The Naughty Soldier’s List (Spice and Seduction)

8. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Tessa

I wake up to the warmth of Colton’s inked, strong arms wrapped around me. His steady heartbeat is a soothing rhythm pressed against my back and I let my body slide against him.

My sleepy eyes blink open and I twist in the soft white sheets, looking out to the early morning light that’s starting to filter in through the window.

A warm feeling fills my chest.

I’ve never had a Christmas morning like this. So calm. So peaceful.

My eyes catch on the cuffs on the table beside Colton’s bed, reminding me of how amazing last night was. It’s odd, because there’s such a peacefulness to the room right now, yet last night, this simmering passion took over.

Having this big, powerful man command my body the way Colton did… it was magical. Those big hands, hard muscles and deep, animal-like voice of his. It was everything I ever imagined it to be, only even better. The rush of excitement, the feeling of giving myself to him completely… it was intoxicating, and I can’t wait to do it all over again.

I snuggle closer to Colton, letting my fingers trail over the hard muscles of his chest. He stirs, his arms tightening around me as he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Mmmm… morning,” he grunts, his voice heavy with sleep.

“Morning,” I whisper back.

He shifts, rolling on his side so we’re facing each other. “Why are you awake so early? We can stay like this all day, you know?”

I laugh softly, wishing I could do exactly that. “As tempting as that is, I can’t. I have to go soon, it’s Rachel’s wedding today.”

He pulls back, his eyes searching mine. “You gonna be alright?”

I nod. “It’s her wedding day. I have to be.”

“You’re a good girl,” he says, pressing a kiss to my lips. “Now go. Before I change my mind and cuff you to this bed and keep you here all day.”

I giggle and slip out of the bed. Colton watches me dress with a possessive stare, and every part of me wants to crawl back in and let him do whatever he wants to me again.

But I need to be at my sister’s wedding. No matter how she feels about whatever is happening between Colton and I right now, I have to be there.

***

The buzz of Christmas Day mixed with a magical winter wedding is crazy.

There’s yelling in every room at Rachel’s house. Mom is running around in the kitchen like some kind of Masterchef, basting the turkey while adding the final touches to the wedding cake. Dad is frantically searching for his cufflinks, convinced they’ve vanished into thin air. Rachel’s voice carries from upstairs, barking out last minute instructions as I lock myself in the spare bedroom, preparing myself for the big event.

I glance at my reflection in the mirror, applying the final touches on my makeup, my mind drifting back to Colton.

God. I miss him already.

I glance at my phone on the dressed, waiting for the screen to light up with a text from him. It’s strange, this pull I feel with him. It’s like I need to be near him at all times now. Like I’m not whole when he’s not around.

I’ve barely thought about my life back in the city since I met him. The thought of going back to my nursing job makes my stomach pull tight. Is it even possible to go back to that crazy world? Would I ever see Colton again if I did?

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Rachel standing in the doorway. My breath catches at the sight of her.

“Oh, my…” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Rach… you look stunning. ”

I drop my mascara on the dresser in shock. My sister is dressed in her wedding gown, the ivory lace hugging her curves perfectly. Her bright green eyes are sparkling, a mix of nerves and excitement locking onto mine as I cup my mouth.

“Thanks,” Rachel says softly, stepping into the bedroom and closing the door. “Listen, I just wanted to talk to you before everything gets… crazy.”

We both raise our brows and laugh.

“Well, more crazy,” Rachel says, taking a deep breath. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday. For how I acted. I was being a bitch. Total Bridezilla, and I’m sorry.”

I shake my head, waving a hand as if everything we said to each other last night wasn’t already forgotten. Of course it hurt at the time, but we’re sisters – we’re always at each other. Isn’t that what family is for?

“Rachel-”

“No, let me finish,” she interrupts, holding a hand up. “I was stressed and jealous and just… overwhelmed. This wedding means everything to me, and I felt like… maybe it was becoming not as important as it should be.”

“But that’s not true,” I say, reaching out to grab her hands.

“I know. And you’re my sister. And I love you. And…” she brings my eyes up to meet hers, a cheeky smile spreading over her glossy pink lips. “I’m so happy that you’ve found someone who makes you happy.”

Tears prick at my eyes, and I take a shaky breath.

“I’m sorry too, Rach,” I whisper. “I never meant to take anything away from you. This thing with Colton… it’s so new and confusing and amazing… I don’t know how to balance it with everything.”

She nods, her eyes softening. “I know. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Tessa. I’ve never seen a man look at someone like that before. He’s clearly in love with you.”

