I find my way to the bathroom in the dark and dispose of the condom. At least I think I did. It’s hard to tell, and I didn’t bring my phone with me. This side of the house is chilly, but not freezing. Hopefully, the fire will keep the pipes from freezing. Speaking of pipes, mine is already frozen, missing her warmth. Carefully, I navigate my way back to her and drop to the floor, sliding under the covers. She wastes no time moving into my arms that are waiting to hold her.
I run my hands through her hair as we lie here by the fire. We’re both quiet, and while I know why I’m lost in my thoughts, I don’t know why she is. “Regrets?” I force the word past my lips. Part of me doesn’t want to know, but then there’s the other part of me that wants nothing more than for her to be happy. The thought of her regretting this night has my stomach in knots.
“No. No regrets,” she finally answers. “You?”
“How could I regret something that changed my life?”
Tilting her head up, she furrows her brow. Reaching over, I soothe it with my thumb.
“Changed your life? That’s a pretty big statement, Callahan.”
“I’d say life-altering deserves a big statement, Taylor.” I wink at her.
“Really, no regrets?”
“None.” I pull her a little tighter, willing her to believe me. “Tell me something. Anything.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Tell me about you. About your life, your friends, your family. I feel like I barely know anything about you at all.”
“Well, I was born and raised in Southern California, and I’m an only child.”
“What made you move here? Why Missouri of all places?”
“I needed a change. I wanted to experience all four seasons. My best friend, Tina, works crazy hours, so I decided why not. It sounded like an adventure.”
“An adventure, huh?” Her answer seems too canned for me to not think there is something else lying beneath the surface. I can only hope that one day she’ll trust me enough to let me in. I know we’re virtually strangers who have lived together for a short amount of time, and now we’ve just complicated things by sleeping together. However, I meant what I said. I don’t regret it, and it was life-changing. In so many ways. Not only was it the best sex of my life, but it’s opened my eyes to see what I’ve been missing all these years. A home of my own, a woman to not only keep me warm at night but to share my life with. The hardships of parenting, my hopes, and dreams. I see Chase and Gabby, and I’ve been envious, but tonight, it’s put things in a new perspective for me. If Hollis were not here, I’d be alone in the dark. Sure, I could have gone to my parents’ place, but still, I’d be alone. My bed would be cold, and my heart, still surrounded by self-imposed walls that are there for no reason.
It’s not some tragic story of having my heart broken. No, when I enlisted and witnessed how upset my mother, father, and brother were when I was thousands of miles away and could hear the worry in their voice over a cracking connection, I knew I could never do that to someone else. I vowed to keep my distance and never get too close. The Army was where I felt I was supposed to be, and I refused to bring that pain and worry onto anyone else.
The day I found out about Milo, there was no other choice to make. I was a father, and my son wouldn’t have to worry if Daddy was coming home.
“Why graphic design?”
“I don’t know really. I took a class my first year of college and enjoyed it. I caught on quickly, and we are living in the digital age. I liked the fact that I could make a living anywhere. I can have clients from all over the world and never have to leave my living room. And I can work in my pajamas all day.”
“Great. Now all I’m going to think about is what skimpy little number you’re wearing while your door is closed.”
“All you have to do is knock, and I’ll show you.”
“Hollis,” I warn. “You can’t tease a man like that. Not after I’ve just been inside you and still have your warm naked body in my arms.”
“I’m not teasing. I don’t know what happens next. If this was us just… scratching an itch, or what, but I’m keeping an open mind.”
“And an open door?” I tease.“I’m crazy about you. I want to spend more time with you. Not just between the sheets, but us together, doing couple things. Although there is something that we need to discuss.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m a single dad. I know Milo is still a baby, but he’s getting bigger every single day. He recognizes faces and voices, and well, if that’s too much for you, if being with me and my son is too much, I’d like for you to tell me now. Tell me before I fall any harder for you.” My hand is trailing up and down her back, enjoying the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips.
Pushing up on her elbow, her hand rests against my cheek. “You’re an amazing man, Colton Callahan. I’ve said that before, and I’ll continue to do so. The fact that you’re a single father and proud of it warms my heart. You love that little boy to the ends of the earth, and that shines through in everything that you do. You’re not just Colton, the retired Army hero, you’re Colton, the brother, the son, and the father. That little boy is the best part of you, and I’m honored you allow me to be a small piece of your lives.”
Lifting my head, I kiss her. We roll to our sides, and we kiss. Our hands roam each other’s bodies as we explore on an intimate level. I don’t know how long, minutes, hours pass us by, but it’s been one of the best nights of my entire life.
“I should put more wood on the fire.” It’s starting to fade quickly, and the chill in the room, even under the blankets and with our body heat, is noticeable.
“Yeah.” She yawns.
“I’m stoking the fire, and then we’re sleeping.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry for keeping you up.”
“Don’t apologize. I’ve enjoyed every second of our time together.”
