Breaking the Rules (12 page)

Hope's face reddened. “Thank you. Now let go.”

• • •

Hope allowed Colin to take her waist and lead her down the boardwalk as the lady cackled a dismissal, “Listen to me, darling, or you'll be sorry.”

Once out of earshot of the lady, Colin snickered. “That was spooky.”

“Yeah, it was. But the good news is I can scratch another item off the bucket list.” She drew an imaginary line through the air with her finger.

“Well, the good news for me,” he stopped walking and tugged her hand so she stood in front of him, “is that we
should
be more than friends.”

He was really cute when he played with her like that. Hope shook her head. “Colin, Colin, Colin, you were the one who said it was a bunch of crap.”

“I've changed my mind.” He tipped her face up to his. “Besides, we should never second-guess the cards of the naked goddesses.”

“What is it with men and pornography?”

He laughed. “Pornography? If you want another bucket list item, I bet there's a sex shop around here.”

“Whoa, Yank, you're pitching a fast one. Slow down, boy.”

He laughed and winked. “You know I'm playing with you.”

“I like this playful Colin, actually.”

“We can have more fun, if you let me.”

Hope's cheeks flushed. Up close and personal, it was hard to miss how gorgeous he was. If she stepped up on her tiptoes, she'd be able to touch her lips to his. He studied her with quiet intensity, surely thinking the same thing. Her fingers wiggled at the wanting.

Since she didn't have the guts to do it, she squeezed his hand instead. “Let's get an ice cream.”

“Over here.” He kept a firm grip on her hand and guided her to a stand a few yards away.

Once they each had a cone, Colin steered her to another lookout point.

Across the boardwalk in the other direction, Colin pointed to the little shop whose sign read Body Ink. “Hey, I bet that could be another bucket list.”

“Oh, you mean a tattoo?” Her tongue grazed the ice cream, licking the side of the cone so it wouldn't drip down her hand.

Colin's gaze darkened, then he turned his head and stared out at the ocean, nodding. “Yeah. A lot of people get tattoos as a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

She smiled to herself. “Already got one,” she whispered.

He held his cone out away from his mouth. “I haven't seen one.”

“Yeah, well, you haven't seen all of me.”

He shook his head. “No fair. I can only imagine where you have a tattoo and it's probably worse than what it is.”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “Yep.”

“Doesn't it bother you that I'm imagining you naked, like that goddess on those cards?”

“It doesn't bother me a bit.” She smiled, a glint of humor in her eyes. “As long as you don't mind me picturing you with a little less on.”

Even if she headed into wrong territory with those words, she couldn't hold back. They were having too much fun and she liked it. She didn't have enough fun in her life and spending time with Colin made her feel alive. If only she could convince her brain what she felt in her heart.

He bent over, took her cone in his hand and threw them both in the bin next to them. Even with that small touch, the fire that burned inside her spiraled out of control. He faced her and ran his hands down her arm. And — damn it to hell — it was perfect. His provocative touches always brought wicked thoughts to her mind. But, even better than his contact was what lay behind the man — his humor, his passion, his smarts. He was irresistible.

The air blew her hair back behind her, with wisps of it falling around her cheeks. Her body was relaxed and she stood with a hip resting on the railing.

Colin tangled a piece of Hope's stray hair in his pointer finger. “You're testing out this new theory, aren't you?”

“What theory?” She licked her lips. She didn't know how much longer she could hold back.

“That cup full of whatever crap. Love. Joy. Playfulness.” He stepped closer. “Whatever you want to call it, you can try it out.”

She bit her lip again. He was right on. She did want to try it out, but damn it, her brain told her that it just wasn't right. Joy and playfulness were all good and well, but love? How could she handle that while being Jason's principal? She looked down, breaking the eye contact. “We should get going.”

Before he could stop her, she walked in the direction they started.

Running to catch up to her, Colin broke the silence. “Forget all that.”

