Page 27 of Masters of the Game: Colton

After making sure she was at the right address, Kelly parked the rental car behind an older model truck.

Colton had said that his home wasn’t far from his parents, but he hadn’t told her it was located in Savannah’s historical district.

It was a stately two-story structure that fit with the other elegant homes on the tree-lined street of huge magnolias and oaks.

Before getting out of the car, she took a deep breath.

Colton had no idea she was coming, but she had to take her chances.

He still wouldn’t take her calls, and that should tell her something, but she refused to get the message.

She had to make things right. Her siblings, as well as his, had wished her luck.

Cortez had even warned her she would definitely need it, saying Colton was in one of the worst moods he or Cobra had ever seen. That definitely hadn’t given her hope.

Getting her luggage out of the trunk, she rolled it behind her up the walkway, taking in how well-manicured the lawn looked. There were also a number of flowering plants. She was about to go up the steps when a voice said, “Is that you, Monica?”

She turned to see an elderly man who looked to be in his late sixties come around from the backyard.

From the way he was dressed, she figured him to be the lawn-care guy.

This wouldn’t be the first time someone got her mixed up with Monica, but how did the man know her sister when she was certain Monica had never been here before?

“No, I’m Kelly. Monica’s sister.”

The older man smiled. “By golly, you look just like her.”

Kelly returned his smile. “How do you know Monica?”

The man took off his baseball cap and ran his hand through thick gray hair before putting it back on. “She’s come to Savannah a few times to see Victoria when she and Cort had come from California.”

Kelly remembered the times Monica had done that. “Then you’re one of the Masters’ family members?” she asked.

“Yes and no. I’m not a Masters, but my sister Inez married one. She’s the triplets’ mother, and I’m her oldest brother, Howey.”

That meant he was Colton’s uncle. Kelly extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Kelly. Colton isn’t here. He had to run to the auto parts store to pick up a leather repair kit for that car he’s trying to restore.” He glanced at her luggage and then said, “He didn’t mention he was expecting anyone.”

“He’s not expecting me.” Kelly figured that wasn’t an understatement.

Howey nodded. “Well, I’m sure you’ll be a surprise he’ll like. The front door is unlocked. Go on inside out of the heat and make yourself at home. He should be back in a little bit.”

“All right. Thanks.”

Howey was right. The door was unlocked. She walked in and was immediately taken aback by the beauty of the spacious foyer that skirted into a gigantic living room and a massive dining room with a table that seated twelve people.

To the right was a beautiful Victorian staircase with handrails that had elegant-looking, intricate carvings.

The wood floors were so shiny, they appeared to have a glossy finish.

The furnishings in both the living room and dining room were pieces she would have chosen.

The light fixtures on the ceilings, and the sconces on the wall, reflected a Southern era long past but not forgotten.

Colton had told her that he’d done most of the renovations himself.

Had he also done the decorating, or had he hired a professional? Everything looked perfect.

She drew in a deep breath as she continued to glance around, admiring what she saw.

For some strange reason, she felt a sense of belonging in his home.

It seemed that things were working out in her favor since Colton was not here to immediately send her packing.

That gave her time to devise a plan. And one that quickly came to mind was to be already unpacked and settled into a guest room before he returned.

Appreciating she hadn’t overpacked, she was able to maneuver her luggage up the stairs.

Upon reaching the landing, she saw there were six bedrooms. She figured the one with the double doors was his.

She took time to peek inside all but that one and saw that each was beautifully and elegantly decorated.

No wonder he eagerly returned to Savannah every chance he got.

He had a gorgeous home here. Just like the man himself.

After deciding what guest room to use, she didn’t waste any time unpacking and getting settled.

Upon Monica’s urging, one of the items she had packed was that barely-there erotic nightie she had bought, with him in mind, two years ago.

Hopefully, this time when she put it on, it would serve the purpose for which it had been intended.

More than anything, she hoped that when Colton came home, he wouldn’t throw her out before she had a chance to talk to him.

