Her lips curved into a small smile. “You think I have that kind of power over you?”
“We both know you do.” He turned, and his dark gaze ran down her body. “You look great in my shirt.”
“That’s good, because you’re not getting it back.”
“Really?” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What if I askreallynicely?”
“Depends…does the request come with any form of touching?”
A low growl rippled from his chest, and he lowered his head to kiss her. And even though they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other last night, she suddenly felt starved of his kisses.
She leaned into him and ran her fingers over his chest, absorbing the dampness of his skin.
“Where are you sneaking off to?” she finally asked, when he lifted his head.
The humor left his face and a darkness took its place. Anger. “I’m going to talk to my mom.”
“Oh.” That was all she said. Because honestly, she didn’t knowwhatto say. Last night, Colt had reacted exactly how she’d known he would. Actually, no, it was worse, because Colt had heard the words for himself. “I hate that this is hurting you.”
“It’s not your fault. But I need to remind my mother that you’re part of my life. A big part. And if she can’t be kind toyou, she doesn’t getme.”
Which sucked, because he shouldn’t have to remind his mother of that. She knew they were married.
“Is there anything I can do?” she whispered.
“Yeah. Stay home with the doors locked. You don’t have any shoots today, do you?”
She laughed, but there was no humor behind it. “No. That rumor sure worked and seems to have lost me most of my clients.”
“The rumor you mentioned at the bar?”
“Yeah. Apparently, people around town have been gossiping about me. Something about money and my business. I don’t know the details, but it sounded like I didn’t come off quite so well, and that’s possibly why people haven’t been booking me.”
A muscle in Colt’s jaw clenched. “Do you think my mother started it?”
Oh God, she did not want to answer that question. But no secrets—they’d promised each other last night. “I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind. But honestly, I don’t know. I never thought she’d go so far as to ruin my livelihood.”
But then, she’d never thought Sylvia would be so brazen as to say everything she’d said last night, with Colt so close by.
“I’ll find out.” His tone was heavy.
He went to step around her, but she grabbed his arm. “Colt, wait… I don’t want to be the reason you and your mom fall out with each other.”
“You wouldn’t be. You didn’t ask for any of this. It’s all her. And it’sherchoice what she does next.”
“Will you come straight home after and tell me how it went?”
“I’ll do you one better—I’ll come home and take you car shopping.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need you to buy me a car.”
“I’m not. I’m forcingyouto useourshared money to buy a safe vehicle.”
“Same thing. Like I’ve said, I still have my money from the Subaru. I can buy my own car, thank you.”
He growled and stepped closer. “My moneyisyour money.”
“But—”
