by Lea Coll
She lowered her arms to her sides. “We were already deep, Henry. I was in love with you.”
I noted the was, hoping she hadn’t already fallen out of love with me. “I know that. It’s probably why I did what I did. You made me see that there are things more important than the ranch, the lodge, and my family. Not that my family isn’t important but I want something more. I want someone to come home to, someone to be by my side. You were all those things in Telluride. You were amazing. You made me see that I’d closed myself off after my past experiences with women. I was so worried about getting hurt like that again, I didn’t allow myself to feel anything.”
“How are things different now?” Her expression was cautious.
“I’m different. I realized—or Gray and my parents made me realize—that I was selling myself short. I was closing myself off to something great. I came here to tell you that I love you. I know that’s not enough. Telling you I love you is trite compared to everything I’m feeling.”
“So, tell me…”
“I want everything with you. I want to spend every day with you. I want to share our days together. I want to dream about the future. I want both of us involved in the decision-making. I want to move here to be with you. If you’ll let me.”
Her brow furrowed. “You want to move to New York?”
“I know it sounds crazy but Piper’s agreed to help me manage the lodge while I’m here. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll sell. My parents are okay with that.”
“You’re going to sell the ranch?” Her tone raised in pitch.
“Not right away. I want to see if I can make a go of it here.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
I turned toward her, holding her hands in mine. “I want to be with you. That’s all that matters.”
When she was silent, I continued, “Gray told me I’ll know if I’m in love when I’m ready to give up everything to be with you. I’m ready, Kelsey.”
“That’s—I can’t even—” She sat on the bed.
“I know it’s shocking. You weren’t expecting to see me, then I drop this on you.” I dropped her hands, standing, running my fingers through my hair. I can give you some space, some time. You might not even feel the same way anymore.” It killed me to admit that.
She looked overwhelmed.
“I’ll find a hotel room. Call me when you’re ready to talk.” I didn’t want to say if you’re ready to talk. I wouldn’t survive that uncertainty.
“Please don’t leave. I’m trying to process everything. I wasn’t expecting to see you again, much less this.” She was quiet for a few seconds while my heart pounded in my chest. “I’m confused because I was willing to move to Colorado to be with you, and you said no.”
“I didn’t want to ask you to give up your dreams. Now you don’t have to.”
“But you have to give up yours.” Her tone was exasperated. Like there was no real option for us to be together.
“Not exactly. I can make it work. I can travel back and forth.”
Her expression pinched, she said, “It’s not ideal.”
“But being in the same city—the same town as you―is.” My heart pounded out a rhythm as I searched for the right words to convince her this was right.
She stood, her face blank.
I couldn’t get a read on whether this was going well or not.
“I took that job.” Her tone was tentative.
Not sure whether she was happy or not, I said, “Congratulations.”
She stood in front of me, her head tilted slightly, considering me. “I wanted to give it a chance, to see if it’s something I’d like since I’d wanted it for so long.”
I could barely draw in a breath. “Did you?”
She sighed. “It was completely different than what I was doing before. I enjoyed the fast pace and camaraderie of the stock exchange. Working at a bigger firm is different. It’s not as exciting. I’m not sure if it’s one hundred percent the job or it’s that Colorado changed me. I put in my two weeks’ notice today.” She gestured around the room. “I already planned on moving.”
“Moving.” My stomach dropped. There were boxes stacked in the corner I hadn’t noticed before. I was too late.
“I don’t have a plan, or a job lined up. It’s completely reckless.” She laughed without any humor. “You’re the one who taught me that, sometimes, taking risks is worth it.
“Where are you moving to?” My voice cracked. Was she moving back to California? I wasn’t prepared for the idea that she’d move somewhere else.
She smiled as she moved closer, her lips turning up, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Telluride, Colorado. I love it there.”
“You do?” I wasn’t sure if she meant she was moving to be with me or despite me.
“I planned to move to Telluride even if we weren’t together. I fell in love with the town when I visited. My friends—our friends―are having a baby.” Her eyes were shiny.
“Elle and Gray.” I felt like I was two steps behind this conversation.
“That’s right. I want to be close to them and the baby. I want to live somewhere I can be happy.”
She was moving to Telluride. Not for me. For herself. “I’m happy for you.”
I wasn’t so sure I was. A selfish part of me wanted her to move there for me, but I’d probably severed that possibility with my stupidity.
She stepped into my space, a hair’s breadth away, tipping her head up at me. “It’ll be nice to know a few people.”
The air rushed out of me. She’d know me and my family. “Of course.”
She was friend-zoning me. I’d have to see her every day. I wouldn’t be able to move on. It would be like seeing Selena with her new boyfriend, now her husband, and kids. I know they weren’t taunting me with their happiness, but it felt that way all the same.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, bringing me back in the moment. The movement brought her flush against me. I was confused between her words and her fingers playing with the hair on my neck, sending tingles down my back. “Telluride is my home. I feel it in my blood.”
