by Jane, Eliza
“Why are you driving my dad’s car?”
“He wanted to come for you himself, but I convinced him to let me instead. He agreed, but told me to drive this since it’s faster.”
He nods, please with my answer.
When Colt’s done eating, he wipes his hands on a napkin and turns to me. “We should probably put a little more distance between us and them, and then stop for the night. I’m beat.”
I do little more than nod, unsure if the mere sound of his voice will set me off crying again.
Once we’re inside the hotel room, Colt sits on the edge of the bed and places his head in his hands. I stand uselessly in the center of the room, unsure what to do. I’ve never seen him so distressed. When I sling my backpack into the chair across the room, he looks up, startled. His posture is stiff, and his eyes dart to mine. An unknown force wills me closer, and before I even realized I’d moved, I’m standing directly in front of him. He place his hands on the backs of my legs, tugging me a little closer. I step in toward him and his hands slid up to grip the backs of my knees, which is good because my legs are feeling shaky all of a sudden.
Standing this close I see the dark rings under his eyes. I press a fingertip to the purplish skin. “You look like shit.”
He raises an eyebrow and smirks.
“Sorry. You scared me half to death.”
“I’m okay now.”
We stand like that for a few seconds and my heartbeat builds. I want him to pull me down to him, to kiss me, to tell me everything’s going to be okay now, but he does none of those things.
“I’m going to take a shower,” he says. He drops his hands from my legs.
I stumble back a step at the absence of his warm hands before righting myself and steeling my nerves. “Do you need anything? I could go to the store.” When we pulled into the hotel there was one of those big box stores right across the street.
He pulls off his T-shirt and brings it to his nose, inhaling it. “Some clean clothes would be great.” He grins.
I smile. “You got it.”
When I come back from the store with three big bags, Colt’s lying on the bed with just a white towel wrapped around his hips. He sits up when I come in.
I dump the bags onto the bed, trying not to look at his bare chest, which still has the power to funny things to my stomach.
He rummages through the items as they land on the bed. A tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush, bottled water, socks, a package of boxer briefs, a couple of T-shirts and a pair of jeans. I had to guess on all the sizes, but I’d liked shopping for him. Like in some small way I was taking care of him, putting this right again.
“The third bag has food so we won’t have to go out again later.”
He nods, and takes the clothes and toothbrush into the bathroom.
A few minutes later he reemerges, dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans. He’s clean, but he still doesn’t look well. His skin is dull and I can still see the shadows beneath his eyes.
Chapter 34
Colt
Taylor stands in the center of the room, like she’s unsure what to do around me. I still can’t believe she came to my rescue today. It seems surreal everything that’s happened in the last forty-eight hours.
It was supposed to be a simple case. Cut and dry. I’d driven to that warehouse to see what they were using the building for. I’d snapped a few photos when before I knew it, I was being pulled from the rental car by my collar at gun point. The next two days were spent strapped to a chair, suffering repeated hits to my face and body as they tried to get me to tell them who I was working for. I never said a word. Thank God Taylor found me when she did. I hate to think what could have happened.
“You should lie down,” she says, fumbling with the comforter, pulling the covers down for me. I climb in bed and am asleep almost instantly.
I wake up several hours later. The flashing of the TV is the only light in the room. I roll over and see the bed next to me is empty. Where’s Taylor? I glance at the clock, it’s just after midnight. I run my hands over my face and sit up. I’ve been sleeping for a few hours, but I don’t feel rested. I hear a muffled cry from the bathroom. I sit up in bed. The bathroom door is closed and light pours from the crack at the bottom.
I get out of bed and walk the few paces to the bathroom. But now that I’m standing here, I don’t know what to do. A soft sob wracks her throat. It tugs at my heart. Why is she crying?
I tap softly at the door.
The sounds of crying instantly stop. She sniffles. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“It’s okay. Take your time,” I say softly.
“Do you need to use the bathroom?” she whispers back.
“No. I just wanted to check on you.”
“Oh.”
“Are you okay?”
She breathes in a shuddering breath that makes my chest catch. “What do you think?”
I smirk. I always loved her sassiness. Of course she’s not okay, but since I don’t speak girl, I have no idea what’s wrong. I slide down against the wall and sit on the floor outside the bathroom door.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask.
“Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“You,” she says, barely audible.
My heart rate picks up. “I’m safe. You can sleep now.”
“I know, it’s not that.”
“Can I come in?”
“No.” She blows her nose. “I’ve been crying. I look like crap.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re always beautiful. Please, let me come in.”
She doesn’t say anything else. I stand and turn the knob on the door. It’s unlocked. I push the door open slowly. She’s sitting on the floor against the wall, he knees pulled up to her chest.
I bend down and scoop her into my arms, folding her body against mine. “You’re freezing.” I lift her off the cold tile floor and stand with her in my arms. She looks at me through hazy eyes. Her cheeks are blotchy from tears and her bottom lip is trembling. But she’s still beautiful. I inspect her, feeling oddly territorial, even though I left her in Reis’ care and she’s not mine to inspect anymore. Her gaze back at me is full of sorrow and longing. “Let me put you back in bed.”
