Free Breaking the Rules by Melinda Dozier Page B

full of nachos. Hope ignored the others, holding her chin up high. She grabbed the empty beer bottles and placed them on the kitchen bar, out of the way of everyone’s prying eyes.
    Colin braced his elbow on the table and rubbed his chin with a faraway look in his eyes. She couldn’t help herself from looking at his face — the strong jaw line. The very jaw she kissed not five minutes ago. She licked her lips remembering his hands under her shirt. Damn, it had been a long time since she’d been drawn to a man. In fact, she saw attractive men all the time, but not one sparked an interest in her — until now.
    Her face and neck felt impossibly hot all of a sudden. She had to put an end to the stares and end the matter, once and for all.
    Before she could say anything, Tim butted in with his nonchalant self. “So, I see you two have a lot in common.”
    Hope stood with her mouth open. She grabbed the rag on the table and held it up as if she were going to throw it at him. “Hey, you’re going on like a twelve-year-old reading
Playboy
in the dugout. If I were you, I’d focus on my own woman and butt out of other people’s affairs.” Hope threw the rag, and stormed to the kitchen with the rest of the empty bottles before the unfortunate double entendre had a chance to sink in.
    Kelly slapped her hands down on her legs. “Now you’ve done it. She’s furious. Tim, really.” She stomped off to the kitchen and patted Hope on the back. “I’m so sorry he’s being a jerk.”
    Holding his arms up, Tim asked, “What?”
    â€œSometimes I wonder how you two ended up together.” Hope glowered at the dining area across the room. “He
is
being a jerk,” Hope added louder, to make sure he heard her.
    Scott shook his head. “You done blown it this time, Tim-O. Now everyone’s pissed at you. When’s the last time you saw Colin kiss anyone? Geez.” Scott started in on the nachos.
    Tim quirked his head to the side. “I was just having a little fun.”
    Colin stood and faced his friend. “You’re being a prick.” Colin headed to the kitchen, grabbed Hope’s arm. “We need to talk. Now.” With his firm grip and his needy eyes, she let him lead her toward the patio. Not sure where this would lead, she knew she had to put an end to this chaos and then get the hell out of there.
    Sliding the glass door open, Colin allowed her to step out into the cool night. Hope sat at the circular porch table and folded her arms over her chest. She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath.
    â€œLook, don’t be mad at me. It’s not my fault Tim acts like an imbecile.”
    â€œI’m just so — ” She jerked her hand up. “So — ” Ramming her fist on her leg, she continued, “Mad. Why does Tim have to act like that?”
    â€œTim is missing the shut-your-mouth gene. Don’t let him get to you so much.”
    â€œDon’t get to me? He’s in there blabbing away about something he knows nothing about.” She attempted to look at him then, and his nearness sent a shiver through her body. She hesitated, blinking with bafflement. Why did he have to smell so good — all man, like a walk through the forest — and those sea-green eyes that dragged a woman in. She stared at his grim mouth, as a warning whispered in her head.
Don’t do it, Hope
. But, God, she wanted to caress his face and bring his lips to hers again — even with all the mess they’d created.
    As if he knew what she was thinking, Colin reached out and stroked her arm. “He won’t talk outside of this house. I’ll make sure of it.”
    His words brought her back to reality. “I appreciate it.” She was suddenly anxious to escape from his disturbing presence. If she didn’t escape soon, she was scared her body would take over again.
    â€œSo, you didn’t