Page 36 of Tops
“We won’t let that happen,” Colten said, shaking his head sharply. “After the way he talked about you, we don’t want him anywhere near you.”
“How did he talk about me?” I asked, thinking back to what he could have learned about me from the night at Tops. I hadn’t spoken to anyone other than the bartender, and that was only to place an order.
“He talked about you like you were interesting,” Colten said, like that was the worst thing in the world. I didn’t know how to take that in any way other than insulting.
I’m sorry your murderous ex-childhood BFF found me interesting when I was lacking. Maybe that was just the right man for me. Someone that looked at my baggage and said, yay, more weight.
I was not hooking up with a mysterious murder man.
“While I appreciate the brief history lesson, I still have a few more questions,” I decided was a safe enough response. I didn’t want to snap at him like I did with Tanner.
“I would be disappointed if you didn’t,” Colten said, giving me a sheepish smile before pushing his glasses back up his nose. His hair refused to stay back, and he seemed to give up on taming it. His suit was clean and pressed, but the rest of him looked disheveled from the night.
“Are you really working right now? On a Saturday after you just spent all night up?” I tried out my mothering glare on Colten. He hit me back with that look that could not only steal my breath, but one that had me wishing my clothes could melt off my body.
“Actually, I don’t have any cases to work on now. I thought my office would be a more comfortable meeting location for you than if I asked you to meet me at my apartment.”
I smiled in thanks for the thought Colten put into the meeting place. It wasn’t perfect since Mike drove me here, but even then, he wasn’t bad today.
“Why don’t we go back to your place for a while? You can clean up and get more comfortable, and it will give me a chance to ask you all the questions I have.” I wasn’t asking to go back to his house for sex. But I was hoping to get down to the bottom of why they share and if Colten really was interested.
“Okay,” Colten said with a smile as he grabbed his keys from one of the desk drawers. He seemed a bit more excited. Maybe he needed to clean up after all. He was thankful I allowed him the chance before I continued my interrogation.
I followed him through the building, noting that he walked with his back straight and his eyes focused ahead. He didn’t look very approachable as he passed by the few others on our way to the parking garage. I expected him to have an all-black car like the others in Tanner’s garage, but I had not expected the sleek black motorcycle to rev to life under the twist of Colten’s key.
He handed me a helmet, which I quickly put on. I fixed all the straps so they wouldn’t fall off before double-checking the helmet didn’t wobble. Colten was already on the bike, wearing a leather jacket over his suit and a sleek black helmet. I really needed to see him in something other than a suit.
Once on the back of the bike, I tucked my purse between my legs and ensured all the buttons on my coat were secure. Colten shifted uncomfortably in front of me before reaching around his back to grab my purse.
“Hey!” I shouted out as I grabbed for it.
“Relax,” came Colten’s calm, quiet voice from a speaker near my ear. There must have been transmitting microphones in these helmets. “I’m going to put it in the side compartment. I want you to put your hands around my chest when we ride, so I know where you are. Cars get close sometimes.”
I released my purse, watching as he did exactly as he said he would. Filling my lungs with air despite the already overheating helmet was a challenge. I reminded myself that I needed to calm down before jumping to conclusions.
The motorcycle between my legs vibrated with its purr while waiting for us to go. I scooted forward until I cradled Colten between my thighs and my arms wrapped around his waist. Under his suit felt rock hard, and my fingers itched to explore him. He pulled the throttle, and my fingers dug into him instead as I gripped for dear life.
I heard Colten’s light laughter in my ear as if he was standing beside me.
I adjusted my grip, moving in even closer until I was sandwiched against his back while he pulled into traffic. Nope. I did not want to see this or hear all the honking and the shouting as Colten maneuvered the bike from side to side. My eyes were closed as I pressed the side of my helmet flat against his back, trusting Colten to let me know when this nightmare would be over.
12
Tell Me No
Iwasatremblingmess when Colten parked the bike and cut the engine. I had never ridden a motorcycle before. While I hadn’t hated it, the rest of the traffic made the entire experience more than my medication could handle.
Colten offered his hand to help me get off the bike, which I graciously accepted. A current of energy passed through me when our hands touched that was nearly overwhelming in addition to my already fluttering pulse. As soon as I stood, I ripped the helmet free of my head, sending my hair in wild random directions. I would fix it in just a minute. I needed to stand and just breathe for a second.
“Don’t like motorcycles?” Colten asked once he could see my face. I had no doubt that I was pale, in addition to my slight tremble.
“Motorcycles aren’t the issue. Just the rest of the traffic on the road,” I managed.
Colten cracked a small smile while he watched me regain control. He didn’t press me to hurry, but I tried to calm myself quickly, regardless.
“Your anxiety stems from a place of feeling unsafe, doesn’t it?” Colten said to break the silence.
“My dad was killed when I was a kid. The anxiety started after that.” I said before closing my lips and offering him a small smile. I had lived the story repeatedly with every new doctor and therapist. Usually, I just told the story whenever I moved and needed a refill on my medications. Colten seemed to understand that I was not offering more on that subject. He grabbed my purse from the storage compartment before handing it back and heading toward his apartment.
