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“How dare you.”
“He’s not worth getting upset over, Scarlet,” my mother says.
“How would you know? You don’t know him.”
“We just know,” my father states. “Boys like him come and go. They’re only after what you can offer them. And when he looks at you, all he sees is your money.”
Are you kidding me?
“Wow! You two continue to amaze me. Not everything in life is about money. Not everyone cares how much is in my bank account. Did you ever think he might be interested in me for who I am? For the person you raised me to be? No, you didn’t, because he’s not some rich guy you handpicked for me. He doesn’t check all the boxes on some stupid list of characteristics I should look for in a husband.”
“Scarlet, lower your voice,” my father growls when he notices people staring in our direction.
“No, I will not lower my voice. If you don’t want me to make a scene, I suggest you leave.”
My father’s response is interrupted by the tap, tap, tap of a microphone followed by the sound of Colt’s deep, sultry voice. When I turn, I find Colt standing center stage.
“Hello, everyone. On behalf of myself, the Kappa Omega Lambda house, and the Zeta XXX house, I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight to support the children’s hospital. This event holds a special place in all our hearts, and your donations tonight will bring smiles to the faces of the children who need our help the most.”
Taking a deep breath, Colt lets it out slowly as he makes eye contact with me from across the room.
“This event is a huge undertaking, one that wouldn’t have turned out this amazing if I’d been the solo person responsible. I had the privilege of working on this event with a very special woman, one who means a lot to me. Scarlet, can you come up here please?”
Without hesitation, I weave my way through the crowd and join Colt. He extends his hand to me as I approach, waving his fingers through mine as he pulls me close.
“Scarlet Newton, everyone.” The crowd claps as I wave awkwardly. “Scarlet is the reason tonight has turned out so flawlessly. She’s the reason you’re about to sit down and indulge in an amazing meal. And she’s the reason this room isn’t decorated to look like a middle school dance.”
The crowd chuckles, and I can feel the heat in my cheeks rising. Turning toward Colt, I whisper Cleo’s name.
“You know what they say. It takes an army. And as much as I’d like to give Scarlet all the credit because she deserves to be recognized for her hard work, there is another special woman who should be up on stage with us tonight. Cleo, where are you?” Colt asks.
I scan the room, but I don’t see Cleo anywhere. When my eyes connect with Gia’s, she shrugs.
“I guess she’s unavailable at the moment, but you’ll see her floating around later, so please make sure you thank her for her dedication to the event. For now, we just want to thank you all for being here this evening and remind you that there are some amazing raffle baskets to bid on at the back of the room. The photobooth is open if anyone is interested in taking the memory of tonight home with them. And finally, dinner will be served in about a half hour. We hope you all enjoy your evening.”
Colt gives my hand another squeeze as he turns the microphone off and hands it back to the DJ.
“You still want ten minutes after dinner?” I ask the bald man as we’re walking away.
Colt’s shoulders tense for a brief moment before he nods, never losing his stride.
“What do you need ten minutes for?” I ask as he helps me down the stairs.
“Right now, ten minutes won’t be enough. That dress is going to take me at least five to get off you, and we have nowhere to hide.”
He’s diverting, trying to distract me.
I know this, yet I can’t help but play into his hand. The thought of Colt inside me right now has the butterflies in my stomach taking flight.
“Who says you need to take it off?” I tease, batting my eyelashes at him.
“You’re playing with fire, Scar. Your parents—”
“Screw my parents.”
“I’d rather be screwing you.”
Throwing my head back, I let out a heartfelt laugh. I set myself up for that response, and I didn’t even mean to.
“You. Me. The limo. Ten minutes.”
“Scarlet…” Colt’s voice deepens as he says my name in warning.
And all I can do is smile as I disentangle my hand from his, shoot him a wink over my shoulder, and head for the exit. I don’t even have to look back to know he’ll follow me.
The thing is, when I open the door to the limo, I find more than I bargain for.
