Page 32 of Clashing

Chapter twenty-four

My Lightning Storm

Scarlett

C ollin showing up at the bar would’ve shocked me any day. Collin showing up and talking to Ryker stunned me.

Once my heart restarted, it beat out of control with no consistent rhythm. My gaze bounced between the two like a ping-pong match while I struggled to get words out.

“Uh, hi.” I settled on Collin. “You two know each other?”

Did I want the answer? Not so much, but heartbroken over Ryker, I’d drunkenly kissed Collin last night. Calling it a kiss was generous. It was sloppy and lasted all of three seconds, but I’d die if he and Ryker were friends.

“Not exactly. He saved my brother in the Marines.”

I fiddled with my apron. Saved? “Oh.” Is that better?

I cleared my throat. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to see you.” He held up a pair of heels. “You left these in my car last night.”

Tension rippled off Ryker, and I licked my lips. He better not be an ass to Collin. Jealous, uncommitting asshat.

“I’m sorry.” My laugh rattled with nerves as I circled the counter and plucked the heels from him. “I was a little wasted. Thanks for bringing them and for getting me and Hannah home.”

“Not a problem.” He chuckled. “It was pretty fun for me, actually.”

“Yeah, taking care of drunk people is fun .”

His eyes twinkled, smile wide. “When they’re as funny and adorable as you, it is.”

This man is flirting with me. I’d decided to move on from Ryker, but I didn’t want to do it in front of him. No reason to stir that pot more than it already had been.

“Well, thank you.” I inched toward the stairs. “I probably shouldn’t have these sitting out while I’m working.”

“For sure.” He inclined his head to the stairs. “Got a minute? Seems kinda slow.”

“Oh, uh . . .” Don’t look at Ryker. Don’t look at Ryker. I held up the heels. “We could talk while I put these away, but then I gotta get back to work.”

Collin grinned. “Sounds good.”

I started upstairs with him close behind. At the top, I tossed my shoes in my apartment, then faced him with a sheepish smile. “Look, I’m really sorry about last night. I’m so embarrassed. I wasn’t in a good place.”

“I’m not complaining.” He shot a lingering glimpse at my lips. “I’d like the opportunity to have you kiss me when you’re sober, though. That’s why I came. To ask you out. The shoes were an excuse.”

My mouth fell open. I couldn’t do that. Collin was cute but I wasn’t over Ryker even if I was pissed at him. If the timing were different, I would’ve loved to go out with someone as sweet as Collin. I had a great time with him last night.

This is your fault. You led him on by kissing him. Guilt twisted my stomach. “Collin . . .” The words wouldn’t form. I didn’t want to say no.

“Before you answer.” He held his hands up. “I have a proposition you can’t possibly refuse.”

Huh. Now I was half interested, half annoyed, half impressed at his cockiness. That’s too many halves. Whatever. It was all three. I arched a brow. “What’s that?”

“I may have asked Hannah about you.” His sheepish expression made my lips twitch up. “And Hannah may have told me you want to go to the Cath Riley exhibit this weekend.”

Of fucking course I do. Cath Riley was the reason I got into art. I adored her. “Yeah, but it’s probably sold out.” And out of my price range.

Collin raised two tickets, the corner of his mouth curving up. “Not if you know the art director.”

I gaped. “Are you serious?”

“Completely.” He stashed the tickets in his jacket pocket. “But I’m afraid if you want to go, you have to go with me. As my date. And to dinner beforehand. A very date-like dinner. Spoiler alert, there might be flowers because it’s definitely a date.”

Damn, he was good. I shouldn’t say yes. I definitely shouldn’t. But it was Cath Riley . She was my hero, and I’d probably never have another opportunity like this.

Fuck it. Ryker didn’t want me anyway.

“For Cath Riley, I suppose I could endure that.”

“Don’t flatter me too much.” He set his hand over his chest. “So, you’ll go out with me?”

My stomach fluttered nervously at the idea of going on a date, but it was trumped by my excitement to see Cath Riley. Oh my God, am I dreaming? Cath Riley! “Yes.”

“Good.” Collin stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’ll pick you up early since it’s a two-hour drive. Three o’clock okay?”

“That works.” I inclined my head to the stairs. “I’m super excited, I really am, but I better get back out there.” And I need you to leave so I can properly fangirl without embarrassing myself.

“Yeah, of course.”

I bounced downstairs ahead of him, barely keeping my giddiness under control. Cath Riley! She was astounding. She was what I strived to be. I can’t believe this is happening.

We reached the bottom of the steps and Collin sent me a charming smile as he walked toward the exit. “See you Saturday.”

