Chapter 24
Summer
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I walked into the familiar building. The smell of exhaust fumes welcomed me as I walked through the main doors. The secretary greeted me with a warm smile. “How was graduate school, honey?” she asked, stopping what she was doing to talk to me.
“Refreshing,” I smiled. “I learned so much, and now, I’m ready to be back. I missed it here.”
“We missed you, too.” She looked away, her focus returning to the screen in front of her. I carried on to my dad’s office. But he wasn’t there, and neither was my uncle. They had mentioned that the workload had increased, and we were short a few hands in the back, but I didn’t realize they were starting their days in the shop.
I knew the two gear heads enjoyed working on the mods, but they weren’t getting any younger, and standing all day and leaning over fenders was going to wear on their bodies.
I didn’t want my dad to tire himself out just yet.
Walking down the hall to my old office, I stopped at the parts department to greet the employees there. I was shocked to see that the former manager had been replaced.
He had worked for us since I was just starting out in high school, and we had become friends. I absolutely adored his wife and sometimes babysat their new baby.
What I wasn’t expecting was to see him. His dark hair was gelled back, a long-sleeve, checkered shirt buttoned up his broad chest, hiding all his tattoos and muscles. He somehow only became more handsome in the time that had passed.
His eyes bore into mine, warmth filling them as a small smile tilted those kissable lips.
Don’t fall for him, Summer.
“Welcome. How can I help you, ma’am?” He didn’t recognize me.
You’ve got to be fucking with me.
I lost twenty pounds and dyed my hair, and now I was someone else? I crossed my arms over my chest, pushing up my still large breasts through the simple v-neck, black shirt that I had decided on this morning.
No matter how hard I pushed in the gym or how clean I ate, my mother gifted me with a nice round butt and big boobs. And sometimes, it was fun to use them to my advantage, like right now.
I watched his eyes slide down my body, saw the desire fill those emerald orbs, and then, his fists clenched on the desk. I still affected him.
Smiling to myself, I took a step into the small office, keeping my back straight, my head held high. I looked down at him.
“I see you’ve been promoted.” He looked up at me, and his eyes widened with recognition, and his jaw went slack.
Guess I won that round.
“Summer, is that you?” I shivered as his deep voice washed over me. The way he said my name made me weak in the knees, and I cursed myself for wearing heels to a car shop.
I wanted to prove to everyone that I had matured in a year, that I was no longer a kid but a woman, and that meant dressing like one, too.
So, instead of my usual t-shirt, leggings, and sneakers, I had opted for a nice black v-neck with black skinny jeans and black heels.
He stood so I was no longer above him, and instead he was towering over me. He rounded the desk, and before I could protest, he wrapped his big, burly arms around me, pulling me right into his hard chest. My fingers were pressed against his chest, and his heartbeat quickened beneath my touch. I drew in a sharp breath.
This wasn’t happening.
His spicy cologne wrapped around me, making my thoughts unfocused as I pulled my head back to look at him, my lips nearly reaching his strong jaw. If I inched forward just a little bit, I could kiss him there and then his lips.
No, Summer! Stop this.
I took a step back and fixed my shirt. He did a double-take of my appearance. “You look great! College was good for you.”
College was good for you? What the hell was I supposed to say? Marriage looks good on you? Was he even married yet? I quickly looked for a ring, but I saw his hands were still bare.
I tried to restrain myself. But I hadn’t been expecting him to be promoted and to hug me. I didn’t prepare for that. I needed to get out of here before I said or did something I would regret.
I wasn’t going to let him near my heart again.
“Thanks. Good to see you are still working for my dad. How’s Shannon?” I didn’t have to bring her up, but I couldn’t help myself. I needed to know.
He took a step back, clearly just as disoriented by this experience as I was. He shook his head and then dragged his big hand through his gelled hair, effectively loosening his thick hair.
