Page 284 of Redeemed

Colton breathes a sigh of relief. “When I realized you weren’t right behind me, I panicked.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, leaning closer and letting his cedarwood and lemon cologne wash over me. I’ve found myself searching for it more and more over the past few months. It’s a scent that used to bring me dread, but now it soothes me.

He must be able to sense my lingering unease because he slides both his arms around me and tucks my head into his chest. “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”

My heart squeezes, and I cling to the relief that comes with those three words. I didn’t realize how much I’ve craved hearing that little phrase until he said it the other day.

“But I thought I told you not to leave my side.”

I wince. “I know, I know, I’m sorry. I should’ve reached for you or called for you, but the way he was staring at me… I don’t know, Colt. I just froze. It was like…”

It was like I was a teenager again.

“I’m going to kill him,” Colton grits out.

“Fine, do whatever you want to him, just not right now. Please.”

The terror in my voice jostles him from his anger, and he looks down at me, his expression almost startled. “You think I’d leave you?”

“I—”

“The only time I won’t be right next to you today is during the ceremony, and I’m finding you right after. After that, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“Thank you,” I breathe out, relieved.

“But I mean it when I say I’m going to kill him.”

I nestle closer to him. “I know.”

“That doesn’t upset you?”

“I…” The answer takes me by surprise, and I look up at him to see the same shock in his expression. “I don’t think it does, no.”

In a way, Aaron is right. Ididhate Colt, Luc, and Xan a few months ago. But so much has happened. So much has changed. In the process of keeping me safe, they developed a loyalty toward me that’s as deep as their loyalty for each other. And somehow, despite what they did to me, I’ve done the same.

“Haven,” Colton whispers, his eyes softening. Then he’s moving in and taking my mouth in a gentle, reverent kiss. His arms tighten around me, and I stretch upward to meet him.

This side of him has only come out a few times since Mark tried to kill me. I can see it now, always there, simmering just beneath the surface. But with Colton preparing to take Mark’s place, everything in our lives shifted just as we were beginning to find our footing. He’s been distracted and stressed, and I’ve been more than willing to let him use me in whatever way he needs to blow off steam.

But this? Being pressed up against Colton while he kisses me like I’m precious to him? Like I’m something to be handled carefully, caringly, lovingly? There’s nothing quite like it.

“I love you,” he says breathlessly, only pulling away for long enough to look into my eyes before he’s kissing me again.

As what he says fully registers in my mind, I smile against his mouth. Heart soaring, I rise onto the balls of my feet while I run my fingers through Colton’s hair. He lets out a sharp groan, and the next thing I know, my back is pressed up against the wall, and Colton’s thigh is pressed between my legs.

Damn.I figured out a while ago that he goes feral when I play with his hair, but I didn’t think he’d lose control like this in public. Thank god there’s no one in the hallway, but that could change at any moment.

Colton grabs at my waist as he slips his tongue into my mouth. I suck on it lightly, still playing with his hair.

“Need to make you come,” he mutters feverishly. He yanks my dress up just enough to push my panties to the side. With his other hand, he gathers both my wrists and pins them to the wall above my head.

I whimper when he strokes my clit. In a few short months, he’s figured out exactly what my body needs to get worked up fast.

“Shit,” Colton rasps. “I love how wet you get for me.”

And then he’s back to kissing me like he never has before. He’s almost animalistic with it, like he’s trying to embed himself onto my soul. Desperate. Obsessed. Mesmerized.

“You’re mine,” he growls. “Say it, Haven.”

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