Reluctantly, Colt pulled his lips from hers just long enough to open the front door and carry her upstairs to the privacy of his bedroom. Then he gently set her on her feet and slowly undressed her as he planted soft kisses on her lips, her neck, and her bare shoulders. He didn’t know if making love to her could mend her heart, but from the way she shuddered and broke out in goose bumps, he figured he was well on his way. By the time he was finished showering her with kisses they were both naked in each other’s arms, their clothes strewn on the floor about their feet.
“Don’t ever doubt my love for you, Brielle,” Colt whispered huskily before he bonded his lips to hers in a deep loving kiss. Then he continued to show her just how much he loved her…
After the throes of lovemaking, Brielle snuggled against Colt’s bare chest. “Colt?” she whispered.
“Yeah?” He opened his eyes.
“I love you,” she whispered wholeheartedly.
A huge grin crossed his face. “I know you do.” He rolled on top of her and kissed her passionately. Though he was exhausted from their lovemaking only moments before, at the creamy feel of her naked flesh beneath his and the sweet taste of her silky tongue, his manhood awakened again.
Feeling his erection at the base of her womanhood, Brielle instinctively spread her thighs. Her heart, her body, the moist walls within her, yearned for more of his love.
Carefully, Colt thrust himself deep into her, sending a surge of pure pleasure through both of them. He pulled out and plunged into her again, strongly, slowly, over and over, until their mounting ecstasy peaked, simultaneously throwing them both over the edge. Together, they lay breathlessly until the waves of contractions dissipated.
Colt raised his head from the crook of her neck and kissed her softly. “I love you too, Brielle. And nothing will ever change how I feel about you.”
She bit her lower lip to suppress her smile. “Okay. I’ll hold you to that promise.”
“You better,” he warned playfully as he kissed her again.
FOURTEEN
“What do you mean, Colt has a son?”
Jack let the ax fall with a thud, leaving it jutting upward from the oak round. He turned and faced his sister, hands on hips, chagrined. “It seems like his past is full of a bunch of bull crap that just keeps breaking your heart!”
Brielle sat on a hay bale in the doorway of the barn. She stared out over the pasture, watching as the breeze gently blew the soft, knee-high grass toward the late afternoon sun. “Don’t get mad. He just found out today. He’s at the hospital right now getting a paternity test to make sure.”
“Don’t get mad? Are you serious? You’re my sister. How in the hell can I not be mad right now?”
She looked at him knowingly. “I saw him, Jack. He looks like his mother, but he looks like Colt in ways too. Colt’s his father. I’m sure of it.” She frowned.
After a moment of staring at her, Jack’s angry face softened. He sat next to her and nudged her shoulder with his. “Sorry, Brielle… You never know — maybe the test’ll turn out negative.”
“I doubt it.”
She didn’t know what the future held for her and Colt, but she’d always envisioned falling in love, getting married, and bearing a child with the man she loved. Their first child. Ever. Having children outside of marriage, with other people, wasn’t part of her plan. But who was she kidding? Today’s world simply didn’t revolve around traditional values. She’d just have to try to conform to contemporary normalcy.
“It was a little bit of a shocker, but I’m okay. Colt still loves me. And I love him. Nothing’s changed … much,” she added glumly.
“Y’all are pretty serious. Are you gonna get married?”
His unexpected question made her feel like a bashful little girl on her first day of kindergarten. “I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He hasn’t asked me or anything.”
He smiled with awe at her modesty. “Don’t worry, Brielle.” He placed a protective arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Colt’s crazy about you. If he has a son then so be it. You’ll both work it out — learn to work it into your relationship. You’ll see.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. He’d always had a positive way of easing all of her fears. She loved her brother. She couldn’t imagine life without him.
“Thanks, Jack. I really needed to hear that. I think if Mom were here she would’ve said the same thing. You’re tough as nails like Dad was, but really logical like Mom. You just seem to have an answer for everything. You really know how to make me feel better.”
He chuckled slightly. “Right back at ya, big sister.” He tightened his arm around her shoulder, giving her a loving squeeze. “Right back at ya.”
Just then his cell phone rang. He retrieved it from his shirt pocket. “It’s the station. Are you gonna be okay?” He stood, staring down at her with uncertainty.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Be careful.”
“Always.”
She watched as Jack sprinted to his car and drove away. Just then another pang of nausea hit. She rushed into the house via the back door, into the kitchen, and down the hallway to the guest bathroom. After vomiting until her stomach cramped and her throat burned raw, she trudged up the stairs to the sanctuary of her bedroom and flopped down onto her bed. Before she knew it she was fast asleep…
Colt put his arm around his son. Together, they sat on a boulder beside the creek, fishing poles in hand, catching up on years of memories.
“Dad.” Junior looked innocently into his father’s eyes. “Are you gonna marry Mom? She still loves you, you know. We can all be a family. A real family. Please, Dad, just give her a chance … Just give us a chance.”
Colt smiled at his son. “I can’t just leave Brielle… Brielle… Baby…”
“Brielle… Brielle… Baby…” Colt whispered as he shook her gently.
Brielle opened her eyes and sat up. It was dark outside. “What time is it?”
