Forever Love: A Novella Collection, page 28
“It’s definitely swollen,” he says quietly. “Are you certain it’s just a sprain? We can head to Urgent Care to have this checked out.”
I shake my head. “It’s definitely a sprain. Sadly I know the feeling well. After I ice it for twenty minutes, if you can take me upstairs so I can pull out one of the ankle braces I keep here. I never wear them to bed but if I’m awake, I can use it for a few minutes.”
He nods as he grabs two of the decorative pillows on the couch and uses them to elevate my foot. “I’m going to go grab the ice. Do you want me to bring you back anything else?”
“Two ibuprofen would be great.”
He returns two minutes later with the ice pack, the pain relievers and a bottle of water, which he opens before handing it to me. I make quick work of swallowing the ibuprofen as he carefully places the ice pack on my swollen ankle.
“So you’re an old hand at sprains?” he asks as he sits down on the wooden coffee table. The way he’s chosen to sit allows him to keep the ice pack in place. I’m selfishly enjoying the way he’s taking care of me.
“It’s kind of an occupational hazard. It’s one of the reasons I’m okay with the upcoming season being my last. It takes a toll in a lot of ways but for me, the biggest issue has been my ankles. You’d know better than anyone how hard any sport is on the body,” I point out.
He lets out a dry laugh as he nods. “So true. I loved football, but I’m not sure I’d have played professionally if I’d known going in that I’d be tearing my ACL. Even though I had surgery, I’ll need to be careful with it for the rest of my life. There’s a reason pro-ballers get such big paychecks. Between the back, knees, ankle, tendon, and head injuries, most players aren’t lucky enough to rock a fifteen-year career like Tom Brady.”
“Do you miss it?”
Colin shrugs as he moves the ice pack a bit to the right. “Not as much as I might have had I not wound up coaching. I still love the game—it’s just in a different way now.”
“Do you plan to stay where you are?”
“Coaching jobs in Division I teams aren’t a dime a dozen. Right now I’m there but if something else came up…”
I swallow and look away, a flutter of panic in my chest as I consider what it would feel like if he moved across the country. I’ve tried not to focus on it, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not scared about what the loss of Nanny and Pop will mean about our future. Will I still see Colin or will we fade out of each other’s lives? I don’t want to lose him, ever.
“Hey,” he says softly as he sets his free hand down on my leg. “Where’d you go?”
I sniffle and try to regain my composure as I swipe my fingers under my eyes. “It’s just me being a crybaby,” I answer. “I was just wondering how often I’ll get to see you now, especially if you took a job thousands of miles away. I’m… scared. It feels like my whole world is crumbling around me.”
“Hey, hey,” he says soothingly as he gets off the table and crouches down next to me so we’re face to face. “I’m not going anywhere, Little Bird. If anything, in two or three years you’ll be sick of just how much you see me.”
“Never,” I answer, my voice trembling.
When he leans in close and pulls me into his arms, I think my whole world stops turning for a second. I sigh in contentment as I wrap my arms around him and return his hug. Somehow he maneuvers around so that he’s sitting on the couch with me in his lap—all without disturbing my ice pack.
Being held by Colin is like relaxation in a bottle. I yawn as my eyes flutter shut. I smile as I breathe in the smell that’s so distinctly Colin—Calvin Klein One cologne mixed with his natural scent. There’s nothing more comforting.
Colin’s chest rumbles beneath my ear when he says, “You’re tired.”
I nod and snuggle in closer as he shifts forward. “Grab the ice pack and hold on,” he says. I grab the top of the pack and hold on as he stands with me still in his arms. I’d pay really good money to do this every day of my life. I don’t want this to end at all. Now more than ever I need this feeling.
He carries me up the stairs and down the hall like I weigh nothing. My heart pounds at top speed as I try to form words. I know that what I’m about to ask is nuts and perhaps even selfish but I can’t not ask.
“I don’t want to be alone yet,” I blurt anxiously. “Would it be okay for me to chill out in your room with you on the bed and watch some TV until the ice melts?”
