Brazen Bachelor

It’s an act.

And if I had to be honest with myself, I want him to look at me. I want his gaze on me every second of the shoot. It’s a stupid, fleeting moment when I consider what it would be like to go out with him. Sitting across from him at a table, I’d have to look into those teal-hued eyes and act as if he’s just another guy. But Colton King is far from that.

There is nothing average about him. But the problem is, he knows it. And he acts as if every woman should fall to their knees for him. I’m not like them though, I’ve fought long and hard to keep my heart intact. However, when he smiles, when he gives me an honest to goodness grin, I can’t deny my heart flutters wildly in my chest.

As much as I may try to fight it, I do want Colton King.

A memory hits me hard as they continue their shoot, and I have to focus on the flash of the camera and the surrounding noise to stop the tears from burning my eyes.

The night is still young, and my dress is perfect. Each time I glanced in the mirror, I thought I was dreaming. But I wasn’t. I’m going to my prom and I have a date. Even though it wasn’t the boy my heart wanted, I made a compromise and said yes to someone else.

Like the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers. And it’s true. Even though my sister, Vickie, got the boy she wanted, I would never be her. I grew up in the shadow of her beauty and perfection. That’s what the world wants to see, which always led me to stand behind her.

“You look lovely,” Mom says with a smile on her face. But it’s not the same happiness that glows from her when she talks to Vickie. It’s okay though, I’ve grown used to it. I’ve become hardened to the look on everyone’s faces when they see the average sister of the beauty queen. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

Shaking my head to clear the memory, I focus back on the here and now. As a teenager, I grew accustomed to the idea that beauty was the be all and end all. It was what I had focused on, not realizing that there is more to it than just looking good. There is a life out there for everyone. Even though I haven’t found love, I know that someone out there will see me for me. And delve deeper than just appearances.

As the commotion winds down and everyone heads off to get changed, Colton nears me with a big grin on his face. He stops inches from me, his warmth washing over me as he reaches for a lock of hair and tucks it behind my ear.

“Did you enjoy the show?” His brow lifts in question.

“I guess.” I shrug it off, trying to appear calm, however inside, I’m anything but relaxed. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.” This time, I taunt him, earning me a deep chuckle that makes me smile.

“Nice try, darling,” he tells me. “I could tell those pretty eyes were all over me, even if you deny it.” His confidence is cocky, brazen, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing out loud. “Wait for me?”

“Uhm…”

“Come on,” he pleads. “You know you want to.” And there’s the self-assured bachelor we’ve all come to know and fall for. “We can talk on the way out.”

“Sure,” I agree, because honestly, I want to spend as much time with him as I can get. Even though I should be careful, a talk will not amount to much. At least, that’s what I tell myself. But Colton King doesn’t do things by half-measure. He’s already got a plan brewing in mind which I see a glint of in his eyes as he walks away and offers me a glance over his shoulder before he disappears through the doorway which leads to the change room.

All I have to do is watch my heart.

It can’t be that difficult. Surely. But then again, with the expression of confidence on his handsome face, I have a feeling I’ll be fighting more than just these stupid feelings that pop up every time he’s near. Because when Colton is around, my stomach flutters, reminding me it’s been a while since my last date, and it’s also been far too long since a man has looked at me the way he does.

As if I’m the only person he wants to look at. And that’s what scares me the most.

Inhaling a deep breath, I exhale just as he walks out of the dressing room in a pair of jeans that hug his thighs, and I’m almost sure, if he were to turn around, I’d be drooling at the way it hugs his ass.