Page 75 of Colton

I didn’t think I’d be crying so openly in his arms. To say I’m feeling a little embarrassed would be an understatement. Mainly because he didn’t wait for me to stop sobbing like a little bitch. He picked me up in his arms and carried me back into the castle. It was mortifying — because, of course, that’s the moment his employees would be scattered all around — meaning they all saw me as some helpless damsel in distress.

He filled the bathtub with hot water, added bubbles, and helped me get in. The warmth on my skin was instant, and my shoulders relaxed impeccably. Colton left to bring me something to eat, and it gave me more than enough time to think about… well… everything.

When Kat told me she was his wife, I just ran out like a coward. It only clicked in my head after I ran out that there was a smirk on her face, and something dangerously close to sheer amusement. Well, to be fair, the woman radiates power, and I’m not in any position to challenge it.

However, what I hate the most is how quickly I believed her.

I didn’t go to ask Colton; I didn’t ask her to elaborate or prove that she was his wife; I just… ran away. Then, I sulked long enough to be found by Colton, and even cried in his arms. God, I’m pathetic beyond words.

I sink deeper into the tub, wishing it would swallow me whole. Why am I acting like this? Yes, I knew from the beginning that the feelings for Colton would border on toxic, given my obsession with him, but I have never, ever acted like this in front of a man. My brain is struggling to comprehend and truly understand why I’m acting like this.

The only logical explanation is that I fell in love way too quickly. And I fell for a pretty face, at that. There’s nothing worse than being blinded by someone’s beauty and falling for charm or personality. It means you get the chance to meet them properly and figure out if you’re compatible. This? I’m acting like a lovesick puppy.

And he doesn’t mind!

In fact, I’d say he wants to encourage that behavior from me, and I can’t tell if that’s a bad thing.

The door of the bathroom opens, and my thoughts vanish. Colton enters, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, carrying two towels. He offers me his hand, and I take it, watching as he carefully wraps the bigger one around my body and the smaller one around my hair.

Then, he picks me up yet again, as if I weigh nothing, and carries me towards the bedroom. He sets me down on the bed, kneels, grabs an extra towel, and wipes my legs and feet dry.

“Um, Colton?”

He looks up, his eyes soft. “Yes, my sweet girl?”

God, how can he be so perfect? I’ll never tire of hearing that nickname falling from his lips, his deep voice only adding to the appeal. My ears have been blessed for the day now that I’ve heard him say it.

“I want to apologize.” I bite the inside of my cheek, and he halts his movements, brows narrowing. “For running out like that.”

“Don’t you ever apologize.” he reaches up, stroking my cheek gently. “You can burn this castle to the ground, and I’d be the one to blame. You’re perfect. I never want to hear you apologizing to me for such nonsense.”

“But I was acting rashly and immaturely.”

“And it’s my fault.” he blinks.

A small frown etches onto my lips, and I have no rebuttal. How do I explain to him that it was not, in fact, his fault? And that I’m not as perfect a creature he believes I am?

“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, either.”

He quirks a brow. “Such as?”

“I’ve been with older men before.”

“And?” He asks, genuinely confused. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Well, it just means I could’ve approached you and planned all of this.”

“Then it means I should give you more credit,” he says. “What’s this about, Avalon?”

Ever since the confession two hours ago outside, guilt’s been eating at me. The first chance I get, I’m deleting my account on that app, and I won’t ever sell another picture again. Somehow, it doesn’t seem fair that he doesn’t know about it.

“Well…” I clear my throat. “You know that my family isn’t really well off, and that there have been struggles with money… so, to help them out, I created an account on a website, and I’ve been selling pictures of myself there.”

“I know.”

Momentarily, I’m thrown off my game. “What?”

He smirks. “I bought them.”