10. Leslie

Chapter 10

Leslie

I pull into my driveway and take a deep breath. I can't believe I'm about to let Colton into my house. No one ever comes into my house. I keep everyone at a distance.

Is this a good idea? Is this going to make him think I'm welcoming him into my life? I can't do that. I need to keep him at a distance. It's better if no one is close to me.

A knock on my window has me jumping in my seat. My hand flies to my chest as a shriek leaves my lips. I glance to the left to find Colton staring through my window. He tries to open my door, but it's still locked.

"Unlock your door, Les." He points down like I don't know where the unlock button is. There's a playful grin on his lips, lighting up his blue eyes.

Blowing out a long breath, I press the button as I turn off the ignition. There's no way he's going to leave now. I might as well go inside where I can at least get warm .

Colton tugs open my door and holds a hand out to me. When I don't take it right away, he wiggles his fingers.

"C'mon, sweetheart, I don't bite very often. Normally it's only if someone asks me to." He winks at me, making butterflies flip around inside my stomach.

I take his hand and climb out of the car. Colton moves his hand to my lower back and climbs the three steps to my front porch with me. I fumble with my keys as nervous energy flows through me. I haven't been alone with a man in a long time. It makes me think of Jimmy and the first time we hung out.

He was so sweet and caring, yet he turned out to be an absolute monster. How can I trust my judgment with Colt when I thought Jimmy was a good man?

Colt waits patiently for me to open the door and as soon as we step through, he shuts and locks the thick wood behind us.

I busy myself taking off my coat and hanging it in the closet. Lining my shoes up on the mat next to the door. Anything to keep my attention away from Colton.

When I stand up straight, my eyes lock on his bare chest and I sigh.

"You're still shirtless. "

"Damn, you're good. We need a detective in Maple Springs, are you interested?" He flashes me a lopsided grin and winks at me.

"Shush. Do you want me to find you a shirt?"

"I hate to break it to ya, sweetheart, but I don't think we wear the same size."

"I have a few bigger t-shirts if you want one."

Colt grips my biceps and ducks his head to meet my gaze. I always forget how tall he is.

"Leslie, I'm fine unless you're uncomfortable with me being shirtless."

"I don't care… I'm just being weird. I'm not used to having anyone in my home."

"Doesn't Skylar come over sometimes?" He glances around my space.

"No. I always go to her."

"What about Ollie?"

"Again, I go to him. Both of them have families and it's easier for everyone if I'm the one that travels to them."

"I guess that makes sense. I always go to Tuck's house."

He moves through the living room and takes a seat in the center of the couch, taking away my chance of leaving space between us. He drapes both arms along the back of the couch, showing off his muscular arms .

After grabbing a couple bottles of water and some popcorn, I settle onto the couch next to Colton. He instantly tugs me into his side.

"What do you want to watch?"

"I don't care. You can decide. I told you, I'll be asleep before we're halfway done with the movie." I blink up at him and wonder what it would be like if this were a normal night for me.

It sounds like a dream come true to have Colt holding me while we watch TV. For us to be cuddled up together and discussing our day. It would be so nice to have someone there for me every night. Someone to protect me and care about me. Someone I can lean on and know they'll always be there for me.

"Horror movie?" He grins.

"Only if you're ok with me hiding my face in your chest." I chuckle.

I loved horror movies when I was younger, but after living through my own horror story, I have no interest in watching it.

"How about an action movie?"

"Oh, what a surprise! The cop likes action movies!" I grin at him .

"Jeez, you're getting sassy." He chuckles. "I think I like this side of you." He scoots a little closer and boops me on the nose. "Just don't turn into Skylar."

"Why?"

"Because I have no interest in dating someone like her." He shakes his head.

"So? Why would it matter if I'm like Skylar? You're not…" The words die on my lips and my eyes widen. "Colt?"

"I'm not asking you out. Not yet. But one day I will. I want you to relax around me before I push for more." The truth and vulnerability in his voice makes my attention lock on him. Nervousness floods my system as I stare at him.

"And you think I'm going to be relaxed now that I know you want to date me?" My voice comes out as a squeak and I mentally facepalm myself. Why do I have to act like this in front of him?

"No, but it's adorable to watch you freak out." He leans in even closer. His warm breath fans across my neck, making me shiver. He's affecting me too much. "Are you cold, Leslie?"

Every time he says my name, I want to scream. I want to tell him to stop calling me that and to call me Zoey .

"A little." The words are barely out of my mouth and he's standing to his full height.

"Does the fireplace work?" He's already crouching down in front of it.

"Yeah, but I used the last of the wood this week. I didn't get more and I'm not going out to get some now." There's no way I'm going outside when it's dark. Darkness hides the danger lurking in plain sight. I'm not taking any chances.

"I can get some. Do you have wood stacked somewhere?" He stands up and runs his fingers through his messy hair.

"It's on the right side of the house. You really don't need to get it though. I can just use a blanket. You're going to freeze going out there right now."

Colton closes the distance between us. He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. "Don't worry about me, sweetheart. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Before I can protest more, he's out the door, letting the screen door slam shut behind him. I instantly begin to worry about him.

What if Jimmy found me?

What if he's waiting outside of the house, looking for an opportunity to make his move ?

If he sees Colt shirtless, he's going to jump to conclusions he has no reason to make. He'll get even more angry and he'll take it out on me. But I have no doubt he'll go after Colt too.

I'm positive Colt can handle his own when he sees a fight coming, but what if he's blindsided? I'm sure he's evenly matched with Jimmy, he might even have a few more pounds of muscle, but if Jimmy has a gun, muscle isn't going to help Colt.

"How freaking long does it take him to get wood?" I mutter under my breath.

I'm about to get up to go look for him when the screen door flies open and I let out another shriek. My wide eyes lock on a confused Colton and I squeeze them shut. I need to chill out. There's no way I'll be able to keep my past a secret if I can't handle Colt leaving the house to get wood for the fireplace.

"Are you ok?" His brows are drawn together forming a deep crease as he stares at me.

"Fine." I wave him off. "Sorry, I didn't expect you to be back in so quickly."

He walks across the living room and my attention is drawn to his muscles straining under the weight of the wood. He was able to carry triple what I can normally do .

He squats down and quickly fills up the rack. It only takes him another few minutes to get the fire lit, then he's brushing his hands off on his jeans.

"Colt, you're bleeding." I frown at his chest where there's a small cut.

"Huh, I am." He stares down at his irritated skin with surprise. "I'll be fine. It's just a scrape."

"No. Let me clean it for you."

I take his hand and lead him down the hall to my bedroom. I push on his chest until he takes a seat on the bottom of my bed. Then I find the first aid kit under the bathroom sink.

As soon as I have everything, I kneel on the ground in front of him and start pulling out supplies. I don't want him to get an infection from dirt or bugs that might be living on the wood. Not after everything he's done for me tonight.

No, I'm going to take care of this. I'm going to take care of him.