15
“TEACHERS HAD SENT a girl, Elle Ivers, to me several times for supposed accidents when they would notice bruises or cuts. I knew in my gut something was very wrong. She was quiet and reserved—not unlike many girls in high school. But Elle... I looked at her and I knew she was wounded. I just didn’t know what to do about it.”
“You tried to get her to talk to you?”
That Nathan wasn’t doubting her meant more than she ever could have asked for. She so desperately needed someone to believe in her, without the painful proof laid out, without the conclusion of the court as backup.
“I tried a lot, but it’s a tricky thing. I couldn’t flat out ask her if someone was abusing her, if the bruises on her arms were caused deliberately instead of being from the many excuses she gave.” When Nathan took her hand, she squeezed hard, so glad for the human contact. “It’s a terrible thing to see someone being mistreated and not be able to do anything about it.”
“I can’t imagine.”
No, he couldn’t, because he was a doer, strong and capable. First in SWAT and now as a sheriff. He was amazing, and she didn’t want to lose him.
Another deep breath helped give her voice strength. “When I found out Elle was dating Mike Muller, a top-notch jock, I wondered. He was so much bigger than her, obviously tough to play all the sports, strong in the way young men can be. I tried to watch them together, but if anything, he seemed extra protective of her.” Her gaze lifted to his. “Then one day Mike came to see me. He said he could only talk to me if I could promise it’d be private, that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“A tough situation to be in.”
“At the time, I didn’t even think about that. I just knew something was wrong and I wanted to help.” She stroked Nathan’s knuckles, the fine hair on the back of his large hand that entirely engulfed hers. “Mike told me that Elle’s father was abusing her. He didn’t know what to do. Elle had missed three days of school and didn’t answer when he called.”
“Damn.”
She nodded. “There’s a protocol we’re supposed to use, but Mike made me swear I wouldn’t contact children’s services. Elle was ashamed. The things her father did to her...she didn’t want the whole town to know.”
Maybe because that was too painful to talk about, Nathan asked quietly, “You were helping Mike when someone got the wrong idea?”
A close enough guess. “Not just anyone—Elle’s father.” Remembering left her shaken. “I confronted him. I left Mike and Elle out of it and just said that as the school nurse, I’d noticed things and I wanted to know how she’d gotten hurt so many times.”
“That took guts.”
“Honestly, I was so angry I could have beaten him to death.”
Nathan smiled, a sad smile, and said, “I understand that.”
“He was smug when he denied it, saying his daughter was just clumsy and I should mind my own business. Of course, I couldn’t.” The words came faster, as if she needed to rush to make Nathan believe her, rush before he had time to make terrible assumptions. “I worked hard to find a way to free Elle. Mike said she was afraid because she didn’t have anywhere else to go, and there were months of school left. Her father had her so cowed that she still didn’t want to confide in me, and she definitely didn’t want to report her dad. It took almost two weeks to finally convince her.” She closed her eyes. “And in that two weeks, I’d met with Mike several times, advising him, helping him find the right words to convince her and helping him plan for what to do.”
Nathan waited, patience personified.
“Without me knowing it, Elle’s father had skulked around and taken photos of me with Mike. Sitting in his car—not touching or anything, but just being with him was damning enough. There was one of us out back of the school, talking close so no one would overhear. Photos of us meeting on the side of the road.” She groaned at her own stupidity. “Those photos were sent to my school, and I was immediately let go while they investigated.”
“Did you explain?”
“I couldn’t. I’d given Mike my word. I was afraid if I told the truth, it’d get Elle in more trouble.” She pulled away from him and folded her hands in her lap. “I had a fiancé. Remember I told you that? Well, he was a biology teacher at the school, and he dumped me fast enough, too.” It almost made her sick to admit it. “He believed the worst. Before I could even explain, he ranted and told me I’d shamed him and made him look like a fool.”
“He sounds like a fool.”
She let that go. Thinking about Russell only got her riled. “The entire community condemned me—until Mike and Elle went to the police. He’d convinced her to tell the truth about her father.”
“I like this Mike,” Nathan said.
She nodded. “I do, too.” Her gaze jumped to his. “I mean—”
“Shh. I’m not your idiot ex. You don’t need to explain.”
Relief left her weak. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for helping Elle, even though it nearly cost you everything. It was a heroic, selfless thing to do.”
Did he really feel that way? She’d been reviled for so long it’d be a novel thing to be seen as a hero to someone other than Elle and Mike. “It took a long time,” she admitted, without going into the grueling day-to-day grind of the trial, “but finally Elle’s father was sentenced to ten years in jail.”
