Rising Assets

  And he wouldn’t. A promise was a promise.

  A rustle sounded by the door, and his dad slipped inside. He walked toward the bed, examined the beeping machines, and rested a large-boned hand on Hawk’s forehead. “How is our boy doing?”

  Colton wiped his eyes. “His vitals have slowed, which is bad.”

  Tom nodded and turned to take the next chair. “I made Dawn go home and get some sleep.”

  “I think only one of us is supposed to be in here.” Colt said woodenly.

  Tom extended long legs and crossed his boots at the ankles. “I’d like to see them bodily remove us.”

  Colton studied his dad. Although in his mid-fifties, Tom looked much younger. Broad across the shoulders, tall, and in excellent shape. He had the same blue eyes as Colton and Dawn. “Good point,” Colton said.

  Tom glanced down at the bloody jeans and then up at Colton’s face. “Cattle kicked you?”

  “Yes. The other day.”

  “At Mel’s house?” Tom asked.

  “Yes. When I stayed over.” Colton had always leveled with his dad, and he wouldn’t stop now.

  Tom scratched his strong jaw. “I wondered if you two would ever get together.”

  “Me too. But now I’m not sure we’ll ever be friends again. If I screw this up, too.”

  “So don’t screw it up.” Tom shot him a look. “Do you want things to go back the way they were?”

  “No.” The word emerged before Colt even had to think about it. “I don’t want to just be her friend. She’s pretty much everything.” At the thought of losing her, of not having her as a constant in his life, his gut clenched. Even more so, the thought of her loving somebody else made him want to hit the wall.

  Tom nodded. “Been there. Your mother was a friend before we got together. In fact, her husband was my best friend. When he died, we both felt lost.”

  Colton straightened and glanced at his dad. “I never really thought about that. Must’ve been tough.”

  “It was.” His dad sighed, stretching out farther. “At first, we just helped each other cope. Jake was so confused, and Quinn was so angry, we concentrated on them. Then, one day I turned around, and bam.”

  Yeah. Bam. Colt exhaled.

  Tom cleared his throat. “It’s nice to see you struggle a little.”

  “What?” Colton pivoted to face his dad.

  Tom flashed a dimple. “You’ve always had girls and now women flocking toward you.” He snorted. “No doubt because you inherited my good looks and charm.”

  Colton rolled his eyes. “Right.”

  “Okay. Your mama’s good looks and charm.” Tom cast a worried glance at Hawk. “Mel knows you, and she knows your bullshit. She also won’t put up with it.”

  Colton frowned. “What’s your point?”

  “You eased into a relationship with no risk, and I bet you haven’t even told her how you really feel.” Thoughtful contemplation, not judgment, echoed in Tom’s low tone.

  Shit, had he? Colton rubbed his chin. “I wanted to get my feet under me first.”

  Tom shook his head. “There’s no getting your feet under you when you love a woman the way we do. Just hope you don’t land on your face when you fall.” He turned to pin his son with a hard look. “But make sure you mean it, because if you hurt that girl, I’ll kick your ass myself.”

  “Fair enough.” Colton glanced down at his demolished jeans. “I should probably clean up first.”

  “If you two are done with your hen fest, I’d like to get some rest,” Hawk rasped from the bed.

  Colt and Tom immediately launched themselves toward the bed.

  “Hawk?” Colton asked, his voice shaking.

  Hawk glared up through bloodshot eyes. “Stop hovering. You two block out the light.”

  “I’ll get a doctor.” Tom hustled from the room.

  Colton smiled down at his buddy. “You’re all right.”

  …

  Melanie slipped off her gloves as she hurried down the hallway to Hawk’s room, where a small celebration had taken over. The Lodge boys and their wives took up one wall, while Tom and Dawn sat in the chairs. Colton leaned against the wall by the head of the bed, and she studiously ignored him.

  “Hey, Mel,” Hawk said, his voice hoarse. He was sitting up, propped against a couple of pillows.

  Relief swept through her so quickly her knees trembled. “It’s about time you stopped napping,” she said, striding toward the bed to get a better look.

