In Too Deep

Chapter 40

The last week has flown by in a whirl-wind. I can’t eat a solid meal, I’ve barely slept, I’m on my laptop 24/7 and I respond to my mom’s calls with one-line texts, just to say I’m fine, but busy with school, knowing that if I hear her voice I’ll break down.

Each day I’ve questioned why I’m still here. But if I’m being honest with myself – the reason is Colt. He’s been my savior this week. Making sure I’m eating, keeping me company in the computer lab, listening to my rants about McAllister, who’s conveniently gone away on business – I think to avoid me and Colt.

Each night I’ve gone to Colt’s room, where he distracts me with old sitcoms on his computer, and board games from the rec room closet. He’s doing everything he knows how to do to keep me occupied – well not everything since I suspect there are extra-curricular activities he excels at beyond Monopoly, yet he hasn’t laid a finger on me.

I even acted like my neck was stiff and sore once from hunching over my computer all day attempting to entice him into giving me another massage like he did in the lighthouse, but this time, he just clenched his jaw and asked if I needed another Diet Coke. When I’d said sure, he’d darted out of the room like there was a fire.

He’s beyond frustrating. I have no clue what he’s thinking most of the time. But then yesterday he surprised me by asking me out again. I’d figured he’d chalked up our one and only date as a complete failure, so was I thrown off when he asked.

Then he’d promised there’d be no contact between us and my smart mouth shot off without a filter as usual. I’d certainly caught him off guard, in a good way, judging by the look on his face.

I head to my room to get ready and solicit MJ’s help again with my hair and makeup.

“I thought you said the first date sucked?” she asks, squinting at me.

“I thought it did.” But looking back with a clear head, without the scent of Colt and the crashing waves filling my senses, I recall details I’d missed in the moment. The low groan in his chest when I kissed him back.

I want to kiss you. In fact, I want to do much more than just kiss you.

Colt had been protecting me. From what?

Oh.

From himself. From the way he normally uses girls.

But what did that mean? That he liked me only as a friend, and not on par with the type of girls he messes around with? Or was it that he liked me much more than a friend – above being treated with the carelessness he afforded the other girls? God this was confusing.

“What?” MJ asks, stopping mid-brush stroke meeting my eyes in the mirror.

“I can’t tell if he likes me.”

She snorts. “He likes you, Taylor. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

She continues brushing my hair while my stomach twists uncomfortably into knots.

Why is Colt interested in me? Is he waiting for my eighteenth birthday? I watch my reflection in the mirror. Even though I’m not exotic or beautiful, my skin is clear, my eyes are bright and I feel pretty. And I’m smart and good with computers. But there’s something deeper at work between Colt and I. Aside from physical attraction and chemistry, he likes me because I stand up to him and call him on his bullshit. That was something new for him – he’d never been with someone like me before. I was like a new color in his box of crayons. The thought both intrigues and depresses me. I like thinking I’m something different, something good for him, but I hate knowing he’ll pick another color when he gets bored.

MJ waves her hand in front of my face, snapping me back to reality. “Earth to Taylor.”

“Sorry. Just trying to process all this.”

She shakes her head. “Well process it while putting this on.” She offers me a black halter top of hers. “It’ll look great on you.”

I slip it on, along with my favorite jeans, dressy sandals and grab a light weight sweater for later just in case.

Would I ask him to kiss me tonight? Was I brave enough to handle everything that came with it? Would Colt’s delicious attention be worth my inevitable heartbreak once he was through?

I meet Colt out front where his BMW is parked in the gravel drive. He’s leaning against the side of the car with my door already open. He’s dressed in jeans and a fitted black T-shirt, his hair deliciously disheveled. He looks gorgeous of course. And when he spots me, a satisfied little smile crosses his lips.

When I approach the waiting car door, he leans forward coming in toward my cheek. I hold up my hand, stopping him. “Ah, now, Colt.” I shake my head. “No physical contact. Your rule, not mine.” I keep my face completely composed but my voice drips with sarcasm. I slip past him, sinking down into the inviting leather seat.

The look on his face is priceless. Surprised, playful, and… determined. Bring it. I hear his low chuckle just before he swings the door closed.

He gracefully sinks into the seat beside me, but instead of starting the car and pulling away like I expect, he turns to me and treats me to one of his heart-stopping smiles. His eyes travel over my exposed skin and my bare arms break out in chill bumps under his steady attention.

Oh God, help me…

In no rush, he reluctantly pulls his gaze from me and starts the car. Then he hands me his mp3 player and hits the gas, pinning my back against the seat as he speeds away.

“Hopefully you’re not too hungry. We have a bit of a drive ahead of us.”

I’m intrigued. I look over at him curiously, wondering what he has planned.

“I think I can hang in there for a little while.” I settle back against my seat, studying him from the corner of my eye. Oh this boy does bad things to me. My stomach clenches in anticipation of later, wondering who will crack first with this no contact rule.