He laughs. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug. “I was planning on it. It just slipped my mind or it wasn’t ever the right time. God, what if I get pregnant now?” I feel my eyes stretch wide with the thought.
He raises his hand and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. His dark eyes level on mine. “It doesn’t matter if you get pregnant right this instant or years from now. I’m going to love you and treasure you for the rest of my life. What will be, will be. We already know we’re spending the rest of our lives together. It doesn’t matter if we’re married or not.” Slowly, he leans in and presses his lips to mine.
I smile against them. I guess he’s right. It doesn’t matter if it happens now or after we’re married. In the end, we’ll be together.
“Come on. Let’s get dressed and go and check on Milly.” I take his hand and pull him to his feet. We both quickly get dressed and head inside the house. Drake is leaning against the island, pouring whiskey into his coffee, and Celeste is sitting at the table with Milly. She’s holding her head in her hand, watching as Milly shoves food into her mouth.
“Where have you two been?” Drake asks, looking us up and down. He reaches over and pulls a piece of hay out of my hair. “The barn? You seriously slept in the barn?” He’s wearing a wide smile that makes his eyes shine.
I shrug. “I don’t even know how I got there,” I mumble, walking toward the coffee pot. I pour a cup and sit at the table with Celeste and Milly.
“Bre!” Milly squeals, causing us all to groan.
“Shhhh. Let’s use our indoor voice,” I tell her, hoping the ringing in my ears fades away.
“I remember you two sneaking into the barn,” Celeste says, glancing between me and Colton. “Yeah, it was when…” She quickly looks over at Drake.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she quickly says.
I laugh and Colton looks confused. Drake suddenly turns his back to us.
“What? Tell me, Celeste. I’d really like to try and piece together my night.”
“Well, Drake and I were just enjoying the fire, when I saw Colton throw you over his shoulder and carry you into the barn. I would’ve asked what was up, but I was a little preoccupied.” She blushes and we all laugh at the awkwardness.
I sip my coffee while working through her story. I think back.
A soft, slow song is playing off the in the distance and the fire is burning hot beside us. Colton takes my hand and pulls me close to his chest. I look up and can see the reflection of the fire in his eyes, dancing to the beat of the music. The smell of whiskey on his breath. I’m sure mine smells just like it. It wasn’t my intention to get wasted. However, this time, with Colton, it’s much more fun. My arms circle around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands tighten on my hips. His tongue slips out and runs across his bottom lip. I bite down on mine, trying to hold back the flood emotion pumping through me. Seeing him like this, laid back and having fun with family, it only makes me want him more than I already do.
“I love this,” I say, resting my cheek against his chest.
“You love what?” he asks, his voice echoing in my ear from being pressed to his chest.
“This. Everything. How you are with family. I love your family. I wish I had a big family of my own.”
His finger moves up to under my chin and he tilts my head back. “We can work on that if you want.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“We can get to work on that big family you want.” He shoots me a lopsided grin.
“Right now? What about the wedding?”
He shrugs. “There are no rules. We can do things however we want. You want a family? Let’s make one.”
I feel heat flush my face. “Really?” I ask.
Instead of answering me, he picks me up against his chest and his lips find mine. I don’t bother feeling embarrassed. Drake and Celeste have already slipped away. The other three guys are off on ATVs. We’re all alone. Nobody will even know what we’re doing. We can go inside, get things done, and be back outside before anyone even notices.
As Colton carries me across the yard toward the barn, he’s already working on stripping us of our clothing. He rips his shirt over his head and holds it in his hand as he works to open the barn door. The moment we’re though it, he’s yanking my clothes off. We fall into the hay.
I feel myself blush from thinking back on that memory. But it’s nice to know, if I end up pregnant, how it happened. I can look back and remember how much I loved Colton, how sweet he was trying to give me what I’ve always wanted.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m hungover as hell—and I don’t get hangovers.”
We laugh. “How many bottles did we go through?” Celeste asks.
“Four!” Drake says. “But I’m blaming most of that on the three stooges.” He motions toward the backyard with his thumb.
“They still here?” Colton asks.
Drake nods. “Yeah, pretty sure Wyatt slept in his truck. Clay and Hudson were outside last I checked. Clay was in the hammock, and Hudson was curled up into the fetal position next to the fire pit.” He laughs out.
Colton shakes his head and rubs his eyes. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get home, take a hot shower, and spend the rest of the day on the couch in sweatpants.” He looks at me.
I smile. “Sounds like the perfect day,” I reply, standing up and placing my cup in the sink. “Milly, you ready to head home?”
She crams the last bit of eggs into her mouth and nods. “Bye, Cest. Bye uncle Dake.” She gets out of the chair, takes my hand, and pulls me toward the door.
