Chapter 3: Colin's POV- Part 2
Colin kept fidgeting with his shirt, adjusting it over and over again. He smiled to himself- he was actually nervous, and he kind of loved it. He sat back, hoping the steady rhythm of the tube beneath him would calm his racing heart. Alas, that was nothing but wishful thinking. He chuckled softly; leave it to Pen to turn him into a complete mess, in the best way possible. They'd met countless times before, shared lunches, dinners, easy conversations. And yet today felt entirely different.
Maybe it was because everything had changed—finally, they'd declared their love for each other the night before and everything felt so dramatic and romantic, like something out of a film. But now, in the daylight, Colin couldn't shake the excitement coursing through him. Was it real? Could this be real? He wasn't sure, but the nervous thrill running through him told him that it absolutely was.
He glanced at his watch again-11:00 AM. He told Pen to meet him at the restaurant she has been wanting to patron since she saw it last month at 11:30 AM. He smiled again, shaking his head at himself. He'd be early, of course—fifteen minutes early, just because he couldn't wait to see her.
When he stepped out of the Tube station, the sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun bathed the streets in warmth. It felt like the weather was mirroring exactly how he felt inside—bright, happy, like he was bursting at the seams with joy. He slid his hands into his pockets and made his way toward the restaurant, which was only a five-minute walk.
As he rounded the corner, he saw her. Penelope. She was just about to cross the road. Colin opened his mouth, ready to call her name, but something magical happened. She turned her head toward him, as if she could feel his presence even before she saw him. Their eyes met, and he caught the brief flicker of surprise on her face. His heart skipped a few beats. She looked glorious, wearing his favourite outfit—white corduroy and a black t-shirt. She couldn't have looked any cuter even if she tried.
Before he even realized it, he was jogging toward her, the urge to close the distance between them overwhelming him. He needed to be near her, to touch her. Once he was in front of her, his arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. One of his hands moved to cup her face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks, and before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her.
It was soft, tender, and he felt the slightest hint of surprise in her stillness but she kissed him back, and like every kiss they had shared so far, it started soft and sweet. Her lips felt even softer than the night before, warm and inviting. It was as if the world around them had blurred, leaving only the sensation of their lips moving together. The kiss wasn't rushed—it was patient, a slow build of emotion that made his heart swell. Her lips moulded perfectly against his, each gentle touch sending a wave of warmth through him. It felt like every inch of him was alive, buzzing with an energy that only she could create.
It wasn't just a kiss—it was reassurance. It was them grounding themselves in this new reality, confirming that this love, this connection, was as real as they had both hoped. Time seemed to slow, and Colin felt as though he could stay in that moment forever, kissing her, feeling her, as if they were the only two people in the world.
Of course, he couldn't just keep kissing her forever, no matter how much he wanted to. Slowly, he pulled away, his lips lingering for a moment before he finally released her. His eyes stayed on her face, waiting, watching. Penelope's eyes were still closed, her breath coming in soft, uneven waves, as if she were lost in the moment, in the kiss they had just shared.
For a brief second, Colin just stood there, mesmerized. Then, slowly, Penelope's eyes fluttered open, almost dazed, like she was returning from a dream. Her lips parted slightly, as if she hadn't quite caught up with reality yet. And then she smiled—soft, warm, like a secret meant only for him. It was a look that made his heart skip a beat, and he knew, in that moment, that she had felt it too. All of it.
"Hey," Colin whispered, not wanting to shatter the magic that seemed to wrap around them. He could see Penelope studying his face, her eyes lingering briefly on his lips before returning to his gaze. It felt like she was making a mental note, committing every detail of him to memory.
"Hey," Penelope replied, a soft blush creeping into her cheeks. Colin felt a surge of pride knowing his kiss had affected her like that.
"You're early," he teased, a playful grin spreading across his face. "I thought I'd come early to be here when you arrived, but I should've known Pen-you're always thirty minutes ahead of schedule."
Penelope giggled, and the sound made his heart skip another beat. Oh, if only she knew how everything about her made him want her even more, even though she was right there, already his. He reluctantly let go of her waist but quickly intertwined his fingers with hers, a simple but necessary touch, as they crossed the road together, heading towards the restaurant.
The date felt so natural, as if time itself had paused. Hours passed, but to Colin, it felt like only moments, completely absorbed in the sound of Penelope's voice as she excitedly talked about the book she was reading. She was on a fantasy bender nowadays, her bright blue eyes shining as she explained how the main character was bonded not to one, but two dragons, and how special that was. Colin couldn't believe how effortlessly their conversation flowed, and all the while, he found excuses to touch her. He held her hands, his foot brushed against hers under the table, and at some point, he decided she was sitting too far away. When they ordered dessert, he scooted over to sit right next to her, his need to be close outweighing any hesitation.
Penelope was still talking, animated as ever, her hands moving as she spoke, and Colin couldn't help but grin. He watched her, completely mesmerized. She didn't even notice that he had slid closer to her, and for some reason, that made him smile even more. Everything about her was so effortless, so natural, and yet he found himself hanging on to every word, every little movement she made.
Without thinking, he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer, needing to feel her next to him. He loved that he could do this now, hold her like this. "Where do you want to go after this?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though inside, his heart was racing.
Penelope blinked up at him, clearly surprised, and it took everything in him not to laugh. He knew her so well by now, every little habit, every flicker of emotion that crossed her face.
"When did you move over here?" she asked, tilting her head with a hint of suspicion, though he could see the amusement in her eyes.
Colin couldn't help but grin, a swell of affection bubbling up inside him. He loved that he knew her this well, loved that he could read her so easily. "When they brought the ice cream. You were too charmed by my suave demeanor to notice," he teased, brushing his thumb over her waist where his hand rested.
