23. Colton

Chapter 23

Colton

I'm toeing off my shoes when the bell rings. Sohpia rushes into the room with a dress that's entirely too short for my liking. I don't know why, but the second she stepped foot in my home, I've viewed her as a little sister and she's bringing out my protective side.

"Um… What are you wearing?" I eye her with a frown.

"A dress… Are you blind?"

"No, but I'm wondering if Snow tore part of your dress off."

"Oh, please! Stop acting like my father." Sophia rolls her eyes. "I have enough uncles, brothers, and guys who treat me like I'm a pretty little princess who needs someone to watch out for her. I don't need another one."

The bell rings again and Sophia motions to it.

"What?" I fold my arms over my chest and glare at her.

"Aren't you going to answer the door?"

"Oh my gosh. You're a real pain in my ass. Do you know that?"

"Do you realize if you marry Leslie, I'm going to be your family?" She bats her eyelashes at me, making me chuckle.

"Every family needs one crazy person." I grin as I pull the front door open and Sophia's jaw drops to the ground.

"I am not crazy, you-" Her words die on her tongue as her gaze shifts to find Pecker standing in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I smirk at how speechless she is.

"I said Leslie's too good for you," she whispers, never moving her eyes from Pecker.

"Sophia," Pecker breathes her name. "You look incredible."

"Holy shit." I cover my mouth with my hand and start at the stunning woman who just rounded the corner and came into view.

"Do I look ok for our date?" Leslie nibbles on her bottom lip as she glances down at her dress.

"No, I think your dress is too short. Colt was just telling me how mine was unacceptable and yours is shorter than mine," Sohpia pipes up from beside me .

"Shhh, no one's talking to you, little girl." I try to cover her mouth without taking my eyes off of Leslie, but I just end up covering up her eyes.

I gently push her out of the way and she mutters something under her breath – or maybe out loud – but I'm not sure what it is. My entire focus is on my girlfriend and nothing else.

"Is it too short?" Leslie frowns at her thighs and tugs the end of the dress down slightly.

"Never. If anything, it could be shorter." I slip my arm around her waist and tug her body against mine.

"Colt!" She giggles. "If it's any shorter, my butt will hang out."

"I won't complain… as long as we don't leave this house."

"Is our date here?" She asks softly.

"Nah, I want to show you off to the entire town."

"Are you staying in uniform or are you changing?" She wrinkles up her nose at my clothes.

"I was going to change, but I'm wondering if you want to watch a little strip tease before we go out," I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to her neck.

"Oh my gosh! I might puke!" Sophia groans and covers her eyes .

"Again, no one's talking to you, little girl." I roll my eyes. "Don't you have your own man to keep you company tonight?"

"Only because you told him to ask me out," she huffs as she grabs her coat off the couch and stomps to the door. "Are you ready?"

"Uh… yeah. See ya later, guys." Pecker waves as Sophia pushes past him and into the cold night air.

"Did you really tell him to take her on a date?" Leslie blinks up at me.

"Yes, but I know he has a thing for her. This just pushed him to actually do it." I shrug. "I figured it killed two birds with one stone."

"Except Sophia thinks he's only asking her out because you want to be alone. She'll never admit it, but she's hurt."

"I'll talk to her. I promise. Just not tonight. The only thing I want to focus on tonight is you."