Cheyenne (19 page)

I had missed him today. I missed Colt’s touch, his smell, and his love. It really wasn’t fair of me to ask for it. After all, I
had
wanted Callon to kiss me earlier, although that was just stupidity coming to the forefront. Callon was more evasive than a politician. Nothing there for me but frustration. Right?

I was glad Colt couldn’t read my doubts as he swayed us back and forth. But sooner or later I’d have to discuss it with him. Not tonight, though. This was our night.

“
You’ve had a rough couple of days, haven’t you?” Colt observed tenderly.

I sighed. “You could say that.”

“
Is there anything I can do to help?”

I lifted my hand and caressed his cheek. “You’re doing it right now.” I leaned in closer and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Thank you.” I stared into his eyes as I waited for some sort of reaction.

He gave a faint smile, and I nuzzled my head back into his neck once more. Why was it when I wanted him, he didn’t, and when I didn’t want him, he did? They say women are confusing, but I was beginning to think men were worse.

His fingers began to play with my hair as it fell across my back. I was realizing how tired I was becoming. My eyelids were heavy, and every blink lasted longer. I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I did feel the sensation of him carrying me to bed.

I woke to the coolness of the morning air drifting over my cheeks. The window was open, and it left a chill in the room. Colt was with me, his arm draped across my shoulder. I remained still, gazing at the wall and letting my thoughts flow freely. By now, a certain sense of routine had settled in, and I no longer felt so threatened by everything. I didn’t like how easily I’d succumbed, but fighting against my circumstances all the time was a waste of energy. I simply had to accept it.

For now.

There were more important things on my plate, the journal. I’d not stopped thumbing through it trying to decipher what the symbols meant, but always ended up with the same conclusion…it was still a mystery.

I twisted under the covers, facing Colt. He looked so peaceful in sleep. He had a softer face than Callon, and his blonde locks brightened his sun-kissed skin. If perfection could be found, it was in his lips…full and very kissable. I smiled inwardly. He’d only really kissed me once, but it was enough for me to know I liked it.

My eyes traced down his neck, and then his shoulder and arms. They were strong, and it was something I was getting very used to. Too used to.

I glanced away for a moment, and closed my eyes. I was still uncertain as to whether I could trust him. But he’d built his foundations well. How could I forget all those moments we’d shared, those times when I’d cried into his shoulder and he’d taken my hurt away? No matter how much his betrayal still stung inside, it was obvious I needed him.

I stared back at him, my heart torn. I wanted to reach out and touch him, feel the texture of his skin beneath my fingertips, but I held back. I couldn’t give in to my desires too easily. Besides, he looked so innocent asleep.

I attempted to slide out from under him without disturbing him, but as I turned away his arm caught in the covers, and he rolled over on top of me.

Ugh! I hadn’t realized how much he weighed. I struggled to push him off; I’d have had better luck lifting the Jeep. I tried to slip through his arm and chest, but that didn’t work either. I had no other option but to wake him.

“
Colt, you’re crushing me.” He moved, but it wasn’t to push himself off. He was laughing. He’d been awake. “You’re such a jerk! Now get off me! I can’t breathe!”

He rose, hovering above me and then kissed me on the head before he jumped from the bed. He was still chuckling. “Good morning, sleepy head.”

I took a deep breath to refill my lungs with oxygen and tried to scowl (my lip still wasn’t back to normal yet). I left the room, only to realize I’d forgotten to grab clothes. I turned back. Colt had his arm extended, my clothes in hand.

“
Forget something?” He arched a brow.

I rolled my eyes and took the clothes from his hand as I entered the bathroom. I looked at what he handed me. A pair of jeans and a blue blouse. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Except the funny thing was, I didn’t remember packing this pair of jeans. If I hadn’t packed them, then someone must have gone into my house after I left and picked them up. My eyes widened. Colt must have known we would be together before I returned home. He
had
planned this all along!

I had no choice but to let it go for the moment. I had been angry enough lately; it wasn’t going to change the situation. I would, however, question him about it.

I looked in the mirror. My face was almost back to normal. I seemed to be healing faster than I would have thought. When I finished in the bathroom, the hall was empty.

I went to the great room to find Colt sitting on the sofa, waiting. He was alone. I stopped in front of him, and he flashed a toothy grin.

“
So do you like my jeans?” I twirled around so he could get a look.

“
Uh, yeah,” he replied hesitantly.

I gave him a meaningful look. “You know, I don’t really remember packing them. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

A sheepish smile spread over his lips as he pulled me to his lap. “They look very nice on you. So does your blouse.” He gave me a tight squeeze, forcing the air from my lungs.

