Leather Pants

  Of course, Jack had made her promise to call if she felt any pain other than the usual joys of a sidewalk rash from her nosedive. But physically she felt fine. Her mental state, however, was another squishy matter altogether. She’d tried Colt’s cell, but her calls were instantly forwarded to voicemail. None of her texts were returned either.

  He’s probably back to ignoring you. Still, the look on his face in that garage had been troubling. Well, it’s not your problem. He’ll never forgive you for getting his brother arrested. The last she’d heard, Mike was awaiting trial, no bail for the sake of the victim, and Mary had turned into a key witness in exchange for a shorter sentence—something that Sarah wasn’t happy about. The DA had also told Sarah that as it stood, Colt would be treated as a hostile witness. Colt had chosen to stand by his brother, something she found to be just as endearing as it was sad.

  Sarah folded up the last dress in her closet and took one final look at the giant empty space. Such a great apartment. On the bright side, my future jail cell will be much easier to keep clean.

  Her doorbell rang, and she figured it was Maria and/or Franco coming to help, although tonight was karate night. Their sons had weekly lessons.

  Sarah went down the stairs to open the door. It took a moment for her brain to register that standing there in all his leather pants glory was Colt. He wore mirrored sunglasses and had his hair tucked up under a baseball cap. His white T-shirt was snug, showing off his muscular chest, and his posture bordered between cocky and relaxed.

  He pushed his mirrored glasses up his nose, chest heaving, full lips twitching. “I-I…”

  It only took a moment for her to see that he was about to break down.

  “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  “Can I come in?”

  She stepped aside and let him pass, locking the door behind her.

  Colt whipped off his glasses and exposed his bloodshot hazel eyes.

  “What happened?” she asked softly.

  “I remember, Sarah. I remember everything.” Tears formed in his eyes. “Mike tried to kill me. And it wasn’t the first time.”

  From the plastic-covered couch, Colt removed his hat and watched Sarah in the kitchen, putting on a kettle and digging for two mugs in her cardboard boxes.

  Fucking hell, he felt pathetic. But how could any man endure this kind of betrayal from his brother—his only family?

  He watched as Sarah’s blue eyes avoided his, her brown hair piled on top of her head—loose and wild and completely unlike her. But even the act of making tea was a tribute to her morally upstanding character. Her hands were shaking, her breath was rapid, and her shoulders were stiff. She probably wanted to yell at him and tell him what an asshole he was. She probably wanted him to know how badly he’d hurt her and fucked up her life. Yet she held it together because she was the sort of woman who put others first.

  “So,” she said, “did you get to see Mike?”

  He sure as hell had. “Yes.”

  “And?”

  And he’d confronted him. “I remembered something after delivering Taylor’s baby. It was a memory about Mike.” They’d been maybe thirteen or fourteen at the time. Colt had started dating the neighbor’s daughter, Colleen Johnson. “We used to work on this farm down the street from our house. I was cleaning the barn one day when I noticed one of the pregnant cows lying down, getting ready to give birth. I sent Mike to get Mr. Johnson, the owner, and I remember standing there, watching the delivery. The next thing I know, I was hit over the head with something and blacked out.”

  “Jesus. What happened?” Sarah asked.

  “Mike happened. He’d been angry with me for dating the Johnsons’ daughter. I mean—we were just kids, but Mike liked her, too, and he treated me like I’d stolen his wife.”

  “So he tried to kill you?” Sarah asked, still standing in the kitchen.

  “Looking back now, I’d say yes. At the time, I found him crying when I woke up. He said he was sorry and didn’t mean to do it so hard. He was only messing around. So I lied for him. I told everyone I slipped and hit my head on a rock. But I think I always knew Mike wasn’t really sorry. That’s why I went to see him today.”

  “What did he say?”

