CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“W orth the wait,” I sigh and collapse flat on my back. “Consider me sated.”
The prediction that this man fucks like a maniac on a mission was spot on.
After the second round, Colton swept me off the floor and brought me outside. We screwed against the side of the shed. The truck was next. After that, he spread a blanket on the ground and shagged me like a retro rug.
My muscles are pleasantly tender as I sprawl out right where he laid me. I can barely lift my arm to cup his stubbled jaw. “Love you, Stalker.”
“Fuck, I love you.” Colton presses kisses over most of my face before rolling to the side.
His woodsy scent lingers, most likely imbedded into my pores. A slow inhale grants me a lungful of him and our combined essence. It’s the smell of satisfaction.
I squint up at the fluffy clouds while lounging like a thoroughly pounded fence post. The sun is still high in the sky, but definitely tipping toward the west. It’d be safe to estimate we’ve been at it for hours.
“I lost count, but you made me come more than I thought was possible for one afternoon.” My grumpy jailer is a giver and I’m here for it.
He smirks. “Eleven times. You’re welcome.”
“Why am I not surprised you kept track?” I tap his damp chest. “How many for you?”
“Four.”
“Is that a record?”
Colton grunts. “By a long shot.”
“Could you go again?”
The pause that follows is thicker than his dick. “I need a few minutes.”
“The fiend has met his match,” I sigh.
“And he released all his pent-up energy.”
“Not to mention semen.” I cringe while pressing my legs together.
He threads our fingers together and squeezes gently. “Don’t move.”
“Not sure I could if I tried.” I remain immobile while he props himself onto an elbow. “You wrecked me.”
Blue eyes flicker into flames and rove over my nakedness. “That was the plan.”
And Colton Keller is nothing if not determined to make me his in every conceivable way.
That’s precisely why I stay put as demanded while he ventures off to who knows where.
My thoughts drift in what remains of my afterglow.
It still seems strange how quickly our relationship shifted.
I went from trying to avoid him by any means necessary to wanting him beside me at all times.
The latter is much more pleasurable. Not a single regret rises either.
But the pop of a cork shatters the quiet contemplation.
I struggle to sit up and see Colton pouring champagne into two flutes. “Oh, my. You know how to treat a lady.”
“I’m going to spoil you rotten, Princess.” He reclaims his spot beside me.
“Already have.” I accept the glass he extends to me, giggling when the bubbles tickle my nose. “What are we drinking to?”
“Us.” His gaze burns into mine.
“Mhmm, our first date is a banger so far. That sex marathon deserves to be celebrated.”
We clink in unison. Colton downs his contents in a single gulp. I’m a bit more reserved in my consumption, sipping on it while watching him exchange the empty glass for something else. An oversized pillow is wedged underneath my back. The softness is very inviting and distracting.
“May I?” There’s suddenly a wet cloth suspended in midair over my vagina.
I choke on my champagne. “Umm…”
“Relax and let me take care of you.”
Well, when he puts it that way. I recline against the pillow and spread my legs in invitation. He proceeds to clean me, just a gentle swipe at first. It’s warm but my sensitive flesh has been put through the ringer. A hiss scrapes up my throat.
Colton’s motions halt immediately. “Too much?”
“Just sore.” I guzzle more bubbly. “Out of practice, remember?”
He drops a kiss to my bent knee. “That won’t be a problem ever again.”
I sigh in agreement. “You’ve broken me in like a docile filly.”
“Hardly.” But there’s a smile in his voice.
Once I’m wiped down, Colton tosses the rag aside. A chill settles over me in the absence of the heat. I shiver, just noticing the sweat drying on my body. He immediately drapes a long-sleeve flannel over my shoulders to chase off the cold.
Warmth swaddles me and I exhale. The large size hangs off my smaller frame. Based on the rumble coming off Colton, this must be his shirt. It’s cozy and toasty and doused in his cologne. I never want to take it off.
“Didn’t think you could get any hotter, but you in my clothes is the ultimate fantasy.”
I bury my nose in the soft fabric. “Yeah?”
“I’m even willing to cover your naked curves to get the full impact.” He finishes snapping the front shut. “Damn, you’re sexy.”
“Thank you. For everything.” I burrow deeper into the bundle of comfort. Safety and contentment swaddle me as well.
But then he whips out one of my favorite snacks. “Hungry?”
My jaw drops at the same time my stomach growls. “I could eat.”
Colton opens the bag of Ruffles and container of Top the Tater. With the practiced precision of a lifelong Minnesotan, he dips a chip to coat it with the ideal amount of seasoned sour cream. My mouth waters as he holds the goodness aloft to feed me.
I moan while chewing. “Damn, that hits the spot. You’re very prepared.”
“To handle your needs,” he finishes.
Instinct has me parting my lips to accept another dipped chip. “My stalker boyfriend is such a planner.”
Colton tips his head, watching me devour the food. “Boyfriend, huh?”
“Isn’t that what you are?” I shrug into the bulk of my borrowed shirt.
“It’ll do for now.”
I snag the Ruffles and serve him a perfect bite. He accepts it without hesitation, but I don’t miss the cringe tightening his features. It reminds me of the elaborate breakfast he made to solely appease my tastes.
