Dark Sexy Knight (A Modern Fairytale)(43)
He crossed the kitchen in two strides, pulling her roughly into his arms.
“Thank f*ck,” he growled, resting his chin on top of her head.
“I’m just worried about you,” she said, sighing with relief. She flattened her palms against his chest, marveling at the hard contours, desperate to touch his skin, to learn the heat and texture of it under her fingers.
“Don’t worry, sunshine,” he said gently. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
“I’m getting attached to you,” she whispered, like saying the words gave them a power she wasn’t quite ready to concede.
“Me too,” he said. “I’m right there with you.”
She nestled into his neck, closing her eyes, seeking his warm skin with her lips and pressing gently. His breath caught in a short gasp, and she dragged her lips lower, peppering kisses along the base of his neck, letting her tongue dart out to taste him. A strangled sound—half groan, half growl—emerged from his throat, and he suddenly released her, pushing away and stepping back, his eyes dark and wild as his chest surged up and down.
“Colton?” she whimpered, wondering what had just happened.
The kitchen door swung open, and Ryan was suddenly standing between them.
“Is breakfast ready?” he asked, grinning at each of them before making his way to the table. “I’m hungry, guys.”
Colton’s eyes still held hers captive.
“Me too, buddy,” said Colton, his voice like sandpaper.
Me too, thought Verity, crossing back over to the stove, her stomach aflutter, her heart practically bursting.
***
In the five and a half years he’d been performing the Sunday matinee, Colt had never looked forward to it quite as much as he did today. Not just for his weekly opportunity to theatrically kick Artie’s ass, but because, after the show, lucky bastard that he was, he was heading home with the hottest, sexiest, sweetest girl he’d ever known, and tonight he got to have her to himself.
It had taken every ounce of strength in his body to push her away this morning, but as far as he knew, she hadn’t talked to Ryan about them dating yet, and he didn’t want Ryan to find out by mistake. Colt had learned that, much like Melody, Ryan thrived on routine, and though Colt didn’t think he’d object to them dating, he definitely didn’t want to upset Verity’s brother. Anyway, they were still new. As much as he hoped for the best, it was probably a good idea to see what the next few weeks held in store before sharing their new status with Ryan or Melody.
Plus, he needed to tell her about Melody, and two things about telling Verity about his cousin worried him.
The first, which was his much lesser fear, was that she’d feel overwhelmed at the prospect of him also having a special-needs dependent. Though he was almost positive that Verity would share her trademark warmth and kindness with Melody, she had her hands full with Ryan, and there was a small part of Colt that worried she might back away from him at the thought of increasing her own burden. He truly didn’t think this would happen, but he thought it couldn’t hurt to be cautious and patient, and choose the right time to introduce Verity to the idea (and the person) of Mel.
The second, which was a genuine concern for Colt, was that Verity had very strong opinions about living situations for developmentally disabled people. He’d known her for a week and seen her in some truly desperate situations, but the only time she’d snapped at him or really gotten her back up was during their dinner on the patio a few nights ago, when she said she’d never put Ryan in a home. He didn’t know what her experience with group homes had been, but he was certain that she had never seen a community like Bonnie’s Place. Colt knew that he if broached the topic again, she’d not only shut down but likely get even angrier than last time. The only way for her to understand that there were amazing places for developmentally disabled adults was for her to see Bonnie’s Place. And obviously she couldn’t see it until he was ready to introduce her to Mel.
It was sort of a vicious circle right now, and the only answer was to be patient, to build trust between them, and—when and if the time was right—to introduce Verity to Mel and Bonnie’s Place at the same time. And he knew they weren’t at that place yet.
Sebastian, the Renaissance Knight, elbowed Colt in the side. “You coming, or what?”
Colt looked up and realized he’d been zoning out, and the locker room he shared with the other knights was empty but for them. It was time to head to the stables and mount up for the show.
“Uh, yeah.”
“You okay?”
“Just distracted.”
“Better get your head in the game,” said Sebastian, who wore a red and white tunic with a red feather in his helmet. “Full house this afternoon. Your show, man.”
Colt followed his friend out the door, wishing Verity could be in the audience, but understanding why she couldn’t. Guests slipped out to the main hall throughout the performance to visit the bathrooms and bar, so there was a fairly brisk business at the gift shop during the show. Someday soon they’d work different Sunday shifts, and then she could see him win. Tonight, as he’d told her in the kitchen this morning, he’d already won just by virtue of their imminent date.
“Good luck,” said Sebastian, pushing open the doors that led to the stables.