Page 50 of Cruel Steps

He shrugged. “She always knows which human needs which dog.”

“Human, not the other way around?” I asked.

“Nope. Dogs own us.” He grinned, and I could almost forget about all the rumors I heard when he smiled at me that way. “You going to talk to me now?” he whispered, the vulnerability clear in his words.

“What’s there to say?” I cast my eyes down, unable to stare at his gorgeous face.

Colter sighed. “I like you, Mer—a lot. I know I didn’t respond well yesterday, and I’m sorry about that. Truly. I didn’t like seeing that video. It made me angry.”

“Why?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

“Why?” he repeated, his brows furrowing more. He moved closer and took the sleeping puppy from me, then placed him back in the kennel. When he returned, he reached for my hands, and I was too weak to stop him from lacing our fingers together. “I might have only known you for a few weeks, but I care about you and feel protective over you.”

My stomach flipped, and my heart took off like a pair of maracas, sending tingles over my body. No one had ever felt protective over me. I lifted my head and stared, dumbfounded. I licked my lips, the words Jenny said racing through my head, combined with the image of Hope. I couldn’t forget that.

“I heard…” I shook my head. Was it better to be in denial?

“What did you hear, Merbear?” Colter caressed my chin, but I stayed silent. “Was it about my reputation?” I nodded, and he sighed. “I can’t change my past, and if you want to know the truth, I’ll tell you, even though I’m not proud of it. Without sounding like a cliché, you’re different.”

“How do I know that’s not a line?”

“You don’t. But you’ll never know unless you give me a chance. I don’t expect you to forgive me yet, but please don’t ice me out. Let me show you who I really am. Not the playboy or rumors, but me.”

Staring at him, I saw the vulnerability in his eyes, and I hated myself for assuming the worst of him. Colter had been nice to me from the second we ran into each other—something I kept seeming to do. And yet, I’d lumped him with all the other people who’d hurt me without giving him a fair chance. I didn’t know his story, but I could see my actions had hurt him, unintentionally or not.

I had a choice—keep hurting him or take a chance. It wasn’t risk free. I could still get hurt, but something told me it wouldn’t be by Colter.

I took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m sorry I ran away. My past… it isn’t pleasant, and I jumped to conclusions when I should have asked you first.”

“You can ask me anything and I’ll tell you, Mer.”

I searched his eyes, seeing honesty reflected. “Why didn’t you tell me you were on the football team?”

His nose scrunched up. “I didn’t?” I shook my head, and he shrugged. “Probably because it’s the least interesting thing about me. I only play because of my scholarship. I have no plans of going pro and don’t have any passion for it, like Holden does.”

“That’s fair. But that’s the other thing. Did you know?”

“Know what?” He lifted a brow.

“That Holden was my step-brother?”

He hesitated, and my heart sank. “I had a suspicion, but wasn’t certain until yesterday afternoon. I promise.”

I wanted to believe him, but it hurt. “Are you into Hope?” My heart pounded hard, and all the blood rushed to my face, heating my cheeks. Colter reared back like I’d slapped him.

“Hope Adler?”

I nodded.

“No.” He shook his head firmly. “An emphatic no.”

“She was touching you yesterday,” I admitted, biting my lip.

Colter stepped forward and dropped my hands. His body pressed into mine, and he pulled my lip free with his thumb, swiping it across the swollen flesh.

“None of that. No abuse on my watch.” I sucked in a breath, his words heating me from the inside out. He tilted my chin, his hand caressing me with soft strokes. “I don’t remember her touching me, but if she was, it didn’t register because all I could focus on was your ass in those shorts and getting my hands on you. Do you know how hard it is to practice with an erection, Mer?”

I shook my head, unable to say anything if I wanted. I just wanted him to keep touching me. His nose grazed my cheek, traveling down to my hair, where he inhaled.

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