Chapter Twenty-Seven
The blare of the alarm was an unwelcome sound. Waking up with Maggie’s soft, warm body wrapped around him, heaven. Slapping the off button, Colton burrowed into her silky brown hair, inhaling the unique fragrance that was hers alone.
“Good morning.”
Her voice was still husky with sleep. It turned him on. Then again, everything this woman did turned him on.
“Yes it is.” A chuckle escaped as he pressed his morning wood against her.
She groaned, half-lust, half-exasperation. “Much as I’d love to make this a great morning. I really need to get to my shop.”
“Spoilsport.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll drive you into town.”
They had left her car in town yesterday as she’d been in no condition to drive after the incident at the police station. He’d planned on driving her into town today anyway; a chore he didn’t mind because it meant they got to spend more time together. He was finding he wanted to spend all his time with her.
“Thanks.”
“We should go out tonight. Celebrate.”
“Actually, I think I should focus on cleaning up my place tonight.” She sat up, placing her feet on the floor in front of her. Her back was to him, but he could feel her hesitancy.
“I’ll help.”
“There’s no need.” She didn’t look at him. “I’m sure you’re eager for a night alone anyway. I know I’ve been kind of horning in on your space.”
She was pulling away.
He wasn’t going to let her.
Sitting up in bed, Colton gently grasped her chin with his hand, turning her face. She kept her gaze down on the bed.
“Maggie. Look at me.”
That mossy green gaze rose to meet his. So many emotions flickered in their depths: fear, sadness, longing. What the hell? Why was she trying to push him away? Hadn’t he made it clear last night how he felt about her?
“You are not a bother. We have plenty of room on the ranch. I like having you here. I thought you liked being here, too.”
“I do, but it’s time for me to go home.”
Here it was. The moment he laid it all out for her.
He took a deep breath, going for broke. “This could be your home.”
She sucked in a breath. Eyes wide, she stared at him.
“Move in with me, Magpie. Live here with me.”
Her mouth opened, but it took her a moment to reply. “That—that’s not necessary, Colt. Natalie is in custody. There’s no one after me anymore. I’m safe. You don’t need to protect me anymore.”
She thought that was why he wanted her to live with him? Anger began to burn, slow and deep inside.
“I’m not asking you to live with me so I can protect you. I’m asking you to live with me because I want you to.”
She rose from the bed, tugging the comforter around her bare body. “There’s no point.”
He rose as well, not giving a damn that he was naked as the day he was born. “What the hell do you mean by that?”
“I move in here and things go great for a while. Then one day, you’ll get bored of me or find someone new and I—I can’t take that again, Colt. I can’t.”
“Shit, Maggie. I’m not your freaking ex. I don’t cheat. I know how shitty a thing that is to do to someone. I would never hurt anyone like that. Don’t you know me at all?”
She ran a shaking hand through her sleep-rumpled hair. “Yes, I know you. You’re kind, and sweet, and sexy, and the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
If she thought he was so great why didn’t she want to be with him? For the life of him, he couldn’t follow this woman’s crazy logic.
“Then move in with me,” he practically shouted.
“Why?” she shouted back, her temper rising with his.
“Because I love you, goddammit, and I want to spend every moment I possibly can with you!”
She gasped, slapping a hand over her open mouth.
Okay, maybe yelling wasn’t the most romantic way to tell a woman you loved her. She had him so riled up. Did she really think herself so unlovable? How could she not realize what an amazing woman she was? The men in her past were jackasses, and he wished he could punch every single one of them right in the face.
“You—you say that now, but—”
“No, Maggie.” He sliced a hand through the air. “I say that now and tomorrow and forever. I love you. I love you! I have never said that to another woman before. Ever.”
Tears were pooling in her eyes. He could see her fear, but there was also a glimmer of hope in her eyes. It was what he needed. Just a small bit of her to believe what he was saying.
Latching onto that, he continued to plead his case. “I know you’ve been hurt in the past, hell, we all have. That’s just part of life, but you can’t let your past dictate your future or you’ll miss out on something amazing.”
Taking a chance, he stepped forward and tried to steady his trembling hands as he reached for her. This was probably the most important moment of his life, and he could not afford to screw it up. When she allowed him to take her hands in his, he sent up a silent victory cheer.
“Don’t miss out on us because you’re afraid, Maggie.”
Tears ran down her pale cheeks. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“I’m not asking you to love me.” Not true, but he wouldn’t force her to say anything she wasn’t ready to say yet. “I’m just asking you to give me a chance, give us a chance. We’re good together, Magpie. I love you, and I know you care for me, too.”
A sob racked her body. It freaking killed him to see her cry, but he had to break down this wall of fear surrounding her heart.
“Oh, Colt. I more than care for you. I…”
She stepped into him, pressing her face against his chest. He dropped her hands to wrap his arms around her. He could feel her resistance crumbling. She was accepting his truth. Now, she just had to see her own.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. You don’t have to say it until you’re ready. But…” He hesitated, the words sticking in his dry throat. “Will you at least agree to keep seeing each other? Maybe consider moving in with me?”
Never in his life had he been so afraid of an answer. Breath froze in his lungs as he awaited her reply. If he hadn’t been holding on to her, he would have sunk to his knees. He wasn’t above begging. Not when it came to Maggie.
She lifted her face out of his chest. That cute button nose sniffled one last time. Her hands pressed against his bare skin, steady, no nervous twisting in sight.
A shy smiled crossed her face. “I…think I would like that very much.”
It felt like the sky broke open and the heavens themselves shined down on him. A gush of frozen air left his lungs. Before he got too excited, though, he needed to know. “Which part?”
Her emerald gaze bore straight into his own, determined, yet still vulnerable. If he had to, he would spend the rest of his life proving to her that she had no reason to doubt him or his love.
“The staying together part.”
Hell yeah!
“And, um, also the moving in thing.” Her gaze dropped to his chest as she fiddled with his hair there. “You’re right. We should give this thing between us a chance.”
She hadn’t said she loved him, but she did agree to move in and continue the relationship. A big step for her. He knew she cared for him, and as much as he wanted to hear those three little words returned, he could wait. He would wait forever as long as she never left him.
Colton bent down, scooping her up in his arms. She let out a surprised yelp.
“What are you doing?” A big grin spread across her face.
Warmth filled him. Like the damn sun was burning right in the center of his chest. Leaning his head forward, he pressed a loud, smacking kiss to her lips. “We have to celebrate this momentous occasion.”
Her eyebrow quirked. “Momentous occasion?”
He laid her gently on the bed, following her down until he was stretched over every inch of her.
“Yeah. Maggie Evans just admitted I was right. Doesn’t happen often.”
She smacked him playfully on the shoulder before sobering. “I was afraid last night was going to be it for us.”
He leaned down, brushing his lips across hers. “This is just the beginning, Magpie.”
The beginning of their life, together. And he intended to enjoy every delicious moment of it.