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She rolled her eyes, grabbed her iPad off the floor, and headed for the door. But before stepping out, she glanced back, giving me a once-over, like she was trying to memorize me, just in case.

“Good night, Colton.”

I exhaled, watching her go. “Good night, Eleanor.”

Chapter 35

Eleanor

TAWNIE AND I sat in Colton’s office, waiting for Cooper so we could go over their act for the talent show in a few days.

Outwardly, I was the picture of calm. Inside? I was burning alive.

Being back here, the day after I’d barged in and ended up tangled with him on that desk was throwing me off balance. Every time my gaze flickered to its surface, my pulse spiked.

Last night had been different. More intimate. More…deliberate. Colton was learning me, learning my body in ways no man had ever taken the time to understand. He’d unlocked this dangerous mix of pleasure and pain inside me, something I hadn’t realized the depth of until him.

My body responded to him, craved him with nothing more than his presence in a room. And what did that say about me? That he’d embedded himself so deep in my psyche that the thought of being with anyone else ever again felt like pure fucking torture.

Then he grabbed my face, looked at me with deep blue eyes as they pierced my soul, and asked me not to forget him.

How could I?

Colton Stone had imprinted himself in my DNA. When it came time for me to leave, I knew he’d linger in my mind long after. The damn smile he kept hidden from the world but had given me more times than I deserved. The rough edges, the pure sex appeal, the quiet kindness buried beneath layers of damage.

If I had more time with Colton, I’d want to learn more.

I’d want to pull back those layers, piece by piece, until he let me see every last part of him. That wasn’t something I usually craved, wasn’t something I’d ever longed for before.

But everything felt different with him.

“To think we’re about to get grumpy Colton Stone on stage for a show-stopping performance…” I mused, dragging myself away from thoughts I had no business entertaining—at least not until I was back in the city.

“I cannot wait to see what they come up with. Part of me wants to be surprised instead,” Tawnie replied, her grin stretching ear to ear as she rubbed her hands together like a mastermind plotting something devious.

“I hope Cooper found those short shorts…” I added, giggling as Tawnie joined in.

“Eleanor, I am right here. You two don’t need to talk about me like I’m not,” Colton’s dry voice cut in.

“I’m sorry, Mr.—”

“Don’t you apologize!” I squealed, cutting Tawnie off. “We’ve been sitting here for nearly half an hour, and he’s chosen to say nothing. Thus, in my mind, he isn’t here.” I shot Colton a glare before turning my attention back to my new partner in crime.

“I was thinking…” I started, tapping my chin. “What if we had them wear tutus?”

Colton let out a heavy huff, finally pulling his gaze from the computer. He leaned back, lacing his fingers together in front of him.

“I thought Cooper and I were meeting today to decide this ourselves? If you’re going to call all the shots, why don’t you get up there instead?” he challenged, tilting his head.

“I don’t have the same…” My gaze swept over him, slow and deliberate. “Appeal.”

“Oh, Miss Stewartt,” Colton said, his rough chuckle rolling through the air like smoke. He relaxed into his chair, mischief sparking in his dark eyes. “Men would come in the thousands to see you up there in a pair of short shorts.”

I leaned in, crossing my legs and resting my elbow on my knee, chin propped in my palm. “Would you be front row, Mr. Stone?”

Tawnie cleared her throat beside us, but I didn’t acknowledge her. Neither did Colton.

We were locked in a silent battle, the air between us crackling with something sharp and dangerous, the electricity tangible.