Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
“You’re a hero.” I tested the words.
He scoffed and shook his head. “I’m doin’ my job—and I do it damn well—but I ain’t a hero.”
Uh-huh.
“You said it yourself earlier,” I pointed out. Pushing a bit. “You help keep the country safe.”
“Which is my job,” he volleyed back. “Doesn’t make me a hero. Now, change the subject.”
I grinned and suppressed a shiver from the cold.
Colt narrowed his eyes at me. “You can’t push my buttons, pretty boy.”
“Looks like I just did, Captain.” I finished my food and wiped my mouth, then sat back, satisfied and full. “For the record, calling me pretty boy doesn’t bug me. My masculinity isn’t easily threatened.”
“I wasn’t trying to threaten it,” he chuckled. “But you are pretty. I bet you look good when you beg.”
I sighed, not even tempted to take the bait. Then I gave the lady behind the bar a two-finger wave to get her attention.
“Did it taste all right, boys?” she asked, gathering our plates.
“It was great, thank you,” I replied. “I’d like a coffee—black—and a bourbon. Maker’s if you have it.”
Hopefully, that would thaw me out a bit.
“Same for me, hold the coffee,” Colt added. “You were right about the gravy, ma’am. Best I’ve had outside of Texas.”
“I’ll take it.” The lady winked and got started on our order.
The coffee warmed me up slightly—temporarily.
The first bourbon didn’t do much, but the second and the third hit the sweet spot.
By the fourth, Colt and I were the only ones left in the establishment. The lady, who’d introduced herself as Maggie, said we could stay a while longer. The storm was still raging, and she had “borin’ books” to go through anyway.
I excused myself to go to the bathroom after Colt had given me a minor quiz about my family. I was an only child, so there hadn’t been much to divulge, other than my mother having taken care of me on her own until I was three. Then she’d met the man who’d quickly earned the badge of Dad for me.
In the smudgy mirror above the two sinks in the men’s room, I saw my reflection and sighed heavily. My hair had dried, thankfully, but it didn’t look very good. I ran a hand through it and tried to smooth down the mess at the top. Then I threw away a paper towel and exited the—oh, for fuck’s sake. I came to an abrupt stop right there in the doorway because Colt had evidently decided to pull the oldest trick in the gay book. A bathroom ambush, really?
Despite the cliché, my pulse spiked, and I ran my gaze over him quickly. What my body wanted, there was no question. He wasn’t the type of guy I usually went for, but sweet Jesus, he was one perfect specimen. A perfect Top…
I’d had way too much to drink to make responsible decisions.
“My turn,” he said.
Oh. So, he hadn’t tried to… Never mind. I stepped to the side so he could pass.
Colt met me in the doorway, closer than necessary, and paused briefly. I swallowed hard. He raised a brow, and his mouth twisted up.
“We’re not going to sleep together,” I repeated.
He lifted his hand and ghosted his knuckles along my forearm, touching no more than the fine hairs on my arm. “So you keep tellin’ me.”
I shivered as he left goose bumps in his wake, and this time, I couldn’t blame the cold.
“We’re a bad idea,” I stated as resolutely as I could. And even to my ears, it sounded weak and husky.
“On that, we agree,” he murmured. Next, he wrapped his fingers around my wrist. A swift, firm hold.
I sucked in a breath. His body heat seared into me, and I was torn between pushing back and pulling in. Fight or surrender. No, I couldn’t. I didn’t surrender. I’d never liked it.
Colt flashed me a frown. “You’re chilled to the bone, Luke.”
Funnily enough, I felt hot. Desire stirred, causing my thoughts to derail further. I liked the way he said my name in that scratchy, warm voice. God, he was truly all man.
“I’m fine,” I replied quietly.
He shook his head. “No, not this. There’s a limit. You can get sick.” He cleared his throat and entered the men’s room fully. “We’ll finish our drinks, and then we’re outta here.”
Together?
Not wise at all.
Three
Stumbling back to the bar, I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes and did my best to wake up. Attraction was easy enough to deal with. There were a lot of men I found sexy, though Colt probably did take the prize. Which I would never tell him. But there was more. Tension—a draw. A game. There was chemistry and a dare. A delectable challenge.
I half collapsed in my seat and took a gulp of my bourbon, then asked Maggie for the check.