Page 52 of Colt

23

Ember

Icould barely move, my body ached in the most wonderful way. But, one look at the clock told me we better hurry up and get dressed if we didn’t want someone walking in on us.

“Do you think it would be okay if I made that dinner I planned for everyone tonight?”

“You want to fuck me then feed me? Babe, I don’t see a problem with that at all.”

I wanted to smack the smirk right off his face, but I couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing his playful side had me craving more from him.

I didn’t know if this afternoon would change things between us and I wasn’t ready to push for a conversation about it. But, I also wasn’t going to let my own doubts ruin this moment. I could freak out later when I was alone.

I still had no idea if he was sleeping with other women and I wasn’t going to ask that either. At least this post-sex moment was ending a lot better than our last one. I couldn’t help but be pleased by the happy expression on Colt’s face.

We moved around the room, redressing and fixing the cushions we knocked off the couch. With one last kiss that went a little longer than I intended, I managed to pull myself away from Colt and head to the kitchen.

The women here kept the pantry and refrigerator well stocked and I was relieved to find all of the ingredients I needed for my mom’s famous baked spaghetti recipe. It was always a hit and an easy way to satisfy a large group of hungry bikers.

“Something smells good in here. Do you need any help?” Kate asked, walking into the kitchen as I put the casserole in the oven.

“Thanks. You can help me put together a salad.”

I grabbed everything we needed from the fridge and laid it all out on the counter. We started chopping everything up, but I could feel Kate staring at me. I looked up and saw she was trying to hold back a laugh.

“What? Do I have sauce on my face?”

“No, but you do have a huge ass hickey on your neck. Looks like someone had some fun after she left the diner.”

I ran to the bathroom down the hall to check my reflection in the mirror. Sure enough, Colt left evidence of our afternoon hookup right where anyone could see it.

I walked back into the kitchen only to find the wannabe vampire chatting up my friend. I glared at him while Kate busted out laughing.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Look what you did,” I said, pointing to my neck. “I look like a sixteen-year-old who was up to something while her parents were at work.”

Colt just stood there smiling at me.

“Ugh! You’re infuriating.”

“Yeah, but you like me this way.”

It was true, I really did like him… in every way as much as I wanted to deny it.

“I’ll let you two get back to it,” he said, popping a cherry tomato in his mouth before walking out.

“You guys are so cute. I have to admit, I was surprised when I heard you two were together. Colt’s always been nice to me, but to be honest, he’s a bit of a broody asshole. He’s like a different person around you. Now it makes sense.”

Kate’s words were sweet, but they made me feel guilty for not being honest with her. She was one of the only real friends I’d made while living here, and it didn’t feel right to keep her in the dark any longer.

“We’re not really together,” I told her, keeping my voice low.

Her eyebrows shot up. “What? What do you mean?”

“You can’t tell anyone, only the officers know.” I trusted her implicitly seeing as she was Viking’s daughter. Still, I hoped explaining this to her wouldn’t cause problems between her and Mac since he knew the truth. “We’re pretending to be in a relationship because we think Torch might be up to something.” I continued to tell her the whole story while watching the doorway to make sure no one overheard us.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe what that asshole did to you,” she said, angry on my behalf. “And while I could kill Mac and my father for not telling me, I understand why they didn’t. But if you ever need someone to talk to, you have me. Don’t forget that.”

“Thank you.”

Kate gave me a hug that I didn’t know I needed. She had no idea how much I appreciated her friendship. With my mom and Phoebe, I couldn’t always be honest with them about what was happening in my life. Keeping this secret was hard and every time I talked to them, or James, I felt awful. Finally telling someone in friendly conversation and not out of necessity felt freeing.

Kate released me, looking me in the eye. “And I know you didn’t ask for my opinion, but I don’t think Colt’s faking anymore. I wasn’t lying when I said he’s different around you. He smiles more, laughs more, just seems happier.”

I felt my face get warm. “He just wants to find out what’s going on with Torch, that’s it, really.”

Kate shrugged, smiling big. “If you say so, but I think you’re wrong.”

She had no idea how much I wanted that to be true, but I’d learned my lesson the hard way about happily ever afters. Some people got them, and some people would always be chasing a dream.