In truth, he couldn't stop himself from moving closer. He wanted to be near her all the time, like she was a magnet he couldn't had fallen so hard for her—harder than he ever thought possible—and every moment with her just confirmed how deep his feelings ran. He knew Penelope had been in love with him long before he realized his own feelings, but now that he knew? Now that his heart was fully hers, he was sure he'd fallen even harder than she had. It was as if once he understood the depth of his love for her, there was no stopping the way it consumed him, making him want her more with every passing second.
Penelope laughed, shaking her head with that playful smile Colin adored. "Oh, is that what happened?" she teased, leaning in and brushing her lips against his in a way that made his pulse quicken.
Before he could catch his breath, she whispered against his lips, "Hmm... let's go to your place, or mine? It doesn't matter."
Colin's heart skipped. He chuckled softly, pulling her even closer, their lips meeting in a slow, lingering kiss. When they finally broke apart, his forehead resting against hers, he murmured, "That is a splendid idea... buuuut, I was thinking maybe we could spend a little more time outside?" He couldn't help but smile, already imagining the simple pleasure of being with her. "I'd love to hold your hand, wrap my arm around your waist as we walk... You know, do boyfriend things."
Her eyes sparkled at his words, and he could feel her heart fluttering under his fingertips as he caressed her cheek. "Boyfriend things, huh?" she teased softly, her voice like music to his ears.
Colin's chest tightened in the best way possible. Boyfriend. He'd waited what felt like forever to hear that from her. He grinned, eyes locked on hers, his heart swelling with affection. "I think I'd like that," she whispered, and the sound of her words sent a rush of warmth through him, making him feel like the luckiest man in the world.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. She was his, and he was hers. And all he wanted was more moments like this—just the two of them, laughing, kissing, and doing all the little things that made him fall for her over and over again.
Colin had his arm draped comfortably around Penelope's shoulder, his fingers tracing mindlessly along her neck and occasionally skimming over her chest. Every time he did, he could feel her breath catch slightly, which only made him smile devilishly to himself. She had her arms wrapped snugly around his waist, fitting perfectly against his side, like she was meant to be there.
They were supposed to be window shopping, but Colin's mind was elsewhere. He was gently guiding her towards the jewellery stores, glancing at every display, hoping to catch a glimmer of interest from her. Maybe a necklace, a bracelet, or even earrings—something he could buy as a symbol of their relationship, a little token of how much she meant to him. But in true Penelope fashion, she seemed completely uninterested, not even sparing a glance at the glittering displays.
He chuckled to himself. Of course, she didn't care about jewellery. Pen was never one for flashy things. It was one of the many reasons he adored her. But still, he couldn't help but want to spoil her, even if it meant figuring out another way to do it.
Colin couldn't help himself; he gently tugged her into the shadows, his hands framing her face as he pulled her in for another kiss. The way her body melted into his, soft and warm, sent a thrill through him every time. Kissing Penelope felt different each time, like discovering a new layer of her with every touch. There was something sacred about it, as though the world faded away and it was just the two of them, lost in each other.
Her lips responded eagerly, meeting his with a fervor that made his heart stutter. It stirred something deep inside him, a longing that surged to the surface, stronger with every kiss. The way her fingers gripped his jacket, pulling him closer, sent shivers down his spine. He could feel her breath mixing with his, and the passion between them was undeniable, simmering just below the surface.
It wasn't just the kiss—it was the way she fit perfectly in his arms, like she was made for him. Her willingness to let go, to trust him with this intimacy, made every kiss feel like a gift. Colin's desire for her shouted louder than ever, but it was wrapped in something more—something tender, something that made him want to protect this connection, cherish it for as long as he could.
They were walking aimlessly through the mall, hand in hand, when he heard it again—Penelope's giggles. The sound alone sent a warmth through him, one that made his heart skip a beat. He couldn't help but smile at her, the sight of her so carefree and happy lighting him up inside.
"What's funny?" he asked, genuinely curious, as they continued to walk in comfortable silence, their fingers intertwined.
"I thought I would feel… shy? With you kissing me and everything in public," Penelope confessed, her voice soft but honest. "I've always felt that way with other… men, but with you, everything is different."
Her words sent a shiver of relief and excitement through Colin. Different—he liked that word. But still, he couldn't stop the flicker of doubt that flashed in his mind. "Different in a good way, I hope?" he asked, his smile wide, though even he could hear the slight uncertainty in his own voice.
To his surprise, Penelope stopped, turning to face him with that gentle grace she always had. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close, so close that he could feel her heart beating in rhythm with his. Colin's breath caught, the intimacy of the moment almost overwhelming him. Her eyes met his, and she let the silence linger, her gaze steady and full of affection.
"In the best way, Mr. Bridgerton," she whispered softly, her words wrapping around his heart like a warm embrace.
Colin's gaze softened, his love for her radiating through him. He let his hand trace the curve of her face, as if memorizing every inch of her. He didn't want this moment to end—being this close to her, seeing her look at him like that, it was everything.
With his voice low and full of quiet excitement, he leaned in just a little closer. "I guess this would be a good time to head back to my place?" His heart was racing, but there was no rush—he wanted to savor every second with her.
Penelope nodded, a knowing smile on her lips, and together they began to walk again. He could feel the electricity between them, their pace quickening with anticipation, but there was no tension. Just a shared eagerness, a silent understanding between them. He wanted to be alone with her, to share something more intimate, more real. The thought of having her to himself, without the world around them, sent a thrill through him.
With one last glance between them, full of unspoken promises, they moved forward together, ready for whatever came next. And in that moment, Colin felt like the luckiest man alive.