She boldly met his eyes. “Yeah, right.” Easier said than done.

“Okay. Uh, back to small talk. What do you think of Harbor Bay?”

Nice. Change in topic. She gestured in a sweeping motion with one arm. “This is my home now and I can't complain about the weather, either.”

“It's a great place.” He nodded. Then, after a few beats, he reached for her hand, stopped in his tracks and pulled her to his chest.

“What?” She crinkled her nose.

He shook his head. “I can't believe we're doing this.”

“Doing what?” She looked around, confusion in her eyes.

“Talking about the weather.” He scooted closer to her, making her back up toward the railing.

“Colin — ” A warning came from her mouth.

He scooted her all the way back. “You can't go around saying stuff like you did back there and just pretend nothing's happening.”

“I'm sorry, Colin. I didn't think before I spoke.”

He put his arms around her, holding onto the rail. “Sometimes it's better to just speak what's on your mind.” He lifted one hand and caressed her cheek. “Damn it, Hope. Life is too short to ignore the truth and the truth is that we are extremely attracted to each other.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it before saying anything. He was right, but she didn't know what to do about it.

“Don't deny it.” He brought his thumb down and touched her bottom lip.

Leaning into his touch, she said, “Remember we're just friends.”

He shook his head. “To hell with friends, Hope. I haven't felt like this in so long.” He placed his forehead on hers and leaned in more. Enough that she could feel his quickened breath on her chin.

“Me too.” She sighed. Leaning back, she looked in his eyes. “I know it's not fair, but we can't.”

“I'm not going to lie — this is freakin' frustrating.” He scraped his hand over his face. “I mean, I haven't been on a date in months, because I just don't feel it with anyone. Then, when I do feel ‘it,' I can't do anything about it.”

She looked down. “I feel the same way and I'm frustrated, too.”

“Then why are we ignoring it? Even the tarot card lady said we should be more than friends.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, and she is a knowledgeable source to trust.”

“Just hear me out, Hope.” He stroked her hair, causing her heart to beat faster. “We've had an amazing afternoon together.” He pointed back and forth between them. “This is who we really are. You. Me. Hope and Colin. Just two people having an incredible time together. See how much fun we can have if we forget all the labels? No principal, parent, doctor bull crap. Just us.”

She sighed and looked into his eyes. “It has been a great day.”

“You need to just stop thinking about all the reasons why we shouldn't be together and look at the one reason why we should.” He held her chin up. “Us.”

His reasoning hit her deep in her chest. It was the truth. The day they'd spent together — as Hope and Colin — represented what they could be and how it should be. She placed her hand over his. “You're right.”

“Damn right, I'm right.” He lightly brushed his lips on hers. When she leaned forward into him, he said, “See? We both want this.” Looking in her eyes, he added, “Let's just be Hope and Colin.”

Parting her lips, she raised herself to meet his kiss. His mouth caressed hers and he gathered her in his arms at the same time. She held on to the front of his shirt, trying to pull him closer, which was impossible because they were as close as they could get with clothes on. His hands explored the hollow of her back and he felt so damn good.

They ended the kiss at the same time. She blushed and looked at him. “You're very convincing, but — ”

“Man, I really liked the beginning of that sentence, before the but.” He tightened his hold on her own butt.

She giggled. “How about we be friends with benefits? For now.”

“We've only made out. What kind of benefits are you talking about?”

She looked down. “I mean, I really like kissing you. And — ”

He held up her chin. “Don't. I really want to see where this is heading. If that's how you want it, then I'll have to compromise.” He kissed her quickly and looked to the side as another couple walked up to the railing.

“Let's just take it how it is. Friends who kiss every so often.” That made sense, right? She really liked kissing him.

“And then we'll see where that takes us.”

She nodded. “Right. And no one else has to know.”

He frowned. “Okay … I guess. So, secret friends?”

