Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas #3)(3)

Closing my eyes, I dropped my head to Colt’s chest. I wanted to crawl under a rock.

“Hey, Lauren. Please look at me.”

Colt’s voice was a whisper. A hot sounding whisper. A whisper that I imagined would sound pretty damn amazing in my ear as he made love to me.

Ugh! Stop this, Lauren.

I pulled my head back but didn’t look up. Placing his finger under my chin, Colt lifted my eyes to him. “Lauren . . .”

His eyes fell to my lips as I instinctively licked them. Finally finding my voice, I whispered back, “Colt.”

Colt leaned closer to me, and I felt his hot breath against my lips. I moved my hands to his arms and gripped them tightly. Feeling his muscles flex under my grip, I let out a small moan.

“Tell me what you want me to do, Lauren,” Colt said as our eyes found each other again.

My heart was pounding so loudly, I barely heard his words.

Swallowing hard, I said, “Kiss me.”

When Colt smiled, my entire world lit up. Swiping his lips across mine caused a tingling sensation to rip through my body. Colt slipped his hand behind my neck and pulled me to his lips. The kiss was soft and ultra slow. When he finally slipped his tongue into my mouth, I melted on the spot.

Moaning, I squeezed his arms as Colt pulled me even closer. I was totally lost in the kiss. Never mind the fact that my father and mother were somewhere in the same room as me. Or the fact that my heart was beating so loudly in my ears, I couldn’t hear a thing. I enjoyed every single second of his lips on mine. When Colt finally pulled back, he bit down on my lower lip and sucked it gently before dropping it.

My chest heaved as I attempted to calm my breathing down. Colt kissed me. Holy shit. He finally kissed me.

Leaning my head against his chest, I smiled as Colt rested his chin on top of my head. My blonde hair was pulled up into a French twist with a few strands of curls framing my face. Colt reached up and played with a curl. My body was still trembling from our kiss.

Closing my eyes, I silently prayed Colt wouldn’t break my heart again.

“I’m headed back to A&M shortly, Lauren. Come with me.”

Pulling back, I looked into his eyes. They were filled with passion. My mouth opened but words wouldn’t form. Clearing my throat, I asked, “What are you saying, Colt?”

If there was one thing Colt Mathews could do, and do well, was swoon the hell out of me with his smile. And boy was he swooning me right now. My knees felt weak as Colt flashed me the smile that I had fallen in love with a few years back. That stupid crooked smile I dreamed about every single night.

“I’m asking you to let me make you mine, Lauren.”

Holy mother of God. Play it cool, Lauren. Play. It. Cool. Colt wants to make me his!

Swallowing hard, I asked . . . again, “What are you saying, Colt?”

Colt chuckled. Pulling me closer to him, he moved his lips to my ear. “I’ve been wanting to make you mine for so long, Lauren. I can’t bear to wait any longer.”

My lips parted open. “Me? I . . . um . . . I’ve never . . . ahh . . . what about . . .” For the love of all things good. My mind was swirling with images of Colt making love to me. Colt naked. Colt kissing my body. Colt touching my body. My eyes widened in horror. The one thing I wanted so badly for the last few years I was about to lose because I couldn’t form a damn sentence.

Colt lifted his hand and gently brushed the back of it down my face. “I’m scared too, Lauren. You’re the only woman I’ve ever dreamed of being with.” Closing his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, he whispered, “I’ve never been with anyone, Lauren. My first time I wanted to be with someone I cared about, someone I loved.”

Oh. My. Glitter. Swoon alert! We have a major swoon alert. My legs gave out, and Colt grabbed a hold of me. “Lauren, are you okay?” Colt asked as concern swept over his face.

“You waited for me? I mean, you’re . . . a . . . um? Wait, someone you love?”

Colt pulled me closer as he nodded. I felt his desire pushing into my stomach. Something washed over me, and I found my senses. Grabbing onto his arms again, I smiled. “I’ve waited for you too, Colt. Every time I dreamed of being with someone, I dreamt it was you.”

Taking a few steps back, Colt winked at me as a wicked grin grew across his face. “Follow my lead.”

Turning quickly, he walked off. As if nothing amazing had just happened between us. He just said he loved me. Well wait. Did he say he loved me? He didn’t come right out and say it, but he implied it. Didn’t he?

Looking back, Colt motioned for me to come on. Snapping out of my stupor, I quickly followed Colt. He was headed over to Gunner and Ellie. Grinning, Gunner looked at Colt, then me. I wondered if my face looked like it felt. Hot and on fire.

“Hey, buddy, enjoying yourself?” Gunner asked as he reached out his hand for Colt.

Shaking his father’s hand, Colt answered, “Yes, sir, I am.”

Ellie turned toward me and gave me the sweetest smile. “Lauren, sweetheart, how is school going?”

As much as I would have liked standing there and chitchatting with Gunner and Ellie, I really wanted Colt to take me home and make me his. “Good. It’s going good. Busy, but I’m really enjoying my second year.”

“That’s wonderful. Your daddy was talking about you the other night. He’s so proud of you.”