Page 63 of Rescuing Erin

He was a lot of things, rough and ready, badass, lethal, sexy, smart, and kind. But I wouldn’t classify Colin as a gentleman.

“With some things I am.” The side of his mouth pulled up into a suggestive grin.

“And what things might those be?”

He tugged my good hand and pulled me into him. I loved how much bigger he was than me. How, when he held me close, I was fully enveloped in his embrace. It was warm and safe, and I wanted to stay in his arms forever.

His head lowered, and he huskily whispered, “I’ll always open doors for you. I’ll always make sure you have the best seat when we’re out. If you’re chilly I’ll always offer you my coat. If there’s a puddle, I’ll carry you over it. And, sunshine, I promise, you’ll always take your pleasure before I do.”

The tingling I’d grown accustomed to started, and I wanted to yell at him for turning me on when I knew there was nothing he’d do to help with the ache.

“You play dirty.”

“I do. Dirty is fun.”

“Ugh. Colin. Stop.”

Standing in the garage he kissed me. Tongues tangled, and moans mingled. By the time he pulled back I was dazed.

“Come on, sunshine, let’s get you inside.”

I wordlessly followed, surprised when he passed the kitchen and led me to the master bedroom. He left me standing next to the unmade bed and went into the bathroom. I heard the water turn on and he reappeared shirtless. It took him no time to have me fully undressed. His pants and boxer briefs were the last to be tossed in the pile. This was not my first time seeing Colin nude, but it might as well have been the way my eyes roamed over his chiseled form. His chest was devoid of any hair, giving me an unobstructed view of his pecs. His well-defined six-pack was so damn hot I wanted to lick every individual valley. Below his bellybutton was a trail of light hair leading to a patch of trimmed pubic hair.

“Are you done?” Colin chuckled.

“Not yet. I haven’t gotten to the good part yet. My eyes got stuck on your six-pack.”

The laughter that filled the room was magical. I loved hearing him happy, liked it even more when I was the source. His muscles jumped and twitched, and I found it fascinating to watch.

He led me into the shower, testing the water before he had me step in before him.

Colin held me close as the warm water sluiced around us. “You’re so beautiful, Erin.”

“Thank you.”

We stood in companionable silence for a time, simply enjoying the feel of each other. When he stepped back to adjust the water, I picked up a bar of soap and lathered my hands before placing them on his chest.

“Do these still hurt?” I roamed over the bruises on his chest and lower to his stomach, avoiding his ribs.

“No. I’m sorry you have to see them. They’ll be gone soon.”

“I don’t like that you were hurt, but I know you received every one of these marks protecting me. I will forever be grateful.”

He lifted his hand and traced the tiny cut on my forehead. There was barely a bruise. Not like Colin, his face still looked like he’d gone twenty rounds in a boxing ring. It was a miracle he hadn’t been hurt worse.

“I should’ve—” he started.

“Done exactly what you did. It’s over. That’s what you said. We can’t go back and change anything. We’re both here and alive. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters, right?”

“Right.”

He was humoring me by agreeing, but I’d take it. I needed all the reassurances he’d offer. I knew there was something else going on, and it scared me, but if Colin said I was safe, I’d believe him. I had to, his protection was the only thing keeping me sane. I couldn’t fall apart, not when we weren’t out of the woods yet. And if I thought about everything that had happened or looked too long at the marks on his face, or allowed the what-ifs to creep in, I’d lose it.

“You’re thinking too hard.” He kissed my temple. “Stop that and wash me, woman.”

“Is this how our marriage is going to be? We shower, and you stand like a king while the lowly peasant girl bathes his royal highness?”

“Hmm, I like the way you think. Role play could be fun.”