Chapter Twenty-One
Amelia
Climbing over the bed, I get on all fours and arch as low as I can to the mattress. I wait impatiently as Colton removes the rest of his clothing, but the view of his bare torso and happy trail to his thick shaft is well worth the wait.
Although the afternoon sun is beaming through the windows and he can see every single stretch mark from this angle, it’s the first time I’ve not cared about it.
Colton squeezes my hips and rubs the pads of his fingers over the textured skin.
“So fuckin’ beautiful, baby.” He dips down and kisses along my lower back and waist. “I bet these were even sexier when you were pregnant.”
“I assure you, I wasn’t.”
“Impossible.” He lowers himself behind me, spreads my ass cheeks, then slides his tongue over my hole.
“Oh God…” I groan but quickly muffle myself with a pillow.
He thrusts two fingers inside my pussy while he continues licking me. I can barely contain the moans escaping my mouth, but then I hear the faint sound of my vibrator.
“Tell me if you need me to stop, okay?”
“Mm-hmm.” I anticipate a foreign feeling, but then he presses it against my clit instead. “Fuck.”
The cap of the lube flicks open, and the cool liquid slides over one hole down to the next. I hiss at the sensation, needing more.
He glides a finger over my tight hole and pushes in slowly. “Doin’ alright, darlin’?”
“If you don’t fuck me soon, I’m gonna scream,” I plead, already losing my ability to speak at how good the vibration feels.
A firm palm slaps against my ass, and I yelp in surprise.
“Don’t worry, love.” He increases the speed of my toy. “You’ll be screamin’ my name soon.”
He coats the vibrator next with lube, then slowly rubs it between my cheeks. “Okay?”
“Yes, you can keep goin’.” I spread my legs wider, feeling him push in deeper.
I gasp when the tip of his cock breaches my pussy, slowly sliding in as the vibration continues right above him. I’ve never felt anything like it before—intense and overwhelming in the best way possible.
“Keep goin’,” I say before he can ask. “I can take it.”
He thrusts in all the way. “So tight, fuck.”
His hips slam into me, over and over, while the toy teases my ass just enough to have me breathless and moaning through the pleasure at the same time. He moves the vibrator in rhythm with his thrusts, sending me toward the edge with each movement.
“I’m so close. Don’t stop.”
“Rub your clit for me,” he orders. “Nice and steady.”
Reaching between my thighs, I relieve the ache that’s almost unbearable.
“That’s my good girl.” He smacks my ass with his free hand. “Come on my cock.”
It doesn’t take much convincing because waves of pleasure hit me hard and fast. I scream into the pillow and squeeze around him.
“Fuck…” He pulls out, tosses the toy, then strokes himself until he comes on my lower back.
Before I can ask for a towel, he writes through his mess with a finger.
“What was that?” I look over my shoulder, furrowing my brows in confusion.
“Markin’ you.” He winks. “C. O. L. T.”
“Did you just gimme a cum tattoo of your name?” I muse.
“Sure did.” He flicks his tongue piercing. “If we had more time, I’d mark every inch of your flawless body until you were soaked in it. But that’ll have to wait.”
The wicked grin on his face sends a rush of butterflies to my stomach, and it’s the first time I realize how hard I’m falling for this sexy, charming, and far-too-perfect man.
Although it’s too soon, and I’ve tried so hard to avoid it, I can no longer claim I’m not.
And it scares me to death.
“I need to clean up,” I tell him, hoping he doesn’t notice the shift in my voice. “Lily will be up any minute.”
“Hold tight.”
The mattress dips as he moves off the bed, then returns moments later with a damp washcloth. He gently cleans between my legs and back.
“There,” he says before pressing a soft kiss over my spine. “I’ll get dressed and check on Lily while you clean up, if that’s okay. And then, I’ll update you on what Wilder told me, which was the original reason I came to find you. But this was a much better use of our time, don’t ya think?”
“Mm-hmm,” I agree, but I’m not ready to think about how much will change when we go back to reality.
Before letting me go, he turns me over and towers above me, then gently brushes his thumb along my cheek. His soft, blue eyes lock onto mine and hold me hostage.
“No matter what happens between us, you’ll always be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. The way you look at me is my undoin’—guarded yet so trustin’—and it makes me feel worthy of kissin’ someone so special like you. For once, I want time to slow down ’cause you’ve ruined me for anyone else.”
