The night Colt moved in…

"So are you ready?"

"Ready?" Colt echoed, lifting our plates and bringing them to the sink. 

I stood in the doorway, admiring his broad shoulders and the way his back muscles rippled as he turned on the faucet and began scrubbing the dishes. "You don't have to do that," I laughed, approaching him slowly from behind.

He peered over his shoulder at me, smirking. "Of course I do. You cooked, I clean. That's the deal. Everybody knows that the cook doesn't clean, butterfly."

I moved around him leaning my hip against the edge of the counter as I watched him work. "Why do you call me that?"

"What?" Colt feigned innocence. 

"Butterfly."

Colt trailed his tongue along his lower lip as he focused on scrubbing the last of the lasagna from the glass pan. "It's stupid," he replied softly. "I don't think I should tell you."

I watched him carefully, choosing not to push the subject. I decided to file it away and ask him again some other time. In this light and from this angle, I could see more bruises on his jaw and neck. Without realizing it, I reached for his discolored skin, running my fingers over four round marks that looked about the size of a hand around his neck. His head fell forward and his eyes squeezed shut. "Don't."

I snatched my hand back, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty for not being able to control myself. "I'm sorry, I…"

Colt shifted around to face me, his eyes searching mine. "I didn't mean you couldn't touch me," he whispered, pulling my hand back to his neck before he let his own hand fall away. His eyes lowered to the floor before he added, "Don't pity me. I hate that."

I stepped closer and gazed up at him. "I'm not, I just…" I paused and sighed. "You're right. I was doing that. I'm sorry."

He cocked his head and smiled down at me. "I'm not mad, Corri. I just don't want you seeing me that way."

He glanced away nervously and I was thankful for the break in the intense eye contact. "Let me show you your room. Follow me."

Colt trailed behind me as I led him down the hall leading back to the garage. I pointed out the washer and dryer. "Feel free to use it whenever you need to."

I watched as he grabbed a small duffle bag and then followed me up the stairs to a small loft we used for guests. I opened the door and switched on the lights, immediately noticing how stuffy and warm it was. There were two small windows, one on each side of the room. The full size bed was placed at one end with a futon and TV on an oak stand at the other.

"Here's the bathroom. It's just a toilet and sink but it's yours. You'll have to use the one in the house if you want a shower or bath." I checked under the sink for soap and toilet paper before turning to find Colt blocking the doorway. 

I watched him as his eyes trailed around the small room and then finally landed on me. "It isn't much, but it's all yours," I told him happily.

Colt reached up and gripped the doorframe, holding it tightly as he leaned forward. "Are you kidding me?" he scoffed. "This is amazing."

He stepped back into the room and moved toward the windows. "Is this your first time having your own room?" I couldn't help but ask.

He shook out the dusty drapes and lifted the window until it opened fully. "It's my first time having my own bed," he replied softly.

I stood in the center of the room, not being able to tear my eyes away from this damaged boy. He puttered around the room with the biggest smile on his face until he saw me staring. "You're doing it again," Colt sighed deeply.

He approached me slowly, nibbling at the corner of his mouth as he observed me. I sidestepped him before he could reach me, turning my attention to the stacks of boxes against the wall. "I'm sorry about this mess. We haven't used this room for a while and I guess it's just become a catch-all in here. I can move these out…"

"Don't worry about that tonight," he replied. I felt his breath on the top of my head as he stood behind me, towering over me. The close proximity of his body mine had my stomach fluttering and goosebumps popping up all over. "We can clear these out tomorrow."

I glanced at the bed and nodded. "You need sheets. Let me see if I can find some."

I began digging as he opened the remaining window. "We have fans in the garage if you get too hot or I can ask my dad about getting you a window unit if you need air conditioning."

Colt chuckled. "I'm fine, truly. This is great, Corri."

"I found some sheets," I announced as my hands felt the flannel material. "Are these okay?"

Colt approached me, reaching for the sheets, his fingers grazing mine. "They're soft," he muttered nervously. When he smiled down at me, I pulled my fingers from his grasp and began putting the sheets on.

"I hope you don't get too hot up here," I added as we each finished the last corner. 

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

"You gonna try it out?" I encouraged him as I tossed a light checkered print comforter over the end of the bed.

Colt glanced at me and then the bed, then shrugged. "Sure."

I watched him kneel down on the edge before lying back against the pillows. A deep sigh left his chest as his eyes fell closed. "You have no idea how nice this is."

I stood there admiring the smile on his face and the way the tension seemed to melt away from his body. I knew I should leave, let him settle in without me hovering over him. But everything inside me was screaming for more.

I wanted to get to know him, find out who hurt him, ask him his deepest secrets and discover what brought him here. But that was dangerous. My curiosity was dangerous. When I turned to leave, I heard him say, "Do you have to go?"

My heart leapt at his request. I didn't have to go. I wanted to stay. But how could I be this close to him when I found him so appealing?

I spun back around and saw Colt patting the opposite side of the bed. There was plenty of room that I could lie there and not touch him. So I took a chance.

