Wounded Love (A Rocky Harbor Novel Book 3) Read online

  “What are your options?”

  Of course Maggie thought Ellie was weighing her options on pursuing Colton. What she really needed help with was deciding how and when to tell him about CJ. Rachael had made the connection and it was only a matter of time before she said something to Colton. Ellie didn’t think her friend would betray her, however Colton was Rachel’s brother, and family came first.

  At least it should. Maybe not in the Fairfield house, but in the Riley house it did. “Maggie, can I talk you about a private matter?”

  “Of course.” She set her cup down, her expression turning from amusement to serious interest.

  “I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship by asking professional advice. I can make an appointment or—”

  “Ellie.” Maggie got up from the stool and moved close to Ellie. “You’re my friend first. Always. If you need advice from a friend who happens to be a therapist, that’s not taking advantage. I’m here for you.”

  “Now probably isn’t the best time. CJ will come out any minute. I’m sure his show is just about over.”

  “You tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  As predicted, CJ rounded the corner, still dressed in his pajamas. “Hey, kiddo. You planning on getting dressed today?”

  “Nah. I think it’s a pajama day.”

  Ellie missed those. Now with the Inn open twenty-four seven, she needed to keep herself fairly presentable. According to the books, early November was a slow month. It would pick up a little around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then slow down in January and February. Mostly weekend visitors, giving her time during the week to get caught up on…nothing.

  Other than researching diseases and doctors and shopping for supplies, all Ellie needed was in her home. The Inn.

  “Use your manners and say hi to Mrs. Riley.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Riley.”

  “Hi, CJ. I can’t say I blame you. If I could I’d wear my fuzzy jammies all day long as well.”

  “We have errands to run so you’ll need to get dressed, kiddo.”

  “Okay,” CJ said in defeat. “Can I watch one more show first?” His green eyes mastered the puppy dog look.

  “Sure.”

  “Yes!” He did a fist pump before running down the hall.

  “No running in the house!” Ellie called.

  “He’s a cutie.”

  “And knows how to use his charm to get his way. Bats those long eyelashes and I cave every time.” Just like his father.

  “I’ll get out of your way. Call me any time, okay? Graham can even come over and hang out with CJ if you want to go for a walk or something. He’s been looking for an excuse to act like a nine-year-old.”

  “I will.” Ellie gave Maggie a hug and walked her to the front door. “Thank you for being my friend.”

  “No.” Maggie shook her head. “Thank you for being my friend.”

  Later, Ellie and CJ stopped at the post office to mail brochures to guests who’d stayed at the Inn previously, did the week’s grocery shopping, and filled up the gas tank. With nothing else pressing, they went home and unloaded their bags. She tried not to check her phone every ten minutes and cursed herself for jumping when it rang.

  Colton didn’t do phone conversations. If he wanted to see her he’d text her a quick message or stop by. By six that evening she’d given up on him. CJ helped her put toppings on a premade pizza crust she’d picked up and chop vegetables for a salad. The only way he’d eat the green stuff was if he had a hand in making it. It was a win-win situation for Ellie, who liked to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen. Cleaning, she didn’t mind. Cooking—ick.

  They ate, cleaned up, and watched Star Wars Episode Four for the ten millionth time. A typical Saturday night for the Fairfield duo. After teeth had been brushed, faces scrubbed, and nightly kisses given, Ellie tucked CJ into his bed and returned to her suite to finish her nightly rituals.

  She ruffled through the closet in her bathroom until she found a mud mask she hadn’t had the time to use. After rubbing on a thick layer of green goo, she stared at herself for a long time, watching the mask harden. Ellie opened and closed her mouth and tried wiggling her eyebrows, entertained with the silly movements and difficulty in making facial expressions.

  Her phone rang in her bedroom and she glanced at her bedside clock. Who the heck would call her at ten o’clock on a Saturday night? She picked up the phone and glanced at the caller ID. If her face hadn’t been stiff from her mask she would have smiled.