I wanted his hand to go through my hair and the other to be cupping my face. Lord knew I wanted him to be kissing me against the wall like he used to, but I would always want him. And I could never have him.
Never again.
“She’s good. How are you?”
What the hell were we talking about again?
“I, uh, I’m great,” I managed to stutter, making myself look like a total idiot.
Colton Michaels messing with my head again.
I nodded once at him, no longer to carry on with this pretense, and turned on my heel. I was just about to cross the threshold of his office when he grabbed my wrist and whirled me around to face him once again.
“I preferred your hair before, darling.”
No.
Not a chance in hell.
This was not happening.
I wouldn’t let him worm his way back into my heart.
Mentally strengthening the wall that I had built around my heart that had a giant Stay Out, Colton Michaels sign, I ripped my wrist from his fingers, immediately missing his warm touch.
“That’s great, but this is me now. I’m sure Shannon would like to know about your preferences towards my hair, Colton. Now, if you don’t mind, I have some work to do.” I turned again, but he quickly sidestepped me, blocking my path. I gritted my teeth.
“Why must you always bring her up? We could be friends, Summer.”
Friends? Was he kidding me?
“You must be kidding me! You think I want to be friends with you? I don’t even want to be in the same room as you, asshole.” Pushing past him, I sucked in a deep breath when he gently wrapped his fingers around my wrist, holding me to him.
Every ounce of strength was slowly leaving me the longer his fingers pressed into my skin, their warmth seeping into me.
He pushed his fingers against my pulse that was about to jump straight out of my wrist.
“Doesn’t feel that way, darling. You can pretend to hate me all you want, but your body will betray you every time because you were made for me.”
My bottom lip trembled with the sadness and confusion begging to be released.
“Then why did you pick her?” My voice wobbled, and I went limp in his hold, no longer struggling against him.
Guilt flashed in his beautiful eyes. “I didn’t have a choice.” His hold tightened around me. Closing my eyes, I drew in a long, deep, steadying breath.
“You chose her. Now let me go, Colton. I can’t keep playing this game. It’s only hurting me, and I won’t be hurt by another man, especially not you.” Pulling my wrist from his hold yet again, I picked up the pieces of my broken heart that he kept shattering more and more, making them slip through my fingers, making me lose a piece of it each time.
“You wouldn’t understand.” His voice was soft, his eyes downcast. “I want to be with you.”
“I’m no one’s second choice. Stop making this harder for both of us. I moved on, and it’s time you do the same.”
I moved to step away, but he stopped me again, this time pushing me against the wall right next to his door. His whole body was pressed tightly against mine. Every hard, rigid line was holding me against the wall. His nose brushed mine, those lips a breath away from claiming mine.
I melted into him, unable to fight the need coursing through me.
He made me absolutely weak.
I was putty in his big, strong hands.
“Don’t lie to me, Summer.” He dragged his nose down the side of my face, his words brushing against my sensitive skin. I shivered, desire for this man consuming me. “You haven’t moved on. Your heart still belongs to me. One day, your body will, too, and then, I’ll claim that beautiful soul, let our souls reunite as one. That, I promise you.”
I opened my mouth to say something – anything – but nothing came out. He took that moment to brush his lips to mine. He stole the moan straight from my mouth as he dominated me in every way possible.
Kissing him was a sin.
I’d be a sinner any day if it meant being kissed by this man.
God, please forgive me. I just needed one last kiss from him before I ended this stupid game.
We would both go to hell for this. I didn’t care where we went as long as he kept kissing me, no matter what the consequences might be.
I would be stronger tomorrow.
This would be the last kiss.
I wouldn’t fall beneath his charms again.
This was goodbye.
I wouldn’t let him have my heart, body, and soul. He would ruin me, keep me from ever loving another man.
As my fingers curled into his now messy hair, and his one hand gripped my waist while the other cupped my face, I knew it was too late.
He had already ruined me.
He would never truly be mine, yet I would always be his.
But he sure as hell never needed to know that.