Colton’s arm pulls tighter around me as he draws me closer into his warm side. “Did you get any sleep?”
I shake my head. “No, I just … I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
“Which part? What actually happened or if he made it through the night?”
I let out a heavy sigh and nuzzle my face into his chest. “Does it make me a bad person that over the past twelve hours, I haven’t even considered the possibility that he might not make it through the night?” I groan as the guilt triples in size. “I’m such a selfish bitch. I nearly killed a guy and all I can think about is how it affects me. Fuccck.”
“Jade, come on. We talked about this. You have nothing to worry about. You’re beautiful inside and out. He deserved what was coming for him and I’m not about to let you start hating on yourself because of it. If you think you’re bad then the shit I’ve done to him over the past three weeks … shit, babe. You don’t even want to know just how dark it can get. To me, you’re still fucking perfect and there’s nothing you could do to Jude Fucking Carter that’s going to change that.”
I lift my face from his chest and meet his eyes. “You mean that?”
“So fucking much.”
I scramble up onto him, straddling his waist and meeting his warm, inviting gaze. "So, you're telling me that you're even more fucked-up than I am?"
A grin tears across his face and he pulls me down to him. "You've got no fucking idea," he murmurs just moments before his lips crush against mine.
He kisses me deeply, giving me exactly what I need to get my mind off Jude even if it's only for a second. His large hand slides down my waist until he's firmly gripping my ass, squeezing it tight and sending a thrilling warmth through my body.
I pull away, not exactly in the mood to fuck around. “I should probably go and get ready for school.”
“Are you sure?” he questions, sitting up and pulling me up with him. “You don’t have to go. I can take the day off and we can stay right here until your mom comes and busts my balls for being a bad example and keeping you from your education.”
I shake my head, so clearly able to picture Mom doing just that. “No, it’s fine,” I tell him, raising my hand to his cheek and feeling his warm skin brush beneath my fingers. “The past few weeks have been so insane. I just want everything to go back to normal … or at least, whatever normal is now. Besides, you have so much to do. I’m not going to be responsible for putting you behind.”
“Hey, I’m the CEO, remember? The man in charge, the fucking boss. I make the rules around here and if I want a day off with my girl, then I can take a fucking day with my girl. The work can wait.”
I lean into him and brush my lips over his, so fucking thankful to have him in my life. “Thank you,” I whisper. “You have no idea how much that means to me, but I’m fine. I can manage a day at school without causing issues or trying to kill anyone. You don’t need to babysit me.” Colton raises a brow and I roll my eyes at his silent lack of faith. “Really. I’ll be okay. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? I fall asleep during my classes and get detention?”
Colton sighs and gets out of bed before striding across the room and peeling his shirt off. “Okay,” he calls, stepping into the bathroom. “But don’t say that I didn’t warn you. You’re going to have a better day with me, but if you insist on suffering through calculus then that’s on you.”
I roll my eyes and follow him to the bathroom. I stand in the doorway, watching as he drops his pants to take a shower. “I’m going to go.”
“Okay,” he says, walking over to me in his six-foot whatever deliciously naked glory. A somber expression filters over his handsome face as his hazel eyes zone in on mine. “I’m going to run down and check on Jude. I’ll let you know how he’s doing.” I nod and he continues. “You know you can call me, right? If your day sucks or anything. I’ll come and get you.”
My hands fall to his strong chest as I push up onto my tippy-toes and gently kiss him. “A girl could really get used to this sweet version of Colton Carrington.”
“Sweet?” he laughs. “Jade, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m just reeling you in. Getting you exactly where I want you and then when you’re too invested to walk away, the real me will come out.”