“He sounds fine to me,” Tammy says back, not seeming to have a care in the world.
“You listen here—” I start.
“Oh lordy. Fine. I’ll patch you through to the sheriff. You’re out of city limits.” With that, the line goes quiet for a moment. I stare at the phone, wondering if she hung up or if she is really patching me through to someone.
It starts to ring. My eyes fly from my phone to Colton’s as he leans forward a little, pulling out his cell phone from his back pocket.
“Sheriff Blackwood,” he answers. My eyes go from his phone to him. He reaches into his pocket again, and this time he pulls out a badge, dropping it down on the bench next to him. “How can I be of service? I’ve sworn to protect and serve, sugar.” He gives me a wink.
I stare at him, shocked. Then I do the only rational thing I can. I burst into laughter.
6
Colton
I rather enjoyed the little show that Charlotte put on when I arrived home. I am getting to her. I am peeling that layer of armor off her little by little. I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist my charm for long or she’d get used to it, since she’s going to be living here.
It feels so good to have her doting on me. It’s almost as good as hearing her laughter in our home. She is full of surprises. You never know what you’re going to get.
This time I can’t stop myself from reaching out and touching her. I pluck her off the ground, pulling her into my lap. “Your hand.” She stops laughing. Concern coats her words. Yeah, she can play hard all she wants, but this woman is all soft and sweet under that rough exterior she thinks she has to put on all the time.
She doesn’t say anything about the mud that’s getting all over her pretty outfit as she reaches for my hand. Once she has it she begins to unwrap the cloth I used to tie it up so that I didn’t get blood all over the inside of my truck. Nor does she say anything about me putting her in my lap.
“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.” She turns my hand. “I think it stopped bleeding but we should clean it.” Her eyes come to mine. Her plump lips form a perfect O shape as if finally realizing she’s sitting in my lap. She doesn’t make a move to get down so I take that as a good sign.
Her eyes go to my mouth and linger there for a few seconds. It’s an invitation I can’t refuse. Leaning in, I kiss her, softly at first. I’m trying to control myself. I savor her sweet mouth for a few moments, waiting for her to lean in to the kiss. My need for her is growing but I don’t want our next kiss to be a stolen one. I want her in on it. I can feel how it will be between us just having my lips on her. I’m hoping she needs this as much as I do but I’m not sure that’s possible since I crave this more than my next breath.
Her lips lock with mine in the softest caress. I didn’t know something could be so soft. Her lips feel like rose petals against mine. I can’t help but groan when I finally feel her accept me. My hand goes to the back of her head, deepening the kiss. She moans into my mouth as she presses her body closer to mine. Her lips part so I can slip my tongue inside. Again she’s soft and sweet, the innocence of the kiss is intoxicating.
Everything about her is delicate. It’s just hidden there under the surface waiting to be discovered. She lets out the smallest moan into my mouth. I fight for control, with the sound almost breaking me. My body is humming with the need to take her down to the floor and have my way with her. The ache is almost unbearable.
“Colt,” she breathes, breaking our kiss but keeping her lips close to mine. Close enough for me to take them again but I decide to let her be. I was at the point of no return and I don’t want to be too aggressive. I have to let her open up and take her time or this will be messy. It’s a fine balance with my Charlotte; I have to let her move forward on her own but also give her a little push or she’ll never get there. I was a bastard about getting her here but I can do this right. Our first time won’t be rushed. I am going to take her nice and slow. I’ll show her how good it could be here with me and make her want to stay. That is my goal, at least. If that doesn’t work I have a few other ideas in mind, but those would really make me a bastard.