"I'm sorry," he said and stepped back putting distance between them. "You did say that you liked to take things slow, didn't you?"
Andi nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Well then," he said. "Why don't we have a drink?" Without waiting for an answer, Colin leaned out of the water to a side table where he produced a bottle of wine and two glasses. He handed her a plastic glass full of red wine. "It might be a little chilled," he said.
Andi swallowed hard. It took everything she had not to throw her glass down and press her body up against him again. It felt good to be close with a man again and with Colin, it felt like she'd known him forever. So maybe it wasn't really breaking her own stupid rule if she slept with him.
"Cheers," Colin said. He held his own glass of wine aloft and waited for her to connect.
She cleared her throat and said, "To new friends."
"Friends?" He cocked his head.
Andi ignored him and continued, "And Christmas."
They clinked glasses and took hearty swallows.
"I thought you didn't like Christmas," Colin said when he put his glass down on the edge of the tub. "In fact, wasn't it only a few days ago that you were trying to convince me how much you hated it? Don't tell me my Christmas Conversion plan actually worked?"
Andi laughed. "It did," she admitted. "It's still not my favorite holiday, but I think the company I've had has a lot to do with me enjoying myself this year."
Colin put his hand to his chest in mock surprise. "Who, me?"
She flicked him with water. "Yes, you." Andi slid down, letting the bubbles flow over her and release some of the tension in her shoulders. She tried to keep her mind off the half naked man sitting across from her and the kiss they'd shared, which left promises of much more to come.
"Can I ask you a question?" Colin asked.
"Why not?"
"Well," he started, "I know you don't think much of Christmas. Or at least you didn't until I came along." Andi looked at him and Colin was predictably smiling. She laughed and took a sip of her wine. "What you didn't tell me," he continued, "was why you didn't like it. I know you mentioned that you wanted to hide, but I get the feeling that there's more to it than just the breakup."
She looked away, up to the stars that filled the night sky. The thought of ruining their perfectly good evening by telling him her story of loss, was too much. He'd feel sorry for her if she told him about the baby, everyone did. And then, whatever it was that was happening with them, would be gone. No, she couldn't tell him.
"I just don't have a lot of good memories," she said. "And I can't remember ever getting a present that really meant something to me." At least that part was totally true.
"Really?" Colin said. "Even from the guy you were in a super serious relationship with? He never got you anything special?"
Andi thought back through the years. Blaine had always leaned towards practical gifts and while she'd always appreciated the cappuccino machine and the bookstore gift certificates, they were definitely not what she'd call memorable.
"No," she said and drained the last of her wine. Colin leaned forward and refilled her glass without batting an eye at how fast she'd consumed it. "I guess you could say he wasn't too into gifts." Andi took another sip of her drink and set it down on the ledge. "Now, it's your turn to answer a question."
"Anything."
Andi let out a sigh of relief and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Pardon me?" Colin sputtered after choking on his wine.
"Sorry," Andi said and tried to suppress a giggle. "What I meant was, why are you still single?"
"Oh," Colin said and moved across from her. He put his hands on her thighs and despite the hot water, shivers thrilled through Andi's body. "I guess because I hadn't met you yet," he said inching closer to her mouth.
"That's such a line."
"Did it work?" Colin's mouth turned up into a grin.
She struggled to keep her breath even. It was a losing battle. "We should probably get to bed," Andi whispered. "It's a big day tomorrow with the ball and-"
His mouth locked on hers, and not for the first time that night, thoughts of her self imposed dating rule flashed through her head and almost just as fast, she came up with a dozen reasons why it didn't apply. She pressed her body against his, closing the gap between them. Wine spilled into the water as Andi reached around Colin's back and pulled him closer. He tasted of wine and she drank him in.
Andi wrapped her legs around his waist. The feel of his bare, slippery skin on the inside of her thighs, caused the pressure to build into a flaming center of molten heat. Colin secured his hands on either side of her legs letting them slide up and over her bikini bottoms. His fingers teased the ties that secured her bathing suit closed, before plunging them under the fabric to squeeze her flesh beneath.
She pulled her mouth away from his, gulped a breath and let out a moan, as Colin moved his mouth to the top of her breast that was just peeking out of the water. She groaned again and tipped her head back, giving him greater access to her chest. Colin responded by lifting her up to expose more of her body from the water. With one hand still holding her bottom, his other hand deftly untied her bikini top and swiped it to the side. He grasped her breast and squeezed with just enough pressure to liquify her resolve.
The cold air bit at her skin, but Andi hardly noticed as Colin's expert hands caressed her, while at the same time his mouth explored her bare skin. The combined sensation built up in her, until Andi thought she'd scream out with pleasure. One second before she could do just that, Colin released his grip on her and gently pushed her back to the bench so she was once again covered by the water.
"I'm sorry," he said when he met her gaze.
"Sorry for what?" she breathed. "I wasn't complaining."
"No." He chuckled. "You most certainly were not. But because of your little rule, which I respect," he added quickly, "I think I might be complaining sooner rather than later, if you know what I mean?"
"About that rule-"
"No, no," Colin cut her off. "I respect it. And I respect you and-"
Andi threw herself forward in the water, smashing her chest into his. She met his mouth with a ferocity she wasn't even sure she possessed. Blaine certainly had never brought out the level of want and desire that Colin had ignited in her. She kissed him deep, wrapping her arms around his neck and entwining her fingers in his wet hair. Andi couldn't remember a time when she'd ever been the aggressor in a relationship. Perhaps it wasn't her. It was the man. And this time, the man in front of her was certainly worth the aggression.
"Andi," Colin groaned, pulling himself away from her. "I'm serious. I'm respecting your boundaries. I want to, actually. Although, I must say, you are not making it easy on me."
