Chapter Fifteen
COLTON
What the hell did I just do?
I took in a deep breath, trying to calm down. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. Rationally, her explanation made sense. I believed her, but I’d reacted like a fucking idiot.
I couldn't leave things like this. I knew she was pissed, but I needed to talk to her tonight and apologize. Maybe make her see things from my perspective. I couldn’t even understand it myself, but that was another matter altogether.
Getting in my car, I put her address in the GPS—I’d saved it last weekend when I dropped her off at home. I couldn't just show up at her door, though. I had to call her first.
Starting the engine, I figured I'd make a plan while I drove there. I couldn't understand what had gotten into me. I was always levelheaded, never one who jumped to conclusions. And I never lost my temper.
I was almost to her place when it dawned on me that maybe she hadn't come home at all. Maybe she was still with him.
Damn it, I had to get myself under control. He was her best friend. The guy was married and was going to have a kid. Why the hell was I still on edge about it?
When the GPS informed me that I'd reached the destination, I called her. I was fully expecting her not to answer, but she did.
“Still in fight mode?” she asked.
I deserved that. "Zoey, I want to apologize.”
“Damn right you do. Wait, you do?"
The fight went out of her voice, but I knew she was still angry with me.
"Listen. I'm actually in front of your building. Are you home?"
She sighed. "Okay, come on up."
Yes. Fuck yes. "I'll see you in a minute," I said before disconnecting the call. This was better. I needed to see her while I explained.
I needed to see her, period.
I watched her building with a critical eye.
I hadn’t paid attention when I dropped her off, even though I’d walked her to the door, because I’d been too captivated by her.
But now I realized there was no doorman.
What the hell? I wasn't a snob, but I thought a doorman was needed in every building for security.
She lived on the fourth floor. I only knocked twice before the door swung open. She'd changed into a golden dress.
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "I was going to take myself out for another drink.”
“In that outfit?" I tried to control myself, then said, "Everyone and their brother will hit on you if you go out dressed like this."
She put one hand on her hip. "If that’s how this conversation is going to go, there's the elevator. I thought you were going to apologize."
"Jesus, I was going to apologize." I cleared my throat. "I am going to apologize. May I come in?"
She hesitated, gnawing at her lower lip before stepping back. "Okay, but just so you know, you're on probation."
"I deserve that."
The second she closed the door, I turned around, facing her. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm listening."
I decided to be completely honest. "Look, I'm not sure what happened out there. I think I was just blindsided because I expected to see you with a woman, and then you were there with him, and you seemed kind of close."
"He was showing me a picture," she interjected.
"I know. But my mind immediately went to… a scenario that just tore through me." I hadn't meant to phrase it like that, yet it was exactly how it felt.
"Colton…" Her voice was soft, but then she tightened her jaw as if she was steeling herself.
"That's no excuse for basically thinking I was out on a date right before I was about to meet you. How could you think that of me? You seem like a guy who’s got his shit together.
How could you just jump to that conclusion? "
"I don't know, Zoey. I'm not myself when it comes to you. I don't get angry." I stepped closer. "I don't get jealous. I'm not hotheaded and impulsive. I'm sorry you had to see that side of me."
"Can you promise not to doubt me again?" she asked.
I drew in a deep breath and said, "Yes," realizing it was actually true.
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure? Because I'm not a pushover, Colton. I'm not going to accept jealous rages."
"There won't be any. But I needed to clear something up first.” I touched her neck with the back of my hand. She didn't pull back, so I cupped her cheek next. "You and I are exclusive, okay? No one else."
She parted her lips, nodding. "It goes both ways." Her voice was stronger now.
"Obviously." I drew my thumb across her upper lip. "I haven't even looked at another woman since I meet you," I told her.
"Do you mean that?"
"Fuck yes. You’re on my mind all the time." I walked her backward until I pressed her against the door. "All the time. These past few days, I didn't recognize myself. Same goes for tonight, but in a different way."
"That's dangerous," she whispered. She knew I liked things a certain way. Losing control of myself was unthinkable. And yet I was willing to take that risk for her.
She tilted her head forward, kissing my wrist, and said, "Okay, you're not on probation anymore."
I started to laugh. "Glad I passed the test. Did I pass with flying colors?"
