Page 66 of Sure

We continue talking about baseball, and Colton talks to me about how he injured himself his senior year of college. How there had been talks that he might get drafted to the minors but he wanted to finish his degree.

All the while, as he tells me this story, I keep noticing his eyes dropping to my mouth. Not constantly. Not incessantly or in any way that would make me uncomfortable.

But just enough for me to notice.

Just enough for me to wish he would do something about it.

Of course, that would be foolish, right? Completely foolish.

“I think I’m gonna head to bed,” Colton says a bit later, dashing my fantasy of him stepping up between my legs and kissing me senseless.

“Yeah,” I say, glancing at the clock and seeing it’s close to midnight. We’ve been talking since around ten. “I’ve gotta get a few hours before the kid tries to sneak out of his room again.”

Colton steps closer to me. “How about I handle this one tonight?”

I shake my head. “I’m trying to stay consistent.”

He licks his lips and considers for a minute. “Alright, well, then I’m going to set my alarm and join you.”

Giggling, I set my mug down and scoot my butt to the edge of the counter. “Sounds like a ridiculous waste of your sleep to me.”

Suddenly, Colton is there, his hands on my hips as I slide off the edge of the island. When my feet hit the floor, we’re standing there, inches from each other, and I look up into his handsome face, my own eyes looking at his before dropping to his mouth for a brief moment.

A shiver races through me at his closeness, at the feeling of his body pressed gently against mine, at the smell of him—earthy and clean and freshly showered. I want to close my eyes and take a deep breath, but before I can, Colton takes a very purposeful step back.

“I’ll set my alarm,” he says woodenly, then spins on his sock-covered feet and walks stiffly out of the room.

I inhale and let it out slowly, my head falling back just a bit and my eyes staring at the ceiling.

What the hell was that?

***

I’m sitting in front of Teddy’s room at just before three when I hear Colton’s bedroom door open. My eyes widen in surprise as he comes down the hallway toward me then takes a seat next to me, leaning back against the bannister.

“I said I’d help tonight.”

I snort, keeping my voice low. “Yes you did.”

Then we sit silently, both of us waiting for Teddy to emerge from his room. But the more time goes by, the more I think tonight might be the night he actually stays put.

“Let’s just give it 15 more minutes,” Colton suggests, and I agree, adjusting my seated position and leaning my head back against the wooden pole behind me.

I must doze off, because the light in the hallway is very different when I open my eyes, indicating it’s probably closer to dawn. Not only is the light different, I’m also leaning back against something much more comfortable than the pole I fell asleep on.

When I look, I realize it’s Colton. I’m leaning into him and his arm is wrapped around me, tucking me into his side. I honestly don’t know how we got into this position or why it’s so comfortable, but damn, the part of me that has been developing this…crush on Colton wants nothing more than to snuggle even closer and close my eyes again.

I don’t, though, my conscience telling me I need to get up and go back to my bed.

“Colton,” I whisper, shifting out of his arms. “Colton.”

His eyes open just a little, but then he closes them again.

“We need to go to bed.”

I watch as his lips tilt up, and I curse myself inwardly at the bit of innuendo behind what I said.

Instead of addressing it, I push up and drag myself to standing then nudge him with my toe.

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