Page 27 of The Irresistible One
I leaned my shoulder against the hotel and said, “I’m going to be home after you’re already asleep, but I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Sleep tight. I love you.”
“Love you.”
I hung up and slipped the phone into my clutch, turning toward the entrance to return inside. I only took a few steps before I halted. Colson was halfway between the door and me, with his cell to his ear, his back facing me, so he had no idea I was behind him. I’d already made the mistake of ignoring his backside once this evening—or maybe I just hadn’t wanted to acknowledge that he was here, at this event, standing with my family—but I surely wouldn’t do it again.
I debated my next move, if I should hang back and wait for him to leave since the only way to the door was to walk past him. But how long would he be?
After a few seconds, I didn’t have to make that choice. He was sliding his phone into his pocket while looking at me over his shoulder at the same time.
“You’re following me now?” He smirked.
The air in my throat felt like ash. “I know you’re kidding. I was out here first.”
“How do you know that?”
“I would have seen you.” I pointed at the spot I’d just left. “I was over there.”
“Calling Abbi?”
The way he changed subjects gave me whiplash.
“That’s none of your business, but, yes, it’s bedtime.”
He nodded. “I was doing the same.”
A part of me loved that. But it was a very small part—a part that also couldn’t help but notice how ravishing he looked in that tux. The black-on-black ensemble with his gelled hair andtrimmed beard and seductive light-green stare all worked together so perfectly.
Stop looking at me like that, Colson.
I raised my chin. “Good for you.”
I went to head back in, and he sidestepped so we were aligned.
“We need to talk about setting up a date for the girls.”
I laughed, gripping my clutch, feeling the sweat rub into the snakeskin. No one made me sweat.
No one but him.
“We’re doing no such thing.”
He rocked back on his heels. “You’re really not going to let Abbi come over?”
I crossed my arms, wishing his handsomeness had no effect on me. But because it did and because he was the enemy, I couldn’t even consider having my girl go to his house.
“No, I’m really not going to let her go to your house.”
“Is it me? Or you won’t let your daughter go to anyone’s place?”
I shifted my weight, appearing bored with the conversation. “You can take all the credit for this one, Colson.”
He was smiling. I didn’t understand why.
“What?” When he said nothing, I added, “I really wish you’d wipe that look off your face.”
