Addicted to You(71)

Colby matched my pace, and his chest tightened under my hands. I ran my fingers down his back, then grabbed his waist, wrapped both my legs around him, and tugged him to me, needing to feel him deeper and harder. Everything became a blur and my body was on autopilot, knowing exactly what it needed and wanted.

The burning started in my thighs, spreading down my legs. Tingles rushed up my belly and my chest heated. I rolled my hips upward and then my body tightened while a thousand sparks set my body on fire. I trembled and moaned, and possibly even died, before finally collapsing back on the bed.

Hands down. Best. Sex. Ever.

Colby lowered onto me, his chest slick with the tiniest bit of moisture. It was incredibly hot, and if I hadn’t been completely spent, I probably would have begged for round two right then and there.

He took a deep breath, then finally planted a soft kiss on my lips. “You have no idea how many nights I’ve wished you were right here with me.”

I smiled back. “Well, the good thing is, now that I am, I’m not going anywhere.”

And I didn’t. We spent the rest of the day alternating between his room and the couch. We kissed, we cuddled, we did more. Everything that had always been a part of our friendship, combined with everything that had been missing from our relationship. And it was perfect.

As the day wound down and the sun started to set, Colby glanced over at me. His fingers had been slowly sliding up and down my arm while I rested my head on his chest. “Don’t leave tonight.”

Our nights together were limited. I felt the weight of that too. And in his arms was the only place I wanted to be. “I have no plans to.”

He kissed my forehead and whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you.” I smiled up at him, and his expression went from that sweet Colby who I adored to the one who was probably going to keep me up all night.

And I had zero complaints.

—

The next morning, I woke before Colby, but didn’t panic or become weighed down with regret. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I relished the fact that this was our new normal. Sleepovers, intimacy, happiness, and love. We’d taken best friend up a notch. Best friend 2.0. I had all the perks of a friend topped with the love of a boyfriend. Things couldn’t get much better than that.

“You’re still here.” Colby stretched his arms up and smiled at me, his expression playful and teasing.

“I’m sorry I left the first time. I guess I was trying to prove something. Kind of failed hard on that one.” I offered a sheepish smile, knowing it had been shitty to do. And, of course, I couldn’t help but wonder if we might have taken a different path had I stuck around to talk about things. But what was done was done. And at least we had now.

“I’m not going to lie. I was pretty devastated to find my bed empty that morning.”

“I’ll make it up to you.” I smiled. “I’ll never leave your bed again. Okay? You can’t get rid of me!”

He chuckled. “You’d get no argument from me.” His smile faded. “Except you are leaving.”

“I won’t be far. Clyne’s only an hour away.”

“You’re too far away right this second and there’s only about eight inches between us.”

I knew he teased, but it still hurt to think we wouldn’t have the luxury of seeing each other every day. We’d wasted all this time we could have had together; now we’d finally gotten our shit worked out, and it was time for me to leave.

He smiled. “It’s okay though. I’ll visit all the time. Let’s face it, you won’t be able to get rid of me.”

“I’d love that.”

“Remember the other night how I mentioned that I’ve been thinking about getting away for a while?”

“Yeah?”

“Well.” He put his hands under his head and stared up at the ceiling. “I really just don’t know if the deep-sea fishing thing is for me anymore. Or ever will be.”

“It’s okay if it’s not.”

He rolled onto his side and propped his head on his hand. “But is it really? I mean what happens to Dad’s business if I don’t take it over?”

“I think you’re worrying about something that is really far from now. I mean, your dad would love for you to follow in his footsteps, but I think ultimately he wants you to do what you love. Just like he did what he loved. I think you have time to figure out what that is for you. You’ll probably get out there and try a few different things and come right back to the boat. I know somewhere deep down inside you still love it.” I smiled. “But if you find something you love more, that’s okay too. The charter business will always be here, but that doesn’t mean it defines you. Your life is your choice.”