Page 23 of Colt

“Think about it, Colt,” she continued. “You told me you were lost after leaving the military, but soon after, you met my dad and found a home. See? Ying and yang.”

My heart bounced in my chest.

Freya was an enigma. Maybe that was why she fascinated me so much. She was the town’s it girl. Beautiful, confident, a social butterfly. I loved that side of her, but my favorite version was intelligent Freya, who watched movies with me wearing a robe and no makeup.

I reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re beautiful, and I don’t even mean on the outside, though that part of you is stunning. But the most gorgeous thing about you by far is your heart.”

Her eyes softened and she beamed. “You’re a charmer, Colt Van Der Cleeve.”

My chest settled, and I noted how she glowed with vitality. Without a thought, I cupped her jaw and leaned forward until I felt her breathing gently. I wondered how she could get air into her lungs when she’d robbed me of all breath.

A low hum warmed my blood and I watched, mesmerized, as Freya’s eyes dropped to my mouth. An urge hit me, and an invisible force pulled me closer until our faces were a hairsbreadth away.

I nuzzled her cheek, heart racing at the thought of kissing her pillowy lips, of touching her tight little virgin puss—

A loud buzz from the door cut through the room as her phone also pinged with a notification.

I sprang back like someone had thrown cold water over me.

“Fuck—umm—I—I’ll get that,” I stuttered, lifting Freya from under her arms and throwing her away from me.

She let out a shocked little squeak as she hit the back of the couch.

“It’s probably the dude come to fix your door. Yeah—umm, that’ll be it. The door.” Jumping up from the couch. I glanced back and almost jizzed in my jeans when Freya stared at me with wide eyes and half a boob popping out from her skewed robe.

“Get fuckin’ dressed!” I barked. Turning, I hurried down the hallway, rubbing the tight feeling in my chest where my heart galloped.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Approaching the front door, I pulled it open with so much force the already broken handle came off in my hand.

The guy standing there bent down to inspect the damage. “I’m here to repair this, though I think you’ll need a new frame as well as a door.”

“Fix it,” I demanded. “I want the best, most secure one you’ve got in stock.”

He stood to his full height, sucking a breath noisily through his teeth. “It’s gonna cost ya.”

I scrubbed a hand down my face, trying to get myself under control. The urge to turn back around and drag Freya into her bedroom was overwhelming.

“Don’t care,” I replied. “I’ll go to your store now and pay. Get it done today, and I’ll throw some extra in for your cooperation.”

A slow grin spread across his face, and he gave me a thumbs-up. “You’ve got it, friend.”

“Don’t leave until it’s done. Want that door as hard to break into as Fort—fuckin’—Knox,” I ordered, returning to the living room.

I needed to get the hell out and try to get my head around what had nearly just happened between us, and more to the point, what the fuck it meant. Slipping my jacket on, I patted my pockets, checking I had my phone and keys before doing the best thing I could think of for us both.

I turned, and fucking ran.

Chapter Four

Freya

Grabbing my keys and phone, I walked through the hallway and slipped out my new front door.

I’d waited for Colt all day yesterday, but he hadn’t returned, even though I sent him a voice note. It killed me to make the first move regardless of him being the one who ran scared.

The last thing I wanted to do was chase after him, especially after what had nearly happened—twice. I knew it had spooked him; I was spooked too.

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