by L. Wilder
When I started to return the ornament to its box, something caught my attention. I reached inside and found a slip of paper with a small, red ribbon attached. I pulled it out and was surprised to find there was a key attached to the ribbon. My heart sank the second I saw there was a note from Colton.
Leslie,
These past few days with you have been incredible. Here is the key to the cabin. Consider it yours to use anytime you want to spend some time with an old ranch hand. Hopefully, you will get the urge sooner than later.
With love,
Colton
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes, feeling as if a weight was pressing down on my chest as I tried once again to fight back my tears. It meant everything that Colton wanted to see me again. Because of this, I started to wonder once again if I’d made a terrible mistake by leaving. I returned the key and ornament back into the box and spent the rest of the flight trying to keep myself from falling apart.
I’d hoped things would get better once I was home and settled, but they didn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Colton. The memories haunted me day and night. Every time I walked by the Christmas tree and saw the ornament Colton had given me, I burst into tears. I was a complete mess. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the kids returned from their trip with their father. All their stories about what they’d done and seen helped distract me from my aching heart—at least for a little while. They were only going to be home for a couple of days, and then they’d be gone. Both had plans for New Year’s and would be returning to school and work soon after.
While they were there, I did my best to put on a brave face and hide the anguish I was feeling over Colton. I thought I had been doing a good job of it until the night Grace came into my room and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, sweetie. I’m fine.”
“Come on, Mom.” She walked over and sat down on the end of the bed. “I know something’s going on. It’s written all over your face. I just don’t understand why you’re trying to hide it. I’m not a kid anymore. You can talk to me.”
“I know I can. I just didn’t want to bother you with my problems. You have your own stuff going on. You shouldn’t have to worry about your silly, old mother.”
“Are you being serious right now?” Grace huffed. “We used to tell each other everything! That doesn’t change just because I’m not living here anymore.”
“Well, if you must know, I met someone when I was in Montana.”
“You did?”
I nodded. “His name is Colton Walker, and he’s just the most amazing guy, Grace. I really think you would’ve liked him.” I expected her to say something, but she didn’t. Instead, she waited patiently for me to continue. “We spent a lot of time together, and I think we had something special. I actually think he might be the one.”
“Oh my God, Mom. That’s awesome.”
“No, honey. It’s far from awesome. He owns this enormous ranch that’s been in his family for years, and he loves it there. There’s no way he’d give all that up to come here, and I have my life here with you and Nathan. This is our home and....”
“And Nathan and I don’t live here anymore, and you can write anywhere,” Grace interrupted.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it’s time for you to stop living your life for me and Nathan and start living it for yourself. So, if you really think this Colton guy is the man for you, then you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and go get him!” She placed her hand on mine as she said, “And as far as this house goes, it’s just a house, Mom. Our home is wherever you are.”
“Oh, Grace. You dear, precious girl. Thank you for being so sweet about all this, but I’m pretty sure he hates me right now.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I left there without even saying goodbye.” I dropped my head into my hands as I groaned, “I just left him a note.”
“It could’ve been worse. You could’ve left without saying anything.”
“I don’t know. The note I left was pretty bad, Grace. I didn’t tell him how I really felt. I didn’t even leave him my number or my email. I basically said bye and hightailed it out of there.”
“I’ll admit it wasn’t the best way to handle it, but if this guy is as great as you say he is, then he’ll understand. You just have to take the chance and talk to him.” Sensing I wasn’t convinced, she gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re a catch, Mom. He’d be lucky to have you.”
“I don't know about that. I’m the one who bolted on him, and he couldn’t be okay with that,” I argued.
“Maybe, but you won’t know for sure unless you go back there and talk to him.”
“You’re right.” I let out a deep sigh. “And he did give me a key to the cabin where I stayed. I could go back there for a couple of days and see how it goes.”
“Yes! You should definitely do that.”
“I guess I better call Natalie.”
Grace reached over to my side table and grabbed my phone. As she handed it to me, she smiled and said, “This is so exciting!”
“I’m glad you think so.” I dialed Natalie’s number, and as soon as she answered, I said, “I need you to book me another flight.”
“Oh, good grief. Where are you running off to this time?”
“Umm,” I bit my bottom lip, bracing myself for her reaction when I answered, “back to Mistletoe.”
“Well, it’s about damn time.” Before I had a chance to respond, she said, “Give me twenty minutes.”
Seconds later, the line went dead. I looked back over to Grace and smiled. “I guess I better start packing.”
“Yes! I’ll get your luggage.” As she rushed to my closet, she ordered, “You have to take that little, black dress you bought a few months ago. It’s to die for.”
“It’s a little dressy for a cabin in the mountains, Grace.”
“So what? Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve!” There was a slight giggle to her voice as she said, “You have to get all dolled up for your man.”
