Tempted

Chapter 17

Taylor

After sneaking out of Colt’s room while Reis was still asleep, I settle on my bed, and power on my laptop. Last night probably wasn’t the smartest move, sleeping in the bed with Reis like that, insisting that he hold me, allowing him to help me change. And I intended to come clean with Colt this morning, but he usually seemed quite unconcerned at the thought of Reis and I together. And it was completely innocent. I wouldn’t do anything to betray Colt’s trust. And I decide that if he doesn’t seem to mind me spending time with Reis, then I shouldn’t either. It’s not like anything was ever going to happen between Reis and I. Plus when Bria let herself into his bedroom, our conversation was taken in a completely different direction. As hard as it was to accept Colt across the ocean in a hotel room with her, I knew he was right. Driving a wedge between us was exactly what she wanted. I couldn’t feed right into her plan.

I check the unread emails in my personal account and respond to one from my mom, and another from Piper. Then I check for any new assignments in my school email account. There’s one from Colt from yesterday morning. I open it. He wants me to search out some information on an accomplice of their target. A guy named Alton. Should be easy enough. I scroll down the length of the email, seeing that it was originally an email exchange between Colt and Bria that he forwarded to me. I start at the bottom and read my way up.

The first email is completely innocent and professional. But their replies get increasingly flirty, like his emails with me. I hate that they know each other so well. Did he mean to forward this to me?

I reread Bria’s first note back to him, studying each word in disbelief.

TO: Colt Palmer

FROM: Bria Simonson

SUBJECT: Pay up, sugar!

Colt,

We both know you agreed to take me out once I got you this information. So pay up!If not, I know where you sleep.

I swallow down the salvia that’s rapidly accumulating in my mouth and read Colt’s reply.

TO: Bria Simonson

FROM: Colt Palmer

SUBJECT: RE: Pay up, sugar!

Bria,

You knowing where I sleep is concerning. I may have to call security for an extra deadbolt just in case. As for me talking you out….hmm… I don’t recall promising, I just said maybe I’d take you out. But I’ll play nice.

Wear something nice and I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby at 7. Sound good?

Her last note to him is even more suspicious.

TO: Colt Palmer

FROM: Bria Simonson

SUBJECT: Win!

Colt,

I promise we’ll have fun. And everything will stay between us. Trust me, okay?

I close my laptop and pad down the stairs to talk to Reis. I need another opinion on what this means before I scream or hit something or call Colt and do exactly what Bria wants.

“Reis.” I shake his shoulder.

He blinks twice, seeing it’s me and closes his eyes again. “Shh. Sleeping.” He tugs the pillow to his chest, and rolls to his side, facing me.

I sit on the edge of the bed and watch him. His sandy brown hair brushes against his forehead. He wears his hair longer than Colt’s, just as messy though. The look suits him. It’s very California surfer. I have no idea why my fingers itch to brush the hair back from his face. I clasp my hands in my lap instead, stifling the urge I feel.

Reis peeks one eye open at me. Then he suddenly pulls me down next to him, snuggling me in against his side. He releases a comforting sigh in my ear. “That’s better.”

As soon as I settle in against his body I feel something stiff at my back. “Ew! Reis!” I jump up off the bed, the comfort I felt interrupted by his rigid body. Gross!

He chuckles and opens his eyes, shifting on the bed to pull the sheet over his waist. “Calm down. I can’t control it.” He’s not the least bit embarrassed.

I roll my eyes and pick up his jeans off the floor. “Put these on.” I toss them at him.

He shuffles out of bed, stepping into his jeans one foot at a time, while I desperately try not to notice the intrusion in his boxers. Gah!

He chuckles again at seeing my discomfort. “Relax, Taylor.” He slips a T-shirt over his head. “I take it you’re not here for a run this morning, considering the state you were in last night.”

“Yeah, about last night…” I fumble with the hem of my shirt.

“Stop. You don’t need to worry. I enjoyed taking care of you. That’s all. Okay?” He steps closer, closing the distance between us. “You feel better today?” His eyes are gentle and probing.

I can do little more than stand there, numb, and nod.

“Good. You want to go get pancakes? You’re probably starved.”

“No, not at that place again. Please.”

He studies me for a second while slipping on his shoes. “That was one of Colt’s girls, wasn’t it?”

I nod.

He hisses a breath out through his teeth. “Damn him. I knew it.” He shakes his head. “If you were mine, there wouldn’t be any of that shit to worry about.” He takes my hand before I have the chance to respond. “Come on.”