  His green eyes were clear, and while bandages covered a good part of him, he looked alert. “I’m fine. Stop frowning.”

  She schooled her face into calm lines. “How’s the head?” Reaching out, she smoothed his dark hair away from his broad face. The purple bruise across his temple had faded to a striated red.

  “Fine.” He glanced at the clock near the far wall. “I’m leaving in a few minutes, probably.”

  “No, you’re not.” Loni Freeze swept into the room with a Crock-Pot in her hands. “I brought you soup.”

  Dawn laughed. “Mom, they have food here.”

  “Not as good as mine.” Loni set the pot on the counter and tugged a bowl from her massive handbag. Her dark hair had been braided down her back, and she wore a pretty purple blouse with a wool skirt. “Chicken noodle has healing properties.” Ignoring the amusement around her, she ladled a healthy portion into the bowl and handed it to Hawk. “Eat.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, accepting the spoon.

  Melanie kept her gaze on Hawk, although she could feel Colton’s on her. Yeah, he knew her well enough to understand something was on her mind. Maybe he wanted for her to end things so he didn’t have to do so.

  The guy should take the easy out and run.

  The doctor entered the room, his weary gray gaze taking in the entire group. “What happened to the limit on visitors we set?”

  Hawk blew on his spoon.

  “When can he come home?” Loni asked, looking almost miniature next to Colton.

  Hawk paused. “To my house.”

  “No, sweetie. To ours.” Loni bent and tucked Hawk more firmly in. “You shouldn’t be on your own for a while. Just until we make sure your brain is working all right.”

  Colton and his brothers all stiffened in an obvious attempt to prevent jumping at the easy one-liner.

  Melanie smirked. None of them were brave enough to tick off Loni.

  Hawk blinked twice, raw emotion crossing his face to be quickly vanquished.

  Loni ignored his struggle for control and pressed a motherly kiss to his forehead. “You’re family, and you’re not getting out of my sight until I make sure you’re all right.”

  Now a slight panic lifted Hawk’s eyebrow.

  “Melanie and I can take care of Hawk at Mel’s house,” Colton said calmly.

  Mel’s gaze slashed to meet his, which was full of challenge. He hadn’t. He really hadn’t.

  Loni clasped her hands together. “Well, Mel’s is closer to Hawk’s spread so he can keep an eye on things. Colton’s cabin isn’t big enough, and I can visit Mel’s house daily. Yes, that’s a good plan.”

  The other men in the room were suddenly busy looking elsewhere. Anywhere but at Mel.

  Oh, she knew a good setup when one smacked her over the head. “I’d be thrilled to have you stay with me, Hawk. Loni, you’re welcome any time and any day. Colton, you don’t live with me.”

  Hawk glanced from Colton to Melanie. “What did I miss?” he asked slowly.

  “Nothing,” Melanie answered just as Colton said, “A lot.”

  Anger slid through her veins like Pop Rocks. How dare he put her on the spot like this? Some privacy would be nice.

  The doctor coughed. “It’s time for a new MRI for Hawk. I’m going to have to ask you all to leave.”

  Melanie winked at Hawk. “I’ll be back later, and we’ll plan your getaway.”

  He grinned and handed his bowl back to Loni. “That’s a plan.”

  With a hard
look at Colton, she turned and exited the room, her boots echoing on the hard tiles as she hurried down the hallway and out into the sunny day.

  Weak but bright, the sun glimmered off the frosty ground and myriad of vehicles scattered around the parking lot.

  She almost made it to her truck before Colton swung her around.

  Jerking her arm away, she allowed her temper to blow. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  He frowned, amusement glinting in his blue eyes. “You don’t want to help Hawk?”

  Exasperation melded with anger. “Of course I want to help him. But I don’t need you offering for me, and I sure as hell don’t need you making some sort of announcement that we’re living together. We’re not.” In fact, they were breaking up. “It’s over.” She took a deep breath and tried to keep her face calm. “We’re over, Colton.”

  “What if you’re pregnant?” he asked softly.