That night was the beginning of my secret love for Colt. As we laughed together and talked about all kinds of things, I couldn't help the way my chest would constrict when he would smile at me. I couldn't help the shivers when his arm would accidently brush mine. I couldn't help but wish he would see me as more. 

"Corri?" I heard my father's voice call from the garage. 

"I gotta go," I sighed, pushing off from Colt's bed and tossing a quick smile over my shoulder. I glanced at my phone and realized that I had been up here for hours.

"Thanks...for everything," Colt grinned sleepily.

"See you tomorrow." I hustled down the steps to find my dad at the bottom and looking none too pleased. "Why aren't you in bed?" he demanded.

"I was getting Colt settled into his room."

He growled, "He's too old for you, Corri. Just leave him alone."

"Dad!" I scolded, feeling the blush in my cheeks as I pulled him toward the house. "He's gonna hear you."

"I already told him to keep his distance."

"It's not like that, Dad. We're friends. He's nice."

"He's troubled. A good kid, but troubled. I just want you to be careful."

"We were just talking, I swear."

Dad walked me to my room, but before I could open the door, he reached for me. "I love you, kid." His hugs were warm and crushing. I loved them.

"I love you," I laughed, wriggling out of his arms.

"Get some sleep," he ordered before closing my door.

I fell back onto my bed with a deep sigh. Not much chance of that. 

…..

The next morning I awoke with butterflies in my stomach as soon as Colt entered my mind. I groaned loudly, knowing I had to get control over this crush because it could only end badly. I rushed to the bathroom and found the door shut. Ugh! Colt must have woken up early. I knocked lightly, but it only took a moment for the door to swing open.

My senses were assaulted with the unfamiliar scent of his body wash, the warmth of the shower steam billowing out, the sound of Colt's morning voice greeting me and the sight of his bare chest. Oh wow. 

He was even skinnier than I had first suspected. His wide shoulders held little muscle, but I knew my dad would remedy that soon. His hair was a little long, curling a little at his nape and giving him a boyish look. His broad chest tapered to a trim waist and narrow hips. I tried not to stare at the bruises littering his smooth skin.

Somebody had really beat the hell out of him. 

"Good morning," Colt sputtered before spitting out a mouthful of toothpaste. "I'm almost done."

I pressed myself against the open door, fighting the urgency to shove him out before my bladder burst. "No hurry," I lied.

Colt gathered his dirty clothes and wet towel before shuffling past me. "Sorry," he muttered softly, clad in a pair of knit shorts that draped loosely around his trim hips. "I didn't mean to get in your way."

I reached for his arm, finding his skin wet and warm from his shower. He faced me, lowering his eyes to my hand and trailing up slowly. I grinned up at him, wanting him to know he was no burden to me. His eyes sparkled back at me happily until we heard my dad call to us from the kitchen.

Colt stiffened up, glancing down the hall once before darting off. I closed the door and let out the breath I had been holding. I stared at my reflection, suddenly embarrassed when I noticed my flushed face and the fact I was only wearing a tank top and short shorts. Colt certainly had an effect on me.

….

"Morning, Dad!" I chirped as I entered the kitchen ready for the day. 

Colt and my dad were seated at the table eating and drinking coffee. I leaned over dad's shoulders and hugged him around the neck, smiling happily at how the two of them seemed to be getting along. I knew some might be jealous of the attention he was getting, but it didn't bother me. I would never be the boxer that my father had envisioned. I was happy with my role at the gym and I knew the enthusiasm Colt had for fighting would thrill my father, even if he was trying to contain his excitement. 

"There's some bacon and eggs on the stove. I've gotta put some weight on Colt here and get him ready to train," Dad beamed as he squeezed his shoulder.

Colt tried to hide his smile behind his glass of milk as I made my plate and moved to sit beside him. "You're starting today?"

My dad nodded as he began clearing the table. "Yeah, we're leaving soon. What did you have planned for today, sweetie?"

I sipped my juice and shrugged. "I was hoping I could come with. I wanted to hang out and watch Colt train."

Colt smirked at me before his eyes fell to his lap. The expression on my father's face indicated that he noticed it. Scowling, my father sighed, "Colt will be very busy today. Maybe you should stay home and not be a distraction."

"Dad!" I scoffed. "I won't be. I swear."

Colt finished clearing the table, but when he offered to wash the dishes, I told him I would do it. He shuffled back to the garage with his wet clothes and said he would be ready as soon as he started a load of wash.

"Go ahead, kid. Make yourself at home," my father nodded vigorously.

As soon as he was out of earshot, I prepared myself for the ensuing lecture. "Corri…" he warned.

"Dad…"

"I thought you had summer reading to do for when school starts? Maybe you should do that today?"

I groaned animatedly. "I can bring the book along."

"Fine," he finally conceded. He lowered his voice and added, "But keep your distance from Colt. I mean it."

I held my hands up and nodded. "I heard you." And I'm trying….

….

The gym was already busy when we stepped through the doors. Rap music played from a speaker while two guys sparred in the ring and two more were spotting each other with the weights. Most of the guys who came here were just looking to get fit, but some came to be trained by the great Charlie Armstrong. They were serious about wanting to make it as a pro fighter and they wanted to learn from the best.

