try it. But how innocuous did that sound? It was as if she’d told him she’d try some new dish.

But what she’d agreed to was a relationship—a relationship—with three men.

Nervous laughter bubbled and fizzed in her throat like a shaken-up soda. She was out of her mind.

She had no business entering a relationship with one man, much less three. And while she had at least gathered some idea of Seth and Michael, she knew nothing of Dillon. She’d spent all of half an hour in his presence. He’d kissed the daylights of her, but a kiss did not a relationship make.

She shook her head as she and Seth entered the kitchen through the back door. She hadn’t agreed to a relationship. She’d agreed to give them a chance, and she’d agreed not to leave.

Most women in her position would leap at a chance to leave a life on the streets and allow a tender and caring man to shelter her.

She wasn’t most women.

Seth’s hand settled possessively on her hip as they walked through the kitchen and into the living room. To her surprise, Dillon stood by the fireplace, one leg kicked up and his shoe planted against the wall as he leaned back.

She was struck again by his presence. In a family of conservative looking…cowboysshe was convinced they all looked like the typical western, mountain familyDillon stuck out like a steel blade among plastic knives.

Thick muscled arms with intricate tattoos. She was dying to study the patterns, to trace them with her fingers and see how far over his body they ran. Did they extend to his chest? His back?

He fascinated her. He exuded confidence and self-satisfaction, as if he was right where he wanted to be in life and couldn’t care less if anyone else found him lacking.

She glanced around, searching for Michael, but didn’t see him anywhere in the living room, though it was pretty crowded with the rest of the Colter family. They were all watching her, some more subtly than others, but she felt the weight of their stares as they measured the situation.

Tension spiked and held thick in the air. Seth’s hand was a brand on her hip while Dillon’s gaze burned her with its intensity.

She pulled away from Seth, putting a bit of distance between them. There was already so much focus on her, and the entire family seemed to be watching and holding their breath to see what would happen between Dillon and Seth.

Already she regretted her hastily given promise. This was a close-knit family, and she was a nobody.

It was already uncomfortable, and she hadn’t even exchanged more than a few words with Dillon. The last thing she wanted was to be a bone of contention.

Her throat narrowed and the air felt too hot squeezing through her windpipe. Her instinct was to flee, and she only fought the compulsion for the barest of seconds before she murmured a faint excuse and turned back toward the kitchen.

She’d said she needed something to drink, but she didn’t even pause. She opened the back door and stepped into the crisp mountain air. Inhaling sharply, she savored the tang of pine and the cool relief as air flowed easily into her lungs.

When had she become such a mouse? This nervous, hesitant person was a stranger to her. She’d become someone she no longer recognized. A shell of the young woman who’d once held the world in her hands.

The truth of the matter was, she was angry. Angry at herself. The instant she’d walked into the living room and faced the Colter family, saw Dillon staring at her so intently and knowing of the conversation she’d just had with Seth, she’d immediately felt unworthy.

Unworthy.

And why?

“You deserve to be happy, Lily,” she whispered. “Quit punishing yourself for past sins.”

“Very sound advice.”

She jerked her head around to see Dillon standing just behind her. She hadn’t even heard him come out the door. Warily, she edged sideways, her gaze never leaving him.

His eyes darkened with regret, and he ran a hand through his short, spiky hair. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Lily.”

She frowned slightly, unsure of how to take his apology.

He took a step forward. “At any time. Before in the bar, and now. I’ve made you uncomfortable and that’s the last thing I ever want to do. Seth’s ready to kick my ass, and the truth is, I deserve it.”

“Seth said…”

“What did he say?”

“He said a lot of things. About him and you and Michael. About your family. About your…feelings…for me.”

Dillon shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Then a slight gleam entered his eyes, and he glanced back toward the house. “Want to go take a ride with me? On my bike?”

She blinked. “Your bike?”

“Yeah, I drive a Harley. Well, I have a truck too, but the bike is a hell of a lot more fun to ride when the weather’s good.”

She hesitated. This became more surreal by the minute. She expected at any moment to wake up from a dream. Everything seemed so random. Something different at every turn.

Embrace it, Lily. Live, for God’s sake. Two days ago you were living alone in an alley with the knowledge that you’d always be alone. Now you don’t have to be. Even if it’s only for a little while, savor it.

“I want to spend some time with you, Lily. Just you and me. No Seth. No Michael. Nothing to confuse the issue. I don’t want to know what Seth said about me or my feelings. I don’t care. What I care about is exploring this thing between you and me. Because my feelings—whatever they are—will be explained by me. Not my brother.”

“And no one will mind if we just…disappear?”

He grinned—a cocky, self-assured grin—that did funny things to her insides. In that moment she caught a glimpse of the mischievous rebel that was part and parcel of his image.

“Do we need their permission?”

She smiled. “No, I suppose not. Although I don’t want Seth to worry. He wasn’t happy that I went riding with Callie with my arm.”

Dillon’s eyes darkened as his gaze swept down her shoulder and then he frowned. “Where is the sling?”

She rolled her eyes. “I took it off. I don’t need it.”

