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Colton let me down, my legs a bit wobbly as I tried to catch my balance. He reached up to untie the shirt.

“When I have you alone next time, it’s not going to be anywhere we can get caught. It’s going to be where I can fuck you with no restraint,” Colton whispered—commanding and final, like he knew for a fact there would be more of us, more moments like this.

“Next time?” I asked, my voice muffled around the cotton just as he pulled the shirt away.

“Oh yeah,” Colton replied with a low chuckle, his tone laced with promise. “You think this is over? Far from it.”

“I don’t answer to you,” I replied, massaging my wrists where they had been tied up. The skin was starting to get tender.

I made a quick move to gather my clothes, the reminder that people were here kicking my ass into high gear.

Colton tsked, shaking his head as he readjusted himself. “My hand won’t cut it anymore, Eleanor.”

“I mean, I brought my vibrator, so I’ll be okay. When I use it next, I’ll make sure to close my eyes and think of you.”

Colton’s head snapped to mine, and that permanent scowl was back on his face.

I tried to smooth out my wild hair, but my pride took a nosedive. There was no hiding the evidence of what we’d just done, but I could at least try to look somewhat composed.

“What are we going to say to whoever’s out there?” I whispered, motioning toward the barn hallway. The voices were right outside of where we stood.

Colton didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. “I’m the boss. You think anyone’s going to question me? I don’t need to explain why I’m in my barn.”

He had a point.

“No, no one’s out here. We’re fine,” came Stet’s voice, echoing through the mostly empty barn. “Everyone’s still inside. They’re too afraid to come back since Mr. Stone kicked everyone out. He’s here with Miss Stewartt.”

I glanced at Colton, whose brow furrowed slightly as we listened.

“Miss Stewart?” Tawnie asked, her tone dripping with disbelief.

“Mm-hmm. I think they were working,” Stet replied.

“You could say that,” Colton muttered under his breath.

I slapped his chest. “Really? Not helping,” I hissed.

Colton rubbed the spot with mock pain, a scowl forming on his lips. “How the hell are we getting out of here? We can’t just walk past them,” I said, glancing around for an escape route.

“Tawnie,” Stet continued. “You know how much I care about you.” There was a sniffle, which I assumed was Tawnie.

“Then why can’t we be together? What is the big deal? I love you and you love me.”

I really shouldn’t be hearing this conversation right now. I turned to Colton and gave him a pointed look. We needed to do something.

“I just can’t commit. I have my reasons, Bell.”

Colton scanned the area quickly, then pointed to a gate leading to the field where Thunder had been moved earlier. “That way,” he said, extending his hand.

“Wait!” I said in a hushed yell. “My tripod.” I moved quickly to the set-up, as quietly as I could, tearing it down and placing it in my bag before turning back to Colton. His hand was still stretched out.

With no time to argue, I took it and we bolted. We raced toward the field, the thrill of sneaking away making me feel like a teenager again, roaming the streets of the city well after curfew.

I couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up as we sprinted through the open air. Even Colton, ever the grump, glanced back with a mischievous smirk.

Our legs pumped as we ran across the open field, the barn growing smaller behind us. My heart was swelling, my cheeks hurting from smiling so hard as we ran. Never once did Colton’s grip on my hand let up, dragging me to safety.

Every logical alarm bell in my head was ringing, screaming even. But none of them were loud enough to drown out the pull of curiosity and raw attraction that made Colton impossible to resist.