She didn't let go of him. "I don't believe you," she said.
"Believe what?"
"That you actually want to respect my boundaries, because your body is sure as hell telling me different." She tried to kiss him again, but was stopped when she saw his face. She knew she'd been beat. "Dammit it," she said and pushed backwards in the water. She reached behind her and hastily retied her bikini top.
"I've got to admit," he said. "It's really hot to see you so worked up. But I like you, Andi." He started to move closer to her, but she held up a hand to stop him. If she had any hope of cooling down, she needed personal space. "And you might think I'm a sleazy one night stand kind of-
"I didn't say that."
"Ah, but you did," he said with a small smile. "But it's not like that with you. And I'm going to prove it."
***
He'd put her off. Colin couldn't even believe it himself. When she'd said she couldn't or wouldn't have sex with him right away, he was unpredictably okay with it. Of course that got a lot harder when he saw her in a bikini and harder still when he was kissing her. But he knew it was the right move with her and, instead of feeling frustrated, Colin felt inexplicably happy laying in his bed alone.
He stretched his arms over his head and let out a sigh. She made him happy, the last few days were truly some of the best he'd had in a long time. For a moment he considered climbing out of bed to find her and get one more good night kiss. But no, he knew himself too well. He'd shown restraint once, he didn't know if he'd be able to let her walk away again. No, it was definitely a better idea if he stayed put.
Colin reached over to the bedside lamp when there was a knock at the door.
His body responded instantly.
"Come in," he said.
The door pushed open slowly and Andi stuck her head around the corner. Her hair had been pulled back into a pony tail and gone was the sexy dress and even sexier bikini. Instead she wore her Bugs Bunny t-shirt and fleece pants. Andi had never looked hotter.
"I'm sorry to bug you," she said and came into the room. "But I, well, I know this sounds stupid, but I didn't want to be alone."
Colin groaned. "You're killing me, Andi. I told you, I respect your-"
"No," she said quickly. "I don't mean sex." She came closer to the bed and Colin could see the sadness in her eyes.
"Come here." He sat up in the bed and gestured to the space next to him. The mattress sank with her slight weight when she sat and Colin wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "Is everything okay?"
She fit perfectly in his arms, and at the moment he thought holding her was just about the best thing he could think of doing.
"I'm fine," she said. Her voice was muffled against his chest, but she made no motion to move, so he rubbed slow circles on her back. "I was just thinking how nice it's been to be with you. I know it sounds stupid, but for the first time in a long time, I don't feel so lonely."
Colin froze, his hand in the middle of her back. Andi looked up then.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I should go." Andi moved to get up and, with one hand, Colin reached up and pulled her gently back down to the bed.
"No," he said, his voice husky. "I want you to stay." He stroked a stray piece of hair off her cheek. He stared into her eyes until she blinked and smiled.
"I'd really like that," she said.
Colin slid over, making room for her to crawl under the covers next to him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd ever spent the night with a woman and not had sex with her. Probably because it had never occurred before, let alone with a woman that he was so attracted to.
As soon as she tucked her head onto his shoulder, he knew that the night would be a tortuous exercise in restraint. In an effort to distract himself, he laughed and said, "If I had known I would have company, I would've dressed up for the occasion." He stroked Andi's shoulder, lifting her t-shirt away from her skin slightly. "I guess men's fantasies about women wearing sexy lingerie to sleep are just that, fantasies."
"You have a problem with my pajamas?"
"Quite the contrary, actually." He lifted his arm so she could snuggle closer to his chest. When his arm was wrapped securely around her, he added, "In fact, I've never seen sexier night wear than what you have on right now."
She laughed, but he was serious. Seeing her so relaxed with him at that moment made the old t-shirt and fleece pants hotter than anything else he could have imagined.
He pulled her close and inhaled her sweet scent. She smelled fresh, like the outdoors, and faintly of apples.
"Colin?" She sounded exhausted, her voice was barely a whisper.
"Yes?"
"Thank you," she said.
"Andi, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the night," he said. The weight of her on his chest felt good and he realized he'd meant what he'd said. For the first time in a very long time, he felt content. He let his hand slide through her silky hair and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, Andi," he said, but she was already asleep.
Chapter Ten
December 24
The sound of her cell phone jarred Andi from her slumber. She rolled over and stretched, ignoring the phone. Had she really spent the night next to Colin? The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was laying in his arms. Before going to his room, she'd crawled into her own empty bed, but the thought of spending the night alone again had seemed almost crazy. Going to Colin felt natural, and he hadn't turned her away.
With her eyes still closed against the morning sun, Andi swept her arms to the other side of the bed. Nothing. Her eyes popped open. She was alone. Except for her cell phone, which was still ringing on the night table.
Andi let out a sigh, stretched her arms over her head one last time and reached for the phone.
"Good morning, Eva."
"I've been trying you for like half an hour. Do you have any idea how much work we have to do today?"
Andi rolled over and looked out the window. The late December sun was just starting to peek over the mountains, sending red and orange rays across the landscape and through the pines. It was the most beautiful thing she could imagine seeing in the morning. Except of course, the sight of Colin, half naked and wrapped in a towel, which she saw when she turned toward the bathroom door.
"Andi, are you listening to me?" Eva's voice came through the line and Andi realized that she in fact had not been listening.
"Of course," she said.
Colin smiled and mouthed the words, good morning to her. Like a love struck teenager, she grinned wide and could feel a blush burn on her cheeks. It was ridiculous, it's not like they had sex. But maybe that was it, sex wouldn't have been anywhere nearly as personal as what they'd shared instead.
"I'm listening," she said to Eva. "But we still need some sort of theme for the party. We might just need to go with a basic Christmas ho ho ho theme. You know, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, all that."