The Rules of Dating(38)

“I’m downstairs,” he said. “The commercial tenant on the ground floor has a problem with the AC that I needed to take a look at before we go.”

Quiet…and then...

“Well, do you mind coming here and getting the keys? It’s a tattoo parlor called Billie’s Ink. It’s right downstairs from my place.”

Pause again.

“Alright, see you in a few.”

Colby tucked his phone into his pocket and went back to working on the AC unit in silence. But I just couldn’t help myself. “I, uh, hope I didn’t interrupt anything?”

His eyes slanted to me. “You did.”

I blinked a few times. “Oh. I’m sorry. I should’ve just called Holden.”

“It’s fine. I’m here already.”

Talk about the cold shoulder…

A few minutes later, the front door opened and an absolutely gorgeous woman walked in. She had on a little black dress and looked classy. But for some stupid reason—maybe I was in denial or something—even though he’d just told someone on the phone to meet him here, I didn’t put two and two together until Colby walked over to the woman. Oh my God. She’s his date. I felt like I wanted to throw up.

The woman smiled and waved to me as he approached. “Hi! Don’t mind me. I’m just picking up a key.”

Colby dug into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, placing them in her hand. “I’ll meet you upstairs as soon as I’m done.”

She smiled. “Okay…but don’t be too long. Le Coucou is all the way down on Lafayette, and we’re still going to hit traffic. I don’t want to be late.”

“I won’t. If I can’t fix it pretty quick, I’ll call Holden to take over.”

The woman wiggled her fingers at me and flashed a pageant-worthy smile. “Bye. Sorry I interrupted things.”

I felt my cheeks heat with jealousy—or maybe it was anger. I wasn’t sure which one surged through my veins faster.

If Colby noticed, he didn’t say anything. He went right back to working on the AC unit like I wasn’t even here.

I lasted all of three minutes in silence this time. “So…Le Coucou. Sounds overpriced. Oh, and I guess I’m not the only one going on dates?”

Colby looked over at me. He held my eyes for a few seconds but didn’t respond. Again, he just turned his attention back to the damn AC unit.

“She’s beautiful, if you like the plastic, beauty-pageant type…”

Colby stopped working and turned to give me his full attention. “You’re jealous.”

I lifted my hand to inspect my nails. “I am not.”

“Can’t even admit that, huh?”

“Well, there’s nothing to admit. Because I’m not jealous. I was just stating the obvious about her looks and the restaurant.”

He nodded. “Riiiight.”

“I am right.”

Colby took a step closer. “So it wouldn’t bother you if I told you I was going to fuck some other woman?”

I gritted my teeth. “Not at all.”

He took another step toward me. “What about the thought of me wrapping another woman’s hair around my fist while she’s down on her knees and I’m fucking her mouth?”

I closed my eyes at the visual. “You don’t have to be a pig about it.”

“Apparently I do.” He raised his voice. “Because it’s the only goddamn way I can get a reaction out of you, Billie!”

My eyes sprung open. Colby took another step forward, causing me to take one back. Then he did it again. Eventually my back hit the wall. He placed one arm on either side of my head and lowered his so we were eye to eye.

“You know what I wanted to do to that guy you were on a date with the other night, Billie? I wanted to rip his head off and fuck you against a wall so hard you’d have no choice but to remember who you belong to.”

My heart raced out of control. Colby moved his head closer. We were practically nose to nose. “You know what I think? I think you’re just as jealous as I am.”

“I am not.”

The heat between us sparked so hot, it felt like my entire body was on fire.

“Liar.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Bullshit, Billie! All I’d have to do right now is move two inches closer. Once we touched, you’d be begging me to fuck you, and you know it. Maybe I should do it. We’d both get our rocks off and feel a hell of a lot better. But I won’t do that to you. Do you know why?” He moved still closer and spoke into my eyes. “Because I don’t want your body without your heart.”

That did it. I could take jealous and angry, but that jab hit me hard. Tears welled in my eyes. Seeing them, Colby’s face immediately fell. He took two steps back, put his hands up, and shook his head.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just… I don’t know how else to get through to you, and it’s so goddamn frustrating.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry I got in your face and said those things, Billie.”

I stayed quiet, still trying to fight back tears.

Colby blew out an audible breath and shook his head. “The woman who was just here? Her name is Caroline, and she’s my sister. She’s married with two kids and lives in Jersey. My dad is throwing my mom a small surprise party tonight. Caroline bought Saylor a special dress to wear. It matches her daughter’s. She came by to help her get ready and do her hair.” He closed his eyes and spoke softly. “There’s no way I could go on a date or be with another woman. You’re all I think about, Billie.”