Tough as Nails

Chapter 30

    I woke up the next morning in my bed.  I'm pretty sure I fell asleep on the couch.  Gauge must have carried me to bed.  He's so sweet and considerate.  If I hadn't given my heart to Kade all those years ago, I would definitely give it to Gauge.  The only problem is I don't think I'll ever get it back from Kade.  I would rather die a lonely weathered hag than to cheat someone out of the love they deserved.  Maybe someday I'll get my heart back.

I can smell coffee brewing so I know Gauge is up. I hate coffee but I know he and Aspen both like it. I am a sweet tea person from sun up to sun down. Everyone always teases me that I'll never be a "grown up" because I don't drink coffee. I bought my own house... that's "grown up" enough for me.

I quickly run to the bathroom in my room and brush my teeth and hair. I pinch my cheeks to give them a little color. I don't want to over do it, but I do want to look cute. I walk into the kitchen to find Gauge sitting on the back deck enjoying the view. I pour me a glass of tea and join him.

"Good morning. How'd you sleep?" I asked as he looked up at me.

"Better than I have in a long time. This place is so peaceful. I'm going to hate leaving." He said with a sexy smile.

"I wish you didn't have to leave so soon. I've really enjoyed having you around." I blushed sitting on the bench beside him. The morning air was cool and caused me to shiver.

"Are you cold?" He asks putting his arm around me.

"A little." I said leaning into his warmth. I like being held by him way more than I should. I knew this wasn't fair to him, but I couldn't pull myself away just yet. I caught him staring at me with a look on his face that I couldn't figure out. "What?"

"You are absolutely beautiful." His words took me by surprise.

"I'm sure you use that on all the ladies." I tried to joke. Blushing, I turned away. He hooked his finger under my chin, tuning my head to face him.

" You should know by now I mean what I say." He said bringing his face closer to mine. "And I say you are the most beautiful person I have ever laid my eyes on." He softly rubbed his lips against mine.

"Oh..." I squeaked not moving a muscle. What would it be like to kiss him?  I brought my hand up and caressed his jaw in wonder.

He closed his eyes and kissed the corner of my mouth. He rested his forehead against mine. Wanting more, I kissed the corner of his mouth. He responded by kissing my lips tenderly. I kissed his in return and he kissed me before I could pull away. We began kissing each other at the same time. The kisses became quicker and more passionate. I wrapped my arms around his neck deepening the kiss. He pulled me onto his lap as our tongues explored one another's mouths. Things got heated quickly as his rather large manhood pressed firmly against my thin leggings. The need between my legs was clear. He moaned as I ground myself against him causing me to moan.

"Everleigh?" I heard my name as there was a loud knock at the door.

"Shit! It's my dad!" I said quickly climbing off of Gauge. I ran my fingers through my hair and straightened out my clothes on my way to the front door.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" I asked trying to act like I hadn't just made out with the hot cop on my back deck.

"I heard you had company and I thought he might appreciate this." He said holding up a can of coffee. Dad knows I hate the stuff. And I know that gave him the perfect excuse to come talk to the man who saved my life.

"Thank you, but I have coffee. I was figuring you would be visiting and I know how coffee runs through your veins." I joked leading him to the back deck. "Gauge this is my dad, Gary. Dad this Sheriff Whimbley."

"Call me Gauge, please." He said shaking my dad's hand.

"Sure is a beautiful place you got here, sis." Dad said looking out at the view.

"I absolutely love it. You want a cup, dad?"

"Yes, please."

"Refill?" I asked Gauge.

"Yes, please. Do you need any help?" Gauge asked studying me.

"Thank you, but I can manage. You just sit there and relax." I said giving him a small smile.

I made it into the kitchen and decided to brew a new pot. I needed a few minutes to think. What the hell was that? Why did I like it so much? And why the hell am I craving more... so much more? I leaned over the island in the kitchen watching the coffee pot fill. My hand found my swollen just kissed lips. I ran my finger over my plump lip as I replayed the earlier events in my mind.

"Are you alright?" Gauge's voice startled me.

"Um, yeah... I'm good." I stuttered. Not understanding why I was so nervous.

"I know you weren't ready for anything like that. I just became selfish and did what I've wanted to do since the first day I met you. I know you love him. I'm an adult, I can handle this." He said rubbing my arm.

"I liked it, like, REALLY liked it. I'm just so confused." I admitted.

"We'll talk about it later. Let's take your dad his coffee." He said kissing the top of my head.

Dad told Gauge that he owed him his life for saving mine. He asked him a million questions about the case. I'm so glad he picked up on my anxiety about dad knowing to much and only told him what he needed to know.

"Blaze better hope he spends his life behind bars. If I ever see him, it will be a bullet between his eyes." Dad warned.

"I promise you, sir, I'll turn in my badge and handle it myself if he walks. There is no way he will. We have to much against him, not just what he did to Everleigh. He killed her friend, he told her he did."

"Can we talk about something else now. Like what you would like to do today. I want to show you the small lake by town that makes me most of my income."

"That sounds great. Would you like to join us, sir?" Gauge asked my dad. I think he likes my dad. I know dad loves him.

" No thank you. I need to be headed home. I just wanted to stop by and shake the hand of the man that saved my Everleigh." Dad said with admiration. "Ev, be sure to show him the river. He might never want to leave after he sees it." Dad winked at me. I was surprised he didn't ask about Kade. Cameron and Zander must have already told him.

"I'll see you later, dad." I said hugging him bye.
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"Would you like breakfast before we leave?" I asked Gauge trying to fill the awkward silence.

"Why don't you just let me buy you breakfast."

"Are you asking me out on a date?" I joked.

"If you say yes, I am. If you say no, I may have to skip breakfast and go straight to kissing you again. Then we may never get to go see the sights." He said wrapping his arms around my waist. "What will it be, Everleigh?"

"I don't know what to pick." I admitted blushing.

"How about you let me buy that breakfast. And if you're sure, there's plenty of time for that kissing later." He said chuckling.

"Okay... just let me get dressed." I gulped. I ran to my room and got dressed it my short distressed jean shorts and a cute tank top. I pulled my curly locks into a ponytail. I put on light makeup because we would be outside all day. I grabbed my camera bag because you never know when the perfect opportunity would arise. I rushed into the living room because I didn't want to keep him waiting.

His eyes took in the whole sight of me. He made me feel beautiful without saying a single word. I could see it in his eyes. I was growing more fond of him by the second. That added to my confusion.

"We had better go." He said swallowing hard.