I could get past living in the same town. Even though we had mutual friends, I wouldn’t have to see her that much, would I?
My lower body was stirring at her proximity. Why was she pressed against me? Why did she smell so good?
“Henry.” Her voice was light, a contrast to the conflicting emotions rolling around inside me.
“Yeah?” My voice was tight. I needed to step back, create some distance between us.
“I love you.” Her voice was soft and unwavering.
My brain wasn’t following. “You do?”
“Yeah, I’m moving to Telluride regardless, but I’d love to say I’m moving there because of my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“You want me to be your boyfriend?” What were the last few minutes? Was she purposely misleading me? Was she teasing me?
“Yes.” Then her lips were on mine.
My hands were on her hips, pulling her tighter against me. She loved me. She was moving to Telluride. She wanted to be my girlfriend. I wanted to rip off my clothes, then hers, throw her down on her tiny bed, and reintroduce myself to her body, but I had to clarify my intentions first. I carefully set her away from me.
She smiled wide. “I can’t believe you were willing to move to New York, to give up the lodge. You were so against it.”
“I’m willing to give up everything for you. You’re all that matters.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “No one’s ever put me first. My emotions, my feelings, what I want.”
I brushed a strand of hair out of her face, cupping her jaw. “Get used to it because I always will.”
“It’s…you’re too good to be true.”
Finally knowing where I stood and where we were going, relief poured through me. I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her. “It’ll take time for you to f
ully trust that I’m not going anywhere, but I’m in this. I want you by my side, doing whatever it is you want to do. I want to be together. I want to live together. I want to come home to you at the end of the night.”
There were so many details to work out, things to discuss. I wondered where she was going to work, but for now, I had more pressing matters.
Chapter 26
Kelsey
* * *
His lips trailed a path down my neck, his fingers lifting up my shirt, touching the exposed skin, the warmth of his hand searing me.
I couldn’t believe he was here. I’d already made the decision to quit my new job and move to Colorado. I’d given my two-week notice this morning, telling my boss it wasn’t the right fit. The job wasn’t what I expected. The larger firm was more corporate than working for the small firm, and more money was at stake. It had none of the camaraderie I’d experienced at the two-dollar firm but it was more than that. Since I’d returned, New York felt wrong. I felt like I was living outside my body, not quite there. It was like going through the motions for someone else.
I’d come home with the intention to talk to Elle about it. I hoped she’d be supportive because I was already second-guessing my decision to move to a town where the guy who ripped out my heart lived.
I hadn’t expected him to be here. It still didn’t seem real. It was like a dream.
“Oh, it’s real, baby.” I must have said that last part out loud. My fingers tangled in his hair as he lowered to his knees, placing reverent kisses on my stomach.
My words choked in my throat.
He lifted his head, his eyes determined, jaw set. “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay until you’re ready to move home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that.” I never fit in anywhere. The idea of living in that extraordinary place near my friends—the people that loved and cared for me―was the missing piece settling in my chest. I was whole. I’d never felt more content, happy.
He pulled down my skirt along with my panties.
Stepping out of them, I said, “I have roommates.”
“You’ll have to be very quiet.” My core clenched with need. I tried to remember when the others came home, but I couldn’t think.
“Lay down.”
I placed my glasses on the dresser, then sat on the edge of the bed with my legs spread wide, taking in the love in his expression before I settled onto my back.
“Shh…” His breath coasted over my clit before he licked me.
Whimpering, I pulled a pillow over my head. He built me up quickly with his fingers and his tongue. When the orgasm rolled through me, he moved up my body, kneeling between my legs. Holding my legs apart, he entered me with one thrust. He removed the pillow from my face, whispering, “I want to see you.”
I fought back the tears that threatened. This moment was supposed to be happy. I wasn’t supposed to be mourning my prior life, reveling in how no one ever saw me like Henry.
He gripped my hips, leaning over to kiss me softly. The roll of his hips and the glide of his cock was sure and steady. I gasped as my body tensed, the orgasm flowing through my body in wave after wave of pleasure. His thrusts were harder, less skilled as he chased his release. He groaned, pressing deep as he released inside of me.
He rested his weight on me for a second before rolling to the side, pulling me with him. Instead of landing on top of him, we went into a free fall. Henry landed with a loud thud on the wood floor, me on top of him.
“Are you okay?”
I erupted into giggles, unable to respond. I sat up, pulling a blanket from the bed over me. “I feel like we’re sneaking around in my parents’ house or something.”
“Like we’re teenagers.” His smile was younger, boyish even. It made me think of that guy who’d promised his high school girlfriend everything and was let down. I vowed never to hurt him like that. I’d take care of him, ensuring both of us were living the life we wanted.
“Yes. Exactly. Though I didn’t have to hide anything from my parents because they were so open about it.”
