Colters' Lady: Colters’ Legacy, Book 2 (13 page)
Read Colters' Lady: Colters’ Legacy, Book 2 Online
Authors: Maya Banks
Dillon smirked and rolled his eyes. “C’mon, big brother. Let her go. You were the one preaching time and patience and how we need to do this and that. Time to walk the talk.” Seth kissed her but relinquished her without further argument. “I’ll meet you at Michael’s later, okay?”
She nodded and smiled. Dillon looked over at her and then gestured toward his truck. “You ready?” She took a deep breath and started toward Dillon’s flashy red Dodge truck. She glanced back at Seth and their gazes connected for one last moment before she slid into the passenger seat of Dillon’s vehicle.
77
Chapter Fifteen
Lily cast sideways glances at Dillon as they drove into town but never could figure out anything to say, so she remained silent.
She had that nervous, edgy feeling like people got on first dates, and she supposed for all practical purposes this was.
She kept expecting him to initiate conversation. She figured he had any number of questions about her. His brothers had to have filled him in on how they met her and the circumstances of her life. But he never said a word. She didn’t know if she was grateful or if she was annoyed he wasn’t more curious about her.
Then she had to stifle her laughter. No, she wasn’t ready to divulge the reasons why she’d been homeless, and she should be grateful they seemed willing to wait. They didn’t press, and maybe that’s why she was willing to venture down this unconventional path with them.
She’d been reassured after meeting the Colter family. She’d been wildly curious and apprehensive, knowing the dynamics of their relationship beforehand. But they’d made it seem so normal. So acceptable.
It was obvious that the older Colter men adored Holly and that they were at ease with their relationship.
Maybe she’d expected tension. Jealousy. Something overt to signal disquiet with the arrangement.
Instead she’d walked into a very normal household and been surrounded by the feeling of warmth and love.
And happiness. True contentment, and maybe that was the biggest draw of all for her.
She was ready to move forward. Put away the awful guilt and grief that had been a daily battle for so long now. How much time had passed? She found that time had little meaning when the goal was just to survive another day on the streets.
But that wasn’t her life. It hadn’t been. It had been her choice to walk away even though at the time she hadn’t felt or wanted to feel any alternative.
It seemed silly to her now, and she was a little shamed by her willingness to simply give up. Could anyone possibly understand the impetus for her actions?
Maybe it was time to close that chapter on her life and open the door to another. All she could do was try.
Dillon drove down the main street of Clyde, passed his pub and turned onto a paved road that climbed above the town. It turned to dirt and rock after a mile or so, and she looked curiously around as they rode higher.
Colters’ Lady
“You live up here?” she asked.
He nodded. “It’s not much, but it suits me.”
They rounded the bend and the road dead-ended into a clearing. She caught her breath as she saw the gorgeous cabin. There was maybe an acre of cleared grassy area broken up by rocks, but the area beyond was densely forested, a mixture of aspens and pine.
“Not much? It’s beautiful!”
He cast her a sideways smile. “Glad you like it. Want to have a look around before I pull the bike out?”
She nodded eagerly and opened her door. The first thing she became aware of was the silence. Only the occasional rustle of tree limbs from a gentle breeze disturbed the peace and tranquility that blanketed the area.
She inhaled deeply, enjoying the crisp pine-scented air. Not waiting for Dillon, she wandered forward, drawn to the cedar porch and the rocking chair that swayed gently every time a breeze blew through. As she got closer, she heard the light creaking noise the chair made. She paused at the steps and drank in the homey, rustic feel of the house, felt it wrap around her and draw her closer.
Dillon came to stand beside her and curled his arm around her waist. “This is it, home sweet home, or the bachelor pad as my mom calls it.”
“It’s awfully big to be a bachelor pad. I can’t wait to see the inside.” He took her up the steps and opened the door then gestured for her to go ahead of him.
“You don’t lock your door?” she asked.
He smiled. “No reason here. No one comes up unless they’re here to visit. I’m the only person who lives on this road. I had to have the second half built for access.” She glanced around the living room and was taken by the richness of the woodwork and the large stone fireplace that was the centerpiece of the cozy area.