“When was that?”
“Only three years ago.”
“You’ve been moving around since then?”
“Yes. Few people would recognize me. But I get...restless. Sometimes it’s like it all comes back to me and I just need to get away.”
Nathan curved a hand around her neck. “Not anymore, okay? Clearbrook is your home. You have friends here now.” He frowned a little. “You have me.”
Brooklin started shaking all over. “Don’t say that yet. You have to know everything first.”
“I’m still here, still listening.” He leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers in a brief, firm kiss. “But it won’t matter.”
Best to finish it, she decided. “Before he was convicted, Elle’s father told me he’d kill me. He said I wouldn’t see him coming, but one day he’d be there and he’d make me pay. He was...graphic about what he’d do to me.” She shuddered. “What if he’s out of prison now? What if—”
“Shh.” Nathan drew her into his lap and held her close. “Will you let me look into it?” He put a finger under her chin and tipped up her face. “Understand, Brooklin. Not because I need to see any facts. I trust you. But I can find out where he is, if he’s still in prison, when he’s likely to be let go if he is.”
It would be such a relief to know for sure. “Yes, of course. I’ll give you all the information you need.”
Nathan hugged her. “Whatever happened with Mike and Elle?”
Because that was one of the few good memories, she smiled against his throat. “After Elle got her GED, they married and Mike took a job with his father’s company in Texas. Neither of them wanted to stay in Ohio, not after the trial. We exchange Christmas cards each year and they always include a little note, so I know that they’re still together and still happy. Last Christmas they said Mike is going to school part-time and will get his bachelor’s degree soon. Then he’ll be able to take a promotion in the company. Elle works from home.”
“That’s a happy ending for sure.”
“Elle struggles sometimes, but Mike is always there for her. I think I knew, even when they were high school seniors, that they were the real deal.”
“I’m glad.”
Brooklin put her hand to his face. “It means a lot that you didn’t assume the worst, that you trust me.”
“Enough that you’ll trust me, too?”
She didn’t need time to think about it. “Yes.”
“Then stay with me until we get this figured out.”
It wasn’t a romantic request. He wasn’t asking her to move in with him. But he cared—she was sure of it.
Teasing him, she said, “I’ll stay if you tell me your secrets, too.”
“I don’t have any secrets.”
“Nathan.” She kissed his face, his brow, the bridge of his nose and the scar that cut across his right cheek. “Will you tell me about this?”
He didn’t want to, she could see that.
He asked, “Does it bother you?”
“It keeps you from being too beautiful.”
Laughing, he stood her on her feet and picked up the gun from the table. “Beautiful, huh? Do you need contacts?”
She stopped him with a hand on his chest. “You are beautiful. Ruggedly beautiful. And that mark doesn’t detract in any way. I only asked because it looks like it was painful, and I hate that for you.”
For the longest time he waffled, undecided, then finally said, “Let’s save that for tomorrow, okay? Right now I want to get hold of Hogan. Since whoever is after you is also aware of Violet, I think—”
“That they should know everything.” God, how she hated the possibility of losing Violet as a friend. Or worse, the whole town finding out. She’d been detested enough to last her a lifetime. “Of course. You’ll tell them?”
“I think the sooner, the better, so yeah, I’ll clue them in tonight.” He took her shoulders. “Don’t look like that, Brooklin. They’re both good people, I swear. You don’t have to worry about them knowing.”
She wasn’t convinced. After all, her own fiancé had bought into the worst of the accusations. But it wouldn’t be fair to keep it private, not anymore, not with the level of risk.
For now, she’d count her blessings that Nathan understood. Once he dug into the records, he’d have all the details before him, so if he did harbor any doubt it’d be put to rest.
For now, that had to be enough.
* * *
Thanks to a large group that came in half an hour before closing, then continued talking and laughing long after they’d finished their meals, Hogan and Violet, but also Kristy, were late closing the diner. Violet refused to show any rudeness to customers, Hogan agreed with her, and Kristy decided it was her job to see it through to the end, so they did what they could around the party and waited.
The customers were nice, using the diner for a reunion of sorts, and once they realized it was past closing time, they quickly packed up, leaving behind a very hefty tip for Kristy.
They were about to walk out the door when Nathan called Hogan. He recognized the number, realized it was late for a call, and even as he answered, he saw by the look on Violet’s face that she expected bad news.
Hogan did as well—and he wasn’t wrong.
