Page 49 of Eight Steps to Alpha

“And why’s that?”

“Because.” She took another bite of carrot and swallowed. “Because it’s all for this girl he works with. She never gives him the time of day. And the thing is, Elliot’s a good guy. He’s a great guy, and it irritates me so much that he would do all this for someone who doesn’t realize that.”

“Because you do.”

“Yes!”

“Because you love him.”

“No!” Her head shot up. “Whatever would give you that idea?”

“Because he loves you?” His grin widened, and he leaned slowly back in his seat.

“Elliot and I are friends. We’ve only ever been friends.” Even as she spoke the words, her mind kept flashing back to a few nights before, when Elliot had lifted her onto the counter, when he’d kissed her in a way she’d never been kissed before. That, didn’t feel like friendship.

He made a face, like he was slowly beginning to process her answer. “I was just makin’ sure, is all. I mean, wouldn’t want to be stepping on anyone’s toes when I ask you out to dinner, now would I?”

The front door opened then, and Elliot came into the apartment making her jump. His shirt was damp, and his bike was by his side as he closed the door behind him.

“Well speak of the devil,” Colton drawled.

Fe met Elliot’s eyes, suddenly nervous being in his presence. That same annoying flutter was beating against her insides again, the same one that had been trapped there for the past forty-eight hours.

“Fe and I were just talkin’ about you, baby brother,” Colton said loudly.

Elliot glanced over at him with a bored expression as he pulled open the patio door. “Oh?”

Colton laughed. “Yeah, you see, I was just asking Fe out to dinner. She thinks you’ll be fine with it, but I on the other hand am not so sure.”

Elliot’s back stiffened as he pushed the bike out to the balcony, but he closed the door, then turned around to face them. “Why would you say that?” Elliot asked.

Fe crossed her ankles under the table, and began stirring the ranch dip in purposeful circles with a carrot. The tension was so high with these two, she wouldn’t have been surprised if they started rolling on the floor again.

A long time passed without an answer, neither brother saying anything more. Or at least it seemed a long time, but in actuality it was only a few seconds. “Fe’s a grown woman, Colton. If she wants to go to dinner with you, she will.”

Colton grinned, and snatched another piece of celery from her platter. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He tore off another bite, smiling like he’d just found a hundred-dollar bill in the middle of the sidewalk. “So, what do you say, sweetheart.” He winked at her. “Want to ditch that tray of veggies and go get some real food?”

* * *

She wasn’tsure why she’d said yes. Maybe because the air was so thick, she’d do anything to get out of that room? That she felt trapped? Because it irked her Elliot didn’t seem to remotely care?

Either way, her emotions were all over the place. From hurt, to anger, to… was curiosity even an emotion? Because it sure felt that way right now. Colton was single, less complicated than his brother. And she’d be lying if she wasn’t attracted to him. Sure, he wasn’t her typical flavor, but maybe that was part of her problem? Maybe she needed to expand her pallet… because right now, peering down the stairwell, all she could see was blue. Blue eyes, dark hair, and a smile that made her heart go pitter patter. Gah!

“Have you ever ridden on a bike before?” Colton asked, as took the stairs two at a time out to the front of the building.

Her fingers curled and uncurled at her side, and she shook her head. “No, that won’t be changing anytime soon.”

“Why?” He laughed. “Chicken?”

She clenched her jaw “I’ve read the statistics.” Which was true, and there were plenty enough to prove to anyone that motorcycles were death traps.

He stopped beside his bike, took two helmets from the saddlebag and tossed one to her.

“I’ve read the statistics on alcohol. Doesn’t mean I’ll never have a drink again.”

She smirked. Good point, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. She glanced over the bike, then to the helmet held tightly in her hand. A nervous flutter beat against her chest, and she looked up to their second story window. She almost hopped Elliot would be there, watching…but he wasn’t. The window was bare, reminding her of how he’d acted the night after their kiss. “Sometimes I wonder how anyone is alive at all.”

She placed the helmet snugly on her head and fastened the strap.

He smiled, threw one leg over his Harley, then lifted his chin. “Climb on, Fe. What are you waiting for?”

She hesitated for only a moment, asking herself the same question. Elliot wasn’t coming for her, she would be an idiot to think otherwise, but she still had to stop herself from looking up to the window again. Taking a fist full of his shirt in one hand, she threw her leg over the bike, and positioned herself behind him.

He grinned, took her hands in his and positioned them around his waist. “Hold on, don’t let go.”

And she didn’t.

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