Page 65 of One Little Kiss
“What is that?” I ask, working hard to keep my voice calm.
“He’ll probably want a Happy Meal. This should be enough to cover it. I-I don’t have any more cash, but if you think it’ll be more, I’ll stop at the ATM on my way home.” She tries to shove the money at me, but I keep my hands firmly on my hips.
“You’re cute.”
She gasps with an open jaw.
“Do you have any idea how much money I have, CC?”
“Well, I mean, I guess I have an idea, but that’s not the point. You can’t keep paying our way for everything. It’s my job to take care of Wes and all his needs. It’s why I work so many hours. I have to provide a good life for him. It’s my responsibility.”
“And someday, you’ll allow it to be our responsibility. Until then, I will keep paying for everything because you’re mine. You and Wes are my family, and I can only hope I’ll be yours.”
Now it’s time for the fight. Reaching around her, I grab my wallet from the side table and pull out a credit card with her name. Handing it to her, I watch her face turn beet red.
“Why is my name on your credit card, Colton? I didn’t ask for that.” If this were a cartoon, steam would be shooting from her ears.
“I know you didn’t, but I need you to take it in case of emergency. My brothers would have gone about this high handedly and just put cash into your account. In fact, I’m pretty sure Preston did just that a couple of times, but I know how important your independence is to you, so I’m hoping we can do it this way.” When she stares at me unblinking, I continue, “There’s no limit on this card, Win. I’d like you to use it for anything and everything you or Wes need, but if that’s a hard no for you right now, at least take it in case of emergency. If you only carry ten dollars with you, it would make me feel better knowing you have options.”
“I’m not taking your money, Colton. We’re already living here, rent free. You won’t even let me pay for groceries. I’m … Jesus, Colton. You can’t keep doing this. I can’t get used to you doing it, either. What happens when this ends? I have to support myself and Wes.”
Anger and fear flood my veins, and the possessive animal she brings out in me roars as I pull her to me. Face-to-face. Our bodies pressed together. My tone commands her to listen. I’ve never been like this with anyone before, but I can’t control it around Winnie Darling.
“This? You mean you and me? There is no end date for me, Winnie. I don’t know how to make you understand that, but I would marry you tomorrow just to tie you to me in every way if you let me. As for supporting yourself? I’ll never tell you what to do. If you want to work, I’ll fully support you, but I’d rather you go back to law school and do something you love.”
She gasps and goes pale, but I push on.
“I will not betray your trust by depositing cash into your account, even though everything in me wants to do it. Ash already tried, but I told him not to. I didn’t want to push you that way. But for Wes? Halton already started a trust for him, just like he does with every other child that enters this family.”
Tears fall from her fragile gray eyes and slide down her face as she shakes her head like she can make what I’m saying untrue.
“It’s all done, Winnie. If you decide you don’t want me, it will kill me, but I won’t walk away from Wes. Once a trust is in place, it’s there for him, no matter what.” Gurgled words get stuck in her throat, so I continue, “I want to give you the world, too, Winnie, but I don’t want to scare you off. I need you to take this card, though, for me. It gives me peace of mind. So, if nothing else, take it for me. Use it, don’t use it. That’s up to you, but please take it. For me.”
I can tell by her expression she’s going to fight me, so I cross a line I haven’t stepped over with her yet. Lifting my hand, I run the black, metal card down her neck and keep going to her cleavage. Allowing the backs of my fingers to brush along her skin, I slip the card below her shirt.
She gasps, and her chest rises and falls in time with my racing heart. I feel like a fourteen year old about to cop a feel for the first time. I don’t, but it takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to dip my lips to her skin.
Slowly, I remove my hand and growl like an enchanted beast when she leans into my touch. I don’t even think she means to do it. Her body reacts to me when her mind stops overthinking everything, and that makes me happier than I have any right being.
“I want to kiss you, Winnie.” My voice is rough, my lips parched, and the only thing that can quench my thirst is her.
Her mouth opens, then closes again. She grasps her wrist, then lifts her gaze to meet mine and nods ever so slowly, and I pounce. I take her bottom lip in my mouth and suck, savoring that goddamn flavor that I’m growing addicted to. Cherry cola and Winnie Darling. It’s a heady mix, and my body comes alive as my tongue prods and pushes until she grants me access. A silky moan slips from the back of her throat, and I swallow it like the greedy, greedy man I am. My hands take purchase in her curls, holding her to me, molding her body to mine. I tilt her head so I can kiss along her jaw up to her earlobe.
“I want you, Winnie Darling. More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait however long you need. I’m going to prove to you that you’re it for me.”
“I-I,” she pants. I’m about to take her lips again, when I feel little hands curl around my leg, and I pull back so quickly she stumbles forward.
Glancing down, I find Wes smiling up at me. My gaze drifts back and forth between these two people who have righted my world. Made me grow up. Make me want things I didn’t know I was ready for, but know without a doubt, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them.
Bending down, I scoop Wes up in my arms. I’ve learned he actually does like to snuggle, but it has to be on his terms. He isn’t the kid you can just pick up and kiss his cheeks. Sometimes it’s hard not to pull him into my lap to hold him, but he’s very good at letting me know when it’s okay.
“He’s not like this with anyone, Colton. He doesn’t warm up to people. He rarely even lets me cuddle him.” The hurt in her voice breaks my heart. “I hope you know how much that means to me, but …” She swallows hard, and out of the corner of my eye, I see her hands moving. Her chin trembles. She’s fighting so hard to keep emotions in, and I don’t know how to get her to trust me enough to share them.
“Winnie? I won’t hurt either of you. I promise.”
She lunges and wraps her arms around my middle. The three of us stand there in an embrace that feels like the most powerful drug. I kiss the top of her head, and Wes leans down to do it, too. Feeling him, she lifts her face to his, and her tears finally spring free.
“Wub you.”
