Page 94 of Take My Kiss
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’reunforgettable.”
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’sa 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.
