Brazen Bachelor

“For me, I want someone who I can get along with on a personal level,” she discloses, completely oblivious to how intriguing she is. Just how much she’s captured my attention.

“Someone you can have good banter with, or chat with,” I finish her thought without realizing it. Because what she’s just described is me. It’s what I want from a relationship as well.

“Yes.” The one word is a whisper. Our eyes lock, hers shimmering with excitement, and I know mine only reflects what I see in her stare. “tell me about that tattoo,” she quizzes me slowly, “it’s rather feminine.”

“It is. There’s a reason for it. When I was little, I used to suffer from bad dreams. My mom bought a dreamcatcher and told me that it would always keep me safe by catching the nightmares and keeping them from haunting me.”

“That’s sweet, I like that a lot.” There’s a wistful smile on her face, which, in turn, makes me grin.

“Didn’t think I was such a catch, did you?” I wink playfully. “The tattoo just reminds me that she’s always there, looking out for me.” Violet opens her mouth to speak, but we’re interrupted before she can say anything.

“Can I get you, folks, anything else?” The shrill voice of our server breaks the connection, but I know it’s there. I felt it; I saw it. Violet can’t deny she wants me as much as I want her.

“No, we’re still good, thanks.” Violet finds her voice before I do because I don’t want to look away from her. Once we’re alone again, she asks, “How did you get into modeling anyway?”

With a smile, I sit back and answer, “When I was about seventeen, I got approached by an agent who had been scoping out new faces in the city. I was on my way to school, but he gave me his card and told me if I wanted to become famous and make some money, I should give him a call.”

“Sounds dubious,” she teases.

“I thought he was a dodgy fuck too.” I chuckle when I recall telling Simon about it. We had a good laugh, but then curiosity got the better of me, and I did end up going. “But when I called, it was a real agency. I did research for a couple of weeks before actually heading to their offices.”

“Was it something you always wanted to do?”

“To be honest, no. I never thought of myself in that way. I mean, I was a party animal, but I never thought I’d be making money by taking my kit off.” I sip my drink before continuing. “But I realized soon enough there are challenges that come with this career.”

“I think most careers come with challenges, but being in the public eye can be difficult.”

Nodding, I add, “It is. Everything you do or say gets scrutinized. And even though we’re pretty to look at, we make mistakes.”

“You’re pretty to look at?” she challenges with a grin, lightening the conversation.

“Easy there, love,” I cajole as I arch a brow. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.” Her retort is hot, burning me with want to see just how fucking nice she can be. “Don’t look at me like that,” Violet bites out.

“Like what exactly?” This time, I lean forward, needing to be closer, to inhale her scent, to listen to her words without the noise of the restaurant in the way. Her gaze locks on mine, and I know exactly what I’m doing to her when she shifts in her seat.

14

Violet

“I don’t know.” Shaking my head, I turn my attention to my empty glass as I attempt to play off what he’s making me feel. The hunger in his eyes is dangerous, fire burning in my gut, reminding me it’s been too long since someone has looked at me the way he is.

I can’t get swept away by the fantasy of him actually being something long term in my life. Even though he wants me to believe it, I can’t. He’s a man who can have any woman in the world, and yet he’s sitting in a small pizzeria with me.

“Look at me,” Colton commands in a gentle, yet firm tone. Lifting my eyes to his, I find those teal pools of need locked on me. His hot gaze trails my face, from my eyes, over my nose, all the way to my lips, where they linger for a short while before flicking back to my stare. “I don’t want you to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Hide.”

“I wasn’t hiding,” I refute, shuffling in my seat. “When you spend your life in the shadow of a sister who’s perfect and successful, you tend to want to skulk in the background. It’s an innate need.”

“Well, she’s not here, and I’m looking at you,” he retorts, his jaw ticking with frustration. I get what he means. She isn’t here, but still, when you grow up always being second best, it’s difficult when suddenly the spotlight is on you.