Enduring Fate

by Alicia Rae

  “Well, you did a fantastic job, darling,” Josephine replied.

  I peeled my eyes away from my cowboy and saw Josephine beaming at me.

  It was the first time today that I felt loved by her. I let out a noiseless content sigh at realizing that I must have read her incorrectly.

  “Thank you,” I responded, my expression reflecting hers.

  She thoughtfully tipped her head. “Although, I shouldn’t be surprised to learn you did the hard part as you always were exceptionally talented with a paintbrush in your hands.”

  “Thank you,” I repeated. “Would you like Colton to give you a tour of the rest of the remodeling throughout the house?”

  “I’d love that,” Josephine answered.

  At the same time, my mom clapped her hands together. “Yes.”

  I returned my attention to Colton to see him pegging me with his eyes. I gathered that I wasn’t quite off the hook even though our conversation had been interrupted.

  I just gave him a playful wink and carried on with the dishes. I was positively sure that I would need an escape route later to avoid rehashing our former argument.

  Our families ended up visiting much longer than we’d anticipated, but Colton and I hadn’t minded in the slightest. The seven of us had all lounged outside on the patio where we talked for several hours. Then, we ended up back in the kitchen to continue our chat over pizza and wine, laughing and having a great time.

  By nightfall, our families had said their good-byes, and they all began to walk toward their vehicles. Colton waved and shut the door as I bent down to retrieve my shoes. I planned to head home, too, so I could have some time to myself. I needed to process the emotions that overwhelmed me today in hopes of getting a handle on them. Plus, I had to be in Murfreesboro by ten in the morning for physical therapy with Derek.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Colton asked before I could slip away. His voice held surprise, disbelief, and hurt.

  My heart sank at hearing the conflicting tones in his voice.

  “Home,” I answered softly, rising to my feet. Not wanting to cause any waves, I elaborated, “Just for tonight. I need some time to myself.”

  I could see his mind churning a million miles a second, and then his face split into a mischievous yet challenging grin.

  Shit, the odds aren’t looking to be in my favor.

  With hopeful eyes, I decided to go for a peace offering. “I’ll call you as soon as I finish my appointment tomorrow. Maybe we can have lunch?” I rambled.

  In no time, I was swiftly manhandled, and I found myself over Colton’s shoulders. I was amazed at how rough and gentle he could be with me.

  He stomped in the direction of his room and drawled, “Yeah…that’s not gonna work for me.”

  “Colton!” I shouted, half in exasperation and the other half in hilarity. “I just want some time to think at home.”

  “You can think here,” he answered matter-of-factly.

  I rolled my eyes. “You can’t always have your way!”

  “When it comes to you, yes, I can.”

  Even though I couldn’t see his face, I knew he was smirking at me.

  “We’re going to have to work on that,” I huffed, more to myself than him.

  “Ain’t nothing to fix, sweet girl.” Gently tossing me onto the bed, Colton grinned.

  Damn it. I wanted to be mad at him, but he always found a way to make me laugh. It wasn’t fair.

  Shaking his head and backing up, he removed each of my boots and tossed them aside. Then, he sauntered over to his dresser, grabbed one of his tees, and returned to me. He stripped my shirt and jeans off of me and put his clothing on me in the blink of an eye.

  He continued to distract me by lifting the hem of his shirt, exposing his taut stomach along with every ripple in his abs and defined chest. With the unfastening of a button and slide of a zipper, he soon stood before me in only his briefs.

  I closed my mouth to keep from drooling as he climbed into bed next to me, and then he hauled me against his side. I nestled my nose into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. Being wrapped in his arms like this combined with his scent had an unexplainable way of calming and grounding me. He would always be my home.

  Curiosity about observations I had made today got the better of me, so I inquired, “Why does it seem like your parents haven’t been here much since they moved out?”

