Yes, dammit.
“No. And I just wasn’t feeling it with Danny.” He played with his cup. “And tell Bea thanks, but please, no more surprise setups. I’m okay, and I need to concentrate on this book.”
“So that’s going well? I’m really happy you’re in the groove. Even more so because it got you out of the house.”
“Yeah. I’m loving the book’s trajectory. And I’m not sure how much a two to three block radius counts as out of the house. But I’ll take it.” He finished his coffee. “Where’s the rest of the crew?”
“At the park. I’m going to meet them. Wanna come?”
As much as he loved Hogan and his brood, Colson had little desire to spend another Saturday in the park, surrounded by screaming kids.
“I, uh—”
“Gotta find a good excuse to say no?” Hogan’s booming laughter drew attention from the other coffee drinkers. “Can’t say I blame you. But you know, there are a lot of single fathers out there. You never know.”
His phone buzzed, and he saw it was a text from Harper. His heart kicked up.
Wanna meet up?
Was he kidding? He should say no. Why the hell did Harper think he could waltz back into his life after ghosting him? But he was already anticipating feeling Harper’s mouth on his, and a throb of lust hit him in his belly.
Yeah. Give me half an hour.
“I gotta get going.”
Hogan’s brows shot up. “Hot date with your mystery man?”
Colson’s face grew warm, but he shrugged. “I have things I have to get to.”
“Mmhmm. I’ll bet. You have fun.”
He left Hogan, and when he rounded the corner to his block, Colson broke out into a jog. Once home, he showered and put fresh sheets on the bed, laughing at his stupidity, since he knew they’d only mess them up. A shiver of anticipation ran through him.
The bell rang, and he answered it in shorts and no shirt, knowing how much Harper liked his tattoos.
“Hi.” He leaned against the door as Harper passed by him, and he admired his firm ass and strong thighs. Harper wore a black T-shirt and gym shorts. Dark hair curled at his neck, and those beautiful pale eyes glittered.
“Hot day,” he murmured, and Colson crossed his arms.
“About to get even hotter, I’m thinking.” He closed the door, and to his surprise, Harper didn’t kiss him, instead standing silent, with that penetrating, intense gaze.
“How was your date the other night?”
Was Harper…jealous? Colson kind of liked the idea of the big bad wolf left wondering.
He gestured toward the kitchen. “Want a drink? I have beer, wine…whatever.”
“A beer is fine.”
He took two bottles out and handed one to Harper, then leaned his hip on the kitchen island. “Why?”
“Why what?” Harper looked nonplussed.
“Why do you care?” If he had to drag a confession out of the man, he was going to have him admit he was there for more than sex.
Harper blinked and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, I don’t…I mean, it was strange seeing you with someone, that’s all.”
“Why? I’m single, right? You let me know that when you couldn’t be bothered to answer my texts.”
