Perfect was a theme I was getting used to, or at least trying to. It wasn’t entirely hard. Not when Colton excelled at making me feel like I was perfect.
A month had passed since the night Charles came through that front door. He was still in the county jail and from what I’d learned, I doubted there would be a trial where I would have to testify. Charles would plead guilty to murder and attempted murder. He would go away for a long time.
Unless Isaiah got ahold of him.
But that wasn’t something I was going to focus on. Every once in a while, I had…nightmares. Sometimes Colton was there to ease those troubling memories. Other nights, it was up to me to get through them, and I did.
I couldn’t believe how much could change in a short time.
While Colton had a role to play when it came to the changes I was making, the feeling of self-worth and confidence had to come from within. Yeah, the external stuff helped, but using a guy’s attention to build your confidence wasn’t something that would last long. It would be dependent upon him, a strength that could be flimsy.
The strength needed to come from me.
And the best way I could gain back the stronger part of me was through actually experiencing life.
I wasn’t working myself to the bone any longer. Meaning after I put in a normal eight-hour shift, I forced myself to stop. Who knew how much extra time existed when you weren’t avoiding…well, avoiding actually living?
I visited the museums in the city with Jillian, something I hadn’t actually done in years, and I even started going out with Roxy, Colton’s younger brother’s girlfriend. Through her, she introduced me to Calla, who was dating Jax, and to Katie, a very…odd stripper who apparently had gone to the same high school as Roxy and I.
For the first time in years, I had a circle of girlfriends, and I had forgotten how incredibly important that was. When Kevin had died and I’d left New York City, it was like I’d closed a door on the life that had existed with him, including all our mutual friends. It seemed a little late now, four years later, to try to rebuild those bridges, but it was something I’d thought about a lot and wanted to try.
And like Katie had said last Sunday, while the four of us had breakfast at IHOP, “What’s the worst thing that could happen? They ignore you or think you’re some crazy cat lady reaching out to them?”
I was also thinking about taking cooking lessons. That was something else I’d forgotten that I’d loved—baking and all things food related. Colton was a hundred percent behind the idea, mainly because I think he just wanted to eat the food.
Speaking of the devil…
Colton reached around me, his finger aiming for the homemade peanut butter icing. I smacked his hand away. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I just want a little taste.” He looped his arms around my waist.
I grinned as I placed the plastic lid over the chocolate cake. “You’re going to have to wait.”
“I can wait for the cake, but…” He lowered his mouth to my neck, placing a kiss against my pulse. “But there’s another taste of something I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait for.”
My stomach hollowed in response. All he had to do was make an innuendo and my blood heated. Colton was that good. “We’re going to be late.”
“It’s Jax’s BBQ, not a wedding reception.” His hands slid across my belly and then down my hips. He kissed the space just behind my ear.
I bit down on my lip as I leaned back into him, feeling his arousal pressing against my lower back. He was insatiable.
I loved it.
“We really should try to be on time,” I said as I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access.
With his hands on my hips, he turned me around in his embrace. “We can be late.”
Colton kissed me as he slid his hands down, gathering up the skirt of my dress and skating his fingers on the bare skin of my thighs. When he reached my panties and effectively slid them down my legs, every nerve ending took notice. He helped me step out of them.
We were so going to be late.
Our kisses quickly turned frantic, his tongue plunging in and out of my mouth, and our hands were greedy. One of his on my breast, teasing the aching tip through the thin material, his other firmly planted on my ass. I squeezed him through his jeans, loving the way his hips moved against my palm and the deep groan he made against my lips.
He broke the kiss and turned me back around. A fine shiver curled its way down my spine as he brushed my hair aside, then he placed his hand on the center of my back, bending me over slightly.
“Hold on to the counter,” he all but growled. I heard the tinny sound of his zipper.
Oh my goodness.
I did just exactly what he said and when he lifted my skirt again, I felt him against my behind, so hot and hard.
His hand slipped around and delved deep between my thighs, and his fingers immediately went to work, testing my readiness. And he didn’t have to test that out. I was already ready.
