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Smiling lightly, I roll my eyes because he is very observant. “Yeah, terrified in fact.”
“It’s okay Carly. Just take some deep breaths. You’re safe,” he replies with a smile, and something in his voice tells me he’s right. I’m safe.
Keeping my eyes trained on the road, I try to stay focused on driving through the storm, but make light conversation, so I don’t come off rude.
“So, how’s life been treatin’ ya?”
“Good I guess…same old shit, different day, really. You?”
“Good, I just moved back home, actually.”
“Yeah, you kinda fell off the face of the earth there for a while, didn’t ya?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Sorry to hear ‘bout your old man. Is that what brought you home?”
I remain silent for a minute, considering my answer. “Thanks, Luke. I came home just before Daddy died. Never had any intentions of staying here, but he left me in control of the mines, so I’m here to stay I guess.”
“Sorry Carly, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. That was rude of me.”
“No worries, Luke. Gotta move on sometime, ya know?” I reply. “So have you settled down and made some gal a lucky woman yet?”
Silence. Luke’s demeanor switches immediately like a light switch from shy and sweet, to cold and distant. He stares out the window, watching the rain fall down the glass as we turn onto Millers Branch. We ride together in silence up the desolate holler until we reach the small beaten down house that Luke grew up in.
I pull into the driveway and shut the engine off. Luke runs his hand nervously down his jeans, before turning towards me. His gaze captivates me, held prisoner by piercing blue eyes eyes that glisten behind long dark lashes. His gaze is one I know all too well. Looking deep beyond his baby blues, he looks broken. I can see heartache and anguish beyond his eyes; it’s a look that reflects my own.
“Thanks for the lift. See ya ‘round, Carly.” Popping the latch on the door, he grabs his helmet and climbs out, slamming the car door behind him. He makes his way inside his house, with his head hung down. Addled by his reactions, I start the engine, and back out of the drive way and onto the winding country road.
Chapter 16
Pulling into the driveway, I notice a black Chevrolet Silverado is parked to the side. I put the Camaro in park, and shut the engine off. My hands tremble as I reach for the door latch.
Approaching the front porch, I see Colton is sitting on the porch swing, with his head in his hands. He’s still in his mining stripes, covered in coal, black from the soot that he’s been crawling through all day. Seeing him like this, broken, causes my heart to falter. My heart slows down to a snail’s pace, as I feel the earth stand still. Walking towards him, I can hear my heart, the beat of a staccato, pounding slowly against the walls of my chest, desperate for an escape to the one and only man it has ever belonged to.
Sitting down beside him, I pull his hand into my lap, weaving our fingers together. Colton keeps his head down, and his eyes shut, squinting in pain. Grasping his chiseled chin, I pull his face towards me, willing him to open his eyes for me. When he opens his eyes, I wish he hadn’t. I’m exposed to the world of anguish that Colton is living in. His deep brown eyes are marred with red vessels, and tears vying for their release.
Taking a deep breath, I stand, pulling on his strong hand to follow me. Living with my own heartache has been insufferable, but seeing Colton, broken, reaching out for the healing that he so desperately needs, is my complete undoing. I have to be strong for the both of us. We’re both gambling on love, gambling on each other.
I lead him inside, away from the brisk fall air. I climb the stairs to my bedroom, to change my clothes, and Colton follows behind like a lost puppy. Grabbing some comfy UK sweat pants and a tank top from my closet, I go to the bathroom to change, leaving Colton standing alone and distant in the doorway. As I’m changing, I hear soft music echoing from my room. My heart constricts, slamming against my chest, as nerves rattle deep in my stomach. Pinching my eyes closed, I take a deep breath, before stepping back into the bedroom.
Opening the door, I notice the song playing is Fall Into Me by Brantley Gilbert. He grasps my wrists between fingers, and pulls me tightly to him, wrapping his arms around my waist as he begins to turn me slowly to the rhythm of the song. Running his nose up the crook of my neck, and through my hair, Colton hums the tune quietly. Taking deep inhales, he begins to nibble lightly on my ear as deep rattling groans escape him. The music continues to play, as
we tangle ourselves in the others embrace, swaying to the rhythm.
Snuggled tightly to his chest, Colton tips my chin up so he can peer down into my eyes, seeing my heart, hearing what I can’t say with words. “Let me be your love song, Carly Jo,” Colton’s deep husky voice, barely a whisper.
Slowly, he leans in and takes my bottom lip between his, gently teasing with soft licks. Gripping my hair in his hand, Colton tips my head back, and works his way softly down my neck, and across my collarbone. Running his fingers under the hem of my tank top he gently massages the small of my back, as he trails sweet kisses down my shoulder. Inching my shirt up slowly, Colton grazes the hem of my bra, before he quickly pulls my shirt over my head, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. I immediately want to cross my arms over chest, but I shake those thoughts, as I remember this is Colton. He’s the same man I gave my innocence to so many years ago.
Sensing my anxiety, Colton rubs soothing circles across my back, as he continually kisses the crook of my neck. Completely carried away by his affectionate conquest, I give into temptation and begin to love Colton back.
Rubbing my hands up the hard muscles of his back, I pull his shirt loose from his pants, then work my way back to the front to unbutton them. Surprised by this, Colton becomes even more excited, and kisses me deeper, harsher. Pulling his work shirt off, he rips the white under shirt away quickly, desperate not to break contact with me.
I trail my fingers up Colton’s bare tight chest, and my knees grow weak, trembling with fear, and passion. Colton continues to sway me to the music, which he has on repeat, as he hums softly. “Fall into me, Carly Jo, I’ll catch you, and hold onto you forever,” Colton croons between hums.
My trembling knees fail me, and I stumble, but Colton grasps me tightly, then lays me back on the bed. A wide smile spreads across his gorgeous tan face. I feel a wall around my heart crack at his smile. His eyes glisten with love as he gazes deep into my soul, searching to find the love for him that has always been there.
Pushing my legs open with his knee, Colton presses both of his palms flat on the bed, around my head, caging me under him, as he slowly lays against me. I quiver at the close contact, as I tighten my arms around his neck, pulling him close to me, never wanting to let him go.