Did I mention that the ice pack is insulated and thus will take forever to melt? Although I can’t see his face, I couldn’t miss the way he gulps. “Of course,” he says after a beat. “Anything you need.”
When he strides into his room and sets me down on his bed, I just about combust. How many years have I wanted to be in Colin’s bed? I idolized him as a child, crushed on him as a tween-ager, and then I developed stronger feelings around the time I was fifteen. They’ve only grown as time has gone on.
He’s gentle with me so as not to jostle my ankle as he uses one of his pillows to elevate my foot before he comes around to the other side of the bed and sits down with his back against the headboard. Picking up the remote from the bedside table he turns the television on before handing it off to me.
“You choose. Whatever you’re in the mood for is good with me,” he says.
I raise a brow at him as I accept the control. “You sure about this?” I ask in a teasing tone. “We both know I’m going to take you right from a Sports Center rerun to Nick at Nite.”
“S’all good,” he chuckles as I turn the TV on and do exactly what I said I would. The Fresh Prince is on, which is one of my favorites. I settle into Colin’s side with a smile, enjoying the fact that his bed is a queen size. This means there’s really no room for us to be separated. I can’t contain my giant ass grin when he lifts his arm and wraps it around my shoulders, bringing me in closer to him. I don’t think I’ve ever been this comfortable in my life.
6
Elena-Nine Weeks Ago
I feel like I'm in a daze as Colin pulls the car up to the curb and jumps out to get me from the bench I'm on just outside of the offices where Nanny and Pop's will was just read. He's tried to carry me around all day, but for the most part, all I need is an assist to get around. The swelling on my ankle was about eighty percent gone this morning, which is good. Right now I'm so gob-smacked that I'm a little tempted to ask him to carry me over to the car. I won't, but the desire is there.
He watches me carefully as he covers the distance from the car to me. He's been monitoring me closely ever since the reading of the will. Right now I can't say I blame him. I use him for support as I stand, letting out a deep breath as we begin the short walk to his car. After helping me into the passenger seat and buckling me in, Colin shuts my door and walks around the car. Sliding into the driver's seat, he looks over at me.
“You okay?”
“I don’t really know,” I say softly. “I never, ever expected them to leave me anything at all, much less half of the house.”
“They loved you,” he says, “and that house is your home. You love it as much as they did—as much as I do. I have no doubt that’s why they left it to both of us.”
I nod as I bite my lip and look away. I’m touched and emotional about the whole thing, but I’m also scared to death.
“What’s upsetting you about this, Little Bird?” he asks, his voice full of concern.
Focusing on the dashboard, I reach out and brush away a speck of dust.
“Do you think your parents will be angry when you tell them what the will said?” I blurt, finally giving voice to what’s stressing me out.
“What?” he asks in a tone of complete surprise. “No, Leni. Absolutely not.”
Reaching out he softly grips my chin and turns me to face him. "They already know, honey. My dad is the one who told me what to expect, and they aren't angry at all. It makes sense to them, too. Dad already has a house of his own. He and my mom got all of the cash assets my grandparents left behind. Things worked out the way Nanny and Pop wanted, and there's nothing wrong with that at all."
I breathe out a long, relieved breath as I lean back against the headrest. "You have no idea what a relief that is. Losing any of you—"
“Never,” he vows. “I really wish you wouldn’t worry about this, Little Bird. None of us are going anywhere.”
Words seem so inadequate right now. All I can think to say is, “Thank you.”
Reaching out, Colin takes my hand in his and laces our fingers together. I do my best to keep any surprise from my face as he brings our hands to his lips and kisses the back of mine. “There’s nothing to thank me for,” he says quietly. “I need you just as much as you need me, Leni. Don’t ever forget that.”
I hate to admit that in a lot of relationships in my life it's always been hard for me to truly let go and trust in actual permanence. Granted my dad is in my life now, but he wasn't super-reliable during the first years after the divorce. I view his commitment to me as something he feels he has to do as opposed to something he wants to do. But with Colin, I have faith. If he says he’ll be there, he will be.
