Chapter 34 Collie
COLLIE
My hands are shaking. My heart beats rapidly in my chest.
I get to see Easton today.
I get to hug him. Hold him. Hopefully kiss him.
God, I crave his lips against mine. To breathe in his masculine scent that’s so uniquely him.
I’m parked outside of arrivals waiting for him. I could also wait in the car, but I’m too anxious for that. Easton claimed he would rent a car when he got here, but I would never let that happen. Not when I could be the one showing him my town.
I spent nearly all of yesterday reorganizing my apartment and deep cleaning every nook and cranny, top to bottom. Not a single spot was left unbleached or undusted. Not like he’ll care, given he’s staying in a hotel, anyway. But a woman can dream.
And boy oh boy, am I dreaming, alright.
I want his hands on my body. I’m just a horny lil slut.
But I also don’t know where we stand. We’ve been in touch constantly, not spending a day without hearing each other’s voices if possible. But are we dating from afar? Or are we just friends?
He lives in Alaska, and I live in South Carolina.
How would something between us ever work?
All I know is I want to enjoy my time with him before getting those answers. I’ll show him around my town, but I’m letting him take the lead on us for now. Unless, of course, he moves at a snail’s pace and pisses me off.
Then, I’ll reevaluate.
All around me, families greet their loved ones, both young and old. Massive groups of people pile through the double-wide doors, exiting to the outside, but they’re all a blur amidst the search for my guy.
With my back against my car and the curb at my feet, I sift through faces, looking for a head of healthy dark brown hair, lean muscle, and my favorite collection of tattoos scattered across tan skin.
This is when being petite does not come in handy.
I reach high and low searching for him, only to stop at the sound of his voice from my side.
“Hey, lost girl.”
That’s him. That’s my Ranger. I know when I turn around, there will be no hiding the joy in my heart. The love written across my face.
Spinning toward him, I stop dead in my tracks at Easton Voss in all his glory. My favorite combo of tight jeans, work boots, and a plain white T-shirt with a jacket thrown over his shoulder.
But it’s the light across his face that almost brings me to my knees.
“Hi, Ranger. ’Bout time you came for me.” I cross my arms at my chest, but my insides are buzzing.
His smile almost reaches his eyes, lit up for the world to see. He shuttles me over with his free hand. “Get over here, girl.”
Abandoning his suitcase altogether, Easton’s arms open wide for me as I rush toward him, leaping into his embrace. My arms find his neck and my legs his waist as I drink in his warmth. His tranquil smell. The sense of comfort only he’s able to give me.
“Fuck. Feels so good to hold you again, Collie.”
I never want him to let go. Not when being in his arms feels like this. “You’re really here,” I murmur, nuzzling into his tatted neck.
“Let me take a good look at you,” he tells me, bringing my feet to the ground.
I curtsy dramatically, displaying my cuteness in leggings and a sweatshirt. “Damn, girl. You been liftin’?”
I throw my head back and laugh, appreciating our teasing already. “Hit a new deadlift PR, actually. Glad you noticed.” My head lifts with pride.
“Lookin’ strong. Lookin’ beautiful.” Easton pulls me against his chest, his chin resting on the top of my head. He places a soft kiss, making my entire body melt.
This is the reaction I’ve searched my whole life for when it comes to a partner.
The feeling no time or distance can shake.
Is what we have together traditional? God, no. But screw traditional if it means I don’t miss out on this kind of love.
Love…
“Show me around. I want to see everything. Even the tree where your chump boyfriend gave you your first kiss,” he whispers into my hair.
“You really wanna know all about me, huh?” I ask bashfully. My cheeks already hurt from smiling so much.
Easton nods. “I do.”
“Okay,” I huff. “If you insist. But just know…my first kiss was not by a tree. It was behind the bleachers of my elementary school. Get it right. And Danny Richardson was the farthest thing from a chump. The boy knew how to use his tongu—”
A pinch to my butt causes me to yelp. “Kidding!”