  Asking Mike about Colleen had been like knocking off a scab. Mike instantly lost it and said that Colleen had been the first of many things Colt had stolen from him. And when Colt asked about Mary, Mike shocked the hell out of him. He seemed to revel in telling Colt how he hoped to hell Colt died and that he should’ve finished the job. Mike ranted like a madman about how he should’ve gotten into Harvard, and their mother should’ve loved him more. He screamed about how Colt didn’t deserve his fame or all that money. Colt felt like he’d been living with a stranger all of these years. His brother was a monster.

  Colt blew out a breath. “He said enough. Enough for my memory to start working again.”

  “How much do you remember?” she asked.

  “Everything.”

  Sarah placed tea bags in two mugs and walked around the bar. She paused for a moment, almost like she questioned if she should sit next to him.

  Of course, if he were in her shoes, he’d question getting close to him, too. He would be furious for what he’d done to her life. A fucking mess.

  Sarah exhaled and came to sit anyway.

  “So.” She folded her elegant hands neatly in her lap. “What exactly do you remember?”

  “About a year and a half ago, a friend of mine said that Mike had made some strange threat and told him to stay away from me. I didn’t believe him at first, but then I heard it from a woman I’d dated. After a few other people in my life cut ties, I finally believed it but didn’t understand why. Was it to hurt me? Was it because he wanted to isolate me? When I confronted Mike, he lied about threatening those people—said they were all just jealous of our close relationship—but I knew. I could see the hate in his eyes. That was the night I wrecked my bike.”

  Sarah looked horrified, which said a lot. Very little rattled her cage. “It’s unforgivable, Colt. It’s just…” She shook her head in disgust.

  That wasn’t all. “I think he had the drugs planted at my party. And I definitely think he put something in my drink at the restaurant that night when I pissed on that police officer. I was with Mike and remember feeling drunk and angry when I’d only had a beer. But it was Mike. Always Mike. Keeping people away, setting me up, and having me shot.” But at the same time, it was like Mike couldn’t decide which he wanted more: Colt’s money or revenge.

  He’s fucking crazy.

  “So Mary does work for him,” Sarah said.

  “Yes. Mike basically admitted everything. He even laughed when he mentioned how stupid I was to trust him and give him power of attorney over my estate. He sounded almost proud, like he wanted it to hurt.” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I can’t believe this. It feels like a bad fucking dream.” But along the way, there had been these moments of clarity—images, pieces of conversations he’d overheard. He would remember things, and then it would all slip away. It wasn’t that he couldn’t remember; he simply didn’t want to accept it. This was why Colt’d taken that car four months ago and ended up in Sarah’s courtroom the first time. He’d been at a private event and overheard one of Mike’s friends talking about how Mike was bragging about fleecing Colt. The devastation had been just as bad as it was now. He’d left the party and the valet handed him some keys. He had no clue where he was going, but far away from Mike was good enough. The next thing he knew, he was swimming to shore while the car sank to the bottom of the lake. It was all a blur.

  Sarah took Colt’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” he said. “You walked into this mess. And now I’ve fucked up your life.” He wished there was something he could do to make up for the pain he’d caused her.

  “You didn’t fuck it up. Okay. You did. But not on purpose. Not directly. Mike is
just…” She shook her head. “Mike is really—”

  “He’s insane, Sarah. There’s no other word for it. He was taking my money, using me, and sabotaging me behind the scenes for years. I feel like Whitney Houston with the crazy sister in The Bodyguard.”

  “Does that make me your Kevin Costner? Because I’ve always wanted to be him.” Sarah smiled.

  He smiled back to be polite, feeling anything but joy in his heart.

  “So what are you going to do now?” Sarah asked.

  “I’m going to make sure my brother goes to prison for a long, long time. And I’m going to get you your life back.”

  “Colt, that’s very sweet, but there’s nothing you can do for me. My bed’s made.”

  “I will testify on your behalf. I’ll tell them how Mike was working with Wright to blackmail you—there’s no way they can find you guilty.”