With one hand on my hip, holding me in place, he entered me from behind in a long, deep thrust. I cried out, gripping the edge of the counter. “Oh God, Colton…”
“I love hearing you say my name like that.” He started moving, his strokes slow and steady. My inner muscles began to clench around him. “Fuck, you feel so good.”
“So do you,” I breathed.
His thrusts became harder and faster, and I came within moments, screaming his name as it powered through me. He gripped my hips now with both hands and I was drawn up onto the tips of my toes. When he came, he shouted my name as his arm circled around me, sealing my body tight to his, and damn if that didn’t almost make me come again.
I could barely move when Colton turned me around, holding me on weak legs. I draped my arm over his shoulder. His warm breath danced over my lips. “Now I really want some of that cake.”
I laughed as I let my head drop to his shoulder. “I’m never going to look at cake the same again.”
* * * *
Roxy clasped her hands together under her chin. “Oh my God, I just want to shove my face in it.”
“Please don’t do that,” Calla said as she passed us by, her long blonde hair swinging from a ponytail.
“I have something you can shove your face in.” Reece walked up behind Roxy, tugging on her purple streak.
“Please don’t do that in my house,” Jax replied, appearing in the backyard, a fresh case of beer in his hands.
“We’re not in your house.” Reece sat in the lawn chair, dragging Roxy down in his lap.
Jax flipped him off.
“Just pointing it out, buddy.” Reece grinned.
My chocolate cake with peanut butter icing had gone over well, but the scent of hamburgers being grilled had my tummy all kinds of happy.
Colton draped his arm over my shoulders as he lifted the mouth of his bottle to his lips. When he lowered the bottle, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to my temple.
“You guys are so freaking adorable,” Roxy said, splayed over Reece like he was her own personal chair.
“I know.” Colton grinned.
I laughed as I rolled my eyes. “He’s incredibly modest.”
Reece snorted. “Don’t I know.”
Calla headed past us. “I’m going to grab the plates and stuff. Anyone need anything?”
“I’ll help,” I volunteered, breaking away from Colton. Or at least trying to. He was like an octopus. I only got so far before his arm dragged me back.
He smiled down at me, revealing that one dimple. “You’re forgetting something.”
There was no stopping the smile when I stretched up and kissed him. Someone, probably Reece, catcalled. When I settled back on my feet and turned around, Colton smacked my ass.
“So freaking adorable!” Roxy yelled this time.
Face turning about five shades of red, I hurried in to catch up with Calla. She held the door open as we headed in. “You guys are adorable,” she said as she headed for where all the condiments and plates were placed on the counter.
“Thanks.” My smile was probably going to split my face in two.
She grabbed a large tray. Sunlight from the window above the sink reflected off her scarred cheek. The first time I’d seen her, I couldn’t help but notice the thin slice that traveled the length of her face, but now it was something I barely registered. Calla was stunning nonetheless, and it was so obvious that she and Jax were deeply in love.
My stomach tumbled in a pleasant way. Love? God, it was something I’d been thinking about a lot lately. There wasn’t a part of me that doubted how much I cared about Colton. I was fully embracing my insta-love and hugging it close.
“Are you going to be here next weekend?” I asked as I gathered up the napkins and plastic spoons.
Calla was splitting her time between Shepherdstown and Plymouth Meeting until January, when she would move up here full time. “No, but Jax is coming down next weekend.”
“That’s good. I love how you guys do the long distance thing.”
“Me too. It’s working, but I can’t wait until I don’t have to dread him going home or me leaving.” She grabbed the now loaded up tray as I reached for the million and one bottles. Who seriously needed so many versions of mustard? The doorbell rang, and Calla sighed as she started to put the tray down. “It’s probably Katie.”
“I’ll get it,” I offered since I didn’t have my hands full.
“Thanks.” She smiled, turning to the backdoor. “Hurry back out. Those three guys can eat about a dozen hamburgers between them.”
“Wow.”
Calla laughed. “Yep.”
My sandals smacked off the hardwood floors as I made my way to the front of the house. Wondering what kind of outfit Katie would be wearing, I opened the door, prepared for something pink and sparkling.
The black, silk sleeved tank dress so did not belong to Katie.
Standing on the front porch was the last person I was expecting to see. It was Nicole, Colton’s ex-fiancée.