“Colton…” Tears well in my eyes at the words no one’s ever said to me before. Not even close.
“I mean it, Amelia. You’re unforgettable.”
I choke back the words I wish I could allow myself to admit aloud, but before I can come up with some half-ass response, a knock on the door startles me.
“Oh shit,” I mutter. “That’s probably Lily.”
“I’ll handle it.” He presses a gentle kiss to my lips before jumping off the bed and grabbing his jeans off the floor.
“Be right there,” he calls out, quickly getting dressed.
I sprint to the bathroom before he can open it, but I hear Lily’s soft voice asking where I am.
“She’s takin’ a shower, but she’ll be out very soon. How was your nap?” He chuckles at her response. “How ’bout you help me pick out what to make for dinner, and then we can play horsey? I’ll even let you wear my cowboy hat.”
Lily squeals with excitement, and I can’t help it, I smile at their sweet interaction.
It’s evident he’s not only stolen my heart, but my kids’ too.
And they’re going to be crushed when I have to break theirs.
Colton explains his phone call with Wilder while he cooks. I sit at the breakfast bar, contemplating what to do with this new information. It’s possible he moved on since we’ve left town, but I can’t live in a place where I’ll constantly be looking over my shoulder.
If the company uses the full allowed time to respond with the LLC owner’s information, that means—assuming this person gets caught—we have two weeks left together.
It’s hard to think about when I’ve also been contemplating my mother’s request. She hasn’t called back, and I haven’t decided whether I want to see them or block her number. After what happened with Sam, I’m more reluctant to bring my kids with me if I decide to go.
After dinner, I sit at the table with my laptop so I can do some homework before my next class, but I’m too distracted to focus.
Lily’s on her wooden rocking horse with one of Colton’s hats that’s far too big for her little head, but she loves it.
He rocks her back and forth, making loud and obnoxious horse noises.
“Mommy, watch!” Lily giggles and holds up one arm in the air as she hangs on with the other. “I’m like Uncle Fisher! Yee-haw!”
A roar of laughter bubbles out of me as she imitates the movements of the video Noah showed her. Her husband’s a former bull rider from before they met, but since he did it professionally, she found plenty of his old rodeo competitions online.
“Absolutely amazin’! Ten out of ten, baby.”
“Mom,” Sam drawls with annoyance. “That’s not how they score.”
“It is when you’re three and playin’ pretend,” I say firmly.
“She can’t be a bull rider anyway.” He shrugs, bringing his attention back to his Nintendo Switch.
“And why’s that?” Colton asks.
“’Cause she’s a girl!” Sam declares in his best duh expression. “Girls can’t ride bulls.”
“Yuh-huh! I am too gonna ride bulls. Right, Colt?”
“You can do anythin’ you want.” He nods reassuringly. “Especially since you’re a cowgirl who’s smart and brave, just like your mama.”
Lily beams, and I swear, her pupils turn into little hearts.
“You’ll get hurt, Lily,” Sam says gently. “You’re too small.”
“Imma get bigger. Then I can ride ’em.”
“Okay, if you say so…” Sam says with as much attitude as an eight-year-old can give, then rolls his eyes for good measure and mutters, “But you can’t.”
Damn, he was so close to letting his sister have this one.
“That’s enough. Leave her alone,” I warn. “Time to put your game down and find somethin’ else to do.”
“Okay, hold on.” He continues playing, but I grow impatient waiting for him to shut it down. He only gets thirty minutes at night, so he knows the rules.
“You’re gonna lose your time tomorrow night,” I remind him, holding out my hand.
“Fine.” He slams it into my waiting palm with a huff.
I look at Colton out of the corner of my eye and can tell he’s conflicted on where he stands regarding discipline. For Sam’s whole life, it’s only been me, so I’m not sure how he’d respond to anyone else stepping in. Even Wilder treads lightly, but Sam’s usually good for him anyway.
“Mind your manners, Sam.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He walks toward the coloring books and markers.
I manage to finish my homework, but by the time I close my laptop, I realize how quiet it is.
“Here.” Colton approaches with two mugs, then sets one in front of me.
“Thank you.” Bringing the mug to my mouth, I blow on the tea before testing it. “This is perfect.”
“I think you’ve turned me into a tea addict now.”
I smile at that. It’s hard not to when he does unexpectedly sweet things for me.
“Where’re the kids?”
“They’re waitin’ in their room for you. I read them a few books already, so don’t let them con you into more than one.” He grins over the rim of his mug as he takes a sip.