  Sarah shook her head. “I wish it were that easy, but I’ve looked at every angle. This is all going to come down to Wright’s word against mine. And I’m the one in the video. I already look guilty. And then there’s the fact that I did actually sleep with you prior to sentencing—so it holds up their argument. I’m corrupt.”

  “So what’s your plan?” It sounded like she wanted to give up.

  “I’m going to tell the truth and hope the jury believes me. But it’ll take a miracle to keep me out of prison. Wright’s record is spotless and mine is…well, it’s compromised.”

  Sarah could say anything she liked, but he was going to find a way. He owed her that much. In the meantime… “Is there anything I can do for you? Legal fees? Money? Anything at all?”

  Have sex with you again, for instance? Because now that his memory had almost completely returned, he felt more confident than ever that he wanted Sarah. Not just because the sex with her had been mind-blowing, but because there was an honesty in her eyes, a deep sense of passion in her heart, and a very special connection between them. He couldn’t articulate how or why, but it was there, the proof being that he had gone twelve months without being able to have sex. But when he’d seen Sarah that night at the club, the connection felt immediate. Every part of his body wanted her. Afterwards, he’d been able to remember her when other new memories continued to fall away. Thinking of her had made him feel happy again, and because of this, he’d picked up a guitar and was able to play again. And finally, she saw the truth about Mike and stepped in when he’d been too blind to see it. Sarah was exactly the woman he’d been waiting for his whole life. Strong, sexy, smart, and loyal.

  “That’s very kind, Colt, but I’ve got everything covered, and taking money from you would not help my case.”

  He looked around her empty apartment, the boxes piled high against one wall. “Where are you going to stay?”

  “At Taylor’s to help with the baby. At least until the trial starts. From there, we’ll see.”

  “How is little Colt?” That had been one hell of an experience helping to deliver a baby. That little guy shot out like a rocket. Yep. Superstar. All the way. Just like me.

  Her eyes practically bulged from her head.

  “What?”

  “Please don’t call him that, it sounds like you’re talking about your,” her eyes flashed down at his groin, “you know.”

  It took a moment for it to sink in. “Sarah, get your head out of the gutter, woman.”

  “Sorry.”

  He laughed. “Besides, I would never name my penis anything that included the word little. That would be misleading.”

  She lifted her brows and smiled. He guessed she agreed.

  “Baby Colt is fine,” she said. “I’m going to see them tomorrow in the morning after the movers pick everything up. I still can’t believe you scored a namesake out of it.”

  “Why? I get babies named after me all the time. It comes along with the territory.”

  “You mean all of those children you fathered with groupies?” Sarah asked.

  At first, he thought she was joking, but the expression on her face was completely serious.

  “Sarah, I am not that kind of guy. I never have been. I never will be.”

  “So what kind of guy are you?”

  “You’ll have to find out.” He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to show her what he meant, but as he leaned in, she suddenly stood up.

  “Well, I’ve got a lot to do,” she said.

  She’s giving me the boot. He wasn’t going to give up so easily. “Why don’t we grab a bite to eat? I know a little place that’s private—no one will bother us.” He stood and gazed down into her eyes. They were so blue, so lovely.

  “Colt.” She whooshed out a breath and ran her hands through her hair. “You have no idea how much I’ve thought about you and us. I prayed a half a dozen times you’d stop being angry and that we’d get a chance to see where we might go—but over the last four weeks everything’s changed. I’ve been interviewed by police a dozen times, met with my attorney dozens more, I had to appear in court for my arraignment. It’s been absolute hell.”

  “Then let me help you fix all this.” He owed her that. And maybe he needed her. His life wasn’t exactly peaches and guitar strings at the moment, and Sarah definitely cleared away the rain clouds. Her laugh alone made him feel different. Lighter. Happy. Hopeful.

  She let out a long breath. “You and I—we need to stay away from each other.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m probably going to prison, which is more awful than you can imagine. They don’t treat judges well in prison. And if by some miracle I’m found innocent, where would this really lead?” She toggled her finger between them. “Because I meant what I said. I like you. A lot, Colt. But I don’t do casual, and your lifestyle…” She sighed. “It’s not something that could make me happy.”

