Page 77 of Broken Saint
His touch burned, and it only got worse when his hand started creeping up my calf.
My cheeks blaze as I think about how high his fingers got. Safe to say, he knew exactly how hot his touch got me. I really, really should have been wearing panties.
“No wonder you’re not wearing any underwear. That must have melted them right off.” She laughs, taking a sip of her coffee. “Oh my god,” she gasps.
“What?”
“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she says as if she’s making any sense.
“That look?”
“Yes. You used to get it at college when you did something naughty. Your lack of underwear and dry humping against my house is the least of it, isn’t it, Miss Myers?”
I can’t help but smile as I hug my mug. Honestly, I want to stand up, stomp my feet, and squeal in excitement like a child who’s just been told she’s going to Disneyland. That is how light and free Colton makes me feel.
“Letty,” I sigh, trying to keep a lid on my exhilaration. “He makes me feel like me again.”
The confession is so painfully true that it rocks me right down to my core.
“He makes me feel wild, and free, and excited, and—” I swallow, the next one almost too big to say out loud.
“And?” she prompts.
“Beautiful,” I sob.
“Oh, El,” she sighs, abandoning her coffee on the table and scooting over so she can wrap me in her arms. “You are so fucking beautiful. Any man has to be an idiot not to see that.”
She holds me while I cry. But for the first time in a very, very long time, they’re not sad tears. They’re happy ones. Tears of relief, because the girl I’ve been mourning all this time hasn’t died. She is still there. She is still me. She just needed rediscovering.
“So, what’s next? You’re staying, right? Tell me you’re staying and he’s going to finally claim you like he should have years ago.”
“I don’t know. We haven’t made a plan.” My phone starts buzzing in my purse, reminding me that I have a life outside of this little Ella and Colton bubble I’ve found myself back in the middle of that really needs dealing with. “That’s either my boss or my mother. I need to speak to both of them,” I say, pushing from the sofa and grabbing my purse.
“Go, take your time. I’ll be here when you’re done.” I’m almost at the door when a cry comes through the baby monitor. “Looks like our time was up anyway,” Letty teases before following me out of the room and up the stairs. “I know you’ve got a lot to consider, but I want you to know that there is always a room for you here. Should you wish to stay,” Letty says as I reach for the door handle.
I can’t lie, the thought of making this place my home, being surrounded by my friends—my self-made family—kickstarts a whole army of butterflies in my belly.
But then I think of Mom on her own in Texas. It was okay when I first went to MKU. She had Dad and Benny. But that isn’t the case anymore. She’s alone. She needs me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion.
“We’ve got you, El. Whatever you need.”
I slip into the room, my excitement vanishing with every second that passes. Sadly, reality waits for no one, and mine is knocking. Or calling, I guess.
When my cell starts buzzing again, I pull it out, expecting my boss. But it’s Mom.
With a sigh, I lower my ass to the edge of the bed and swipe the screen.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Oh good, you’re alive,” she mocks.
“Just catching up with everyone,” I say with a wince as I lie back on the bed.
“I know. I’m sorry. I just worry when you’re so far away. How are you feeling?”
“Good,” I say, a smile creeping onto my lips. “Really good.”