Nodding, I throw off the covers and yelp. “Fuck, it’s cold.” I rush to the fireplace, thankful I brought in enough wood to get us through the night. “Babe, as bad as I want to hold you skin to skin while we sleep, I think we better get dressed. I don’t want you getting sick.”
She sighs. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?” I ask, tossing logs onto the fire.
“Raincheck?”
I stop and turn to look at her over my shoulder. “Raincheck?”
“I want another night that I get to sleep skin to skin with you.”
“You want that?” I ask, ready to say fuck the fire, douse it with water, and drive through the fucking blizzard outside to the nearest hotel just to make it happen.
“More than anything.”
“Done. Now get dressed before I change my mind and we run off to the nearest hotel.”
“The roads sucked hours ago, and the temperature is only dropping,” she says as if I’m crazy for wanting to leave.
“I know,” I sigh. “That’s why you need to get dressed, but I promise you we will get our raincheck.” I turn back to the fire and pile as many logs on as I can to keep it going while we sleep. I replace the glass to keep sparks from flying and rush to find my clothes. I forgo the boxer briefs, and slide into my sweats, pulling my T-shirt on over my head. “You good? Need something warmer?”
“Just you, Colton. Just you.”
“I’m going to grab a drink of water, you want one?”
“Yes, that actually would be great.”
I make my way to the kitchen from memory and the light of the fire, and grab two glasses from the cabinet, filling them with water. I down mine, then fill it again before carrying them both into the living room. Once we’re done, I set them on the end table, so we don’t knock them over while we sleep. Taking my spot on the blankets, I burrow under and pull her into me. It’s noticeably warmer with clothes on. It’s a sacrifice I’ve made, but I would feel terrible if she were to get sick just to appease my desire to be next to her.
As we lie here next to th
e warmth and the glow of the fire on our bed of blankets, I realize that I want more than just a raincheck. I want every night she’s willing to give me. I want to learn more about her, what she loves, what she hates. I want to know it all.
“Hollis?”
“Yeah?”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Blue.”
I snuggle in deeper, burying my face in her neck as I make a silent vow to learn it all. I want to get to know all of her, and I won’t stop until I do.
This night has been more than I ever could have imagined, and we owe it to ourselves to see where this goes. I just pray that she knows what she’s signing up for being with a single father. There will be times when Milo will need all of me. From what I know of her, she’s going to be right there by my side. It’s that image that I see, the three of us together, as I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 10
Hollis
When I wake in the morning, I’m smothered in heat. From head to toe, warmth envelopes me, making it damn near impossible to fully wake up. But I do, and when I open my eyes, I find nothing but smoldering ash in the fireplace, and a big, muscular arm stretched around me.
Oh. Yeah. Last night.
I can’t help but smile as I stretch. A delicious soreness tingles my thighs and lady parts. Last night comes back in bright Technicolor. The sexual tension stretched over the evening, from the moment we got to the gym to the second we pulled in the driveway. It burned with anticipation so thick you could practically cut it with a knife.
And the makeshift bed in front of a fireplace? Well, that was just the icing on top of the orgasm-laced cake.
Now, as the sun slowly peeks through the curtains, a bubble of uncertainty lodges in my stomach. Am I supposed to go home? Tell him thanks for the good time and then leave, returning to my side of the wall and to our landlord-renter relationship? Is it still a walk of shame if it’s only a matter of yards, and you’re the only one to see you?
God, this is why I don’t do this.
This is why I don’t sleep with random guys, especially ones who I see on practically a daily basis.
But then his words, his actions come back to me. He told me he was tired of fighting it. He led me to believe this wasn’t just an isolated in-the-moment occasion. The way he held me and touched me felt like it was the start of something. Something new.
Something great.
“You’re thinking awfully hard,” he mumbles, adjusting his arms and pulling me even closer. My ass comes in contact with his already hard cock, and I can feel myself getting wet with anticipation.
“I was just noticing it’s warm in here, even though the fire’s almost out,” I tell him, completely avoiding the “other” thoughts in my head.
“The power came back on about three, which is good because I let the fire burn too low. I was too nice and warm here with you,” he tells me, nuzzling my neck and rocking his hips.
A noise croaks from my dry throat, sort of a hum and sort of a moan. Colton seems to take my sound as a positive and runs his lips along the back of my neck as his hand slips up my shirt and splays against my stomach.
“I have an idea,” he whispers, licking and kissing my skin and basically sending me into a hyper-aware sexual frenzy.
Pushing back gently and grinding my ass against his erection, I say, “I can’t wait to hear it.”
He grunts, gripping my hip and holding me tightly against him. “Breakfast. Shower. Get Milo.” His words are clipped, edgy as he continues to hold me perfectly still, as if having me pressed to him is causing him pain.
Not the bad kind of pain, mind you.
Oh, no. The good kind.
Ignoring his silent pleas, I wrap my palm around the hand he’s gripping my hip with and press back with my ass. He moans in my ear, nipping at the lobe, and sending me orbiting into a frenzy of desire and need. Lifting my leg, I sling it back and over his outer thigh. He takes his hand and mine with it, and slips them under the waistband of my pants. Big thick fingers slide against my clit, teasing until I’m practically riding his hand.
