Page 42 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

“Sorry I asked. Thanks for coming. We can finish the floor another time.” She tried to push past him, but his hand on her arm stopped her. She looked into his eyes, almost black in the fading winter light.

“Ruby, I would love to spend the night. You just seemed uncomfortable asking and I didn’t know what to say. I want you to want me to stay the night.”

Oh. She had a habit of jumping to conclusions, or of pushing too hard. Ruby stood tall, looking him square in the face.

“I want you to spend the night. Although you may have to sneak in and out because… Well, I live with my mom and I don’t need her to see… this.”

Colton chuckled, his dimples already sending her body into overdrive. Yeah, wanted him in her bed — but she needed him more than that.

“What a thrill, to be sixteen again.” He pulled her into him, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Lead the way, sweetness.”

Ruby shivered from pleasure at the thought of falling asleep next to him and waking up beside him. At the way she knew their bodies would tangle together, moving as one throughout the night. She shivered being so close to someone so dangerous for her.

As she unplugged the space heater, shut all the doors behind them, and led the way up to her room through the basement, Ruby shivered at what would happen if she actually allowed herself to fall into him again.

38

The morning light streaming through the blue room was disorienting, and it took a minute for Colton to figure out what time and space he was in. The room was familiar, too familiar, the warm body pressed against his one he instinctively didn’t want to lose. But he shouldn’t be here, why was he here?

When he remembered the day, night before, he realized he wasn’t supposed to be anywhere. He breathed in Ruby’s hair, lemon and chamomile, his arm under her neck wrapped around her shoulders. He pulled her closer, and she burrowed her face into his chest.

His dreams had come true, his wishes answered.

Colton turned on his side, keeping her pressed into him. He peppered kisses along her forehead, wanting to capture every inch, every freckle in his mouth and never let it go. Her hair splayed out on the pillow behind her, copper in the light from the window behind her bed. Her breath was soft against his chest, skin glowing white against his tan.

He went over last night, the way they’d spent hours catering to every need, every whim, enjoying every sloping curve and flat plane on each other’s bodies. There hadn’t been much talking, but what they’d exchanged said everything he needed to hear.

While they were just seeing where this went, Colton didn’t want to play games. He didn’t want to play with either of their hearts, and his stomach twisted at the thought of him not telling her about the interview. He reminded himself it was just an interview, that it wasn’t worth talking about until it became something. Because if he didn’t get it, it would reinforce to her that he wasn’t leaving.

And if he did…

How could they make it work while she traveled in her bus and he worked long, rigorous hours in a San Francisco pastry shop?

Colton swallowed, not wanting to entertain the possibility that he could lose her again. Not when he’d just gotten her.

Except she wasn’t his.

He involuntarily tightened his hold on her, and she kissed his chest.

“Good morning, hot stuff,” she mumbled into him.

“Good morning, sweet cheeks.”

Her fingers trailed along his skin, sending goosebumps along his arm and back.

This was too good, too perfect, to last.

“What have you got going on today?”

It took Colton a minute to make out the words, and he realized he’d probably overslept for work.

Fuck it. Katie would cover for him.

“Well, looks like I’m playing hooky. What about you?”

Ruby stretched away from him before sitting up on arm. Her hair fell around her shoulders in perfect coils. Colton tucked a strand behind her ear.

“Um, well I should work on the bus some more, answer some emails. Will… Will you be okay to miss work today?” Her voice was edged with concern.

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