Page 70 of Flirting with the CEO

"But you're not a big believer in relationships, are you?" I asked.

He let go of me, and we sat down on one of the big dry rocks. I liked hearing the water all around us.

“I’ve always focused on Whitley Biotech. And after how my parents’ marriage ended, that wasn’t a box I wanted to check.”

"I understand that.” Watching your whole family disintegrate would probably leave you with deep scars. "You know what's interesting? My parents are super happy and in love, and somehow I’ve never dreamed about a big wedding or even fantasized about relationships. I'm not sure that we always want to walk in our parents' footsteps. I think I was always focused on my career. I wanted to have a solid financial situation before I even considered having a family.” Saying that out loud made me realize that perhaps Ihadbeen influenced by certain experiences in my childhood. “I love my parents, but I want my children to feel financially secure. That's always been a heavy weight on me and my brothers. I want to give my kids whatever they want and need—within reason."

Colton smiled. I uncrossed my legs.

"You are a generous soul, Zoey."

I opened my mouth, but I didn't manage to say anything because a splash of ice-cold water startled me. I jumped to my feet. So did Colton.

He stepped in front of me the next second, taking the brunt of the water. Several teenagers were laughing. One had pushed another in the water, and he was not amused. He was shouting something about pneumonia.

Damn, I wouldn't want to be him. The water looked dreamy, but it wasn't nearly warm enough to be in it.

Colton and I moved farther from the edge. When he turned around, I grinned. His T-shirt was plastered to his abs.

"I would feel sorry that you're wet and probably cold if I wasn't so amazed by how sexy you are."

He laughed. "Conflicted much?"

"Very much."

I licked my lips, fighting to keep my hands to myself. I definitely couldn’t feel him up in public, even though no one was paying attention to us.

"I think we better get back," I said. "I wouldn't want you to catch a cold."

He grinned but didn't say anything. He was probably onto me. I mean, I wanted his sexy body, too, but in my defense, I wanted to get back home so he could change into something dry.

Once in the car, he turned on the heat.

"Will you look at that. It's not even as soaked as I thought," I said, pouting.

"Want me to pour a bottle of water on top of my head?"

I playfully swatted his shoulder. "It's all your fault for being so sexy. You're putting ideas in my head. Are we going home?" I asked eagerly.

He grinned. "No, but interesting to know that's what you want to do."

"So, whatarewe doing?" I asked.

Again, I was torn. On the one hand, I wanted to see what else he had planned. On the other, I kind of wanted to be alone with him. I felt closer to him after we'd both shared such intimate things in front of the waterfall.

He gunned the engine, and as the car jerked forward, I noticed the address he'd put into the navigation app on his phone.

"We're going to Salem?" I asked.

He winked at me. "Yeah. You said you want to go."

I felt warm everywhere. I had so many fuzzy feelings inside me that I couldn't even explain what was going on. I'd never felt anything like this.

"Thanks for this day," I said. "I wouldn't have taken you for a spontaneous kind of guy."

"I'm not usually, but I'm doing my best for you."

I spent the rest of the car ride looking up info on Salem and talking his ear off about the various details. I couldn't hide my excitement; I was practically dancing in the seat.

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