“It’s after nine.” He sat on the edge of her bed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He placed his wrist to her forehead.
She yawned. “I’m okay. I just had a nightmare. And I think I have that flu bug Zeke was talking about.”
“Are you sure that’s all? You don’t have a fever.” Colt took her hand in his. “I’ve been thinking … maybe you’re pregnant?”
Her eyes widened. “No. No, I’m not.” She shook her head at the thought. Sure, they hadn’t been as careful as they should’ve been, but she was sure she wasn’t pregnant.
“Maybe you should take a home test to be sure?”
“No, Colt, I started today. I’m not pregnant. It’s just the flu. I’m sure of it,” she replied regretfully, though she didn’t know why. She felt as if she’d just let him down.
He drew his brows together. “You … started? So then…” He lowered his head.
“It’s just the flu,” she whispered.
Images of her dream flooded her thoughts — of Colt and Junior bonding together as father and son. She couldn’t take that away from him. From either of them. A chance to be a real father to his son. A chance to give Junior a real family.
“Are you disappointed?” she asked softly.
“A little … I just love you so much that the thought of having a baby with you is something I look forward to.”
Tears filled her eyes. She didn’t want to break his heart, but she couldn’t get his son out of her thoughts. “You already have a child with someone, Colt.” She reached up and began twirling a lock of her hair. “And he needs a father.”
Colt eyed her warily. “Yeah, and if he’s my son, I’ll be a father to him. And I’m sure you two will get along great.”
At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and kiss him forever. But ever since she set eyes on Junior, her conscience had been ridden with guilt. She climbed off of the bed and went to the window, staring at the stars in the night sky.
“He’s just an in
nocent party to your mistake, Colt. He’s an innocent boy who needs his father.” She turned to face him. “He needs a family … with you … and his mother … together.”
Colt tensed. He stood and moved toward her.
She put her hands up and backed away from him as she shook her head.
“Brielle, what are you saying?” he asked incredulously.
“This isn’t right — you and me. You can’t just write Miranda off without giving it a try. And I know you wanted to — I saw your list. Miranda was on it.”
“No, Brielle, I don’t want to give it a try with her. I was just curious as to how she turned out is all. We were friends for a long time before we ever started dating.” He took a deep breath to calm his defensive demeanor. When he spoke again his voice was full of love. “But what I do want is to give it a try with you and only you.”
The pain in his eyes was evident. Tears formed and effortlessly rolled down her cheeks as her heart broke in two. It took every bit of courage to remain stoic.
“Well … you can’t because your son deserves to wake up and sit down to breakfast with his mom and dad every morning. And he deserves to be tucked in by both of you every night. A child needs that. They need both of their parents. I lost my mom when I was twenty-one, Colt. And I’m still heartbroken over it. I can’t take you from your son. If there’s a possibility that you and Miranda could work things out, I can’t stand in the way.”
“Brielle, you don’t mean that. I’ll never be with Miranda. I don’t love her. I never did. Junior’s done just fine without me living in his house with him. He’ll do even better now that he can be a part of my life, and me his. But it’ll have to be apart from his mother — in separate houses. That’s just all there is to it.” He took a step toward her.
“No!” She shook her head, adamant on her decision. “I think we should take some time apart to sort all this out.” Tears continued to flow. She took in a ragged breath. “I can’t destroy a little boy’s chance at finally having a family. I won’t.” She held her head high. “You should leave.”
Colt was dumbfounded. “What brought all this on? Is it because I thought you were pregnant? Don’t let that scare you. We can be more careful.”
“No, Colt, it’s not that. You have a son with another woman. And I don’t know if I’m okay with that.” She lied. But she knew it was the only way to get him to leave. To give Miranda and Junior a chance at a real life with him.
“Look, I know you’re scared. So am I. But we can figure this out together, baby. Please,” he pleaded with a hint of desperation in his voice.
“It’s too much for me, Colt,” she replied firmly, trying to control her tears. “You need to leave.”
Tears glistened in his eyes. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.” She stood her ground. “Go.”
“Please, baby, just give me a chance to work things out. I love you.” Quiet tears of pain rolled down his cheeks.
“Please, don’t make this any harder than it is. It’s over, Colt! I’ve had time to think about it and I’m mad as hell that you have a child with another woman! It can never be for us now! Please … leave!” she shouted angrily and shoved him toward the door.
He stared at her, completely bewildered.
“Go!” she shouted even louder and shoved him again.
He stumbled back a step. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m not giving up on us.” With that, he turned and walked out the door.
Brielle stood silently until the boom of the front door shutting echoed through the empty house. Then she fell to her knees and sobbed.
FIFTEEN
The next four days passed painfully slowly. Brielle moped about the house, forlorn and miserable. The flu, and her broken heart, took its toll on her physically and emotionally. Every ounce of her concentration, along with the sharp wits of her brother, had been needed to understand all of the intricate details of the business contract the lawyer had brought over for her to sign.
Colt wanted to be with her, but she had stubbornly refused him. It was just too soon. In her distraught condition, if she set eyes on him now, she was sure she’d leap right into his arms and never let go.
