I hang up the phone with Marco. Our conversation was much like our relationship was—sweet and full of concern. He’s upset I didn’t share any of this with him while we were together, but it wasn’t his to know. Not before my family.

And now that family includes Colby.

How did I ever contemplate for even a moment of filling the space inside me reserved for Colby with another man?

I’ll always have fond memories of Marco, unlike Colby with his history with Addison. Marco helped me look at myself differently, showing me I shouldn’t undervalue the woman I am. While I know he will be thinking of me while I undergo this battle, it isn’t him I need by my side.

It’s Colby.

Dropping my phone on the table next to me, I feel strong arms wrap around me. “How did he take it?” Colby murmurs in my ear.

I take a moment to respond, basking in the strength at my back. Lost, found, and back in each other’s arms. I offer up my thanks to whoever is listening today to my inner musings before I respond. “He’s worried. Frustrated I never shared this with him. Understanding it wasn’t him I was supposed to share it with.” Turning within the cradle of Colby’s arms, I lay my head on his chest. “He said to make sure you’re taking good care of me.”

Colby pulls back in surprise. “Me specifically?”

This is a little embarrassing. “Apparently, I was sleeping one night, and I might have said the wrong name when he curled up behind me.” I look away. “Perhaps.”

Colby captures my jaw in his firm hands. “No. Way.” A slow grin spreads across his face.

I shrug, trying to play it off. “These things happen.”

Walking backward, Colby pulls us toward the couch. As he falls back, I land on top of him. “That makes me feel a lot better.”

Huffing, I try to push up. His arms tighten, trapping me. “It’s embarrassing, Colby,” I grate out. “It’s not like you ever called out the wrong woman’s name.”

“Who says?” he counters.

My lips fall open, and I repeat his words. “No. Way.”

As his dark head nods, I grin. “Okay, the only way this could get better would be if you tell me it was round two with Addison.”

The red tinge that suddenly edges his cheekbones tells me I nailed it. I burst into gales of laughter. “I think you deserve a reward,” I proclaim.

He guffaws. “That’s not exactly what was implied at the time.”

“Even more of a reason.” Why I’m almost gleeful at the idea of Colby calling out my name during sex with the she-bitch, I don’t know. But for me? It just further supports the idea he’d rather have been with me. “You know what you haven’t let me do yet?” My voice drops as I slide my hands over his broad chest.

And down his lean hips.

“What’s that?”

Reaching behind me, I drag a fingertip over his firm erection. “Play.”

Colby does a crunch until our noses are touching. His hands begin to roam over my chest. “Play? You mean the things we’ve done in bed haven’t been fun, sweetheart?”

I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

He shakes his head back and forth, his nose brushing against mine as he does it. “I’m sure I do, but I want to hear you say the words.”

He wants the words? I’m pretty sure I can give him some filthy ones. Leaning close to his ear, I use my slowest drawl to purr, “I want to unbutton your shirt and take it off your delicious body. I want to use my hands, my mouth, and my tongue to trace every inch of your skin. I want to trace the ink you got for me while you watch.”

His breath has increased. “I’m listening.”

“I want to kneel on my knees. I want to peel you out of these pants that dare to mold your ass like they belong there more than my hands do. Then I want to show you how it feels when I slide your cock in my mouth while I’m gripping your hips.” I take a delicate nip of his ear.

“More,” he growls.

“Right before you come down my throat, when the first delicious drops of you leaks out, I want my hand between your legs so I can cup you. I want to…” I don’t get to finish because Colby’s pulled my head back, and he slams his mouth down on mine.

The fire of our kiss may be from my words, but the spark is from something more profound. Something I’ve finally grasped has been there from the beginning.

Love.

I am irrevocably in love with Colby Hunt.

And I want nothing more than to show him.

Tearing my lips away from his, I plead, “Let me touch you. Let me taste you. Let me show you.”

“Whatever you want, Cori.” Reaching behind him, he pulls off the T-shirt he was wearing. “Whatever you need.” Lying back on the couch, he becomes a feast for all my senses.

“You,” I gasp. “I just need you.” If I have him, I have everything.

His eyelids drop as I press my lips against his chest for the first of a thousand times to taste him. Multiple times, I’m interrupted as he captures my lips in drugging kisses. After I’ve shifted down his body, my lips trace over his impressive abdomen. His hand finds its way into my hair. His moans become guttural.

I’m flying high on the pleasure I’m giving him.

I reach for the button of his pants, which gives way without any problems. And don’t I just love how he goes commando. Reaching beneath, I tug his pants down, even as he lifts his hips to help me. “Tsk, tsk, Colby. What is your dry cleaner going to say?” I swipe my finger across the crown of his cock that’s already weeping.

“He’s probably going to be jealous as fuck.” Colby’s voice sounds deeper than usual. Looking up from between his legs, he’s propped himself up on his arm so he can watch.

And his eyes are like the smoke right before a fire that burns out of control.

Humming a little bit, I flatten my tongue to run it up the underside of his cock. I vaguely hear him hiss in reaction, but I’m too intent on wrapping my lips around the head for a taste to note more than his pleasure.

And when I do, you’d think I’d just told him I’d figured out a way to make nacho-flavored brownies.

“Holy fucking…fucking shit! Corinna, sweet Jesus!” he yells as I take him deep into the back of my throat. Balancing on my elbows, I play with his sack lightly while using my other hand to smear the juice from my mouth to lubricate the part of his cock I can’t fit in.

This goes on for a few minutes while Colby valiantly tries to maintain control. Eventually, the feel of my swollen lips and the pressure from my fingertips on the sensitive skin around his balls has him pleading for mercy. “Baby, you have to slow down. I’m going to…”

I don’t give him the chance to finish the sentence. With a flick of my wrist, I roll his sack in my hands, and he erupts deep in my throat. Swallowing quickly, I drink him down.

While I use my tongue to clean him off delicately, I realize now I’m always going to crave him. He’s delicious. Addicting. He’s every flavor I’ve wanted to capture and never knew the taste I needed.

Resting my head on his lower abdomen, I feel his hands run over my hair. I glimpse the brightly colored tattoo on his forearm, just as his hand is about to slide over my shoulder. Capturing his hand, I tug his arm toward me and whisper, “Never forget,” before my lips cover his tattoo.

He pulls his arm away from my lips slowly before using that same arm to trace the tattoo under my shirt on back. “Numquam obliviscar qui sis, Corinna. Not to me.”

No, Colby. There’s no way I’ll ever forget who I am to you. Not ever again.

He reaches down and pulls me atop of him so we’re a tangle of limbs and clothing.

Tangled in each other.

Just the way it should be.