“You got them ready for bed and did storytime already? I can’t believe how late it is.”
“I don’t mind. You were pretty locked in, so I didn’t wanna bother you.”
“You’re gettin’ good at this parentin’ stuff. Not sure how I’ll go back to doin’ it on my own in a couple weeks.”
He sets his mug down, then sits in the chair next to me. “What if…” He inhales a deep breath before meeting my gaze. “What if y’all stayed?”
“For how long?” I ask.
“Permanently.”
My heart lodges in my throat. It’s too soon. We’re not even in a relationship. Are we?
“Like move here? Move in together?”
He grabs my hand and holds it between both of his. “Yes.”
“Colt, I—” I pause briefly to organize my thoughts. “The last time I depended on a man, he knocked me up and left me homeless with two kids. I can’t just, I don’t…”
My eyes squeeze shut as my rapid breathing takes over. I’m already scared to repeat old habits that left me in that position before, and I can’t risk it happening again.
“The kids are old enough to remember you if somethin’ happens and we split up. I have to put their needs first when it comes to makin’ drastic life changes. I can’t put us in a vulnerable situation that could backfire.”
“I’m not like that, Amelia. I’d never hurt you or them.” He almost looks hurt at the idea of me thinking so. “I hoped you’d realize that.”
“I do, but I thought that back then, too. I trusted too easily and got burned. So I promised myself I’d never put myself in that type of position again.
The only reason I let Wilder help us is ’cause he was married, so there was no sexual motivation or risk of gettin’ my heart broken.
Even then, I treaded lightly on gettin’ too close, but Sam clung to him right away. ”
“I know it’s soon, but I’m more than willin’ to do whatever it takes to earn your full trust and prove I’m worthy of it.”
Leaning in, I press my palm against his cheek. “You’re more than worthy of it, Colt. I don’t doubt you for a second. But uprootin’ our lives after only weeks of knowin’ someone is bound to come back and bite me in the ass, then the only person to blame will be myself.”
“I understand your hesitation, and honestly, if I were on the outside lookin’ in, I’d be tellin’ you to run in the other direction at a man askin’ you to move in this quickly.
But I don’t want this to end. So if movin’ here is too risky and fast, then maybe we could try long-distance once you’re home. ”
“I don’t wanna make promises I can’t keep, especially without knowin’ the outcome of who’s behind the LLC, but I’m not against it—assumin’ the threat is gone, and we can move back to Sugarland Creek.
Otherwise, I’m gonna have to make some big decisions on where we go based on where I can find work. ”
“Y’know, I could help with that as the retreat operations manager,” he teases smugly. “We’re always lookin’ for hardworkin’ employees.”
“As much as I appreciate the gesture, I’d like to find somethin’ in graphic design or maybe even an apprenticeship where I can utilize my degree and what I’ve learned. Ultimately, I want a remote job so I can be home with the kids and have flexible hours.”
“Not that I’m tryin’ to coax you into stayin’, but Maisie owns a literary agency and might need someone who can make promotional material or websites.
Even if it’s part-time, it could be somethin’ to get your foot in the door and gain some experience.
Posey could probably also use the help for her goat soap business.
She’s always complainin’ ’bout being swamped with marketin’ and needin’ extra hands. ”
“The experience would be amazin’,” I agree. “Anythin’ to add to a resume that’ll prove I’m good enough to get hired.”
“Or…and hear me out,” he says cautiously. “Become a freelance graphic designer. You get your own clients and be your own boss, so you make your own schedule and work from home.”
“That’s a long-term goal of mine,” I admit. “But I still need to finish school and get my degree.”
“How much longer do you have?”
“At my pace, probably two more years. Although I took a summer class, I can only do part-time durin’ the semester since I work full-time and take care of the kids.”
“So, if you had extra help and could work less, you’d finish sooner?” He arches a mischievous brow.
“Yes, and since you’ll have joint custody, I’ll get more time to study.”
His shoulders sag in disappointment, and I can’t help laughing at his overexaggerated frown.
“You walked right into that one, sir.” I stand from my chair so I don’t keep the kids waiting any longer.
“Sir?” He beams, licking his lips. “Are you tryin’ to let me down or turn me on?”
“Shoulda known that’d be another one of your kinks,” I quip, patting his shoulder as I walk around him. “Too bad you’ll have to wait and find out.”