Free Cursed by Shyla Colt Page B

picking Avalyn up at her front door tonight. He was a grown-ass man, not a teenager. It was time he started acting that way. He had his big boy underwear on tonight, and he refused to show his adversary, aka, Betty Voiles, any fear. She was like an animal. She could smell trepidation. Of course, with a woman as powerful as Betty, he’d be a fool not to step carefully. Pleased with his appearance, he opened the door to his truck and stepped down.
    Tonight he and Avalyn were headed to the local Apple Cider Festival. Summer was giving away to fall, and the nights had grown nippy, but it was a relief from the intense heat that had kept them all sticky from the moment they stepped out their front doors. He would miss Avalyn’s “it’s too hot to wear much else outfits.” His mouth watered at the thought of her tiny cut-off jean shorts and white tank tops. It was proof you could take the girl out of the south, but you couldn’t take the south out of the girl. With a smile on his face, he walked up the path to her house. He raised his head to knock, and the door swung open.
    Clad in a pair of blue jeans and a red polo shirt was Betty, in all her glory.
    “I guess you’re here to pick up my granddaughter?”
    “Yes, ma’am, I am.”
    She sniffed. “Well, come on in then.”
    He followed her inside and shut the door behind him.
    That was an improvement. She hadn’t picked up a cleaning product or said anything snide. He tucked his hands inside his pockets as he waited beside the door.
    “Avalyn will be down in a few minutes. Where are you planning on taking her tonight?”
    “To the Apple Cider Festival. Baxter makes some of the best in the world. We’ve even won awards.”
    “Should be a lot of fun then.”
    He nodded. “I sure hope so. I’m excited to show her more of what Baxter has to offer. I love this town, and it’s my hope she will too someday.” I also hope she loves me.
    The sound of footsteps on the stairs behind Betty sent relief zinging through his body. Avalyn appeared at the bottom of the stairwell, and a smile that would rival the Joker from Batman covered his lips. She was beautiful in an off-the-shoulder gray sweater she matched with a plain pair of black tights and knee-high boots with a small heel. Her neck was long and elegant, and her shoulders were round and sculpted. Avalyn enjoyed working out a few times a week, and it showed. She was lean, lithe, and confident. It was an arousing combination.
    “You look gorgeous.”
    “Thanks, Colton.” She smiled up at him, and the dimple in her left cheek appeared.
    “I love your dimple.” He wanted to kick himself right now. He couldn’t seem to control the connection from his brain to his mouth.
    “Thanks, babe.”
    The sound of her heels clicked and clacked across the surface, and the soft sway of her hips were hypnotic. She crossed the wooden floor to come to his side “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah? You ready to head out?”
    “Yeap, I already have my purse with me.” She touched the thin black strap resting on her shoulder. “Don’t wait up, Gran.”
    “Who says I’ll be sitting at home tonight?” the older woman asked with a sly smile and a wink that made Avalyn’s jaw drop.
    “Well, excuse me,” Avalyn said.
    “You’re excused. You young people enjoy yourselves.” With that, she turned to walk into the kitchen, disappearing behind the swinging door.
    “I think my gran has a boyfriend,” she whispered. A giggle escaped her lips, and he rolled his eyes.
    “Come on, woman, before she comes back out here and changes her mind about letting you leave with me.”
    She tucked her arm in the crook of his, and he guided her out the door to his truck. The ride was pleasant and full of catching up. With both of them owning their own business, it was a struggle to make time to see each other during the week.
    Fifteen minutes later, they were parked and entering the festival grounds. She gripped his bicep, and pride swelled up in his chest