Page 83 of Colton

Her cheeks heat up, her eyes shimmering in embarrassment. She bites the inside of her cheek, something I noticed she does when she’s embarrassed or shy. With a small chuckle, she kisses my palm, holding eye contact, despite the bashfulness she’s feeling.

“Thank you.”

“It’s getting late,” I say, looking out the window. “Is there anything you want to do, something you want to see while we’re here?”

Avalon pauses, contemplating the offer. “We could go out for dinner,” she suggests. “Maybe go see a movie, too?”

“Alright.”

“This is the only place where I feel like no one will ever say anything about the two of us being seen in public,” she says, taking another grape and tossing it into her mouth. “Because when we go back tomorrow, it’ll have to be a secret all over again.”

“I thought you liked it being a secret,” I say, lifting a brow.

“I do!” She says quickly. “But I also like being able to be with you in public, and not be scared that someone will tell the headmaster and the two of us will suffer the consequences.”

“I know,” I sigh, kissing her nose.

“Do you think I’m a hypocrite?” She asks, and I narrow my eyes in confusion. “It’s just… Soren was with Ms. Ellie, and she got fired, and literally black-listed. We’re doing the same thing, more or less. And here I was, judging her. Makes me seem like a terrible person, no?”

“No,” I say immediately. “It’s different.”

Avalon raises an amused brow. “Is it? Alright. Explain that.”

I believe this is the first time I can’t come up with something clever to divert the attention from the question at hand, and Avalon’s glare is only making it more difficult to deflect.

“Fine,” I sigh. “It’s… similar. However, Ellie got fired and blacklisted only because Soren’s parents pulled the strings. Neither you nor I would ever face such consequences, and neither of us is stupid enough to get caught on camera having sex.”

“Sophia was truly at the right place, at the right time.”

That makes me halt, and my brows raise to my hairline. “Sophia was the one to record and spread the video around?”

Avalon’s mouth clamps shut. “You know what? Never mind.”

“You’re right,” I nod. “I don’t want to know what’s going on in your friend circle. Those people seem insane, anyway.”

“Be nice,” she warns. “But seriously, do you think we’ll be able to keep this relationship a secret until I graduate?”

I nod. “You’re graduating in six months. It’ll be winter break soon, and I’m assuming you’ll spend most of it with your family. Then, you’ll be busy preparing for finals, and we won’t be seeing each other daily, anyway. When we do, I’ll ensure no one ever sees you, and we’re either coming here for weekends or somewhere private.”

Avalon sucks in a sharp breath. “I hope you’re right. I just have this damned feeling that I’m getting too relaxed.”

I reach for her hand, the water sloshing around us. I stroke the back of her palm with my thumb, watching while she squirms in her spot. “What are you scared of, Avalon?”

“I’m scared of Sinners and Saints getting wind of this,” she says. “That one picture was bad enough, and they already know it’s me. I’m scared my graduation gift from them will be ruining my future.”

“I won’t let that happen,” I say, softly squeezing her hand. “Even if it happens, your future will always be bright here, alright?”

“It’s easy for you to say,” she sighs. “You’re the mayor, the dean, and a successful business owner. I’ll be seen as the gold digger that’s only taking advantage of you.”

“And?” I blink, genuinely perplexed as to why that’s a problem. “I have more than enough gold for you to be digging the rest of your life. If I have to pull strings for you to have a job — if you wish to work — then so be it. But mark my words, even if people in this town dislike you, no one will ever be bold enough to say it to your face. No one will ever, ever bother you.”

“You make it sound like it’s a fairytale.” A small smile plays on her lips.

“It can be a fairytale, if you want,” I pull her hand toward me, kissing her knuckles. “Whatever you want, it’s yours, Avalon. I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself for you to take me seriously — but you’re not getting away from me. Everything I own, everything I am is yours. Take it, ruin it, destroy it, or play with it — whatever you want. It’s all yours.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows, and before I can start on another rant about how much I want her to take advantage of everything I have to offer, Avalon wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me into another kiss.

It’s like she’s pouring all of her gratitude into it, and the kiss is saying everything words can’t say right now. I don’t need anything else, just Avalon safe in my arms, away from harm’s way, forever.