Page 12 of Colton

Chapter 8

Colton

The whimpers and moans that Marley made last night echo in my mind. I can’t think of anything else but her. When Elise told me how fast she fell for Rhett I had a hard time believing it was possible. But I understand now.

Marley and I agreed to spend the day together today. She said her sister would understand, and that she’d love to see my place if I wanted to show it to her. And I do. But what if she hates it? What if she takes one look and realizes she’ll never be happy here in the long term? That this was just a fun weekend for her, and not what it’s become for me.

She’s the one for me. I know it in my soul. I’ve spent the night thinking about it, and as the first light of dawn breaks, I’ve made my decision. The connection we had the moment I first saw her, the way she laughs at my jokes and seems to understand me, the way she was so amazing with that little boy, it all shatters every notion that I had of what I thought I wanted.

Now I have less than a day left to convince her that what we are both feeling is real.

???

“Hey big guy! Ready to be my tour guide again?” Marley’s smile washes over me like a ray of sunshine when she opens the door to greet me.

“I am. Come on, beautiful. Let’s go.” I bend down to kiss her, then take her hand and lead her to my truck. It’s mid-morning, so we agreed to stop by Elise’s bakery for a quick bite before heading to my cabin.

When we step inside the bakery, I hear my sister’s voice call out over the crowd of customers. “Marley! Colton! Come here!” My sister waves at us to come around the counter and gives us both a hug when we do.

“I’m sorry I don’t have time to visit, but please let me pack of box of goodies for you to take with you. It’s crazy in here today!” She laughs as she grabs an empty box off the shelf and starts piling treats into it.

“Elise! You aren’t feeding us for a week. That’s enough.” Elise just shrugs her shoulders and smiles at Marley before pulling her close. She says something to her that makes Marley blush, then they nod at each other.

“What was that?” I raise an eyebrow at my sister.

“Nothing at all, old man. Now y’all go have some fun.” Elise winks at me before shooing us away.

Back in the truck, Marley hands me a cinnamon roll before taking a bite of her own. She rolls her head back and closes her eyes with a moan that makes my cock twitch. “Oh my, this might be the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever had.”

I nod at her while taking a bite. “Agreed.” Marley leans over and kisses me before swiping her tongue across my lower lip. My eyes go wide.

“What?” She shrugs. “You had some icing on your lips.” Then she winks at me. My cock is painfully swollen in my jeans after that.

We turn off the main road and head up the steep drive to my family’s property. “My family has owned land here for a while, like many families in the area.” I point to the top of the mountain we are heading towards. “See that peak? That’s where my cabin is. Or rather, just below it.”

“Oh wow, I can’t wait.” Marley’s eyes light up as we get higher and higher, the view becoming more spectacular with each overlook we pass.

“My parents live up there,” I point to their drive as we pass it. “They divided their land into 7 equal portions, one for each of us plus their own place. I’m the first to build on mine, but Damien and Brodie both have plans for their land as well. Damien especially is ready for this winter to be over so he can start his build.”

“It’s lucky you all get along so well. I can’t imagine having that many siblings.” She looks off into the distance as we round the next curve.

“Well, we don’t get along all the time. But close enough. And it’s a good feeling knowing they’ll always have my back no matter what.” I pull up in front of my cabin and wait for Marley’s reaction. I’m not disappointed.

“Colton, this is so cute! I love it! Show me!” She’s smiling as we head toward the front door, pointing at every little thing that I worked so hard on and commenting on all of it. Her reaction is better than I could have hoped for.

“Let me show you around back, too.” She follows me around, and gasps when she sees the view. There’s a lake in the distance, with the Rockies rising up behind it. On a clear day like today, you can see for miles and miles. It’s the perfect first visit for her.

Chapter 9

Marley

I’m looking out the window of Colton’s cabin as the sun sets in the west. I’ve had such a fun day with him. From seeing Elise to exploring his cabin to hiking around his property, everything about it has been magical. But I know that all too soon it will be time for me to go home, and the thought fills me with dread. How can I care so much about someone I just met?

“Marley, what is it?” Colton just finished washing the dishes from the dinner he made for us, and comes up behind me. He wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my head. I love how safe and secure I feel in his big, strong arms.

“I’m just thinking about how much fun I’ve had with you. And how sorry I am that I have to go.”

Colton turns me around and takes my chin in his fingers. I can’t read the look on his face. He’s searching my eyes, but for what?

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