“What’s your favorite thing to eat?”
“Your pussy.” His gaze dips between my legs as if searching for his next meal.
I nudge his shoulder. “Real food, Stalker.”
The hunger leeches out of his expression. “Protein.”
Which this snack most certainly isn’t. “More for me.”
“It’s all for you, Princess.”
My bottom lip juts out. “But I want to spoil you too.”
“Kiss me.”
I do instantly. My mouth smiles against his. When I pull away, my grin is left behind on him.
“Love me,” he murmurs.
My hand reaches for his and rests it over my heart. The wild thump greets his touch. I’d never felt such a giddy hitch in my pulse until him.
He must sense it too. His posture is relaxed as he leans into my personal space. There’s a flicker of unease in his eyes when he stares deep into mine.
“Stay with me.”
My nose brushes against his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His exhale blows a tangled section of my hair. “You want to go back to Cloverleaf Meadows.”
Confusion works my mouth soundlessly for a few beats. “Are you worried it isn’t safe?”
“That’s not the issue.” His gaze abandons mine, roaming across the open field surrounding us. “I’d foolishly hoped you’d think of this as your home.”
“Keller’s Keep is our home,” I insist. “Our secret hideout. But Benson Farmstead is still my home too.”
“Right.” The happiness that has been building inside him instantly snuffs out.
“What is it?”
“I feel like you’re actually mine here. In Cloverleaf Meadows, I have to share you.” That rare vulnerable edge returns to his voice, slicing me where it hurts.
“Hey.” I brush the crumbs from my hands and cup his face. “You’re mine, Colton Keller. I’ll shout it from the middle of Main Street if you’d like.”
His cheeks get pink and I bite back a whimper. “You’d publicly claim me?”
“Haven’t I already?”
The steely clench of his jaw suggests I didn’t do a good enough job of it. “You’re never open about your relationships. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“My relationships?” I snort. “There haven’t been any.”
His stare penetrates mine again, peeling at the defensive layers that trap secrets. “Why is that?”
“Umm…” It’s a question I’ve often asked myself, but the answer is finally clear.
“Nobody was good enough until you swooped in and snatched me. Normal guys can’t compete with this.
” A sweep of my arm motions from the custom she shed to the sprawling acres we’re parked on, pausing at his truck that’s named after my eye color, and ending on our celebration picnic.
“I needed an obsessed, morally gray bodyguard armed to protect me. One who’s fluent in the arts of abduction and stalking.
He also must be extremely thoughtful and pierced for my pleasure.
Oh, and taught himself how to ride a horse.
You know, the full package. It’s a rare find. ”
A pleased noise escapes him. “When you put it that way, it sounds like I was delivered from your wish list directly to your doorstep.”
“It’s beginning to seem that way, hmm?” I press a soft kiss to his lips. “We’re in this together. It doesn’t matter where we are.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” The words might be more for him than me.
But it reminds me of why he stashed me out here in the first place. “What’s the latest with your father?”
Colton’s features lose any semblance of joy. “He’s in the hospital.”
My chest tightens. “Do you want to see him?”
“No.” The answer is harsh and final.
“I don’t blame you after what you shared earlier.” Saliva sticks in my throat like glue. “And that seemed like a censored version.”
A sharp dip of his chin is confirmation. “Which is why there isn’t a single part of me that wants to see him.”
“Then you won’t. We’ll stay far away from that part of town.”
“We?”
“Are you planning to ditch me?”
The fire in his eyes is answer enough. “I love that you’re counting us as a cohesive unit that doesn’t split.”
My snort is very eloquent. “It’s cute that you pretend it hasn’t been this way for years. You’d be tracking my movements with or without my permission. I’m just finally catching on.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Meh.” I take another leisurely glance at our slice of paradise. “It’s serving me well.”
Before he can answer, a recognizable jingling enters our solitude. It gets louder as our scent is detected. Spud appears at the top of the hill, running full speed toward us.
“Awww, he found us.”
Colton puffs up with pride. “Trained him well.”
Our dog collides into us in a flurry of sloppy kisses and tail whips.
“Did Daddy let you out? I don’t even know where the button is.” My sing-song tone makes me sound just as clueless.
“Daddy takes care of everything, but he’ll show Mommy if she asks.”
“Nooooo!” I clap my hands over my ears. “You can’t do the baby voice!”
Which only encourages him. “Did you hear that, Spuddy Bud? I think Mommy is about to let me eat her for dinner. You better go chase a squirrel.”
My feet kick to pair with my giggles. “Stop, please. That’s too adorable. I can’t have another romantic orgasm this soon.”
His chuckle bumps our bodies together. “Wanna bet?”
I’m already shaking my head vehemently. “Absolutely not. I don’t stand a chance.”
“What if I told you that I bought us Halloween costumes for the Haunted Harvest Haze?”
My upturned palm meets my forehead. “That’ll do it.”
Colton catches me when I slump against him. “You’re the reason my past has a purpose. I’m trained to protect you and the future we’re building.”
“That puts a positive spin on it.”
“Just like you do for me, Princess.” His lips dust my forehead, branding me with his declaration. “You’re my bright side.”