“Colt, you don’t have to—”
“No, I want to, Dee. You have to understand that she meant absolutelynothingto me. She was only there because Hux wanted to get his end in. I wouldneversleep with her. I wouldn’t do that to you…ever. I know how much you hate her, and I don’t blame you. The crap she was spinning about me to the paps was only to further her singing career and was complete bullshit, Dee.”
He sighs. “She wasneverpregnant. Weneverslept together. Not after I met you, and I certainlynevertold her I was in love with her. In fact, I told her to keep away from me because it was upsetting you.”
He takes me in an embrace. I melt into his arms and snuggle my face into the crook of his neck.
“Baby, you mean everything to me, and without you, I lost control of who I’ve worked so hard to be,” he says, stroking my hair. “I know I have issues, and I still have a lot to work on, but as long as you’re here by my side, I can do anything. But the one thing I can’t handle is being away from you. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I never want to be apart from you again, if you’ll have me?” he asks, and my stomach flutters.
I look up at him and bite my bottom lip. “Colt, I forgive you. I did the moment I saw you in the penthouse suite and knew you’d overdosed. At that moment, I didn’t care about anything except that you were being taken from me for good, and the thought killed me. The thought of losing you and being without you forever hurt way more than anything that happened leading up to it. You’re my forever, babe, and there’s nothing that can tear us apart now. So you’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not,” I say with a slight giggle.
Colt smiles brightly, and his lips crash to mine before I know what’s hit me.
He lies me down on the bed, and his entire body is on top of mine as he passionately kisses me. His lips slowly leave mine, and he rests his forehead on mine, gazing at me. “I wish I could remember everything about you, every touch, every kiss. There are so many memories I’ve lost of you and me. I mean, I can’t even remember our first kiss, and that kills me. But from now on, Dee, I promise Iwillremember everything. Every single thing you do and say. Every time you touch me and tell me you love me, because I don’t want to forget a single moment with you. Every moment with you is as precious as it gets. Do you realize what today is?” he asks, looking deep into my eyes.
I think hard, but I’m drawing a blank.
He smiles and runs his nose along mine. “It’s our first anniversary, baby. Happy Valentine’s Day,” he says.
My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open in shock. How did I not realize that his release from the Priory on Valentine’s Day was also our first anniversary? I guess I was so excited about him coming home that it didn’t even click what day it was. And the flowers, the card, he never mentioned our anniversary.
He chuckles as shock is plastered all over my face.
“Did you get my present this morning from Anna?” he asks, moving in and kissing the corner of my mouth.
“The most beautiful flowers, yes. I love them. Thank you.” He nods and kisses down my cheek and onto my neck. “And you go on about your memory, I can’t even remember our anniversary. I haven’t got you anything. I feel bad,” I say, and his lips detach from my neck.
“Baby, you being at the Priory to pick me up was the best gift in the world. Well, that and the fact that I’m lying on top of you, and we’re both completely naked. I’m loving this gift.”
***
Eventually, our stomachs outweigh the need to stay in bed, so we both get dressed and head downstairs. The moment I hit the top of the staircase, I smell Joseph’s cooking and my stomach rumbles. Colt laughs as he takes my hand in his, and we head down to the kitchen.
Once at the bottom of the stairs, Danny spots us and starts clapping and cheering. We look at each other curiously as Joseph chuckles, stirring something on the stove.
“What a performance. You two really know how toriseto the occasion, don’t ya?” Danny questions, and I instantly blush. Colt laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“How’s your desk, Dee? A bitbangedup, is it?” Joseph jokes.
“Shut up. You both probably got off on it. So don’t say you didn’t enjoy the show,” I reply.
“We’re only kidding, princess. I’m glad you guys finally sorted out your shit. Now for the serious question… did you take pics like I asked you to?” Danny states, and I scoff, picking up a dish towel and flicking it at him.
Joseph walks over and stands in front of us with a serious look. “Okay, so I know we’ve met a couple of times, and we’ve never really gotten along, but I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time,” Joseph says, then slaps Colt hard across the face.
I gasp, and Colt looks back at Joseph, bringing his hand to his cheek.
“If you ever… and I meanever… hurtmy girllike that again, I swear to God, I will kill you,” Joseph promises, pointing in Colt’s face.
Colt exhales and nods.
So not the reaction I thought he’d give.
“Joseph, if I ever hurt her again, I will kill myself,” Colt replies, pulling me to him and kissing my head.
“Good,” Joseph says, then rubs his hand and flicks it around. “Okay, I’m sorry for hitting you, but I had to do it because I told Dee I would, and seeing as I’m the gay best friend, I had to follow through. But I amreallysorry. Please don’t hit me back,” Joseph begs, suddenly seeming very sheepish and worried about how Colt might react.
Colt laughs and sticks out his hand for Joseph to shake. “I’ll give you that one for free. But hit me again, and Iwillknock you out,” Colt replies, then they shake hands.
