Colin (Unexpected, #6)

by Cora Rose

“This has to end, I think,” I say softly, and Ethan’s eyes darken, his body freezing. He’s still in me, for shit’s sake. I couldn’t have waited another minute? Honestly. What is wrong with me? “Is that so?” he says.

I’m going to be a good friend and warn him against dating someone who wouldn’t fulfill him sexually. Because that kid is a bottom. There is no way he’d top Colin properly. Yes, that is what I’m going to do. I’ll just give him some friendly advice.

Grabbing my bag, I stride out of the racquetball court, leaving Joel wheezing like the lunatic he is.

Makes me feel a little bad, to be honest. He’s a bit like Bambi and I feel like I just killed his mother.

“Oh my god, stop it, Ethan. Stop scowling and go to work. You’re scaring away my friends,” Colin says. He reaches out and touches my arm, and my entire body flames. I feel him all the way to my bones.

He presses his fingers to his lips as if in thought, and then suddenly reaches up and snaps the curtains closed, shutting me out. My heart thunders in my chest and my cheeks warm. He fucking shut me out!

When the door is finally wrenched open and Colin is standing there in front of me, I detonate.

Like we’re a family.

He sucks on his teeth a moment and then replies, “Ah, but the British do it better.”

Was that a double entendre? Sure sounded like one,

I move to Dorito’s cage and see the hamster scrambling about. “Yeah, you little shit. Die already,” I hiss, and Dorito glowers up at me as if to say not today, fucker. I feed him a sunflower seed as a reward for standing up for himself, and he thanks me by biting me fiercely. Ungrateful little rodent.

“I told myself that I’d never fall for someone again…and then you walked into my life…. I am utterly and completely wrecked for you, Colin. Entirely fucking gone for you.”

God, I am not just a little in love with him. No. This is full-blown carnage. My heart will not survive if he changes his mind.

want to run. My inclination is to run. But I also really want to stay. I’m going to stay. I’m going to try. For them. My eyes flutter closed and I let myself drift off, feeling a bit afraid, but also really fucking content.

I don’t want him to lose this—this brilliance and happy outlook on life. He must be protected at all costs. I can protect this. I can protect him.

Not that marrying him would be anything other than delightful.

“If you let me love you, I would,” he adds softly.

“You could love someone like me?”

“What’s not to love?” he whispers, his words almost inaudible, but I hear them and I feel like the entire room is spinning.

“I would never leave you, Ethan. I would stay forever. If you let me.”

I am going to tear them apart, limb by metaphorical limb.

Yes, cower, you fucking muppet.

Is this what it’s like to be a parent? To want to burn the whole world down for this little human?

My eyes meet his, and I let out a shaky breath. “No, Ethan. I was thinking about how much I love you.” Ethan’s brows slam together. “Is that so?”

“It seems I’m in love with you too. I mean, that must be it. I’m infuriatingly obsessed with you. I want you all the time. I never want to let you go. It’s maddening, really. But yes, it feels like love.”

“What was that?” I ask, dying to know. “Your smile.” “What about it?” I ask, feeling it slip. “I am consumed by it. I have been since you first hit me with it whilst standing in your driveway.”

Oh my god.

An adorable golden head rounds the corner, followed by a guilty-looking Ethan. My eyes go wide as I take in the love of my life and the leashed golden retriever puppy pulling him forward.

“Ethan Fox,” I say, my voice stern, my hands on my hips. “What o...

“I did a wretched thing,” he says, looking glum and a ...

I arch an eyebrow at him. “Did you even get a hamster?” “I did,” he says and holds up a small travel ca...