It was obvious Nathan condensed a complicated story, but the crux of it all was that Brooklin had been falsely accused by an abusive asshole while helping kids the same age as Colt.
Far as Hogan was concerned, that made her a hero. When he told Nathan that, the sheriff said, “My thoughts exactly. And I know she’ll appreciate it. You know, she wasn’t sure what you and Violet would think.”
“Tell her we think we need more people like her.”
Hogan heard whispering on the other line and assumed Nathan was putting Brooklin at ease.
When he came back, he asked, “You’ll keep Violet with you?”
“Yes.” He watched Violet and saw her slightly favoring her foot as she sat in a booth, her gaze trained on him, waiting to find out what had happened. “We’ll be at her house. Colt will stay with Jason.” Until everything was settled, though, they’d need a longer-term plan. “We’ve had our fair share of crime in the area, but this feels different. I don’t like it, damn it.”
“I’ll find out what I can tomorrow. Until then, be careful.”
After pocketing his phone, Hogan sat across from Violet in the booth and, in low tones, explained what had happened.
Violet took his hand. “Poor Brooklin. I’m worried about her.”
Because Violet had a huge heart. She cared about Brooklin already. She definitely cared about Colt.
Did she care about him?
Did he want her to?
“What is it, Hogan?”
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Nothing.” But it was something. Something that scared him half to death.
Surely he wouldn’t get roped back in? Only with Violet, it didn’t feel like that.
Hadn’t he learned his lesson about women... He cut off that thought with alacrity.
His wife had taught him plenty of lessons, but Violet was nothing like her.
She was far more genuine.
But then, he’d once thought the same about Meg.
He could no longer trust his own judgment—that was the problem. He knew he wanted Violet, pretty much around the clock. He detested the idea of another man touching her, and the urge to personally protect her, to keep her safe, thrummed through his blood.
She made him laugh. She had his respect, his admiration.
Yet she never asked for more than he was willing to give.
Did he want more?
Kristy, who’d been getting her things from her locker, came in and gave them both a wary look. “Uh-oh. You guys look like something terrible has happened. What’s wrong?”
Violet rushed to reassure her. “Everything is fine.”
“Then why does Hogan look like he might kill someone?”
Violet turned to stare at Hogan. “He does look ferocious, doesn’t he?”
Rolling his eyes and hopefully ridding himself of the “ferocious look,” Hogan said, “Everything done?”
“If you’re not going to tell me what’s going on, then yeah, I guess everything is done.”
Hogan shook his head and lied through his teeth. “I had to deal with a grumpy customer today, that’s all. It’s soured my mood.”
“Odd that your mood seemed okay fifteen minutes ago.” Kristy shrugged her shoulders. “I’m ready to collapse in my bed, so I’m out of here. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Within fifteen minutes, Hogan and Violet locked up the diner. Following her to her car, he said, “I wish we were riding together.”
Without any animus at all, she replied, “That’d draw too much attention, and since you want to keep our ‘thang’ private, it’s better that we drive separate.”
Their “thang”? Hogan let that go, since he didn’t know how to define the myriad and confusing things she made him feel. He just wanted to go on feeling them. “You’re limping.”
“Just a little. It’s been a long day.” She looked up at him. “You can make it feel better very shortly. All I need is time to take a quick shower.”
Beneath the security light, her hair glowed, showing different shades of red. Her eyelashes left long shadows over her cheeks, and her mouth—God, he loved her mouth—smiled at him.
Hogan touched her cheek. “I’ll shower with you, okay?”
Pressing a hand to her breast, she said, “Lordy, sugar. Talk like that will stop my heart.”
He had to smile. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Her mouth pursed, and after shifting her gaze around the area, ensuring they were utterly alone, she whispered, “Behind me, huh? You know, I think I just might enjoy that.”
Hogan groaned. “Now I have to drive with a boner.” He bent for a quick kiss, got her into her car and, pushed by heated urgency, all but jogged to his.
In only a few minutes they were at her house.
They were barely in the door when Hogan began stripping off her clothes. Wanting to take care with her foot, he tempered the urge to rip her clothes away like a maniac.
It was insane, maddening, but he’d needed her so much...
Oh God. He stepped back to stare at her. Her lingerie was indeed mind-boggling.
Violet took in his expression, shook back her hair and struck a pose. “You like?”
That had to be a rhetorical question.
He nodded. “What there is of it.” The same rosy color as her flushed skin, the filmy bra cups lifted her breasts while barely covering her nipples. Her panties were no more than a decorative thong.
