Courting Innocence Read online

  Chapter Seven

  Jason Sloan might have been one hell of a defenceman, but his advice about women sucked. Or at least that’s what Colton told himself. Even if the guy had landed Sienna Blakely.

  He just didn’t understand the situation.

  No, Sloan was a wild card. Colton had a better head on his shoulders. He knew trouble when he heard it, so he’d done his best to go in the opposite direction. For the past week, he’d put his head down, concentrated on the trial and tried not to think about Erin Foster. He’d been successful in two of those areas – and if he couldn’t stop thinking about her, at least he’d managed to stay away from her.

  Until now.

  Taking a deep breath, he pulled back his shoulders and focused on the task at hand. He’d received a request that he couldn’t turn down, so here he was on the Fosters’ doorstep in Georgetown. The sky was sunny, the trees along the river were a riot of colour and the temps were predicted to hit the mid-fifties. It was a beautiful day, but he was prepared for a slow descent into hell. It would be an entire day he’d have to grit through seeing Erin, hearing her caramel laugh and smelling her perfume.

  Just shoot him now.

  The door opened, but the blonde who greeted him wasn’t Erin. It was her mother. ‘Oh, Colton. Happy Thanksgiving.’

  When one received a summons from Marilyn Foster, one knew better than to refuse. At least Colton did. He couldn’t bear to let the woman down, so he bucked up and handed her a bottle of wine. ‘Thank you for inviting me.’

  ‘Oh, honey, you know you’re always welcome.’ She ushered him inside. ‘We’ve missed you the last few years, but I appreciate you helping me out today. I know you’re busy with that big trial and all.’

  He took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack that stood by the door. Marilyn took him by the arm and lowered her voice. ‘I can’t believe I forgot to take Marty off the headcount.’

  Colton’s lip curled at the mention of Erin’s ex. ‘I’m sure you had other things on your mind.’

  ‘Ha!’ She laughed without humour. ‘I’ve thought of little else, but if Erin had seen the extra food, she would have known, and it would have hurt her.’

  That was something neither of them wanted to happen.

  ‘I’m happy to step in,’ he said. ‘Besides, who could turn down one of your famous meals?’

  She let out a tinkling laugh, and he accompanied her down the hall to the kitchen where a staff of caterers was busy putting the finishing touches on their holiday feast.

  Georgetown was a historical neighbourhood, and the Fosters’ home fitted right in with its barrel ceilings, mahogany crown moulding and pocket doors. It dated back to the early 1900s, but Harmon had made sure the house was updated with all the modern conveniences. As festive and easygoing as the holiday was, the Fosters always took it upscale. Marilyn was wearing an all-white dress that skimmed her still trim figure. Atop it she wore a pristine blue apron that would keep her protected as she directed the contracted help in making their Thanksgiving as idyllic as could be imagined.

  Colton took a quick look around the kitchen but didn’t see Erin. She usually dived in and tried to make something herself. The results were hit-or-miss, but nobody dared to tell her that.

  ‘Is she not here yet?’ he asked.

  ‘She’s helping to serve down at the soup kitchen,’ Marilyn said as she toyed nervously with her pearls. She was watching the turkey being moved from the tinfoil carrier on to a fancy serving platter. ‘She should be here soon. Dustin and Harmon are in the great room.’

  ‘Watching the parade?’

  ‘I suspect they’re waiting for football and trying to stay out of my way.’ She signalled to a cook. ‘Oh no, dear. Let’s put half the stuffing into a serving bowl of its own.’

  Colton knew he should go join the men, but he stayed. ‘How has Erin been?’

  He honestly didn’t know much about her broken engagement, other than he’d been happy to hear it had happened. Now he wondered how hard she’d taken it. Had she really fallen in love with the guy? Marty had always just been around. He’d sensed no spark between the pair, nothing like what snapped whenever he and Erin were in a room. Was she falling back on the attraction between them because it was familiar? Just because he wanted to take her up on the offer didn’t mean it was best for her.

