Page 18 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

“Maybe he knows you were going to take his spot as the family favorite,” I teased.

Colt’s grin returned, slow and mischievous.

“Oh, I don’t need to take anyone’s spot. I’ve already claimed mine.” His gaze locked on mine for just a moment too long, and I felt a spark of something warm and dangerous flicker through me.

I shifted in my chair, trying to play it cool, trying to focus on the conversation around me, but then it happened.

A light touch brushed against my ankle.

I froze, my breath hitching as Colt’s foot slid casually against mine under the table. I shot him a wide-eyed look, hoping he’d get the message to stop, but he only smirked, his gaze holding mine like he was daring me to say something.

The audacity.

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the warmth pooling in my stomach.

This was insane.

I’djustthrown caution to the wind with Jaxon, and nowColtwas trying to flirt with me?

And the worst part? It was working.

Every brush of his foot sent a jolt of heat straight up my spine, making it nearly impossible to focus.

I hated how my body reacted to him, how my heart raced every time his eyes lingered on me, how I felt warm all over even though it was probably just the wine.

This needed to stop.

Now.

I cleared my throat and pushed my chair back, my voice a little too chipper as I said, “Excuse me for a moment.”

I didn’t wait for anyone’s response. I practically bolted from the table, weaving through the house until I found the hallway that led to the bathroom. Once there, I leaned against the wall, pressing my hands to my cheeks in an attempt to cool the flush that had taken over my face.

Get it together, Lila.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

The guilt. The frustration. The inexplicable and utterly inconvenient desire.

But then I heard footsteps behind me, and before I could even turn around, Colt’s voice filled the small space.

“Lila.”

I closed my eyes, cursing under my breath.

Of course, he had followed me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, spinning around to face him.

My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I needed the distance, the defense.

He didn’t seem fazed. Instead, he leaned casually against the wall, his hands in his pockets and that damn smirk still on his face. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, crossing my arms over my chest. “You can go back to dinner now.”

But Colt didn’t move. He stepped closer, the teasing glint in his eyes softening and becoming more intense. “Are you?”

His voice was low, almost a whisper, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

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