He could see her through the near-transparent material.
“Should I take it off?”
“No.” He drew her to him. “Let me.”
He forgot about her foot—his focus was on everything between her knees and her chin. Minutes after he had her stripped, Hogan had them both in the shower, and he had his soapy hands all over her.
* * *
Violet, her hair hastily pinned up atop her head, flattened her hands against the shower wall and concentrated on staying upright.
Not easy with Hogan determined to drive her insane. The shower spray hit her side; Hogan’s hot mouth was against her nape.
And his hands, slick with soap, played over her breasts, her nipples, her thighs and her belly, over and over again.
When he suddenly turned her, she expected a kiss, but instead he took his time rinsing her, and that was a new torture all its own.
The man was oh-so-thorough.
Her eyes stayed closed until he sank to his knees. As she stared down at the top of his wet head, seeing the way he looked at her with such absorbed concentration, her heart skipped several beats.
“Hogan?”
He kissed her belly and slid a hand between her legs. “Keep the pressure off that foot, honey.” Two fingers pressed into her, going deep. “I want you to come for me now.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders, sucked in much-needed air and whimpered, “Okay.” It wouldn’t take much and she knew it. Just thinking about his mouth on her was nearly enough.
First he nibbled on her inner thighs, his fingers very still inside her, not moving, just there. In reaction, her muscles squeezed against those invading fingers, and she felt his smile against her hip.
“I like that. Hold me tight, honey. Real tight.”
She squeezed again, then groaned because it felt so incredibly good.
With his other hand, he parted her, still looking at her, his expression sharp, focused, and as he leaned forward she held her breath, her fingertips digging into his shoulders.
The first touch of his tongue, stroking over her, in her, wrenched a groan from deep in her throat.
But that was nothing compared to the way he drew her clitoris between his lips, how he sucked so gently, his tongue laving rhythmically.
The water started to cool, but it didn’t matter. With each firm stroke of his fingers, each soft pull of his mouth, she twisted closer and closer to release until, with a sharp cry, she came—just as he’d requested.
Minutes later, still lethargic, Violet smiled as Hogan placed her in the bed. Leaning over her, he freed her hair, smoothed it out and bent to kiss her mouth.
She didn’t have the wherewithal to pucker. He’d pushed her, drawing out her climax until her legs had begun to buckle. Then he’d caught her, turned off the water and even dried her from head to toe.
Such an amazing, attentive, sexually charged man. She’d never known anything like it, or anyone like him.
She loved him. How could she not?
It was a secret she’d happily keep since sharing meant she might lose him.
How long would it last anyway?
Her heart ached as it answered with: surely not long enough.
Sighing, Violet stared up at Hogan, watching as he finished drying himself. By the second, she regained her wits and her desire.
“You look satisfied with yourself,” he remarked, coming down over her, his damp body still taut with need. “I take it you like me on my knees?”
“I like you any way I can get you.” The second those words were out, she worried. Had she said too much?
Hogan surprised her with his own look of satisfaction. “You taste good, Violet.”
She pushed against his shoulders, and after a brief, unspoken question, Hogan went to his back. She straddled his hips, her hands braced on his shoulders. He stared at her breasts, very near his mouth.
“I think I owe you some payback.”
Lust tightened his face. “Yeah?” He held her by the waist, his gaze reluctantly rising to meet hers.
“Oh, yeah.” His big body pleased her so much, and it was her turn to explore him in minute detail. She started with his mouth, kissing him long and deep the way she liked. Her breasts pressed against his hairy chest, making her nipples tighten again. His hands went down her hips, cupped over her bottom, then curved in to touch her.
With her position, her knees spread out on either side of his hips, she was open and available to him.
He took swift advantage.
She was swollen and so very sensitive from her recent orgasm. As he toyed with her, her back arched, but as good as that felt, Violet didn’t let herself get distracted with her own pleasure.
This was Hogan’s turn.
Trying to ignore his tantalizing fingers, she nibbled her way down his chest, teased one flat male nipple. His hands fell away from her. Triumphant, she slid farther down to his ribs, his stomach, the tops of his muscular thighs.
“No other man could smell as good as you.” She brushed her nose against him, lower and lower, his musky scent filling her head.
His body went rigid as his anticipation built.
Holding his erection in both hands, she feathered her lips over him, relished his groan, then licked her tongue up the length of him.
He threaded his fingers into her hair, urging her closer.
She smiled up at him, lightly pressed her lips to the head, then slowly took him deep into her mouth.
