Page 68 of The Acquisition

Nothing in my life lasted. At least not the good things. I thought I was fine living a lukewarm life. I was fine working at my family's company in a mediocre position. I swore I was okay going home every night to my beautiful apartment alone. My life was safe and totally under my control. I was comfortable, but it was never more thanfine.

Thanks to Colt, I didn't want ‘fine’ anymore. Good enough was no longer good enough. He represented everything I'd run from since I was burned by Malcolm, but with Colter I welcomed the flames. Because in all honesty, the only thing singed with Mal was my teenage ego.

We were at a turning point. I knew the risks to my heart were great, but Colt had been nothing but reassuring to me that I could trust him. Time after time he showed me he wanted more than a business arrangement. He wanted all the same things I did deep down. Love, family, and passion. I could have all those things with him if I could just let go of my fears.

For him I would try. And the first step was for me to let go of the petty jealousy Matilda had worked so hard to ignite. It was clear from the tension set in his jaw he was waiting for me to explode.

I reached across the seat and took his hand. He squeezed it, and a small smile broke free. "I'm sorry about tonight," he said softly.

Shaking my head, I returned his smile. "It wasn't your fault."

Colt inhaled deep then exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry for Waverly. I should have known she'd try something. She never did react well when she felt threatened, and nothing is a bigger threat to her than losing her lifestyle."

"I never asked you to cut her off," I said, my smile turning into a frown. She wasn't the only one who was afraid of losing Colt. Only, I'd never try and push her out. It looked like she couldn't promise the same thing.

"I know that. I didn't do it because of you. It's time for her to grow up. I am going to have a grandchild soon, and I can't devote my life to trailing after Waverly and cleaning up her messes."

My heart raced, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. "I'm here. I want to be here. Please don't let her come in between us."

He raised his eyebrow. A mischievous sparkle shined back at me from his hazel eyes. "Are you admitting there's an us. A real us, and not just an arrangement?"

Of course he wouldn't miss the opportunity to gloat. I could return the teasing banter, or I could push forward and give him a little more of my truth. I chose truth.

A deep breath helped me fortify my nerves, but I couldn't speak while staring into his eyes. They were always able to dig too much out of me. Instead, I studied the way our hands twisted together and found some courage.

"I only fought so hard against the idea of us being more because falling for you has been the most terrifying experience of my life. It's also been the most exhilarating. You have me, Colt. All of me if you want it." My voice was quiet, nearly a whisper, but I managed to say the hardest words I'd ever let slip past my lips.

He leaned forward and spoke to the driver in German. My mouth fell open. I poured my heart out, and his reaction was to give directions?

"What did you say to him?" I asked. My heart pounded hard in my chest, and my head swam with sudden dizziness.

His thumb traced a pattern on the top of my hand helping me focus back on him. "I told him to take us back to the hotel. I was going to take you sightseeing, something to clear our heads from tonight, but now, I want to claim all of you."

A shiver traveled down my spine. We'd been tested today. Both of us experienced bouts of jealousy. I knew this time when we came together it would be different than before, because this time I was coming to him with an open heart.

Trusting another didn't come easy to me. It wasn't a feeling that built naturally. It was a choice. To trust someone meant accepting they could hurt you but choosing to believe they wouldn't. I knew I'd have to make that choice over and over, but Colter was worth the risk.

The moment the car pulled in front of the hotel I felt a buzzing sensation take over my entire body. Colt jumped out of the car and raced around to get my door before the driver could even unbuckle.

He took my hand, and I felt a jolt of electricity course through my body. I had to practically run to keep up with him as he pulled us through the lobby. With his free hand he stabbed at the button for the elevator. I could see him eye the access to the stairs.

"The elevator isn't fast enough?" I teased him.

"You're right," he said nodding his head, and started to drag me along toward the stairs.

I laughed. "Colt, stop! I'm not running up the stairs in these shoes." I lifted my foot to show him the spiked heel on my designer pumps his shopper had chosen for me.

Another nod of his head. "You're right." He swept me up into his arms. "This will be faster."

The door to the elevator slid open with a ding. "Let me down. The elevator will be faster than carrying me up seven flights of stairs. Besides, old man, if you throw your back out you won't even be able to walk, and then what good will you be to me?"

"We'll see who can't walk pretty soon," he threatened.

Colt refused to put me down and strolled into the elevator. We didn't speak during the short climb to the penthouse. Energy thrummed between us, and my breath came in short, choppy pants.

At the door to our suite, he tried to pull the key card out of his pocket but couldn't reach it.

"This would be a lot easier if you'd put me down."

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