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Colton, however, didn’t budge. If anything, he seemed to thrive on the tension, choosing to remain so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. I shifted a step away, hoping for space. He followed. I moved again. He moved closer, his shadow refusing to leave mine.

“Will you back off?” I hissed under my breath, whipping my head toward him, my frustration barely masked.

Colton leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of my ear as he whispered, “No. I don’t give a damn if he sees us.”

His voice was low, rough, and utterly unapologetic. The words struck me like a match to kindling, igniting something deep in my chest.

“I won’t deny myself the pleasure, Eleanor, remember,” he murmured, echoing his earlier promise. “Even if someone’s in the room.”

My mouth parted slightly, a mix of shock and thrill coursing through me. I glanced at Axel again, his back turned as he busied himself at the far counter, oblivious—or pretending to be.

A growl escaped my lips, frustration giving way to something far more reckless. Fisting Colton’s shirt, I yanked him down to me, crashing my lips against his in a kiss that was anything but subtle.

He responded instantly, sliding a hand to the small of my back and pulling me flush against him. The kiss was heated, unapologetic, and far too tempting for a kitchen full of witnesses—or one, at least. When I finally broke away to catch my breath, I nipped at his bottom lip, tugging it gently before letting go.

“You’re begging to get fucked right here, where he can see,” Colton growled, his voice rough against my lips.

“As much as I’d love to rub it in his face that I’ve definitely upgraded and am now sleeping with his boss,” I said, my voice teasing and low, “that’s probably not the smartest choice.”

Colton’s smirk deepened, his confidence practically dripping from him. “What’s the worst he can do?”

“Tell someone about you and me,” I hissed back.

I know I was dancing a fine line between safety and potential PR nightmare but if anything were to happen, I knew I could handle it. I was willing to take that risk.

Colton shrugged like he didn’t give a shit. “I’ll fire him. I’ll do it right now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I slipped from his grasp, leaving him standing there, unrelenting and infuriating.

“Down, boy,” I muttered, brushing past him with a smirk. “As much as I enjoy seeing you possessive, we have cookies to bake. Behave and maybe I’ll let you prove your point later.”

Axel cleared his throat loudly from across the room, his movements stiffer than before. Oops. Maybe I’d said that a little too loudly.

The timer dinged, breaking the tension and pulling us back into the moment. I turned to move toward the oven, and Colton’s hand came down on my ass with a sharp smack.

I spun around, eyes wide, my jaw nearly dropping. “Seriously?” I mouthed, pointing a finger at him like a scolding teacher.

Colton bit his bottom lip, his smugness radiating off him like heat.

Be. A. Good. Boy, I mouthed, this time with a warning glare.

He just widened his smirk, his brown eyes glittering with mischief as if to say, Challenge accepted.

Chapter 28

Colton

I WAS A man of habit, and this particular habit was one I desperately wished I could break. Another sleepless night.

This time, though, I had no intention of leaving my bed. The room was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from my phone screen as I stared at one contact in particular. Her name glowed back at me, taunting me, daring me to make the move I kept resisting.

Shifting to sit up more, the covers slid down to rest across my hips, the cool air brushing over my bare skin as I wrestled with the decision. My finger hovered over her name—Eleanor. The one person I knew who might actually be awake at this hour.

Giving in, I tapped on her number, opening a thread that stared back at me, completely blank. I’d never messaged her before. Not once.

What the hell was I supposed to say?

Hey, can’t sleep. You awake?