Page 14 of Unbroken (Amber Ridge #4)

Her heart did one of those skip-a-beat things. She looked up and immediately regretted it, because his lips were right there, and man oh man, they looked kissable. “We shouldn’t.”

“Says who?”

“The laws of attraction in combination with us moving very slowly together.”

“Indie Reed…is that you admitting that you’re attracted to me?”

“You will never catch me saying those words out loud—your head will get far too big.”

The corners of his lips lifted before he lowered his head even farther, his mouth brushing her ear as he whispered again, “Dance with me.”

A small shudder coursed down her spine. And when he took her hand, she completely forgot that she shouldn’t be following him. She forgot about going slow and being careful and just went where he took her.

When they reached the dance floor, he held her against him, so close that there was nothing to breathe in but him. Nothing to feel but his arms around her.

And suddenly she was thrown back in time. To before infertility had darkened their lives. Before the stress of everything had dragged them down. To when it had just been them.

She allowed herself to lean into him and borrow some of his strength.

He lowered his mouth to her ear again. “You feel good too.”

Too? Had she said he felt good out loud? Or was he just doing that reading-her-mind thing?

She swallowed. “Who are the group of guys?”

“Randy’s construction team. They’re doing the work for the park.”

“And you’re drinking with them?”

“It was a coincidence. Noah and I didn’t know they’d be here. If the young guy who’s had too many drinks comes over to you, send him away. Or better yet, send him to me .”

She frowned. “Why?”

“He thinks you’re…pretty.”

She almost laughed at the near anger in his voice. “Do you think I’m pretty?”

“No. I think you’re gorgeous.”

Air caught in her lungs. Colt had always had a way of making her feel like the most beautiful woman in any room she walked into.

“Where’s your wedding and engagement ring, Cricket?”

She jolted. Crap. “Stored away safe.” It wasn’t a lie. She just wasn’t sure exactly where they were stored.

He nodded, but the thinning of his lips said he didn’t like that she didn’t wear it. While he always had his on.

“I’m glad you didn’t date while we were separated,” she said quietly, needing a change of subject.

“It was never going to happen. Just like signing those divorce papers.”

Had she ever expected him to sign them? She wasn’t sure. She actually wasn’t sure how she’d signed them.

She looked away and spotted another couple watching her on the dance floor. A married couple she’d photographed a few years ago.

She smiled at them, but they both quickly looked away.

Strange.

She looked back at Colt. “Have you heard any rumors around town about me?”

“What kind of rumors?”

“Involving me and…money. Maybe something to do with my photography business?”

“No. Who told you there was a rumor?”

“A client made a comment.” She shook her head. “It’s probably nothing.”

But the realistic part of her knew that wasn’t true. Because rumors would explain everything. Why business had been so bad. Why clients were acting strange around her.

She needed to know who started them, particularly if it was Sylvia.

Colt’s arms tightened around her. And when his thumb grazed her side, her skin burned like it was on fire.

“So…where did we land on that dinner at Mom’s?” he asked.

She looked back up at him. If she wanted to give this marriage another go—and she really did—then she needed to work things out with Sylvia. She needed to figure out why the other woman disliked her and if that was ever going to change.

“I’ll go to dinner at your mom’s.”

He gave her a sweet smile. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” He lowered his head and touched his temple to her head. “You make me happy, Indie.”

Her eyes shuttered, and she just let herself feel the intensity of the moment. The warmth that his arms around her brought…and not just a physical warmth. The peace she felt when she laid her cheek against his heart. She hadn’t felt peace in so long.

When the music eventually sped up, she stepped away from Colt, but there was resistance in his hold.

She cleared her throat. “I might go get a drink.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No. It’s okay. I won’t be long.” She needed a second to breathe without him. And maybe to cool down a little.

Colt’s brows lowered, and for a moment she thought he wasn’t going to let her go. But then he nodded. “Don’t take long.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She headed to the bar, and the second she got there, she sucked in a deep breath.

Yep. The space was definitely needed.

The bartender hadn’t reached her yet when someone stepped up beside her. She only noticed because he stunk of smoke and stood far too close.

She looked up—and gasped.

Gordon.

She shot a look over her shoulder, but a group of people were now standing between her and the table, blocking her view of Colt. But even if they weren’t, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to see Gordon so close to her.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said firmly.

“Really? Where should I be?”

“Away from Amber Ridge.”

One side of his mouth lifted, but the smile was all wrong. “Indie, right?”

“How do you know my name?”

“It’s a small town. Information is easy to come by.”

“I’ve got to get back to Colt.”

She took a step away from the bar, but Gordon moved quickly, blocking her path and towering over her. “Wait. We’ve barely had a chance to get to know each other.”