“Saturday.” I pressed my lips together to contain the squeals demanding release.

“And make sure to be hungry because I’m taking you to French Laundry.”

“Uh, what?” Talk about fancy. I’d never been there, but I’d heard of it. “You need reservations for that.”

“I know.”

“There’s no way you made reservations at that restaurant this late.”

“I didn’t. I made them two weeks ago. The first day I saw you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What made you think I’d say yes?”

“I saw Cath Riley in your style. That, and your sketchbook has a Cath Riley sticker on it. It was pretty obvious you’d have to say yes even if you weren’t immediately interested. Then I could get you interested by spending time with you.”

“You planned ahead.” My brows pulled together. “And paid attention.” Now I was impressed. “You’re good.”

“A girl like you deserves the best, Scarlett. See ya.”

He strode out the door. Damn. He really was good. Should I be annoyed or impressed? It didn’t matter because the only thing that mattered was Cath Riley.

I squealed and jumped up and down, not caring about the confused looks from the customers.

“Why are you beaming?”

I spun around and grinned wide at my mother, who’d rounded the hallway corner.

“Mom,” I squeaked. “You know that art show Cath Riley’s having?”

“The one you’ve been talking about incessantly for months?” She poked my side teasingly. “Yeah, I know about it.”

“I’m going!”

“What! How?”

“A guy from art class knows the art director and has tickets!”

“Baby, that’s great!” She tugged me into a hug. “That’s on your bucket list, isn’t it?”

“It totally is!” I squealed, unable to keep myself from bouncing. “Okay, I’m good.” I inhaled a deep breath, but my smile only widened. “Cath Riley!”

“I know.” She laughed and squeezed my hand. “I’m so happy for you. It’ll be a night to remember.”

I clutched my stomach as it erupted with butterflies. I was going to see her work. In person . “It’s surreal.”

“The best things often feel that way.” Mom pecked me on the cheek. “You have to finish your shift, and I have to turn in. I came to say goodnight.”

“Okay.” I gave her another quick embrace. “Goodnight. Love you.”

“Love you too, babe.” She waved at me on her way out.

I danced to the bar. Nothing could kill my mood.

Well . . .

Ryker remained on his usual stool. His glower implied unhappiness. He stared at me like he expected me to say something.

I wouldn’t give him the benefit. I owed him no explanation. We weren’t together and he didn’t want to date me. He said he didn’t sleep with that woman, but he also didn’t tell me why they left together.

Shit. It didn’t matter what happened and the fact was, he was involved with a married woman. I wasn’t okay with that. Plus, he told me he had no feelings while I wanted a relationship. I shouldn’t feel guilty. I shouldn’t .

But I did. A little.

His gaze burned into me for the rest of the night and unfortunately, I was closing. Which meant no escaping if he decided to stay.

He stayed. Of course he stayed.

I avoided him at every opportunity, but the bar fell silent when the last patron left. I had to face him. “We’re closed.” I flattened my palms on the bar and met his intense gaze. “Go home, Ryker.”

He crossed his arms. “You’re going out with that guy.”

I wished he wouldn’t cross his arms. It put them on display, and I had more important things to think about. Like not sleeping with someone who didn’t want to be with me.

I lifted my chin. “Yes.”

His jaw clenched. “No.”

“It’s not your choice.”

“Still a no.”

“Still not your choice,” I snapped, pointing at the door. “Go home. We’re closed.”

He stood, nostrils flaring. “You’re not fucking going out with him.”

Damn him being hot when mad. This was ridiculous. I leaned over the counter. “You have no say!”

He leaned over the bar as well, fingers almost touching mine. “You’re not going.”

“You can’t control who I see.”

The arguing brought us closer, enough his warm breath coasted over my lips. So close I spotted the flutter of his pulse against his neck. Our glares faded as electricity sparked between us. His eyes darted to my lips, and I couldn’t stop myself from licking them.

Grabbing the back of my head, he crushed my mouth to his.

I should’ve pushed him away, but my nerves ignited.

A moan toppled out of me and his tongue slid between my lips.

He bit my bottom lip and sucked it into his mouth.

I whimpered and he dragged his teeth off, his gaze meeting mine in a way that reminded me why I had such a hard time saying no to him.

“You’re not going,” he growled, hopping over the counter. “You’re mine.”

He caught my face with his hands and kissed me again. Pushing him away would’ve been the wise thing to do. But I wasn’t wise. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer while my eyes stung. I missed him so much. I missed kissing him. I missed feeling him.

He groaned, lifted me, and dropped me on the counter. Yanking my legs apart, he nestled between them and pulled me closer, right against his erection.