I give his employee a curt nod. “Nice to meet you, Johnny.”
Propelling myself across the bottom floor of the shop, I take the steps two at a time. Walking through the threshold and into the office, I pause, taking it in. Elena and Tristan are drawing on a whiteboard on the wall with markers, not paying any mind to us.
There is a round meeting table in the center of the office, and Colten’s desk is pushed up against some large windows with a view of, you guessed it, the orchard behind him. There are shelves of random books and frames, some with gold awards.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Colten says, leaning on the desk with his arms crossed. Delicious arms that were bouncing me up and down on his—
I walk farther into the room to sit on one of the two chairs in front of the desk, pursing my lips to divert myself. I plop down, his jean-clad knees a hair away from brushing mine.
Why does it feel hotter in here now?
“Yeah. I have a favor to ask you,” I answer, wringing my hands together.
He raises a brow, eyes focusing on Elena and Tristan in the corner briefly before settling back on me.
Colten doesn’t say anything, so I nervously grip the edge of the cushion on both sides of my legs. “I need to borrow your truck.”
“Why do you want my truck?” he questions unequivocally.
“I want to take the kids to town to buy some paint.”
He scowls, making me swallow. This feels like a very unnecessary interrogation.
“They have paint.”
“Acrylic paint,” I clarify. “I found watercolor in the office, but that won’t work for our project.”
Colten’s eyes narrow on mine as if he’s trying to dissect my brain and find a lie. It’s unsettling.
“Absolutely not. I’m not letting you leave with them.”
My eyes roll, and he glowers at my reaction.
“They are innocent children, Colten.” I lower my voice to a whisper, “I’m not going to escape with your truck and kidnap your siblings.”
I don’t know why I say it. Maybe it’s my brain doubting what happened last night and how I felt.
He places his hands on either side of him on the edge of the desk, leaning closer. Our faces are so close that we are inhaling each other’s air.
“Even if you did, we’d find you and haul your perky ass back here.”
Should I challenge him? Probably not.
But the notion of seeing him unhinged again thrills me, and I want to see how in control I really am.
My eyes slice to the kids again. I thought they would help me convince him, but it looks like they are too distracted drawing pictures on the whiteboard and giggling at something they created.
I smirk at Colten. “I think you’re full of shit. You’d never find me if I didn’t want to be found.”
His face inches closer, his hot breath fanning across my face. “Want to test that theory, Little Ghost?”
I hover my lips over his mouth, flitting my eyes between his. With all this natural light in the office coming from the wall of windows behind him, they remind me of spring. The vibrant green that emerges after the pouring rain. Refreshing. Energizing.
“Kind of,” I breathe honestly.
His white knuckles grip the edge of the desk. He pulls away, rubbing the nape of his neck with his palm. Turning, he grabs something off the desk. The clanking of metal fills the air as he tosses his truck keys to me.
I catch them, grinning.
