And I would, despite the underlying trepidation that ran through my veins. Derek was right—how could I expect anything to change with my parents unless I talked with them? Instinctively, I knew that Derek would be there to support me if I asked him to. It hadn’t been outright offered, but something in the way he held me told me everything I needed to know.
And that thought alone made me feel powerful. Powerful enough to finally tackle the elephant in the room with my family.
CHAPTER 15
Derek
The morning after our talk,Colton called his parents to schedule a time to meet. My heart had swelled with pride, knowing how big of a step it was for him. He was going to see them in the next few days, and I was thankful he wasn’t giving himself much time to back out. But, the grin that had split his face after he’d ended the call had sent little shivers through me. I’d practically tackled him to the couch where he then proceeded to show me the wonders of frotting. The orgasm had been just as mind-numbing and incredible as all the others I’d shared with him.
“Damn, I should do the hard things more often if this is the reward I get in return.” He’d joked while we both panted after our releases.
When the day came, though, it was clear Colton’s mind was running away with him. He paced the living room, checking the clock every few seconds like he expected it to be different from the last time he looked.
“Colton, you’re going to wear the floor down to nothing with all this back and forth.” I glanced up over my files from the kitchen table.
“I’m not sure I can actually do this.” His skin lookedashen, chest heaving, and arms crossed over his stomach like he might be sick. When his eyes met mine, they were panic-stricken.
I was out of my chair almost instantly, going over to gently rub his arms as the need to comfort him took over me.
“Let’s take some slow, deep breaths together. Can you do that for me?” I kept my tone calm and smooth.
He nodded, somewhat frantic in the motion, and I slowly inhaled through my nose. He followed my lead, his breaths sounding shaky and stilted as he exhaled through his mouth, hands gripped tightly at my sides like he was trying to anchor himself. We stood there, staring at each other and breathing in tandem till Colton’s shoulders relaxed, the last of his apparent anxiety sliding out of him in one final whoosh.
Pressing my forehead against his, I whispered, “Better?”
He nodded, holding our position for just a moment before he pressed closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. His face settled into the crook of my neck and he sucked in a slow breath, relaxing further into me on the exhale.
“Do you need me to go with you?” I asked.
He didn’t respond at first, and just as I was about to repeat myself, he shook his head.
“No. I want to do this on my own. Icando this on my own.” The resolve in his voice gave me some reassurance and an overwhelming dose of admiration. This was hard on him, but he was facing it head-on. I kissed his temple, pulling back slightly. When he lifted his head, my lips pressed gently to his forehead.
“You can do this.” I echoed. “Your beautiful brain just needed to be reminded.”
“Yeah, thank you.” He murmured, squeezing my waist softly.
I glanced over at the clock on the mantle, noting it was nearly time for him to leave. Pulling back completely, I cupped his face in my hands. “I will be here when you get back to giveyou all the kisses, or hugs, or whatever you need afterward. But, if you need me sooner, you just need to call me.”
That statement had his face smoothing over and he gave me a warm smile that had my heart knocking around in my chest.
I felt like I was seeing my husband off on his first day of work as I leaned against the frame of the front door, waving to Colton as he backed out of the driveway.
I’d always pictured myself with women, but how casually things had shifted from ‘wife’ to ‘husband’ in my head had me pausing. Things between Colton and I were still new—hell, we hadn’t even gone on any dates.
But new doesn’t mean it isn’t right. Look at how easy everything has been.
I shook my head at that. We had already been physically affectionate before we’d admitted that we were attracted to each other. Progressing to kissing and sex had felt natural. I didn’t know what more I could offer Colton, but I knew he wasn’t my husband and I wasn’t planning on making him one anytime soon.
There were other things I could be spending my brain power on, anyway, like the stack of case files on the kitchen table I’d left. Resuming my previous work, I looked over the material for an upcoming hearing on child support payments ,and a will that had been executed wrong but would probably fall into the harmless error rule.
By the time Colton walked through the front door again, all thoughts of wedding bells and what our future looked like were long gone.
When the familiar sound of a key sliding into a lock came through the space, nothing else mattered than the man walking through the front door. Our gazes met as he walked in, my eyes bouncing all over him as if I could find some hint of what had transpired by his outward appearance.
“Well, how’d it go?” I prompted, standing from the tableto meet him. I wanted to assume that things had gone well given he hadn’t needed to call me. He beamed, his grin so vibrant and joyous, I couldn’t help letting out an excited laugh.
“So good,” he confirmed, pressing into my arms for a warm hug. My chest expanded at the sheer happiness I felt for him. Words clogged my throat and I tried to convey every emotion swirling through me in my embrace. His trust in me—not only with the information but with helping him move forward—had meant more to me than I felt capable of expressing.
