11. Colton

Chapter 11

Colton

I stare down at Leslie where she's on her knees, sitting between my legs. She's adorable the way she keeps rifling through the box, looking for first aid supplies to clean me up.

I'm not worried about the cut at all. I've done worse to myself in the past, but if she wants to take care of me, why would I tell her no?

She grabs a cotton ball and gently blots at my cut. There's only a tiny bit of blood, but it's enough to upset her. Her other hand is resting on my thigh and I don't want to admit how good it feels to have her touching me, even if it isn't in a sexual way.

Though seeing her on her knees in front of me has my mind going in a completely different direction. Of her wrapping her lips around my-

"Colt? Are you ok?"

I shake my head and refocus on Leslie. She's blinking up at me with big, bright golden-brown eyes. There's concern etched across her face, making her look so captivating.

"Yeah, I'm good." I smile, but I know it doesn't meet my eyes.

This woman has flipped my life on its axis tonight. Sure, I've been attracted to her for a while, but this is different. There's this pull to her. This need to figure out what's going on and protect her from whatever's bothering her. I've felt it since she slipped up at school a few days ago.

"Are you sure?" She sits a little taller on her knees, bringing her almost eye level with me.

Before I can stop myself, I cup her cheek and lean in to kiss her. I don't know why I can't stay away from her. Seeing her take care of me was more than I could handle. No one's ever taken care of me before and I can't walk away from her now.

Right before my lips touch hers, Leslie turns away and tries to stand. Her forehead slams into my nose and pain ricochets through my face.

"Motherfucker," I groan as I fall back onto her bed.

"Oh my gosh! Are you ok?" She's hovering over me now, her brows pinched together as she stares at me .

"Exactly how many times have you assaulted me now?" I pinch the bridge of my nose and pray it doesn't start to bleed. I couldn't care less if it does, but I know it will upset Leslie and I don't want that.

"I'm so sorry, Colt! I didn't- I just-"

"Hey, it's ok, sweetheart. I'm not mad at you." I take her hand in mine, trying to reassure her. "But it did hurt like hell. Am I bleeding?"

"There's a little tiny bit of blood." She winces. "But nothing like the other day."

"You must really hate me to be giving me so many bloody noses in one week." I grin and this time it does reach my eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "What can I do to make it up to you?"

"You can cuddle with me while we watch things blow up."

"Ok. Let's go." She holds her hand out to me and I take it right away. She tries to pull me up, but I tug on her, making her fall on top of me. "Colt!"

"What? I had to get even somehow." Looping my arms around her waist, I lean my head back and close my eyes. I could get used to this .

"Let go of me," she laughs, trying to push away from me.

"You're the one falling for me. I didn't do anything." I bat my eyelashes at her like I'm innocent.

"Yeah, sure you didn't." She rolls her eyes and pushes away from me again, this time I don't stop her. "I'm going to get changed, then I'll meet you in the living room."

"Do you need help getting changed?"

"Absolutely not." She laughs even harder.

"Are we going to have a shirtless party? I could really get behind that idea." I grin.

"No! Get out of my room! Go pick something to watch!" She shoves me towards the door, but it's not hard enough to do anything.

I chuckle as I head towards the living room and take a seat on the couch. I'm exhausted. It was a long day at work and while I'd love to go home and go to bed, I just want to spend a little more time with Leslie.

I'm just pressing play on a movie when Leslie steps into view. Her hair is tied into a messy bun on the top of her head. She's wearing a pair of tight-fitting shorts that are barely covering anything, and knee-high socks. She has an off the shoulder sweatshirt and her bare shoulder is peeking out, making my mouth go dry. She's somehow sexy and adorable at the same time.

"Damn, thank goodness you work at the elementary school and not the high school." I lick my lips and watch her carefully.

"Stop," she groans. "You don't need to pretend to find me attractive." She drops onto the cushion next to me and stares at the TV.

"I'm not pretending anything, you're absolutely beautiful, Leslie. I don't know who made you feel like you aren't, but they're wrong."

I want to kiss her. I want to show her exactly how attracted I am to her, but I don't want to scare her away again. Obviously, I freaked her out when I tried to kiss her earlier and I'm not going to do it again. Not yet.

"I don't know about that," she whispers, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Come over here and keep me warm." I hold out my arm, ignoring her comment. It doesn't matter what I say, the only way for me to convince her to listen is to prove how I feel about her, not to use words.

"You could just put on a shirt."

"I could, but where would be the fun in that?" I roll my eyes like that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard .

Leslie curls into my side and tucks her legs up under her. She lays her head on my shoulder and her eyes slowly close a few seconds later. I wonder how long it's going to be before she falls asleep. It doesn't matter though. If she drifts off, I'll either carry her to bed, or I'll stay here on the couch and sleep with her in my arms. Either option seems amazing to me.