Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas 3)

Giving him a weak smile, I motioned for him to talk. “Your mother and I already saw this coming, Colt. Neither one of us can fault you for wanting to embrace each day as it comes. Would we like to see you finish school? Of course we would, but this is your life. The path you choose to go down is your own. I want you to know, your mother and I support Lauren and yours decision one hundred percent.”

My eyes widened and I was at a loss for words. I’d never in a million years expected my father to be so understanding. “W-what about football, Dad?”

Tilting his head and looking at me like I’d grown another head he whispered, “Football?”

“Yeah, I know it was always your dream to have me play, and if I don’t go back to A&M, that dream is over.”

My father’s eyes filled with tears as he quickly looked away and shook his head. “Colt, it’s not about my dreams; this is about your life.” Turning back to look at me, I saw the love in his eyes. My heart felt as if it would burst knowing just how supportive my mother and father were. “No matter if you go back and play football for A&M or stay on and work full time with Scott, I need you to know I’m so proud of the young man you’ve become. You inspire me each and every day, son.”

Feeling my jaw tremble, I turned away to get my wits about me. I wasn’t about to breakdown and cry in front of my father. Closing my eyes and getting a hold of my feelings, I glanced back at the man who I admired more than any other person on this planet. “Thank you, Dad. You’ll never know how much your words mean to me.”

Giving me a smile and a wink, he leaned closer and said, “So I’m going to safely guess that you and Lauren have planned a trip . . . Vegas maybe?”

Tipping my head to the side, I whispered, “How’d you know?”

Throwing his head back and laughing, he shook his head. “You don’t think I was your age once? The idea of marrying your mother was so overwhelming, I can’t even begin to tell you how many t

imes I wanted to whisk her away and marry her. You’re smart doing it this way. Plus it will save your mother and me the stress of another wedding.”

Letting out a laugh, I followed my father as he kicked his horse to start walking. “Just do me one favor, Colt.”

“Anything, sir.”

Peeking over at me from under the brim of his hat, his blue eyes pierced mine. “Let the idea of Alex having a baby fully settle in before you and Lauren think of having any kids.”

Letting out a chuckle, I nodded my head and said, “Yes, sir. We’re in no hurry for kids right now. Lauren’s gotten pretty much all of her strength back and is feeling normal again. I think our goal is to focus on each other.”

Letting his shoulders drop into a relaxed position he laid his head back and sighed in relief. “Thank you, God.”

LYING IN BED, I stared up at the ceiling. As much as I had been dying to make love to Lauren, I wanted to make sure she was feeling one hundred percent better. Being near her was beginning to take its toll on me. Lauren had come over to my parents’ house for dinner tonight and every time she laughed, my dick jumped. The smell of her perfume caused my stomach to dip in that crazy way it does when you’re on a roller coaster. The way she kept smiling at me with that adorable smile of hers was enough to keep me forcing myself to keep my hands at my side. Being with Lauren was more than a physical thing; she made me feel whole when we were together.

Closing my eyes, I could still taste her on my lips. It was almost as if they were still tingling from the kiss good-bye she gave me.

Reaching over to the side table, I grabbed my phone. Lauren should be back home by now.

Me: Marry me.

Lauren: I’m pretty sure I already said yes.

Me: Marry me now. I don’t want to wait any longer.

Lauren: If we left now, we could be married in twenty-four hours.

My heart felt as if it leapt from my chest. Smiling, I hit Lauren’s number.

“Hello there, handsome.”

Grinning, I sat up. “Pack a bag, Ms. Reynolds. I’m taking you to Vegas.”

“Mmm . . . I’m not sure. I mean, we aren’t even twenty-one, what are we going to do there?”

Holding back my laughter, I said, “We can play strip poker in our hotel room after I make you Mrs. Colt Mathews.”

I heard a noise and Lauren yelled out. “Shit! I stubbed my little toe!”

Laughing, I got up and walked to my closet as I grabbed a duffle bag. “Well?”

“Ouch. That really hurt, Colt!” Lauren whined.