Chapter 7

SHAYLA

How had I'd totally forgotten that, of course, Colton would be at the family barbeque? Brenley and I always included each other in our extended family events. She often joined me when my sister and mom visited and we'd schedule a spa day or fancy dinner out. I had spent many holidays with her and Hayden and his big family. It was one of the things I loved about our friendship. We'd become like sisters over the years.

But today was different. I wasn't anywhere near ready to be around her family, and Colton, when I still hadn't figured out what to do about my growing feelings for him. And darn him, he wasn't going to make it easy. I could see the huge smile on his face and the quick look toward Aria that had him altering his course to stop by the grill where Brock was entertaining the kids by eating a loaded hot dog in two bites.

Thankfully, I now had a bit of time to decide how to introduce my daughter to him, just as a friend though. Shoot, I needed to come up with an excuse to make a quick escape.

"Stop right now, Shay. I see the wheels turning. You and Aria are staying. No one is going to say anything about you and Colton sucking face at the pub the other day." Brenley teased me as she breezed by on her way back into the house and my heart nearly stopped.

Turning to where Aria had been beside me, I released a heavy sigh. She'd already skipped off to join the kid's table. She loved being the oldest and playing mom. She considered them her cousins at this point, which was one more reason not to start something with Colton. There was no way I'd make things awkward for my daughter should things not work out.

"Hi, Shay. Beer?" Hayden offered me a frosty bottle of my favorite IPA and I grabbed it like a lifeline. One was my limit, but I could use the liquid courage to calm my jangled nerves and tame the butterflies running havoc in my midsection every time I peeked over at Colton.

Since our kiss, I'd used my vibrator more times than I had in the past couple months, but it hadn't touched the intense need I felt looking at him now. Only having Colton's hands on me would quench this insane desire.

The fantasy that had been the most recent hit me. Where Colton filled and stretched me as I rode him till I collapsed and achieving an epic orgasm.

What the hell was I doing to myself right now? My daughter wasn't fifty yards away and I'm thinking about Colton in very inappropriate and very un-mom-like ways. Okay, deep breaths. I'm just ramped up because it's been so long since I had sex. And not just sex, but really good sex. Being a single mom had its challenges and a non-existent love life had been the norm for way too long.

Yeah, Shay, you're kidding yourself right now. No one else was going to do. Like you don't want Colt's work-roughened hands and his hard body wrapped around yours. My inner sarcasm made me giggle.

While I kept an eye on the kids, he'd been entertaining them with a story and had them in stitches, clutching their sides. Sighing, I plopped myself down into the closest lounge chair and one that faced away from Colton. I was beginning to feel like a stalker.

So he was good with kids. That didn't mean anything. Anyone could make toddlers laugh, right?

"What's so funny?" Colton asked as he stepped from behind my chair.

"Ack! Where'd you come from?" I bobbled the drink in my hand then placed a hand over my heart and looked up into his handsome face. "Didn't your mother ever tell not to sneak up on people like that?"

"Yeah, but what's the fun in that?" He sat across from me and took a long pull from his bottle of beer.

I watched him swallow and as his Adam's apple bobbed, my gaze traveled to the open vee of his shirt, landing on that sexy dent of skin nestled between his collarbones. The top swell of his pecs were prominently outlined beneath the soft material, and the urge to lick and taste him overwhelmed me.

Loud throat clearing knocked me from my sexual haze and dammit, why couldn't I control myself around this man?

"Keep looking at me like that and I'll get ideas. Do you want me to get ideas, Shayla?" Colton leaned forward so close I could feel the heat of his body.

Shaking my head, I strangled out, "Not right now."

Both his eyebrows shot up and his gaze did a slow run over me, down to my freshly painted cotton candy toenails and back up. "I'll be ready. Just let me know when."

My mouth went dry, and all I could manage was a slight nod.

"Okay, then. So, I came over to ask if you wanted some ribs, or a cheeseburger? Maybe a hot dog?" He shifted in his chair, then tugged on his jeans. "Sweetie, you're going to have to stop looking at me like that, otherwise I won't be able to stand up and walk back to where every member of my family is enjoying their barbeque."

Another giggle escaped me. Don't look, Shay. Do not look at the hot guy's crotch to see how big his erection is.

Dammit, I looked.

"Shay." He growled my name in warning.

It was the sexiest sound I'd ever heard.

"I'll, uh. I'll go get a plate. You want anything?" I rose up like he hadn't offered to get the food, ready to bolt. My cheeks were hot and I could feel sweat dripping down my back, and it wasn't that hot out today.

"Oh, I want plenty, but I'll take a burger. And the coldest bottle of water you can find."

Again, words failed me, so I left and walked quickly toward the cooler. I grabbed a couple of waters, then Brock handed me a plate with a couple of burgers. When I thanked him, he gave me a wink, then looked around before he said, "You two look good together."

Really? Did everyone know about what Colton said to me the other day? Or that kiss in the restaurant? "Um," was all I could manage. I awkwardly turned around and marched back to my seat. From the corner of my eye, I could tell Aria was having a good time and had no clue that her mother was dealing with very adult issues.

Colton watched me the whole way, and I almost tipped the plate and lost the burgers: twice.

"You can't look at me like that." I held out the bottle of water and the plate of food.

"You started it." He took a big bite of his cheeseburger but held my gaze.

"Well, one of us has to finish it, because…because. Just because." I uncapped my water and drank my fill and looked everywhere but at him.

"Because you want me. I understand. It's exactly how I've felt about you since the first time I saw you." Colton released a heavy sigh.

I'd never done a spit take, but I did today, and it sprayed all over Colton's shirt. Like he needed a wet t-shirt to further turn me on. Sheesh, I was a mess.

He pulled the material out from his chest, chuckling. "Well, at least that helped cool me off a bit."

This is ridiculous. I'm not touching that statement with a ten-foot pole. I should have left when we first got here. But now, I've seen him with his family, playing with the kids, helping his pregnant sister, and looking comfortable in his skin the entire time. And to top it off, I couldn't stop myself from imagining climbing into his lap and riding him till we both got off.

"I'm so sorry, but I need to go see how Aria's doing." Leaving my food untouched, I managed to look at him without checking to see if his zipper was still threatening to bust wide open.

"That's okay darling. I like the view coming and going. By the way, have I told you how beautiful you look today? Especially when you blush." Colton's voice was loaded with promise…so much promise.

Without thinking, I tugged on the hem of my sleeveless blouse. And realized my mistake as soon as I did it. It made the material tighten against my chest, highlighting just how turned on I was. Stupid nipples.

It was one of my favorite tops and flattered my curves. I was not going to look at him again to see his reaction. The stretchy jeans I was wearing had the bonus of tummy control and also did wonders for my ass. If I'd remembered that Colton would be here today, and I wanted him to look at me, the way he was already looking at me, I would have chosen this very outfit since it made me feel confident and, yes, sexy.

His compliments made me feel so good, but I needed to avoid him for the rest of the evening. With a small smile, I made a beeline for Brenley while calling myself a coward. His low rumble of laughter rang in my ears the entire way and, just like that, I knew I was fooling myself if I thought I could go back to only seeing him as my best friend's brother.