Day 1
Vanessa stood in the doorway, a small grin tugging at the corners of her lips. Colin's smile was instantaneous, warm and genuine as he stepped forward, dropping a soft kiss on her cheek before pulling her into a hug. She fit perfectly against him, her curves molding to his muscular frame. Three months had passed since they first started dating, and it felt like they were already more than just a couple--they were partners, teammates, two people who'd found something rare after years of disappointments. The 40 year old Vanessa had found love again after a nasty divorce. She was a professor at the college and has three kids. Colin was 37 and also divorced five years ago and has been looking for a partner ever since. He is a Sargent on the local police force.
"Ready?" he asked, his deep voice rumbling against her ear.
"As I'll ever be," she replied with a chuckle, stepping back but keeping ahold of his hand as she closed her front door.
The drive was comfortable, the silence between them neither awkward nor forced. It was the kind of quiet that came from being so attuned to someone else that words weren't always necessary. Still, Vanessa broke it eventually, her curiosity bubbling over. "Where did your name come from?"
Colin chuckled, glancing at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "My great-grandfather. He immigrated from Ireland back in the early 1900s. My dad always idolized him, wanted to carry on his legacy, so... yeah, that's me." Vanessa nodded thoughtfully, her fingers tapping lightly against her thigh. "And what about you? How'd you get yours?" She expected him to ask about her middle name or maybe her parents' preferences, but instead, he lifted his water bottle to his lips and took a sip. "Vanessa, huh? Classic name."
"Classic, sure," she said, biting her lip and grinning. "But also kind of random. I mean, I'm named after a porn star from the '70s." Water sprayed out of Colin's mouth, droplets hitting the dashboard as he erupted into laughter. His shoulders shook, his face turning red as he tried to catch his breath. Vanessa couldn't help but laugh along with him, the sound light and musical against the backdrop of the winding road. Colin shook his head, still chuckling as he shifted gears.
"Well, I have to say, Vanessa... you're way classier than any porn star I've ever met."
She laughed, her cheeks warming under his compliment. "Thanks, I think."
The conversation flowed effortlessly after that, touching on their jobs, their pasts, and eventually, her kids. Colin listened intently, his gaze occasionally flicking to her face as she spoke about Jose, Maria, and Hector. There was something different about him lately, something that made her chest swell with hope. He wasn't just tolerating her kids--he was genuinely interested in them, asking questions and remembering details from their brief encounters. "They're good kids," she said, her voice softening. "Just... busy."
"Busy is good," Colin replied, his tone reassuring. "Keeps life interesting, right?"
She smiled, grateful for his easygoing nature. As the cabin came into view, her excitement grew. It was secluded, set deep within the woods, and the air around it felt thick with possibility. The sun was beginning to dip below the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. Vanessa turned to Colin, her voice playful as she quoted one of their favorite movies. "Full of dark corners for doing dark deeds."
Colin laughed, the sound low and intimate. "Well, I promise I don't have my secretary around the corner waiting to do the dirty deeds." Her laughter echoed his, the sound filling the truck cab. They unloaded their bags together, the weight of the day fading as the silence of the woods enveloped them. The cabin was cozy, its wooden walls and stone fireplace giving it a rustic charm. Vanessa wandered over to the window, her breath catching as she took in the view of the dense forest beyond.
"This is gorgeous," she murmured, her fingers brushing against the glass.
Colin joined her, his presence a comforting warmth at her side.
"Yeah," he agreed softly. "It's perfect." For a moment, they just stood there, the world outside seeming miles away. Then Colin turned to her, his eyes darkening slightly as they lingered on her face. "You know," he said, his voice low, "I've been thinking about you all week."
Vanessa swallowed, her pulse quickening as she met his gaze. "Have you now?"
He nodded, his hand slipping around her waist, pulling her closer. "Yeah. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one." Her breath hitched, her body responding to his touch even before she could process the thought.
"Maybe not," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Colin's lips curved into a smirk, his thumb brushing lightly against her hip.