Chapter 10

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ERIS

Oh, man…

Eris sighed and snuggled against her pillow. She was seriously having the best dream ever despite all the awkwardness of the last two days. She was dry, comfortable, well-fed, and oh-so warm, and even Zane was potty trained and didn't have an accident. So the diaper-changing wrestle-a-thon was over.

Maybe.

Were things tough? Sure!

Like last night was a rough one full of uncomfortable conversations that she never expected to have.

"Um, I think you should give Zane's room one more day so it doesn't smell heavily of paint," Colton tossed out there quietly, reaching for another slice of pizza. "I've still got to get another mattress, and well, I had to touch up a few spots of paint."

"I can sleep on the couch," she offered simply.

"We're adults, and Zane is the ultimate protection from me," he chuckled, looking up at her gently, giving her a half smile. "I can't imagine that conversation if Zane saw us fooling around. ‘Oh no, Daddy, where'd it go?' or worse yet… ‘Why is Mama making a face?,'" and that small smile turned into a full-blown satisfied grin as her face heated with embarrassment.

"Seriously?" she hissed. "Making fun of my face during an intimate moment the one time that…"

"Wait a second," Colton interrupted. "Who's making fun? That was the best thing I've ever seen in my life – besides him."

Eris blinked, completely taken aback.

"You're so quick to think the worst of me that you go flying off the handle but let me tell you something – the thoughts in my head are a lot different than what you are imagining. I just wish you could see beyond our past and look at the guy who's sitting right here trying desperately to be a better person for you both."

Colton's voice sounded so quiet, so hurt, and that also surprised her. She could have handled him getting upset or snapping at her so much easier than for him to bear his soul or sound upset. That sent shockwaves through her like a boulder dropped in the middle of a shallow pond – water went everywhere, and the ripples were nearly tsunamis against the shore of her mind.

He stood up almost immediately and gathered up the leftover pizza, not meeting her eyes as she stared at him helplessly. She couldn't help but stare because this was truly the first time that she was aware that he was still interested in her. She had thought he'd taken her in out of obligation and pity – but this wasn't the case, obviously.

He was always so quiet, so hard to read sometimes — but that statement? That was nearly a declaration he was keen on rekindling things between them someday. She rose from her seat and followed him into the kitchen, only for him to turn and glance at her before looking away.

"Whatever you're going to say – don't," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have said anything, and I've got to be at work early tomorrow. Now isn't the time to hash out the past, reopen wounds, or talk about whatever is on your mind or mine."

He had been right,she thought, sighing heavily and stretching, slowly waking up… only to feel something warm curled up against her back. Her eyes shot wide open, seeing Zane's sleepy face beside hers – which meant that the warm body sleeping curled along her back was Colton!

She blinked several times, unsure what to say or do, or if she could climb out of the bed without waking him. Why was he on this side of the bed – and how had she not noticed?

And heard him groan softly before tense against her – and cursing under his breath. Apparently, he had just realized that he was in the wrong place as well.

"Hey," she whispered and looked over her shoulder, holding a finger to her lips and pointing at Zane. Colton nodded, his wary eyes watching her, but he didn't move. Instead, he lay there beside her, not looking away.

He was so truly beautiful in a masculine way and always had been. His dark hazel eyes watched hers; his eyebrows looked heavy with slight circles beneath his eyes, telling her he hadn't slept well for some reason – and his lips?

Men should not have lips like that. Full, yet firm and gentle. She remembered those kisses, his smiles, the way he used to laugh when they were together, and the way he would lose control. His lips would part and…

"Eris, stop looking at me like that," he said hoarsely.

"What are we doing?" she murmured, the question torn from her very soul as her eyes searched his.

"Getting a second chance if we are brave enough to take it."

"What if this is a mistake?"

"What if we are finally going to get things right?"

Those words hung between them in the silence… only to have Colton lean toward her, tenderly brushing his nose against hers. The sweetness of it, the unexpected gentleness, and the way his arm tightened around her was making her melt – especially as he moved slightly to whisper in her ear. Her neck arched, her body against him, responding in the ways that her mind normally wouldn't allow.

"I've got to go to work," he murmured regretfully in her ear, "And I don't want to push you for anything that you aren't ready for. I would wait forever for a chance to make things right between us." His words were driving her crazy like cannons taking out the battlements of a castle around her soul.

