Turning my attention back to Wes and Tilly, I smile at the silly clapping game they’re playing before returning my attention back to Colton. “I haven’t been on a date in a really long time.”
His lips dart down and capture mine. He keeps it brief, but it’s enough to have my head spinning. “Then I guess it’s time I fixed that. In that bedroom over there,” he points to my right, “are a couple of boxes I had Tilly arrange for you. Pick out whatever you’re most comfortable in and get dressed. I’ll get Wes ready for bed and come get you when it’s time to tuck him in.”
Wow. That’s a lot of information to unpack. “You bought me clothes?”
“And shoes. Before you even think about not accepting them, you should know I will do this a lot. As much as I can. You, Winnie Darling, are the kind of woman that should be spoiled, and I’m the man lucky enough to do it. Don’t fight me on this.” His tone deepens, and it feels like a command, a plea, and a promise. “You won’t win.”
“Fine,” I say, lifting my chin. “I’ll accept the clothes. Tonight. Only if you promise me we can discuss all future gifts another time.”
He chuckles darkly. “Are you always this stubborn about receiving presents?”
“I don’t know. I don’t get many of them,” I confess.
He pulls me impossibly closer. Our thighs press together, and I feel his heartbeat racing erratically against my breasts.
“That is going to change. Go get ready.” And with that, he releases me.
I gasp for air, like breaking the surface of the ocean. I can’t get my footing. He throws me so far off balance I don’t know which way is up, and I think he likes it that way.
“Get ready,” I mumble absently.
He smirks, then walks away like he knows he just fried my brain. Jesus. If this is what life is like with him, I’ll never survive it.
The last thing I hear before I close the bedroom door is Weston’s peals of laughter as Colton chases him around the suite. And just like that, another stitch in my armor comes undone.
* * *
“Winnie?” Colton asks, cracking open the door. “Hey, you’re not dressed. Do they not fit?” The concern in his voice causes a riot in my chest.
“Ah, no. Everything’s perfect. I …” My cheeks puff out as I sigh loudly. “They’re all really expensive, Colton. What if I spill something on them?”
Nibbling on my nails seems to be my new go to nervous habit since I’m consciously avoiding my wrist wrangling. I have a cuticle between my teeth as Colton crosses the room, never taking his eyes off me.
“If you spill something and it ruins whatever you choose to wear, I’ll buy you another one.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” I mumble.
“Winnie, please don’t let money be an issue between us. I have it. You don’t. End of story. If I have my way, what’s mine will be yours soon enough. But I also know my brothers have all gone through this with their significant others.”
My head spins at this news. “None of the girls were rich on their own?”
“No. My adopted brother Trevor’s wife, Julia, probably had a good amount squirreled away. But Lexi? Sloane? Emory? Lanie? It took my brothers a while to convince them to get over the billionaire titles, and I’m pretty sure Lexi probably tried to shove a few gifts up Easton’s ass.” He chuckles. “She’s feisty like that. Looks are always deceiving, Winnie. They each had hardships and moments of crises that they had to get through in their own time. We have enough hurdles already. Please don’t make money one of them.”
It’s hard to breathe when my stomach is in knots, but staring into his eyes, listening to his words, I nod. “I’ll try.” It’s barely a whisper, but he pulls me into the safety of his arms, and I wish I could bottle the comfort it brings.
Colton rests his chin on top of my head. “Which outfit did you pick?”
“The black sheath dress. Is that okay?”
His chest rumbles as he speaks. “Fuck yes. Go say goodnight to Wes and then get dressed. I’m going to take a quick shower.”
“Okay.” I try to pull away, but he holds me still while his lips ghost over my skin before landing on my mouth. This isn’t a kiss for public consumption. This is a kiss that fucks me with his tongue, and promises sweet, sweet torture to come. He owns every inch of me while he tastes, nips, and sucks. He devours me until I’m breathless.
“My CC,” he groans. “Mine. Tonight, I’ll make you mine.”
Yes!my body screams as electricity shoots through my veins. What he doesn’t understand is he’s already burrowed deeper into my heart than anyone else has ever been.
Peeling my body from his, I mumble incoherently as I walk backwards toward the door. Colton watches me leave, his expression hiding nothing. When he takes a step forward, a squeak escapes my throat, so I turn and run from the room with his laughter trailing me down the hall.