  His hand glided to the small of my back, and he caressed tiny circles with his fingertips. “Because they haven’t. I usually visit them in town. At first, it was to help them unpack boxes or move heavy furniture. Since then, I think they’ve been busy enjoying their newfound freedom of not having so much responsibility.”

  Both reasons made perfect sense. “Oh, that’s kind of you.”

  Quietness surrounded us for a few minutes before Colton spoke, “I want you to know that I’m not sure why my mom said what she did at brunch this morning, but I am sorry she hurt your feelings.”

  “You don’t have to apologize, Colton,” I murmured against him. “I already let that go.”

  “You know that she loves you, right?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I smiled against his bare skin.

  “Okay, good.” He leaned in to kiss me and then drew back. “We also need to talk to Kayla soon—very soon.” He released a troubled sigh. “I’m worried about her.”

  “Me, too,” I agreed. “I don’t know what has gotten into her, but I plan to text her right away in the morning.”

  “Thank you.”

  As I let my mind drift, I couldn’t help the heaviness weighing on my eyelids. So much had happened this past year. Some days, I felt right back at home, like nothing bad had ever happened. Other days, I still felt lost and torn. Lying in the security of Colton’s arms was the only thing that made me feel whole.

  “Colton?” I whispered before yawning.

  “Yes?”

  “I want you to understand that loving you has never been the problem.” I tried to get my scattered thoughts to make sense, and then I dug for the courage to say them. “It’s…other aspects in our lives that seem to stand in the way.”

  His heart sped up beneath me, and my eyes closed.

  He tightened his arms around me. “I know, but I’ll never let anything keep us apart, Paige.” He leaned forward to kiss me. “I promise,” he whispered.

  As sleep carried me away, his words repeated over and over in my mind. I could only pray that they would hold true.

  EVEN IN MY SLEEP, dreaming, I could feel Paige as her index finger continuously drew an infinity sign on my chest.

  I finally came to and slanted my head to the side, seeing those morning-glossed brown eyes. Just like clockwork, that damn half smile appeared, creating a faint sexy dimple in the far corner of her mouth.

  Paige leaned into me and took a deep breath as the pad of her finger made its way down my stomach to my inner thigh where she began to slowly rub in a circular rhythm until my hips started to move all on their own.

  Damn, she wants her appetizer before breakfast.

  I reached up to take one good stretch as I yawned. As I brought my arms down, my left hand went behind her nape where I grabbed her hair to pull her toward my awaiting lips, longing to take her.

  A burning need to feel her bare skin against mine came over me as I kissed her. Wanting her more than ever right now, I removed every article of clothing from her body.

  Paige rose up over me and straddled my waist. My eyes clung to the bounce of her beautiful breasts as she lifted her hips while dragging my briefs down my legs with my assistance.

  Once they reached my ankles, I kicked the cotton material off the rest of the way, and then I grasped her ass and guided her over my hard length. She sank down onto me, and I gradually rocked my pelvis upward. I closed my eyes, letting the feel of her surround me, as she began to continuously rise and fall over me.

  I caressed a path up to her breasts, unable to resist the urge to knead them in my
palms, as I matched her rhythm. The tautness of her nipples had me rolling them between my fingers. She set her hands atop of mine and captured my gaze while maintaining her pace.

  Her beautiful brown eyes glowed back at me. She didn’t need to say how much she loved me. When we were like this, I could feel it pouring out of her.

  My eyes drank in her soft curves and the way her long hair flowed over her shoulders as we lost ourselves in one another. I let her set the pace until a soft moan escaped from her lips, and a familiar primal need to take her overcame me.

  In the next beat, I lifted her enough to slip out of her heat, and I flipped her onto her stomach at my side.

  After I repositioned myself behind her, I grasped her hips and brought her up onto her hands and knees. With a deliberate ease, I trailed my fingertips up the backs of both of her thighs and over the sexy curve of her ass and then back down to her center.

  She quivered against me.

  I leaned my chest against her, hovering my mouth over the side of her throat. My teeth gently nipped at her skin as my fingers rimmed around the edge of her sex. All the while, my cock pulsated with need to fill her once again, yet I teased us both, prolonging our gratification.

