Page 5 of One Little Kiss

Colton: Thanks, man. Catch up when I get back from Halt’s wedding?

Lochlan: Done.

Slipping the phone back into my pocket, I make my way to baggage claim to search for my suitcase. Another novelty I’m not used to.

People stand shoulder to shoulder, vying to get to the conveyor belt first like someone will steal their bags. Panic tightens my shoulders, and I grip my neck as I glance around.Does that happen? Do people steal other people’s bags?

Watching the way people push and shove for the front row, I’m going to guess yes. Mentally, I do an inventory of the shit in my suitcase, and when I’m confident there isn’t anything that can’t be replaced, I relax and slip to the back.

I have no interest in elbowing my fellow travelers for a few bathing suits. Instead, I find an empty seat and let the lines clear out while I get lost in a game of blackjack on my phone. When I lift my head, my luggage sits beside the belt, but not stolen.

Internally, I smirk. Sometimes we can’t help how out of touch with reality we are. We were born billionaires, but my parents did their best to keep us grounded. My mom didn’t grow up with money, and she would kick my ass for my snobbery.

Thinking of my parents makes me sad, though, knowing all my father has missed. He passed away years ago. I was just a teenager. A baby. But I remember his love. His sense of humor. I remember the love he had for my mother. A once in a lifetime love, he used to call it. It makes my heart hurt for her. And us.

Shaking my wayward thoughts from my head, I push forward, taking in the passengers and marveling at how stressed out everyone is. All in a rush to get to their destination. A hurry to get home. The thought has me slowing down and taking it all in.

Too many people rush through life. I’ve learned a lot from my older brothers. Mostly, that we need to make every opportunity count and live life to its fullest. Preston, East, and Halton all have their happily ever afters, but I’m not ready.

Someday.

Maybe.

“Don’t be scared of love, Colty. Nothing will ever make you happier in life than love.”

My father’s words sound so clear in my head. It’s like he’s standing over my shoulder, and I think if I checked, goosebumps would cover my arms.

“Don’t be scared of love.”

I hear it again, and I stop to glance over my shoulder this time. I almost chuckle at the ridiculous notion I might see my father. Or worse, his ghost. But what I do see has my jaw hitting the floor, anyway.

My girl.

CHAPTER2

COLTON

“Is anyone sitting here?”

My mystery girl doesn’t even glance up from the book she’s reading. “Nope. It’s all yours.”

I feel the frown form on my face, but I hurry to drop into the seat next to her. Leaning back in the chair, I observe her. Again. But she’s unfazed. At some point, my leg bounces like it’s about to take flight, and her attention finally lands on me.Was that a sharp intake of breath I heard? Does she like what she sees? Does it matter?

“Nervous flyer?” Her voice is as gentle as her gaze. She speaks like she’s talking to a wounded animal, but it hits me in places it shouldn’t. Not in public, anyway.

“No. Why do you say that?” My gaze lingers as the tip of her pen leaves her pouty lips. When I finally glance down, my leg freezes mid bounce, and a rough chuckle escapes with a deep, gravel-like sound. “Maybe a little. I’m not used to airports like this.” It’s not a lie since I rarely fly commercial, but I don’t need to offer that tidbit up just yet. Something tells me a private jet wouldn’t impress her.

“You’ll be fine. Promise.” She smiles, and my body leans closer. Her face flushes, and I wonder how much of her skin turns that lovely shade when she’s aroused. I’m inexplicably drawn to her, but I can tell she’s the most charismatic person I’ve ever met with just a few sentences.

“What’s your name?” I almost don’t recognize my own voice.

Her eyebrow quirks, and she flashes a fake smile.

“I mean, if we’re going to make small talk, I’d like to know who it is I’m sharing my fears with. I was always told not to talk to strangers.” I flash her a wink and hope it’s sexy, not lascivious, but I feel out of sorts around her so it could look like a seizure for all I know.

Angling herself to face me, she crosses her arms over her ample chest as she shakes her head. I have to force myself not to do a quick scan of her entire body. “You’re very—”

“Pushy? Nosy? Handsome?” I grin.