My eyes narrow into slits. “Yes, sir.”
“Your first love.” Colton leans in until his breath mingles with mine. “You’ll love me like you’ve never allowed yourself to love another.”
Understanding dawns like a long-awaited sunrise after an especially dark night. “This isn’t just about you protecting me.”
“Haven’t I made that obvious?”
My mouth works silently as I try to process his intentions. “I honestly thought we were just gonna have sex quick.”
“Which is why we aren’t. Not until you’re ready.”
“Ugh, this speech again.” The slight whine in my voice is definitely called for.
“I’ll repeat myself until it sticks.”
“And I’ll take your dick for now.” I manage to rock my hips into his.
“That’s part of the package deal. You don’t get this”—he grinds that impressive length into my pelvis—“until you’re hopelessly in love with me. Until I’m buried so deep, you can’t get rid of me. Even if you try.”
Now isn’t the time to unpack those loaded statements and the attached relationship requirements.
“But you’re hard.”
“You’re near me.” He states that as a logical fact, as if those two things coincide.
I pause to collect my scattered wits, fully aware we’re not on the same page. That leads me to wonder just how far ahead he is.
“Why is the keypad code my birthday?”
“It’s an easy date to remember. I don’t want you to get locked out.” Which mirrors his earlier answer.
“But this is your house.”
“It’s yours too.”
Confusion wars against the sweet sentiments. “Is that why you gave me the master bedroom?”
“You deserve only the best.”
“Did you plant the daisies?”
“I want this to feel like home.”
“That’s why the cupboards and fridge are stuffed full of my favorite foods.” I didn’t take a full tour of the inside, but a brief glance in the kitchen revealed everything I like to eat. Same goes for the products in the bathroom.
“Think of this place as your escape.” He’d said something similar when we first arrived, but it hasn’t truly sunk in.
I search his unwavering stare, finding the answer but confirmation is crucial. “Do you love me, Colton?”
His jaw ticks as if the truth is stuck. “Yes.”
“Since when?”
“The beginning.”
My breath escapes on a whoosh. “Five years?”
His head dips. “Is that hard to believe?”