"I'm in no rush," he breathed against her skin. "I want to make you laugh, do things as a family, and have you look at me differently. I don't want you scared of me… or this. I want to see things in your eyes that tell me you don't regret this - us. Your eyes haunt my dreams," his voice faded as he kissed her earlobe, making her toes curl.

"I'm willing to wait for it all because when we finally take that step, Eris," his voice was achingly tender as he spoke in a hushed manner like he had a megaphone shouting to the deepest darkest corners she kept hidden in her soul. "When we take that step, I'm going to pin you against a wall, babe…"

She made a noise in her throat, swallowing, as her brain shut down and her hand blindly made contact with his arm, his bicep, clutching at him where he was holding her close against him.

"Not because I want to have a little fun… and oh, it's really fun," he chuckled intimately, before nipping gently at her ear again and caressing it with his nose, breathing against her hair. "But because getting to know you, having lost you, and then having you reappear in my life has shown me what I once had… a priceless piece of art. Everything about you draws me in; it speaks to me, and babe – works of art should definitely be pinned to a wall…" he said huskily.

He was calling her a work of art?!

She whimpered, closing her eyes.

"G'morning," Zane said sleepily beside them, reaching over and patting her on the shoulder. "G'morning, Mama… hungry?"

"Hey, buddy," Colton said, drawing back slightly from her, his intense eyes not leaving hers. "I've gotta go to work, but if you are hungry, I'll make you something so your mama can rest a few minutes longer."

"I'm up," she volunteered and saw Colton's arrogant smile as his eyes took on a lazy, self-satisfied look to them.

"Should I comment on that?" he invited huskily – and she knew he was referring to something else.

"Probably not."

"See? Look at me adulting. I censored myself like a big boy. Oh wait, another opportunity to comment," and he gave her another knowing look, wagging his eyebrows playfully.

"Oh my gosh," she chuckled nervously, feeling completely flustered by the things he was saying to her – and then offering to take care of Zane so she could sleep in? Gosh, he was so incredibly sexy when he devoted himself to someone, and she knew firsthand just how intense it could be between them.

If Zane hadn't been there… Eris swallowed nervously. No, it wasn't a bad thing that Colton was going to be gone for three days. They needed space, obviously, and she paused, staring at his departing form as he walked with Zane into the other room. The running shorts he'd slept in didn't hide much when it came to his legs.

"Oh mercy," she whispered aloud to herself, her mind racing. The man was built, tanned, sexy, and hers… if she wanted him.

She'd accepted his offer of marriage for Zane's sake because she did need help – and honestly felt like a stubborn, selfish fool for staying away for so long. Those hurt feelings were still there, but there was also a lot of confusion in the mix. She kept seeing his face the moment he laid eyes on Zane while she was standing on the porch.

Colton didn't hesitate.

It took just one look at the two of them, and he'd stepped up. He opened his home, his wallet, his life to the two of them – and gave them both his name as well as a sense of security that she had been missing for the last several years. It was like there was a weight off her shoulders now because she had help from someone who wasn't complaining about her kid or what he was doing.

He adored Zane, and it was easy to see; and that spark was still there between them. A little naked butt streaked past the doorway of the bedroom, and she couldn't help but chuckle, listening to the two of them in the distance.

"All right, buddy! Good job!"

"I did it!"

"Yes, you did. Who's a big boy?"

"I'mma big boy, Daddy!"

"Do you want a piece of toast with peanut butter – oh wait – um, hang on…" Eris heard footsteps headed her way as Colton's head peered around the corner.

"I'm getting up," she nodded.

"It's not that, but it just dawned on me that I didn't know if Zane had any food allergies. One of the guys at work is highly allergic to peanut butter, and we kinda try to watch what we cook or bring in just so Andy doesn't keel over on any of us at the station. Can Zane have peanut butter?"

He was so thoughtful, learning step by step, and honestly, if she was to dream up the perfect father for her son – she was probably looking at him.

"Um, you okay?" he said carefully.

"Just thinking," she replied quickly, nodding. "No, he isn't allergic to anything that I know of, but I really appreciate you asking."