  “Ello?”

  “Ellie?”

  “Col-on”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Sure. Wassup?”

  “You sound funny.”

  “Wha-do-you-wan?” She didn’t mean to sound so snotty, but she couldn’t move her facial muscles and was a little ticked that he waited until so late to finally call. Not that he mentioned anything about calling her when he dropped her off last night. No, he didn’t mention anything at all. Not. One. Thing.

  No follow up to his I think about you naked comment. Zilch. Nada.

  “Are you sick?”

  “No. Jus-nekked.” There. Take that. Ellie put her phone on speaker so she wouldn’t have to hold it next to her masked face and settled on her bed. Leaning against the headboard, she fluffed the pillows and tucked her feet under her.

  “Are you in bed?”

  Ellie rustled around a little more. She hadn’t meant to tease him about being in bed, and being naked, but he deserved to be as tortured as she was.

  “Maybe.”

  “Dammit.” The phone went quiet and Ellie sat waiting for Colton to respond again.

  After a minute of silence the phone clicked off. The jerk hung up on her. She swung her legs out of bed, ready to smash something, when she heard a noise outside her door. It couldn’t have been CJ. When she left his room he was sound asleep. He slept soundly, so soundly it often worried Ellie.

  Searching for a weapon, she came up with nothing but a coat hanger in one hand and her cell phone in the other. She dialed in 911 and had it ready to send if needed. Creeping closer to her door, she heard it again. Quiet shuffling coming from the kitchen and getting louder and louder until her door swung open, nearly smacking her face in the process.

  Ellie picked up her hanger and swung furiously at the intruder, crashing the plastic against his skull. “Ge-ou,” she tried to scream, the mud mask on her face unwilling to crack.

  “Ellie! It’s me. Stop.”

  She opened her eyes as wide as the mask would allow, her mouth dropping—only slightly—at the sight of her crazy, sexy intruder.

  “Col-on?”

  “What the hell is wrong with your face?”

  “Isa mumask.”

  “You did that on purpose?” She nodded. “How do you get it off?”

  “Iwasit.” What stupid questions to ask after breaking into her house.

  “In the shower?” Only then did she notice the greens in his eyes darkening and the grip he had on her hips tightening. She nodded again and before she realized what was happening, Colton had her walking backwards towards her bathroom. Without moving his gaze from her, he reached over and turned on the shower. “You said you were naked.”

  “I nekked undamycose.”

  In one swift move he had her frumpy T-shirt over her head and her pajama pants around her ankles. “Step out.” She obeyed, kicking her Minion pants away. He took the hanger and cell phone from her hands and set them on the counter behind him. Colton tested the water, sucked in his breath and trailed his gaze down her body. No one had ever eyed her with such scrutiny and admiration. His breathing grew labored, as did another part of his body as it bulged behind the zipper of his pants.

  Ellie reached down to unfasten his pants and drag down his zipper. She slid her hands between the fabric of his boxer shorts and his warm skin, skimming her hands across his hips and around back to grip his most perfect butt. H
er hands traveled to the front again, but before she could touch him, he pulled back.

  “Not yet. Hell, I’m not ready for you yet.”

  If she could, Ellie would have raised an eyebrow. “Yesyouare.” She gripped the hem of his shirt and tugged it over his head, tossing it to the floor. Her fingers traced the tattoo she’d caught a glimpse of before. U.S.M.C. in fancy lettering circled his bicep.

  “Hell, Ellie. I can’t let you touch me right now or it will be over before you step foot into the shower.”

  The seductive smirk she wanted to toss at him didn’t work when she couldn’t feel her face. “Ohmigod.” She gasped as she noticed her reflection in the mirror. “Donlooatme.”

  “Too late for that, princess.” Colton cupped her butt in his hands and had her panties around her ankles before she could blink. He whipped open the curtain and lifted her into the shower. “Can I kiss you with that shit on your face?”