His hips lifted off the bed, his hand fisting in her hair in reaction.
Wow, she liked that, liked affecting him so strongly.
Did he realize how, together, they were uniquely explosive? Or what if it wasn’t the same for him? No, when she looked up the length of his powerful, straining body, she saw the agony of pleasure on his face.
He felt it—and she relished her sensual control.
Locking his gaze with hers, he softened his hold on her hair, gently stroked his thumb over her hollowed cheek, then curved his hand around her nape and encouraged her to take his length again.
In total agreement, Violet worked him with her hands and mouth, accepting all of him while sucking, then sliding back with her tongue teasing, only to repeat it again.
His breathing grew ragged, his heels pressing into the mattress, his testicles tight. She felt him throbbing in her mouth and knew she wouldn’t be able to enjoy him much longer.
Suddenly his hands closed over her shoulders and he pulled her away, up and onto her back.
“Hogan—”
His mouth covered hers, voracious, wild, his hands all over her, a little rougher than usual, but she loved it. Just as quickly he left her, grabbing for the condom and rolling it on in record time.
“This is going to be fast,” he warned. “And hard.”
He came over her, his mouth once again on hers, and then he was inside her, taking her in long, deep thrusts, bringing her back to the edge of a climax in a blinding rush. The second she let go, he did, too, his head back as he pumped heavily into her.
Through the haze of her own release, Violet watched him. She had to bite her lip to keep from stating her love—words he didn’t want to hear.
Words, feelings that might push him away from her.
When the rage of pleasure waned, he slowly sank down to her, his head beside hers on the pillow, his strong heartbeat thundering against her breast. Violet held him close, her lips brushing his damp shoulder.
He didn’t fall asleep. Not Hogan.
No, he gave himself five minutes, and then he took care of business, getting up to remove the condom and turn out the lights before returning to the bed and smoothing the covers over them both.
Violet couldn’t speak around the emotion choking her, but then, she didn’t need to.
Hogan pulled her against him, kissed her forehead and said, “If you need anything tonight, let me know. I don’t want you straining that foot more than it already is.”
She couldn’t even feel her legs, much less her foot. She snuggled in, closed her eyes and enjoyed the novelty of having Hogan all to herself for the entire night.
* * *
By midday, Colt was anxious to get out of school. With a definite goal in mind, he’d been putting aside his money and looked forward to the tips he’d make at Screwy Louie’s on a busy Friday night. He’d found a lot of satisfaction in earning his keep and building his savings. Since he wasn’t dating, and he usually ate dinner at the diner, he’d had very few expenses. Gas for his car, insurance—his dad covered everything else.
When he thought of his dad, he also smiled. It’d been so long since he’d seen him this happy, this comfortable with life. The strain Colt had gotten used to seeing in his face and the set of his shoulders had disappeared.
As to that, he realized that he, too, was more relaxed and undeniably more prone to grinning. Violet did that to a guy. She had such an easy way about her that you couldn’t be around her and not be happy. She liked to tease Hogan, which gave him a whole new focus—away from the problems that had once weighed him down.
For Colt, she mothered in the most subtle of ways while also showing respect and caring. He liked her a lot.
She was perfect for his dad.
Colt wondered about that, trying to decide if Hogan had accepted what he felt for Violet, while hoping he wouldn’t mistake her casual attitudes for lack of intensity.
She was nuts for his dad, no doubts about that at all. Colt knew he was young, but he wasn’t blind and he saw it plain enough, along with most everyone else. He’d even talked to his uncle Jason about it.
Jason had told him that above all else, his dad was a responsible guy. On top of that, he was now far more cautious. Hogan liked to study all angles, figure out all possible scenarios. With a new love interest, there would be a lot of things to mull over.
Jason didn’t say, but one of the main things his dad considered was Colt.
Colt hoped he didn’t mull them so long that he lost Violet. That would devastate his dad—and it would bother Colt a lot, too. Already, Violet seemed a part of them. The diner was like a second home.
He liked his world now, damn it. Liked it a lot and he wanted it to continue, not come to another abrupt halt.
Walking down the school hallway toward the back door, his thoughts tumbling, he almost plowed into Charish.
She sidestepped with a laugh, saying, “You on a mission, Colt?”
He looked up and stared. She always looked so pretty to him. “Charish. Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” Her gaze moved softly over his face, and her voice lowered. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking.” He moved to lean a shoulder against the lockers. “I got some news today. I’m pumped about it.”
She seemed happy that he was happy, her smile sweet. “What news?”