"Hey, about earlier?" Colton began quietly coming to her side. "I'm sorry if I crossed a line. I got up in the middle of the night to shut the windows in Zane's room. I forgot I had them open and was half asleep. It only felt natural to want to lie down beside you, and I didn't think anything of it until we were both kinda there… in that moment. I might have read things wrong, and I'd like to apologize if I did."

"Colton, stop," she whispered, looking up at him, and seeing the flash of hurt in his eyes – just as he stepped back. She leaned forward and took his hand in hers, drawing on her strength at that moment, seeing the surprise in his eyes. "I've made mistakes and done things, but that doesn't mean that I don't realize we have a second chance."

"Eris…" he began, and she shook her head.

"I'm scared, okay?" she whispered softly, not looking away from him. "I don't want to just crash back into water that is just too deep for me to handle… but instead of saying no, running, or sabotaging all of this - maybe you can show me how to dog-paddle along the way?"

His beautiful lips spread softly into a smile that wrapped around her heart, making her realize she was doing the right thing for them.

"We should probably check on Zane. He's too quiet," she whispered nervously.

"Can I just tell you that I'm amazing at dog-paddling – mutt extraordinaire, right here," he beamed and then nodded, lacing his fingers with hers. "I would love to take things slow and for us to get to know each other again."

"You don't mind?"

"Being given the chance to fall in love with you? Heck no, I really don't mind. If you feel nervous, let me know and we'll pivot together."

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Eris…" and she saw him hesitate.

"What?"

"I'm just really happy and extremely nervous – so if you get a lame, clingy, or needy-yet-slightly-freaked-out text during the next three days while I'm on duty, just remember that I'm probably dehydrated, exhausted, or my overactive imagination is panicking."

"So, we'll be texting each other?" she asked, a little touched and surprised by his admission.

"Digital love notes instead of passing the sheets of paper… sure," he smirked and winked at her before glancing at his watch. "Shoot. I've gotta go, or I'm going to be late."

To her surprise, Colton leaned down and kissed her cheek. As he pulled away, he met her eyes and gave her a nervous smile before whispering for her ears alone.

"This is me getting in the water. Let's let the dog-paddling begin…"

They shared a look, only to have him glance at his watch again, before muttering ‘oh shoot!' – and then grabbing his shoes, running barefoot out the front door a second later.

"Byeeee, Daddy!" Zane hollered, and she was about to open her mouth to explain to her son's hurt face – because someone had the audacity to leave without saying ‘bye' to him… only to see the front door open quickly. Colton's head peeked in.

"Bye buddy… I've gotta go – love you!"

To her surprise, he turned to look at her – and winked. "See ya in a few days, Eris…" and was gone again.

Eris and Zane looked at each other, blinked in surprise, and she saw her son smile happily.

"Daddy so silly, Mama…"

"Yeah, he is something – isn't he?" she replied softly, but her thoughts were anything but ‘silly' right now. No, she kept thinking about what had just happened not twenty minutes ago. Waking up with Colton holding her, kissing her, and talking to her intimately had not been even on her radar – nor had the idea of them trying to work toward a relationship.

Yet, they were both talking about trying to take the steps to bring them back together, and she heard her phone ding where she left it on the table. Zane was sitting there, waiting patiently for his breakfast and the house seemed so empty. Taking a moment to make his toast, she finally checked her phone and smiled.

At a red light – can't stop thinking about you. Don't forget to get our son some toys while I'm gone. Left my bank card on the counter for you.

And get yourself some clothes.

Don't think that I didn't notice that you hardly picked out anything for yourself.

The red lights in this town are all timed together – both good and bad!

Smiling, she looked around and noticed that he had left his card for her right next to the coffee pot that was currently brewing. It was a shame that he didn't have a chance to eat or drink his coffee before racing out of the house, and it was really sweet that he noticed things about her.

Eris had picked out only the bare minimum to get by because she had been waiting for her own paycheck to hit the bank. She never expected him to pay for everything or be this generous. All of this was really touching and far beyond what she had ever imagined, and he'd literally stepped up, devoting himself to her and Zane without a second thought.

Man, if that wasn't incredibly appealing, she didn't know what was.

Let's see, hot guy that likes you?

Loves your son?

Willing to take things slow to build a relationship… and watching out for you both?

"It's not going to take much to make me jump into the water with you, Colton…" she whispered aloud to herself as her own toast popped.