Chapter 18
Summer
Fighting Colton had been harder than I ever imagined. That man could charm the pants off any girl or man with those eyes and that crooked smirk. He was my kryptonite.
No matter how hard I pushed him away, he broke through my defenses, disarming each one of my weapons until I felt weak against his constant flirting and schmoozing.
“Have lunch with me and the guys today?” He leaned against my wall as I hung up the phone after getting yelled at by an irritated, old man.
“Not in the mood today, Colton,” I dismissed him, diverting my attention back to my list of problems.
“Don’t you want them to like you?” He stepped into my office, his spicy cologne tickling my nostrils.
“Honestly, I don’t care, I have another three phone calls to make before I can even think about lunch, and I didn’t bring anything either today.” I usually made myself a sandwich in the morning, but today, I rolled out of bed almost thirty minutes late and barely made it to work on time.
“Lucky for you, I bought a pizza to share.” I looked up at him over my computer screen to see that famous smirk pulling at his perfect, kissable lips.
“I hate pizza,” I lied, averting my gaze. My stomach rumbled loudly at the thought of the cheesy heaven, but I didn’t care. I had too much to do still, and I needed distance from him.
“Seems your stomach doesn’t agree. Come on. No strings attached – just lunch with some coworkers,” he pushed, and I mulled it over in my head.
“I don’t know. I have a lot of work to do.” He stepped around my computer screen, making the length of my desk feel impossibly small when he stopped in front of me and grabbed my hands, causing shocks, tingles, and every other possible reaction to soar through my body.
Damn him.
“Come eat something. Fuel that smart brain of yours, and then, you can work to your heart’s content.”
He thought I was smart?
Sighing rather loudly, I stood up, pulling my hands from his. I gestured for him to lead the way. He smiled, clearly not expecting me to give in so easily, but started walking through the building until we ended up at the entrance of the staff room.
The same fear I had before hit me, and I took a deep, calming breath before following him in.
I should have known this was a bad idea. This man could convince me to do just about anything without even saying please. Imagine the things I would do if he did.
A week later,Colton was back at my office right as the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. “How long are you going to play this game?” He crossed his arms over his defined chest, his biceps flexing beneath the tight material of his shirt.
“What game, Colton?” I sighed. I looked up, innocently fluttering my lashes like I saw a girl do in a movie. Although I thought I looked ridiculous, he didn’t laugh – just watched me.
“The one where you pretend like I didn’t admit to liking you or kissing you breathless.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Must have been a different girl.” Anger flared in his gorgeous eyes, and I waited.
“A different girl?” he shouted, surprising me, and I winced, thanking God that my office was on the other end of the building so everyone leaving for the day wouldn’t hear, especially my father. “You know damn well I want you. I’ve made myself perfectly clear on that point.”
I stood and slammed my hands onto the desktop, anger flaring through me. “You’ve made yourself clear?” I tried to contain the rage simmering. He didn’t know just how hard this has been for me.
“I want you, Summer.” His voice was thick with anger and a bit of adoration. His lips looked so perfect. If I leaned forward just a smidge, I could close the distance between us and kiss them.
What the hell are you thinking, Summer? No kissing!
“I don’t want you,” I lied again to this gorgeous man.
“Liar.” He leaned forward, and I subconsciously did the same.
“I have a boyfriend who I love.”
“Liar,” he whispered again, his lips coming closer to mine. “You want me, too.”
He was right. I wanted to leap across my desk and jump into his strong arms, let him kiss me.
“You don’t know what I want, Colton.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart.” His hand reached across the small space and cupped my face, his fingers caressing my hot skin. “You want me just as much as I want you. Your body aches for mine. Your lips are begging for my attention, and your heart is calling to mine.”
“Not true,” I whispered, but I knew that I was a really bad liar.
“Stop fighting me,” he breathed. “Let me show you how a man treats a woman. That boy you’re with could never compare to me.” His lips softly brushed mine before he pulled back just enough for me to miss his absence but still feel his hot breath blowing against my wet, needy lips. “Say you want it,” he softly coaxed. My body melted into his just a little more.