“We're friends, but the secret is the benefits.” She cringed inwardly. It sounded all fine and dandy in her head, but once she said it out loud, it sounded insensitive. Plus, it reminded her too much of her past — of Vincent. She pulled her ear as a heaviness invaded her body.

He let go of her and put his hands in his pockets. “I'm not that bad of a guy, you know.”

“I know that, Colin. It's just — ”

He sighed and took her hand. “Come on. I've got to get back and pick up Jason from his friend's house.” He curled his fingers around hers and held on tight.

They walked quietly back to their cars. Once Hope sat in the driver's seat of her little VW Jetta, Colin bent down and kissed her long and hard. It was a kiss to remind her of their day and their deal — friends with major benefits — benefits she didn't want to live without.

He smiled at her once he released her. “I don't want this day to end. Can I call you later tonight?”

She smiled, with a sated peacefulness. “Of course.”

“Have a safe ride home, Soxy.” He shut the door for her and waved her off.

She took a deep breath as she started her car. Today was too good of a day. Colin was one fine specimen and she should enjoy the attention that he offered. She really wanted to, but something ate her up on the inside. All this secret business —
her
ridiculous idea — was not going to work. She'd been there, done that and it was not a happy ending. And she really wanted a happy ending with Colin. How could they get there? She had no clue. She only knew she had to take one step at a time.

Colin stood in his office, reviewing a patient's file when his assistant appeared in the doorway. “Doc, I thought you'd want to know Ms. Hope Robinson is here.”

He looked up, smiling. She came to see him? Maybe she was busy and not ignoring his calls. It'd been five days since their fun at the boardwalk. He thought they had an understanding they'd try out this “friends with benefits” thing. Now she was here to make it up to him. “Where is she?”

“Room three, possible fracture.”

He rolled his head back. Shit. “Okay. I'll be right there.”

So she wasn't here to see him. Even if she was injured, he was glad she was in his office. Now he could get to the bottom of her avoidance.

He walked to the exam room and pulled her file out of the slot. It wasn't every day a man reviewed his love interest's body information spread out in front of him. Colin entered the exam room, closed the door and crossed his arms. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

She sat on the edge of the patient chair, crutches resting against the wall. “Where's Dr. Patel?”

He straightened his tie and walked to her side. “You trying to avoid me?”

“Not exactly, but … well … I'm a little embarrassed.” Even though her cheeks flushed, she held her chin up high.

“Don't be. Dr. Patel had an emergency at the hospital so you're stuck with me. Get up on the bed so I can take a look at you.”

Hope's eyes bugged and she laughed. “My, doctor, you're full of innuendos.”

He laughed with her. “If you only knew.” He helped her ease into a lying position on the exam table. “What happened?”

“I fell last night on a walk around the neighborhood. Darn crack in the sidewalk.” She let out a small laugh, but winced when Colin touched her ankle. “Ow.”

“Cracks will do that to you. They sneak up all the time. It's just this foot?”

“Yeah. I didn't think it was anything, but I woke up today and it really hurt, so I came in during my lunch break.”

“I'm glad.” He raised an eyebrow. “Guess what time it is?”

“X-ray time?”

“Yep.” He bent over to get her crutches and his Yankees cap stuck out of his pocket.

“You really don't go anywhere without that cap, do you?”

“Brings me luck.” He pushed it deeper into his pocket and smiled at her inquiring eyes.

“Any proof of that?”

“Sure. I got to see you today.” When she smiled back, he said, “Come on, our assistant will take you to the x-ray room.”

After twenty minutes, Colin stood next to Hope in Room Three again. “The good news or the bad news first?”

“Why do doctors always say that?”

“It's kind of like the glass half empty or full scenario.”

She bit her lip. “Then the good news.”

“No broken bones or fractures.”

Hope's bright smile lit up her eyes. “That
is
good news.”

“The bad news is you have a bad sprain. You need to rest that ankle at least a full day. Do you need to get back to work?”