Page 32 of Hers to Tame
“Of course, Lily. Please sit down,” Colin growls out at her, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I guess the Find Friends app had nothing to do with you being here? Matthew. You might as well sit down also. What can I do for you, sister?” He motions the server over to take their orders.
“Really, Colin? Are you surprised? First, there’re pictures of body shots, then you won’t return my phone calls, then a story of you jerking off to an audience. What do you expect me to do?”
“Jesus, Lily,” Colin and Matt say at the same time. Standing up, Colin grabs Lily by the hand, pulling her to the front door with him. When they leave the restaurant, Matt and I sit awkwardly, trying not to make direct eye contact.
“So, Lily tells me you teach high school English?” We pass the next fifteen minutes in small talk, Matt finally ordering for them. When they return to the table, the siblings seem to have called a friendly truce. The rest of the dinner passes pleasantly with Colin and Lily both behaving.
“Make sure she goes home, Matthew,” Colin says, kissing his sister on the cheek after we walk with them to Matt’s car. With a smirk, Matt nods at Colin once. We both laugh, knowing full well that Matt has no better luck controlling Lily than the rest of us. “My sister’s nuts.”
“Your sister is awesome. She’s like a crazy warrior princess.” He snorts a laugh. “I think the Rhetts just have a strong need to protect everyone. You all rush in, swords drawn to save the day. It makes you lovable and very frustrating at the same time.” Leaning over, I kiss him on the cheek.
Arriving back home, he settles on my couch as I walk into the kitchen to make coffee. Returning to the living room, I bring us both a cup with a piece of cake left from the staff Christmas party. Setting his empty plate on the coffee table, Colin groans, cutting his eyes to me.
“Didn’t you mention a Christmas present?” he asks, his eyes gleaming. Jumping up, I search under the tree until I come up with a brightly wrapped package. Standing in front of him, I hand him the present before moving to sit next to him. With one arm, Colin pulls me down until I’m sitting on his knees straddling his lap. Sitting the present aside for a moment, he pulls me in for a quick, hard kiss before turning me loose. “What is it?” His eyes have turned to a bright blue as he grins at me.
“You have to open it. That’s the point of the wrapping paper.” He carefully tears into the present. His eyes widen when he sees the first issue ofDaredevil. “It was my dad’s. I wanted you to have it. My real life Daredevil. Do you like it?”
“Do I like it? It’s fantastic.” He starts carefully looking through the pages. “Holy shit! You know this is signed by Bill Everett, right?” I nod as he returns to the comic book. I stand up, starting to move back to the couch. “Sit back down,” Colin growls out, shooting me a glare. I slowly slide back down on his knees. “Closer,” he says, his eyes turning molten.
Leaning forward, he carefully places the comic on the coffee table before wrapping his large hands around my waist, sliding me forward until I’m flush against his chest. I can’t hide the gasp that sneaks out between my lips. Sliding his hands into my hair, he twines it around his long, strong fingers until it's firmly in his grip.
With a gentle tug, my head is brought down until his lips meet mine. As his tongue traces my lips, I open my mouth, letting him in. When he tugs on my bottom lip with his teeth, I release a deep moan, closing my eyes tight.
“I love my gift, thank you,” he moans into my mouth.
“I’m glad you like it.” My voice has grown into a smoky rasp.
“Christ, do you sound like that when you come?” he asks, before using his tongue to slowly trace up my jawline, sucking on my earlobe.
“I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had an orgasm. Well, not from a guy anyway.” I feel him freeze before pulling back so he can look at my eyes.
“What? What the fuck are you talking about?” he asks, sliding me off his growing erection, back up to his knees. “You told me you had sex with Professor Douche for six months.” Why is he making a big deal about this? It's not like it’s that big of a deal. Standing up, I cross over to the fireplace, poking the wood until the logs flame back up. I hear him stand up behind me, “So he fucked you for six months over his desk, but never made sure you finished?”
“Colin, you don’t have to be so crude!” I shout, spinning around to glare at him. “Why can’t you just let this go? I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not a big deal.” His eyes narrow as I shake my head.
“It is a big deal,” he hisses out. He stands staring at me and I think, if I try hard enough, I could probably see smoke coming out of his ears. The Rhetts just don’t understand the idea of letting something go, this one more than the others. Running his hands through his hair with a disgusted grunt, he says, “I’m just going to go.”
“You don’t have to go. We can find some sappy Christmas movie to watch.” Is this officially where he gives up on us? Just because he can’t get past the stupid decision I made in college? My heart races in a panic, I’ve gotten where I can’t imagine him not being in my life anymore, even though I knew this was where we would finally end up.
“No, I need to go.” He leans over, kissing the top of my head. “If I stay, I’ll insist we discuss this. You’ll get pissed. I’ll get more pissed. Someone will start yelling. Anyway, let’s postpone all of that until after Christmas. Have fun with Claire. I’ll text you when we get to Aspen. I’m sure Christmas with Lily will guarantee you at least one drunk call too.” I can’t help the giggle of relief that escapes me. Turning to look at him at the front door, I find him holding up the comic I gave him.
“I love this. Thank you.” He pulls the door closed behind him. Is it possible I already miss him? I watch the door swing back open right before Colin sticks his head in. “And for the record, I’ll make sure you come every fucking time even if it takes all day. Which it won’t, just so you know. Come lock the door behind me. Merry Christmas.” I jump up, running to the door.
“Was that supposed to be a parting shot?” I yell after him. “I think you missed the lesson on how to win an argument. Fights usually don’t end with promises of all-day orgasms!” He stops, holding on to his open car door.
“You really don’t think I won that round? Tell me then, how wet are you already, just thinking about me making you come all day long?” He shoots me a cocky smirk before climbing into his car. My face grows bright red when I notice my elderly neighbor watching the exchange.
“Santa must think you’ve been very good this year! Very, very good!” she yells across the street at me. Oh my God! I mumble some sort of apology before running back inside. I’m careful to lock the door before sliding down to sit in front of it, my heart pounding. I have to laugh. That man is just simply crazy! I’ve fallen in love with a complete nut!
Christmas is a quiet affair. Claire and I have a good time catching up. Except for a quick text to let me know he made it safely to Colorado, Colin is silent. It’s not until the day after Christmas when I hear anything from him.
Colin: I swear if I have to sit through one more ‘cute’ Matthew story, I’m going to puke. Not just a little bit either. I’m talking full projectile!
Maggie: You could just tell her about me watching you masturbate. That worked for me last time. She completely freaked out.
Colin: Right, because I want my dad to knock several teeth out before Mom sticks a bar of soap in my mouth? She’ll use the Lifebuoy too, not just some of that herbal crap. I’m trying to lose myself inOn the Road, but I’m struggling.
Maggie: That’s a harsh visual. I like Kerouac though. Are you going to start answering the door naked from now on?