  Ellie didn’t know whether to laugh or to swoon. Mortified that he’d seen her like this but thrilled that he still found her attractive, Ellie decided to swoon and give him all she had. “Kissme.” She grabbed on to the back of his head and forced it lower until their lips met. The kiss was awkward, with him standing on the other side of the tub and the green glop melting off her face and dripping down his chin.

  Now able to wiggle her eyebrows and open her mouth wider, she cupped Colton’s face and felt the goo spread to his cheeks as well. “Wait, wait.” She laughed, pulling back. “Let me wash this off.” Ellie lifted her face to the spray and gasped when she felt Colton’s mouth on her breast.

  He covered every inch of her torso and neck with his kisses and touches, bringing her to heaven and then back down to earth. Every time she lowered her hands to pull him into the tub with her, he grabbed her wrists and dragged them back up to his shoulders.

  “Why don’t you join me?” she said breathlessly when she could talk again.

  Colton’s hands stilled on her body. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, taking a few deep breaths before he responded. “I’ll wait for you out here.” The pained expression in his eyes dissipated as his hands continued their journey down her sides.

  “If you insist.” She wished she’d practiced washing her body seductively. Ellie had no idea if she looked sexy or ridiculous as she rinsed her hair and body. “I still think it would be better if you joined me.”

  Ellie reached out and rubbed the bar of soap down his chest, a river of water pooling over the ridges of his stomach and wetting the front of his khakis. She toyed with the elastic band of his boxers and trailed her hands back up his chest again. The angle was awkward with the shower spray blinding her left eye, and she really wanted him to get naked and join her. When she slipped her hand under his boxers again, he stopped her hand with his.

  “It’s been a long, long time. I don’t know how long I’ll last.”

  “We won’t ever know if we don’t give it a shot.” She clutched his butt cheeks and pulled him roughly into her, his legs hitting the side of the tub.

  “Good God,” he cursed and shut off the shower. Colton grabbed a towel and held it in his hands as he inspected Ellie’s body again. His perusal made her shiver in response. “Damn.” He lifted her out of the tub and dried her off, his impressive erection pressing against her stomach when he drew her close to dry her hair.

  “Bed. Now, please,” Ellie begged.

  Their bodies stayed glued together as she backed him into her room until his knees hit the bed. Ellie pushed Colton back and climbed on top of him, her mouth never leaving his.

  This. This is what she’d wanted and needed for so long. Colton Riley’s love. Not that what they were sharing was love, but they’d find their way there again. The passion between them burned too deep, their pasts too tightly interwoven to fight the connection any more.

  She loved Colton. CJ would always come first and own Ellie’s heart in a way no one else could, but Colton took up another side of her. One that no other man ever had or ever would possess.

  “Condom,” he blurted in between kisses.

  Ellie froze, her naked body straddling him, so close to connecting their bodies as one. So caught up in their passion that she’d neglected birth control. That’s what Colton did to her. “Where?”

  “Do you have one?”

  “Me?”

  “In your drawer or something?” Colton sat, shifting Ellie so she straddled his lap.

  “I haven’t slept with a man since…” You. “Don’t you have one?”

  Colton let out a string of curses and flipped Ellie to his side. She took that for a no. He stood and paced her room. He should have looked silly with a giant wet spot covering his crotch and thighs of his pants and his erection pushing at the zipper, but he didn’t. She wanted him in the worst way. Never had she had sexual cravings for a man. When Colton left her so many years ago she was young and pregnant and missed him. The man, not necessarily the sex.

  Now older and wiser, she knew what his body could do for her. To her.

  “I finished my period a few days ago. It’s okay. We can be careful. I trust you.” He said it had been a long time. If Colton had any diseases, he wouldn’t put her at risk. A man who wouldn’t accept payment for a job hired to do, a man who was concerned about breaking his mother’s rules, wasn’t one who would put her health in jeopardy.

  Colton rubbed his hands across his face, inadvertently flexing his biceps. The separation of their bodies hadn’t cooled Ellie off. She was only more turned on now that she could actually stare at the Adonis in front of her.

