At First Sight

I wake up to the sun shining in my eyes and take a moment to regain my bearings. Lee's arm is wrapped around my waist, our hands are intertwined and he lays behind me breathing lightly into the back of my head. 

I smile knowing last night was the best sleep I've ever had. I felt comfortable and safe knowing I was in his arms. 

"Good morning" I hear Lee's groggy voice from behind my head

"Morning" I reply as I slowly turn to face him

He brings his left hand up and pushes a curl from my face to behind my ear. Then gently he traces my jawline with the back of his fingers. 

I look into his eyes as he watches where his fingers are tracing my jaw. Then he looks into my eyes for a moment before he leans in and presses his lips to mine. A fire burns in my chest the moment our lips touch. His hand moves to hold the back of my neck, then he pulls my face closer to deepen the kiss. 

This kiss isn't like the ones we've previously shared. This kiss is full of hunger and passion. My right hand grabs at his back, pulling his body into mine. 

Eventually the kiss slows and we part. He rests his forehead on mine and relaxes his body. 

After a moment I open my eyes and notice the clock on his night stand. It reads 9:05. Reluctantly, I move my hand up Lee's arm and move it from on top of me as I sit up.

"I'm sorry, but I have chores" I say 

Lee slowly sits up in the bed while he supports his abdomen with his arm. 

"You stay in bed and rest, I'm the one that has animals to feed" I say with a chuckle

"I've been in a bed all week" he replies as he walks me to the kitchen and living room area. 

"Do you have time for a coffee?" he asks 

"I have time for a to-go coffee" I reply with a smile

He walks over to the coffee maker and fills it up. As the large pot brews, I use the washroom quickly. By the time I come back out to the kitchen, Lee is filling the to-go cup for me. I pull on my boots and straighten up as lee walks over to me with the coffee in one hand and a bagel in the other. 

This man- I think to myself

"Thank you" I say with a smile and place my hand on his chest give him a peck on the lips. I take the coffee and bagel that he hands me and he opens the door for me. 

Once the door is open, we see the rain falling.

"Hold on" he says, stopping me from walking outside.

Then just as before, he places the same worn brown coat over my shoulders. 

"Just incase you decide to ghost me" he whispers in my ear

A chill rushes down my spine and I smile. Before he can follow me out to he truck, I turn to him. 

"You go sit on the couch and rest. I am perfectly capable of walking to my truck" I say sternly

He puts his hands in the air in defeat, then leans in for one final kiss before I head home. 

---

Once I get home, the rain has let up.  I let Rex out and he of course has the zoomies. He cannot contain his excitement as he runs all over the place. I haven't left him alone all night for quite some time.   

After chores, I shower and get ready for the day ahead. I had to visit Ellis, run to the feed store, and then I had a gig this evening. 

My visit with Ellis was short, he had an appointment in town. But he seemed more talkative today than the previous visits since his horses were taken.

Before Lee got shot, I often thought about asking him if there were any leads but decided otherwise. That would for sure be over stepping, which is the last thing I wanted to do. 

By the time I get home my parents have returned but I only stop in quickly to grab my guitar for my gig in Bozeman. 

---

I sling my guitar around my neck and pull my right arm through the strap while I take a seat on the stool. I look out at the crowd, seeing a few cowboys and plenty of middle aged men at the bar. 

I start strumming the guitar and close my eyes, then sing a song that hits a little more than before. 

Nicotine by Ella Langley

I wouldn't smoke
Nah, I wouldn't need to
When I need something to calm my nerves
Yeah, I'd just hold you
Between my fingertips
Put you to my lips
And get a fix

Baby, be my nicotine
My lips on a buzz smoke ring
Feels good under neon lights
Stiff drink at the end of the night
Be the thing that I crave so bad
Leave me wanting just a one more drag
Take my breath, make it hard to breathe
The one I want, but I just don't need
Baby, be my nicotine
My nicotine

You'd have a warning
But I'd skip the label
So If I ever tried to quit you
I wouldn't be ablе
I'd be addicted, hell, I'd bе hooked
'Cause I'm a little more bad than good

So baby, be my nicotine
My lips on a buzz smoke ring
Feels good under neon lights
Stiff drink at the end of the night
Be the thing that I crave so bad
Leave me wanting just a one more drag
Take my breath, make it hard to breathe
The one I want, but I just don't need
Baby, be my nicotine
My nicotine

Baby, be, baby, be, baby, be
Ooh-ooh-ooh

Baby, be my nicotine
My lips on a buzz smoke ring
Feels good under neon lights
Stiff drink at the end of the night
Be the thing that I crave so bad
Leave me wanting just a one more drag
Take my breath, make it hard to breathe
The one I want, but I just don't need
Baby, be my nicotine
My nicotine

Baby, be, baby, be, baby, be
My nicotine
My nicotine

--

I sing a few more songs then I tell the group of people to enjoy their evening. 

Walking up to the bar, I see Kiesha getting a glass of water ready for me. With a smile, she brings it over with my envelope. 

"Can I buy you a drink?" I hear a man's voice beside me

I turn my head towards him and notice a pristine black cowboy hat on his head. His nails look to be freshly manicured and I come to the conclusion that I definitely have larger callouses on my hands than he does. 

"No, thank you" I reply with a small smile

"That's not very polite" he replies

"She said no buddy" Kiesha says from behind the bar

I wave my hand in her direction, telling her it's okay.

"Sorry, you're right. I will take one of whatever your drinking" I say with my best fake smile.

He nods to Keisha, then she prepares me a tall glass of a clear liquid with ice and a lime. I look at her with a smile, then take the drink and toss it at the man. He jumps up and inhales sharply.

"Thanks for the drink" I say as I turn on my heel and walk away.