Page 2 of One Night

I lean in and squeeze her tight. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. You want me to stop at the bakery and grab some donuts on my way back? I think Josie’s making those big bear claws you like.”

“Sure. We’ll eat them tonight and debrief on your day. I’ve got work until five.”

“Is it getting any better over there? I know you said you were short staff—”

“Go! We’ll talk tonight. I can’t wait to hear how this disaster in the making goes.”

“Love you too.” I roll my eyes playfully and toss her a mischievous grin as I step out onto the front porch, trying to unknot my stomach and set my head straight.

As much as I want Colton, I can’t think about him like I did in my dream. It’s weird. Way too weird.

Chapter Two

Colton

I sit at the dining room table awkwardly staring toward the young woman before me. She’s my best buddy’s daughter. I’ve known her forever and a day. It shouldn’t be awkward, but it is, which I’m pretty sure makes me a fucking creep.

“My schedule is pretty open.” She wiggles back in the chair, her breasts on display as her blonde hair falls onto her shoulders. She’s gorgeous, too gorgeous.So gorgeous, I’m not sure this arrangement is going to work. I can’t stare at those pretty blue eyes every day and expect not to feel tortured. “The massage therapy thing is going to fall through.”

I take a sip of beer from the amber bottle sitting in front of me. It’s warm, and the sip is more of a drop, but I need to do something with this energy surging through me. “Why’s that?”

She glances down at the floor before finding my gaze again, the strap of her pretty yellow sundress falling off her shoulder.

Okay, it’s a sure thing now. This isn’t going to work.

“I’m almost done with school, and I love using my hands to heal people, but I suck at the business part of things. I have no idea how to get started finding clients, what to do with them once they get here, or how to keep my books straight.” She smiles and looks away. “I mean, I could figure it out if I had to, or I could move to the Springs and work for a spa, but everything sounds exhausting right now.”

I realize a massage isn’t sexual, but for some reason my chest tightens at the thought of her touching another man to any degree. “I could help you make a business plan. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that, but I have enough experience that I could help.”

What the hell am I saying?

“Oh!” Her back straightens and her voice perks as she says, “Really? You don’t have to do that. I’m here to help you, not the other way around.”

Here’s my out. I should take it. I should offer to help build the business plan and find a troll or something to help me with the kid. Clearly, I can’t be trusted around Nora.

“You’ll have plenty of time between Ellie’s activities to build your client list. Besides, you babysat a ton for me back in the day and you wouldn’t take a dime. I owe you.”

Her full cheeks turn pink. “You really don’t owe me. I—”

“I insist.”What the hell am I doing?

“Thank you! I can bring a notebook with me when I come back to start.”

“Come back,” I clear my throat, “I was hoping you could start today. I know it’s short notice, but the tractor broke down this morning, and Ellie will be home in the next hour from a play date. She’s not as patient playing outside while I work as she used to be.” I brush my hand down over my beard and stare toward the gorgeous girl I was supposed to be changing my mind about. “The pay is five thousand a month. You’d live here on the ranch, cook meals, take care of Ellie, and do general house cleaning. I don’t expect you to stop living your life. If you have classes or a date or whatever, just let me know at the beginning of the week and I’ll plan for it.”

“Oh,” her cheeks turn pink again, “I’m not dating anyone. So, there won’t be any time off for that.” I can’t tell if she’s happy about it or not.

I lean back in the dining chair awkwardly. “Girl your age should be dating, right? I guessed you were out there breaking hearts.”

Damn it! I need to shut the fuck up!

“Nope,” she laughs. “The hearts usually break me. Besides, guys my age are all the same. They don’t understand women, or anything really, except maybe dirt bikes and four wheelers. Anyway… the salary is very generous, and I’d be happy to take care of Ellie like she’s my own. Is this until the end of summer or longer?”

“We’ll keep you as long as you’ll let us.”

Wow. Really, Colton?

“Yay!” Her tone is bright as she claps her hands together excitedly. I try not to notice the way her full breasts shake as she moves, but whether I’m looking directly or not, I know it’s happening, and my cock is now throbbing and pressing at the seam of my jeans. I need to get control of myself and compartmentalize these thoughts I’m having, or this will be a fucking mess.

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