  The tears ignored her and filled her eyes. “I’m not. I’ve already started and will very soon end my period.” One of the dubious benefits of her condition—very short periods, sometimes only lasting a day or two.

  “Oh.” He exhaled heavily. “So we’ll try again.”

  “No. This is too much, and it’s too complicated. We started because of the urgency, and now it’s too late. We’re just friends pretending to be more, Colton.” At least, he was. Unless he disagreed?

  He blinked and shook his head. “Mel—”

  Her chin lifted. “Back off, Freeze. Whatever we had, it’s over. Deal with it.”

  The slow smile he gave her tingled awareness along her skin, through her breasts, between her legs. “Ah, Mel.” He stepped into her space, and her butt hit her door. “Please tell me you meant that as a challenge.”

  She kept her gaze steady. “I meant that as a brush-off, you arrogant ass.”

  “Prove it.” He settled both hands on the truck, caging her.

  “More games?” She tried for sarcasm, but her voice emerged breathy.

  He leaned in, his lips brushing her temple. “Last time we played a game, you screamed my name as you came. Wanna play again?”

  Lava flowed down her back. “You’re boring me.” Okay. She may have meant that one as a challenge.

  He lifted away, his gaze hot. “Am I, now? Well, let’s test that theory with one kiss. I’ll kiss you, and if you don’t respond, then I’ll walk away and believe you’re done with me.”

  “Colt—”

  “Afraid?” he taunted.

  Stubborn pride straightened her spine. “No. Kiss away, and when you lose, keep your lips to yourself.”

  “That would be a true pity considering how much my lips love every dip and crevice in your body.”

  Those crevices began to ache. “Hurry up.”

  He leaned back in. “Fine.” Without warning, his hand fisted in her hair and tugged. The erotic move shot arousal straight to her core. Her neck elongated, and her chest lifted against his torso. His toned body brushed against her in blatant masculinity.

  She swallowed and tried to keep her eyelids from dropping. Her hands clenched into fists to keep from grabbing him.

  He twisted his wrist, angling her face.

  Colt had a way of overwhelming her, making her feel feminine. That appealing warmth competed heavily with her sense of self preservation.

  His lips hovered an inch from hers.

  She breathed out, trying not to move.

  He flicked out his tongue, licking the corner of her mouth. She shuddered, her breasts scraping his chest. She felt his smile as his mouth slid against hers.

  Gentle, sweet, and firm, he kissed her as if they had all day. Slow and drugging, he took his time, his body heating hers, so much bigger and stronger. An edge lived in Colton Freeze, always had, but this was the first time she’d felt its bite.

  He increased his pressure until she opened her mouth. Then he swept inside, staking a claim.

  He took her under, he took her over, Colt in full force.

  She’d underestimated him.

  The hand in her hair tightened, holding her in place. Where he wanted her.

  Her eyelids fluttered shut and she fell into the storm, kissing him back, her tongue mating with his.

  He growled deep, his free hand clasping the back of her thigh and lifting. His cock pulsed between her legs, and she struggled to get closer. To feel more.

  She protested when he broke the kiss and lifted his head. Then she gasped.

  Hunger glittered in his sky-dark eyes, crimson spiraled across his pronounced cheekbones. His nostrils flared much like a stallion’s as it hunted a mate. The boy she’d known was gone.

  Only a fully grown, dangerous man held her tight.

  Need flushed through her. Every nerve she owned screamed for release. Her knees trembled, and her sex ached for him.

  He released her hair and leg, tugging her way from the truck so he could open her door. His hands encircled her waist, and he lifted her into the seat. Then he shut the door and turned to walk away.

  Without saying a word.

  Chapter Nineteen

  That night, Colton wanted to kick himself as he strode into the hospital, its bright lights cutting through the dark hour. He’d worked on accounts all day, trying to make up for the shortfall from Mark’s deception.

  He’d sucked at it all day, because his mind had been elsewhere.

  On a pretty brunette who’d pretty much blown his world apart with one little kiss in the parking lot.

  He’d almost gotten down on one knee and proposed right then and there—after she’d dumped him. What the hell was wrong with him?

