Page 43 of Seductive Hearts

“He’s only using you.” He snarled at Colton, who scoffed and shook his head before turning away. “That’s all this is. Are you going to spend another two weeks crying your eyes out over him when he breaks your heart this time?”

“What the fuck?” Colton cocked his head to the side as he turned around, looking at Noah before turning to me. “What does that mean?”

Ignoring him, I told Noah, “I am not a teenager anymore.” Dammit, I was trembling harder than ever. If I wasn’t a teenager, why was I reacting like one? “We’re adults now. I won’t have you barge in here and ruin my store all because you have to be the big, tough guy. It’s time for you to leave.”

He released a choked laugh, staring at me like he expected me to change my mind. “You can’t be serious. If you think I’m keeping your dirty little secret, think again.”

Everything in me recoiled at the thought. Dad would know, Mom would know, Colton’s parents. Oh God, what would Barrett say now? And Sienna! What would she think?

A sense of ease washed over me. Nobody could’ve been more surprised than I was when I felt it, especially in the heat of the moment. It left me calm, clear, and unflinching. “If you can’t keep this between us, it only proves my point.”

“What is that?” He sneered, folding his arms. The splash of red across his jaw was going to turn into a bruise, but he didn’t seem to notice it.

I wished Colton had hit him harder.

I was the one who stopped it, though.

“You don’t care about what’s really best for me. If you did, you would know it’s not a good idea to run around broadcasting this, especially at such an important time.” I waited for this to sink in, and I watched as his expression softened a little. Enough to tell me he was listening. “If Colton has ever been a friend to you, you’ll keep your mouth shut. And I know he has, no matter what you think right now.”

“This isn’t over,” he promised with a growl that almost set my hair on end. He wanted to rip Colton’s head off. That was obvious. “We’re going to revisit this.”

“I can’t wait,” Colton told him, firmly standing his ground. “Do you need help finding the door?”

“You fucking bastard.” That was the last thing Noah spat before turning on his heel and storming out, slamming the front door. I stood there in silence, reeling long after the sound faded into silence.

“Fuck.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Colton touching his mouth again, wincing. “The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Perfect wasn’t the word I would use, but I understood what he meant. I was hollow inside, empty, shaking in the aftermath of so much adrenaline leaving my system.

“I need to get out of here,” I whispered, almost surprised to hear myself say it out loud.

“That could be for the best,” he agreed. Soon, his hand covered my shoulder, and his arms were open for me to step into the circle of his embrace. “I’m sorry for that.”

Had I ever heard him use the word before? I couldn’t remember. Miracles did happen sometimes.

“It’s not your fault.” I clung to him as tightly as I could. He had solved my emergency with the carpenter. If only he could have solved this too.

His chest rose and fell with a sigh. “I’m not sure what to have everybody do at this point. We were supposed to have the shelves in today. I could tell them to head out and get an early start on their weekend.”

As much as I detested the idea, he made a good point. There was no sense in keeping them around with nothing to work on. It was a testament to Colton’s management that so much had been wrapped up already.

Cupping my chin, he stroked my cheek with his thumb. The warmth radiating from his dark eyes melted me. “What do you say we get out of here after that? I can take you home.”

“On one condition.” I arched an eyebrow. “That it’s your place we go to. Now.”

If this was all going to end epically as soon as my family found out, I might at least get a little more enjoyment out of the arrangement where there was no chance of Noah walking in.

17

COLTON

We were barely inside the house before I was on her. Usually, I had a hard enough time keeping my hands off her, but something was different now. I knew why as I mauled her on the way across the entry hall, sliding my hands under her cashmere sweater until she moaned against my neck while we stumbled toward the sweeping staircase.

She had fought for me, defended me against her brother, and stood by my side. He’d slung the ugliest insults one friend could throw at another, and still, she was with me.

Rose landed on her ass midway up the stairs with me on top of her, leaning back so I could run my hands down her body. “Here. Right here.” She slid her hands between us and worked my belt, then left it to me in favor of pulling her sweater over her head and unclasping her bra. “I need you. Now.”

Not half as much as I needed her. My hands trembled with anticipation as I dropped my pants and boxer briefs to my knees. When I fumbled for my wallet, she stopped me. “I’m on the pill,” she whispered, placing her feet on the floor and lifting her hips to lower her pants. “I want to feel you. I want you to come inside me.”

---