“Darlin’, I don’t need drugs to alter your mind or make your body beg for more. What I have is one hundred percent natural, and yours for the taking if you want it.” He grins, showing off his perfect white teeth and that one dimple. Add the curly mop of hair on his head and he looks practically boyish, and so handsome it should be illegal.
“I already had that today.” His smug smile disappears, and just to twist the knife, I add, “And yesterday. And the day before.”
“You’re a terrible, terrible liar. But I won’t punish you because of that. I’ve been saving myself for you since I first laid eyes on you.”
“When Alan comes back here, can someone please remind him that he’s a grown man?” Dad grumbles, coming in from the outside. “He was having a food fight with the boys outside until I told them to knock it off.”
“Colt, honey, good luck telling Evan he can’t spend the night,” Cheryl says to him.
I leave everyone in the kitchen and step outside. Elizabeth, Ethan’s sister is in the yard having a heated conversation over the phone when I start to clear the table. Whoever she’s talking to must say the wrong thing because she walks past me and goes inside, calling her brother’s name. Minutes later, Colt comes out and starts to help me. Usually after a family gathering, the three Taylor kids will clean up. That’s the way it’s always been, so when Colt comes out and starts to help, I almost drop a plate.
“You don’t have to do that.” I reach for the plate, but he pulls away. “You’re our guest.”
“I’m a gentleman, darlin’. And my mama raised me to always help a lady.” I roll my eyes and turn back to the table.
“What makes you think I’m a lady?” I ask him. “That’s rather presumptuous.”
“Oh, I can tell. You might want to be otherwise, but that’s who you are.” He drops his plate and walks over to my side of the table. When I turn to face him, he puts both hands on the table, boxing me in. “But I do want you to do very unladylike things to me, only not with the stiletto. And because I know you’ll find it excitin’, I can forget about being a gentleman once I have you naked and in my bed.” He runs his nose along the base of my neck. “What do you think about that?”
I can hear my heart beating fast. He’s so close, all I have to do is turn my face a fraction and his lips would be on mine.
“I told you the other night that—” He turns and one of his hands cup my jaw. I almost combust in my parents’ backyard.
“You told me what?” he whispers above my mouth. “What did you tell me, darlin’?”
I lick my lips while I gather my thoughts. “That you don’t exactly fit my parameters.” He chuckles and lets me go. I almost stumble back from the loss of his touch.
“Look at me. I’m almost seven feet tall. I don’t fit any parameters. Never have.” I reach for a plate, but he takes my wrist. “Why are you so skittish?” His free hand caresses the small of my back. It’s been so long since I’ve let a man get this close that I don’t know how to react. This closeness is more than just physical. He’s trying to get to parts of me that I’ve locked away. Parts that I won’t ever let anyone get close to.
He puts a finger underneath my chin, and his touch is warm, like a shock to my system. He tilts my chin up, forcing me to look into his dark eyes before running his nose on my cheek, almost as if he’s inhaling me and can’t get enough of how I smell.
“Why don’t I take you somewhere, hmm?” His large palm rubs my hip, kneading the soft flesh. Goosebumps spread across my body, and I feel the gentle thudding between my legs. “Have I told you you’re beautiful?” His question is soft. “Easily the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. I thought so the second I saw you. Those pouty lips and those expressive eyes. You give it all away with your eyes. All I have to do is look at you.”
If he wasn’t holding me in his arms, I would have fallen over. I’ve been told that before by men, but never have I believed it as much as I do in this very moment.
“I’m sure you’ve been with your fair share, huh?” I shove at his chest, but he wraps his hands around my wrists. I’m not a big woman, but this is the first time in my life that I’ve felt tiny.
“Why would you assume that?” he asks.
“I might not watch basketball, but I know all about athletes and their limitless supply of women.”
“I’ve been in the league nine years, was married for two, and have been a single parent for three. That doesn’t leave much room for skirt chasin’.”
“Skirt chasin’?” I say with a smile.
“Whorin’. Philanderin’ or whatever you want to call it.”
“It’s not just that,” I tell him. “I don’t date men with kids.”
“That’s the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard. The Taylors are a poster for the blended family. This week. You and me. Let me clear up some of your misconceptions about me.”
“Colt, listen—” The words die in my throat at the sound of little feet approaching.
“Dad, Alan says—” Evan stops when he sees us. He turns his head and gives me a look like I just killed his puppy. He narrows his little eyes, walks over, grabs Colt’s hand, and pulls on it. “Come play with us. Alan says he can whip your butt at video games.” He stands between us and pushes his father away from me.
“He said what?” I giggle at Colt’s fake outrage.
“Yeah, he said he’s a video game champ and you’re a video game chump.”