  I could hear her lungs pumping heavily.

  “Colton,” she pleaded breathily.

  I pushed two fingers inside her and stroked the tender, rigid wall before gradually drawing out to leisurely trace circles over her clit, causing her to rock backward against me.

  A rumble emanated from my chest. I took myself between my hands, feeling her arousal sheathing me, and then I pushed into her, slow and deep. I settled my hands on her hips and pulled her against me, countering my movements.

  With each of my thrusts, I aimed for her sweet spot, and her muscles clenched around me as I gave her everything I had.

  Paige groaned and buried her face into the pillow as her orgasm quivered throughout her, making me collapse against her. Grunting uncontrollably, I pumped my cum into her pussy.

  I scooted off of Paige, fell onto the mattress and blankets, and tucked her into my side. As we both fought to catch our breaths, I reveled in the feel of her pressed against me.

  “Good morning.” I sank my lips into her hair where I breathed in her scent and kissed her.

  She shifted in my arms and peered up at me. Seeing the satisfied glossy look in her eyes made me smile.

  “Morning.” She grinned. “Are you ready to get up and have some breakfast?”

  Intrigued, I asked, “What do you have in mind?”

  “Oh, you know, just some French toast and bacon, but I’m not sure…” Her eyes went light, flashing with mischief. “That is a lot of work to do in the kitchen. Plus, there’s cleanup time. I’m thinking cereal would be easier.”

  Without delay, I pulled her mouth up to mine. After kissing her, I sluggishly skimmed my thumb across her lower lip. At the steamy look in her eyes, it would be all too easy to bury myself in her again to please us both.

  But then, she’d be late for therapy, and I would miss my chance at drowning my French toast in a bottle of syrup.

  I let my lips hover above hers. “Name your price, sweet girl.”

  “Hmm…” She moistened her lips and pondered. “How about you and I catch the sunset tonight?”

  I released a genuine smile at my simple girl. I wouldn’t have it any other way. “Done,” I stated.

  Her eyes beamed with excitement as she closed the small space between us to kiss me. Her lips softened against mine, and the taste of her revived me for round two.

  I drew back. “That is all you get this morning.” Then, I found myself caving to give her one last peck, keeping it quick. I rose from the bed and sauntered my bare ass to the master bathroom. “Or I’m going to need a cold shower,” I admitted.

  “Tease!” she yelled at me.

  I laughed as I reached the cold tile. I pivoted around and winked over my shoulder. “I’m yours to tease,” I replied before closing the door.

  I entered the kitchen to hear Paige humming softly under her breath. She was standing directly in front of the stove, dressed in one of my tees that nearly went to her knees. Her calves and feet were bare, and the air smelled of bacon.

  I came up behind her and snuck my head to the side of her face before kissing her cheek. “That smells so good,” I said in her ear. I reached for a strip of bacon from the red dish.

  “Not yet.” Paige smacked my hand and laughed. “You’ve got less than two minutes until we eat.”

  My jaw set into a firm line until an idea hit me. Grinning inwardly, I spun Paige around and kissed her, making sure to thrust my tongue into her mouth, stroking hers in equal parts of hastiness and passion.

  She moaned as I blindly patted the counter with my free hand. I broke the moment when I had my prize in hand, and I lifted it to take a bite of my heaven.

  “Ah!” Paige gaped at my audacity. Then, she jabbed me in the gut with a black spatula I hadn’t realized she was holding until now. “You cheater! You used me to get a piece of pork!” she teased.

  I crunched on the cooked perfection and swallowed. “No, I would never do any of that.” I shrugged innocently, stifling my laughter. “I wanted a kiss and my bacon.”

  “You are rather greedy today, aren’t you?”

  “I’m always greedy when it comes to you,” I said. It was no secret. As Paige’s eyes narrowed jokingly, I added, “And food.”