“Thanks for the invite, guys,” I say, being dragged out by a two-year-old.
“I better go save her or Mills will rip her arm off,” Colton says behind me, chasing after us.
Once we’re all loaded up in the truck, Colton takes my hand in his. “So, what did you think about my crazy family?”
I giggle. “I like them. You all look so much alike. I mean, even though you all have your own features, something pulls you all together. Does that make sense?” I cock my head to the side, thinking over my words. Maybe I’m still drunk.
Colton laughs. “It’s the shape of our eyes and nose. I mean, we have different colored eyes, but they’re all shaped the same. Dad says it’s our mother coming out in us.” He shrugs, putting his attention back on the road in front of us.
“Wyatt is funny,” I add.
He scoffs. “I’m going to rip Wyatt’s eyes out of his head,” he says with little to no amusement.
I laugh. “He was just trying to get on your nerves.”
He shakes his head. “He thinks he’s such a ladies’ man. It was fun watching you turn him down though.” He laughs.
“He was polite. I never had to turn him down!” My head swings in his direction.
His mouth drops open. “He tossed his lighter on the ground and asked you to pick it up so he could check out your ass!” he points out.
“I know. That’s why I told him I don’t bend over for little boys.”
He laughs. “Yeah, it was funny,” he says, remembering the moment.
Not that I thought that Wyatt was a little boy. He’s not. He’s a full-grown man with muscles for days just like the rest of his brothers. But I took notice of the way Colton would call him a little boy. I guess compared to Colton, he is. I, however, must have a thing for older men because I couldn’t take my eyes off Colton the whole night…or ever.
When we make it home, we all clean up and get in some comfy jammies. I give Milly a bath while Colton cleans up. Then he watches Milly so I can shower. When I walk into the living room, I feel the way his eyes are burning my skin. I turn around and find his lust-filled eyes on me.
I point my finger in his direction. “Cut it out. We have a child to watch.”
He reaches out and pulls me onto his lap. “I know, but I can’t help it. The whole point of a pajama day is to look like crap
, but you look sexy as hell. Besides she’s in bed.” His hand moves up my bare calf.
I giggle. “It’s ninety degrees outside. No way am I wearing pants. These shorts are the only pajama shorts I have. It’s not my fault if they’re skimpy.”
“Mm-hmmm. And this little pink tank top with no bra? I can practically see your nipples through it.” He reaches up and lightly pinches one.
“You cannot, you just have good aim.”
He licks his lips. “When’s nap time?” He shoots me a grin and I laugh and roll my eyes.
“Not until after lunch. You cooking?”
He groans and runs his hands over his hair and face.
“Milly won’t sleep without a full stomach. No lunch, no nap.”
Once I say that, he flips me off his lap and he marches into the kitchen to prepare lunch.
I laugh as I watch him go. I pull my knees to my chest and roll into a ball on the couch, watching TV and Milly play. I doze off and on for a good thirty minutes. When I wake, I’m feeling a little more rested and lunch is ready.
The three of us eat frozen pizza on the couch and watch some show on TV. Milly is happy with the pizza, but she’s mad that Colton is hogging the TV. Twenty minutes later, she’s out cold and tucked into bed. As I’m walking out of her room, Colton meets me in the hallway. He takes my hand and starts pulling me toward the bedroom.
“Did you lock the doors?” I ask.
“Done.”
“Did you turn off the oven?”
“Did it.” He jerks me against his chest as his lips lower to mine. “Now, it’s time to pay up for that delicious, homemade lunch,” he jokes.
I laugh against his lips, but my giggles stop when his tongue slides into my mouth. He breathes me in as our lips stay pressed together. “Fuck, Brennan. You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispers, laying me down and covering my body with his. I can feel his hardness pressing against my thigh already. Just feeling him against me causes my body to erupt in tingles. From my head to my toes, it’s nothing but tiny fireworks going off beneath my skin. Every hair stands on end. It almost feels like I’m vibrating. My hands still shake for him. When he looks at me, my heart goes wild, beating so hard and so fast that I can hear it in my ears. Sometimes, when I see that familiar fire dancing in his eyes, my lungs freeze and my head feels as if it’s detached from my body—like it’s a balloon and floating up into the clouds. My stomach muscles tighten in anticipation as he kisses his way down my body.
“We don’t have much time,” I whisper.
He pulls me down the bed by my thighs, putting my center right where it needs to be to finally come together. “We have our whole lives, baby.” Without another word, he thrusts into me, deep, making me call out and dig my nails into his back.
