Page 69 of Take My Kiss
“I heard Auntie Raven ask if Colton gave you an orgasm. But I dunno what it is.” He shrugs as if he didn’t just throw me under the bus in front of the very guy I was talking about. Raven was being nosy and wanted to know if we hooked up again.
When I told her we hadn’t, she asked why, and honestly, I’m running out of excuses.
“So, did he?” Sam continues.
Colton chokes next to me, and I know he’s reveling in my discomfort.
“That’s a great question, buddy,” he tells Sam. “But not a very appropriate one.”
“Orgasm!” Lily repeats, giggling as she attempts to say the word. “Orgasm, orgasm, orgasm!”
“Okay…I think it’s time to go to sleep.” I stand, tucking them in tighter.
“Wait, you need to read to us now,” Sam pleads.
“Colton did already, and it’s gettin’ late.”
“But you always do. Please?”
“I’ll start the kettle so you can stay,” Colton says, his tone filled with amusement.
I stay and read them a couple more before they finally pass out. But even then, I can’t find the strength to leave.
I stare at my son, feeling a tightness in the pit of my stomach. For many years, it was just him and me against the world. Going from job to job, apartment to apartment, and he was always happy to have anything I could provide for him—even when it wasn’t much.
He got me through some of my darkest periods, and losing him would destroy me in an unfathomable way.
“Amelia,” Colton whispers behind me. “The tea is ready.”
Snapping out of my trance, I look at him over my shoulder.
“C’mon, let ’em sleep. They’re safe,” he reassures me, nodding toward the hall.
Before going, I kiss them both one more time. Remy stays behind, curled up by their feet on the bed.
Colton meets me in the kitchen, then hands me one of the mugs. “Probably a silly question, but…are you doin’ okay?”
I lean against the counter across from him at the island and blow on my tea before taking a sip. He’s made it perfectly.
“I’m tryin’ not to let my mind go to a dark place, but it’s hard.”
“It’s okay to feel scared and relieved at the same time, as long as you don’t let the fear consume you.”
“Can I ask somethin’?” When he nods, I continue. “Have you ever dated a woman with kids before? It’s just, you’re so good at understandin’ our priorities and being involved with ’em.Neither of my partners were eager to be fathers, so it’s rare to see another man step up who’s not gettin’ anythin’ out of it.”
“I’m not like those men,” he declares firmly. “And yes, I’ve dated a couple women years ago who had children, but it didn’t work out ’cause they went back to their exes, and I wouldn’t take ’em back when they came to their senses. Although I was tempted once ’cause I missed the kids, it wasn’t enough of a reason to give it a second chance.”
I’m not surprised he got attached to kids that weren’t his, but it’s kind of sad to think about how he never got to see them again.
“I bet you were a good big brother to Bodie and Bellamy. Y’all seem close.”
“We are. There’s two years between Posey and me, and two years between her and Warren, but there’s four years between the twins and me. So, I was already in elementary school when they were old enough to play and loved comin’ home so we could.”
I drink more of my tea, enjoying the warmth as it settles in my stomach.
“Can I ask you somethin’ now?” he asks, setting his mug next to him.
“As long as it’s not gonna embarrass me.”