I carry her to the bed and lay her down.
“Rest.” I lean down a press a kiss to her forehead. She murmurs a feminine sound of gratitude. Her little noises always undid me, and now is no exception. My entire body is aware of her. Dressed in soft little cotton shorts and a thin tank top with no bra. She’s damn tempting. I press a kiss to her temple and I hear her breathing quicken. When I pull back her big blue eyes are locked on mine, full of need.
This time I don’t think, I just lean down and press my lips to hers. Her mouth is full and soft from crying. A little gasp of surprise rumbles through her chest, igniting sparks between us.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” I pull back, just slightly breathing hard against her mouth. It takes every ounce of control I have to make myself stop.
She grips my shoulders, her eyes meeting mine. “Colt…” she pleads. She breathes a little sigh of longing and looks up at me with hope and wonder in her pretty blue eyes.
I brush my fingertips across her cheek. So soft. So beautiful. I don’t know if she’s begging me to stop or to continue. But this isn’t a good idea.
“We shouldn’t,” I say, removing her hands from my shoulders. “There’s too much we haven’t talked about yet, and you’re upset.” Why am I coming up with a list of reasons to stop kissing her? And who am I trying to convince? Her or me?
I lean down to kiss her again, but something tugs in the back of my head. I stop just before our lips touch. “You let him touch you,” I whisper, our breath mingling together. I can’t help the accusatory tone to my voice.
She sucks in a breath and drops her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten that close to him. I just missed you so much, and he was always there…”
>
“Tell me…” I have to know what happened between them.
Chapter 35
Taylor
“I kissed Reis.”
Colt’s mouth hardens into a firm line and his jaw clenches. “Okay.” His voice is controlled and calm.
Crap. I inwardly cringe. This conversation is going to suck more than I thought. He should yell at me, tell me I’m a horrible person, that he never wants to see me again. “That’s it? Okay? Why don’t you yell at me?”
He shrugs, his eyes looking more intense than I’ve seen them before, burning green and gray. “Well trust me, I don’t like that you kissed him,” he admits, looking down. Then he meets my eyes again. “But I’m not going to yell at you. As much as I’ve asked for you to trust me, to believe in me, I need to do the same for you. If you felt you had to go somewhere else to get comfort, then I let you down somewhere along the way. And I’m sorry for that.”
“Colt…” I can’t believe he’s apologizing. I’m the one who should be groveling for his forgiveness.
“Hush. I believe in you.” He leans in toward me, brushing his fingertips along my jaw. I close my eyes, savoring the touch, praying this isn’t goodbye.
I’m hardly aware of moving until he lifts me and places me in his lap. My chest presses against his. Colt cages me in, his arms wrapping around my back. “Tell me to stop. If you don’t want this…want me….”
I shake my head, my body responding before my lips do. “Don’t stop,” I murmur, breathing in the scent of him. Traces of body wash and spicy male musk. My hands roam over his chest, his shoulders, urging him closer. He leans in, bringing his lips flush with mine. His breath comes warm and fast against my mouth. I let out a little groan and Colt responds, crushing his lips to mine. His tongue lazily flicks against my bottom lip and I open for him, drinking him in. God I’ve missed him. I slip my hands under the hem of his T-shirt, feeling the ridges of his rock hard abs.
“Taylor,” he begs. His voice is husky.
I don’t know what he’s asking, but the answer is yes. Yes to being with him. Yes to loving him. Yes to everything. “Kiss me,” I moan, running my hands along his sides.
He groans in response. His lips are still on mine, and we breathe hard together, neither of us moving, neither of us saying anything. There’s so much to say, yet that needs to be said.
Colt trusts me. Even after I betrayed him with his own brother. Even after I accused him of cheating.
His lips pepper mine with kisses. I can feel how much he missed me.
I kiss him right back, sprinkling in an apology. “I’m.” Kiss. “Sorry.” Kiss.
He smiles and presses a kiss to my bare shoulder, pushing down the strap of my tank top. “Me too.”
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers near my ear. “I love you, Taylor.”
I pulls away suddenly and study him. “So you still want to date me? Even after I …. ”
“I want to date the shit out of you. Trust me.”
I giggle. “But what about Reis?”
He lifts an eyebrow, watching me. “You really want to talk about my brother while you’re grinding in my lap?”
I groan and press a kiss my throat, just below his Adam’s apple.
“Good girl.” He kisses me again and again, exploring every part of me in the darkness. “Mine,” I hear him whisper against skin. It makes my heart dance.
Chapter 36
Taylor
Reis and McAllister meet us in the driveway, and they pull Colt from the car, hugging him and loudly thumping his back. McAllister shakes my hand and takes the keys from me, thankful to have both his son and his car home safely, I’m sure.
We head into the living room and Reis stands watching me, Colt is tense beside me with his fingers laced in mine and their dad looks back and forth between his sons and me. Even with all of us filling the room, it feels empty and cold. I hate that they’ve lived like this – for nearly a decade now – without her. Still gripping Colt’s hand, I drag him forward toward Reis. I reach out for Reis’ hand and grip both of their hands.