  ‘She seems to be bouncing back. She’s taking some classes, and I know she’s started sending out her résumé. I do hope she gets back into design. She’s so talented.’

  Colt nodded. Things had always come easily for Erin, but he suspected that beneath the surface she was tougher than any of them expected. He’d seen her curiosity and her tenacity. When she got something in her head, she was like a heat-seeking missile.

  Just look at the way she’d kissed him. Twice.

  ‘Good for her,’ he said when he felt Marilyn’s stare.

  ‘She’ll be happy to see you.’

  He took the glass of wine she passed him. It was from a bottle that had already been chilled. ‘I’m happy to see everybody.’

  The matronly blonde lifted an eyebrow. ‘We’ve missed you at our little gatherings. How long has it been?’

  ‘A year and a half, maybe?’

  ‘Around the time Erin got engaged?’

  He shrugged uneasily. Exactly around that time. Marty and Erin had been on and off for years, but that was when it had become real. It had hit him hard. Erin was really with the skinny twerp.

  He hadn’t been able to be around them after that.

  Marilyn placed her hand on his arm. ‘You know we consider you part of the family, don’t you, dear?’

  ‘I know. I feel the same way.’

  They shared a bittersweet look. The apartment where he’d grown up was just a fifteen-minute walk away. The neighbourhood was as posh as the rest of the district, but his family hadn’t rented there. They’d lived in the basement apartment reserved for the building super/handyman/security guard. When things had started going bad between his father and mother, Colton had spent more time here than he had in that dank cellar apartment. He didn’t know what he would have done without the Fosters.

  He leaned in to kiss the older woman’s cheek. ‘I think I’ll go find that football pregame show.’

  She let out another laugh that warmed the kitchen. ‘Men. So tough on the outside and so squishy in the middle.’

  He gave her a half-smile, but when he turned to leave he found himself face-to-face with Erin. They nearly collided, but he held his glass of wine out of the way and looped an arm around her waist. The pumpkin pie in her hands wobbled, but she caught it before it flipped to the floor.

  ‘Whew, that was close.’

  The grin on her face made Colt hard. She’d brought the crispness of autumn inside with her. Her blonde hair was windblown and her cheeks were pink. Her body felt warm as it tucked up against him, though. Warm and soft.

  ‘Hi, Colt,’ she said breathlessly.

  ‘Hi, Sunny.’

  ‘There you are,’ Marilyn said as she looked at her watch. ‘I was beginning to wonder if you’d lost track of time again.’

  Colt sprang away as if spring-loaded. For a moment, just a split second, he’d forgotten her mother was in the room. That was all it had taken for him to have some very inappropriate thoughts.

  Erin placed the pie on the counter and he took a peek. The filling was uneven, weighted heavily to one side, but at least the colour was right this time and she hadn’t burnt the crust.

  ‘It was busy down there,’ she said as she stole his glass of wine for a quick drink. ‘It’s sad that so many people are in need, but everyone was in really good spirits.’

  Colt waved when she offered him his wine back and let her keep it. His gaze ran over her from the soft hair that hung halfway down her back to the pink sweater that clung to her curves. She’d paired it with khaki Capris that cupped her bottom just so and…

  A subtle flash made his gaze slide down, and it stuck.
/>   There, glinting in the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window, was an ankle bracelet. And not any ankle bracelet. It was the one he’d given her for her high-school graduation years ago. A vision of her in a hot-pink bikini popped into his head, and the back of his neck warmed.

  Son of a bitch.

  ‘Did you want another glass of wine, Colton?’

  He jerked his gaze back up, but he wasn’t looking at Marilyn. He stared at Erin. ‘Beer,’ he grunted. ‘If you’ve got it.’

  She was smiling again, that happy, teasing grin that reached right down the front of his pants. She’d worn it on purpose, the sweet little seductress, and it was having exactly the effect she’d hoped it would.

  Colt tried again to escape.

  ‘Ma’am,’ the caterer said, ‘I believe that’s everything. We’ve set the table. Will you be needing us for anything else?’

  ‘No, everything looks lovely.’ As discreet as a streetwise pickpocket, Marilyn passed the man a tip. ‘You go home and enjoy the day with your family.’