Her eyes flashed. "Oh no, you barely passed. You're going to have to do a lot more to get those flying colors."
"Challenge accepted."
I sealed my mouth over hers. Her taste was addictive. I moved my lips to her shoulder, going farther to the right and then down her arm. Goose bumps appeared on her skin.
"Colton," she murmured.
"I've been dying to do this for days," I confessed. "It's all I could think about."
"Don't say that. Now you're putting ideas in my head, and I won't be able to concentrate whenever I see you."
"That's fine by me." I smiled against her skin, continuing my exploration, moving to the other shoulder. She sucked in her breath every time I touched a sweet spot.
I brought my hand to her zipper, lowering it, and drew my mouth downward. As soon as I uncovered an inch of skin, I explored it with my lips. I wanted to do this all night long. Even longer than that.
When I finished unzipping her dress, she pushed her straps down until the fabric hung on her hips. I groaned at the sight.
"You're not wearing a bra." I barely recognized my voice.
She smiled. "No, the dress has sewn-in cups, so it wasn't necessary."
I didn't bother pushing her dress down any farther. I needed to taste more of her.
I lowered my head, and as soon as my mouth was level with her nipples, I drew the tip of my tongue around one.
She gasped, arching her back. I moved to the other breast, but instead of drawing a circle, I took it in my mouth.
Zoey went wild. She grasped the back of my head, pushing herself against me.
I nipped and licked her nipple until it was completely hard, and then I moved to the other one while I kept my hands firmly on her ass cheeks.
I loved feeling her muscles contract as she was internalizing the pleasure.
I was hungry for her. I wanted to taste her skin and her pussy.
I yanked her dress down with a tug. She gasped, stepping out of it. Her panties went down next. I needed to see every part of her. She sucked in her breath when I traced my thumb over her pelvis in a spiral downward, teasing her. I stopped just above her clit, drawing a circle slowly.
"Colton!" She put both hands on her belly, sucking in her breath even more. Then I lowered my finger, brushing her clit. Zoey whimpered, throwing her head back. I pressed her thighs together, skimming my thumb over her opening but not dipping my finger inside at all. She whimpered even more.
"Please." Her voice was uneven, a mere whisper. She was already at my mercy.
"I will make you come tonight, Zoey, but on my terms."
"Yes, yes," she said, looking flustered.
I kept her thighs apart while I put my face level with her pussy and pressed the tip of my tongue against her opening.
Then I dipped the tip inside, gauging her reaction. She trembled lightly. I wanted to explore her, but I needed a better angle. I looked at her coffee table and put my hand on it. It seemed sturdy enough.
"Lie down here, Zoey. On your back, legs spread wide for me."
She licked her lips and immediately lay down, resting on her elbows, and spread her thighs wide. I pulled her toward me so her ass was right at the edge of the table. Her eyes were trained on me.
"You like to watch," I concluded.
She nodded, and I feasted on her pussy without any mercy, without restraint.
I taunted her clit with my tongue and lips before dipping my tongue inside her. I alternated between giving her my fingers and my tongue. My cock strained in the waistband of my pants, but I didn't want to undo them yet.
I made eye contact with her while I was licking her.
That seemed too much for her. She averted her gaze every time.
She was sassy, but she could also be shy.
I hadn't expected that. I paused when I felt her come too close to the edge, instead kissing the soft skin on her inner thighs. She rolled her hips back and forth.
"Colton," she murmured, but her voice was laced with discontent. She couldn't take the pressure anymore. She scrunched her eyes closed and pressed her lips together.
Then I gave her the release she craved. I worked her clit with my mouth, her G-spot with my fingers, and she was done for.
She thrashed around beautifully. I pulled back, watching her.
She straightened one leg, then bent it again.
Then she lifted her ass before putting it back down on the table, going completely still, as if her pleasure had run its course.
Her hair was damp at the temples. I could watch her for hours, just drink in every part of her. But I also needed to be inside her.
I didn't want her to get up, as she was clearly still feeling the aftereffects of her orgasm. Instead, I put my arms under her knees and back and lifted her in my arms.
“Where's your bedroom?” I asked.
She pointed to the left, and I went into a dark corridor.
"Just walk straight," she said.