“Har har,” Easton teases. “So, Timber Heights got any good coffee shops? I could use a second wind.”
“Oh, we specialize in craft coffee. And seafood. But we’ll save that for another day. Follow me, Ranger.” I pull him toward my truck, his long legs catching up much quicker than my short ones. “And welcome to Timber Heights.”
“Never knew I’d wish for food trucks back home so badly.”
“Literally any vacant corner they can find, they’re there. And you’ve only seen half the town so far. The BBQ street tacos from Heidi’s are my favorite.”
“Put it on the list,” Easton tells me as he opens the door to my favorite coffee shop. “Wanna grab a seat, and I’ll order?”
“You know what I like?” I ask, casting him a sly grin.
“Gonna take a wild guess.”
Finding a seat at the booth close by, I take out my phone and find a text from Capri.
Capri
So, did you fuck him yet?
As if I’m that easy…
Capri
You haven’t seen each other in two months. I know your kitty is purrin.
What have I created???? You’re turning into me, my dear sister.
Capri
Just call it a reborn deprived woman.
Capri
Except, now you’re the deprived one. Haha
Touche. Today has been so fun. But I think he’s trying to figure things out between us like me. It’s like we almost cross the line…only to pull back just in case.
Capri
I’ve never known you to not take what you want.
This is different. He’s different. I don’t wanna fuck it up.
Capri
Then don’t.
“A coffee for my lady.” Easton sets the cup in front of me, and I look at him skeptically. “I gave it my best shot, okay?”
He sits beside me. Not on the other side of the booth, but beside me.
On the same side.
Isn’t that what couples do? People who actually like each other sit beside each other. I used to think that was super weird anytime I’d see couples not sitting across from each other.
Don’t they want to look at each other? It just seems awkward.
But my current experience tells me I misjudged, because I have butterflies and they’re erupting like a wildfire in my stomach. My chest. My legs. Never knew that was possible, but here we are.
I take a sip of my coffee, melting at the warmth mixed with the flavor of toffee nut and oat milk. It’s delicious. “Not my usual, but I might have to change things up from now on. This is so good.”
“Hell yeah,” Easton chants. “You can thank that kind woman standing behind me for the suggestion.” He points to the woman with a toddler on her hip, and she waves back at us. I chuckle because of course he phoned a stranger for help.
I suppose a mother with young children is the best person to ask for caffeine suggestions. Coffee is life.
Easton and his lack of stranger danger.
I raise my cup to her. “You did good, girl.”
His velvety laughter in my ear draws me back into him. Wrapping his arm around me, he mumbles, “Today has been fun. I think I’m a new fan of Timber Heights.”
“Said no one ever,” I laugh.
“I’m used to a small town. Nothin’ wrong with that. It’s homey. A good town to raise a family in.”
Why does it suddenly feel hard to breathe?
Again, here we are, tiptoeing the line of what our future looks like. Everything about my body language and Easton’s screams, ‘let’s try this thing out between us.’
I’m afraid to bring it up because what if moving here isn’t an option for him ever? What if long distance isn’t either?
He knows I just signed a year lease on a building for my fitness studio.
I’d put myself in a tremendous amount of debt for breaking it.
I don’t think I want to do that either. This is the first time in my adult life that I’m actually excited to have work stability and the idea of staying here for a while.
Appreciating where I am.
I mean…I guess I could find a way to do both—stay here and be there. Might take a lot of figuring out, but I’m willing to try.
Showing Easton around Timber Heights today felt like something out of a movie. He appreciated every small detail. I showed him all the schools I went to growing up, our favorite dive bar, The Funky Rooster, the boardwalk by the beach, my favorite shopping strip. The list goes on.
Easton asked questions. He took notes. Almost as if he was jotting them down to memory for the day he comes back.
Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I’m struggling to really enjoy our time together because of my overthinking.
Capri says it’s because I care, and that’s what being in love feels like.
You fear the possibilities of change affecting something you cherish.
I’d say that checks out.
“You getting excited for tomorrow?” he asks me, not seeming in his head about anything at all.