My daughter’s excitement was contagious. I was practically bursting at the seams as I rushed to join her in the closet. Even though I had no idea how things would play out with Colton, I knew I loved him and that alone made the risk worthwhile.
Colton
After Whitney died, I never thought I’d love again, and I was okay with that. We had a great life together, built a home, and had three amazing kids. For years that had been enough for me. Then I met Leslie, and my entire world was turned upside down. I never dreamed I’d meet someone that got to me like she did. Hell, everything about her, from the way she smiled to the way she smelled, had me tangled up inside. I knew it was fast. I knew we’d only known each other for a few days, but I didn’t care. When it’s right, it’s right.
I’d made up my mind that I was going to tell her how I felt about her, but when I got to her cabin, she was gone. I found her note. Although I read it a million times, I was too blinded by the hurt to make any sense out of it. Things had been so good between us. I just couldn’t understand why she’d left early. Completely shattered, I left the cabin, only to return the following day and the day after that and the day after that. I just needed to feel close to her, even if it was just for a brief moment. It was during one of those visits I decided to read her letter once more. That’s when it finally hit me. It took reading between the lines, but I finally realized why she’d gone.
It wasn’t because she didn’t have feelings for me. It was because she did. I’d been around long enough to know love wasn’t about finding someone you could live with. It was about finding someone you can’t live without, and I couldn’t live without Leslie. She consumed my every thought. First, it was her smile. Then, it was the soft caress of her lips. The warmth of her body pressed against mine. What got me the most was the longing that had burned inside of me since the moment I discovered she was gone. That longing had me booking a flight to Tennesse
e. It was New Year’s Eve and with all I had going on at the ranch, my only option was to take the last flight out.
Once I had everything set up for my trip, I rushed out to the stable and got to work. I did my best to get everything done on time--even skipped my usual rounds, but I was still running late. I raced inside the house and took a quick shower, then hurried out to my truck and tossed my bags in the backseat. Seconds later, I was barreling down my driveway. As I started towards town, I could see Leslie’s cabin off in the distance. Just seeing it had me thinking about our first meeting and how beautiful she looked standing out there in the snow. It was a memory that had me feeling even more eager to get to the airport.
As I passed her cabin, I glanced over my shoulder for one more look and noticed the living room light was on. Knowing no one should be there, I quickly turned the truck around. As soon as I’d parked, I rushed up to the front porch. I didn’t bother knocking. Instead, I simply opened the door and stepped inside. Before I could call out to see who was there, Leslie appeared in the doorway, and she was absolutely breathtaking. Her hair was curled and down around her shoulders, and she was wearing a little, black dress that clung to her curves. A soft smile crossed her face as she whispered, “Hey.”
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d gone back to Tennessee.”
“I did, but I left something behind that’s...ah...kind of important to me.”
“You came all this way because you left something?” I asked, feeling confused.
“Um-hmm., Like I said, it’s kind of important,” she repeated coyly.
“Ok? What was it?”
“You.” She took a step towards me as she said, “I left you, and that was a mistake of a lifetime.”
Feeling surprised, I crossed my arms as I looked over to her and asked, “Care to tell me why you left without even talking to me then?”
“I thought it would make things easier.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I didn’t want to leave. In all honesty, it broke my heart to get on that plane, but I didn’t want to make things any harder than they already were.”
Even though I knew the answer, I had to ask, “Why would staying make it harder?”
Leslie looked at me with a soul-searching stare, then whispered, “Because I’m in love with you, Colton. I knew spending more time with you would only make me love you more. I thought leaving would help ease the hurt, but it didn’t. It only made me realize how much I wanted to be with you.”
Unable to resist, I stepped closer, gently placing my hand on the nape of her neck, and pulled her mouth to mine. A light moan vibrated through her chest when my tongue slid across her bottom lip. Her hands slowly drifted down my chest as I probed deeper into her mouth. The touch of her lips set me on fire, and I knew there was no going back. This woman had a hold on me like I never thought possible. It was no longer gravity that held me to the ground. It was her. I lowered my mouth to her ear as I whispered, “I want to be with you, too.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really... I love you, Leslie. I fell in love with you on that first night, and my feelings have only grown stronger.” I took a step closer. “I was planning to tell you on Christmas Eve, but you left before I got the chance.”
“Oh, Colton. I’m so sorry. I should’ve never left.”
“No, but I’m glad you did.”
“You are?”
“If going home made you realize you couldn’t live without me, then it was worth it.”
With that, she wound her arms around my neck and kissed me, showing me she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I slipped my hands behind her back and slowly unzipped her dress. I gently lowered it down her shoulders, revealing her black silk bra and perfect round breasts heaving up and down. Through the thin, smooth fabric, I could see her nipples tighten beneath my gaze. She was so damn perfect. I trailed kisses down her neck as I whispered, “I need you, now. I can’t wait a second longer.”
