Chapter Twelve #2
His grip on my wrist loosens, his touch shifting as his hand slides upward, fingers threading through mine. Slowly, he lifts his head, resting his forehead against mine.
Those bright, luminous blue eyes lock onto me—seeing straight through me, into me.
The connection between us is intoxicating, unshakable, something more profound than anything I’ve ever known. It overwhelms me, emotions crashing over me like a tidal wave.
Colt’s gaze searches mine, as if he can feel the storm building inside me, as if he already knows.
My eyes burn with unshed tears, and when I finally close them, he leans in, pressing the softest kiss to each lid. A tear slips free. Then another.
“I know, Dee. I feel it too,” he whispers, his lips brushing mine in a soft, trembling kiss.
When I open my eyes, his deep blues are locked onto me, filled with something so raw, so honest, it steals my breath. Then, just like that, his signature smirk appears.
“I’m fucking ecstatic that bellend broke up with you,” he says, his voice laced with mischief.
A laugh bubbles up, breaking through the overwhelming emotion. “Me too,” I murmur before sealing my lips to his in a kiss that says everything words never could.
***
Unfortunately, I am once again walking on the tarmac toward the stupid jet, with my nerves kicking in and working overtime.
Colt takes my hand and leads me up the stairs. With each step, my hands become more clammy, and I want to be sick.
Once inside, Tamara’s there waiting with a friendly smile. “Welcome back, Miss Norman, Mr. Slade,” she addresses.
“Tam,” Colt says.
I fake a half-smile, unsure if I like her.
He takes my hand, guiding me to the same seats we flew in the first time. The memory hits me in an instant—me, curled up in that chair alone, tears slipping silently down my face. The image is so vivid it stings, and before I can stop it, my lip begins to tremble.
“You’re gonna be okay,” Colt whispers, holding me at arm’s length and looking me in the eyes. “I remember what happened last time, but baby, I swear, it won’t happen again. I won’t leave you. I promise,” he reassures me and kisses my forehead.
I swallow hard as we sit, and he takes my hand and closes the window blind with the other.
“Hey, Tam?” he calls out, startling me.
She walks over and bends to listen. “Can we get one of those tablets I talked to you about? The ones that help with relaxation?” he asks, and she nods, walking away.
“Relaxation pills?”
“Yeah. I asked Tamara to buy you some after the last flight. It should kick in…” he checks his watch, “… in about twenty minutes. It’s to help with your anxiety,” he says, kissing my hand.
“You did that for me?” I smile at him so brightly that my cheeks hurt.
“I want you to feel comfortable. They’ll be available for you on every flight we take. Only the best for my girl.”
“Ah… so, I am your girl? Does that mean I can call you my boyfriend?”
He exhales. “No, you know I don’t like that word. We’re exclusive. You’re my girl, and I’m your guy, but we don’t need to label it, Dee. We know what we are to each other, and our friends know how we feel. Why do we need to tell the world about it? Why do we need to label everything?”
“Right. Of course.” I don’t know what made me ask—I knew the answer. I guess curiosity and all that. But now, I’m more anxious, my nerves twisting my insides, and it has nothing to do with the damn plane. As if he can sense my feelings, he tightens his grip on my hand and smiles at me.
Tamara returns with a bottle of water and a tablet in a little container. “Here you go, Miss Norman. This should help you for the entire flight.”
“How long is the flight?”
“Five hours, non-stop, Miss Norman.”
“Thanks, Tam.”
She dips her head and walks away.
Opening the bottle of water, I down the pill. The quicker it works, the better I’ll feel.
Everyone has finally finished boarding, and I watch Tam arm the jet door. My heart rate speeds up exponentially, and my hand automatically tightens around Colt’s.
“Dee, look at me,” he whispers calmly.
My breathing is shallow as I turn my head. “That’s right, baby, keep your eyes on me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here with you.” His free hand caresses my cheek.
Leaning into his hand, I exhale, but when I hear the jet engines roar, I tense, then close my eyes tightly and grip Colt’s hand so hard it has to hurt.
“Dee, open your eyes,” Colt commands.
They shoot open, and all I see is his luminous, sparkling eyes, but it does nothing to calm me when the jet shudders, moving down the runway. I take long, steady breaths, wishing the damn tablet would kick in already.
“Look at me, Dee. Look into my eyes and concentrate. Slow your breathing. I’m right here, baby,” he says, and somehow, his words have a calming effect.
My breathing slows, and my pulse settles while focusing on Colt. His hand caresses my face, and his gentle touch soothes me. Taking a deep breath, I exhale, lost in his eyes. Their bright blue has me swimming in them, almost like I’m in a trance.
Suddenly, my body feels heavy, and my eyes open and close a few times, like it’s hard to keep them open.
“Are the pills working, baby?” he asks softly as I return to reality.
“They can’t be, not yet. I only just took them. We haven’t even taken off yet.”
“Baby, we took off half an hour ago,” he answers.
Well, shit!
“We did?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah, you’ve been staring at me for thirty minutes.”
“Oh God, I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.”
“Are you really serious? We’re actually in the air, flying?”
He nods and kisses my forehead.
“I feel a bit lightheaded,” I tell him.
Colt chuckles and reclines my seat. I let out a little squeal when it folds back so easily, and he pulls out a blanket from under the seat and covers me in its silky softness.
“Sleep, baby,” he whispers in my ear.
***
While waking slowly, I feel dopey and a whole lot out of it as I open my eyes to Colt lying beside me, stroking my hair.
“Hey, sleepy head,” he says when I open my eyes fully.
Disoriented, I look around, then sit bolt upright in shock.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“In a hotel room in LA.”
“Huh? What about the jet?”
He chuckles. “We got off the jet about sixty minutes ago and came straight here. We couldn’t wake you, and every time we tried, you would say something random. You’ve been quite entertaining, actually.”
“I have not,” I reply, rubbing my eyes.
“You have. I have video evidence. Do you remember any of it?”
“No, show me,” I ask, thinking he’s bluffing.
He pulls out his phone, taps on a video, and presses play. The screen flickers to life, showing me, drunk and dazed, curled up on Colt’s lap, my gaze fixed on a window, lost in a world of my own.
“Lamp post,” I say in the video, and everyone laughs. “Lamp posts are good. They make light, and light is really good… you know, handy and stuff. Colt, can I have a lamp post?”
“You can have anything you want, baby,” Colt replies in the video.
Oh my God!
“I so don’t remember that at all,” I exclaim, and Colt stops the recording.
“I’m glad you’re fully awake. I was starting to get worried. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”
“Maybe some water. Where are the others?” I ask as he walks across to the refrigerator.
“They’re down at the venue for tomorrow’s gig, sorting shit out.”
My eyes open wide. “Colt, you should be there.”
“No, I shouldn’t. I won’t leave you in a hotel room to wake up and not know where we are.”
“Go! You can go now. I’m fine, a little groggy but fine,” I say as he hands me the water.
“Dee, I’m not leaving you. They can handle it. We’ve had enough shows that people know what they’re doing. Plus, I’d rather be here with you, whether you be in a coma talking about lamp posts or awake and functioning normally.”
“Colt, I don’t want to come between you and your work.”
“It’s not work. It’s my dream. And that’s the thing about dreams…” Colt smiles that panty-dropping smile only he can show me, “… they can be broadened. And you’re a big part of my dreams, Dee.”
I melt on the spot.
Like chocolate on a hot day.
I liquefy.
“Colt, I don’t know what to say?”
“Don’t say anything. Come get naked in the shower with me.” He smirks.
He will get no argument from me as I follow him into the ensuite.