He lets out a growl, enjoying the little bit of pain as much as I do. With us, pain is always there, dancing along the surface of pleasure. They meet and blend together beautifully. I catch a glimpse of my diamond engagement ring as I hold onto his shoulders for dear life. It causes this feeling of pure happiness to swell in my chest. Love pumps through my veins and mixes into the need and want I’m already swimming in. It’s intoxicating. I’ve never tried a drug in my life, but I know the way Colton makes me feel is like riding your favorite high.
Just as I’m being pushed over the edge, he whispers, “I fucking love you, Brennan.” He nips my ear. “You’re mine. Forever.” My release rises and shatters, washing over me, hot and strong. My toes curl. My legs shake. My breathing hitches in my chest. A tear slips out of my eyes as I ride out every last wave.
I have no idea how he can control my body the way he does, but God, I hope he never stops. He pushes me to feel things I didn’t even know existed. I knew of love before Colton, but I didn’t know the difference between feeling love and being in love. I am without a doubt in love with Colton Slade, and I know that feeling will never go away. It will never fade. It will never waiver. It will always be there, making itself known. I will feel it with every beat of my heart, every hitch of my breath, with each and every goosebumps he brings to my skin.
His hands squeeze my hips as his movements become more rigid. His brows draw together and a vein pops out across his forehead. His eyes are clenched closed, causing tiny wrinkles to surround them. His hips jerk one last time, and I feel the moment he spills himself into me, hot and thick. His every muscle is hard and flexed, and his hands are shaking as they hold me. When he falls back onto his back, his eyes open and they lock on mine. They’re dark and hooded, filled with love as he takes me in. His hands move up to cup my cheeks as he lowers his lips to mine. He kisses me gently, slowly. He’s taking his time, giving me every bit of love he has for me.
My emotions to get the best of me. Another tear slides down my cheek, mixing with our kiss. He pulls back and wipes it away.
“What’s this?” Concern paints his face.
I shake my head. “I just love you so much. I don’t ever want to lose you.” I giggle, feeling stupid by admitting my feelings.
He shakes his head. “You’ll never lose me, baby. I’m going to be right here.” He leans down and presses a kiss to my chest, right above my heart. Instead of pulling away, he lays his head against my chest and listens to it beat for him, and only ever for him.
I hold his head to my chest as he lays on top of me, thanking God for leading me in this direction. I have no idea what I’d be doing right now if it wasn’t for that nannying job, but I know I’m right where I’m meant to be.
I hold him against me for what feels like forever. Minutes, or hours later, he pulls away but takes me with him. Picking me up and carrying me to the shower, he places me on my feet. He falls to his knees and kisses my stomach. “How long do we have to wait to find out if you’re pregnant?”
I cup his jaw and lock my eyes with his. “Let’s not count. Let’s let every day be a surprise. Live it like it’s the last day we’ll ever spend together.”
He rises up and cups my jaw. “I like the sound of that.” He lowers his lips to mine, kissing me until we’re both deprived of oxygen.
Colton and I may not be living life the right way by most people’s standards, but to us, it’s the only way. We’re in love and trying to show it in every action we take, even if that means doing everything wrong. Why does it matter the order of the steps we’re taking? We’re going to end up the same place that we’re meant to anyway—together forever.
Keep reading for Clay and Autumn’s story!
Copyright 2020 by Alexis Winter - All rights reserved.
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In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
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Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
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* * *
It’s no secret I’ve always had a crush on Damon Strickland.
My best friend’s older brother and the center of every single one of my fantasies.
* * *
He’s a walking, talking temptation.
* * *
That cocky grin and those broad, athletic shoulders.
You know what they say about a man with big hands right?
* * *
Growing up, we always tormented one another.
I was the nagging, annoying little girl he hated
And he was the man-whoring, douchebag I couldn’t seem to get over.
* * *
Now as adults he actually came through and helped me land a job at my dream company.
* * *
How the hell am I supposed to focus when all I can
think about is tearing that tight suit from his tempting body!
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What’s even worse?
He forgot to mention, he’s my boss.
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I’m just going to say it, happily ever after is BS.
The only side of love I’ve seen is dark, toxic and hateful,
Until I met Clay.
I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him,
And I sure as hell wasn’t supposed to end up pregnant with his baby.
* * *
I moved to Colorado for a fresh start,
But the truth is, I was running from my past
My only priority was keeping my five-year-old son safe,
And just when I think I’ve escaped, my demons come back to haunt me.
* * *
Let me be clear, I’m not a damsel in distress,
And I didn’t need a savior.
But the way Clay made me feel…love, protected, desired—things I never thought I’d feel again,
I can’t help but wonder if things are moving too fast.
* * *
I’m falling and falling hard,
But the truth is I’m terrified.
Can I allow myself to truly trust him?
Do I even deserve a second chance at happily ever after?
The Slade Brothers: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection Page 40