In Too Deep

Chapter 29

MJ pushes up her sleeve. “I think a nice little saying or symbol. Right here.” She touches her wrist. MJ’s been talking about getting a tattoo for the past week and a half.

“Bad idea,” Logan says. “They’re permanent, in case you hadn’t heard. Whatever you like now, you’re not going to like when you’re forty.”

“He’s got a point.” I back Logan up, even though I know there’s no talking MJ out of something she wants. I toss another handful of candy into my mouth. Logan’s mom sent yet another care package, this one filled with every type of candy imaginable and of course he’s sharing with us.

MJ’s head swivels to the door, mid-bite of a large chocolate bar.

“What?” I turn and follow her gaze.

Colt’s striding through the center of the cafeteria, heading straight for our table, his eyes locked on mine, completely unaware of all the others watching him.

He stops at our table, still looking at me.

“Um, hi.” I give a little half wave, my cheeks bursting with fruity candy.

He nods. “Hi. What’s with all the candy?”

Logan holds out a selection of candy bars to him. “Take one. Please. My mom smothers me, treats me like I’m five. She needs to back off.” He rolls his eyes.

Hurt flashes across Colt’s face. “No thanks.”

I have the sudden urge to reach out and take his hand, but of course I don’t. That would just be weird. I swallow down the lump of candy.

“MJ wants to get a tattoo,” Logan explains, motioning to MJ who’s now got her shirt pushed down off her shoulder, inspecting the space there.

“Colt would you ever get one?” she asks, pulling her shirt back into place.

“How do you know I don’t already have one?” he asks.

MJ laughs. “Because something tells me you’re too much of a pretty boy to get inked.”

“I’ve thought about it.” He leans against the side of the table and I have to will my eyes not to travel down the length of his body. “Down here.” He touches just below his belt buckle. Holy God, focus, Taylor. Focus! “I’d get something that says, ‘Thanks for visiting. Come again soon.’”

The table erupts in laughter. But I’m rendered speechless.

“Classy, Colt. Even for you, that’s pretty bad,” MJ scolds.

“Hey, I’ve never had an unsatisfied customer. And in case I forget to say thank you, it’d be covered.” He’s looking at me again.

Gross. “Do you have any respect for women? They’re not your customers,” I say, not bothering to hide the unease I feel.

“I have nothing but respect. I make sure a lady is treated right when she’s with me.”

“So you don’t buy into the notion that the female orgasm doesn’t exist,” Logan asks, his voice scientific and professional.

“Myth,” Colt says absently, reaching down to steal a lollipop that discarded on the edge of my plate. “And I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” he says, looking thoughtfully at the sucker.

I roll my eyes. This conversation needs to end. Now.

“Don’t listen to Logan, he’s afraid of girls as it is,” MJ says.

Logan gives her a look that’s the visual equivalent of stepping in gum.

Colt pops the sucker in his mouth and pats MJ on the top of her head like she’s four years old and just done something amusing. “Okay, kiddos, see you in class.” But before turning away, he bends down near my ear, removing the sucker. “If you’re free tonight, I thought maybe you could come by. We could watch a movie or something before you go away on break.” His breath smells of the strawberry sucker and I want to turn to him and taste it on his lips.

Before I have a chance to answer, Colt strolls away, leaving me looking after him with both intrigue and disgust. I am so screwed.