He drew me back down into his arms, kissing my temple. “We’re going to make new memories, and when we have kids, they’ll never doubt that we love them—”
“Worry and care about them.”
His heart pounded sure and steady under my ear. “You’ll be the opposite of your parents in every way.”
I let his words settle, penetrating deep into my core.
“Are you ready for all of this? A real relationship?”
I tipped my head back to his see his expression. It was earnest. “I’ve wanted it my whole life. I just thought it wasn’t for me. You made me see that anything is possible if you keep an open heart and mind.”
“If you’re willing to take that leap.” He kissed my forehead.
“Thank you for encouraging me to take risks again.” Tears threatened. I thought I’d visit Telluride for a short time, then hurry back to my exciting life in New York when it was the exact opposite.
“It was worth every minute I got to spend with you.”
I closed my eyes, reveling in this surreal moment. He’d come after me. He was here. He wasn’t going anywhere until we moved home. It was like a dream come true. One that started when I was just a little girl. I wanted parents who were there for me, then it morphed into friends and family, and a boyfriend by my side. I wouldn’t hold myself back anymore. I wanted it all—and I wanted it with Henry.
That weekend, I took Henry around the city, showing him the usual tourist sites and eating meals at my favorite restaurants. He enjoyed it but I could tell he didn’t feel comfortable. After a few days, he was restless even though he had the lodge to run. It made his declaration to move here even more sweet. He’d been willing to deny a part of himself to be with me.
When I wasn’t at work, we spent more time on the website and blog. I suggested documenting my vacation there. Each day, we added a new blog post. The website was getting an influx of reservations, but it couldn’t be from the blog alone.
“I don’t get it. What’s changed?”
“I don’t know. We made a few changes to the website but not enough to get this reaction. Did you start advertising?” he asked.
“Not yet. I wanted to wait until we were back in Colorado to make a push.”
His cell rang again. “It’s the lodge.”
When Piper was busy, the lodge line was re-routed to Henry’s cell. “If it’s a guest, see if you can find out how they heard about you.”
He nodded before answering, “Mountain Haven Lodge.”
I was so proud of him for living his dream, for creating the cabins and the lodge. I was confident he’d make it a success. We hadn’t discussed what I’d do for work in Colorado but I hoped he wanted help at the lodge. I could plan weddings, update the website, take photographs, and write the blog so he could do what he loved best, the adventure tours. I hadn’t discussed it with him yet, but I’d researched similar operations. Tours brought in large groups looking for team building and adventure. There wasn’t anything comparable in Telluride.
“What days were you looking at?” Henry carefully input their information. At the end of the call, he asked, “May I ask how you heard about us?”
His brow furrowed as he listened, then smoothed out. “Oh. I had no idea—Yeah, it’s true. Well, that’s wonderful. Looking forward to seeing you in January.” Henry placed his phone on the bed between us. His expression a mixture of confusion and awe.
“Well? What was it?”
“You’ll never believe it. I’m not even sure I believe it.” His tone was incredulous.
“What?” I sat next to him on the bed.
“The woman said wedding pics were posted on Elle’s social media account, tagging the lodge.”
I’d set up various social media accounts but I hadn’t updated them since I moved here. “Let me check.”
I pulled up the app, tapping on the lodge’s account. “Oh my God.
They did. There are hundreds of likes, comments, and even some shares. This is huge.”
Henry moved closer to see the images. One was Elle and Gray looking away from the camera, showcasing the incredible view of the back porch. There was one in the great room after they had exchanged vows―when they only had eyes for each other.
“I can’t believe they did this,” Henry said.
“Did Gray mention it to you?” I turned to face him.
“No. Not at all.” Henry looked genuinely confused.
“It’s incredibly generous of them. Especially when they usually avoid media attention.”
“Gray did mention that Elle was using her social media accounts to share some information on what she was up to now. She says she’s able to better control things that way.”
“That makes sense. You control the content released as opposed to cameras following you everywhere and producers having the final say on what goes out, but isn’t Gray worried about the attention to his family?” I quickly scrolled through the comments not seeing any reference to his dad’s criminal case.
“I don’t know.”
“I was supposed to talk to Elle days ago when you showed up. I put her off, but let’s video call them and find out.” My heart pounded hard in my chest. I wondered what Elle would think of Henry being here or did she already know?
I texted Elle to see if they were available to talk. She responded right away that she was.
I opened my laptop so we’d have a bigger screen for video chatting. It rang, I hit accept, and Elle’s image popped up on the screen.
“Hey, guys,” Elle greeted us, not acting surprised that Henry sat next to me.
Henry shifted closer to the computer. “Hey, we’re getting a ton of new reservations at the lodge. We’re booked solid for months.”
“Oh good.” A smile played on Elle’s lips.
“Did you have anything to do with that?” I asked her.
She smiled mischievously. “Possibly.”