Free Covered in Coal by Silla Webb

across his beautiful face. Without invitation, he walks inside, shutting the door behind him. I take two steps back, trying to put some space between the two of us, but just as I do, he wraps his hand around my tiny wrist, and pulls me toward him. I succumb to him, and rest my head upon his rock hard chest. With one deep inhale, I’m enveloped by the scent of Colton. It has never changed. Mmm, he smells of a fresh ocean breeze. I nestle my head deep within his chest, enjoying the euphoric high I feel being wrapped up tight in Colton’s arms.
    He lifts my chin with his finger and swiftly kisses me softly on the lips, then whispers, “Plannin’ on beatin’ my ass with bolt cutters, huh?” I look down, and giggle. I had completely forgotten the task at hand, simply by seeing Colton’s devilishly handsome face. 
    “No, actually I need to cut a lock off of a chest upstairs, but you distracted me.”
    “Sorry, baby, you just worried me when you didn’t come back to the office today. So I wanted to stop by and check on ya. Are ya feelin’ okay?” Colton asks sincerely.
    “I’m fine, just needed to clear my head, so I met Savannah for lunch.” 
    Colton senses my tension, and begins to pepper kisses my all over my forehead. “Carly Jo, I’m here, when you’re ready to talk. Anytime, day or night. But just remember, I always get what I want, so you may as well stop pushin’ me away. Just let me in.”
    I pull away from his embrace, and smile up at him. Damn, he is so beautiful. “I know. I’m just scared.” I whisper. Colton smiles back at me, takes the bolt cutter from my hand and leads me up the stairs.
    “Okay sweetheart, just what do you plan to open with these?” he asks. I walk him over to the closet and show him the chest. He looks down at it for a minute, while rubbing his chiseled chin. Turning to me, he releases a deep huff and asks, “Where’s the key?”
    “If I had the key, I wouldn’t need bolt cutters, dumbass.” I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles back at my smart ass remark.  “I’ve never seen this chest before, and I want to know what’s in it.”
    “Darlin’, are you sure you want to go plunderin’? It aint’ any of my business, but you know how Big John was. Chances are, if he hid the key, he didn’t want anyone gettin’ in this.”
    “Well he ain’t here to voice his damned opinion, so pop the damn lock, or move out of my way so I can do it!” I yell at him. He chuckles a deep laugh.
    Squatting down he pulls the chest from the closet to the middle of the bedroom floor. With one swift flex of his thick, strong arms, the lock snaps and drops to the floor. Oh heavens, watching his rugged strength sends a tingling, warm sensation deep to my core.
    Colton stands, and backs out of the way, willing me to open the lid to the heavy oak chest. Immediately, I begin chewing on my lower lip as nerves rattle through me.
    “Carly Jo, just because the lock is broke, doesn’t mean you have to open it up.” Colton says. I look up at him behind nervous eyes and nod. He takes my hand in his, and pulls me from the bedroom.
    “You can plunder later Capt’n, but right now, you’re gonna sit your ass down, and listen to what I have to say, and I ain’t takin’ no for an answer.”

Chapter 9
    Colton
    I pull Carly Jo down the steps behind me, with her fingers laced in mine. My body trembles with fear as I prepare my inner demons to be unleashed. There is no backin’ out now. If I want my forever with Carly Jo, it’s time to man up and lay all of the cards on the table.
    I guide her into the livin’ room, and pull us both down on the couch. I keep my arm tight around her shoulders for a few minutes, as I try to steady my heart. Carly Jo turns to me, with a sorrowful look in her eyes. She looks defeated, and I ain’t even begun.
    “Darlin’, I never stopped lovin’ you. I never fell out of love with you. None of that means I didn’t make mistakes. Hell, I was a stupid bastard,