**

“I didn’t think you’d still be here when I got back, Uncle Howey,” Colton said, returning home. Since there was no need to go inside the house, he headed toward the backyard.

“I didn’t want to leave in case your houseguest needed something before you got back.”

Colton stopped and turned around. “What houseguest?”

“Monica’s sister. Said her name was Kelly. She also said you weren’t expecting her.”

Colton glared. “Kelly is here, and you let her inside?”

His uncle Howey glared back. “It’s too hot for her to wait outside. Any reason I should not have let her inside your house? Is she a thief or something?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what’s the problem?” his uncle Howey asked, eyeing him speculatively and crossing his arms over his chest. “She’s a Bennett, so she can’t be all bad. Look at how many of the Masters men end up falling in love with them.”

“She’s not a Bennett. Her name is Kelly Perkins. She and Monica have the same father but not the same mother.”

“Oh,” Howey said, uncrossing his arms. “They could go for twins. It’s strange but they look about the same age, too.”

“They’re two days apart,” he said.

“What!”

Colton saw shock in his uncle’s eyes but didn’t have time to explain about Lorenzo Perkins’ whorish ways. He needed to get Kelly out of his home. “I’ll see you later, Uncle Howey. Give Aunt Abigail my love.” Taking the steps two at a time, he quickly went inside his house.

He stopped the moment he walked across the threshold.

Already, his home was filled with her scent.

Damn. Leaving his foyer, he glanced around, scanning the living room and dining room.

He was about to see if she was in the kitchen when he heard a noise upstairs.

Quickly taking the stairs, he noticed one of the guest rooms’ doors was closed.

He always kept them open. Without knocking, he opened the door, and there she was, sitting in the wingback chair in the room, reading a book.

And looking like she had every right to be there.

“What the hell are you doing here, Kelly?”

She glanced up from her book and smiled. “I was wondering when you would be back. I missed breakfast and I am hungry.”

**

Kelly could tell from the look in Colton’s eyes that he was madder than hell, but that was okay.

Hopefully once they talked, he would understand and forgive her.

She had to believe that he would. But the one thing she would not let him do was intimidate her, like Monica had warned her about.

And she would not leave until they talked.

Then it would be his decision as to how things went from there. And she would respect it.

“I want you gone, Kelly.”

She noticed he was still standing by the door. He hadn’t come into the room, as if he was reluctant to do so. Why? Did he think she would bite or something? Then she realized that though he was angry, he was also unsure of what would happen if they got too close. She could work with that.

Standing, she crossed the room to stand a few feet away from him. “You invited me here, and I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, as if protecting himself. “That invitation was issued when we were on good terms.”

She crossed her arms over her own chest. “So you’re reneging on the invitation, like you reneged on what was supposed to be our one night together.”

The glare in his eyes turned almost lethal but she didn’t care. “Do not bring that up, Kelly.”

“I only brought it up because you’re messing with me again. All I want is for you to give us a chance to talk and--”

“I tried doing that in Boston that Thursday night. You didn’t want to hear anything I had to say.”

“I’m sorry about that. But at that time, hearing so much negativity had overpowered me. For the second time in my life, I was faced with something I almost couldn’t handle.”

“Well, that’s not my problem.”

“It is your problem, Colton.”

“No, it’s not!”

Kelly watched him rub his hand down his face in agitation. “I’m leaving,” he said turning.

“And just where are you going?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I’m your houseguest, and I told you I was hungry.”

“You’re not my houseguest. However, there’s plenty of food in the refrigerator. Help yourself. But I suggest you leave before I get back.”

She watched him quickly walk down the stairs and rush out the front door, as if he was escaping from a fire. Evidently, things had gotten too hot for him. And if he thought she would be gone when he returned, well then, he’d be wrong.

Pulling in a deep breath, she went downstairs to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

He was right, it was stocked. She then looked into his oversized pantry and saw it was stocked as well.

Since she hoped to be here a while, and wanting to think positive, she decided to make a pot of spaghetti. She’d heard it was his favorite meal.