Chapter 16
Summer
I had kissed Colton twice now.
And I enjoyed every second of it despite knowing it was wrong. The sin of it all only encouraged my feelings for him to grow. Avoiding him at work was impossible.
Dylan had become more demanding the more I pulled away, and my parents, despite trying to hide the attraction from them, they knew and naturally didn’t approve, which only made me want to sneak around with him more.
“Have lunch with me today?” His sexy voice grabbed my attention from the entrance of my office.
“I can’t. Don’t you think that would be a little too obvious?” I couldn’t fight the smile that tore at my lips, nearly splitting my face in two.
“I don’t see a problem with you having lunch with me in the break room. Everyone sits there.” He shrugged, looking down at his feet before lifting his intense, shining eyes to mine.
He was playing with me.
Two could play at this game.
“Oh, yeah? I think that would be nice. I’ve been meaning to introduce myself to the new guy who started last week. What better way than to have lunch with everyone? How thoughtful of you, Colton.”
He checked the hallway before taking a step into my office. He leaned over my computer, his nose nearly brushing mine.
Oh, God. He knew how to play me like a freaking guitar.
Those eyes, like melted pools of emeralds, swept over my face, making me blush all the way down to my toes.
He saw me in a way no one ever had before. It was like with one look, he completely undressed me – clothes, skin, bones and all – until he could see my soul.
“I don’t want to share your attention with the new guy, darlin’. I want you all to myself.”
“How does it feel to want, baby?” His eyes zeroed in on my lips, the same ones he had kissed just yesterday. I let my gaze drop to his because I knew if I did, I would lose this game, and I hated losing.
“I always get what I want, one way or another. You’ll see.” He winked at me, that cheeky smirk never leaving his gorgeous face as he pulled away and turned, giving me a full view of his broad back that strained against his fitted t-shirt. His tattoos peaked out the neckline and shirt sleeves. My gaze traveled down his back, drinking him in. God had really used every good gene on this guy.
“Don’t play with fire, darlin’.” He paused, turning back to look at me. “You’ll get burnt.”
“Burn me.” I lost every single brain cell when he entered the room.
He chuckled and strode down the hall, leaving me craving him even more.
Burn me? Did I really just say that?
I dropped my head into my hands and sighed. Colton Michaels was going to make me lose my mind.
At one,Colton was back at my door, a teasing grin pulling at his perfect lips. “Time for lunch, darlin’.” He patted his toned stomach, signaling me to get up with a flick of his wrist. “Come now. I don’t have all day. Plus, the boys are excited for the princess to come eat with them.”
“Princess?” I gaped. He did not just call me a princess. Is that what everyone thought?
Or was he messing with me again?
“Just playing with you, sweet girl. I ordered pizza. It should be arriving any minute now. I hope you like Hawaiian.” I followed him through the halls to the back room. He opened the door, and the room instantly grew silent when I stepped through. The boys all looked at me as though I had just walked into the damn gym locker room.
I immediately took a step back, colliding right into Colton’s firm chest. “Keep going,” he whispered, but it was so quiet that his hushed voice at my ear was deafening.
“I, uh…” I trailed off, not really sure where I was going with that in the first place. I quickly took a seat at the first available table, and Colton fell into the chair beside me, breaking out into conversation with one of the guys.
The rest all stared at me, and I blushed under their scrutiny.
“Quit staring, bastards. She’s having lunch with us today.” Colton paused to address the men. Their eyes all shifted to him before they lapsed into conversation all while still shooting me side-eyes.
“I don’t think this was a good idea. I’ll go back to my office.” I started to rise, but Colton rested one of his warm hands on my leg, halting not only my movement but my breath, too.
He was touching me in front of everyone.
I looked around, hoping no one noticed. Everyone had stopped staring and were either on their phones or talking to someone.
“Sit that pretty ass down and eat the pizza I bought you,” he leaned forward to whisper into my ear. If anyone looked at me, they would see that my face resembled a tomato.
I was never going to be able to beat him at this game – not when he made me feel like this.
A few hours later, I closed down my computer, cleaned up my office, and shut off all the lights. Dad had already left, and I was the last one in the office to close up for the day. At least, I thought I was.
“You’re here late.” Colton’s deep voice startled me. Grabbing at my chest, I whirled around to face his silhouette in the darkness. My heart jumped into my throat as I stared at him.
“Burning the midnight oil, you know,” I lamely attempted to crack a joke. It wasn’t even midnight, Summer. What the hell is wrong with you? I mentally berated myself.
“Totally get it. How about I walk you out? Wouldn’t want something to happen at this hour.” He was right in front of me now. His eyes moved from me to the dark window where the sun had just set.
I knew he was right, but the indignant little girl inside me wanted to argue for absolutely no reason.
“I’ll be fine – really. I’m safe here.”
“Summer, please. It’s late and dark. A pretty girl like you shouldn’t walk alone to her car.”
Did he just call me pretty?
“It’s just a few steps, Colton. No need to worry.” I was almost at the door, but he was right there, blocking my exit with his big, burly arm holding the door shut. “Come on,” I whined, resisting the urge to stomp my foot.
“Just cave in, darlin’,” he coaxed.
Beat him at his own game, I heard Maddi’s advice ring through my head. I quickly concocted a plan.
“Really, Colton, are you sure you don’t have any siblings?” I laughed as he stared down at me with a twinkle in his green eyes.
“Promise. I’m a foster kid through and through.” He leaned against the door, still grinning as he looked at me.
“Could’ve fooled me with the way you treat me just like a little sister.” His smile faded, and he looked at the floor. “At least you like me at all. I mean, half the staff hate me just because of who I am.”
He took a step away from the door, crossing his arms over his big, broad chest. His eyes bored into mine, the moonlight streaming into the showroom illuminating his chiseled face. Conflict shone in his beautiful eyes.
“I don’t like you that way,” he swallowed, the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing with the movement. “I wish I did.” He paused, and pain flared through my heart, blood rushing to my cheeks in embarrassment.
Crap. Abort. Abort mission. There was no game. I just lost the whole thing.
“I was only joking.” He shook his head, giving me just the slightest bit of hope.
“I like you a hell of a lot more, more than a worker should ever like his boss’s daughter.” He swallowed again. I was stunned absolutely speechless.
Did he just…
Colton Michaels, my engaged coworker, just admitted that he liked me.
Closing my eyes, I tried to ground myself. Fearing that this was all a dream, I opened my eyes and pinched myself. Colton was still staring at me with those emerald-green eyes which were filling with amusement.
I opened my mouth and then closed it.
What was one supposed to say to that?
He was a taken man, and I had a boyfriend.