  She pointed the spatula at me and then smacked the palm of her hand with it, filling the air with a crisp thwack. “Sit—before I find another way to put this instrument to use.”

  I stepped farther into her space, rising to the challenge in her tone, and I pinned her with a dark lustful gaze. “Or I could take it from you and reverse our positions in this fantasy of yours.”

  Her jaw nearly hit the floor at my bluntness. “You’re dirty!” She chortled.

  “You started it,” I reminded her. From the corner of my eye, I saw smoke coming from my precious French toast. “Don’t burn my bread!”

  “Crap!” Paige squealed. She spun around on her heels to remove the food from the burner, and she set each of the slices on the tray.

  I sauntered to the right of her and saw the green Ready light on the coffee pot lit up, so I reached into the cabinets and grabbed two glass mugs. After filling them, I carefully carried them over to the kitchen island where Paige had two place settings.

  Paige brought the platter of French toast over to our spot and used the spatula to divide the pieces of bread between us. I went back over to the counter to grab the dish of bacon. Slipping one piece into my mouth, I returned to our seats.

  I set five more strips on my plate and a couple on hers, leaving seven extra.

  We sat down next to each other, and Paige’s eyes danced between all the food. Without speaking a word, she grabbed extra slices of pork one at a time, filling her plate.

  When only four pieces of bacon remained, I said, “Whoa!”

  She rotated her head to me. Her gaze shimmered brightly with a sassy mirth. “What’s the matter?”

  I used my hand to motion to where all the food-snatching had happened in front of me. “What are you doing, taking all the bacon?” I countered.

  “You had more than me”—she smirked—“so I’m evening up our portions.”

  I knew damn well she wouldn’t eat everything in front of her. She was toying with me.

  “Who’s counting anyway?” I scoffed, letting it go since I was in a losing battle.

  “You,” she deadpanned, leaning her shoulder into mine.

  Laughing, I nudged her back. “You got me there.”

  The two of us fell into a comfortable silence as we began to eat. Paige was a natural in the kitchen. Everything she cooked was delicious.

  “Thank you for breakfast,” I said after finishing my third piece of French toast before getting ready to dive into the fourth.

  “You’re welcome,” Paige said, glancing at me. She raised a b
row. “How can you eat all of that?” she asked in awe.

  My fork stopped midair, and I patted my stomach with my free hand. “My stomach has compartments, and they stretch.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing they expand.” Paige chuckled softly and took another small bite.

  “It is.” I swallowed. “So, you have physical therapy today?”

  “Yes.”

  “How are things going with Derek?” I asked. It had been some time since I heard an update.

  “I see an improvement with every visit. Sometimes, it’s small, and other times, it’s more significant.” She smiled thoughtfully as she set down her fork, seeming to be done with her meal. “I finally feel as though I’ve made progress,” she continued.

  I recalled the last several weeks, and I couldn’t pinpoint a time when I had seen her in discomfort or sitting differently. “You have been doing exceptionally well, Paige, and you seem to be getting around much better.”

  The atmosphere between us shifted rapidly as Paige went still at my side. After a long moment, she peered up at me through her long eyelashes. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment.

  I felt as though I’d just dug my grave, so I told her, “Paige, I meant that in a good way. I can see your improvements.”

  “I know.” She gazed down at her hands in her lap. “I was hoping you hadn’t seen that part at all. Though, I shouldn’t be surprised that you did since everyone else does.”

  In truth, I noticed everything about Paige because I was attuned to her, but I was not about to dig myself into a deeper hole.

  “I didn’t really,” I replied, not wanting to hurt her feelings or her pride, especially when she had come so far. “I just see the way you are moving around quicker than before.” I gravitated toward her, so she would look up at me.

  She released a small smile. “I am.”

  I unleashed an impish grin and added, “And you’re becoming more flexible.”

  This time, light flowed into her eyes. She threw her hand over her stomach, tipped her head back, and laughed. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “For what?” I inquired.