Page 17 of The Acquisition

"Why do I keep finding you trying to freeze to death in party dresses?" Colter asked.

"Thanks for the coat. You should go back and enjoy the rest of the wedding."

He grabbed the lapels of the coat and spun me around to face him. "You aren't doing that well, are you?"

I opened my mouth to convince him I was fine, but he put his finger over my lips, quieting me. "Don't bullshit me. I know you think you've been fooling everyone all night, but I've seen the smile disappear when you thought no one was looking."

"You can't watch me so closely," I protested.

"Why?"

That was a good question. One my body very much wanted me not to find an answer to. Too bad the reason I couldn't give in to my attraction for him was the very reason we were here. Both of us would do anything to make Evie happy.

"You know why. Evie is my best friend."

"So we are supposed to ignore this? I'm supposed to pretend seeing you in that dress doesn't set my blood on fire?"

"Yes. We ignore this." I gestured between the two of us. "If we avoid each other for a while this will go away. This is why I have to stay with Sabrina."

"You don't think very much of yourself, do you?"

I tried to take a step back, but he wouldn't let go of the jacket, effectively keeping me caged where he wanted me.

"I like myself fine, but trust me when I say what you feel will fade."

"You're wrong, on both counts," he pushed back.

"I don't see how. Besides, if we got together, you'd see this is nothing more than physical. We'd burn hot and then burn out as fast as we began. It's not worth risking my friendship with Evie, or our working relationship."

His eyes fell to my mouth, and I knew he was picturing us together. "That's all you think I'm capable of?"

I couldn't tell him it was all any man wanted from me. "It is what you're known for." It was a transparent attempt to push him away, but in my defense, most people never bothered to examine my actions that closely.

"Nice try, brat. I think you're using Evie as an excuse not to take a chance with me. I'm not going to let you do that."

My eyes widened. The nerve. "You're not going to let me?" I asked in a slow, measured voice.

"It's not like I'm going to force you, but I can see the cracks forming in that icy façade you've built around yourself. I think if I apply the right amount of pressure you'll melt in my arms."

"Pretty sure of yourself, gramps."

He pulled me into his arms and leaned down to speak into my ear. "Oh, now, I thought we agreed if you were going to be a brat I was going to give you the spanking you seem to be begging for."

So many arguments came to mind. Not the least of which was going to be about how I viewed the notion that he was allowed to correct my behavior with corporal punishment degrading, even if a small part of me did like the idea of being physically dominated by him. None of those words came out of my mouth because his lips pressed against mine before I could speak.

Instead of pushing him away I clung to him. There was a hunger inside me being awoken by his kiss, and I was certain I'd die without more of him.

When we finally parted I knew I was done denying myself. It was ludicrous really. Why shouldn't I experience this?

"We can't tell Evie."

I expected him to smirk, but he looked me straight in the eyes and remained somber. "Until there's something to tell her, we don't tell anyone."

"We can't let whatever this is ruin our working relationship," I insisted.

His eyes narrowed. "What do you think this is?"

I shrugged. "Hooking up. I'm younger than you, but I'm not a child."

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