Page 131 of Cruel Steps

My head swiveled back and forth as I took in the table. Rose and Hope chatted excitedly about wedding plans for a wedding that wasn’t even happening.

“Right! It’s time to get back to campus.” I scooted back my chair and stood. I needed to get out of here before I had a panic attack.

“Be careful. Let me know what night works for dinner,” Rose called after us. I waved over my shoulder and grabbed my bag, not stopping as I walked out the door.

“Wildcat,” Holden called after me. I didn’t stop. I just needed a moment. My breaths came quickly, and I focused on his truck.

Arms wrapped around me from behind and lifted me from the ground. Holden spun me and braced me against the truck.

“It’s okay, Em.”

“No. It’s really not. You can’t… I can’t… We can’t…” I shook my head; nothing made sense.

“I told you I loved you, Wildcat. That’s it for me. This is who I am. I’m all in, baby.”

“It’s just a lot to adjust to.”

“That’s what she said.” He smirked, and I gaped at him.

“You did not.”

“It got you to stop panicking.” I shut my mouth, and he kissed me. Nerves fled me as he held me against the truck, reminding me how good we were together.

“You. Me. Colter. Forever. Okay, Wildcat?”

I searched his eyes and found nothing but truth. “All right. Forever.” I kissed him again, then pulled back. “Wait, that wasn’t a proposal, was it?”

“Nope. Believe me. You’ll know. Now, come on. Let’s get back. It’s been an hour since I’ve been in your pussy, and I can’t hold out much longer.”

He only lasted an hour on the drive before he pulled off and took me on the side of the road. It might be the orgasms talking, but I believed in the future he painted, and I couldn’t wait to live it with them.

CHAPTER

FORTY

COLTER

I scanned the room one more time. Holden had texted they were on their way twenty minutes ago, and I wanted everything to be perfect when they got here. I’d been wanting to ask Mer to be my girlfriend for weeks, but I knew it was something Holden and I needed to do together. If he hadn’t gotten over his fear this weekend, then I was going to take the step without him. Mer was too important to leave in limbo.

Everything looked in place, so I took a deep breath and stared at the door. I didn’t have to wait too long until a key jangled in the lock.

“Colt, get your ass out here and help me carry shit,” Holden shouted.

Rolling my eyes, I opened the door. “Way to make an entrance, roomie.”

Holden huffed and shoved me out of the way with a box. Mer stood behind him with another box, so I took it from her.

“Hey, girlfriend.”

She smiled, stealing my breath. “Hey, boyfriend.”

“I have a surprise for you,” I said, motioning for her to enter.

Pure joy radiated out of her as she stepped into the apartment. I shifted the box to watch her expression as she entered the scene before her. I’d found a canopy you could hang from your ceiling with lights that hung down, billowing out to create a cocoon of light and fabric. It was basically an adult fort. I’d added pillows inside and soft blankets and had gotten her some tulips. I had a charcuterie board and sparkling cider to the side, hoping it gave it an air of elegance.

She turned to me, her hands covering her mouth. “Colter, this is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it. Once we get dumb-dumb moved in, I thought we could hang out and watch a movie.”

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