Maybe they’re explaining that I can’t just up and leave in a week, but I mean, it’s entirely possible. He sighs so loudly, and I feel it right down to my bones. I want nothing more than to hold him in this second. I want to feel his warmth embrace me like he used to.
“Okay, goodbye,” he states before disconnecting, and then I’m met with quiet. I wonder if I should open the door, put him out of his misery. I sigh this time before I unlatch the lock and pull open the door, causing him to fall back over the threshold of my apartment and onto the soft carpet.
“What are you doing here, Colton?”
“Darling,” he sighs, looking up at me from the floor. He rolls onto his knees, staying on the welcome mat, and makes no move to stand. He holds a bouquet of red roses, a dozen if I’m not mistaken, and smiles. “I’m here because you need to know how much I care for you. How much I …” His words trail off, and I know what he’s trying to say, and my heart stutters in my chest.
In all my years, all the dates I’ve been on, and the very few relationships I’ve had, never once did I say to the guy, nor did the guy I was with say those words to me. And now, I hold my breath, waiting.
“I love you,” he finally admits, his voice lilting with every syllable, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “The girl they forced on me, that was nothing. She’s not who I want. Please, you have to believe me.” There’s a plea in his expression, in those deep and endless eyes that captured my attention from the start. “I would never and could never do anything to hurt you. She pressed her mouth to mine, what the camera shot, that was her coming onto me. What they didn’t catch was me pulling away,” he tells me. “That woman didn’t hold a candle to you.”
“You look silly down there,” I tease, earning myself a chuckle as he pushes to his feet, and now, I have to tip my head back to look into his eyes. They’re clear, almost glassy as he regards me for a long time.
Then he holds the roses out toward me. “Would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?” he finally asks, and I stare at him, making him sweat it out for a while before I slowly nod.
“I suppose I could fit you into my planner,” I jest with a grin.
Epilogue 1
Colton
It’s winter. Almost Christmas. It’s one of my favorite holidays. When I walk into our apartment, shoving open the door and kicking it shut, I smell the faint aroma of gingerbread.
But what I find in the living room is more appetizing than any confectionary. Violet is sitting in the window seat, her thigh-high woolen socks adorn perfectly toned legs, and her jumper hangs just under her ass. She looks like a flawless sculpture.
Her hair hangs in waves down to the middle of her back, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more entranced by anything in my life. She truly is spectacular. She’s reading a book, but when I enter the room, she looks up and offers me one of her bright smiles.
“Wow,” she giggles. “That’s a lot of gifts.” She moves from her seat to help me with the bags. But all I want is for her to be in my arms. Who knew that this feisty little lady would set me straight? Simon can’t wait to meet the woman who’s finally tamed the Brazen Bachelor.
“Yeah, but I needed something for Simon and Bridget. And then, of course, I need to spoil Brendan and the twins.”
“I can’t wait to meet them all.” She smiles up at me. Even though we’ve only been living together for six months, after our roller coaster start, things have evened out, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
I decided to take her to see Simon and his lady, Bridget. Simon being one of my oldest friends, has given me enough flack about finally settling down. Over the years, he never believed he would see the day Colton King finally settles down. To be honest, I didn’t think I would either.
“I have something for you though,” I confess, pulling out an Apple box from one of the shopping parcels and handing it to her.
“An iPad?” She looks confused, but I can’t wait for her to see what I’ve done. With the help of Blythe and Clarissa, this was the only way I would be able to do it.
“Unlock it,” I tell her. Silently, Violet swipes the screen, and it unlocks seamlessly. The browser pops up, and I watch as she stares at the screen.