“Sure,” I agree, because honestly, I want to spend as much time with him as I can get. Even though I should be careful, a talk will not amount to much. At least, that’s what I tell myself. But Colton King doesn’t do things by half-measure. He’s already got a plan brewing in mind which I see a glint of in his eyes as he walks away and offers me a glance over his shoulder before he disappears through the doorway which leads to the change room.
All I have to do is watch my heart.
It can’t be that difficult. Surely. But then again, with the expression of confidence on his handsome face, I have a feeling I’ll be fighting more than just these stupid feelings that pop up every time he’s near. Because when Colton is around, my stomach flutters, reminding me it’s been a while since my last date, and it’s also been far too long since a man has looked at me the way he does.
As if I’m the only person he wants to look at. And that’s what scares me the most.
Inhaling a deep breath, I exhale just as he walks out of the dressing room in a pair of jeans that hug his thighs, and I’m almost sure, if he were to turn around, I’d be drooling at the way it hugs his ass.
“Ready, gorgeous?” he asks as he nears me.
“Yes.” He takes my hand which shocks me silent, and even though I know I should pull away, I don’t, not for a while anyway because I can’t deny I love feeling his fingers tangled with mine.
This is dangerous.
This is going to end in heartbreak.
But I hold on and walk along with him.
I’m in such a lot of trouble.
9
Colton
“Come on,” I tease her as we walk through the hallway toward the elevator after the long shoot. She came down to collect me at the reception desk at her company, thankfully saving me from swooning women who were staring at me nonstop.
“You love it,” she states. “I can see how your face lights up when they look at you like that.”
“Like what?” I ask before we step into the waiting elevator. She doesn’t meet my eyes, and I realize she’s shy. She doesn’t want to tell me that the women in her office were looking at me as if they’d jump me right there on the floor. “Come on, darling,” I challenge in the most seductive voice I can muster. “You have to tell me what you meant.”
“I … Ugh, you’re so infuriating,” she snaps. I watch as she folds her arms across her chest. The movement makes her tits look delectable from where I’m standing. My jeans are tightening by the second as she breathes in and out, the softness of her making every part of me hard.
“Am I?” I ask. “Because I think you actually like me, and you’re just trying to deny your feelings. You’re pushing them down when you should just let go.”
It’s silent for a while, and I wonder if she’s contemplating slapping me again. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did. Something tells me Violet doesn’t mind feeling the sting if she gets the satisfaction afterward. That thought, in turn, makes my blood heat with need for her.
This girl seriously is making me lose my mind. The elevator stops with a ding before she can respond, and as soon as the doors slide open, she’s out of the small space, leaving me to trail behind her naturally curved ass.
“Stop that,” she bites out.
I chuckle at her angry tone and ask, “Stop what?”
Suddenly, she stops, causing me to slam into her. My hands land on her hips, holding her steady, and I feel it in that second, the way her body shivers in my hold. She does want me, so why is she playing hard to get?
“I don’t think this is going to work, Colton,” she insists.
I lean in, my lips at her ear before I whisper, “What isn’t going to work, darling?” Another shiver trickles through her. I can’t help but smile when she sucks in a sharp breath.
“Us. This. You and me,” she mumbles. Her pulse point in her neck rioting. I’m so close I can almost taste her, taste the way I make her body respond, and I know right then and there I want that.
“How do you know?” It’s a challenge because she can’t be sure. There’s no way she can see into the future. She’s looking at my past and not giving me a chance. If she did, I’d prove I’m not the bastard everybody calls me. Actually … I guess I am. But, can’t a man change? “Give me a chance, I’ll prove to you, I’m not what you think I am.”
Violet spins in my hold, but I don’t release her. I can’t. She feels too good in my hands, and I dig my fingers into her hips, pulling her closer. She allows me to.
“I just know that I can’t get my heart broken, Colton.” Her admission slams into my chest in a way I can’t describe, in a way I’ve not allowed myself to feel in a long time—guilty.
“I’m not asking you to fall in love with me,” I tease in an attempt to lighten the mood, but she’s not having it. Her gaze flits with emotion—fear and trepidation—and I want nothing more than to make it disappear.
“I know, but one thing leads to another. I can’t be a notch on your bedpost, and you scare me,” she confesses more of what’s bothering her. The hallway is so quiet, and I’m thankful for that.
“You won’t be a notch of any sort,” I assure her confidently. “I want to know you. To get to know you.” Shaking my head, I step back, finally giving her and me some space. When I’m close to her, I want to kiss her. I want to do more than that, but she’d not only slap me, she’d kick me in the crotch, and that’s not fun at all.
“Getting to know someone means dating them,” she debates. “And it was specifically clear in the contract my boss signed with your boss that can never happen.”
Wait, what?
“Contract? What do you mean?”
“Blythe gave us the first interview with you since arriving in New York. Her only stipulation was that I can’t get involved with you in any way. So, even if I wanted to go on that date, I can’t. My job means everything to me.”
“Blythe is the reason you’re not willing to give this a chance?” I ask, shock clear in my tone. I cannot believe my agent would stoop so low. What the hell is she playing at?
“No, that’s not what I said. I mean … I don’t know.”
“You’re not willing to go on a date with me because you’ll lose your job. I get that.” Nodding, I round Violet and head for the boardroom. I know Blythe is here because she texted me this morning and told me she’d be sitting in the meeting.
Violet’s racing up behind me, but I don’t listen to her whisper-hissing at me to stop. Instead, I shove open the boardroom door and find my agent sitting in one of the leather chairs.
“We need to talk,” I assert, my voice giving away how angry I am.
“Oh?” She arches a dark, perfectly sculpted brow at me.
“Now, Blythe,” I bite out before turning to Violet and looking into her pretty eyes. “Can you give us a moment?”
Her mouth falls open. She’s about to protest, but I glower at her, trying to tell her with my eyes that I need her to trust me. She nods, turns, and shuts the door behind her.