I watched as my father began introducing Colt around and I could feel his nervousness. Colt glanced back at me once, so I gave him a reassuring smile.

"Who's the douchebag?"

I spun around to find Beau hovering over me. "Go away," I groaned, sidestepping him on the way to my father's office.

"Oh come on, Corri. Don't act like you haven't missed me."

"I haven't," I shrugged, trying to feign indifference. Truth was, Beau was cute. Unfortunately, he knew it. 

He reached around me when I struggled to get the key into the lock of the office door. He pressed one hand to my hip and the other one swiftly unlocked the door. "There you go," he breathed into my ear.

I rushed into the office and tried to hide the blush on my face. Normally Beau wasn't this brazen with his flirting, but he had been on vacation with his family for the past week, so maybe he had saved it all up?

I busied myself with tidying my father's desk as Beau stood watching me. "Can I help you with something?" I huffed in annoyance. 

"You look good today," he smirked, rubbing the non-existent hair on his chin. Beau was 16, a year older than me. Even though his family had money, he trained here with my father. Out of everyone, he was the most determined to be a fighter even though his family vehemently disapproved. 

"Thanks," I replied shyly, knowing that I had spent a little more time on my hair this morning, curling the ends a little and letting hang loose instead of my typical messy bun. But I didn't do it for Beau.

He circled the desk and came to sit on the edge as I thumbed through the mail. "I was hoping you could help me with something," he smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him and tried to take a step back. "You need to go before my dad catches you in here."

Beau reached for me, pulling me in front of him as he laughed. "I just want you to feel something." 

"Gross, no!"

"Seriously, Corri!" He grabbed my hand and pulled it over his shoulder, guiding me to feel the tension above his right shoulder blade. "I need your magic hands."

I did indeed feel a knot that had formed under the surface of his smooth skin. "What happened?" I asked with concern, noticing the way his face contorted in pain when I felt my way around the muscle. 

"Too many hours in the car on the way home from our trip. I just l slept wrong I think."

"Come on," I urged, tugging on the sleeve of his t-shirt. I laughed when he jogged behind me, following me obediently like a puppy. I wasn't sure what was causing his change in behavior, but I didn't trust him. I had known Beau for a few years now and he was the type to be all sweet when it was just the two of us and then act like he didn't know me when he saw me in the halls at school. Screw that.

I announced myself as I entered the deserted locker room and directed Beau to lie face down on the padded table in the middle of the room. He made a big show of pulling his t-shirt off slowly and gauging my reaction. He had a great body, I couldn't hardly deny, but I was determined for him to never know I thought so.

"Oh shit!" he winced when I applied a heated cream to his sore shoulder and worked my way to the center of the knot. "Corri," Beau whimpered, "take it easy on me."

I laughed and immediately thought about Colt and how he reacted to me cleaning his wound last night. After a few more minutes, Beau was more relaxed and when he sat up and rolled his shoulder around, he definitely looked like he was in less pain. "All better?" I teased. 

"I will be when you agree to go out with me," he grinned, reaching for an errant curl on my shoulder and smiling when the back of his fingers brushed the bare skin of my collarbone. 

"You're joking, right?" I scoffed, knowing I was the total opposite of his type. Sure, I was blonde, but he always went for the popular, cheerleader types and that was definitely not me. 

"It's no joke. I had a revelation on my trip and I know what I want," he insisted, gripping my shoulders and lowering his head to meet my eye level. "No messing around. I want you."

"No, Beau. You can't be serious…" I paused and waited for the punchline. He had to be messing with me...right?

"I am serious. You and me. We should go out."

"Leave her alone."

Colt's deep, soft voice cut through the empty locker room and caused Beau to scowl deeply. "Butt out, dude."

"She said no. I heard her. Did you?"

Beau's gaze narrowed and I knew his short temper would have these two coming to blows if I didn't say something soon. When Beau tried to push past me to get to Colt, I shoved Beau in the chest. "Don't do this," I urged.

I felt Colt step up behind me, anger radiating off of him in waves. "This is your last chance," Colt warned. "Walk away now."

I was surprised by his aggressiveness, only having seen him shy and uncomfortable last night. I had no idea why he would want to defend me when we barely knew each other, but he made me feel safe. Beau glanced between us before shaking his head and walking away. "This isn't over. You can't train in this gym without going up against me. And I never lose."

Thankfully Beau left without another word and when I spun around and found Colt gazing down at me, a chill ran through my body. "You're okay?" he inquired softly as his eyes drifted down to my mouth and back up again.

I could only nod in response. His presence had my stomach twisting and my heart racing. He threw me a small smile before disappearing out the locker room door. 

And somehow I knew I'd never be the same.

....

A/N: so sorry for the delay! I've had a hard time with my motivation lately but I hope you enjoyed this. So much love to those who have checked in on me lately, especially MarieMincey2 msunshinebooks and Alwyn_Knighton You guys helped me so much!