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Scarlet
My parents would never approveof Colt.
Not that I care, but it’s all I can think about. The look of disapproval my father wouldn’t even try to hide. The way my mother would assess him openly, as if I’ve just brought home some vagrant off the streets. Both of them would interrogate him about his family, his past, his goals for the future. And all it would take is one wrong answer and he’d be pegged as unworthy.
Which is why I freak out when he offers.
Why we’re sitting in the living room in uncomfortable silence. Colt in the chair across from me as I pick at invisible lint on my jeans while I contemplate what to say. How to explain to him why I can’t accept his offer.
The problem is … I don’t even know what his answers to their questions would be.
What does his past look like? What about his family? Where are they? Is he close to them?
And where does he see himself in five years? I’m sure he has a plan, but I have no idea what it is.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Twice. On the third try, Colt interrupts me.
“I wasn’t asking to meet your parents. I wasn’t asking to stay and spend the holidays with you. I just wanted to make sure you made it home safely; you really shouldn’t drive on that ankle yet.”
“I know.”
“And yet you dismissed my offer before even considering it.”
His demeanor has changed. He’s not angry, but he’s not happy either. The fun-loving, witty banter he’s known for is absent. Along with the sexy sinister grin I love so much.
“The last thing I meant to do was hurt your feelings, Colt. That’s what I was trying to avoid. My parents are judgmental assholes. And even a five second interaction would make you want to throat punch both of them. They think too highly of themselves. They’re stuck up, rich socialites. And they’ve ruined every friendship and relationship I’ve ever had. They tear people down, not just with words, but with the way they look at you. No one is good enough because no one is as good as they are in their eyes.”
His shoulders relax slightly and then he leans forward, resting his head in his hands.
“I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions, but I thought you were ashamed of me.”
Never.
Not for a second.
Not even this morning when Mya caught us in the bathroom together.
Though, I did remind her of the girl code which basically is a code of silence. She can’t tell anyone what she saw, not even Brady. Until I’m ready to announce whatever is going on between us, she has to keep what she knows to herself. Which won’t be hard over break, but once everyone returns to the house, it might prove to be a bit more challenging.
“Why would I be ashamed of you?”
“What do you have to be proud of when it comes to me? I ignored you for years instead of coming after you. Flaunted girls in front of you to make you jealous. To get a rise out of you. Not that it worked. Then, when we were finally alone for the first time, I attacked you. I’ve never asked permission to kiss you. Not once. I basically broke into your house last night to check on you and scared you. I haven’t done anything worth your admiration since we’ve met.”
He wanted to make me jealous.
All this time. That’s why he was flirting with those girls. So I would notice. So I would get angry. Which means he knew I felt something that night.
“I’m not going to lie and say you didn’t go about things wrong. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start over.”
“And how do we do that?”
Think, Scarlet, think. If you’re going to make a suggestion, it’s best to have a plan already figured out. Now is not the time to wing it.
“Well, how about we forget the last three years and try being friends. Get to know each other a little. It’s not like I’m going anywhere today. And we’re going to be working together on the charity gala, so we’ll be spending a lot of time together after break.”
He doesn’t respond right away as he seems to think my offer over. I can’t tell if he likes my idea or not. His face is a blank slate until his signature grin begins to spread. Pushing out of his chair, he moves to sit next to where I am on the couch, crowding me in. When I look up at him, the first thing I notice is how dark his usually steel blue eyes have gotten. The second, that his stare is locked on my lips. And the third, he’s leaning in, closing the distance between us.
It all happens in slow motion. His lips land on mine. His tongue sweeps across the seam, begging for entrance. My hands tangle in his hair as he lays me back against the couch, covering my body with his.
