Page 51 of Cruel Steps

“Fuck, you smell divine, Mer.” He continued grazing me with his nose, goosebumps breaking out everywhere he touched me. When he got to the spot on my neck, he stopped, tensing at the hickey Holden had left on me yesterday. Colter pulled back, and I pouted. His eyes held mine, heat and possessiveness overtaking his eyes.

“Is this from Cody?”

“What?” I asked, licking my lips. Colter’s thumb brushed the spot, and I remembered. “No. Not from Cody.”

His body relaxed, and he stroked the area again, a smirk growing on his face the longer he brushed it. “Good.”

I frowned. “You’re not going to ask who?”

He shook his head, that secret grin on his face like he already knew. “I think about you all the time, Mer. Will you let me take you on a date?”

“You really want to?”

“What did I tell you that first day?” I shook my head, not remembering. “I don’t ask for things I don’t want. I want you, so I’m asking.”

“Oh,” I stalled, wanting to, but suddenly overwhelmed by the prospect. Guys wanting to fuck me, I understood. Guys wanting to take me out was a foreign concept. “I’ve never been on a date.”

He smiled. “I like that I get to be your first. I will make it so perfect that it will ruin you for any other dates. Not that I intend to let you go, Mer.”

Colter leaned in, giving me time to stop him before he pressed his lips to mine. It was soft, yet just as passionate as the other two. It was a claim and a promise. I wanted to believe him, so I would.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever tire of kissing you,” he said after drawing back. I blushed, and he smiled. “Come on, we should wash our hands after handling the dogs.”

He pulled me toward a sink and stood behind me as he turned on the water and soaped up our hands together. It was oddly intimate to feel his presence behind me. He dropped a kiss on my neck, then sucked at the skin, causing my eyes to close as desire washed over me. It wasn’t until he turned off the water that I opened my eyes and I realized he’d left his own hickey.

“Really?”

He grinned and shrugged, but there was no remorse. “You have a class?” he asked, walking me to my car.

“Yeah. I have two this afternoon. You?” I fiddled with my keychain. I needed to get going, but didn’t want to leave Colter.

“Yep. I have a full afternoon once I leave here. If I text you later, will you respond?” he asked, lifting a brow.

Feeling the Magic 8-ball in my hand, I shook it and lifted it for him to see. He grinned. “Signs point to yes.”

“Then yes.”

He laughed. “Bye, Merbear.”

“Bye, Colt.” He grinned wider before planting a soft kiss on my lips. He might break my heart, but I’d enjoy it until he did.

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

EMERSON

In a daze, I drove to campus. All the thoughts of yesterday had fled, and I replayed my time with Colter over and over. Which wasn’t the best idea, considering I had to meet with my advisor and go to classes with soaked panties.

Parking took longer since it was mid-morning, and I had to run to the library so I wouldn’t be late. My skin crawled at the blatant stares, and I pulled my jacket closer, keeping my eyes fixed in the distance. I wouldn’t run away or cry today.

“Professor Jameson?” I asked when I came upon the middle-aged woman. She glanced up from her work, eyeing me.

“Emerson?”

I nodded, and she gestured to the seat in front of her. After an hour of going over expectations, a timeline, and my topic—How dance heals the body and soul—I was almost late to my next class.

I skidded into the door right as the final bell rang. The students glanced up and eyed me, dismissing me when the teacher cleared his throat. My eyes flicked up front, my face heating at being put on the spot.

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