Page 14 of Colt

“Thanks for the beer.” I smiled brightly. “But I’m gonna get a margarita.”

“Nope,” he said dismissively. “You know better.”

“What are you, my daddy?” I teased.

“Babe,” he rumbled. “You comin’ to bars like this, lookin’ the way you look, you gotta know these assholes will be like bees around honey. You gotta keep a clear head. A wasted girl is a vulnerable girl. Plus, it’ll be harder for someone to fuck with a beer bottle than a glass.”

My heart fluttered. “I’ll be fine. I’m with my friends. They wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

“Drink your beer, Princess,” he ordered quietly.

I gazed up at him, wide-eyed and innocent. “Yes, Sir.”

Fascinated, I watched as a red spot appeared on each of his cheeks. His eyes raked down my body as if he’d never seen me before. “You’re trouble, Freya Stone.”

My lips twitched. “Have you only just worked that one out? Thought you were smart.”

“Not as smart as your fuckin’ mouth, Princess,” he rasped. “I may shock you one day and put it to better use.”

“Promises, promises,” I sassed. “It’s good to see you, Colt. But don’t think for a minute I’ll let you cockblock me. I moved here to escape from my dad, brothers, and a hundred uncles staring down every boy I brought around.”

“Well, that’s fuckin’ unlucky seein’ as you’re movin’ back.”

I smirked. “I’ve still got a week. A lot can happen in that time.”

“Not if I can fuckin’ help it,” he muttered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked casually, taking a sip of beer.

“You’re goin’ home, Princess, so there’s no point you startin’ anythin’ with any of the fucknuts here. Plus, I’ve missed you. I’m over the moon you’re comin’ home at last.”

My heart bloomed. “I’ve missed you too, Colt.”

Our eyes locked. Goose bumps scattered down my arms, and a spark passed between us. My stomach pulled toward him, the same way it had since I was a teenage girl, dazzled by Colt’s charm and intelligence.

I knew I played games with him; hell, he played games too. We pushed each other to test how far we could go before one pulled back—usually him, and every time it destroyed me because I loved him so hard but only got scraps back.

A flash of red appeared by my side as Abi sidled over, looking between me and Colt with a knowing smile. “Hey, you!” she exclaimed, rolling up on her toes to kiss Colt’s cheek. “What brings you here? We were only saying today that we haven’t seen you for a while.”

“Hey, Abigail,” he rumbled. “Came to keep you two outta trouble.”

“Hope you brought bail money,” she said dryly as the opening bars to ‘Closer’ began to pound through the bar, and she clapped her hands excitedly. “I love Ne-Yo!” Grabbing my hand, she pulled me toward the dance floor. “Come on, girl.”

Within seconds, we hit a swell of bodies, joining in with the whoops and hollers as Ne-Yo’s sweet tone filled the air, and we began to move in time to the bassline.

Heat warmed my back, and I knew he was watching.Colt’s physical effect on me sometimes made my breath catch.

Abi pulled me to dance beside some dude who kept smiling at her. His friend noticed me and made a beeline, eyes glued to my hips as I moved them in time to the music.

I was startled as solid arms snaked around my waist from behind, and I heard a deep voice rasp, “Fuck off!”

The dude looked crestfallen but knew he was no match for Colt because he slinked away instead of trying his luck.

“Fuck, Princess. Can’t take you anywhere.” Colt's chest pressed flush against my back, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned in his arms and slid my hands up his shoulders until my fingers locked around his nape. “I can handle myself. I grew up a long time ago.”

His hands rested on my hips, and he matched my rhythm, pulling me closer to him. “I handle you better. I can’t help wanting to protect you.” His ocean-blues stared into my soul as he sang along to the words as we danced.

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