I catch Colt’s arm, pulling him back. We’ve been surrounded by my family all day, and I’ve not had the opportunity to apologize for my mother’s behavior. And Colt deserves an apology. The mortification that prickled my skin this morning rushes back, painting my cheeks red.
“I didn’t have the chance to do this earlier... I’m sorry I dragged you into this,” I say, pinching the hem of my dress between two fingers. “I didn’t think my mother would ridicule you every single step of the way.”
He hooks his index finger under my chin, tilting my head up. “You think her digs are getting to me? You said you don’t care if your parents like me, so what’s the problem?”
“I don’t care if they like you, but they should at least respect you, and when Mom implied you’re a charity case—”
He chuckles, and the husky, low sound makes my heart thud faster. “I couldn’t care less about your mother’s opinion, Addie. Don’t worry about me. I’m here to helpyou.”
“But why?” I peer into his deep brown eyes, looking for answers. He never told me why he agreed. “You’re not getting anything out of this.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s cute that you worry about me, but don’t, okay? I’m fine.” He drops a kiss on my forehead, turns to the bar, and swiftly changes the topic.“So, what goes with this less-than-elegant dinner?” He scans the drinks on display behind the bartender. “Beer?”
“Beer works,” I sigh, turning my frown upside down. “Can we have two Coronas?”
“Of course.” The bartender pivots, taking two bottles out of the cooler, but halts, touching his earpiece and nodding at no one in particular. “My apologies, but we have to change location,” he tells us. “Please make your way to second deck. We’ll ensure everything is moved there.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” I ask.
The distant drone of a helicopter breaks the otherwise silent night. I no longer need an explanation. The helipad is on this deck... looks like we have an incoming guest.
A knot of dread tightens my stomach as I look toward the sky. There’s only one person it can be.
“She has got to be kidding me!” Stomping my foot, I grab Colt, dragging him down the stairs, deaf to his questions. My stomach isn’t far from ejecting its contents when he stops me at the bottom.
“What’s happening?” he asks, his arms shooting out to pin me against the wall and block my way out. “Deep breath, Addie. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“My mother,” I spit out, not bothering with the deep breath. It won’t help. “She... ugh! She must’ve called Grant. I’m almost certain that’shishelicopter about to land here.”
“The Huddersfield farm guy? The guy your mother wants you to marry?ThatGrant?”
“Yes.” I swallow the bitter bile coating my throat. “I can’t believe she asked him to come when you’re here.”
Colt steps back, utterly unaffected. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Does his arrival change anything between us?”
“No! Of course not, I just... I don’t want him here.”
“Is he likely to make a scene?”
Oh yes. Grant’s as melodramatic and entitled as my mother. He’s not a bad person, just greedy. Having me as his wife would mean a substantial injection of cash for him. A fast-track way to ten digits because my dad’s put aside a billion dollars each for me and my brother; we get it once we sayI do.So, yeah... Grant will definitely try to upstage Colt at every turn.
I should’ve anticipated Mom inviting him.
Colt, however smart, handsome, and well mannered, doesn’t meet her lofty standards. She’s so determined to have Grant as her son-in-law she conveniently disregards a lot of foul history between us.
“He was just a child, Addie. He’s a man now. He cares about you. You should give him a chance to prove that.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, my hands so jittery, I’m reflexively playing with my hair—a tick I absolutely hate. “This is so bad,” I whine. “Dealing with my mother alone is bad enough, but the two of them together... they’ll be brutal, Colt and—”
He tilts my chin up like he did upstairs, drawing my eyes to his. It’s a small gesture, but powerful enough that my body sings. The intensity flashing in his eyes, the way he crowds my space, how good he smells... it’s near impossible to remember this is supposed to be an act.
“I’ve got thick skin, Addie. I don’t care what they say, but I want you to rethink whether I should be myself. I’m a hothead. I throw my fists way too easily.”
His knuckles trace the contour of my jawline and a hot ball of lust swells behind my ribs. God, the intensity in his eyes is enough to burn me up from the inside. My blood spikes a fever at the careful way he studies me, his voice heavy, loaded.
It’s only been four days since we met, but he’s got a hold on me already. I imagine him closing the distance between our lips so I can taste him. He’s had countless opportunities to kiss me for show but he hasn’t. Not once. He’ll kiss my forehead or my temple, but never my lips. The anticipation is maddening.
“You’re the jealous type?” I ask, moistening my lips, my heart fluttering like a caged bird.
