He leans into my touch. “I promise I’ll do what’s right. For Caleb. And for you.”
“I don’t want you getting your hopes up, Colt. If it doesn’t work, if you’re not a match…”
“I know. But I have to try. I’ve just met Caleb, and I already feel like he’s this piece of me I didn’t know was missing. I can’t… I can’t lose him now.”
God, the pain in his voice.
I finally understand the depth of what he’s carrying.
“We’ll find a donor,” I say, leaning in to kiss him. “One way or another. We’ll help him.”
His mouth covers mine, slow and firm. The kiss deepens, his tongue brushing mine like he’s searching for reassurance he doesn’t know how to ask for.
I give it willingly.
He shifts, easing me onto my back, hovering above me. His body covers mine, warm and solid, and everything else fades. My fingers slide into his hair. He groans softly into my mouth, his hardness pressing against me.
When he finally pulls back, his breathing’s ragged. “Can I make love to you, Dee?”
He rarely asks. Usually, he takes—dominant, possessive, confident.
But tonight, he’s cautious and gentle.
And I realize he’s asking because he sees how unsteady I’ve been. He’s not looking for sex. He’s looking for a connection.
I nod. “I need you, Colt.”
His mouth claims mine again, and this time I fall into him completely.
For the next two hours, I don’t think about Macy. Or Caleb. Or doctors. Or kidneys.
I think about our wedding day.
About love.
About how, even in the middle of chaos, he still grounds me.
And for now… that’s more than enough.
***
In the morning, I wake up with Colt wrapped around me so tightly I can hardly breathe. I think that’s what woke me. My head’s on his chest, his arms locked around me like a vice. His eyes are scrunched shut, and sweat clings to his skin. My brows furrow as I rest my hand on his chest.
His head jerks side to side, eyes squeezed tight. His breathing is shallow, moaning slightly under his breath. He’s dreaming—badly. I shift, but his grip tightens. I struggle to breathe.
“Babe, wake up.”
His head shakes again. I slap his chest—hard. He groans, eyes flying open like he’s been shocked awake.
“It’s okay. It was just a dream,” I say, running my hand on his cheek to soothe him. His hands clutch me tighter before finally loosening, and his breathing slows.
“Colt, you’re kinda crushing me,” I whisper. He looks down and releases me quickly.
I inhale deep while he scans my body, hands roaming as if to confirm I’m real.
“Colt, I’m okay. I’m here. It was just a dream,” I say quickly.
He exhales hard, then pulls my head to his chest. “Sorry for squeezing you,” he murmurs, kissing my head and stroking my cheek.
