Tempted

Chapter 34

Colt

Taylor stands in the center of the room, like she’s unsure what to do around me. I still can’t believe she came to my rescue today. It seems surreal everything that’s happened in the last forty-eight hours.

It was supposed to be a simple case. Cut and dry. I’d driven to that warehouse to see what they were using the building for. I’d snapped a few photos when before I knew it, I was being pulled from the rental car by my collar at gun point. The next two days were spent strapped to a chair, suffering repeated hits to my face and body as they tried to get me to tell them who I was working for. I never said a word. Thank God Taylor found me when she did. I hate to think what could have happened.

“You should lie down,” she says, fumbling with the comforter, pulling the covers down for me. I climb in bed and am asleep almost instantly.

I wake up several hours later. The flashing of the TV is the only light in the room. I roll over and see the bed next to me is empty. Where’s Taylor? I glance at the clock, it’s just after midnight. I run my hands over my face and sit up. I’ve been sleeping for a few hours, but I don’t feel rested. I hear a muffled cry from the bathroom. I sit up in bed. The bathroom door is closed and light pours from the crack at the bottom.

I get out of bed and walk the few paces to the bathroom. But now that I’m standing here, I don’t know what to do. A soft sob wracks her throat. It tugs at my heart. Why is she crying?

I tap softly at the door.

The sounds of crying instantly stop. She sniffles. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“It’s okay. Take your time,” I say softly.

“Do you need to use the bathroom?” she whispers back.

“No. I just wanted to check on you.”

“Oh.”

“Are you okay?”

She breathes in a shuddering breath that makes my chest catch. “What do you think?”

I smirk. I always loved her sassiness. Of course she’s not okay, but since I don’t speak girl, I have no idea what’s wrong. I slide down against the wall and sit on the floor outside the bathroom door.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask.

“Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“You,” she says, barely audible.

My heart rate picks up. “I’m safe. You can sleep now.”

“I know, it’s not that.”

“Can I come in?”

“No.” She blows her nose. “I’ve been crying. I look like crap.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re always beautiful. Please, let me come in.”

She doesn’t say anything else. I stand and turn the knob on the door. It’s unlocked. I push the door open slowly. She’s sitting on the floor against the wall, he knees pulled up to her chest.

I bend down and scoop her into my arms, folding her body against mine. “You’re freezing.” I lift her off the cold tile floor and stand with her in my arms. She looks at me through hazy eyes. Her cheeks are blotchy from tears and her bottom lip is trembling. But she’s still beautiful. I inspect her, feeling oddly territorial, even though I left her in Reis’ care and she’s not mine to inspect anymore. Her gaze back at me is full of sorrow and longing. “Let me put you back in bed.”

I carry her to the bed and lay her down.

“Rest.” I lean down a press a kiss to her forehead. She murmurs a feminine sound of gratitude. Her little noises always undid me, and now is no exception. My entire body is aware of her. Dressed in soft little cotton shorts and a thin tank top with no bra. She’s damn tempting. I press a kiss to her temple and I hear her breathing quicken. When I pull back her big blue eyes are locked on mine, full of need.

This time I don’t think, I just lean down and press my lips to hers. Her mouth is full and soft from crying. A little gasp of surprise rumbles through her chest, igniting sparks between us.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” I pull back, just slightly breathing hard against her mouth. It takes every ounce of control I have to make myself stop.

She grips my shoulders, her eyes meeting mine. “Colt…” she pleads. She breathes a little sigh of longing and looks up at me with hope and wonder in her pretty blue eyes.

I brush my fingertips across her cheek. So soft. So beautiful. I don’t know if she’s begging me to stop or to continue. But this isn’t a good idea.

“We shouldn’t,” I say, removing her hands from my shoulders. “There’s too much we haven’t talked about yet, and you’re upset.” Why am I coming up with a list of reasons to stop kissing her? And who am I trying to convince? Her or me?

I lean down to kiss her again, but something tugs in the back of my head. I stop just before our lips touch. “You let him touch you,” I whisper, our breath mingling together. I can’t help the accusatory tone to my voice.

She sucks in a breath and drops her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten that close to him. I just missed you so much, and he was always there…”

“Tell me…” I have to know what happened between them.