Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas 3)

Nodding my head, I whispered, “Yes, so very much.”

“Do you trust me, Lauren?”

Swallowing hard, I felt my eyes burning. “With my life, Colt.”

“Do you believe me when I say I’ll love you until I take my last breath?”

A small sob escaped my lips as I whispered, “Yes.”

Brushing his lips across mine, Colt kissed me passionately as my entire body filled with a warmth I couldn’t put into words. Pulling back, he kissed my tears away. My body calmed down almost immediately. Knowing that our parents were here and knowing it was Colt who had brought them here had my heart wanting to burst from my chest. “I’ll see you at three, sweetheart.”

Biting on my lower lip, I nodded my head. “I’ll see you at three.”

Colt took my hand and led me out to the living room where he placed my hand in my mothers. Kissing his mother Ellie on the cheek he turned and winked at me. “I’m heading back to my parents’ room to get ready. See ya soon.”

Watching Colt walk out the door with his bag and the tux he picked up this morning, I wanted to call out for him, but I pressed my lips together. The door shut and I spun around. Looking at the two most important women in my life I took in a deep breath and blew it out.

“I don’t even know where to start,” I said with a nervous giggle. Ellie and my mother looked at each other and smiled before turning back to me with the most loving looks on their faces. Ellie pulled out the stool and motioned for me to sit down while my mother lifted her suitcase and placed it on the table. Giving me a wicked grin as she unzipped the suitcase, I let out a gasp when I saw all of the stuff she had packed. “Mom, did you bring your whole bathroom?”

Laughing she handed Ellie the straightener. “I haven’t forgotten how to make those curls with this thing.”

Before I knew it I was sipping wine while Ellie and my mother fixed my hair, and then makeup. I’d never laughed so much in my life. My heartbeat had steadied and became calm. As Ellie and my mother fussed over me I felt elated. The moment was perfect and one I would never forget. I couldn’t contain my smile if I had tried.

ELLIE WALKED UP to me and smiled as she reached out for my hands. Looking down I noticed I couldn’t keep them from shaking. “Take a deep breath in, darling, and slowly blow it out,” Ellie said as she handed me a bouquet of red roses.

Doing what she said, I closed my eyes. “Why am I so nervous?”

Chuckling and dropping my hand, Ellie placed her hand on my arm and said, “Let me tell you a story.”

Opening my eyes, I focused on Ellie. “Right before I married Gunner, I had a serious panic attack. I couldn’t breathe and no one could calm me down except for him.”

Grinning, I asked, “Really?”

Nodding her head, I watched as her eyes filled with happiness as she recalled the memory. “The way you’re feeling right now, sweetheart, is so normal, but I promise you, the moment you look into those beautiful eyes of Colt’s and he smiles at you, your fear will melt away. The nerves will disappear and you will feel nothing but contentment. A sense of peacefulness will wash over your body.”

And I’ll wanted to do was jump on him and probably hump his leg. I guess we had gone too long without sex. What in the hell was I thinking? Why did I tell him I wanted to wait? Oh my glitter. He’s going to be in a tux. Colt in a tux. The last time he was in a tux was at Alex’s wedding and it was all I could do not to attack him and undress him on the spot.

Shit. Shit. Double shit.

Placing my thumb in my mouth I began chewing my nail like mad. Ellie reached up and pulled my hand down as she chuckled. “Lauren, you’ll be fine.”

Standing up, I nodded my head. “Right. I’m going to be perfectly fine. I just need to not look at Colt, cause if I look at him I’m going to want to have sex with him and—”

Slamming my hands over my mouth, my eyes widened in horror. My mother walked up and reached with her finger to close Ellie’s mouth that was gaped open. “I didn’t need that visual, Lauren,” Ellie whispered.

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. Where is the closest rock?

“Well, now that we know what’s on my daughter’s mind, shall we get her married off?”

Ellie attempted to hold in her laughter but lost the battle. Soon, all three of us were laughing as my father walked into the room. Stopping dead in his tracks, his eyes traveled over my body as tears began to form. “Lauren, my God you’re beautiful.”

Kissing me on the cheek, my mother placed her hand on the side of my face. “My baby girl, getting married. I don’t believe it.”

My mother’s touch instantly warmed me. She always had a way of making me feel so loved. “Mom, I love you.”

Pursing her lips together, she nodded as her voice cracked. “I love you, too.”

Ellie walked up and adjusted my blonde curls one last time before she kissed me gently. “Lauren, I’m so excited you’re going to be my daughter-in-law. I love you, darling.”