  Sure, he cared for her. Hell, he loved her. But it didn’t have to throw him into a tailspin like this. She’d been correct when she’d called him a control freak. He’d always liked things just so.

  Melanie was blowing his just so to hell.

  He had to get a grip on himself, and then proceed accordingly. First, they would start dating again without any more crap about breaking up. Then, they’d slowly make sure they were right for each other, which of course they were, and then in a year or two, he’d propose.

  If she became pregnant in the meantime, the timeline would adjust.

  Now that plan worked.

  Feeling much better, he strode into the hospital and stopped short at the barracuda manning the receiving counter. A hodgepodge of wrinkles cascaded around brightly painted red lips formed in a scowl. “Visiting hours are over,” she said in a deep voice.

  He dawned his most charming smile. “My friend texted me to come down and keep him company. I promise I’ll be quiet.”

  “No.” She stood and crossed impressive arms. “Visiting hours begin tomorrow at nine in the morning. Come back then.”

  He scratched his head. “Could I just poke my head in and tell him I’ll be back tomorrow?”

  “No. Leave or I’ll call security.”

  Wow. “Have a nice day, ma’am.” He turned and stalked outside, hiding his grin. Then he loped toward his truck, dialing Hawk’s number.

  “Where are you?” his friend growled.

  “Blocked by a wild one in receiving. I’ll come back tomorrow.” Colton reached his door.

  “I’m leaving tonight. Come by the window.” Something crashed in the background.

  Colt’s head jerked up. “You’re not okay to leave.”

  “Yet, I’m leaving.”

  Damn it. “Stay in bed. I’ll be right there.” Colton eyed the building and jogged around the manicured lawn to the north. “Flick your lights.”

  Instead of flicking, Hawk slid open a window.

  Colton scaled an overgrown shrub and two hydrangeas to grab the snowy sill and haul himself inside the room. The scent of bleach and plastic smashed into his senses. All of a sudden, they were wild teenagers again. He grinned at his buddy. “What the hell?”

  Hawk stood on the other side of the bed, still in a hospital gown, his white cast almost glowing. “Tell me you brought clot
hes.”

  “No. You haven’t been released.”

  Hawk scratched the scruff along his jaw. “I can’t stay here another minute.”

  The guy had just awakened from a coma. “Listen, I know it’s tough. But you really should stay here another few days.” If he had to call Loni, he would.

  “No.” Hawk padded barefoot for the door. “Let’s go.”

  Colton snorted. “The woman at the front will probably call security to stop you…at least until the doctor shows up and gets all those forms you have to sign if you’re leaving against medical orders.”

  Hawk paused and turned around. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Relief had Colton nodding. “So you might as well get back into bed and wait for the doctor to do his rounds tomorrow morning.”

  Hawk eyed the window. “I have another idea.”

  Shit. Colton shook his head, trying to reason with his buddy. “No, no, no. That’s a bad idea.”

  Hawk shrugged and lifted a leg over the icy sill, exposing his ass.

  God. Colton blinked. “Now I have to burn out my eyeballs.”

  Hawk threw him a hard look. “Are you going to help or not?”

  Colton sighed. “Your mind is made up?”

  “I’m heading out of here with or without your help.” Hawk winced as he tried to scoot across the sill with bare legs.

  “Fine.” Colton pulled him back. “Take my boots.”

  “No. Just hurry the hell up.” Hawk glanced at the empty doorway.

  Colton shook his head. “Let me go first.” He nimbly jumped back outside the window. “Okay, come on out.” He prepared to catch his oldest friend.

  Hawk gingerly slid both legs out, hampered by the broken arm.

  The sill cracked.

  Their gazes met in alarm a split second before wood splintered, and Hawk went flying.

  Colton reached up as Hawk pummeled into him, sending them both sprawling into the nearest hydrangea. Dead, snow-covered leaves crashed against Colt’s back, and Hawk’s front.

  Hawk yelped and rolled over.

  Colton sat up. “Is your skull okay?”

  “My brain is the least of my worries,” Hawk hissed, yanking a rough branch from his groin.