“I’m going to graduate early.”
The smile slipped and her face went blank. “You’re...what?”
“I’ll be out of here in January.” Once he started talking, Colt couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “It’s a new program Ms. Decker told me about.”
“You saw the counselor?”
“Yeah. I wanted to go half days so I’d have more time for work to save for college, so we went over everything. But since I have all my credits, I can actually just graduate in a few months. I’ve already met all the requirements. That’ll give me months to save up for college.”
The hurt in her eyes surprised him.
“I’m not leaving right away or anything,” he said, wondering at her expression.
Her teeth bit into her bottom lip, but she rallied and gave him a nod. “That’s terrific, Colt.” Her smile trembled. “I’m happy for you.”
He studied her face. “You don’t sound happy.”
She didn’t deny it. “Will you be at the diner tonight? A bunch of people are meeting there.”
“Yeah, but I’ll be working.”
Charish deflated.
“You’ll be there?” he asked, wanting to see her smile again.
She stared down at her feet. “Mack invited me to go.”
Immediately, Colt stiffened but tried to play it off as if he didn’t care. “Yeah? Like a date, you mean?”
Her gaze flickered up to his. “Yes.”
“What’d you tell him?”
She shrugged. “No one else is asking me out, so I agreed.”
Colt shifted, tried to talk himself out of saying anything, but the words erupted anyway. “You know what he wants, right?”
She looked up at him, silent, almost daring him to show it mattered.
But he couldn’t. “He has a rep, Charish.”
“Does it matter?”
More than she realized. More than he’d realized. Her being friends with the group, that he could handle. But damn it, he didn’t want to take advantage of her, so he sure as hell didn’t want some other dude to do it. “You tell me,” he challenged. “Is that what you want, Charish?”
“I want you. I told you that.”
Wow, talk about flooring a guy.
Her mouth firmed and her eyes went a little glassy. “But you’re not interested, are you, Colt? And I’m tired of wishing for things that aren’t going to happ—”
Before giving it much thought, Colt bent down and kissed her, and of course he quickly lost his common sense. She felt good, tasted good.
Not want her? She couldn’t believe that.
Without breaking the kiss, he moved her to the lockers and pressed her against them with the length of his body. Still with his mouth moving over hers, he shouldered off his backpack and dropped it to the floor.
She did the same with her purse.
While touching her from chest to knees, her small body soft and sweet and so tempting, Colt felt lost.
Intruding voices, thankfully still distant, helped him to get it together. He eased up. They were both breathing hard.
It had been a while since he’d kissed anyone. He’d been so set on his future that he’d missed some of the present. He’d missed girls. And kissing.
He’d missed Charish.
He felt on fire from the inside out. He looked at Charish, seeing her bewilderment, her willingness. Her innocence.
Colt groaned. “I want you.”
With her fingertips, she touched her mouth.
“Tell Mack to forget it.”
Nodding, she whispered, “Okay.”
Damn it, she was too agreeable and it bothered him. “You know I’m not available often. I have two jobs, sometimes more. I need the perfect grades for college, especially since I’m using the program to get out of here early.”
Her gaze lowered. “You’ll go away to college?”
“No. I mean, I wanted to, but things change. I figured I’d go local.” The way her hair fell over her shoulders, how her chest still moved with deep breaths, made him almost desperate to touch her again. “If we do this—”
Her gaze shot up to his. “This?”
Needing a second to get himself together, Colt locked his molars. What guy could be immune to those big dark eyes? Not him. “If we’re together.”
“Oh.” Those eyes went dazed—and hopeful.
Colt tipped up her chin, soaking up the sight of her. She had to understand. “I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, Charish, and you don’t exactly say no.”
Soft with sincerity, she whispered, “I trust you.”
Those three small words pushed him over the edge. “Okay then.”
She frowned slightly. “Okay what?”
“I don’t want you with any other guy.”
Her chin went up. “Well, I don’t want you with any other girl, either.”
Despite all his misgivings about getting involved, Colt grinned. “Sounds fair.”
The smile bloomed on her mouth. Then she launched herself against him. There was only so much a guy could take.
“Ahem.”
They looked up to see the counselor wearing a tolerant expression, though she said, “Sharing your good news?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m glad you’re happy, Colt. But no celebrating in the hallways, please.”
He said again, “Yes, ma’am.” Then Colt smiled down at Charish. “I’ll see you tonight at the diner?”
She nodded. “I’ll be there.” Her lips twitched, and she added, “With friends.”