The Naughty Soldier’s List (Spice and Seduction)

9. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Colton

I pull back from the kiss, my heart fucking pounding . My eyes lock onto Tessa’s and I just want to pull her against me again.

She’s so beautiful.

Her breath mists in the cold air, eyes sparkling with the reflection of twinkling lights around us. She looks like a vision against the backdrop of snow, her cheeks flushed from the winter chill, adding a natural blush to her flawless skin. Her dress clings to her curves, swaying gently in the breeze, tempting me in the most intimate way.

But it’s not just her looks.

It’s everything about her – the way she laughs, the way she’s fierce and sweet all at once. It’s the way she stood there at the ceremony, so overjoyed for her sister, for her family.

And now, I’m about to risk it all.

In the background, I can hear the soft strains of music from the reception, mingled with the distant laughter of guests. It’s a reminder that life is continuing around us, but right now, it’s just the two of us in this bubble.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “There’s something I want to tell you, Tessa. Something I should have told you the moment I met you.”

Her eyes search mine, wide and a little scared. “What is it?”

I swallow hard, my heart trying to escape from my chest.

“I’ve been holding back,” I admit, my voice harsh and strained as I force the words out of my throat. “Ever since I met you, I’ve been fighting this feeling. This consuming feeling that’s been driving me wild.”

Her breath hitches and I can see fear in her eyes. She’s terrified of what I’m about to say, and it kills me to see that look on her face.

“I’m in love with you,” I say, the words tumbling out, rushing from my lips before I can stop them. “I’ve been falling for you since the moment I laid eyes on you in that Christmas shop. I can’t let you go. I don’t want to let you go, Tessa.”

She blinks and stays silent. For a moment too long, actually, because it kills me.

“Tessa… say something, please,” I beg, sounding more like a pathetic piece of shit than a ex-soldier.

“Y-you love me?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

My hands fly to the back of my head, scrunching my hair.

“Yes. I do… but that doesn’t mean you have to. We can-”

“Colton-”

“… take it slow. I know this is ridiculous. It’s crazy fast, and we barely know each other.” My words don’t stop, everything around us is a blur. I’m reeling, trying desperately to bring her back to me, but she’s just staring at me, unable to get a word in as I keep rambling. “But I can’t help it. You’re it for me. I don’t want anyone else. I just want you, Tessa. I just want you. ”

She stands there, staring at me. Her eyes are filled with tears and I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.

“You done?” Tessa says, a tiny smile lifting one side of her pretty face.

I nod. “Yes. I’m sorry. Told you I’ve been holding it in.”

She laughs and fuck me if it isn’t a relief. Then, she takes a tiny step closer, swarming me with her addictive scent that’s consumed me since the day we met.

“Colton, I love you too,” she says, grabbing my hands and staring into my eyes. “I’ve been scared too. So scared of these feelings I’ve been having. It’s all so new to me, but Rachel helped me see it.”

“Rachel?” I say, my brows knitting together.

“Yep. She said you were in love with me, and she’s happy for me.”

My heart swells and I take a moment to put my thoughts back together. My head is spinning, my face scorching hot. I don’t think I’ve ever opened up like that before, but now, with Tessa’s hands in mine, I feel… lighter.

“I’ve been so scared of all of this,” Tessa admits. “I’m so in love with you, and I can’t lose you. I just can’t.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” I murmur against her hair, holding her tight. “I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

She clings to me, her chest bouncing as she gives in to the emotion. I hold her close, feeling her heart beat against mine.

“We’ll figure this out,” I say softly. “One day at a time. But you need to stay here, with me. Not just for the holidays, but for good. You hear me?”

Tessa pulls back, looking up at me with those big, beautiful eyes. “Are you sure you want that?”

I nod. “I want to build something with you. Something that will last forever.”

“I want that too,” she whispers, smiling. “I want us to be together.”

The air is crisp around us, the faint scent of pine carried on the breeze as it swirls through the snow-dusted garden. The cold nips at my skin, but the warmth of her in my arms is all I can focus on.

I lean in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss, pouring every ounce of my heart into it. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers, relief mixing with joy inside my belly.

“You know… I was thinking about that Naughty List of yours,” I say.

Her eyes widen, a cute pink blush creeping up her cheeks. “Mmmm, what about it?”

“Well, I think we’ve made a good start on it. But I’ve come to realize, this list… it’s not just about fantasies for you. Is it?”

She swallows hard, her eyes searching mine. “I’ll never stop adding to my list, Colton, if that’s what you’re asking. Life is about living, experiencing. That’s what my list is for.”

My heart skips a beat at her words. “God, how is it possible that you keep getting more and more amazing?”

A shy smile pulls her lips and she glances down at the ground, biting her lip. “Well, there’s already a new thing on my list. Something I’ve added since meeting you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

Those big, hopeful eyes latch onto mine and she leans up on her toes, kissing the tip of my nose with her soft, pink lips. “To be loved. Fully and completely. By a big, burly mountain man.”

My chest bounces with laughter. “You have that, baby. You have all of me. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.”

We hold each other, my heart light and full of happiness. I never knew this was possible. When I returned to Falls Creek from the military, this would have been the last thing I imagined for my life.

But now, I’m walking back to the reception, hand in hand, with my soul mate.

We join the rest of the party whop are all dancing on the dancefloor. Fairy lights twinkle overhead, casting a soft, golden glow on the guests dancing to the music. I pull Tessa into my arms, swaying to the music as her hand rests on my chest, directly over my heart.

The heart she owns.

Rachel catches my eyes from across the dance floor, giving me a shy smile and a wink. I chuckle softly, holding Tessa even tighter, feeling a surge of gratitude for this woman who has turned my world upside down. In the best possible way.

This, right here, is everything I never knew I needed.