“Colt doesn’t do the girlfriend thing. You must be pretty special, Shrimp.”
“Yeah. I guess so.” I wasn’t sure why, but talking about my relationship with Colt feels weird. Struggling for a way to change the subject, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “What about you…girlfriend?”
“Not anymore. I was seeing a girl last year, but it ended a few months ago.”
He’s quiet for the next several minutes as our feet continue to pound along the trail, our breaths coming fast. I guess that’s all I’m going to get from him. But it’s interesting to know that he doesn’t have the same hang- ups as his brother when it comes to girls.
“So are you excited about your new school?”
He scoffs. “Oh yeah, starting a new school your senior year is awesome.”
I could relate to his sentiment. When I started here last year, I thought my life was over. Little had I known at the time that my life would never be the same.
Last year was quite a wild ride, between falling for a bad boy that I knew wasn’t good for me, and causing an oil tanker to crash against the reef with a hacking assignment from McAllister, who turned out to be Colt’s father…yeah, last year was anything but boring. I learned that I liked the thrill. The thrill of hacking and training in martial arts, and capturing the heart of a boy who didn’t think he could love again after he lost his mother. While I certainly didn’t want to go back to my old life in boring Pennsylvania, I hoped for a little more calm this year as I settled into a routine with Colt. I just didn’t know if Reis being here and Colt’s new leadership role were going to change things.
Chapter 6
Colt
I turn and face Reis. “Taylor told me you hit on her.”
“Dude, I was kidding.”
“I know. That’s what I told her. But she didn’t know that, so just don’t make her uncomfortable, okay?”
“Yeah, sorry man.” Reis rubs a hand over the back of his neck.
“It’s alright. I’m just going to need you to watch out for her.”
He studies me, waiting for an explanation.
“I have to go to London for a few weeks.”
Reis frowns. “That’s sucks. You’re going to miss my first soccer game.”
“Sorry bro. Take Taylor.”
I’m not sure why I offer her up like a consolation prize, but I can tell he likes being around her almost as much as I do. She’s sassy and smart and doesn’t take an ounce of crap. It sort of reminds me of our mom, and I wonder if Reis feels that way too. She was the same way with us, easily keeping two rowdy boys in line with a single look. I smile at the memory.
“How long will you be gone?” Reis asks.
“I’m not sure, at least a few weeks.” I stuff a pile of papers into a stack and shove them in a file folder. I needed to get an assistant.
“Does Taylor know?”
“Not yet. I’m going to tell her tonight.”
He nods, looking at me thoughtfully. “I’ll take care of her while you’re gone.”
“Thanks, man.”
Bria pokes her head in my office. “You wanted to see me?” She grins, looking between Reis and I. I’m used to her eye raping me, but I don’t like the way looks hungrily at Reis.
He’s eating up the attention, holding her in his gaze too.
“This is my
“Bria.” She moves closer to us, swaying her hips as she walks.
“What’s up?” Reis causally nods in her direction.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Can you leave us?” I say to Reis.
He shuffles out past Bria, his eyes on her the whole time. Bria watches his behind as he exits. Well that was annoying.
“So Colt Palmer is talking to me again?” Bria steps closer, placing her hand on my chest.
I lift her wrist and remove her hand. “You know it’s not like that between us anymore.”
A look of hurt flashes across her face, but she steps back and holds her head high. “Then what do you want?”
“I need your help.”
I explain the arrangement I’m trying to secure with Geoffrey and the British military contract and how I need her negotiation skills, which she loves. I ask her not to say anything to anyone, since I haven’t told Taylor yet. She grins and bites her lower lip. She likes that she knows about this trip before Taylor does. Maybe this was a bad idea. No. I have some making up to do with Taylor before I spring this on her.
“Bria, don’t say anything.”
She holds her hands up. “Fine, lover boy. But I doubt she’ll be happy about this.”
“I know.”
When Bria leaves I go online and buy our plane tickets and reserve our hotel. Then I email Taylor.
TO: Taylor Beckett
FROM: Colt Palmer
SUBJECT: Tonight
I know it’s against the rules, but considering I’m in charge…I don’t care. Please come over tonight?
Colt
A few seconds later, she responds.
TO: Colt Palmer
FROM: Taylor Beckett
SUBJECT: RE: Tonight
Mr. Palmer,
Even though it’s a gross misuse of power, I like when you’re in charge. I’m hanging out with Logan and MJ tonight, but after lights out, I’ll sneak down. But you have to promise you’ll talk to Vera if I get busted.?
Yours,
Taylor
I’m lighting the last candle when I hear her tap softly at the door. I open it and pull her into my arms. Sweet vanilla and her floral shampoo fill my senses. “Hi.”
She wraps her arms around me, hugging me tight.
I walk us backwards and let the door swing closed behind us. The room is dim with just a few candles glowing softly.
“Wow. Thank you for planning this,” she says, noticing the candles once I release her.
“You’re welcome, baby.” I wanted to show her that she’s special to me.
“You just don’t want to go out in public with me after what happened last time.”
I grin, guilty as charged. “No. I just wanted tonight to be about you and me.”
She smiles up at me, lifting up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Sometimes you say the sweetest things.”
Good. That’ll make what I have to tell her easier.
“But still, I think we need to talk about last weekend.”
“Oh.” I frown.
“We can’t just hide from your past.”
“Why not?” I nuzzle against her neck, breathing her in.
She giggles, but swats me away. “Because. I have a few more questions for you.”
Shit. I thought we’d been over this. I lead her to my bed, where I have a tray of strawberries, chocolate sauce and bowl of Cheetos.
