Page 40 of Hero's Prize

“I don’t plan on it, but not necessarily just because of the stalker.” There was only one person he wanted to consider taking back to his room, and she definitely wasn’t a stranger.

“Because of Ella O’Conner.”

“You know about her?”

Tony shrugged. “I saw the way you two were talking at the wedding reception. Plus, I heard rumors. And then last night…”

“I’m not sure exactly how things stand between her and me.”

“But she’s part of the reason you’re here.”

Very definitely, but he wasn’t going to get into that with the other man. Time to change the subject.

“I know we want to capitalize on…everything.” Tony would probably want to post about Colton’s panic attacks on social media if he knew about them. “But I’ve got a friend who’s starting a camp for kids, and I’d like to be here to help him get this first one off the ground.”

Colton explained some of the details behind the camp.

Tony’s eyes lit up. “Actually, that sounds amazing and would be something your fans would love to see. Why don’t we film it?”

“No.” Colton didn’t even have to think about it. He’d already offered to use any of his media clout to help with fundraising or awareness, but that hadn’t been what Bear wanted. This was abouta group of kids getting attention that they never did in day-to-day life. Bringing in a crew, and to record Colton with the kids, would be no different from the normal lives they led with their siblings getting so much time and attention.

“I get your hesitancy, but it could be tasteful.” Tony gripped the table. “We could show how you were getting to know the kids and how important they are too.”

“Not this time, Tony. I know you mean well, but no.”

Tony sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Okay, you’re the boss. And, you’re right, you deserve a break. Maybe a week here will refill the well for you. I’ll make sure this whole week is clear.”

“Actually, let’s go ahead and clear the whole month.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “A month? That’s a long time to go without any sort of new stunt. It’s going to affect popularity ratings.”

Colton didn’t care. “Then we’ll just have to replay some stuff from past stunts. And honestly, I’m not sure when I’m coming back.”

Despite Tony’s grimace, it felt good to say those words out loud. A month would be much longer than the camp, but it might be just the right amount of time to see if what was happening with Ella was something real.

He’d been on his way outside to sleep in his truck again when he’d seen the lights on in that building. He hadn’t had anything better to do than to go turn them off—no need to waste electricity.

He hadn’t expected to find Ella inside that test kitchen. And he definitely hadn’t expected not to be able to keep his hands off her.

He shouldn’t want her after what had happened between them that night she’d snuck out, but that hadn’t seemed to matter to his libido one bit.

Even now, he had to be thankful he was sitting down so no one could see what sort of physical reaction he was having to the thought of touching her last night. Of catching those soft curves asshe fell. Of breathing in the scent of her skin right before a kiss that was interrupted.

“Does all this have to do with Ella?”

Colton reached back and rubbed his neck, wishing his fingers were touching Ella’s skin instead.

“It has to do with a lot of things. But mostly, it has to do with helping kids who deserve it. That’s why I’m here, and that’s what I want to concentrate on.”

It was definitely true that those kids deserved it, and it was even true that he wanted to give them the attention they deserved.

He wanted to help them.

And if he happened to get to spend as much time as he wanted with Ella O’Conner in the process, even better.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

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