Jack came into the room and sat on the coffee table facing Brielle, blocking her view of the TV.
She lay motionlessly on the leather couch in her father’s T-shirt and her mother’s pink sweatpants, hugging one of the teddy bears serving as couch pillows, waiting patiently for him to move.
When he didn’t budge she gave him the satisfaction of meeting his pathetic stare. “You’re in the way,” she said, her voice raspy.
“I know. I’m not moving ’til you start talking.”
She hadn’t the energy for another duel. Her illness and melancholy over the last few days had worried Jack sick. He insisted repeatedly she see a doctor, and he even tried carrying her out of the house against her will to take her to see one. She was able to talk him out of it, assuring him she just had the flu, and that she was starting to feel a little better each day. But from the worried look on his face right now, she was sure Jack finally figured out she misled him.
She sighed, exhausted. “There’s nothing to tell. Colt and I aren’t together anymore.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “I know. But what happened?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m angry that he has a son after all. Now scoot.”
Jack didn’t budge. “I think I should take you to the doctor.” He uneasily studied her appearance. “You look like you’re on your last leg of life.”
“I’m fine, Jack. I just have the flu. I’ve been throwing up for the last few days. You should stay back so you don’t get it. It’s horrible,” she replied glumly.
“Are you drinking enough water?”
She reached down and grabbed the half-empty bottle of water sitting on the floor. She held it up for him to see, not amused by his concern. Then she opened her fingers and let it drop.
Jack reached out and snatched it midair and set it on the coffee table. “What about food? Have you been eating?”
“The only thing I can stomach is those plain frozen waffles. And crackers. But we’re almost out.” She yawned.
“All right, I’ll run to the supermarket and get a few things. But if you’re not feeling better by tomorrow I’m taking you to see the doc.” He patted her on the leg and stood. Then he grabbed the plush purple throw from the back of the couch and draped it over her.
“Thanks, Jack,” she mumbled and closed her eyes, having no energy to speak of. A constant emptiness filled her chest, and her stomach was beginning to swirl again. Within a few minutes she’d be sprinting to the bathroom. But until then she just needed to rest her heavy eyes. To ease her heavy heart. Just for a moment…
Brielle opened her eyes as the hearty smell of food wafted past her nostrils. On the coffee table was a bowl of chicken noodle soup accompanied by a plate of saltine crackers. A glass of clear bubbly liquid sat beside it.
She sat up and grabbed the glass, sniffing its contents. “Jack,” she called out hoarsely. “What’s this?”
Hesitantly, she sipped her drink. It was ginger ale. It went down smoothly. She took a few more sips before setting it aside to eat the noodles from the yellow broth. Eating slowly, she tested to see if her stomach would permit such frivolity. It seemed to settle just fine. Smiling, she dipped her cracker into the broth and took a bite.
Just then she heard footsteps approach from behind. “Thank you, Jack,” she said without looking at him. She took another bite and set the bowl on the coffee table.
“You’re welcome,” Colt replied.
Startled, Brielle snapped her head in Colt’s direction. “What are you doing here?”
“Just doing Jack a favor. He got called in. How are you feeling?”
She sat back and crossed her arms. “I’m fine.”
He sat on the other end of the couch, his expression full of concern. “No, Brielle, you’re not. Yo
ur eyes look like you have bruises around them, they’re so dark, and you’re as pale as a ghost. You look like you’re about to die.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped short as the urge to vomit overwhelmed her. Bolting off the couch, she rushed down the hall to the bathroom. When she’d finished vomiting, she slowly made her way back to the couch, using the wall for support. Colt hadn’t budged. She sat down and curled into the corner of the couch.
He handed her the bottle of water from the coffee table. “Maybe I should take you to the doctor. It’s been four days, Brielle, and you’re still throwing up. You might be dehydrated.”
“I’m fine. It’s just the flu. I’ve felt a little better today. I’ve been throwing up every few hours now instead of every twenty minutes. I’ve been drinking plenty of water.” Her voice was tired, but void of any emotion that might lead Colt to think that she missed him.
He stared at her for a moment, his concerned look softening to reflect his pain. He reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. “Please, baby, let me take care of you. Let me love you.”
It took every bit of strength to refrain from throwing herself into his arms. But who was she kidding? It was obvious he still loved her, and only her. She could feel it. He wanted her and she wanted him. When she thought of her future, he was in it, right by her side. It’d be foolish of her to throw it all away. Her love for him couldn’t be denied any longer.
She sighed, finally giving into her heart. “Colt…” she said softly. She bit her lower lip. “I—”
Colt’s cell phone rang. He pulled his hand from hers to answer it. “Hello?”
“Colt, it’s Miranda. Can you meet me? It’s about the test results.”
Brielle held her breath. Though the phone was pressed to Colt’s ear, every word Miranda spoke was clear as day.
“Uhhhhh.” Colt hesitated.
“Please, Colt, I’d rather talk to you about it in person.”
He glanced at Brielle.
She quickly shifted her gaze, pretending to be oblivious to the conversation.
Reluctantly, he gave in. “Sure. Where?”
Under the Midnight Stars Page 16