“Colt,” I moan, “I need you. Please.” I recognize the fact that I’m begging.
“I’ve got you, Holls,” he grunts, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of the nickname. With deft fingers, he discards my pants, and rips my panties tossing them to the side.“No. Inside me. Now.”
He stops the assault with his fingers, which is both heaven and hell. I need more. More Colton. He’s able to turn slightly and grab the open box of condoms on the coffee table. One handed, he pulls one out and rips the package with his teeth. He has to pull his other hand out from under my neck so he can sheath himself, but the moment the protection is secure, Colton slides his arm back underneath me.
“Come here,” he whispers, hitching my leg over his thigh. He presses against my entrance from behind, lining our bodies up as best he can. Then he pushes forward. That delicious tightness and subtle burn sweep through my blood as a sigh slips through my parted lips. “Is this what you wanted?” he asks when he’s completely buried inside me from behind.
“God, yes. That.”
Colton slowly eases out before thrusting forward, filling me completely. As his pelvis starts to move, his hand comes around and rubs my clit. Sparks of need ignite through my blood as he drives me closer to release. His lips are everywhere: my neck, my shoulder, my ear. His cock moves easily within me, guiding me, step-by-step, to the orgasm he’s promising.
“I want to feel you come, Hollis. Come on my cock,” he demands, as if he has complete control of my release. I detonate, blinding white light filling my vision as I cry out his name.
Colton grunts and presses his mouth to my shoulder. He shudders before flexing his hips and stilling, filling the protection with his release. “Christ,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my neck.
“Mmhmm.” I can’t seem to form words.
He gently eases out of me, my body missing him already, and holds me against his chest. “I have an idea. Why don’t you go take a shower and get ready for the day while I make us some breakfast?”
My heart cries a little with happiness. Mostly because I wasn’t quite sure where this would really go afterward, but breakfast is good, right? I mean, I know we talked about moving forward last night—err, early this morning—but I know a lot can be said in the heat of the moment. Maybe he didn’t really mean to advance so quickly now. A change of heart would be normal, right?
“You’re thinking again,” he whispers, kissing that place between my shoulder and my neck.
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, his right hand moving to cradle my head as he holds me.
“Ummm,” I start, but stop. I know I just need to say it. Rip off the Band-Aid. “I wasn’t sure what’s next. I mean, we had fun, but is that it?”
“Is that it?” he parrots, his body stilling against mine, a touch of panic on his gorgeous face. “Is that what you want? Last night when we talked—”
Swallowing, I realize I already know the answer. I place my finger on his lips, cutting off his words. “No.”
Colton seems to relax instantly. “Good. Tell me what you want.”
Sighing, I turn so I’m facing him. His jaw is covered in a thick stubble, even thicker than it was coming in yesterday. Something tells me this man could really grow a beard if he wanted. I can’t help but run my fingers over his jaw as I lock my eyes on his. “I still want to see where this could go.”
My words are barely out, and he’s smiling that breathtaking grin I’ve come to love. “Yeah? Good, because I’d really like to see where this goes too.” He places a chaste kiss to my lips. “I meant it last night, Hollis, I like you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“But now you’ve had me,” I tell him.
He turns me and moves so he’s hovering over me. “And I just want more,” he says softly, before claiming my lips with his own.
&n
bsp; Tina:I miss you.
Me:I miss you too. How’s work?
Tina: Busy, which is the only reason why I haven’t flown there to see you. I can’t believe you’ve been gone a few weeks already. How’s the weather in Missouri?
Me: It snowed last night. We lost power.
Tina:Yikes! What did you do?
Ummm… things I probably shouldn’t spell out in a text message. I decide to go with the PG version of last evening.
Me:Well, I ended up hanging out with Colton.
Tina:The former military, single-dad thing is hot. You know that, right?
Uhhh, yeah! I’m not dumb or blind.
Tina:Seriously, please tell me you’re banging the hot guy next door!
Me:Tina! I can’t believe you said that.
Tina:Yes, you can. That’s why you love me. My inappropriate dirty talk.
Me:That’s it exactly.
Truth be told, I miss the hell out of my best friend. I’ve always been more of a loner, working from home, and enjoying my quiet time. When I met Tina, she barreled into my life at a coffee shop, insulted the book I was reading and hasn’t left my side since. She’s the most loyal, trustworthy person I’ve known. Well, until Colton. That’s why it pains me that she doesn’t know everything. That I’m holding out one big piece of my life from her.
Colton too.
Tina:Anyway, I gotta jet. I’ll text you tomorrow.
Me:Sounds good.
Tina: Make sure you suit up before you go to the races, Hollis. *insert devil emoji* *insert eggplant emoji*
Me:You’re horrible.
Tina:Don’t think I didn’t notice how you didn’t deny it. Hooker.
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 65