“I’ll be careful with you. All you have to do is hug tight to me and keep your shoulder against my back.”

The idea of being so intimately pressed to him sent a flutter of awareness through her veins. Her belly clenched and adrenaline spiked, sending a warm flush over her skin and deeper until she was aware of the slow thud of her pulse.

Dillon tilted his head in the direction of the house. “They’re used to my craziness. They won’t even blink. Seth might get uptight, but he’s already had you to himself. If he’s so keen for this to work, he’s going to have to deal.”

He held out his hand, and for a moment she stared at it, studying the long fingers and the roughness of his palm. Carefully she slid her hand over his, absorbing the sensation of the spark that leapt between them.

He curled his thumb over the top of her hand and rubbed up and down before tightening his fingers around hers.

“Come with me, Lily.”

His voice lowered and there was sensual enticement in the simply stated plea.

“If you’ll let Seth know where we’re going,” she said by way of agreement.

Again the cocky smile flashed and he tugged at her hand. “All right then. Let’s go face them together.

Did the dads feed you?”

She nodded.

“Okay, then I’ll feed you dinner later. I’m a pretty good cook and not just the bar food we serve up at the pub. I’ll promise Seth to have you home at a decent hour.” He grinned as he said the last, and she smiled in return at the playfulness in his voice.

He guided her inside, barely touching her except for his grip on her hand, but the heat from his body hovered and invaded her until she leaned into his side, wanting that wonderful jolt of awareness all over again.

Conversation stopped when she and Dillon re-entered the living room, and once again there was open speculation on the faces of the Colters.

Seth’s gaze dropped to her and Dillon’s linked hands. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes told a different story. There was uncertainty there, and forgetting that Dillon was going to inform him that she was taking a ride with him, she dropped Dillon’s hand and went straight to Seth.

She hovered close, wanting to touch him, wanting to go into his arms, but she didn’t know how to handle situations like this. She wished the others weren’t there because she felt like a performer in a bizarre scene. Like everyone was waiting to see the big reveal.

“Can you come outside?” she whispered to Seth. “With me and Dillon?” She looked back at Dillon as she spoke, worried that he would think she was asking for the very permission they’d joked about. It wasn’t about permission. It was about respect, and in her own way she wanted to reassure Seth.

Seth nodded and touched her arm as he turned her in the direction of the front door.

“We’ll see you guys later,” Dillon announced as he followed Seth and Lily out. He stopped to ruffle Callie’s hair. “Don’t be late for work tonight, kiddo. And try not to hurt my customers.” There were murmured goodbyes, and Lily was already out the front door, but then she turned, not wanting the Colters to think her rude. She grasped the door frame and smiled at Seth and Dillon’s parents.

“Thank you for your hospitality. You were very kind.” Then she looked to Callie. “I enjoyed the ride very much. Thank you for taking me.”

The Colters looked a little dazed, and who could blame them? Lily had burst into their well-ordered lives and turned things upside down in a matter of hours.

She bit her lip and prayed she hadn’t made a decision that was going to hurt what was obviously a very close family relationship.

As if sensing her worry, Holly smiled and crossed the room to stand in front of Lily just moments before enfolding her gently in her embrace.

“You’re very welcome, Lily. It was wonderful to meet you. You’re welcome here anytime. I expect we’ll be seeing more of you soon.”

Her eyes twinkled as she pulled away, and Lily returned her smile.

Dillon stopped to plant a noisy smack on his mother’s cheek before all but pushing Lily out the door.

“I’m taking Lily for a ride and we’ll grab some dinner later,” Dillon announced as they approached the parked vehicles out front.

Seth’s only reaction was the slight twist of his lips, but he glanced at Lily. “Are you up for that? You shouldn’t be running all over the damn place with your arm hurt.” There was an accusing note in his voice, almost as if he was criticizing Dillon for not taking better care with her.

She put her hand on Seth’s chest and left it there as she stared up at him. “I’m okay, Seth. A ride sounded nice. And…well…if what you said is true, then I need…” She struggled to say the words, but she had to be as honest and upfront with them as they were with her, and if that meant expressing her needs, then she had to do it.

“I just met Dillon. There is an obvious attraction there, but I have to know. He has to know. We all have to know,” she added for emphasis. “You asked for a chance, and I agreed to give you that chance, but we all have to make sure this is right.”

Seth pulled her into his arms, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Way to turn my words back on me. I just worry. I want you safe.” He glanced sideways at his brother but there was no heat in his gaze. “Dillon’s a maniac. I don’t want him to get you killed.”

Dillon smirked and rolled his eyes. “C’mon, big brother. Let her go. You were the one preaching time and patience and how we need to do this and that. Time to walk the talk.” Seth kissed her but relinquished her without further argument. “I’ll meet you at Michael’s later, okay?”

She nodded and smiled. Dillon looked over at her and then gestured toward his truck. “You ready?” She took a deep breath and started toward Dillon’s flashy red Dodge truck. She glanced back at Seth and their gazes connected for one last moment before she slid into the passenger seat of Dillon’s vehicle.