Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) (25 page)

“So you did ask around about me.” He winked. “I’m back for a few weeks.”

“Great.” I fought to keep a smile from slipping out. I’d been friends with Colton my whole life, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was kind of glad to see him. He had one of those personalities that was perpetually upbeat. Generally, all it took was a few minutes with him to find myself in a better mood. I’d had a crush on him for years, but considering I spent half of high school dating his older brother, I never did anything with those feelings.

“Did you get the package I sent you?” He stuffed his hands in his back pockets and watched me expectantly.

“Yeah. I did.” I thought about the large box that showed up on my doorstep two weeks before. It was full of the most random stuff, including magazines, figurines, and jolly ranchers. I loved jolly ranchers, especially watermelon. The gift wasn’t a complete surprise. He’d been sending little care packages to me occasionally since we were kids. It all started when he drew my name in this secret Santa exchange we did with some friends in middle school. He’d put together this awesome package of goodies for me, and I jokingly told him he should give me gifts more often. The care packages became a long running inside joke.

I tried to hold onto our friendship when I left, but like with most of my friends, we’d drifted. I think the fact that he was a grade younger and still in high school made it even harder to stay connected. Of course, there was also the little detail of his brother breaking my heart into a million pieces. “Thanks.”

“I was thinking about you.” He tilted his head to the side slightly.

“Yeah?” I finished off the part of my drink that wasn’t currently soaking into my shirt. “That was sweet.”

“I know.” He grinned. “I’m going to grab a beer. You want another drink?”

“Sure. You are the one who made me spill this one.” I held up the empty bottle.

“I could help clean up your top if you want.” He arched an eyebrow.

“I’m going to have to have a lot more to drink if you think that’s happening.”

“What happened to my light weight?” Thankfully, he spared me from having to listen to him detail all the times I got wasted off one or two drinks in high school. You’d never believe how crazy our 4H parties could get sometimes.

“She spent a year in college.”

“Ah, I forgot. You’re the cool, sophisticated sorority girl now.”

“Shut up. I love Delta Mu.” Just the mention of my sorority was exciting. I couldn’t wait to get back to it.

“Sure you do. And I bet you love the frat guys just as much.” He smirked.

“I dated a few.” A few was a slight exaggeration. I’d spent nearly all of freshman year single.

“Spare me the details.”

“If you insist.” I watched Colton’s retreating figure. He looked way too good in his jeans. Maybe I’d had more to drink than I thought. I couldn’t think about Colton that way. I wasn’t into guys from Gasden anymore, especially not that one.

Drinks in hand, Colton joined me again. He twisted off the top of a bottle before handing it to me. “I’m not sure how you drink these things.”

“I don’t know either, but it’s better than the beer.”

“What did you drink in college?” He walked toward the edge of the woods, and I followed. I was ready to get away from the crowd while I waited for Annie. Tucked in the near darkness of the trees, we escaped the loud music.

“Better stuff than this.” I took a long sip of the sweet liquid.

“Oh yes. Sophisticated sorority girls drink far better things.”

I pushed his shoulder. “Lay off, Colt.”

“Where’s your other half?” He didn’t have to mention Annie’s name. I knew exactly who he was referring to.

“Annie’s off with Greg making sure no one sets the field on fire.”

“She left you all alone to fend for yourself?” He took a big swig from his red plastic cup of beer.

“It looks like I’m not alone anymore… that is unless you’re here with someone.”

“I’ll tell my girlfriend to hit the road.”

“Girlfriend? I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

“Is that jealousy I detect?” A smile lit up his face.

I shook my head. “Of course not.”

“I’m here alone. Geez, pumpkin. You still can’t take a joke.”

“Don’t call me pumpkin.” I grimaced.

“Why not?”

“Because I was eight when I won that competition. I’m nineteen now.” Even more than ten years later, the name made me squirm. Being named Little Miss Pumpkin of Johnson County wasn’t my shining moment. I blame my mother for signing me up for that one.

“You’ll always be my pumpkin.”

“Go bother someone else.” I looked around for Annie. She’d have to come back to look for me eventually.

Colt wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.”

There was something kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me? “When did you get back to town?”

“About two hours ago.”

“You didn’t wait long to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot better.

“I took time for a shower.”

“That was thoughtful of you.”

“Planning on getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently.

“Maybe.” The flirtatious word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” He moved his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was pressed against his.

“Colton…”

“Mallory…”

I laughed. “What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so good.

“Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?”

He laughed that deep, throaty laugh of his. “I’m going to take it as a good sign that you’re checking to make sure I’m old enough.”

“I’m not supposed to be into younger guys.”

“I’m three months younger than you. I can’t help that my parents held me back a grade.” He leaned back against an old oak tree, pulling me along with him. The motion had me leaning into his chest.

“You’ve gotten hotter.” I couldn’t believe I’d said the words out loud. I also couldn’t believe I was thinking about Colton that way again.

He laughed once more. “So have you, although I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”

I took another sip of my drink. “When did you get this cute?”

“Are you implying you haven’t been ready to jump me for the last five years?”

“I’ve never thought about it before tonight.” The words weren’t exactly true, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while.

“But you are thinking about it now?” He grinned, moving his hands even lower so they cradled my ass.

“Maybe.” His hands sent a thrill through me, reminding me of just how long it had been since a guy had touched me that way.

“That’s the second maybe you’ve given me. How am I supposed to make that into a yes?” He took the bottle from my hand and dropped it down on the ground next to his empty cup. The remaining liquid seeped out onto the dirt.

“I don’t know. It’s your job to figure that out.” I ran my now free hand down his chest. It was firmer and more muscular than I expected.