She took my hand in hers, leading me into the bedroom. I watched as she quickly removed her bra and panties, then lay across the bed. I let my eyes drift down her body, and her delicious curves called to me as I made fast work of my clothes. Once I was undressed, I lowered myself down onto the bed next to her. I watched the goosebumps rise along her skin as I began to trace the slope of her breast with my fingertips. She was perfect, every damn inch of her. I didn’t know it was possible for me to feel so strongly for a woman. My mouth moved to her neck, kissing and nipping gently at her soft skin before traveling to her collarbone and then her breast. I rolled my tongue around her nipple and watched with satisfaction as her back arched off the bed, silently pleading for more. I glided my tongue along her stomach ever so slowly, trailing kisses here and there as I settled myself between her thighs. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too. More than you can imagine.”
I needed to taste her, to see for myself just how much she’d missed me. I slid my hands under her ass as I lowered my head between her legs and ran my tongue ever so slightly across her center, teasing her, tormenting her as she squirmed beneath me. Damn. Everything about her had me burning for more. She gasped, and her back arched off the bed as I pressed the flat of my tongue against her clit. I loved seeing her come apart, knowing I was in complete control as I watched her body respond to my touch. I wanted to hear all of her little gasps and whimpers again and again as I pushed her to the edge of her release.
“C-Colton,” she stammered as her fingers dove into my hair, guiding me as her knees opened wider. With the sounds of her moans echoing through the room, I placed my hands on her thighs, holding her in place as I continued to lick and suck while easing my fingers deep inside her, searching for the spot that would drive her wild. When I found it, I covered her with my mouth, tormenting her until her body started to tremble beneath me. Her hands dropped to her sides as she clutched the sheets, tugging them tightly as her orgasm surged through her body like a bolt of lightning. As she gasped for air, I could hear her mumbling, “Oh, my God.”
She was still lost in the haze of her release when I quickly slipped on a condom, then lowered my body on top of her. Eager for more, her thighs spread as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me close and grinding her hips against mine. I raked my throbbing erection against her, and as soon as I felt the warmth of her center, I whispered, “Do you see what you do to me?.”
“Colton,” was the only word she could muster.
I would never get tired of hearing her say my name in that breathy, wanton tone. She pressed her lips to mine in a possessive, demanding kiss as she used her legs to pull me forward. I felt her tremble beneath me as I slid deep inside her, giving her every aching inch of my cock. Fuck. She felt too fucking good—so warm and wet. I slowly withdrew, and a slight hiss slipped through her teeth as I drove into her again and again—each time a bit faster and more unforgiving. Her heels dug into my back as she muttered my name over and over again.
As much as I loved having her that way, I wanted more. I placed my hands on her hips and flipped her over onto her knees, so I could take her from behind. I reached for her hair, fisting it in my hand as I gave it a gentle tug. Then I thrust forward, driving inside her once again. Damn. I couldn’t imagine a better feeling. Unable to control myself, I slowly drew back and slammed into her again, fucking her hard and deep. A carnal moan vibrated through her as she started to rock back, meeting my every thrust. I slid my hand from her hip down between her legs, and feverish cries echoed through the room as I began teasing her clit. Within seconds, I could feel her muscles start contracting all around me as she pleaded, “Oh god, don’t stop!”
She panted wildly, moaning and desperately gripping the sheets as I drove deeper. I felt her body tremble around me, urging me on as I thrust inside her, over and over. She muttered my name incoherently, submitting to her release, and clamped down around me.
Damn. Nothing turned me on more than watching her come undone. All too soon, I fel
t my own release building as the muscles in my abdomen and legs grew taut. Unable to stop and savor the moment, I continued to drive into her, and the sound of my body pounding against hers pushed me over the edge. I gave her hair another gentle tug as I held her to me and came deep inside her, growling with complete and utter satisfaction. Fuck. Each time with her was better than the last.
After taking a minute to catch my breath, I lowered myself down onto the bed next to her. I quickly disposed of the condom, before pulling Leslie over to me. Her breath was still strained as she rested her head on my chest and sighed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of doing that with you.”
“That’s good.” I lowered my mouth to her neck and whispered, “Because now that I have you back, I’m never going to be able to let you go.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Colton. I made that mistake once. I won’t make it again, so you’re stuck with me now.”
“Do you mean that?”
She looked up at me with emotion-filled eyes as she answered, “Yes, I absolutely mean that. I love you, Colton.”
“Then, move in with me.”
“What?”
“Move in with me.” I could see the wheels turning in her head, and I knew what she was thinking. Hoping to derail her overthinking, I said, “We can take things slow and give it a few months before we tie the knot.”
She propped herself up on her elbow as she looked down at me as she said, “Moving in together isn’t taking it slow.”
“Maybe not, but it feels right.” My eyes never left hers as I asked, “Doesn’t it?”