25. Colton

Chapter 25

Colton

After almost an hour of struggling, the tree is finally sitting firmly in the tree stand. I lift the hem of my shirt and swipe at my forehead.

"Dang, I didn't think that would be so difficult."

"Well, if you had let me help you, it would've been a wee bit easier." Leslie's hands are on her hips and a smirk is settled on her lips.

"You can help put the lights and ornaments on." I sweep her into my arms and kiss her. "I want you to have the perfect Christmas this year, babe."

"I think it's going to be the best Christmas ever," she whispers.

"I'm going to make us some hot chocolate, then we can start decorating. There are a bunch of boxes in the spare room full of ornaments and lights." I press a soft kiss to her temple, then disappear into the kitchen .

With two cups of hot chocolate in hand, I move back towards the tree. Leslie already has three boxes open and is sifting through its contents.

"You have some beautiful ornaments." Leslie lifts her chin enough to stare at me through her lashes. A soft smile tugs on the corner of her lips. She looks so stunning right now.

I quickly place the mugs on the coffee table and grab my phone. I snap a phone of her and grin down at the screen. "Hey, Les?"

"Yeah?" She peeks up at me the same way she just was and I snap another photo of her.

"I just wanted a picture of you. You're gorgeous and I need this as my background."

"That's not fair. I don't have a picture of you as my background." She sticks her bottom lip out in a pout.

"Do you want the shirt on or off?" I wink at her, holding onto the hem of my shirt.

"As much as I'd like the shirt off, I do work at an elementary school." She giggles. "Let's decorate this tree, then you can strip and let me take photos of you."

"That sounds like a great plan."

"You make it really easy to l-" The words die on her tongue and have my brows furrowing together.

"I make it really easy to what?" I try to meet her eyes, but Leslie turns her attention to anything but me.

"To live with," she murmurs.

"Yeah, I don't think that's what you were about to say." I place my forefinger under her chin and slowly lift until she's forced to meet my gaze. "Wanna try again?"

"No, I don't." She drops her head against my chest.

"Then how about I admit some things to you..." I rub my hand up and down her back. I know how she feels, even if she doesn't want to voice it. It's clear as day and I feel the same way.

"Ok," she whispers, hugging me a little tighter.

"I think this is the first time I've enjoyed decorating my tree since I started living by myself."

"Why?" She peeks up at me, but I pretend I'm not paying attention. Instead, I focus on the lights filling the living room with colors.

"Because I hate being alone. I thought about offering to move in with Tuck after Riley was born, but he needed Willow more than he needed me. I spent as much time over there as I could though."

"I hate how you've been alone for so long."

"I don't. If I wasn't alone, I wouldn't have you in my arms right now… Which brings me to my next confession." I let out a long breath and pray this doesn't come across wrong.

"What is it?" The hesitation in her voice breaks my heart. I think she's always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I hate Jimmy for what he did to you and is still doing to you, but without him, you wouldn't be sleeping in my bed at night. You wouldn't be living here and making everything infinitely better in my life."

"I like being here, Colt. I appreciate everything you've done to make me feel better."

"You make it really easy to love you," I repeat her words, knowing that's what she was really trying to say.

Leslie's head snaps up and her gaze clashes into mine. She opens and closes her mouth, but nothing comes out.

"You love me?" She finally squeaks out.

"Yeah, I think I do, babe." I press a soft kiss to her lips and grin when she holds onto me a little tighter.

"I think I love you too. "

She reaches for the hem of my shirt and I take her wrists in my hands to stop her.

"What are you doing?" I chuckle.

"Well, I'm trying to get you naked, but you're making it difficult."

"Sophia could come home any second. I don't think us going at it on the couch is what she wants to see."

"You're right. Let's go to bed." She tries to push me towards the hallway, but I stop her again.

"What about this mess? I need to clean it up."

"No," she pouts. "Can't we do it tomorrow?"

"Fine, but you're helping me then."

"Deal." She grins up at me.

Bending down, I capture Leslie around the waist and lift her over my shoulder. She lets out a loud shriek that has Snow on her feet and bounding towards me. She dances in a circle around us, trying to decide if Leslie's ok.

"She's ok, Snow. Babe, talk to her in a calm voice. She thinks you're hurt." I bend down to scratch behind her ear as Leslie says soothing things.

As soon as Snow curls back up on her dog bed, I take off at a sprint towards our room. Leslie giggles uncontrollably as she bounces on my shoulder. When I'm standing at the foot of our bed, I gently lower her onto the mattress and crawl up the bed until I'm hovering over her.

"I can't believe you're all mine," I whisper as I reach behind my neck and drag my shirt over my head.

"You? I can't believe you're mine ." She smirks.

"Why?" I trail kisses down her neck before sucking gently on her skin.

"Because you didn't notice me for so long. I swear I've had the biggest crush on you since I moved to Maple Springs."

"I'm an idiot. I have no other argument. But I'm more than willing to make up for my errors." I slowly unzip her dress, giving her more than enough time to stop me.

When she doesn't, I slowly drag the material down her arms and toss them on the ground. I start working my own jeans, letting them meet her clothing on the floor.

"If you don't want this, you need to tell me to stop. I won't be mad. I'm happy to wait as long as you need me to."

"I don't want you to stop," she whispers.

"Are you sure? I want you to be comfortable. You're in control."

"I don't want to be in control. I trust you, Colt. "

Her words wash over me, turning me on more than anything else could. I want to take this next step in our relationship. I want her to realize how much she means to me. She isn't a quick lay to me. She's starting to feel like forever.