“It all looks custom. Did you have it designed and built to spec?” A hint of color dusted his cheeks. “I did it all myself. Well, the dads helped me, but I designed it and did most of the woodwork myself. Took me two years, but it’s exactly as I wanted it.” Her eyes widened. “It’s gorgeous, Dillon. You’re very talented.” The large overstuffed sectional sofa beckoned. It looked so inviting and comfortable that she couldn’t resist trying it out. As soon as she sat, the cushions enveloped her and sucked her into the couch.
She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet underneath her. The sigh escaped before she could call it back.
Dillon stood several feet away, his eyes dark as he watched her. “Can I just say how natural you look sitting on my couch in my living room all curled up like you’re at home?”
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It was the first time he’d said anything directly to her that hinted at a desire for her to stay. He’d kissed her—boy had he kissed her—but while Michael and Seth had been more vocal and forthcoming, Dillon had been quiet. Until now.
“I like seeing you here, Lily,” he said in a husky voice. “You belong here.” He moved forward, slowly, like he didn’t want to frighten her. Then he sat next to her on the couch and turned to face her. He put his hand just over her knee and leaned toward her, his hand sliding up to her thigh.
“Kiss me, Lily. This time
you
kiss
me
.” She sucked in her breath and then glanced at his hand still resting on her thigh. Tentatively she reached out and slid her palm up his arm, and then down to his wrist where his tattoo began. She traced the lines with her fingertip until she reached the sleeve of his T-shirt.
“You’re killing me,” he said. “Kiss me.”
Using his arm for leverage, she leaned forward, nervous but fascinated by the intensity in his gaze. He had a sensual mouth. Full lips that looked utterly kissable. And just enough shadow on his jaw to make him damn sexy.
She touched his cheek with her other hand and skimmed her fingers down to feel the rasp of stubble against her skin.
He closed his eyes and leaned further into her touch just as she pressed her lips to his in the lightest of kisses. He tensed beneath her fingers but held still, content to allow her to be the aggressor.
“I want to see your tattoo,” she whispered against his lips.
“I want you to see a hell of a lot more than that,” he muttered.
He pulled away and tugged his T-shirt out of his jeans and then rolled it up over his head. He had two sleeves from the wrists up. Matching designs that curled over his shoulders and licked toward his neck.
There wasn’t an actual image—an identifiable picture—but a series of intricate lines and shapes. It looked exotic but still unfamiliar.
“How did you come up with this?” she asked as she traced over his shoulder until her finger came to rest in the hollow of his throat.
“Callie and I went to India and Nepal one summer. We saw some amazing art and tattoos. Callie took pictures and when we got back, we took the photos to an artist in Denver who incorporated the designs into a larger one that was reflective of all the places we’d been.”
“That’s amazing. And what an awesome experience. That must have been so fun.”
“Callie’s our free spirit. She’s traveled a lot. Sucks when she’s gone so much, but she’s been to some awesome places.”
Again Lily traced the colorful patterns with the tips of her fingers, but this time she allowed her hands to wander over his broad chest.
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The muscles tightened and bunched under her palms, and his eyes narrowed to slits. He reached up and caught both her hands, holding them at the wrists, still over his chest.
“I have a better idea,” he murmured. “I vote we ditch the bike ride and I take you into my bedroom and let you explore my tats all you want while I’m inside you.”
81
Chapter Sixteen
Lily’s eyes widened, and her breathing sped up until little puffs of air blew over Dillon’s neck. He watched, gauging to see if he was moving too fast, too soon, but it wasn’t fear he saw in her gaze. There was interest. And answering desire. A little hesitancy but not fear.
Her hands trembled in his hold and little goosebumps spread across her neck and shoulders, making him want to lick every last one.
He burned for her. His skin was itchy and alive, and he knew he wouldn’t find relief until he was buried deep inside her. He wanted to hold her and soothe away the shadows and watch while she came apart beneath him.
“Do you want that, Lily?” he prodded. “Do you want to make love with me as much as I want to make love with you?”
She swallowed and then licked her lips in a nervous gesture he found endearing.