It’s so unlike the Easton I met almost three months ago. He’s confident and sure of himself in the best way possible. It’s really incredible to witness.
His journey from broken to bound.
“I am,” I tell him, excitement rushing through me for my sister. “It’s been a long time coming. If anyone deserves this kind of love, it’s Capri. I think you’ll really like Jones, too.”
“Can’t wait to meet him. And Capri. They know I’m coming as your date, right?”
I nod. “They do.”
The sensation of his finger coasting up my arm makes me shiver. “And they know I’m here to stay?”
In what way?
“Uh, yeah. They know you’re staying in town for a few days,” I mumble, and I know he can hear the trembling in my voice.
His chuckle gives me no answers. In fact, it only makes me feel more needy and uneasy. “As long as they know I’m staying.”
Like…what in the actual moose head is happening?
“You sure you don’t want to come to the rehearsal dinner tonight?” I ask, attempting to change the subject to something I can think clearly about.
Easton pulls me in closer and takes a sip of his latte. “Nah. That’s a family thing. You go have a good time, and I can always meet up with you after. Or if you’re too tired, I’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow.”
I nod, because what else do I say? I’ve lost my touch…
And all to a hottie with tats and a Wrangler-covered ass. Not that I’m complaining, but I never thought I’d see the day when a man had me submitting.
The hilarious part of it all is that he has no idea.
Love this for me.
“I heard your hotel is really nice. I have friends who live in Star Valley.” What kind of dumb-minded small talk am I making?
If I were him, I’d take this as his warning sign to run. Run far, far away from the short blonde woman. But he grabs tight to my thigh instead.
You shouldn’t have done that. Now I want you even more, Ranger.
His palm covers my thigh entirely and I do my best not to look down. The sight of his hands on me…overpowering me…will make me combust right here in this coffee shop.
And that’s a private matter. Have some couth, Collie. My mother’s words echo in the back of my mind. Couth. Her favorite word. Decency. Respect.
She’d roll over in her Lily Pulitzer dress if she only knew the kind of disrespect her daughter enjoys.
“How far is my hotel from the rehearsal dinner?” Easton asks.
“Around fifteen minutes. Not too far.”
I’m not acting like myself, and it’s freaking me out. I can’t focus. Not when his hand soothes me and the warmth of his chest cozies me into him. God, it feels so good to be in his arms.
“That’s helpful.” Something about his tone tells me he’s fishing for something. “Will you be drinking?” he asks.
“Probably if I want to survive dinner with the Trunchbull.”
Easton chuckles. “You call me if you need a ride. I don’t want you driving.”
Bossy, eh? How’d he know that’s my favorite trait?
“Sure thing, Superman.”
“And if the drive back home feels too long, you call me. I mean it. I’ll be there in a second.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s trying to charm his way into my panties. Is Easton Voss playing games with me right now? Is this gentlemen act all to get me alone?
It’s kind of our thing.
If so, it’s working.
“Don’t worry. There will be plenty of people there to give me a ride home if needed. Thanks for caring, though, Ranger. Tells me everything I need to know.” I reach to place a soft kiss on his cheek and tell myself we’re headed in the right direction.
Maybe he needs a little push.
Maybe he’s trying to be respectful and wait for my cue to go for it.
Or maybe he’s just playing games with me after all and using our teasing as foreplay?
I feel his body tense, and I know there’s been a shift. I want him to break. “You wouldn’t dare.” His whisper is firm, yet wildly sensual. So much that I feel it in my core. He knows I’m caught up with his game plan now.
“Two months is a long time to miss me, Easton. Not even the strongest man could resist what we have.”
His hiss resounds in my ear as the hand on my thigh moves higher. “Fuck. You drive me crazy.”
“Good,” I whisper in his ear. “That means you feel something.”
If there’s anything I’m confident in now, it’s that I need to beat him at his own game. Push him to the very edge until he unleashes his feelings.
I want them all from him.
The good, the bad, and the fucking filthy.