Chapter 5

SHAYLA

This was crazy times ten. I heard his words, welcomed his kiss and was rocked, literally almost off my chair. The first touch of his lips sent a flood of warmth as it wound its way through me, igniting a fire that had been on slow burn since this morning.

But I had to stop this. It took me another thirty seconds or so for my lips to listen to my brain, but I found the strength to break the best kiss of my life.

"I, uh. That can't mean anything Colt." With shaky hands, I fixed my hair, then gathered my purse and the folder of flower patterns.

"Oh, that meant everything. I think we're old enough not to pretend it didn't. I want to see you again. Outside of the project. What are you doing tomorrow night?"

Nothing came to mind other than another Friday movie night with Aria watching her favorite

Disney movie for the dozenth time. "Um….my daughter…." I felt like my head was swimming in molasses, and I couldn't come up with an excuse he might believe. "This isn't a good idea."

Colton stood and he gently placed his hands on my shoulders. I had no choice but to look up. The desire I saw in his eyes, however, told me it could be.

"Listen, how about I take you two out? I'll pick you up after you get off and we can go out for pizza or burgers, or?—"

Stepping back, I had to get his hands off me. Because I so wanted to say yes. To the date, and more. And the longer he touched me, the more I wanted to dive into the deep end of the pool with him. "No, that's nice of you, but I don't introduce Aria to men I date. That's a hard and fast rule I never break."

He looked a little hurt, and that was the last thing I wanted, but I'd held firm. "Look, a long time ago, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't confuse my little girl by meeting someone I wasn't serious about. It's hard enough raising her alone without getting her attached to a guy that wouldn't be around in a few months."

"Wow, so you'd go into a new relationship already expecting it to end? That's kind of sad, don't you think?"

"No, it's realistic and smart. I don't expect you to understand since you're not a parent. If we were to date or…whatever, Aria is not going to be part of the equation."

Colton threw down some bills to cover our meal and drinks. He was silent as he followed me out to my car. I really didn't want to hurt his feelings, but it's always better, to be honest. A lesson I'd learned after my ex left. I wasn't closed off to having a new relationship. I was just going to be sure that the next man I let into my heart, and into Aria's, was a hundred percent in with forever and becoming the father figure she'd never had.

I hadn't planned on the evening ending on such a heavy tone. And I hadn't expected Colton's declaration, either. There was so much to think about.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

We both spoke at the same time, and I wish I could say that I wasn't contemplating breaking all my rules to see where our attraction led. I just needed to be strong. And to forget how that kiss made me feel.

"I really am, Shayla. I was just thinking about us without looking at it from the parent angle. And that's on me. But what I feel for you isn't going to stop. I'm ready to wait and show you I'm the right guy for you and your daughter."

"That's a pretty bold statement coming from a confirmed bachelor." The hope I'd heard in his voice did funny things to my lower belly, and I needed more space. I unlocked my car, then opened the door as I tried to hide my shaking hands. Colton was saying all the right things, and damn if I didn't want to throw myself at him right now, plaster myself to all his hard angles and kiss him again.

Before I could get inside, he spoke.

"I made a promise to myself too, Shayla."

His words made me pause. One foot in the car, one still on the pavement, I took the bait. "Oh. What was it?"

"I promised myself I wasn't ever going to settle and get married, start a family just because I was getting older. That unless a woman stirred me to my very soul, made me forget my own name, and want to drag her to bed the moment I saw her, then no one would be good enough for me."

"How do you know I'm that woman?"

"Go out with me, and I'll show you." Colton brushed his lips against mine, grinned, then turned and walked to his truck, whistling a familiar tune I couldn't name.

Struck dumb again by how damn sexy his confidence was, I watched him walk away, wondering if I could take a chance on him, on us.