“Yeah, he’s something. Pisses me off more often than not, but he makes my sister happy, so I try not to bust his balls too much,” Gabby says.
“Whose balls are you busting now?” Chase asks, entering the way Harrison just left.
“Yours, if you’re not careful,” she sasses, crossing the room to where her husband stands.
Chase wraps his arms around his wife. “I love it when you do anything to my balls.”
I snicker a laugh because even I saw that comment coming a mile away.
“Oh, hey, Hollis. You talk to H about the website?”
I nod as Gabby replies, “She did. She took the job and is going to knock this site out of the park.”
“Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I guess I should probably head home and get to work. I’ll have a few more ideas to you by Friday,” I tell her, heading toward the doorway.
“I’ll see you out,” she says, her arms wrapped around Chase’s waist.
“No need. I can find my way,” I tell her.
Chase winks at me and gives a knowing grin. “Thanks, Hollis,” he replies, confirming my suspicion that he’s going to take advantage of a few minutes of alone time with his wife.
Waving goodbye, I head out the way I came. As I reach the end of the little hallway, a wall moves into my path, hard and unforgiving. I practically bounce off it, no doubt heading toward the floor until two arms reach out and wrap around me. I’d know that scent anywhere. It’s a touch of woodsy, mixed with spice and sweat.
Colton.
“Hey, sorry about that. I wasn’t watching— Oh, Hollis.”
“Hi,” I reply, my voice sounding dangerously high-pitched for a late twenties woman. “I didn’t mean to run into you.” I’m flustered and probably flushed with embarrassment, my body suddenly sparked to life.
“My fault,” he says, those blue eyes gazing down at me. I swear he can read me like a book. “I was headed to find Chase. Was he in the office?”
I glance back the way I came, and it’s the first time I realize his arms are still wrapped around me. He must notice too because he suddenly straightens and drops those strong arms from around my body. “Oh, uh… yeah. But you may want to give him a few minutes. He had that look in his eyes that said he was about to do something to Gabby that you can’t unsee if you were to walk in there.”
He chuckles that deep, sexy sound that makes my lady parts tingle. “Thanks for the warning. It’s been a while since we were kids, and seeing my brother’s naked ass isn’t something I care to see again anytime soon. Not to mention my sister-in-law…”
“Yeah,” I reply, glancing down at the floor to where a few sheets of paper lie at his feet. Bending down, I gather the flyers and look at the headline. “Self-defense for beginners?”
He nods. “We’ve been talking about starting a class, and I was finally able to nail down a schedule. We’ll meet Wednesday evenings for four weeks.” He seems to study my face for a few long seconds, and I can’t help but wonder if he sees the curiosity and hesitation I feel as he talks about it. Curiosity because I’m seriously considering taking this class, but hesitation because I’m not sure I can be around the instructor without embarrassing myself further.
“Are you interested in taking the class?” he asks, clearly able to read my body language and my facial expressions better than I’d like.
“Umm… maybe?”
“Is that a question?” he asks with a smile.
Oh, that sexy smile.
“No?”
He laughs.
Fuck, that sexy smile.
“Well, how about you join me tonight and give it a try? I won’t even charge you. If you don’t like it, no harm, no foul.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t do that. If I come tonight, I insist on paying,” I tell him, but my mind zeroes in on that one word.
Come.
There’s no denying the way his man-brain homes in on it as well. His eyes dilate dark and fierce, and his breath catches in his throat. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and suddenly all I can think about is that dark dusting of stubble on his jaw and neck. I bet it would feel amazing rubbing against my—
“So what do you say, Hollis? Join me tonight? We can just ride together. Mom is coming over to watch Milo.”
Milo. Right. His son. The reason I need to stay away from my landlord and not imagine all the… stuff I was just imagining. He has priorities that don’t involve giving me a whisker burn on my thighs.
“Um, okay, that sounds good. What time should I be ready?”
“Class starts at seven, but I’d like to be here by six thirty. Be ready at six fifteen?” His arms cross over his broad chest, the shirt pulled tautly over his arms. Arms that were just wrapped around me a few minutes ago.