“
What’s the big deal?” I squeaked. “Are you into pushing the air out of me today or what?”

“
Maybe.” He relaxed his hold, and I hopped up. My body missed his warmth, but I shook my head. I needed to stop that.

Colt followed me to the kitchen as I rummaged for some food. He sat at the table and watched me eat. 

“
So, you picked up my clothes after I left town?” I brought the conversation back to the topic at hand.

Colt crossed his arms and looked away, hesitant.

“
What’s done is done. I just want to know.” I pressed as I took a bite of my cereal.

“
After.”

“
So how did you know where to find me?”

He looked away.

“
You’re always going on about how I need to trust you, Colt,” I said firmly and put my spoon down.

His eyes met mine.

“
You can trust me to protect you.”

“
Trust is a two-way street.” His distant gaze told me that this particular street was a dead end.

We were silent for a bit, when I noticed we were the only ones around.

“
Where are Callon and Daniel?” I asked.

“
They ran into town. They’ll be back later this afternoon.”

I glanced out the kitchen window and noticed my Jeep was missing; they must have taken it. I continued eating and saw my journal on the table next to my laptop, right where I left it. I picked it up and started thumbing through.

“
Have you looked at this?” I lifted my head.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Er…”

“
It’s okay,” I assured him. “I was just wondering if you understood any of it.”

“
No, not really. Callon thinks he might know someone who can interpret it. It might take a little while to make contact.”

I nodded and placed the journal back on the table. I was going to have to get some help deciphering it since it was a dead end for me, and starting with Callon’s lead would probably be the best option right now.

I finished breakfast and went to the sink to wash and dry my dish. Colt tagged along again, leaning against the counter to watch.

Our friendship was starting to feel normal again, although I knew it wouldn’t be the same as it was. He’d confessed his feelings to me, and I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to accept them so readily.

I concentrated on the running water. I would just have to take it one day at a time.

“
So,” I smiled, “what’s on the agenda today, boss?”

His brow lifted. “Just you and me today.”

My smile deepened. Despite my previous misgivings, I liked his answer. It had been a while since it was just he and I, like old times, and I missed it.

We went for a small hike to a ridge where we could see a massive range of mountains in the distance, some still covered in snow at the peaks. Colt picked me wildflowers, and, as we passed a small creek, he proceeded to splash me.

We returned to the cabin and lay in the hammock together on the front porch just as it started to rain.

The raindrops were tapping out a soft rhythm on the metal rooftop before it trickled down the sides. I took a cleansing breath. It smelled so fresh. I buried my head into his chest as I rolled to my side.

I could lay here all day taking in his scent. He always smelled so good. It wasn’t a woodsy smell; it was a mixture of musk and something else I couldn’t place. It wasn’t cologne. It was ten times better, and it was all over him.

I lifted my head and stared into his gorgeous blue eyes; they were so soft and caring. I wanted so bad to reach up and kiss him, to make him want me the way I wanted him right now. Instead I decided to control my hormones; it would be safer for now. Questions might be better.

“
Colt, can I ask you something?”

He smiled and nodded. “Sure, anything.”

“
Do you know what Callon and I talked about the other day?” I assumed he would probably know by now, and was hoping Callon had left out the part where he’d wanted to kiss me witless.

”
Mostly.” His tone was guarded.

“
He told me that sometime after I turn twenty, I will become Timeless. He said that for weeks he had agonizing pain, and for each person it’s different. How did it happen for you?”

He relaxed, seeming almost relieved by the question.

“
Callon’s right. It’s different for each of us. I had physical pain as well, but not for as long as he did. He suffered for months, though he only told me that later. Daniel was different, too. He went through it the easiest.” He began to stroke my cheek. “Cheyenne, you don’t need to worry. We’ll help you through it. Callon has some ideas about what he can do to help ease the transition.”

“
So did it stop right on your twentieth birthday?”

Colt shook his head.

“
No, for me it didn’t start until I was in my twentieth year. I don’t remember exactly, but I think I was about six months into my twentieth year before the actual transformation took place. I think Callon’s took place right around his twenty-first. It’s not an exact science. Your body will change when it’s time and not before.”

“
How did you know you were changed?” I questioned.

“
I don’t know if I can explain that one. You’ll just know.”

I turned away and laid my head back down. His hand moved to my hair, and he twisted a strand in his fingers. I kept still for a long moment, not sure whether I wanted to follow through with my final question.

“
Colt?” I said finally.

“
Yeah?”

“
What’s going to happen now?”

“
What do you mean?”

“
Do I have to stay in hiding until I become Timeless?”

He shrugged. “Probably, but we just don’t know yet. It’s not safe for you to be without us.”