Chapter 34 The First Time

Claire's POV

I noticed Colin standing there motionless for a long while, so I stood up to look at him. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing slightly labored, and his gaze was... unsettling. It startled me, and I quickly wiped my hands and reached to touch his forehead.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Oh, your face is so hot!"

Colin's blue eyes locked firmly onto me, and he suddenly pulled me into his embrace. One hand was enough to encircle my waist, while the other gently lifted my chin. He looked into my eyes, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

I turned away from Colin's burning gaze, my breathing quickened. I could feel the scorching warmth of his chest, the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat, the robust masculinity of him... My body felt weak, and just before his lips could touch mine, I gently pushed him away:

"Don't," I said with an embarrassed smile, "I still have to cook!"

Colin paused, a hint of dark light fleeting through the depths of his profound eyes.

"Tonight..." My voice was tiny and frail; I struggled to voice those few words, my cheeks turning crimson the next instant.

"Don't sleep on the couch tonight; it's not comfortable. Come sleep in the bedroom."

Colin looked stunned for a moment, and through his slightly uplifted lips, I could see his struggle not to smile. His thumb brushed over my blushing earlobe as he responded in a husky whisper, "Okay."

After dinner, Colin headed to the bathroom.

Normally a quick ten-minute shower sufficed, but this time he was in there for nearly an hour. I prepared some fruit and watched TV for a bit, yet he still didn't emerge, only the intermittent sound of water running could be heard.

My cheeks flushed, I went to my room, changed into my pajamas, and sat on the edge of the bed, ill at ease.

My hands nervously searched for a place to rest.

How would he approach me later? He was tall and strongly built, with muscle in spades — probably stronger than the average man...

Suppressing a giggle at the thought, I then felt embarrassed by my own musings, wishing I could just bury my head in my chest.

Just then, the sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, and I tensed up, gripping the corner of my nightgown.

Colin’s footsteps grew louder as he approached.

My heart raced; my feet weaved into each other nervously with a touch of anticipation.
In the past, I had only read about wedding nights in novels. As a young girl, I had dreamed of those blissful scenes, wished for the day I would marry the man I loved, and have a memorable night to remember forever.

Although it wasn’t our wedding night, it was the first time with Colin. I couldn't help but smile sweetly. I hoped... everything would be as magical as in the stories, something to reminisce about for a lifetime.

But just then, the sudden jarring sound of the doorbell rang.

Startled, I opened the door to find Eddie, his face bruised and his body in disarray, who immediately began to cry pitifully upon seeing me.

"What happened?" I pulled him inside anxiously. "Did you get into a fight?"

"Big sis..." Eddie looked at me with red-rimmed eyes, choking up, unable to articulate a full sentence.

Anxiously, I turned my back on Colin until he coughed lightly, bringing me back to my senses. As I slowly turned around to face his puzzled expression, my heartbeat skipped.

But now I am Hailey, I thought worriedly. Hailey doesn’t have a younger brother.

"This, this is my cousin," I managed a weak smile, silently signaling Eddie with my eyes.

Eddie paused for a second and then looking at Colin, he quickly caught on.

"Eddie," I said softly, "this is Colin! My husband."

Eddie respectfully greeted him with "Nice to meet you, sir," and then kept trying to hide behind me.

His timid eyes on Colin, he seemed to sense an indescribable presence about the man, and he quietly asked me, "Claire, living with someone like this every day, don’t you feel oppressed?"

I nudged Eddie to hush him.

Colin nodded silently, and without a word, grabbed the first aid kit to tend to Eddie's wounds as he sat him down on the couch.

Eddie was not lightly injured; his forehead was swollen, and his leg bore a large slash, sticking to his pants. Any movement brought agonizing pain, turning his face pale and sweaty with the effort.
"What on earth happened? Who hit you?" I felt tears fall as I spoke, "Who have you offended?"

Eddie pursed his lips, staying silent.

I became frantic, peppered him with questions, but no matter how much I asked, Eddie wouldn't utter a word.

Colin patted my shoulder, giving me a reassuring look, and then helped Eddie out to the balcony. I saw them close the sliding door, and after a while, it seemed as though Eddie was talking to Colin, wiping away tears as he spoke.

When Colin came back in, I hurried over and asked, "How is he?"

"He's been bullied at school." Colin's face was cool, a hint of anger knitted between his brows.

A pang shot through my chest, the urge to cry welled up again.

"It's some older students; they see your brother as an easy target, surrounding him on the way to and from school daily to extort money. If Eddie didn't have money, he'd get more than his share of beatings."

Colin bit his lip, "Just now, they didn't get money from him, so they grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the wall, which is why his head injury is quite serious."

I gasped, wanting to go out to the balcony to see Eddie, but Colin gently stopped me.

"Hold on," Colin whispered, "Boys his age have a lot of pride, he wouldn't want you to see him like this. Let him calm down a bit first."

"Okay," I nodded, but then I was puzzled. My own brother experienced bullying and didn't tell me, but confided in Colin, whom he had only met once?

Colin seemed to read my thoughts, a slight smile played on his lips, "There are things that can only be said between men."

I shook my head, "Eddie's only sixteen, what kind of man is he!"

"Don't underestimate him," Colin chuckled, "When I was sixteen, I already had..."

He stopped himself mid-sentence.

I paused, looking up at him, "What had you already done?"