Tia shook her head. “Oh, I’m not sure about that, Maddie. I’ve got a lot going on right now.”
“Take the night off. Surely, you can spare one night. Please, Tia.”
I could see her readying the next excuse, but the look in Maddie’s eyes was enough to make anyone break. Tia sighed, knowing she’d already lost. “Okay. I guess I can spare one night.”
Maddie clapped her hands together. “Yay. You’re coming too, right Colton?”
“Absolutely.” I turned to Tia, giving her a playful grin. “I’ll drive.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a date,” I announced before it could be mistaken for a friendly favor.
“What?” Tia shrieked. “No way, buddy. I never agreed to go with you.”
Maddie cooed from behind the bar. “ Ooh, a date. See all this romance in the air, Tommy? Even Colton’s grabbing himself some.”
Before she could protest any further, I got up and headed for the door. “I’ll pick you up at eight, Tia!”
As I passed the window to my truck, I stole one last look at her. She narrowed her eyes on me through the glass, but just as always, I could see a hint of a smile on her lips. It was the reason why I enjoyed teasing her so much. She couldn’t hide it. She could fight it all she liked, but we both knew if she was going to stay in town any longer, I would at least get one date from her before she left.
Climbing back in my truck, I was amazed at how my mood had completely flipped in the space of a few minutes. I had her to thank for that. Beautiful Tia Lopez, who bit back at my charms with a sexy smirk etched on her lips.
Chapter Eleven
Tia
I had to admit, a date with Colton wasn’t the worst thing to happen during my time here.
Work had been stressing me out to no end, and I was still no closer to finding a replacement to take over the art project. Time was running out. The closer the start date got, so did the realization that I may just have to do the job myself.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. What kind aspiring artist would turn down such an incredible opportunity? But this wasn’t my dream. It was Lily’s. And taking it away from her didn’t sit right with me. But perhaps this was the only way to get it done.
So, I couldn’t use Lily’s design. But did it really matter? I would still make her a part of it somehow. And I knew what she would say. She would tell me to shut the fuck up and get stuck in.
Whatever would come my way, I knew one thing for sure. I needed a night out of my own head, and Colton would make a more than pleasant distraction for the evening.
My new, navy blue dress was the perfect choice for Maddie’s engagement party. I paired it with black heels and left my hair loose and wavy. Stepping back, I looked at my reflection in the old stained mirror on the back of the bathroom door. As dorky as it was, I actually smiled at myself. Not only did I look good, but for the first time in weeks, I felt good too. Bluerock really was a place for rest and recuperation. That was, when the weather let it be.
Things were hard. They always were for me, but being away from the craziness of the city, and around people that were generous and friendly, had done me more good than I ever thought possible.
The sudden knock on the door had me jumping back into the shower curtain. I took a steadying breath and calmly walked over to the window. Pulling back the drapes, I checked it was definitely Colton before unbolting all the locks and opening the door.
His hungry eyes crawled up and down my body, sending a bolt of electricity over my skin. It fell deep in my belly, stirring the same sensation I’d felt that night in the station as he caressed the scratches on my face.
“Wow. You look...beautiful. I’m not gonna lose points for saying that, am I?”
I could feel my cheeks blush a little. “I’ll allow it, just this once. You don’t look too bad yourself, Ranger.”
It was a complete understatement. It was fair to say Colton looked sexy as hell tonight. Black jeans and a crisp, white shirt, stretching over his bulging pecs. It was open slightly at the collar, giving me a sneak peek of the man beneath.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just need to grab my purse.” I went over to the dresser and grabbed my lipstick and a pack of gum.
Colton’s boots creaked on the old wooden boards behind me. “How are you liking this place? Not too small I hope.”
“I’ve lived in smaller . This is actually the first double bed I’ve ever slept in.”
His eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“My apartment can only fit a single mattress in the bedroom. This may look like some old shed, but it’s actually the nicest place I’ve ever stayed. Well, that’s if we don’t include the Marigold Cabin.”
His eyes moved around the room, from the bed to the tiny kitchen on the other side. “That explains the tidiness then.”
“Yep. You can’t be messy in a tiny home.”
He walked up to the framed sketch on the wall by the window. “You drew this?”
“Uh huh. I figured the Rabbit Hut deserved at least one rabbit.”
He stepped back and tilted his head at the drawing with a confused look on his face. It wasn’t the first time someone had looked at one of my pieces like that. “Why do I get the feeling this rabbit wants to destroy my life?”
I chuckled at the honest reaction. “Yeah, that’s kind of my style.”
“That’s your style? Evil animal pictures?”
“She’s not evil. She’s just a little...sly.”
“Sly?” he repeated, slowly.
“Yeah. She’s not just some weak bunny, hiding in the bushes. This rabbit is smart. Determined. In this picture, she’s plotting a way to butcher a coyote that ate one of her lovers. She’s a badass.”
He looked almost horrified, but turned back to the drawing and chuckled in that sexy deep tone. “She totally fucking does. How’d you do that?”
“All art should tell you something you didn’t already know. Once you’ve made enough pencil marks, your eyes start to see things differently. See the lines that aren’t there. So I put them there for others to see too.”