When he places our entwined hands back on my leg and doesn't move to sever the connection, I look out the window to hide my smile. The way he has been here for me these last few days is nothing short of perfection. I spent the entire night in his bed last night and woke up this morning snuggled against him, and he never made me feel weird about it. Instead, I felt warm, protected, content and completely at home. I also felt desired—but I'm almost afraid to believe that's the case. But right now looking down at our hands, I think I might be right.
* * *
Colin hasn’t left my side at all today and to say that I am enjoying this is a vast understatement of facts. After a dinner consisting of more leftover funeral food—a really delicious baked chicken casserole and a tossed salad—we’re now setting up camp in the living room to binge watch Stranger Things. We’ve both been dying to dive into it since people are constantly raving about it so now is the perfect time to give it a try.
He sets me up on the couch first and then uses pillows to elevate my foot on the coffee table. Twisted ankles are a common enough occurrence for me that I barely feel it (and the brace I'm wearing is a huge help), but I'm not about to turn down the TLC from Colin. After turning off the lights and cuing up the show, he settles in next to me—close, but not as close as I want him. I make it through almost the entire first episode before I work up the courage to scoot in closer. He doesn't hesitate to lift his arm so that I can settle into the nook of his arm. Setting my head against his chest, I grin as my heart melts.
As episode two starts he begins running his hand up and down my arm. Immediately the tension in the room rises exponentially, and I'm more and more certain I'm not the only one who feels it as each second passes. Taking a breath for courage, I snuggle in closer as I set my hand down on his jean-clad thigh. He freezes for half a second before he turns his head and looks at me. Because my head is on him, we're now super close to one another—close enough for me to feel his breath as it skates across my lips.
I shiver at the way his coppery brown eyes flash in the dim light. “Leni,” he groans. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
I'm nervous about taking such a massive leap of faith, but I'm doing it anyway. Taking a deep breath, I climb into his lap, careful to keep from hitting my ankle. "Yes," I say, my voice firm and clear. I'm scared I've gone too far until his hands grip my waist and the heat of his palms warms my skin through the loose cotton of the spaghetti strap dress I've got on.
“Fuck, baby,” he rasps.
Goosebumps break out over my entire body when I see the desire in his eyes. I clench my thighs and bite my lip as I lean in closer, anxious to take the next step. I’ve dreamt of kissing Colin for years and right now I’m inches away from having that dream become a reality.
“Give me that sexy little mouth,” he orders as he uses his hold on my waist to bring my lower body in snug against his.
Jesus, he’s hard—and it’s all for me. My clit throbs and my sex clenches as I slowly lean forward, the hem of my dress raising as I do. His eyes are hooded as he watches me getting closer and closer. Just before I reach his lips, he raises his hands from their position at my waist and takes my face between his hands, halting my movements. I clench again, loving the way he takes control.
One of our phones buzzes on the table behind me but neither of us looks. Ignoring the buzz, he guides me in close enough to kiss me, but stops just short. I open my lips to say something—probably to beg—but I lose all my words when he uses his hands to tilt my head before he begins tracing my lower lip with his tongue. The sensation is so erotically charged I can feel my temperature rising. Unable to stop myself I open my lips and touch my tongue to his. He lets out a harsh groan and bucks beneath me, his hard cock rubbing against my sex through his jeans and my underwear. I whimper as he deepens the kiss, holding me tightly as he does.
I’ve been kissed before but never, ever like this. This feels like a claiming—a declaration of ownership and I’m absolutely not complaining about that. Lost in the sensation, I hold onto his shoulders as I lean in as close as I can. My nipples harden as I shamelessly rub myself against his chest, moaning as he tears his mouth away.
His breath is as ragged as my own, the sound of both filling the room. Somewhere in the background Stranger Things is still going, but all I can think about is Colin.