My heart skips a beat, my stomach dropping at my sister’s observation.

“H-he’s what?”

Rachel laughs and shakes her head at me. “Oh, sweetheart. You’re in for a ride. It’s okay to be scared. When I met Franklin I had no idea what I was doing. They don’t teach this stuff at school, so just trust what you feel is real.”

Tears start to spill over.

Great, now I’m going to have to redo my makeup.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice choked with emotion as I throw my arms around Rachel, holding her tight. “I needed to hear that. I’m so confused.”

She hugs me back. “He’s coming to the wedding, right? Talk to him then.”

I pull back from the hug and shrug my shoulders. “Did you invite him?”

Rachel scoffs a laugh and rolls her eyes. “Um, hello? It’s the wedding of the century in Falls Creek. Pretty sure everyone knows about it, and everyone is invited.”

She gives me a smile and passes me my phone.

“Get him here now. I need to check on Mom. She’s been driving me up the wall all morning.”

I laugh, feeling a sense of relief. “Alright. I’ll be out in a minute. Then, let’s get you married.”

Rachel leaves the room, and I stand back in front of the mirror. My eyes are all puffy, my makeup smeared everywhere.

Picking up the mascara again, I can’t help but think about Rachel’s words. He’s clearly in love with you. I’ve never seen anyone look at someone the way he does with you.

Is she right? Does Colton really love me?

And if he does, what the hell do I do next?

The rest of the morning is a blur. A frantic, hectic blur filled with yelling, mayhem and lots and lots of tears. But now, I’m standing in the middle of a beautiful winter-themed garden, snow lightly dusting the ground.

Christmas decorations are everywhere, from the mistletoe draped over the archway where Rachel and Franklin are standing, ready to say their vows, to the twinkling lights strung through the trees in the background.

It’s like something out of a fairytale. The perfect setting for a Christmas wedding.

I watch on as Rachel and Franklin make their promises, their voices steady and filled with love. A swell of emotion builds in my chest as I watch my sister kiss her new husband, their eyes locked deeply in each other when they pull back.

It stirs something deep inside me, something I think I’ve been trying to ignore until Rachel brought it up.

Love.

I glance around the garden, searching for the hulking man who has changed everything for me. People cheer and clap for the newlyweds as they walk back down the makeshift aisle in the middle of the garden, and finally, as Rachel and Franklin reach the end of the aisle, I see him.

He’s already looking at me, his eyes soft and smiling. He’s dressed in a white shirt, one that hugs his broad shoulders perfectly. His hair is still messy, keeping that rugged, effortless look that he holds so perfectly.

And in that moment, with our eyes locked, I know.

I know I’m in love with him.

The realization crashes into me, leaving me breathless and terrified all at once.

I’m in love with Colton. And I never want to let him go.

The crowd cheers for my sister as the garden is quickly transformed for the reception. My family offers their congratulations to the happy couple, and I drift across to give my sister a kiss on the cheek as tables get set up around us.

Music starts to play softly in the background, and I find myself drifting across to the drinks table, grabbing a mulled wine and dropping a cinnamon stick in my glass.

I take a deep breath, my heart still pounding.

You need to talk to him.

And then I see him.

Colton is moving across the garden, big, long strides towards me, his gaze never leaving mine. My heart doubles down, my body thrumming with excitement as he reaches me, his hand sliding around my waist, pulling me against his hard body.

“You look so beautiful, Tessa,” he says deeply, eyes roaming up and down my body in a way that sends shivers up my spine.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He chuckles and just holds me with those big hands of his. “Listen, I know this isn’t probably a good time, but I need to talk to you. It can’t wait.”

My stomach drops.

Shit.

“Okay.”

He glances around, his eyes scanning the crowd before he takes my hand, leading me away from the tables and into the shadows of the garden. My body is shaking, my mind spinning.

When we’re finally alone, he turns to me, his eyes dark and intense as he looks down at me. He goes to open his mouth to talk, but before he does, he pulls me against him, his mouth crashing down on mine in a searing kiss.

What is going on? Is he just giving me one last goodbye? One kiss to seal what a special few days we’ve had together?

I sink into the kiss, hoping this won’t be the last time I ever get to taste this wonderful man. Moaning against his lips, all I want is to feel his raw power again. To have him own my body, to give me everything he has.

But then he breaks the kiss, his breathing ragged and desperate as he looks down at me.

“Alright. Now I’ve had that, there’s something I want to tell you. Something I should have told you the moment I met you.”