Page 27 of Don't Look Back

“A chance at what?” She whispers softly.

She knows what I'm talking about, but if she needs to hear the words, I'm not going to shy away from it. Anything to get us both on the same page sounds great to me.

“A chance to make you mine. A chance to prove we could be amazing together. A chance at us both getting our happily ever after.”

“Why would you want to date me when I have such a horrible past trying to catch up with me?”

“I'm not going to let some asshole, who likes to lay his hands on a woman, keep me from going after the woman I want… Give me a chance, Zo.”

She slips her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbles on it gently. I know she’s thinking things through, but I really wish she’d just take a leap of faith and let me catch her.

“Ok,” she whispers softly.

“Ok? As in ok, I’ll give you a chance?” A smile tugs on my lips, but I fight it until she nods her head and a giggle bursts free from her. Then, I let it spread across my lipsand take over my entire face. “You won't regret it, babe. I'm going to treat you like my queen.”

“Are you sure you want me to move in with you though? That’s a big deal.”

“Well, if you had turned me down, I might be rethinking it, but now you’re my girlfriend and I'm going to have to insist you move in right away.”

“Typically, you don’t move in with your girlfriend as soon as you ask her out.” Leslie rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, but after last night, I'm not sure I ever want to sleep without you in my arms.”

“You packed a little light, sweetheart.” I glance down at the two duffle bags sitting at my feet and frown.

“I know, but if I need more, I can come back. It’s a five-minute drive.”

“I guess,” I grumble under my breath. I don’t know why this is bothering me so much, but I want to feel like she’s one hundred percent in this and somehow her having some of her things here feels likeshe’s not.

“Stop it.” She steps up to me and places her hands on my chest. “Give me some time to get used to this. Last night when I arrived at Skylar’s house, I never thought less than twenty-four hours later, I’d be packing up and moving in with my new boyfriend. Who also knows everything that’s happened to me.”

While Zoey packed her things, she told me more about Jimmy and what he did. I think keeping her hands busy while she spoke, helped her stay emotionless while telling me the stories.

I don’t have Mason’s number yet, but I plan to get it from her before we go to bed tonight. I want to call him and figure out what he knows that Zoey might not.

Shit, I wish I could call her Zoey all the time. I hate knowing Leslie isn't her real name and still using it.

“I like when you call me your boyfriend.” I snake my arm around her waist and tug her body flush with mine. She grins up at me, but there’s a small amount of hesitation swimming in her eyes.

I can tell her she’s safe with me until I'm blue in the face, but it’s not going to make a difference unless I prove it to her.

Based on how she spoke, I'm the first man she’s even considered dating since she left Jimmy. There’s bound to besome hesitations on her end. She doesn’t want to find herself in the same sort of situation again, and I can't blame her for that. She’s survived hell and wants to find her own slice of heaven.

“I’m not going to kiss you, Zo,” I say softly.

“You’re not?” She squeaks out.

“No. I want you to know you’re in control of everything that happens in this relationship. I’m not taking a step without you initiating it. If you want to be kissed, you have to tell me, or kiss me first. If you want me to touch you, you have to tell me or move my hands to where you want them.”

“Thank you, Colton.”

“For not kissing you?” I chuckle.

“No, for understanding what I need and making this easier for me.”

“Of course.” I press a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead, then take a step back and grab her bags. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah,” she sighs. “It’s so weird to move out of here. This was my first slice of freedom.”

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