Heartstrings

Epilogue

Allison

I beamed when Colson opened the door of his apartment. His eyes warmed when they meet mine. "You forgot your keys again, didn't you?"

"I'm still getting used to having the spare key to my boyfriend's apartment." I shrugged, handing him the potted plant I brought with me to bring a little color to his home office.

"This is going to be the third plant that's going to die this week." He steps aside to let me in.

"I have a good feeling about this one. Cactuses don't need much care and watering."

Colson pressed me up against the door and kissed me like it's been ages since the last time we touched. "Does this mean you won't be around much to water my plants?"

I pushed at him playfully. "What are you talking about? I practically live here."

"Practically. Not quite. I still can't get enough of you." He nuzzled my neck, trailing wet kisses to my collarbone.

I sidestepped, or else we'll never make it further inside his apartment like last time.

He groaned in protest.

I marched down the hall to his office and spotted the withering plant I put on his desk a few days ago. "Do you give the plants whiskey instead of water sometimes?" I set the dying plant aside, smiling at the framed photo of me propped on his desk. It has been year since the summer we had in the cabin. But it was vivid to me like it was just yesterday.

He follows me inside and leaned against the doorjamb of his office. "How's the lesson plans?"

"Done." I chirped.

"Please, don't tell me Nancy's been bugging you to help her out again. You've done enough paperwork of your own." There was a crease of disapproval on his brows.

I grinned. "I told her I can't help her."

"Good." He slid a hand to his pocket as he holds the pot on the other, appearing suddenly small in his big hand.

"You wanna know what I told her?" I push his swivel chair further to the side and hopped up onto the desk.

His green eyes heated. "What did you tell her?"

I tuck my leg over the other, grinning when his gaze followed the movement. "I told her I can't help her even on my free time because I'm spending them all having sex with my boyfriend."

When his eyes scooted back to me, they were deliciously hazy. "You can't make up a lie like that."

"I wasn't lying." I held his gaze, undoing the first button of my blouse. "Why did you think I went straight here after finishing up all of my paperwork?"

His gaze narrowed. "If you undo one more button, I'm gonna undo the rest, Allison."

I flicked the second button open and crooked a finger at him.

His jaw clenched and he walked toward me. His arms caged me in completely. "I'm in heaven," he murmurs, hooking my leg apart so he's standing between them. He laid the potted plant to the end of the table, giving me a slow grin.

"Now to make the most of this free time." His hand clasped around the back of my neck and devoured my mouth hungrily. His kisses trace my jaw and lingered at the soft spot on my neck, making me arch against him.

His fingers undid the buttons of my blouse. He peeled it over my shoulders and let his eyes wander on the exposed skin. "You're so beautiful, Allison."

"More beautiful than your girlfriend over there?" I ask breathlessly, gesturing at my photo.

He smiles wryly. "She's beautiful. But I like it better when I'm able to touch her. When she writhes against my touch." He nipped at crook of my neck.

I gasped and clutched his shoulder.

Colson grins boyishly. "Just like that."

"Beautiful than when we had that summer at the cabin?" I delve deep into his eyes.

His index finger slid the strap of my bra off my shoulder and his mouth closes over the soft flesh. "More beautiful each day I'm loving you. More lovable than the summer I fell in love with you. So much more wonderful to love than the summer of me and you."

"I love you, Colson."

He places a soft kiss on my lips. "I love you, Allie-bear."

THE END