Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas #3)(17)
“Tell me what you want, Lauren. I don’t want you to be sore, sweetheart.”
Every time Colt called me sweetheart, my heart felt as if it was about to burst. No one had ever treated me the way Colt had in the last eight hours. I felt as if he adored not only my body, but my heart and soul as well.
“I want . . .”
Just as I was about to be brazen enough to tell him to f*ck the shit out of me, the doorbell rang and Colt practically dropped me to the floor. “Your dad!”
Damn it all to hell! Just when I get all worked up. Letting out a frustrated moan, I walked somberly to the door, but not before I adjusted my panties and shorts. Stopping for a quick second to put my game face on, I pulled the door open. Standing in front of me was my mother, father, Gunner and Ellie. All four of them peering at me with wondering eyes. “Long time no see, family!” I said as I stepped out of the way and gestured for them to walk in. Looking over my shoulder, I did a double-take. Colt was walking down the stairs yawning, like he had just woken up.
Attempting not to laugh, I asked, “Did you sleep good, Colt?”
Giving me a naughty smile, he gave a jerky nod and said, “Yep.”
Gunner and my father both walked up to Colt and shook his hand. “How was the drive?” Colt asked as he flopped onto the sofa. I wanted desperately to sit next to him. To show our parents that we were together, and happy. Peeking over to my father, I couldn’t help but notice how he stared at Colt. Glancing at my mother, she was staring at me.
Dear God. Do they know? Can they tell? Placing my hands up to my cheeks, I could tell they were on fire. One look to my mother’s left and Ellie was staring at me. Swallowing hard, I jumped up. “I’m starved! Who’s down for some pizza?” Looking around the room, everyone stared at me. Snapping my head over to Colt, I widened my eyes and tried to give him a signal. I had a feeling we needed to be in a very public place . . . and fast.
Colt stood up quickly. “Yeah, pizza, my treat.”
As the two of us stood there, our parents just stared at us. Finally, the silence was broken.
My father cleared his throat and asked, “How long have the two of you been dating?”
Oh. My. Glitter. I’m pretty sure I just saw my entire life flash before my eyes. Taking one last look at Colt before my father beat him into the ground, I gave him a weak smile. Colt’s eyes were calm. They didn’t have the look of fear in them like I thought they should have. Returning my smile with a drop-me-to-my-knees smile of his own, he started walking over to me. The entire room seemed to have disappeared and it was only Colt and me. My senses went into overload as I smelled his musky scent before he even reached me. The memory of his lips on my skin caused my body to shudder. Walking up to me, Colt placed his hand on the side of my face and I instinctively rested my head in his hand. His thumb gently brushed across my skin, leaving a trail of tingles in its place. Colt’s smile grew bigger, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His mouth parted open and he began to speak.
“For about nine hours, I would say.”
Letting out a giggle, I found myself lost in his beautiful blue eyes. It was if he was looking into my soul with the way they pierced my eyes.
Hearing someone clear their throat, my eyes snapped over to my father, who was trying like hell to keep his smile hidden.
“That must have been an interesting drive home then,” Gunner said with the same silky smooth voice Colt possessed.
Nodding my head, I spoke just above a whisper. “It was.”
Walking up to me, my mother placed her hand on Colt’s shoulder and gently looked into my eyes. I sucked in a breath when I saw tears in her eyes. “Mom, why are you upset?”
Colt took a step back and I wanted to yell out in protest. I instantly missed his warmth. “I’m not upset, darling; it’s just that you’re all grown up.” Pursing her lips together in an effort to not cry, she said, “I just miss you I think.”
Wrapping my arms around my mother, we held each other tightly. “I love you, Mom. I miss you and Daddy so much. I’m so glad you came to visit me.”
Pushing me back at arm’s length, my mother looked me up and down. She raised her eyebrow as if she was acknowledging something.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gunner, my father and Colt all walking toward the front door. My heart began to race and my breathing picked up. Gunner was apparently going to keep my father from killing Colt.
Walking toward them, my mother took my arm. “Why don’t you let the guys talk for a bit? Show me this project you had to rush home for?”
Glancing back at my mother, I gave her a dazed look before I turned back and watched the love of my life walk out the front door with my father leading the way. Colt glanced over his shoulder and gave me a quick wink, causing my stomach to flutter.
Turning back to my mother, I looked between her and Ellie with pleading eyes. My hands started to sweat as I thought about all the things my father could do to make Colt hurt. “You’re just going to let them take him away?”
Ellie smiled and peeked over to my mother. Turning to my mother, I grabbed her hands. “Mom, you have to stop Daddy. I love Colt. I’ve loved him for so long, but I’ve been so stupid by pushing him away. I was afraid Daddy would let Colt run the ranch because he doesn’t think I can. I was afraid I wouldn’t have any say in the business, but I see I was being stupid and acting like a spoiled brat and—”