  She turned with a smile that matched her daughter’s. ‘Erin, please go get the others from the family room. Let’s eat!’

  Dinner was delicious, but torturous for Colton. There were more people attending than he’d expected, including some cousins from Virginia and two of Harmon’s colleagues from the lobbying firm where he worked. It made the situation all the more uncomfortable. Dustin sent him a curious look when Marilyn sat Colton in the seat beside Erin.

  Marty’s seat. Colton gritted his teeth.

  Normally, he could have handled it. He’d been hiding his attraction to the Fosters’ daughter for as long as he could remember. He hadn’t always been successful, but after enough years of doing it, they’d stopped watching him like hawks.

  Unfortunately, the status quo had been unsettled. He was more aware of Erin than ever, and she’d set her sights on him. Again. She wasn’t an innocent teen any more.

  But she was wearing the gift he’d given her when she was.

  He couldn’t stop looking under the table. The ankle bracelet draped over her delicate ankle, and the sunshine charm balanced right over her ankle bone. The effect was so innocent yet sexy, he could barely stand it.

  Did she still look the same in a bikini?

  He had a feeling she’d look even better.

  From what he’d seen in the back seat of that Town Car, she’d look best in nothing at all.

  Damn. He rubbed the strained muscles at the back of his neck. They felt like they were on fire.

  All around them, friendly discussions broke out about the holidays and shopping and football. Colton heard very little of it as Erin circled her ankle round and round. Her toes pointed in beige pumps with heels that were not for the conservative.

  ‘How’s your case going, Colt?’ she asked.

  ‘Fine,’ he rasped.

  ‘I’ve seen the news reports about it. You must have been busy with it this week.’

  Not so busy he hadn’t had time to call her, but he’d done his best to stay away from her. He’d told her he wouldn’t be her rebound guy – even if he was sitting in Marty’s chair and her every move was turning him on.

  Had she stood in those shoes the whole time she’d been helping to serve down at the soup kitchen? How would she react to a foot rub?

  ‘Pie, Colton?’

  He nearly jumped out of his chair when Marilyn’s voice sounded next to his ear. He glanced at the catered pie with its perfectly fluted edges. ‘I think I’ll have a piece of Erin’s.’

  She perked up so fast next to him, her hair bounced. ‘I’ll go get it.’

  The scent of her perfume wafted over him as she hurried out of the dining room to the kitchen. The piece she brought him was wobbly and the corner of the crust had broken off.

  She watched him, wide-eyed and anxious, as he lifted his dessert fork.

  Colton braced himself. He always tried the things she made, and he never told her when he had to choke them down. This time, though, he was pleasantly surprised. The pie was light and sweet and delicious.

  Just like her.

  ‘Erin, this is good.’

  Dustin blinked. ‘Really?’

  Colton dug into another bite. ‘Really good.’

  The way she beamed at him made him want to pull her on to his lap right in front of her family.

  ‘I’ve been taking cooking lessons,’ she announced.

  ‘Mmm,’ Dustin said when he tried a piece. ‘Keep going. I’ll pay for them.’

  At the other end of the table, Harmon laughed, but he passed on the fancy pie and accepted a piece, too.

  Colton watched the way Erin basked under the attention. She was so happy and lovable.

  She was killing him.

  It was working.

  Erin smiled as excitement sizzled through her veins. Colt’s focus was on her, and waves of heat were crashing over her. The effect was strong and immediate. Her breasts were sensitive and tightness collected between her legs. Most startling, though, was the tingling in her bottom. Warmth suffused her face, and she took great care straightening her silverware.

  She’d worn the ankle bracelet on purpose, but she hadn’t known if he’d remember or even care. The moment he’d stopped dead in his tracks, she’d had her answer.

  That had to prove to him that she didn’t consider him a rebound guy, didn’t it? He’d given her the gift years ago, and she still had it. More so, it still meant something to her.

  Her pulse quickened. What should her next step be? So many people were around. It was a family holiday, but she wanted to be alone with him.