I couldn’t keep fighting him. I was exhausted.
“I want it,” I breathed. I wanted him so badly.
“What do you want, Summer? Tell me, darling.”
“I want you to kiss me, Colton.”
His lips crashed against mine, and I sighed into his mouth. Those sparks people spoke about lit up behind my closed eyelids. His hot tongue swiped against my bottom lip, and I moaned into his mouth.
His tongue flicked over my bottom lip again, then he softly bit down on the tender flesh before his tongue tangled with mine. His fingers slid into my long, blonde hair, fisting the wavy strands and massaging my scalp all at once.
I was lost in everything that was Colton Michaels.
And then, he was gone, and I was left there, my chest rapidly rising and falling heavily as I panted, completely and utterly breathless. He was already on the other side of the room, his head peeking out the door. “What are you doing here?”
Who was he talking to?
“Came to pick you up, baby. Did you forget your truck was in for service today? I was waiting outside, but you were taking too long, and I had to use the restroom.”
I hid behind the wall, my heart racing, my whole body shaking at the thought of almost getting caught by his fiancée.
What was she doing here?
I closed my eyes and tried to calm my erratic breathing. He had just been kissing me like I was the last person on the planet. I could practically still feel his lips brushing against mine.
I heard the loud clicking of heels as she neared the entrance of my office. My panicked eyes took in his relaxed features.
His fiancée.
Guilt seeped into my bones at the reminder that what we were doing was wrong, that he wasn’t mine – at least not when she was around.
“Hey, honey. Everything okay?” Her silky voice purred. Instantly, I regretted feeling any ounce of guilt as envy flooded my veins.
He should be mine.
“I thought I saw Summer here. Where did she go?” I froze at the mention of my name.
“She’s always running around here. Poor girl is crazy busy.”
“Mmm,” she mused. “Whose office is this? I thought you said she worked in the back office. Didn’t you say her dad likes to keep her away from people or something?” Her innocent question made my blood boil. I was plastered to the wall as she nosily peeked in, but he pulled her back before she could see me.
“Just the accounting lady. I came to say goodnight. I’m not sure what Summer was doing – probably making a cup of coffee.” I heard the stiff tone of his voice and cringed. He was going to give us away.
“Is she always here late with you?”
“Don’t start this again,” he mumbled. I peeked from my spot to see him drag a hand down his face in frustration. “I already told you there’s nothing to worry about.”
She was right to worry. God, I was such a bitch for doing this.
“I just don’t like the thought of you working with someone so young, so tempting,” she tried to whisper, but it carried from the small hallway.
“She’s just a na?ve girl with a crush. Trust me; I’m not interested.”
Na?ve girl?
My heart sunk in my chest. He was lying to both of us.
“I trust you, babe. I came to hurry you up. I made dinner – your favorite.” I heard her heels click as they walked off, and I sank to the ground.
Was he playing me?
—
“A na?ve girl, huh?” I stood in front of him the next morning as he washed a car, my arms crossed over my chest. His eyes darted from the car to me and widened in alarm.
“You know I don’t think that. I just had to throw her off our trail.”
“How am I supposed to believe you when you won’t end the engagement?” I demanded. “You expect me to end my relationship, but you won’t do the same!” Anger washed over me in waves. I was tired of this game. I didn’t want to play anymore. I wanted to quit.
“He isn’t good enough for you, and you know that.” I saw the anger in his green eyes at the mention of Dylan.
“End the engagement so we can be together. I just want to be with you.” Desperation slipped into my tone. He had to understand that this wasn’t fair to either of us.
“I can’t yet. I have to wait a little longer. Just be patient please,” he begged, and I hated that the plea in his voice softened my anger.
“Do you still love her?” I had been mulling over this question all night, wondering if it was even my place to ask but I had to know.
I needed to know.
Because if he still loved her, I had no chance, and I needed to quit while I was ahead.