“Need to touch you,” he rasps.
“Yes,” I agree without hesitation. “Please.”
He drops his hands from my face to my shoulders, toying with the soft thin straps of my dress.
“This dress might not survive,” he says.
I bite my lip and let out a husky sound as I grind down on his cock.
“I don’t care about the dress.”
It's like pouring lighter fluid onto a fire. His hands drop from my shoulders to the hem of the dress. "Lift up," he orders.
The way he takes control is making me crazy. My clit is throbbing, and my nipples have never been harder. Balancing on my knees, I lift my bottom, holding still as he raises the hem to my waist. "Sit and raise your arms."
I do as instructed, shivering as he whips the dress over my head allowing the cold air to brush over my skin. His eyes flash fire as the dress drops, and he realizes that I'm naked from the waist up since there was a sports bra built into the cotton dress. My breasts are a small B cup, but my worry that he might be disappointed is quickly forgotten when he slides his hands up my torso and stops when he reaches them. The combination of his hands on my skin and the look of raw desire on his face as he stares at my tits throws my already aroused body into overdrive.
"Perfection," he growls as his hands move around to my back. I shiver as he begins sliding them ever so slowly down my spine. When he reaches the top of my underwear, he moves a bit faster, gripping my ass in his hands. "Put your hands on my knees and arch your back."
When I comply, he leans forward and licks my right nipple. The heat of his tongue against the stiffened peak is everything. Needing a better grip, I let go of his knees and transfer my hands to his shoulders one hand at a time. He groans as I rock back and forth against him, the friction of his hard length beneath his jeans hitting me just right. It feels like my body is on fire internally as he divides his time between my breasts, licking, sucking, and gently nibbling each one. Every scrape of his jaw against my sensitive skin is like a thousand points of pure sensation.
I groan when he lifts his head and looks up at me. “Kiss me,” he says.
When our lips fuse, the kiss is one hundred percent carnal, so perfect it takes my breath away. There's an intensity to this that goes so far beyond anything I ever imagined—and believe me, I've spent hours dreaming about what this moment might feel like if it ever happened. I'm grinding on him faster, the need inside of me so acute that all I can focus on is the pleasure. I tear my mouth from his and let out a tortured sound when he traces his fingers over the top of my simple pink cotton bikini panties. When he slides beneath the elastic, I damn near forget how to function. I watch his face as he focuses on the sight of his hand touching my skin beneath the cotton and nothing has ever looked sexier.
“Fuck, Little Bird,” he groans, “you’re so wet.”
My breath leaves me in a whoosh when his middle finger starts rubbing circles against my clit. “Colin, so good,” I whimper.
“I knew it’d be fucking perfect to hear you calling out my name. Only thing that’s going to make this any better is getting to taste this little pussy,” he murmurs.
I squeak in surprise as he stands up, spins around and lays me down on the couch. Grabbing the sides of my panties he drags them off of me in one fluid motion, leaving me completely exposed to his gaze.
"So motherfucking perfect and sexy," he says as he gets onto the couch between my legs. Raising my right leg, he sets my ankle up on the back of the couch so that it's elevated. Once he's satisfied with my comfort, he slides his hands beneath my ass and raises me up. I barely have time to blink before his mouth is on me.
It’s almost embarrassing how loud I’m being as he works me over with his tongue, but judging by the way he’s watching me with heated eyes as he does it, I know he’s enjoying every second. The feel of his stubble against my sensitive inner thighs is incredible.
"Oh Jesus," I gasp as his tongue swirls faster. Reaching down, I thread my fingers through his hair, holding on as he sucks my clit into his mouth.
“Colin!” I cry, my body beginning to tremble as he applies more pressure. “Yes! Now!”
The orgasm hits me hard, the magic of it racing through my veins as he slows down and moves his tongue from the very tip of my clit but doesn’t stop licking me. I let out a gasp when he slides his finger against my opening, slowing circling it. Lifting his head, he grins devilishly as he slowly starts pushing inside.
