Colton glared at Matthew, his jaw muscles working overtime. “I’m not your buddy, these women aren’t your friends, and you have no idea what Brigit needs.” Colton’s piercing intensity bore a hole through Matthew.
Brigit pursed her lips. The hovering testosterone needed to go away. Matthew’s skirt chasing bordered on harassment and Colton needed to find a wealth manager whowantedto manage his wealth.
“I’ll be here when you’ve had enough of this…thisloser.” Red- faced Matthew turned away and guzzled his drink.
Had Colton followed her? Had Seth tipped him off? Slowly his attention shifted from Matthew to her and when their eyes met, his lips split into a charming grin. A zing traveled at MachWhoa. Her body was so not helping. She introduced Kat in an attempt to diffuse the undeniable heat smoldering between them.
“Brigit, I thought I’d pay you a social call.” His harsh tone had been replaced with a soothing timbre like rich, creamy chocolate. When his hand jutted onto the bar, separating her from Matthew, a sexual urge flooded her traitorous body.
Pinned by Mitus. And she liked it.
His eyes were the color of Colombian coffee. Deep. Dark. Decadent. She managed a calming breath and caught his scent. Cologne-free, he smelled of cedar soap and lager beer. That particular beer reminded her of her daddy. Her thoughts turned laser-focused in an instant.
Pushing off the bar, she centered her weight like a matador sizing up the bull. “I agreed to a one-time consult. You agreed to leave my office.”
“I did leave.” His expression turned playful. Charming even.
As she raised a brow, she crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”
As if time had stopped, his gaze traveled over her face, pausing briefly on her mouth. “Nailing down the important part. How long do you need?”
Delicious streams of energy shot through her.One night. I need one night.“I’m not working for you, Colton.”
A scorching intensity deepened his gaze. “Yes, you are, Brigit.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
He leaned closer. “Never.”
“Well, neither do I.”
“Present your proposal, then make your decision.”
She pulled out her phone. “I’ll let Seth know.”
His firm grip on her shoulder sent adrenaline spiking through her. Heat seeped through her clothing, lighting her insides on fire. Desire and need rocketed through her. Trapped byhim. And she liked it.
Colton leaned closer. “I want the best and you’re it.” Riveted by his intensity, she trembled. His warm breath puffed against her bone-dry mouth and she slowly moistened her lower lip. “Now, why don’t you answer my question? How long will you need to prepare your presentation,Brigit?”
It wasn’t his striking presence, or his controlling nature, or even his lava-flowing sex appeal. It was the stunning realization that what she’d needed from him all those years ago was available now.
Five and a half years ago, she’d asked for a meeting. He denied her. Robert Sethfield believed in her and placed her in the path of this man. Ahead of schedule and for a different reason, but the opportunity was still there. And all she had to say wasyes.
She relaxed her stance. By giving Colton Mitus what he needed, she could get what she wanted. “You offered me two weeks. I’ll be ready in one.”
His beautiful smile could have lit up the night sky. “There now, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?” He removed his hand from her shoulder and dropped the other from the bar. A sense of loss, not relief, chilled her bones. His arm separating her from Matthew made her feel safe and his hand gripping her body made her feel alive.Damn this man.
Colton pivoted his massive frame toward Matthew. “She’s all yours,buddy,but neither she nor Kathryn have any interest in you.” A sardonic grin spread over his face. Without waiting for a response, he walked away.
Feeling lightheaded, Brigit took a long pull of wine. She needed a moment, so she grabbed their bottle, situated Kat at the team table so Matthew couldn’t corner her, and bolted for the restroom.
Once there, she tried calming breaths to quiet her palpitating heart. In a twenty-four-hour period Colton Mitus had become her shadow. He needed her.
Herexpertise.Herguidance.Hercounsel. How many times had she wished for this? She let out a nervous chortle and glanced in the mirror, expecting to see frazzled, but a determined woman stared back.Just because he asked you to present a proposal doesn’t mean jack. Put your big-girl panties on. This is Colton Mitus we’re talking about.
Something was brewing at Francesco and this was her golden opportunity to find out what. She smoothed pink gloss across her lips, finger-combed her hair and dreamed of finishing her drink in peace.
Squeezing through the happy hour crowd, she spotted Colton nestled at a table with Dez, a woman with long, raven hair, and a Mr. Muscles type. Colton’s eyes were pinned on hers. His intensity seared her from across the room.
