Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

No longer able to hold back the surge of emotions, the flood gates break loose and tears spill over my eye lids. I can’t form any words and I fight to release the breath that is hitched in my throat. Throwing my arms across his neck, I capture his lips between mine and answer his question by taking his breath away, just as he has mine. He pulls away, breathless and surprised by my response; he stares at me wildly. “Yes,” I whisper against his lips.

His mouth drops open wide in excitement and he tackles me to the floor pulling me on top of him in a fit of laughter. He peppers my face in soft kisses and my heart falters when I notice a renegade tear trickling down his cheek. I swipe the tear with the pad of my thumb and press a feather-light kiss to his lips. “I love you, Colton. You complete me, and life wouldn’t be worth livin’ without you. I’d be honored to be your wife.”

When the words are finally spoken, his eyes sparkle with bliss. He pulls me up from the floor, and places me on the bed. On one knee he kneels before me and with a trembling hand he slides a two carat white gold princess cut solitaire on my left ring finger. My mouth forms an ‘O’ as I gaze down at this beautiful engagement ring. “Every breath I breathe, is for you, Carly Jo. I want to feel you in my arms each night as I sleep. I want to wake up to your beautiful hazel sunflower filled irises each morning. Today, you have made me the happiest man on earth.”

He takes my face in his hands and kisses me delicately. The heated passion from earlier resolved, but a sensual passion takes it place. He lays me back against the bed and makes love to me, softly and slowly. With every kiss and word he whispers, I can feel his love for me.

We make love until dawn breaks through the morning sky. As the bright morning sun filters through the blinds dancing across the ceiling, I let the slow rhythm of Colton’s heartbeat lull me into a dreamless sleep.

Who needs to dream, when all of your dreams have come true?

“Darlin’,” he hums, feathering sweet kisses against my throat as he caresses my belly, “are you gonna sleep all day?” His voice is thick, full of sleep. I roll to my side nestling my face against his chest and I tangle my legs with his. His strong, corded arms embrace me tightly as he traces infinity swirls against my hip bone.

Bliss.

“Darlin’,” he whispers again, and I can feel his smile against my face. “Open your eyes, baby.”

Without hesitation my eyes flicker open gazing up to his. “Mornin’, baby.” I whisper, softly kissing his chest. I could wake up in his arms a million mornings and I’d never grow tired of being blanketed in his warmth.

“Afternoon’s more like it, darlin’.” He laughs and I jolt up out of the bed looking at the alarm clock in frustration.

“Shit!” I yell, punching the blanket.

“Woah, calm down. So we slept all day, who gives a shit.” He shrugs, then pulls me back against his chest.

“I have a company to run, I can’t lay in the bed being lazy all day.” I mutter with a yawn. “And you, Mr. Sexy Superintendent have a mines to oversee as well. So do you wanna explain why the hell that alarm clock didn’t blare in my ear this morning?”

“Simon Energy will survive the day without us, baby. Don’t worry so much with it.”

“Colton, we didn’t go in yesterday, either. I can’t just let my responsibilities as CEO go so lax.”

He cocks an eyebrow at me, and huffs a small laugh behind his grin. “Lighten up, and live a little. That’s the benefit of bein’ the damn CEO. Nobod

y to answer too, and you run shit your own way.”

“Really?”

He nods, with a smirk that I’d love to just kiss right off of his face.

“And what about you, Superintendent Weston? You still have a superior, ya know?” I nudge his side playfully.

“I’m fully aware, darlin’. Although my boss is a hard ass, she would never let me forget my place at Simon Energy. But, she has a thing for me, so it’s all good.” He winks. My God, how I’ve missed his cocky wink, smirk, I’ve missed it all. I snuggle my back against his chest, and sigh in contentment.

“Maybe just a little.”

We lay together in a peaceful calm, the only sound filling my ears is the thudding of our hearts, beating as one. I twirl the sparkly, glistening diamond ring around my finger in awe of its beauty. Reality slowly sets in and although my world is just about off its axis, I feel more grounded than ever.

“I love seein’ you happy.” Colton whispers. I peek back at him over my shoulder and the exuberance that shines in his eyes, reflects mine.

“Happy doesn’t even begin to express what I’m feeling. I have so many emotions swirling around inside that it’s hard to put it all to words.” I climb over him swiftly, pulling his shirt on before prancing off to the bathroom. Pregnant with a small bladder…not a good combo when you’re being held in a death embrace by a two hundred thirty pound man.

When I come back to the bedroom Colton is pulling shorts on. I follow him into the kitchen and raid the refrigerator for something to cook for breakfast…ergh, lunch? He makes a pot of coffee then leans against the island watching me as I scramble eggs and fry bacon. “I can’t wait to see you walk across the beach and take my hand to become my wife.”

“Hmm, already have a plan in motion?” I kid, but knowing Colton, he surely does. The man knows no patience. When he wants something, he goes after it regardless of what obstacles may stand in his way. I’m living proof, but I’ll happily hand over my heart in defeat of love. He’s earned it.

“I put a ring on it, you can plan it as long as we are married by July.”

“July?” I laugh, curious as to why he’s so eager to marry me. Hell, it’s nearly April. How the hell am I supposed to plan a wedding in three damn months? I think he’s lost his friggin’ mind.