Page 33 of Seductive Hearts

He would hunt me down at my parents’ house if I didn’t. I knew he would. That was all I needed, having somebody tip my parents off to a surly intruder on the security feed.

It was safer for me to do what he said.

Right. Keep telling yourself that.

Why did this have to be so damn difficult? Why couldn’t I have fun for once without feeling like I was walking a tightrope? A single wrong move, and I would end up falling without a net to catch me.

I gritted my teeth with determination as the Black house loomed ahead. It was close to the beach, almost cozy despite its sprawling size and grandeur. I had always felt at home there, but a lot of that could be chalked up to how close we’d always been with the family.

I didn’t want to imagine what they would think about me showing up for what was essentially a booty call. The memory of Mom’s reaction when she thought I was interested in Colton added to the conflict churning in me as I pulled the Mustang to a stop beside his Bugatti. It was a few minutes to eight on a beautiful, clear night.

And I was about to debase myself again, jumping when Colton snapped his fingers.

I had to end it. Tonight. We couldn’t keep doing this. I had to get out while I still a scrap of self-respect left.

Colton opened the door at my knock, and all my determination melted under the heat of his stare. Somehow, he managed to make a plain, white button-down shirt look painfully sexy. The hint of a broad, tanned chest, thanks to a couple of opened buttons, made me lose my breath.

His knowing smirk didn’t help. “Right on time. The food is still hot.”

“Food?” I caught the faint aroma of garlic in the air as I stepped into the familiar entry hall. He didn’t waste time on formalities, heading straight for the kitchen and leaving me with nothing to do but follow.

I wasn’t used to the house when it was otherwise empty and quiet, and the absence of light and laughter made me a little sad. He was here all alone, even if it was more convenient, as it was for me to stay at my parents’ estate. It could get a little lonely in a big house.

“Have a seat. Wine?” He pulled a bottle from the wine refrigerator built into the kitchen’s central island.

“Please.” On the island sat a row of foil pans containing chicken cutlets, pasta, and salad. The paper bag bearing the name of one of my favorite local restaurants sat on the floor, telling me this would be a good meal. “This smells amazing.”

“There’s plenty of it, as you can see.” His soft laughter took me by surprise. “I might’ve ordered too much, but I know how to work a microwave. At least I know what I’ll be eating the rest of the week.”

“Depending on how much I eat tonight, you might not have much left.” The truth was, I had been too nervous to think about eating until now, wondering what tonight was supposed to be about, expecting him to maul me the second I stepped over the threshold.

Instead, he was strangely…

… normal.

What a shame it made me slightly suspicious.

Get over yourself.

All right, so maybe I was secretly hoping he would maul me.

We dished up food for ourselves and took it over to the round table in front of a wall of windows overlooking the beach. Moonlight danced on the water, and a handful of glowing yachts bobbed in the distance. That, plus the dim lighting in the kitchen and the crisp, cold wine, made everything feel sort of romantic.

Was that the idea tonight?

What would I do if it was?

“This is incredible.” I barely swallowed a mouthful of the tender chicken before taking another bite. “They’ve always been my favorite restaurant, hands down.”

“I know,” he said, cutting into his cutlet. “Remember Noah’s graduation dinner?”

I put down my utensils, staring at him in amazement. “And I asked if we could box up the leftovers from the table so I could take them home? I can’t believe you remembered that!” Not my proudest moment, but that was one hell of a meal.

He lifted a shoulder while I laughed, embarrassed. “Hey, I admired you for asking. I didn’t have the balls.”

“But you had the balls to go and volunteer when the hurricane hit?”

His gaze faltered, if only for a moment. “How did you know about that?”

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