“London, huh?”
I nod.
“Sounds cool.”
I shrug. “I guess. I’ll be working a lot, so there won’t be much time for fun.”
My cell phone chimes loudly from across the room. This is not the first time it’s interrupted one of our moments alone together.
Taylor sighs, rolling her eyes. “That phone is really starting to piss me off.”
I reach for it. I’ve missed several calls and texts from girls I used to hang out with. Shit. Taylor looks down at the phone, a little crease on her forehead.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
She shakes her head. “I’m going to erase all those old contacts from your phone.”
“Hey.” I tilt her chin up to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, okay. You trust me, right?”
She nods once. “But that doesn’t mean I like it.”
She never fails to tell me exactly how she feels. It’s one of the things I like about her.
Chapter 7
Taylor
I try to forget about the random girls calling my boyfriend to hook up, and let what he just told me about London sink in. I don’t like the idea of him leaving for several weeks, not when things are just starting to get to a solid place between us, but I understand that he has to do this for his job.
“I asked Reis to keep an eye on you while I’m gone.” He kisses my forehead.
“I don’t need babysitting, Colt. Besides, I’ll keep myself busy with school, MJ and Logan.”
“I know. It’s just, he doesn’t have many friends here, so you’d actually be doing me a favor if you kept him company. And I already asked him. He wants you to come to his first soccer game.”
“Okay.” I shrug. I can hang out with Reis while Colt’s gone. Maybe I could help him grow up a little, like I’d managed to do with Colt.
I settle into Colt’s arms, completely at home, completely comfortable. I love how open he’s learning to be with his feelings toward me. I won’t lie that hearing him say he’s falling for me sends tingles down my spine.
I decide a little reward is in order for this cute night he planned. I turn to face him and climb into his lap while a lazily grin spreads across his lips.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Shh.” I lean down and press my lips to his. “You’ve been good tonight.” I place another kiss on his mouth. He smiles against my lips.
“Colt,” I groan as he moves to my neck, his hands exploring my body.
He lets out a frustrated growl, stopping his progression of kisses down my throat.
“Don’t stop,” I beg. I press my hips into his, urging him to keep going.
His breath comes fast against my neck. “I want to baby. So bad.” He pulls back. “But I can’t take this.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re not use to going this slow.”
“It’s okay, honey.” He skims my hair back from my face, tucking it behind my ears, then leans in to kiss my forehead.
I can tell this is it, the moment is over. He pulls back from me. “No, it’s not okay.” I grab his hands, keeping him near me, though I can tell he’s desperate to get away and clear his head. Suddenly I don’t want him to. I don’t want him thinking too much about our relationship which moves in stops and starts, never progressing to the point where either of us feels satisfied. I look up and meet his gorgeous hazel eyes, framed in dark lashes. “I’m scared I’m not what you need.”
He brushes his knuckles along my cheek. “Hey, stop that.”
“No, Colt.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m serious. I know I don’t stack up to all the girls in your past.”
“Hush.” He forces my chin up to meet his eyes. His look is serious. “They don’t stack up to you. Not even close. It’s you that I want.”
“I know you want to…have sex.”
He smirks, unable to deny it’s true.
“And even though my body wants that too, I’m still not ready. And I don’t want you to get frustrated by waiting for me – and at the same time, once we do it – I don’t want you to get bored with me.”
“Taylor, you are everything to me. You opened up my heart and showed me how to feel again. I want you. I want you in a way I’ve never wanted anyone. I want you – all of you to be mine. But what I told you before still stands. You will set the pace. I will never push you – well, not intentionally.” He leans down to skim his lips softly across mine. “I want you, baby, but not just the physical stuff. I want all of you. But I will wait until you’re sure. Okay, baby?”
I lean forward and press my lips to his. His mouth is soft and I let my tongue reach out and carefully lick his top lip. I feel him smile in response. My hands move to his hair, tangling the locks around my fingers and tug him even closer. He lets out a groan and my heart riots in my chest.
I pull back to meet his eyes. They are bright and gleaming with his desire for me.
“What was that for?” he asks.
“Sorry.” I look down and blush. “It makes me sorta insane when you call me baby.”
“Hm.” He lifts my chin and looks at me thoughtfully. “Good. I like that.” He leans down and kisses me chastely on the lips, careful not to rile me up again.
Chapter 8
Colt
I drop my boxer briefs and jeans to the floor and look up at Taylor. Her eyes widen, and then squeeze closed. She’s so damn cute. And innocent. It’s making me hot.
She looks down it again and shifts on the bed. I follow her eyes and grin a little. But when I look back at her face, I see how nervous she is. She swallows down a lump in her throat.
“What’s wrong?” I look down at myself and then back up at her. “You don’t like my body?” I tease.
She shakes her head, her eyes darting to mine. “No. I love your body, too much. It’s just that… that,” she looks down again, “is…um, bigger than I was expecting.”
I want to puff my chest out and strut around the room. My girl just told me I was big. I love hearing that shit. But then I see that she’s genuinely scared. Crap. I place my hands on the bed on either side of her and lean in. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “You’ll set the pace. And if you don’t want to have sex – then we won’t.” I rub my nose along her jaw, hoping to get her to loosen up. “Okay, baby?”
She nods and I can tell she’s smiling.
Good girl. “Now, you have far too many clothes still on.”
She lets out a giggle and pulls me down on top of her.
I place my hand over her heart and feel it thumping wildly. I love knowing I do that to her. Just me. I never would have thought having a girlfriend had so many perks. But Taylor’s showing me things I never realized I was missing. I work my hand under her shirt, caressing the soft curve of her stomach, but avoiding her hips where she’s ticklish, knowing she’ll swat me if I tickle her right now. I push her shirt up, and she squirms on the bed, helping me. “Can this come off?” I murmur against her mouth, not wanting to break the kiss even to talk. She nods.
I sit up with her, and quickly strip her of her shirt. My fingers hesitant for a second at the back clasp of her bra, then she nods again and I unhook it and toss it on the floor with my clothes.
I can tell she’s nervous being undressed around me, but I want her know how beautiful she is. I stop kissing her, and hold her face carefully a few inches from mine. “You’re amazing.” She looks down, blushing. “I love how soft you are.” I trail my fingers along her upper arms. “And I love the way you smell.” I press my nose and mouth to her neck, tasting as I go. “I want to kiss every part of you,” I say against her neck. She lets out a soft moan at my words. “And I can. Because you are mine.” She smiles up at me, relaxing just a bit. “So beautiful,” I murmur against her lips.