Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls, #5)

by Catherine Cowles

Arden’s brother and the most stunning man to ever see me at my worst. Those dark green eyes flashed in my mind again. So full of concern, with a healthy dose of pissed off.

I didn’t know where the hell to look. Everywhere my eyes darted was skin. Too much damn beauty. And she had ridiculous, sparkly rainbows on her panties. Cute on top of gorgeous was not a good combination. Especially when it came to Ellie Pierce. She was all sunshine and goofiness. But the woman had secrets. And secrets weren’t something I handled well.

I needed safe, stable, and predictable. And Ellie was rainbow fireworks.

Hearing her say my name was beauty and pain all at once. “‘Night, Blaze. Try not to start any more fires.”

“Love isn’t something you can play safe. It doesn’t work that way. You want the good stuff, you gotta take risks.”

I grabbed the back of the collar and pulled it off in one swift tug, but it was only to find Ellie staring at me. Not at my face, but at my chest. Her gaze roamed over my pecs and down my abs. Oh, hell no. I cleared my throat, and her eyes flew to mine, her face flaming. “Sorry, you put on quite a show, Chief.” Not information I needed.

“You’re nothing like him. Wouldn’t be surprised if you sprang from nothing but magic and fairy dust. Because that’s what you leave in your wake.”

“Daddy, it’s so nice that you shared your shirt with Ellie. Maybe you can be besties, too.” I stared down at my daughter. “Maybe we can, Keels.” The only problem was that I wanted to be way more than besties.

“You’re going to need pants, though.” I couldn’t hold in my laugh. “Now, where’s the fun in that?” Trace raked a hand through his hair, pulling on the strands. But then he stepped into my house, backing me up and closing the door behind him. “You’re killing me, Blaze. And there’s only so much I can take before I break.” My breaths came quicker, escaping in short pants as Gremlin growled. “And what happens if you break?” “Neither of us will leave this house for days, and I really want to show you something. So, do me a favor. Turn around and walk that perfect ass upstairs and cover it with some pants, okay?” I tugged my lip between my teeth, fighting not to laugh. “Okay.” And that’s exactly what I did. But it cost me.

Someone knocked into me from the side, offering a beer. “You’re drooling.” I glared at Kye, taking the bottle and returning my gaze to my girls just as Ellie caught Keely. She spun her around, and Keely giggled as Gremlin barked. My girls. It was dangerous to even think the words, but I couldn’t stop myself. Because it felt…right.

“You deserve someone on their knees for you, not someone forcing you to yours.”

I took Trace’s mouth, and he let me, inviting me in.

but then Trace dropped to the floor. “What are you doing?” I rasped. “Showing you what you deserve.” He gazed up at me, his eyes a little wild. “Tell me I can show you.” My heart hammered against my ribs, and my mouth went dry. But there were only two words on my tongue. “Show me.”

My girl. Those two words swirled in my mind like the best compliment and kindest praise. After everything I’d been through, I would’ve thought the my in that statement would’ve gotten my back up. But it didn’t feel like a claim. It felt like…belonging. The best kind.

“Maybe I just want a pat down from the chief.” My dick twitched. “Sheriff.” “Prove it. Show me your badge.” “You make that sound dirty.” “I meant it to.” Ellie leaned forward to kiss me, but just before our lips met, a voice called from upstairs.

“Did you get me a sex toy?” A low, husky chuckle sounded across the line, and it felt like echoes of Trace’s callused fingertips skating over my skin. “Pretty sure it qualifies,” he said. “Chief…” “Not going to make promises I can’t keep. Might not be able to get my hands on you in real time, but I can control that with an app on my phone.”

“What do you think, Blaze? You want to play?” The deep rasp of Trace’s voice and the intent behind his words had my skin heating in an instant flush. “Yeah, Chief. I wanna play.”

“She changed what love meant. I don’t think I understood until she came into my life. What it could truly be. She’s made me a better father. A better brother. A better son. She’s made me a better man. And I will do everything in my power to be a good steward of that love. To honor it. To protect it. To protect her.”

“Trace,” I rasped, my lips hovering over his, making the barest contact on that single syllable. “I choose you.”

“No, you’re going to listen. I’ve been searching for something for as long as I can remember. Looking for belonging, safety. I’ve been chasing shelter, and you’re the one who finally gave it to me.”