  Alone and naked.

  She crossed her legs to try to fight the ache that was only intensifying. He’d liked her pie. If she hadn’t already wanted to jump him, that alone would have made her want to wrestle him to the floor and plant kisses all over his handsome face.

  ‘Not bad, Sunshine,’ her brother said from across the table.

  Whatever. ‘Thank you,’ she replied.

  The meal took too long to come to a close. Colton had avoided her for a week, but she was ready to talk to him now. She’d worked up all her arguments to make him see that they would be good together. Super good. If that didn’t work, she’d fantasised about a dozen different ways to show him.

  She bit her lip when her bra chafed.

  Unfortunately, as hard as she tried, she couldn’t get him away from the others. There were dishes to clear and football games to watch. Just as she was about to head to the family room to silently tease Colton some more, she was drawn into a card game with her mother and her cousins.

  The delay dampened her spirits. It was giving him time to draw away again and reconsider. To cool down, when she wanted him hot and bothered. At least as unsettled as she was.

  Which was ridiculously horny.

  Erin fanned herself with her hand of cards. She was so easy. She had to resort to tricky tactics to get to him, yet all he had to do was look at her. It was all he’d ever had to do.

  And the one time he’d touched her?

  She jumped to her feet. ‘I’m going to refresh my drink. Does anybody else want anything?’

  She was heading for the doorway before anyone could answer. She was halfway down the hallway before she realised she’d forgotten her glass – and that she wasn’t alone.

  She sensed him.

  Maybe she’d caught a glimpse of his tall form out of the corner of her eye, but she knew that Colton was behind her. A sense of exhilaration came over her, along with a dash of impulsiveness.

  Stopping, she braced one hand against the wall and lifted her foot behind her. Arching her back, she toyed with the high heel as if it needed adjusting. Carefully, she turned the bracelet on her ankle so the charm lay on the outside of her foot.

  Her breath caught when he was suddenly on her.

  His arm swept around her waist as it had when he’d caught her in the kitchen, and he pressed her against the wall.

  ‘Colt �
��’

  She didn’t get his whole name out, because his mouth was suddenly covering hers in a kiss so hot, she worried her shoes would melt.

  He caught her wrists and pressed them flat against the wall on either side of her head, and arousal gushed inside her. Slick and viscous, it filled her veins, making her muscles tense and relax at the same time.

  It had been good when she’d kissed him before. Fantastic.

  This was the first time he’d taken the lead, and the sensuality was insane.

  He tore his mouth away from hers. His chest was rising and falling in jagged movements. ‘You have to stop this,’ he said hoarsely. ‘You have to stop teasing me. Stop tempting me.’

  ‘No, I don’t.’ Her breaths were coming hard, too, and she ran her tongue over her lips. ‘Give in.’

  ‘Erin.’ His voice was sharp, like when he went after someone on the stand.

  She arched sexily. She wanted him to come after her.

  ‘I have,’ she whispered.

  His eyes flashed to nearly the colour of midnight. His fingers bit into her wrists, and Erin revelled in it. A sound left the back of his throat, and his mouth came down hard on hers again. Their lips sealed tight, and his tongue laved hers.

  ‘Mmm,’ she hummed when her need cranked up a notch.

  He had her trapped, held down, but she arched her back to rub against his body. His weight pressed against her as he leaned in, his chest hard against her breasts, plumping them and making her nipples pinch.

  The kiss went on and on. It had been years in the making.

  ‘Take me upstairs,’ she whispered when they were forced to come up for air. ‘To my old bedroom.’

  His curse echoed in her ear. ‘Do you really want my head on a platter?’

  She didn’t understand. She wanted his body on a bed. Or the floor. Or right here.

  His mouth ran down the side of her neck, and his teeth closed around the muscle that led to her shoulder. She let out a moan and twisted into him. The sound echoed down the hallway, but he cut it off with another blistering kiss.

  Erin strained against her constraints. She couldn’t touch him, couldn’t hold him. It was hot as hell, but so frustrating.

  ‘Let me touch you.’