  “I already explained, Sarah. I’m not that kind of guy. I don’t live the life you think I do.” He and his job were two separate things.

  “You live the life of a very famous man with millions of adoring fans. You have paparazzi follow you everywhere unless you’re dressed like Waldo or the Lone Ranger. And you travel the world for months at a time, doing concert tours. Nowhere in that life is there room for a relationship I want. I wouldn’t be happy.”

  Colt gave it a moment’s thought. She was right. One hundred percent right. And shy of giving up his music, there was nothing he could do about it. His lifestyle was not always conducive to a long-term relationship. Not that I’m offering a committed relationship. Honestly, he hadn’t thought it through. He only knew he wanted to spend time with her. She was good for him. And he knew he could trust her.

  “I get what you’re saying.” He truly did. “But maybe we should give it a try. Maybe things will work out.”

  “No. I can’t. My life is too messy, and I can’t fathom starting a relationship and liking you more than I already do and then getting sent off to jail. It would kill me.”

  He gave Sarah a little smile and reached down to touch her lips with his thumb. He craved those lips and the woman attached to them. They were soft and sensual. It took everything he had to resist kissing her because, fucking hell, he wanted her. Now more than ever.

  I’m not giving up.

  “Give me one date, Sarah. Just one. Then we’ll see where things go from there.”

  She smiled up at him, her sweet little face glowing.

  “Ah, there. You see. I know you want to.” He pinched her chin.

  She shook her head, stifling a smile. “No, it’s a really bad idea.”

  “Why? The whole world knows we have a relationship. There’s nothing to hide anymore.”

  Her smile faded away, but she didn’t speak.

  “Uh-oh. I think you’re getting ready to throw another excuse my way, aren’t you?”

  She drew a breath. “I never told you this, Colt, but my father went to prison. He died there, an innocent man. And now that all this is happening to me, I’ve come to realize how much it messed with my head.” She looked him straigh
t in the eyes. “I don’t want to put anyone through what I went through. It’s horrible watching someone you care about rot in prison, being abused and,” she gave her head a little shake, “all of the other ugly stuff that happens. Knowing a person you love is suffering and being unable to do anything about it makes you feel helpless and angry and,” she swallowed, “everyone looks down on you, like you’re trash because someone you love is in jail. I just don’t want that for you.”

  He rubbed his chin, contemplating her confession. It all made sense now—the reason she fought so hard to protect her image, and now, the reason she was pushing back. She wanted to protect him.

  Well, he didn’t need protecting. He needed to know if she might be the one. If so, then he had confidence they’d figure the rest out.

  He cleared his throat. “Well, I still want to go out with you. I think the two of us deserve to have a little fun after everything we went through.” He poked her shoulder and smiled. “What if I promise to dump you and never think of you again if you go to prison?”

  “Dump me?” She cracked a smile.

  “Like a bag of smelly trash.” He held up an invisible bag and dropped it. “Boom. You’re dead to me. Just like that.”

  “Funny.”

  “Does that mean you’ll go out with me?” He stepped in close and took her hand. “Because I like you, too, Sarah. A lot.”

  She blushed. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Think about it?” No one ever turned him down. Leave it to Sarah to be the first. She certainly had a mind of her own, which was why he liked her.

  “Yes. Now go. I have packing to finish.” She made a little smirk.

  Oh, he had her. At least he hoped so.

  “All right. I’m going. But I’ll be expecting a call tomorrow with that yes.” He leaned down, kissed her cheek, and left. He hoped Sarah didn’t make him wait too long, because if she didn’t win her trial, he wanted to spend as much time as he could with her while he still could. And then he’d unleash an army of lawyers to set her free. Dammit. I just wish there was a way to make sure she wins. Because the thought of losing her already weighed on him.