Chapter Sixteen
ZOEY
I yawned, moving about in my bed before opening my eyes wide. It was still semidark outside, but I could see the first rays fighting their way across the morning sky. It took me a few seconds to focus on Colton. He was sitting right behind me on the bed and smiled brightly.
"Good morning, gorgeous."
I yawned again. "Why are you so alert? Did something happen?"
"The sun rises in ten minutes. Want to go see it?"
I grinned. Holy shit, he's romantic. That was another thing I wasn't expecting besides that weird jealous outburst. But I liked this side a lot.
Honestly, once I'd calmed down, I kind of liked that other part too—not that I would ever admit that to him.
The thought that he wanted me all for himself filled me with joy.
We got out of bed. I felt surprisingly good. Then again, it was past six o'clock.
Colton held my hand tightly, leading me out of the bedroom and into the living room. My jaw dropped. He'd put out two cups of steaming coffee and breakfast made from all the stuff I had in the fridge: sliced tomatoes and some cheese, toast, and bacon.
"You planned this for seeing the sunrise?"
"I woke up before you and realized it was coming up quickly, and I wanted to share it with you.”
"Colton, this is amazing."
We each took a cup of coffee and stood in front of the window. He was behind me, one arm wrapped around my waist. We were both butt naked.
"You know, I actually never catch the sunrise even though it's not even that early," I admitted.
"Neither do I," he said. “But I wanted to share it with you.”
I lost a piece of my heart to him right then. This was a special moment for both of us. "I bet it's gorgeous at your place too."
He kissed up the back of my neck. His lips were wet from the coffee. "You can come by anytime and watch it. We can pamper ourselves in the jacuzzi while we do that."
"You've got a jacuzzi and I missed that? Hmm. Must pay more attention next time I'm at your place."
We were both silent as we watched the sun come up. I was lucky that the buildings in front of mine weren't too high. There were taller ones in the distance, but we could still see the yellow rays and then the sun.
This moment, right here, was pure magic.
The sunrise, Colton's arm around me, his breath against my cheek.
It felt more intimate than anything we'd done last night.
My heart skipped a beat and then two more.
I had a feeling that Colton would have no trouble at all making me completely lose my heart to him. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
When he'd kissed me the first time, I was ready for a sexy fling with this broody and mysterious man. But I wasn’t counting on anything else.
Once the sun was up and I'd finished my last drops of coffee, I turned around to face him and kissed his chest. Then I pushed myself up onto my toes, kissing his Adam's apple.
"You're too tall," I complained, setting my cup down and then lacing my hands behind his neck, tugging him toward me so I could reach him. "Now that's better," I said, kissing up his neck and jaw.
I let him go, moving past him and looking at the table. He sat down on the couch, and I meant to sit next to him, but to my astonishment, he pulled me into his lap. I nearly fell over, but he secured me with one hand on my back.
"That works too," I teased as I grabbed a plate. "You don't want to eat?"
"Later. Now I just want to watch you."
I rolled a slice of cheese, eating it up quickly. “I hadn't realized I was so hungry.”
"We exerted a lot of energy last night, and I need you well fed."
I elbowed him. "Why? You have plans?"
"You know it," he said. While I swallowed a second slice of cheese, he asked, "You got anything planned today?"
I shook my head. "No, you?"
"Later in the evening." He brushed my tailbone with his fingers. "I'd like to spend the day with you. The whole day."
My heart skittered and my stomach leaped. The thought of having him for myself for a full day was exhilarating. I nodded vigorously, shimmying on top of him.
"All yours," I said. "The whole day.”
His eyes flashed. "Good. I was half expecting you to argue me on it."
"Hmm, why?"
"Because you like keeping me on my toes."
I tilted my head, considering this. "That's right. I let you off the hook far too easily last night, didn't I?" I took a sip from his cup of coffee because mine was already empty.
He straightened, pinning me with his gaze. "Happy to grovel some more."
"That's more like it," I concluded.
Just then, a phone beeped.
COLTON
"Yours or mine?" Zoey asked.
"It's mine," I said. "Let me check."
I went to the hallway, grabbing my phone from the jacket I’d worn last night.
"The office wouldn't call you on a Saturday, would they?" she asked.
“No, I don’t expect anyone to work weekends.”
“Hmm. But if you're working, it means you make others work."
"I don't make them work. They just have stuff to do."
"Mm-hmm, keep telling yourself that."
I looked at the screen. "It's Grandfather. Let me see. Maybe Grandmother did change her mind and wants us to go by today." She’d canceled at the last minute yesterday, saying she forgot that she was seeing a friend. Maybe the friend canceled on her.
"Hi, Grandfather."
"Colton," he said in his brisk voice.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"Listen, don't panic."
Why do people ever start sentences with that? I clenched my jaw. Zoey probably realized something was off because she put a hand on my chest. It was surprisingly calming. I put my hand over hers, pressing it deeper into my skin.
"I'm listening."
"I brought your grandmother to the hospital. She wasn't feeling great yesterday, and this morning she had a headache that was so debilitating she couldn't even get out of bed."
"What hospital are you at?"
"A small clinic here in the area."
"I know it," I said. It was a boutique facility with astronomical prices but excellent care. I passed it every time I went to see them. "Did the doctor say what's wrong with her?"
"No, not yet. They've ruled out anything life-threatening, so that's good."
I felt some semblance of relief pulsing through me.
“I'm going to drop by and see what I can do to help."
"There's no need. I've just spoken to the doctors. They won't tell me any more until they know more."
"Can she receive visitors?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll come by, and I'll take you home once she's discharged."
"That could take hours, son," Grandfather added.
"That's not a problem. Is this why she canceled the lunch today?"
Grandfather hesitated. "Yes."
It took all my willpower not to berate him for not taking her to the doctor yesterday. That was the last thing he needed. He was worried enough.
"I'll see you soon," I said and hung up.
"What happened?" Zoey asked.
"Grandfather took Grandmother to the hospital. She's been having severe headaches. I'm going to check on her. I'm sorry to spring this on you. I’ll call you as soon as I'm out of there."
She bit her lip. "You're so tense."
"I'm worried. Though it does help to feel you close to me," I admitted. I was still holding her hand over my chest.
"Want me to come with you and be your moral support?" she asked with a grin.
"Yes. Fuck yes. If hospitals don't bother you."
"I don't mind. And I want to see Jeannie too."
"Fuck, you're so… I don't even know how to describe you."
She smiled again. "You don't have to. I can figure out what you're thinking just by the way you're looking at me.”
Knowing she wanted to be by my side stirred things inside me. But I could barely work it all out for myself, let alone explain it to her. So I just kissed her forehead and then pinched her ass. 'Cause why the hell not? I liked taking her by surprise.
She started laughing. "Come on, let's head over there. Which hospital is she at? Mass General?"
"No, it’s their smaller satellite hospital near my grandparents' house. I want to make sure she's taken care of. It's well equipped, but it's small. I don't know if they have everything they need there.”
“I'm sure your grandfather would have taken her somewhere else if he thought they weren't doing a good job.”
“Yes, but Grandfather is also ninety.” I paused. “Whatever you do, don't tell him I said that.”
Zoey smiled. "I promise I won't. Let’s get dressed."