“Giving the world badass bunnies?”
“Exactly. Someone has to tell her story.”
Colton looked down at me with admiration in his eyes. Or was it lust? Whatever it was flushed my cheeks even more, and it took more willpower than I liked to step back and pick my keys up off the counter. “We should get going.”
He nodded towards the door. “After you.”
I locked up the cabin and dropped the keys in my purse. When I turned to step down off the porch, Colton was standing below, holding out his hand for me. I hesitated before wrapping my fingers around his. His hands were rough from years of working outdoors but as my palm pressed against his, I felt more comfortable than I had in years. Safe even.
He led us over to his truck and held open the passenger door for me. This kind of chivalry wasn’t really my style, but I appreciated the gesture and let myself be spoiled for once. As we drove down the dark road towards town, I could see him glance over to me from time to time, nibbling on his bottom lip with a smirk hiding underneath.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. I just never noticed that before.” He gestured to the small tattoo on my wrist. “Did you design it yourself?”
I brushed my finger across the intricate, black feather. “No. My friend did. It was a graduation kind of thing. I designed one for her and she designed this one for me.”
“It’s cute. You got anymore?”
I scoffed at the idea, remembering the pain from that day as the needle sank into my skin. “No way. One was enough. Lily had to practically drag me to the tattoo studio. Even the intern had to hold me down.”
“Lily? She was your roommate right?”
My eyes fixed down on the tattoo. A stab of grief hit me again, turning my voice quiet. “Yeah, she was.”
Colton must have sensed my sudden sadness. W
ithout even looking over to me, he placed his hand on my forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
I shook away my blues and decided to switch the focus to him instead. “So, how long have you known Maddie?”
“All her life. I grew up with her brother Tommy.”
“And you know her fiancé?”
“Logan?” He nodded. “Yep, I grew up with him too.”
“Do you know everyone in Bluerock?”
He chuckled, lighting up the atmosphere again. “Some days it sure as hell feels like it. I’ve lived here my whole life, so yeah, I know a fair amount of the population by now.”
“Do you like it? Bluerock, I mean?”
His eyes lit up at the question. “I love it. This is my home. I have a great job and amazing friends. Sure, the town can get a little smothering sometimes. People can know your business before you do on some days. But I still love it. Nosey neighbors and all.”
He was already a lucky man before he even met me. I couldn’t help but envy him for the riches he already possessed. He had a home and a family. It was all I’d even wanted growing up.
The parking lot was full by the time we arrived at the bar. Colton didn’t seem to mind though and pulled up on the curb outside instead. He jogged around to my side and opened the door for me.
“Won’t you get a ticket?”
“No ones gonna ticket my truck, darlin’. Rangers park for free.” He wrapped his muscled arm around my waist and led us over to The Outlaw.
Every touch from Colton, sent a buzz through my body. He never hesitated or asked for permission. Colton had the confidence to just make the move, and I felt a huge part of that was down to his instincts. He knew how to read me and my body language. He gave me space when I needed it and comfort when I craved it. I never felt the need to push away. I knew the pain that came with getting too close to someone, but with Colton, I felt in sync with him somehow. Almost as if questioning it would knock me away from his touch, and right now that was the last thing I wanted to do.
He opened the door, allowing the noise of the loud music and rowdy crowd to flood out into the street. Maddie spotted us from across the bar and ran over with her fiancé, Logan. I’d met him the previous week when he hooked me up with the rental car. Next to tiny Maddie, he looked like a beast of a man. But he seemed like a nice guy, with a wicked sense of humor that made the blonde on his arm blush.
“I’m so glad you both came. Drinks are on the house, so help yourself.”
Colton gave Logan a brotherly hug and congratulated him on the engagement. It was clear they were good friends with a loyal history.
Maddie suddenly grabbed my hand and tugged me away from them both, calling back over her shoulder to Colton. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring your date right back, Colt.”
I saw him frown as we disappeared into the crowd, but Maddie stole my full focus when we made it to one of the booths at the back.
Roger Anderson was sitting at the table. He greeted me warmly when he saw us both approaching. “Ah, Tia. Come meet my wife. This is Valerie.”
The pristine looking lady shook my hand and gave me the most charming smile. She had the same blonde hair as her adult children and the most elegant features. She looked like the type of woman I’d see cruising down the streets of Manhattan. “It’s so nice to meet you finally, Tia. Roger’s told me all about your work. Perhaps after this job, we could get you to do a couple of commissions in town.”
Maddie butted in by my side. “Mom’s the mayor.”
“I’m looking to renovate the town hall this summer. Some of your pieces would brighten the place up, I’m sure. Would you be interested?”
I was lost for words at the offer, but Maddie stole my attention again by answering for me. “Calm down, Mom. Tia has her hands full already. At least wait until she’s started the camp job before pimping her out to the rest of the town.”
Roger ignored them both, cutting through the quarrel. “How is the design going, Tia? Are you ready to get started?”
