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“Never apologize for touching me, Libs. If I had it my way, you’d never stop.” He slowly drops his hand and I try to shake the trance he puts me in every time I’m around him. The last thing he needs is a shitty haircut because I can’t focus.
Ten minutes later and with a fast beating heart, I pull the cape off and let him admire my work. He rakes a hand through his hair as he stands up to face me. Why am I jealous of him touching his own hair?
“Thank you for the haircut.” His crooked smile does things to my insides. The memory of the way his lips taste come crashing into my mind.
“No problem,” I stammer. “We should probably get going.” Turning on my heels, I head for the door but am stopped by a gentle grip on my elbow.
“Wait,” Colt eases. The charge between us has my chest heaving. “How are you feeling?”
“What do you mean?” I’m barely hanging on. The only way out is through. But at this moment, I’m really not so sure.
“I haven’t spoken to you since the other day.” His jaw clenches a few times. Is he upset?
“I think I’m okay.” My voice doesn’t sound the least bit convincing.
“You think?” He cocks an eyebrow, but his face stays relaxed.
What is with him always demanding a straight answer? Why can’t he just let me skate by on whatever empty lies I tell myself? I take a deep breath before answering. “I know that I’m not okay right now.” He waits quietly, giving me silent reassurance. “But I also know that I will be okay eventually.”
Colt’s eyes soften and the corner of his mouth lifts. “That’s my girl.”
His girl. Flutters take over in my chest where my heart is supposed to be. How am I supposed to stay away from him when he says things like that? I’m supposed to be doing this on my own. No man needed… or wanted.
He offers his hand for me to take and without hesitation, as if my body is acting on its own accord, I lace my fingers with his and we head outside to meet up with the siblings. As soon as we get outside, Blake demands we all go back to the apartment for some much needed sustenance.
Tyson’s large body bounces with excitement. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Blake and Tyson are in the living room arguing about who is going to reply to the group text their mom sent out while I finish loading the dishwasher
“Thanks for having me Blake,” Colt calls from his position in the doorway between the kitchen and living room, “but I need to head back if I’m going to get any sleep before this asshole wakes me up with his fourteen alarms in the morning.” Ty flips him off and Colt laughs as he makes his way over to me. He leans back on the counter next to the dishwasher. “Walk me out?”
“Sure,” I agree, not bothering to look away from his innocent smile. Get ahold of yourself, Libby.
We get to his truck and Colt rests his arm on top of the bed. I keep my distance, though, wrapping my arms around my torso.
“Cold?” He asks as his eyes trail the goosebumps covering my arms. Ones that have nothing to do with the weather.
“No, I’m okay,” I say, curling my shoulders inward. I have to shield myself from him if I’m ever going to break whatever hold he has over me.
“Thank—”
“Look—”
The corner of Colt’s eyes wrinkle as he smiles down at me. “You go first.”
The only way out is through. “I'm sorry you got thrown into my mess. That you had to see me like you did the other day. That I gave you false hope that I could be anything more than a damsel in distress.” Finding my strength, I make eye contact. “I’m sorry I pushed you away when you were just trying to help.”
A beat passes before he says anything. “I was going to thank you for letting me be here.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “Me helping you is never something you have to apologize for. I’m happy to do it.” Tilting his head to the side, he doesn’t let me look away. “I’m always happy to do it.”
Blush heats my cheeks at the intensity of his words. Colt’s lips curve into a smile, pulling one from me as well.
“I found us a place to live in New Orleans.”
“Why?” The question comes out of my mouth before I can stop it.
His brows crease. “Why did I find a place for us to live?”
I nod.