“My job, huh? I like the sound of that.” His lips tickled my ear. “I like the sound of anything involving you.” He took my hand and led me further into the grouping of trees. It wasn’t a dense forest or anything, but I knew he was looking for privacy. I didn’t object when he gently leaned me back into another tree.

I closed my eyes, ready to feel his lips and hands on my body. I was horrible at knowing what to do in those situations. I needed the guy to take control.

His lips brushed against mine as he rested his hand on my stomach. He slipped a few fingers underneath my shirt. “Am I earning a yes, or do I have more work to do?” he whispered with his lips right next to mine.

“You have more work.” I kept my eyes closed, taking in a breath as his hand moved further up my shirt.

He slipped his hand under the fabric of my built-in bra and cupped my breast. “I knew I liked this shirt.”

I moaned.

“Damn it, Mallory. I’ve waited a long time to get you to make that kind of sound for me.”

“You have?” I glided my hand under his t-shirt, happy to discover his chest felt even better without the cotton fabric blocking me.

“Yeah. I have.” He fondled my breast while his lips moved to my neck. His other hand started to move up my leg and under my skirt. I knew where it was headed.

I forced myself to open my eyes, remembering we could be spotted at any time. “Do you want to go somewhere more private?”

Even in the near darkness of the moonlit night, I could see his grin. “Yeah, let’s do that.” He took my hand again, and I let him lead me back around toward the old barn. Annie’s uncle only used the barn to store hay, so I didn’t worry too much when Colton started climbing into the hayloft. My head was foggy from the alcohol, but I knew I wanted to pick up right where we left off.

“How’s this for private?” He spread out a new layer of straw before helping me down and following right down beside me. He flicked the switch for the small naked light bulb hanging from the rafters.

“Much better.”

“Good.” He kissed me. With all the touching, we hadn’t fully kissed yet unless you counted the brush of our lips. It was a fast kiss, and before I knew it, his tongue was demanding entry to my mouth. I gladly let it slide in between my teeth. I nipped his bottom lip, eliciting a groan.

My hand found its way under his shirt as he lowered my straps and tugged down my top to completely expose my breasts. He broke the kiss and pulled his head back to look at me.

“I’ve been dreaming about these for a long time.” He cupped each of my breasts with a hand, making me slightly self-conscious about the way he studied me.

Thankfully, the alcohol kept my confidence up. “Don’t you want to see the rest of me?”

He exhaled sharply. “Of course.” He slid my top the rest of the way down, pulling it along with my jean skirt over my hips and off. He hooked a finger in the side of my panties.

“It’s only fair that I get to see you too.” I pulled his t-shirt over his head.

“Absolutely.” He fumbled with his belt, moving his hands out of the way so I could take care of the button and zipper on his jeans. He pushed up enough to kick them off. The evidence of his arousal revealed itself inside his red checked boxers.

“Now can I finish?” His hand moved back to my leg.

I nodded.

He removed my panties, tossing them next to the rest of our discarded clothes. “You’re like an angel, Mallory. You can’t be real.”

I laughed. “I hope that means you like what you see.”

“You know I love it.” He removed his boxers, lying down completely naked next to me.

“You’re bigger than I thought you’d be.”

“You thought I had a small dick?”

I giggled nervously. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think about it.”

“Yes, you did. You just told me I was bigger than you thought.” He kissed my neck, letting his hand settle on my breast again.

“I guess I did, didn’t I?” I reached out to tentatively touch him. Gradually, I got the nerve to take him in my hand.

He groaned. “That feels too good.”

“Should I stop?”

“Yes, but only because I want tonight to be good.” He kissed me, and moved his hand between my legs. Reflexively I closed them, nervous about the touch I knew was coming.

“Are you nervous?” His face became serious.

“A little.” I hadn’t had sex in well over a year. Even when I’d tried to have a random hook-up in college, it hadn’t worked, and I was desperately in need of some physical satisfaction.

“But you want this?” His expression was conflicted. He didn’t want to stop, but I knew he would in a second if I asked him to. He was good old Colton, the guy who’d been my friend for longer than I could remember, and we were about to have sex.

“I want this.”

“So do I.” He moved my legs apart gently, distracting me with his lips on my breast. I gasped as he slipped his fingers inside me.

I grabbed hold of his back, needing to anchor myself on something. I could still hear the low music and laughter from the party, and although it wasn’t likely anyone would happen upon us, the chances were much higher if I let out a scream.

He lifted up his head, reading my mind. “It’s okay. You don’t have to be quiet.”

“Yes, I do.”

“If I do my job right, you’re not going to be able to.” The goofy smile was back, relaxing me so I could enjoy the sensation his busy fingers created.

“I want you.” The words came out altogether. I wanted more than his fingers, I wanted him. Never in a million years would I have expected to hook up with Colton like that, but I didn’t care.

“I want you too.” He pulled a condom from his wallet and unwrapped it before moving over me. “I swear I’m going to worship you, Mallory.” He thrust into me, making me gasp again. After so much time without being touched, my body wasn’t prepared for it.

He stilled. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“You’re not a virgin… ” He said it half as a question.

“No, but it’s been awhile.”

A look of triumph crossed his face. “If it hurts, we don’t have to.” That was Colton, willing to cut off his own pleasure if it meant giving me what I wanted. I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed that his interest had gone way beyond friendship before. Maybe I didn’t want to see it. It was easier to pretend his playful flirting was all for show.

“I want this.” I thrust my hips against him, and he immediately moved inside me again.

“I’ll give you everything you’ve ever wanted,” he whispered against my ear, keeping his movements slow.

“Don’t be so careful with me.” I pushed up against him again. “I want all of you.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he sped up, thrusting into me faster and harder until I thought I’d completely lose control. I dug my nails into his back and used his lips to silence the scream that wanted to come out when he pushed me over the edge. I’d never felt that way before.