I suddenly felt desperate for a drink. I couldn’t answer him. If I did, I would have to tell him that I hadn’t even started because I was too busy trying to dump the job on somebody else. But I couldn’t hide around it anymore. I was about to break the news, but my mouth went rouge. “Sure thing. Another day or two, and we’ll be ready to start.”
Fuck!
I was far too busy having an internal fight to hear Roger’s response.
Why did I say that? Why?
But the truth was, I knew why. I would never find the right replacement, and deep down, I wanted to do the job.
The whole debate was creeping back in, but before it could knock me on my ass in front of my new boss, I stamped a fake smile on my face and pointed towards the bar. “I’m just going to grab a drink. It was really nice meeting you, Mrs Anderson.”
“You too, Tia. We’ll talk again soon.”
I pushed past the crowd to the bar. Maddie’s brother, Tommy, flashed me a wicked wink and asked, “What will it be, gorgeous?”
“Rum and coke. Make it a double.”
“Coming up.”
As soon as the drink was in front of me, Colton sprung up from behind, looking down at me with concern. “You okay?”
“You got your wish. Looks like I’m staying in town for a while.”
I smile crept up on his lips. “I always knew you would.”
“Oh, really?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“Yep. You can’t fight off the charm of this place. It’s a land of inspiration for a talented young artist. And deep down, you always knew that Bluerock needed beautiful Tia Lopez.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “No. Actually my stupid fucking mouth disconnected from my brain for a second and let loose.”
He nodded, bringing his beer bottle up to his lips. “Oh, yeah. That happens to me all the time.”
“I know it does.” I lifted the glass to my lips to hide my smile.
Colton moved close enough to me that his hard chest pushed up against my bare arm. He chuckled low in my ear. “Smart-ass. I’m gonna have welts from that tongue soon.”
I shrugged innocently. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean, darlin’. You’re a cocky lady. And you like to make a man work hard to get to know you.” He took a swig of his beer and rested his forearms on the bar. “But you met your match with me, beautiful. I’m not one to back down easily.”
He was as cocky as me underneath all that gentlemanly sweetness. And I had to admit, in the few conversations we’d had, we seemed to bounce off each other in a way I hadn’t ever done with a man before.
I turned to him, not wanting to be the first to back down. “So, you’re just gonna keep trying, huh? Hoping that I cave?”
“You came here with me, didn’t you? I’d say I’m doing better than you think. All this fire that comes out of your mouth, it doesn’t scare me.”
“Nothing ever scares you, does it? You play with fire, Colton, and you get burnt.”
“I like a risk . You should know that by now.”
“Well I don’t. I play it safe, I take care of myself, and I don’t get hurt. And I know exactly how this thing’s gonna play out.”
He placed his bottle down on the bar, focusing his whole attention on me. “Go ahead. Enlighten me.”
I placed my glass down next to his and leant in closer to gain every inch of his attention. “We’ll hang out and we’ll flirt, and this spark you say we have will just keep on burning and burning until eventually, we fuck. And everything will be hot, and exciting. We’ll be having the time of our lives.”
He looked as though he liked the sound of that. Hell, so did I. But Colton needed a reality check before he planned to keep going with this.
“And then the day will come, when we’ve fallen too deep to get out. And I’ll leave town. Leave you. And we’ll both go back to our lives feeling lost, empty, and sad as shit. Is that the kind of thrill you’re looking for
here, Colton?”
He looked a little stunned. I smiled at the fact it rendered him speechless and picked my drink back up with a satisfied attitude.
A few seconds later, he exhaled hard and rubbed his hand over his stubble. “Not bad. You’re pretty good at mapping out the danger zone, aren’t you?”
“Like I said, I don’t take risks. I think things through and that includes you, buddy.”
His spooked face started to perk back up. He gave me a naughty smile and let out a dark chuckle that would make any girl drop her safety line. “So you have been thinking about me then? Thinking up that whole thing. The flirting, the fucking. That spark we got, lighting your panties on fire.”
I almost choked on my laugh.
“You got a dirty mind, darlin’.”
“That’s not what I meant. I was just making my point that this whole thing will end badly.”
“So? Most things end badly. At least have some fun with me while you’re here.”
“You think you’re worth it, Ranger?”
Colton chuckled again. God, that sound alone turned me on. He leant down and whispered against my ear “Why don’t you find out for yourself, Tia? Let that dirty mind take over for a while.”
How the hell could I argue with that?
Chapter Twelve
Colton
I spent most of the night trying to keep my hands off Tia.
She laughed. She teased. She flirted. And for the first time, I saw that huge wall she’d constructed around herself crumble down, leaving the beautiful woman I wanted nothing more than to play with until the early hours of the morning.
We both knew the risks, and we both knew she’d be gone in a couple of months, but there was no way in hell we would step away yet.
It was way after midnight when the party began to die down. We made our way out into the cool night air but before we climbed back into the truck, a very merry Maddie ran out after us. She gave Tia a huge drunken hug, almost knocking them both to the ground. “We have to do this again, Tia. Next time, we’ll have a girls night. Lots of cocktails and zero boys.”
Lost at Heart: A Steamy Small Town Romance (Bluerock Series Book 2) Page 9
