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S E V E N T Y - T W O
Flipping open the plastic container Kate had packed for him, Colton laughed. Veggie sticks and hummus, sandwiches, and a slightly-nibbled muffin were tucked neatly in the confines, along with a note telling him how much she loved him. The tight squeeze in his chest served as a constant reminder of how fucking deeply he loved this woman.
Tugging his phone from his pocket, he typed out a message; You’re the best thing in my life. I love the fucking shit out of you. The image of Kate reading it - tinted cheeks and nipped in lower lip - had him involuntarily smiling like a fucking fool.
“Cute lunch. Looks like something mom would pack me in third grade.”
Snapping from his haze, Colton’s eyes narrowed on the brunette standing in front of him. Carissa, Clara, Cameron… fuck if he could remember. Her confidence faltered at his evident disdain, but she recuperated quickly, adjusting her top to reveal an inappropriate amount of clea
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Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - T H R E E
Roused by the gentle clink of the mug on her night stand, the aroma of coffee permeating the air, Kate sleepily rolled over, smiling up at the bare torso that greeted her. Stretching up, she traced the outline of his defined abdominals before hooking her fingers into the waistband of his pants, tugging him closer. He jerked forward, straddling her svelte frame, laughing as she pulled him down, desperate to kiss him.His kiss was gentle, void of the ferocity she craved. “I have to go to work, babe.” He smirked at her grumble. “You’re still okay to meet me for lunch, yeah?”“Yeah. I finish with Charlie at 11:30, so I’ll head straight to the gym afterwards.”Planting a kiss against her warm forehead, Colton’s raspy voice came out in a whisper. “I’m really proud of you, Kate.”His lips hit her skin once more, her eyes closing to revel in the tender moment. “I couldn’t do it wi
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - F O U R
Bruce Springsteen blasted from the jukebox, rainbow lights flashing around its perimeter in tempo, as the clatter of pool balls mingled with the chattering of guests. Colton pushed through the crowd, muttering incoherently about the number of people gathering near the entrance, while clasping Kate’s hand; his thumb brushing sweet lines against her knuckles. Scanning each crowded booth, he grumbled, finally locating Paloma and Heath at the furthest one from the door. It was easy to miss them; their faces attached together in a passionate embrace. Colton rolled his eyes, striking Heath’s arm before sliding into the faded, red booth. Draping his arm across Kate’s exposed shoulders, absentmindedly toying with the lacy hem of her off-the-shoulder sleeve, he cleared his throat. “Have some dignity. You’re in a public place.”Wiping the smear of red lipstick from Heath’s mouth, Paloma shook her head in amusement. “Did you guys fuck in a
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - F I V E
Heath’s fist clenched against the metal table, knuckles protruding so fiercely his skin appeared translucent, while Paloma’s features sunk in disappointment. Kate had half a mind to march to the bar, scold Colton for his shitty behavior and drag his ass back to the table, but she knew that, for the moment, the best thing she could do was attempt to redeem the happiness surrounding the announcement. Pointing toward the glass of lemonade, Kate raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “So, you weren’t drinking vodka sodas earlier?”Lifting her gaze from the torn skin of her nails, Paloma blew out a breath in amusement. A smile glimmered on her face, Heath’s stern features relaxing just a fraction. “It was water,” she laughed. “But I’m glad to know that if you see me drinking clear liquid, your first assumption is vodka.”Shrugging indifferently, Kate smiled, rapping her fingers against the cool steel. “So, tell
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - S I X
Dropping her bag on the table by the front door, Kate kicked off her shoes, watching them fly in different directions; one landing beside the sofa, the other by the television. Colton slipped in through the opening behind her, stumbling onto the sofa and flicking on the TV. Rolling her eyes, Kate locked the door, averting his reaching grasp as she moved toward the bathroom.“It’s only 9:30,” he whined. “You’re not going to bed, are you?”Shutting herself in the tiled confines, Kate took in a deep breath, enjoying the fleeting silence. Colton’s loud, aggravated groan reverberated from the lounge-room, the heavy clomp of black boots testing their wooden floors. Kate pitied their downstairs neighbor; the boots exacerbating his usual stomp. Hurriedly stripping, she turned on the faucet, thankful for the near-instantaneous expulsion of warm water as she jumped in.The door flung open, Colton’s broad physique taking up m
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - S E V E N
Stubbing out the last of his cigarette, Colton glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the lighter sparking up once more. His client, Tony, gave a crooked smile, smoke escaping the side of his mouth before extending his half-empty packet. Colton shook his head. “I literally just put one out. So did you, for that matter.”“You sound like my wife,” Tony complained, weathered hands rubbing over his bald head.The smell of smoke hit Colton’s nostrils, his mind searching for a distraction to avoid having another. Toying with his own packet, his fingers pushed back the cardboard, straightening it out before tearing it again. “You know, when I give these things up, you won’t be coming out here for fifteen-minute breaks during your sessions anymore.”Tony snorted, a cloud of smoke drifting from his bulbous, broken nose. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”“Just you wait,” Colton chuckl
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - E I G H T
“What’s the occasion?” Kate called out, touching up the few curls around her face that had loosened in her haste to get ready. She stared in the mirror, adjusting the twirled straps of her low-cut, burgundy dress. She’d bought it on a whim online but it revealed more cleavage than she would’ve liked, and she self-consciously pulled at the fabric in an attempt to cover up a touch more. The flowy material fell just past her knee, a deep red that swirled and bloomed with every slight movement she made. Readjusting her top once more, she flicked curled hair over her shoulder and slipped in a pair of gold hoops.The banging and clanging in the bathroom ceased, the door clicking open. “He does this shit every yea… holy shit.” Colton’s grumbles petered off, the new found rasp making Kate’s stomach erupt in an avalanche of butterflies. Her eyes met his in the reflection of the mirror, heart fluttering at the sight of his wa
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - N I N E
The ding of the oven had Kate leaping up from the floor, skidding against the wooden floorboards as she rounded the counter. She giggled at the stumble, the half bottle of red wine making her unsteady. Colton guffawed from the lounge, a giddy snort escaping him as he ran his fingers through his hair. It was still stiff from the gel but he was slowly working it into his usual mess. Blowing her hair from her forehead, Kate waved her arms in front of her, wafting away the humid air blustering from the oven. “Why is it so hot?”“It’s a fucking oven, babe,” Colton snorted, fumbling with the remote to pause the comedy special they’d barely been watching. “I’d be concerned if it was cold.”After hurriedly dropping the cake pan on the stove, she hurled an oven glove in his direction, erupting into a fit of drunken giggles at his surprise. “Ha-ha, you’re a fucking comedian. I just meant it feels hotter than norma
Rude Awakenings E I G H T Y
Checking his watch, Colton respired. 11:30 could not come fast enough. Billy had told him not to worry about coming back after the appointment, and he couldn’t wait to surprise Kate – maybe take her to a movie or out for dinner. He’d been unable to concentrate on much else the whole morning, even getting knocked on his ass by a smarmy teen in the self-defense class. The little twat had been so goddamn snide; it had taken him every ounce of strength he had not to belt the smirk off his pimply face. The last twenty minutes of that class was the only time that morning that he hadn’t stared at the clock. He made sure that little shit was his partner for every demonstration, and he made sure that he used a little more force than necessary every time. But as soon as Chad, the fucking prick, left the building, he was right back to watching the second hand tick by ridiculously slow. He knew the appointment was just a preliminary check-up, a quick once over to make su
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