Chapter 25
1244 Words
Colton looked down at Bella but didn’t release me from his hold.
“I would like to kiss your Aunt Marie.”
I felt my breath hitch.
“Adults are yucky.”
As much as I wanted him to kiss me, having Bella in the room made it a bit awkward and I needed to protect my heart.
“I should get her in the bath.” I said, taking a step away from Colton.
He smirked, knowing the effect he had on my body.
I left the door slightly open while Bella played in the water.
I went back into the kitchen to find Colton finishing the dishes.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He turned and smiled. "I wanted to help.When was your birthday?”
“August.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It’s not really a big deal.”
He pulled me to him. “It’s a huge deal.”
He softly kissed me and I felt myself melt into him.
When he pulled away, he placed his forehead on mine.
“I really like you, Marie.”
“Colton, you just got out of a really long relationship and I don’t…I don’t want to be your rebound.”
“You will not be a rebound, I promise. I haven’t been happy with Abby for a long time and, I never wanted to marry her….I felt like it was the right thing to do when I found out she was pregnant, but the entire time it was you I was thinking about.”
I found myself kissing him. It might be foolish, but I couldn’t help myself. My attraction to this man was something I had never felt before.
“AUNT MARIE. I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE TUB NOW.”
I smiled up at Colton as I pulled away.
Not long after I got her ready for bed, Emily came home.
“Do you want to watch a movie in my room?”
“Sounds good.”
“Have fun.” Emily said, wiggling her eyebrows.
I pulled Colton into my room and flicked on the TV.
“What do you want to watch?”
“Anything…I don’t know if I will really be able to focus on the TV lying next to you in bed.”
I felt my cheeks turn red and Colton pulled me to him. We started watching the movie and as I lay in his arms I couldn’t help but think how right it felt to be in his arms.
He slowly ran his fingers up and down my arm, causing me to have goosebumps.
“Having you in my arms feels right.” He softly said in my ear.
I turned to face him and, before I could say anything, his lips were on mine again.
He gently pulled me back and crawled on top of me. He had one hand on my hip.
He didn’t try more with me but we kissed until my lips were swollen.
The movie had ended and he pulled me closer.
“I should head out. I don’t want Bella to get the wrong idea.”
I giggled, knowing he was right.
I walked him to the door.
“Good night Emily”, he said, walking past the couch.
“Night Colton.”
Bella was already sleeping.
I stepped out onto the porch with him. He didn’t hesitate to pull me close and kiss me again.
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, your mom didn’t give me and Emily a choice.”
“Good.”
I watched as he made his way to his truck and waved before pulling away.
Stepping back into the apartment, Emily was sitting and waiting.
“Tell me everything.”
“We just kissed….like a lot.” I said with the biggest smile on my face.
I grabbed the box Luca left for Emily.
“Here Luca left this for me.”
“Bella told me he was here….was it weird?”
“Not really. I mean they got along and I know Luca thinks we will some day get back together, but I have made it as clear as I can I don’t want to be with him.”
“Do you still love Luca?”
“I do, but it’s not the same. I forgave him for me and I see how much he has changed. But…”
“But?”
“But I can’t look at him the same way I used to look at him.”
“I understand. I honestly think he keeps coming because of Bella.”
“Me too! He is so in love with her. You would think she was his.”
We both started laughing.
“I mean he is sexy as hell.”
“EMILY.”
“What a girl has needs…it’s been a year.”
“I’ve never.”
“Really with a boyfriend like Luca you never had s*x?”
“No, I was finally ready when I found him and my so-called best friend.”
“I’m sure Colton will take care of that soon enough.” She said, giggling.
“I don’t want to jump into anything, to be honest. Not after Luca and Jackson and he just broke up with Abby.”
“It will happen when you are ready.”
She finally opened the gift from Luca to find a set of car keys, a title and a note.
Emily stood and looked out the window and clicked the keys. "Luca bought me a car."
"What?"
"His note said he needed Bella to be safe and my car was too dangerous."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Christmas Eve we packed our car with gifts and drove to Susan’s and Charlie’s house. The moment we pulled into the driveway, Evan and Issac came running to the car to help us unpack the car.
We stepped into the house and Susan quickly hugged us and scooped up Bella. I smiled, knowing the joy this tiny little girl gave to some many people.
As I was removing my coat, a firm hand helped me. I turned to find Colton standing behind me.
“Sorry I couldn’t get out the door as fast as the twins.”
Giving me a quick peck, he took my hand and led me into the living room.
As soon as we stepped into the room, I wanted to pull my hand away due to the look I received from Becca.
Of course she would be there with Hunter.
“Why is she here?” Becca asked, looking at Hunter.
“My parents asked her to come.”
“I don’t want her here.” She whined, looking at Hunter.
“Too bad, Becca. You don’t have to stay,” Colton said.
“Hunter, are you going to let him talk to me that way?”
“Kids' dinner is ready, come on.” Susan said, walking into the room.
Once we were seated around the table, the tension in the air was gone.
After dinner, we made our way to the living room to exchange gifts. Bella went first and was spoiled by everybody.
She had never really celebrated Christmas and you could tell she was loving the evening. Susan gave Emily, Becca, and myself our gifts.
As soon as Becca opened her gift she asked Hunter to leave and, like the lost puppy, he was, he left.
- Writer
