Page 73 of Worth the Fall
I stared at him, his sharp jaw, his bright green eyes, his messy wet curls clinging to his skin. He squeezed his hands tight, like I had seen him do right before the chute opened. He was preparing for something. Another speech? A demand for me to leave? A confession?
Finally, he sighed, stood up straight, and began unbuttoning his wet gray shirt. Once the buttons were undone, he peeled it off his skin.
He was now shirtless in front of me, still staring straight ahead. His Wranglers were clinging to his legs, his bright green socks forming puddles on the tile. His arms were covered in tiny chill bumps.
I took a step toward him, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my fingertips.
The silence was palpable.
He glanced down at me, still serious.
I put my hand on his forearm, feeling his cold skin under my fingertips. “Colton…”
“Ally…”
I couldn’t resist, and he didn’t either.
His hand swooped behind my soaked dress, snatching my waist like his life depended on it. My hands found his cheeks, bringing his face as close to mine as I could. His lips parted, kissing me even deeper.
I couldn’t get enough.
His cold chest was pressed against mine. He tilted his head, inviting my tongue inside his warm mouth.
“I mean, I saw his truck parked outside, he must be here.”
“It’s just not like him to leave an event like that so early.”
The voices hit my ear a second before Colton pulled away.
“Oh, hi, Mamma,” he said quickly, taking a step away from me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I turned to see Jo, Dennis, and Dean.
“Colton! Allegra!” Jo said loudly, trying to find her footing in this awkward conversation. “I-uh, let me…I need to grab some stuff in the..uh…in the kitchen!” She hurried back down the hall, dragging the boys behind her.
Colton and I faced each other again and burst out laughing.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“So, we have a proposition for you.”
It was early the next morning, and I was picking around my plate of incredible breakfast when Dennis blurted that out of nowhere.
The morning had come quickly.
After Jo, Dennis, and Dean had walked in on Colton and I, he stepped out of the bathroom to let me change.
I could hear not-so-quiet whispers in the hall as I got dressed.
“I know you’re a grown man, Colton, but I need to be sure you’re in the right headspace!” Jo was whisper-shouting. “It is not like you to up and leave such an important event.”
“I know, Mamma,” Colton said back. “I just-”
“What was goin’ on with you two last night?” Dennis chimed in.
“She left really-”
“And for the love of Pete, would it kill you two to shut a door when you make out?” Dean added.
