Crazy For You Alexander, S.B. (ebook reader 8 inch .TXT) 📖

worst. Maybe something had happened to Grady, or even to Colton’s dad.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, not breaking our connection. “I saw Skyler’s light on in her bedroom. I wanted to check on her.”

A rush of air escaped me.

Nan folded her arms over her chest, regarding me.

I sent her a silent plea with my eyes, hoping she would get the message and not tell him to leave. If there was one thing that could help me relax, it was Colton holding me.

“Well, don’t stay too long,” Nan said to Colton. “Skyler needs rest.”

Not true. I needed Colton.

Nan climbed the steps with Stella taking off ahead of her. Colton and I didn’t move until Nan's bedroom door clicked shut.

Then Colton crossed the room in three long strides, hauled me to him, hoisted me in his arms, and pressed his lips to mine as though we’d been apart for years. My mind cleared, and I was transported to a sea of calm waters and warm sunshine.

“I missed you,” I said, licking my lips as he nuzzled his nose against my neck.

“I’ve been thinking about you all night. You okay?”

My fingers danced through his damp hair. “I am now. It’s been hard to sleep.”

He carried me over to our leather couch and sat down with me straddling him. “Want me to stay until you fall asleep?” His voice was rough yet smooth.

Nan might not like that, but I couldn’t imagine her wigging out too much if we stayed on the couch.

“I would like that. But first I need to do something.”

He arched a brow. “So do I.”

His tongue was in my mouth again, teasing and taking in frenzied strokes.

Lust curled its way through my body until I was grinding into his growing erection.

His hands were everywhere yet nowhere. His tongue was doing things to my mouth that I envisioned him doing in other regions of my body.

I rocked into him, needing friction, needing to sate the hunger that had overpowered my senses.

The sound of rain was our music. The beat of my heart kept time with it. I was ready to tear off my clothes when I heard a bang. Colton stiffened. I glanced up, opening my ears.

“It was probably something outside,” Colton said. “The wind is brutal.”

I crawled off him and snuggled at his side. He cocooned me in with his big, strong arm. It was best we didn’t take our lust any further. With my luck, Nan couldn’t sleep.

I rubbed his chiseled abs as I stared at the fireplace. “Did you get back on the team?”

“I did. Coach understood.”

The sharp burst of lightning followed by the rumble of thunder made me nestle deeper into him.

He chuckled. “Do you not like thunderstorms?”

“I don’t mind them. I guess I’m just on edge. Please stay until I fall asleep.” If I even could.

“I’m not going anywhere.” His tone sounded like a lullaby as I closed my eyes, trying not to think of Dad, but it was hard. I couldn’t shake the images of him in his hospital bed, not breathing. Suddenly, one tear, then another, fell, and before I could stop, I was sobbing.

He dragged his fingers lightly over my arm. “Let it out, baby doll.” He kissed the top of my head. “I know the feeling like it was yesterday.” His voice cracked.

I buried my face in his chest. “I miss him so much already.”

He squeezed me tightly to him, pressing his cheek to my head. At that moment, I cried harder. Dad had always done that very thing.

Several minutes passed as we sat in the dark, quiet room, the ping of the rain dripping off the roof of the porch.

I sniffled as my tears began to lessen. “Colton, is your dad going to be okay?”

“I hope so.” He sounded sad.

“Are you?”

He lightly tickled my arm in an up-and-down movement. “With you, Skyler, my darkness isn’t so dark anymore. You saved me.”

I recalled him telling me that at the hospital, but I hadn’t had a chance to ask him. “How?”

His chest heaved. “Do you remember saying, ‘At least you have a father’?”

“That was rude of me.”

I could feel his grin on my head. “No, it wasn’t. It was the truth. Anyway, when I saw the sheer pain you were going through at the hospital, I realized what I had to do for me to get past the years of grief that has eaten away at me for so long.” His heart pounded like the little drummer boy. “I had to tell my old man that I loved him despite how he treated me. I hadn’t uttered that to him since before Josh’s death. My guilt blinded me so much, I couldn’t see how my parents were suffering too. I will always feel responsible for what happened to my brother, but you made me see that sometimes we’re given a raw deal in life, and we need to find a way to look forward, not backward.”

“I did all that?”

“You’re strong, baby. You’re so emotionally strong that I’m in awe.”

“I don’t think so. The only reason I haven’t broken down is you. Since you returned home, you’ve been the star of my dreams, and that has helped me to focus on something other than despair.”

“Star of your dreams, huh?”

“Number one.” I giggled.

Silence dangled, the fridge compressor and the rain pelting the house the only sounds.

“Grady told me you just found out you’re adopted.”

Thanks to Mia. I couldn’t be mad at her, though. It wasn’t a secret. “I am.” I wasn’t sure I had the energy to go any further than that. I yawned. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Try to sleep,” he whispered.

I yawned and took in a deep breath. Then my body gave in to sleep.

30

The fire crackled while the hum of the surf broke along the shore. Unlike the stormy night before, stars twinkled, the moon shone like a beacon in the dead of night, and the sea was serene. Georgia, Grady, Mia, Colton, and I sat on the beach outside Grady’s mansion.