Lost In A Daydream

“I give up,” said Victoria, giving up already. Colton chuckled and stopped at the Nevada Museum of Art. Victoria gaped at the small museum with wonder. 

“This is your favorite place?” She asked with curiosity. 

“Yes, it might look small but it packs a wonderful collection of contemporary and traditional art, sculptures, interactive exhibits, shows and a rooftop sculpture with a view of all of Reno and the surrounding mountains. You’ll see,” said Colton. He suddenly looked charged with a radiant smile on his face. The moment they climbed out of the car, he caught her hand and started pulling her towards the entrance of the museum. There were several permanent exhibits in the outside area and Colton stopped to show them to her.  

“These exhibits are pieces from the nearby Burning Man festival,” he explained. “Burning Man is an event focused on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance held annually here in Nevada,” he added. Victoria was too absorbed in watching the spark in his eyes and the spring to his step than really listening to his explanation. 

“Why didn’t you study Fine Arts, Colton?” she asked as they  stood admiring one of the paintings. Colton turned to give her a stunned look. 

“Why do you ask?” he asked with curiosity. 

“I can see how much you love it,” said Victoria. Colton looked a little upset hearing her.

“I wanted to study but dad didn’t let me pursue it,” said Colton, looking away. 

“Oh,” said Victoria, tightening her hold on his hand. “But now you can. Can’t you?” She asked hopefully. Colton nodded. 

“Do you want me to?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

“Yes, don’t you want to?” she asked him. Colton smiled happily. It was a dazzling smile which took her heart away. 

“Yes very much,” he said. “C’mon, let’s go inside,” he said, dragging her with him inside the museum. “There’s a French-inspired eatery inside. We could eat first if you’re hungry,” he suggested. 

“Yes, please. I’m super hungry,” said Victoria. He pulled her excitedly towards Chez Louie which looked like a cozy little romantic restaurant that Victoria loved immensely. With Colton,  even a cozy little restaurant seemed so romantic and exciting. He led her to a vacant table and poured over the menu card. 

“Whenever I’m here, I always have this steak, “ he said pointing at the item on the card. 

“We can order that. I love French crepes. I’ll have that as well,” said Victoria. 

“I make amazing crepes but that comes with a price, of course,” he told her, his eyes glinting with mischief. Of course, Victoria knew what he needed. 

“I’ll think about that some other time,” said Victoria with a giggle and Colton smiled at her hopefully. He noticed how she didn’t decline his offer. “Let’s order?” asked Victoria pulling him out of his La La land. 

So they ordered Entrecote steak served with French fries; egg – topped ham and cheese sandwiches; A salad and French Crepes with delicious strawberries and cream, salted butter and sugar and Nutella.  “So what did you do with Pete?” asked Colton, observing her closely. 

“Nothing much. I was at the pharmacy and he was there too. He wanted to come along when he heard that I was going to the bank. He then drove me to Sofia’s college to submit her leave application,” shrugged Victoria. Colton frowned at her words. He understood that Victoria just casually had accompanied Pete without being aware of his underlying intentions. 

“Stay away from Pete, Victoria,” he said with a solemn and grim expression on his face. Victoria glanced at him and smiled.

“Why? Are you jealous?” she asked him with a chuckle. 

“Not that,” lied Colton, looking away from her watchful eyes. “He’s not to be trusted. He has always been trying to compete with me since childhood when we used to live in Las Vegas. His father was my dad’s friend but he has been more my enemy than my friend. He is interested in you because of me,” said Colton. Their food arrived and Colton stopped the discussion abruptly. 

“So, what were you saying?” prompted Victoria, wanting to know more why Pete would be interested in her of all the women in the world. What was Colton about to say? Did that mean that Colton liked her more than the others? Was that the reason why Pete was after her? 

“Nothing, just stay away from Pete Douglas. That’s all. Now, let’s enjoy the food,” he said, starting to eat. Victoria left the topic, not wanting to spoil her date with the man she loved. The rest of the meal, Colton told her of his first visit to this museum with his mom. It seemed that he inherited this love for fine art from his mom. Afterwards, he showed her the whole place and it took her breath away. Not that she was an art enthusiast but she could love anything with Colton. It was his presence that mattered the most. Since most of the times he usually pissed her off with his weird antics, such tender moments with him were very rare. So this date was one of the best just like the previous one was. They were the ones she would cherish for a lifetime!

It was evening when he drove her back to Sofia’s house. “Thanks for the lovely time, Colton,” she said, unlocking the seat belt. Colton caught her hand to stop her from fleeing.

“Did you really like it?” He asked eagerly. Victoria nodded.

“Yes, I loved it,” she admitted. 

“How much? More than the outing with Pete?” he asked, his fingers tightening its hold on hers. 

“I didn’t go on an outing with Pete. I just went out with you,” she corrected him.

“It wasn’t any outing, Victoria. It was a date ,” he corrected her.

“Okay, date,” said Victoria shyly. Colton placed his finger under her chin and forced her to look up at him. 

“What else do you do on a date?” he asked with his eyes flashing with fire. Victoria’s breath hitched with apprehension. She knew that he was asking for a kiss. 

“What?” she asked, feigning ignorance. Colton’s eyes darkened and he lowered his head and claimed her lips. It wasn’t a wild or savage kiss at all. It was an exploratory, passionate kiss which simply savoured her lingeringly. His fingers cupped her face while his other hand held her head to gain full control of the kiss. Victoria moaned into his mouth, her arms wrapping around his neck and she kissed him back too. Her reaction aroused Colton more and he just pulled her onto his lap, pulling her flush against him. Victoria’s dress rode up as she straddled him, her chest crushed against his hot body. She could feel his arousal poking into her. Her whole body trembled with an intense need that seemed to generate from the pit of her stomach. She stroked and pulled at his hair, not getting enough of him. Colton’s hot tongue plunged into her mouth and he devoured her sweetness as if it was their last kiss. His hand caressed the soft creamy legs, exposed and aching for him. Her breath hitched as they moved upwards, creating a trail of fire in its wake. 

“I want you so much, Victoria. You’re driving me insane,” he whispered, releasing her hot mouth and going towards her neck. A hot flush of wetness escaped her making her all the more aroused for him. She could feel a strange throbbing deep inside her which made her grind herself against his hard length. 

“Do you want me?” asked Colton in a hoarse tone filled with longing.

“Yes,” she whispered back.

“Come home with me, please,” he begged her. Victoria tensed, realizing what he was asking for. His earlier words rang in her ear. 

I would have used you and thrown you like trash the next morning. That’s what I do to the likes of you

No, she wouldn’t be his plaything. Although she loved him, she couldn’t do this to herself. “No, Colton. I’m sorry. I don’t do casual s*x,” she said, getting down from his lap. Colton gaped at her with disbelief. He couldn’t figure it out why she was withdrawing at the just minute. “Bye,” she said, climbing out of the car and dashing into the house, leaving Colton sitting with a hurt expression on his face. He did everything he could to show her that he liked her yet she wasn’t ready to commit to him. What else did she need? Hurt and disappointed, he drove back to his house to sulk and drown his heartache somehow. 

Victoria lay down on her bed and kept thinking of the pleading look on Colton’s face. What would he do once he successfully gets into her pants? Would he forget about her completely? Was this what it was all about? Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. Who could it be?

“Yes? Who’s speaking?” she asked into the phone. 

“Hi! This is Pete,” he said breathlessly.