“What about Seth and Michael?” she asked in a low voice. Her lips turned down into a worried frown.
“How is this supposed to work? I feel like I’m cheating on them.” She tugged her hands free and rubbed over her face in a frustrated gesture. “I don’t know how this works. What I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to screw up before it even begins.” Dillon’s chest tightened and then went soft. He reached out to take her hand again, pulling it away from her face. Then he kissed each of her fingertips to soothe some of the tension flowing from her.
“There’s no right or wrong way, Lily. If I’m moving too fast for you, just say the word. I just know that when I saw you, I had to touch you. I know my brothers felt and feel the same. If you’ve talked to Seth, and if he explained what they’re proposing, then you know they’ll be okay with this. They have to be. It’s the only way it works. I won’t ask their permission every time I want to make love to you.”
“You said they,” she said quickly. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. “You said what
they’re
proposing. You didn’t say
we
.”
He sighed. “Yeah, I can see how that might look to you. Like I’m only going along for the ride and aren’t fully on board. Maybe I’m not at this point. It’s hard to tell. Things have happened so fast. What I do know is that I have an undeniable attraction to you. I never used to believe in hokey love-at-first-sight stuff.
My dads always said it was that way with Mom, but I didn’t really believe it.”
“And now?”
Colters’ Lady
He blew out his breath. “Now I know that you can meet someone and want them with every breath in your body, mentally and physically. Is that love? I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe it’s the foundation being laid. Relationships have begun with a hell of a lot less, that’s for sure.”
“You have to wear a condom,” she blurted.
He blinked at the whiplash her statement caused.
Her cheeks colored, but her lips were set into a determined line.
“I’m not on birth control,” she rushed on to say. “I mean it’s not something I’ve been able to afford nor have I had the need, but I don’t want to get pregnant. I won’t take the risk.” Now there was fear in her eyes. Dillon eased back but kept firm hold on her hand. He squeezed and massaged, trying to ease the tension.
“Baby, I’d never not protect you,” he said gently. “Of course I’ll wear a condom. And I’m sure you know condoms aren’t foolproof, so I’ll make an appointment for you at the clinic in town so you can get on birth control if that’s what you want.”
She looked down, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t have insurance—or a way to pay.” The shame in her voice nearly killed him. God, he hurt for her. But he needed to make it clear from the start that they were damn well going to take care of her, and the last thing she needed to worry about was having the money for birth control.
“Lily, we need to get a few things straight, okay? I’m assuming you and Seth had a long talk in which he laid out the fact that he and Michael and me all want one thing. You. And I’m sure he laid out just what that would mean if we all agree to see where this takes us. I’m also assuming you agreed, or you wouldn’t be here with me right now. Part of the arrangement, if you will, is that we take care of you. We wouldn’t have it any other way. That means providing for your needs both emotionally and financially.” She raised her gaze to meet his. “It’s easy to see what I get out of this. But what about you? And Seth and Michael? What could you possibly get out of this relationship that you can’t get somewhere else?” He raised an eyebrow. “You think all we want is sex?”
She flushed and looked down again. He slid his hand underneath her chin and prompted her to look back at him.
“No, I don’t think that,” she said when he continued to stare at her. “If that’s what you wanted, you could certainly find better elsewhere.”
“I don’t agree, but that’s not the point. I’m not attracted to every other woman out there. I’m attracted to you. If sex was all I wanted, I’d have you naked and underneath me right now instead of having one of those sensitive conversations that make men’s testicles shrink.” A smile hovered on her lips and her eyes gleamed, losing the dull shadow of shame.
“I did agree, I mean when Seth talked to me before about…us…all of us, I said okay.”
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“Then you have to give us that chance,” Dillon said as he stroked her cheek with his hand. “And you have to give us your trust that we’ll take care of you and provide for you.” She turned her face into his palm and brushed her lips over his skin. “I’ll try.” He felt his insides give this peculiar squeeze, and he knew in that moment that he was in it for the long haul. No, he damn sure hadn’t ever considered that he’d share his woman with his two brothers no matter how they’d grown up. But his parents had made it work, and he was just as committed to making this relationship work with Lily and his brothers.