He blinked. Was that her problem?
Before he could ponder it further, she started to tug her chair out. He stepped over and did it for her, pushed it in again when she was seated.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“You’re welcome.”
It was all he could do not to touch her. Not to skim his fingers down the column of her neck and over her shoulder. He could see more of her cleavage than was safe from this vantage. She was wearing a white silky button-down shirt, and though it was modestly buttoned, standing behind her revealed just enough of the curve of her breasts to make his mouth water.
Colt moved away and took his seat.
Jace helped Maddy into her chair, and then the four of them were passing food and eating together like it was something they did every day. Maddy carried the conversation at first, but Angie warmed up after some wine. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkled whenever she turned them on him.
She was so damned pretty to him, with her gorgeous deep red hair and her pale complexion. Yeah, her skin showed every blush, every emotion. He wondered how lovely she’d be lying beneath him as he slowly thrust into her slick heat, building them both to an explosive orgasm. How many tales would her skin tell him then?
Colt felt the tightening in his balls and knew he had to leave that line of thought or be stuck at the table for the rest of the evening. Somehow, he managed it. By the time the evening was over, he’d successfully kept all thoughts of a naked Angie at bay.
When she announced she needed to get home, he planned to wait for her to leave first. Then he’d slide out the door and head back to his rented house that wasn’t too far from Jace and Maddy. He’d only settled in Maryland within the past few months. Before that he’d resided in hotels and the apartment he kept in Paris. Working for Ian Black meant you could live wherever you wanted, so long as you were able to travel at a moment’s notice.
“I should go as well,” Colt said as Angie said her goodbyes. “I’ll walk you out.”
Not what he’d intended to do, but it popped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
She blinked, then nodded. “Thank you.”
He helped her into her coat, then put on his own. After kisses and hugs at the door from Maddy, they stepped outside into the cold night air. His breath frosted in front of his face. Angie was quiet as they went over to her car. She touched the handle and it unlocked. Then she turned to him and raised her gaze to his again.
Those green eyes jolted him. They always jolted him.
“It was nice seeing you, Colt.”
“Was it?” He’d meant to say you too but that wasn’t what came out.
Her lashes dropped, then lifted again. Her gaze stayed with his. “Yes, it was. I know you must think I’m flaky as hell. I’m really not. I’m just… scared.”
Of all the things she could have said to melt the distance he was trying to maintain. “You don’t have to be scared of me, Angie. I won’t hurt you. I’m not Tom Walls.”
Her eyes clouded at the mention of the man who’d assaulted her. The man Colt and his buddies had threatened if he ever went near her again.
“I know you aren’t.”
“Then why do you always look like you’re ready to bolt the instant I show up?”
“I’m not scared you’ll hurt me like that. I’m scared I’ll get hurt if I let myself like you too much. And then what? You’re a part of Maddy and Jace’s life, just like I am. I wouldn’t want it to be awkward.”
Colt snorted. “You mean it’s not awkward now?”
She blinked. Then she laughed. He didn’t expect that, so it was a surprise. It was also a lovely sound. He could get used to that laugh in his life. “Um, right. It is awkward, isn’t it?”
“Bingo.” He reached past her and pulled her car door open. “Get home, Angie. Stop worrying about life and just live it, okay? And when I text you tomorrow, answer. Texting never hurt a soul. We can at least be friendly. It’ll be less awkward at times like this.”
She smiled at him. Her hair smelled like flowers and fresh rain. He wanted to drop his nose into the silky mass and inhale, but he didn’t. “I’ll answer. Promise.”
She sank into her seat and started the car. He pushed the door closed, then waited for her to back up and onto the road before he went over and got inside his own vehicle.
Maybe there was hope after all.
Chapter Two
Angie was going over the Cardinal Group account when her phone dinged the next afternoon. Martinelli’s figures still didn’t make a whole lot of sense to her and the client hadn’t answered her email yet. She’d finally sent a preliminary list, asking for clarification on some of the transactions. She couldn’t move forward until she got them. She glanced at where the phone lay on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat as fresh heat flooded her.
“Geez, Ang, it’s just a text,” she muttered.
Colt: Hey. How are you today?
How she’d survived sitting next to him at dinner last night when her body was on fire with longing and embarrassment she’d never know. She’d texted Maddy when she got home and told her it was a sneaky trick to pull, inviting her over for dinner but not telling her Colt would be there.
Maddy had texted back a sorry and a whole bunch of other stuff too. Angie was still thinking about the things Mads had said to her about seizing the day and living life to the max and taking chances, etc. So here was a chance. Pick up the phone and answer Colt. She’d promised she would.
Answering him didn’t mean they were dating
