Page 66 of Colton

He kisses my forehead. “I know. I want to. Now, let’s get you ready for your measurements. After that, we can go home, and you can relax for the rest of the evening.”

Home.

Colton says it with such simplicity, as if I truly belong in his home, as if it’s ours. My heart swells with affection, and I realize how dangerous the territory I’m threading in is becoming. Colton has no issues showering me with gifts and showing his emotions. But everything seems almost too good to be true.

I’m just hoping this gut feeling of mine proves to be wrong.

◆◆◆

The castle is as gorgeous as I remember. The butler, Emiliano, is still looking at me with some suspicion in his eyes, though I believe that’s because I referred to him as ‘sir’ instead of his name, which he insists I use. The man’s older than Colton by at least twenty years, and it would be improper to address him so casually. At least, that’s how I was raised.

He’s holding my hand proudly, openly, his fingers gentle around mine while he’s leading me through the halls. Each one is decorated minimally, yet beautifully. From what I can see, there’s not a single speck of dust to be seen, or anything that seems out of place.

It’s clear he spends a lot of money on having this place as pristine as possible, and I believe even the floors would be safe to eat off of. His hand tightens around mine, and we turn left, finding ourselves in front of massive, wooden double doors.

He pushes them open and steps inside, letting go of my hand. The emptiness is immediate, my heart aching. God, when did I become so clingy towards anyone? It’s as though my entire being’s already used to Colton’s presence.

The room is massive, I’d say the size of four master bedrooms. It’s his bedroom. The scent hits me immediately, and I barely register the door closing behind me. That sweet, addictive scent is all around, my skin prickling with excitement.

Right in front of me is a king-sized bed, with deep, royal blue sheets and pillowcases. The entire room is rather dark; everything but the white walls is either that shade of blue or dark brown. There aren’t many decorations, or even furniture — just the bare minimum.

A door likely leads to a walk-in closet, and another probably leads to the bathroom. Two bedside tables sit on either side of the bed, each with a single lamp. Then, my breath hitches when I look to the right.

It’s a portrait of a beautiful woman, inside a golden frame. She looks to be in her thirties, with a warm smile and eyes as kind as Colton’s. In fact, their eyes are the same size, though hers are a warmer shade. She has a dimple in her cheek, and it’s as though she’s looking right at me.

“That would be my mother,” Colton says, coming to stand next to me. “It’s one of the rare things I was able to preserve after she passed.”

“She was beautiful,” I breathe out, and it’s not just an empty compliment. The woman truly is the prettiest I have seen. Her mesmerizing features make it hard to look away.

“She was,” Colton says, a solemn expression on his face. My heart hurts for him, and I could never, ever imagine losing my own mom so early. “But, at least she’s not suffering anymore. She’s in a much better place.”

“You look like her,” I say, and he turns to look at me, the same warm smile on his face. “Though, you lack her dimples.”

“Oh, trust me, I wish I had her dimples,” he chuckles. “I wish I had her determination, too. She was very fierce, and she had everyone she knew wrapped around her finger,” he glances at me, a teasing smirk on his lips. “Just like someone else I know.”

A small scoff comes from me, and I roll my eyes. “Please, I do not have everyone wrapped around my finger.”

“Perhaps not everyone,” he murmurs, inching closer, his voice taking on a darker edge. “You definitely have me wrapped around your finger.”

“Do I?” My breath hitches, and I can’t look away. He may believe it wholeheartedly, but it’s the other way around. The man could tell me to get on my knees and bark, and I’d do it in a heartbeat.

“Oh, you do,” his arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me into his chest. Then, one of his hands comes to cradle my face, rubbing my cheek with his thumb gently. “There is nothing I wouldn’t give you, my sweet girl. Everything you want, it’s yours.”

“Why?” I ask, almost breathless.

This is a man who’s almost twice my age, who comes from a world I have never heard of before him. He’s someone who could have everything he wished for and more, with a mere snap of his fingers.

Yet, he’s here, with me, holding me like I’m the most precious thing in the world. And the way he’s looking at me? Like he’d start wars for me, like he’d burn the world down just for me.

I can’t understand why. I’m not special in any way, I don’t have money to offer, nor am I a genius that would pique his interest. I’m just a girl who happened to be bold enough to flirt with him, and somehow, that was enough to keep his attention solely on me.

“Because, my sweet girl,” he says, leaning in. “You came to me when I lacked faith, when I needed someone to break through the walls and chase the darkness away. You’re the only person who’s ever mattered this much to me, and God help me, I can’t fight it.”

His lips are mere inches from mine, and my breath catches in my throat. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and I’m barely standing up straight, my knees threatening to give in.

“But, Colton,” I swallow. “I’m uncomfortable. Your mom is looking at us…”

A rich laugh comes from him, and he shakes his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. He steps away, and the spell seems broken for a moment.