Telling Tilly I was in love with her was one thing, but now saying it to Damien is something else entirely. I don’t know how he’s going to react, but I know it could go one of two ways: He could either give me a metaphorical pat on the back or roast the hell out of me for it. But if I’m going to keep this thing moving forward with selling him the club, I’ve got to open up to him.
I take a sip of my coffee and take a deep breath.
“That’s what I’m saying, Damien.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Damien replies, blowing air out his lips like a horse. He looks around like there may be cameras around filming this and he’s being pranked. “You? Coltthe man?The guy who showedmehow to get the ladies?”
“I know, I know,” I chuckle. “And that’s why I’m coming to you to buy me out. You’re just the guy to cash me out and run the place after I’m gone.”
Damien shakes his head, still in disbelief. “I…I don’t know, man.”
“Listen, Damien,” I say. “I’m not messing with you. Tilly has changedeverythingfor me. I honestly don’t think I can go back there anymore. I’m not just in love with her…she’s changed my entire outlook on life.”
10
Tilly
Happinessgreater than any I’ve ever known flows through me as I walk through Colt’s house, straightening up, cleaning, doing all the things I simplywantto do for him while he’s gone at his meeting with Damien.
I’m his woman now, and that thought brings me so much pleasure I can barely even put it into words.
The things he called me.
Baby. Angel. Perfect.
And then he treated me like no one had ever treated me before—like I never even imagined possible. When I arrived at his club, I was prepared to have to work incredibly hard just to survive. But then Colt came out of nowhere like a knight in shining armor and saved me from all of that.
And not only did he save me; he provided for me. He swept me off my feet. He anchored himself into my heart, overcoming all those fears I brought with me when I came here.
Honestly, I just never thought that would be possible.
It feels as if I’m glowing inside. I barely even know what to do with myself at this point. I can’t wait for Colt to get back so I can throw myself into his arms and give myself over to him.
Once I left my dad’s house, I was so ready to take control of my life and be the only one making decisions for myself. Now all I want to do is give that control over to Colt. But he’s not here right now; he’s down at the diner having a meeting with Damien.
“Well, hurry it up, would you!?” I laugh into the air.
I’m tingling all over. This is absolutely crazy. I can’t get him out of my mind. His broad sculpted shoulders, his washboard abs, his Olympic athlete quads.
Even more, the way I feel when he holds me and how he looks at me.
I know I’m the only girl he looks at that way, and I don’t feel selfish thinking that way, because I know he’s the only man I look at that way. We love each other. It’s an incredibly thing we share, and to say it’s changed me all the way down to my core would be an incredible understatement.
I can only believe it’s changed him too.
I place a hand on my tummy and close my eyes, picturing our life together.
Am I pregnant?
The thought of becoming a mother is nearly impossible to get my head around. It’s both terrifying and exciting at the same time. Does that mean he’ll propose to me as well? Marry me?
God, it’s all so thrilling.
I’m just about to go down to the kitchen and make something to eat when I hear the sound of a car pulling up out front. My heart leaps.
Colt!
I race out to the living room and peer out the window, but when I see who’s pulling into the driveway, my heart doesn’t just drop, my adrenaline surges, every muscle in my body goes tight, and my fight or flight instinct goes crazy.