  “Or we can do other things. Let me touch you.”

  “Dear God.” He looked down at her, his eyes nearly black with lust as she showed him how much fun they could have together sans condom.

  ***

  Colton

  There was no better sound than the sound of a woman gasping for air after you’d given her a succession of orgasms. Scratch that. No better sound than Ellie gasping for air after he’d devoured her body from head to toe, and back again. After what she said in the cab of his truck last night, nothing should surprise him. But she did. And hell if he didn’t love the surprises she had in store.

  “I’m sorry about the condom. Had I known you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off me I would have—”

  Ellie launched her body upright and straddled him. “Me? You break into my inn, crash into my room, and strip me naked even when I look like the Crypt Keeper. I’d say you are the one at fault here. You can’t keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Very true.” Colton skimmed his hands up her stomach and cupped her breasts. “Very true.”

  “And while we’re on that topic…” She placed her hands over his, stilling their movement yet holding them in place over her extremely perfect breasts.

  “The topic of hands? And breasts?”

  “No.” Ellie bit back a smile and shook her head. “Of you breaking and entering.”

  “I used a key.”

  “I never gave you a key. And how did you get here so fast?”

  “It’s under your back doormat.” Colton moved his hands again, massaging her breasts. “You need to find a better hiding place.” He ignored her second question, not wanting to admit how long he’d sat in his truck in her parking lot, contemplating whether to call or knock on her door. A late night visitor usually meant one thing and he didn’t know if Ellie was ready for sex. So he’d called her. And then knocked. Sort of.

  “Just because you know where I keep the key doesn’t mean you can come barging in here at ten o’clock at night scaring the crap out of me.”

  “I think it’s the other way around. You scared the crap out of me with that shit all over your face. Ow!” Ellie pinched his ribs and rolled off him. “Get back on me. I like that.”

  “You said I looked like shit.”

  “Nuh-uh, sweetheart.” Colton rolled over so he had Ellie pinned beneath him. “I said you had shit all over your face.”

  �
��Same thing.”

  “Hardly.” He lowered his mouth to hers and sipped on her lips. Damn, she tasted sweet. “Besides, you owe me for cracking my skull open with that hanger.”

  “Please,” Ellie said between kisses. “I didn’t even scratch you.”

  Colton gathered both her wrists in one of his hands and raised her arms above her head. “About that. Did you really think you could scare off an intruder with a plastic hanger?”

  “I had my cell phone and 911 on speed dial.”

  “That makes me feel a little better. Still, you need to do a better job locking up. At least your and CJ’s rooms. I don’t want anyone to hurt you.” He felt her body soften under him. He didn’t mean to turn sentimental. It was purely about common sense and safety.

  “But that green shit is a great way to scare off intruders. Be sure to keep it handy.”

  Ellie screeched and tried to wrestle away, kicking and squirming and laughing as he placed love bites on her belly and ribs. She eventually slowed down her movements and made it impossible to refuse her offer of unprotected sex.

  Unplanned pregnancies and abortions crept into the back of his mind and he quickly pushed those thoughts away. As he lowered his pants, more uncertainty filled his mind. Would she be appalled at the scars on his legs? At the stub at his knee? Colton pulled down his khakis just far enough so he could move and make love to Ellie, but high enough to hide the ugliness of his scars.

  He couldn’t hold back any longer. Not with Ellie Fairfield.

  Chapter Ten

  Ellie

  “You’re chipper this morning.”

  Because of the lull in guests, Ellie hadn’t seen Rachael since Saturday morning. The woman had a perpetual smile on her face, and ever since Colton visited Ellie’s bed Saturday night, so had she.

  “I’m marrying the man of my dreams in a few months, my new and dear friend has a radiant glow, and my miserable brother didn’t growl at me when I showed up at his trailer last night. He even hugged me goodbye.”

  “You hug everyone goodbye all the time.”