Page 12 of Their Reluctant Catch

I study him for a moment, his usual gruffness edged with something darker. “Is this about Savannah, or is this about you?”

He straightens with a glare and narrows his eyes, like I’ve struck a nerve. “Don’t start.”

“Fine.” I raise my hands in mock surrender. “But for the record, I think she’s more open-minded than you’re giving her credit for.”

His snort is low and skeptical. “We’ll see.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the creak of the stairs saves me. I glance toward the sound and mutter, “So I guess it’s a myth that women take hours in the bathroom. Bro, you shower slower than she does, and you’re so fast you barely get wet.”

Colton scowls and lets out a moody grunt, before he turns his head toward the doorway as Savannah steps into the kitchen.

And holy hell.

Her hair’s still damp from the shower, curling slightly at the ends, and she’s wearing a flannel shirt over her snug jeans. It’s big and baggy, and the sleeves are rolled up, but damn if she doesn’t make it look good. My chest tightens, and my body stirs to life in a way that makes me adjust my stance.

Colton turns to the cupboard and holds up a mug. “Coffee?”

His shoulders are tight, and his movements are clipped, like her presence grates on him. Or maybe he’s trying too hard not to notice her at all. Hell, maybe he doesn’t find her attractive. Not likely, but the way he’s holding himself… it’s hard to tell.

“Please.” Savannah leans against the doorway, scanning the room before focusing on me. Her gaze sharpens slightly, like she knows I’ve been staring.

Colton pours a mug and holds it out to her. “Cream? Sugar?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Why would you dilute something perfect?”

I laugh, and even Colton’s lips twitch. She takes the mug, holding it with both hands, and takes a long sip, her eyes closing briefly like she’s savoring it. For the first time, she looks... relaxed. Comfortable, even.

“Thanks,” she says, quieter now. She takes another deep pull with closed eyes and hums. Her eyes snap open, and when her gaze connects with mine, it’s almost like a punch to the gut. “Please can you tell me how I get to the B&B? I don’t want to impose any longer.”

Did she overhear our argument?

Before Colton can say a word, I offer, “How about I’ll take you after breakfast.”

She meets my gaze, and for a moment, there’s something unreadable in her expression. Then she nods, and I pull out a chair from the breakfast table like the gentleman I’m not, trying to ignore the way my pulse kicks up at the thought of spending more time with her.

Chapter6

Savannah

The van ambles steadily along the winding road, its engine purring like a contented cat. The dashboard sports old-fashioned knobs, and the upholstery is well worn. The thing is ancient, easily two decades old, but it’s running smoother than some of the luxury cars I used to work on back in Miami. Either someone’s been giving this van a lot of love, or it’s built like a tank. My money’s on the former.

“Nice ride,” I say, breaking the silence.

Todd glances at me, his brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “Thanks. She’s got a few years on her, but she’s solid. Mel’s cousins, the MacAllisters, run the local garage, and they keep her in top shape for us.”

That makes sense. I nod, letting my fingers brush the edge of the seat. “Shows. Not a lot of vans this old that still purr like that. They must know what they’re doing.”

“They do,” Todd says with a grin. “It’s a small-town perk—Grady, Finn, and Callum take pride in keeping things running, even if that thing has seen better days.”

I smirk, leaning back into my seat. The heater’s finally starting to do its job, but the chill still clings to me. It doesn’t help that Todd’s coat is open, and Colton’s sitting in a damn T-shirt, his arms crossed over that tattooed chest of his like the cold doesn’t even exist. Clearly, they are men built for this weather.

I tug my jacket tighter around me, trying to ignore the strange warmth spreading through my chest when Todd turns the heat up another notch.

“Better?” He throws me a quick look.

“Yeah. Thanks,” I mutter, grateful but unwilling to let it show too much.

Todd’s grin widens, but he says nothing, and the silence stretches between us as the town comes into view. At least, when you can call a handful of buildings a town.

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