Despite my earlier progress with Colt, now that we’re in their house, I can feel the tension thick in the air. I can see why Colt hates being here, why Reis moved to California for private school, and even why McAllister stays away on business so much.
There’s a picture of Elaina on the mantel, but no feminine touches, no warmth in the house. It’s clear her absence left a gaping hole that they’d never filled, and hadn’t yet learned how to even patch it together.
“Come on. We need to talk,” I explain, hauling them up the stairs.
McAllister narrows his eyes, wondering what I have in mind that involves both of his sons coming upstairs with me. His scrutiny only propels me forward, and my confidence grows with each step I take. It’s time for an intervention. Sometimes I woman’s touch is needed. And now is one of those times.
I don’t release their hands until we’re standing in Colt’s bedroom. Then I stuff them into the arm chairs and sit on the coffee table in front of them.
“We’re not leaving this room until we fix this,” I look between them.
Colt raises an eyebrow at my commanding tone.
“We’re fine, Taylor. I told you that. I fucked up by kissing you. Colt fixed it by punching my face in.” Reis waves his hands, signaling the air is cleared.
“Okay, that’s fine. But I’m not talking about the three of us. I’m talking about your family. Your dad. This house.”
Colt drops his head and draws a deep breath. I know he doesn’t like where this conversation is headed, but he doesn’t stop me.
They’re both eerily quiet, so I decide to press on. “Your mom would hate this. She loved all three of you, and would want to know that you’re happy and close and doing well.”
Reis looks at me and smiles. My stomach does a funny dip.
Colt’s crinkled brow and hard set mouth tell me he’s frustrated. I’m not going to force his hand at telling his brother about their dad, but I will nudge him in that direction. “Reis and I are cool.” He leans over and claps his brother on the back. “But McAllister has done some things that make it hard to trust him.”
“Call him Dad, you douche bag,” Reis says, rolling his eyes.
I nod. “I know McAll – your dad has done some stuff he shouldn’t have, but maybe if you take a step closer to him, he’ll do the same and you guys could start to rebuild things.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Reis scratches his head. “What happened last year? Why did Dad take off to Brazil for three months?”
Colt released a frustrated sigh. “Dad got Taylor tangled up in a hacking assignment that resulted in a crashed oil tanker and him making millions.”
Reis looks between us, trying to understand. Colt clenches his jaw, a vein throbbing in his neck. I take over the story, explaining in detail to Reis what happened, including how I discovered what happened, and then forced McAllister to donate the millions to clean up efforts and cancer research. When I finish, Reis blinks at me a few times, then launches himself at me and pulls me to him for a hug.
When Reis finally releases me, I can’t tell for certain, but his eyes look the tiniest bit watery. I break the heavy silence by saying admitting that their dad is far from perfect, but reminding them that he’s the only parent they have. If I could help them heal as a family, maybe they could be happy again.
Colt squeezes my knee. And Reis pats the top of my head. “Good talk, Shrimp.”
The atmosphere in the room has shifted slightly. The mood feels lighter, even the room is brighter, with sunlight streaming through the open blinds. It feels like anything could be possible. Colt and I having a chance at a real relationship with trust and honesty. Friendship with Reis, and both of them facing the loss of their mother and dealing with the imperfect, but loving father that they have.
I rise from the coffee table and stretch.
“Let’s go swimming,” Reis says.
Col
t looks at me, and I nod.
We change into swimsuits. They happen to have a purple bikini on hand, and I don’t ask why. I just put it on. It’s a little too small, so I pull at the fabric making sure it’s covering all the important parts before stepping out of the bathroom. When Colt emerges from his room and sees me, he frowns.
“What?” I look down, looking myself over. I didn’t think I looked that bad.
“You can’t wear that.”
I nearly laugh. What? “And why not?”
He steps in closer, his eyes roaming my exposed body. “Because.” His voice is low and husky. He traces a fingertip over my collarbone. “This barely covers anything. I don’t want Reis looking at you.”
“Why not?” I challenge. My heart drums against my chest, wanting to hear him tell me he loves me again. He watches me quietly for a few seconds and then leans in and kisses my shoulder.
“Mine,” he says.
I release a deep breath and follow him.
Reis has gathered McAllister and they’re already out on the back patio. Reis is digging through a big tub, flinging out half inflated balls and old crumpled rafts. McAllister is in swim trunks and a T-shirt with bare feet, skimming the top of the pool with a long net. I’ve never seen him look so casual and at peace. I take a towel and spread it in a lounge chair, leaning back and closing my eyes.
Chapter 37
Colt
As soon as Taylor steps through the glass doors leading to the patio, Reis stops what he’s doing and turns to start at her, mouth open. Damn. I knew giving her that bikini was a bad idea. It’d been left here years ago from a pool party I had in tenth grade. Taylor definitely filled it out more than its previous owner. I should have suggested she throw on one of my T-shirts over the top to cover herself up. All those curves are damn distracting.
I clear my throat and Reis blinks, suddenly realizing he’s visually molesting her right in front of me, and dives back into searching for swim toys. I’m not above beating him again if necessary.