FLOWERS and CAGES (19 page)

"Does she think I'm an idiot?" Amazed at the woman's gall, Dalton snickered. When Colleen didn't join in, he checked her face. He didn't like what he saw. "Do
you
think I'm an idiot?"

"I think you should talk to her. In regards to your idiocy? Doubtful. But she turned your head before. And I'll say one thing about Bonnie. She has a spectacular set of tatas."

"Colleen—"

Finally, Colleen laughed, though it wasn't as carefree as before. "You want to put a period on the past, Dalton. Whatever her motives, Bonnie has presented you with a chance to close another door for good."

Dalton knew Colleen was right. It made sense. Yet, he hesitated. "She's crashing the party. Your stepfather could throw her out."

"Half these people weren't invited. That's the way it goes at these get-togethers, Dalton. Go," Colleen urged when he didn't move. "I'll be here when you've finished."

"Promise?"

"Where would I go?"

Up until now, Dalton had drawn little attention beyond mild curiosity. His celebrity caused some buzz, but nothing more than a few whispers and couple of shout outs from a fan or two. Understandably, as he approached Bonnie, that changed. With each step he took. As more and more partygoers became aware of him, Bonnie, and their history, the interest shifted his way. Dalton was used to having thousands of eyes on him. Sometimes hundreds of thousands. However, this was different. On stage, he knew his part. He could improvise a drum riff in his sleep. What he felt didn't qualify as nerves. Or anger. It was closer to staring into the unknown, certain nothing good was on the other side. There was nothing wrong with a little trepidation, Dalton decided. It would keep him on his toes.

Out of nowhere, a nonsensical thought hit Dalton. He had been inside this woman. In more than one orifice. Yet he knew almost nothing about her besides her name, that she wasn't a natural blonde, and her duplicitous nature. Come to think of it, that was all he needed—or wanted to know.

"Bonnie." Dalton didn't add a hello, a how have you been, or a kiss my ass. He simply looked her straight in the eyes and waited.

If Dalton felt hesitant over this meeting, Bonnie seemed to have no such reservations. Placing a hand on her curvy hip, she cocked it in Dalton's direction. She was a little rounder than he remembered. But he had to admit, the extra pounds looked good on her. Seeing what she interpreted as male interest, Bonnie's smile widened as though she greeted an old lover instead of the man who she helped send to prison.

It must be nice to have a short memory. And a convenient one. Dalton had neither. Memories—good and bad—were etched in painfully potent acid. Then there was his tendency to hold a grudge. Dalton had never been one to turn the other cheek.

"I don't have to ask how you are." Bonnie giggled. That was bad enough, but when she batted her eyes, he rolled his. "Mr. Famous Rock Star. My friends don't believe when I tell them I knew you when. In the biblical sense."

Bonnie leaned close, placing a hand in the middle of Dalton's chest. To those watching, it probably seemed like an intimate gesture. Dalton stepped back, breaking contact. The woman had to be out of her mind.

"Did you mention to your friends that you perjured yourself in court? Lied about me and what happened the night I was arrested?"

Suddenly, Bonnie seemed uncomfortable as the center of attention. Lowering her voice, she tried the big, sad eyes routine. "You have to understand. I didn't have a choice. Collier forced me."

"I understand."

Brightening, Bonnie regained some of her female confidence. "I knew you would."

"I understand that I don't give a damn."

"Excuse me?" Not what she expected, Dalton's response put a confused frown between Bonnie's eyebrows.

"I used to lie in my cell at night imagining what you would say if we were to meet again. I fantasized about your remorse. Your tears. Your apologies. I wanted you to beg so that I could throw it back in your face."

"Of course, I want to apologize."

To Dalton's amazement, he swore he saw a drop of moisture in the corner of Bonnie's eyes. She had missed her calling as an actress. The problem was, acting took drive and ambition. Blowjobs and free fucks would have gotten her only so far—outside of the porn industry.

"Save your breath. I've realized I don't want or need anything from you."

"Are you sure about that?" Bonnie purred.

Though the thought of touching her made his skin crawl, Dalton had to give the woman points for perseverance.

"I don't know if your husband sent you or if it was your idea. Either way, I want you to think about this, Bonnie. This time, when I leave Midas, it will be for good. On the other hand, you are stuck in this town—with Collier—for life."

"You're wrong. Collier is going to be a United States senator."

Dalton would have laughed, but several people in the crowd beat him to it.

"In your dreams, Bonnie," a woman called out.

"Senator Collier Langley? Hell, no," added someone else.

"There's your answer, Bonnie," Dalton said.

The look of panic in Bonnie's eyes. The dawning horrified realization that the dream of getting out of Midas might be just that—a dream—was all the revenge Dalton needed.

Not sparing Bonnie another glance, Dalton turned, seeking out Colleen. As promised, she was right there. Waiting.

"Your food is waiting. And, Mom is almost ready to cut her birthday cake."

"What kind?" Dalton asked.

Colleen searched his eyes. With a satisfied nod at what she saw, she looped her arm through his. Casually, as though Bonnie wasn't staring daggers at their backs, she strolled with him, the crowd parting.

"We are talking about my mother, Dalton. Ten layers, ten flavors."

"Can't go wrong with that." Dalton brought Colleen's hand to his lips for a lingering kiss. "I can't wait to see if she likes the gift I got for her."

"Big and bold?"

"As big and bold as I could find. Not to mention shiny as hell."

Colleen grinned. "Mom will be over the moon."

COLLEEN WOKE FROM a deep, dreamless sleep with a smile on her face. The same smile she wore as she dozed—happy and sated. Why did she have to open her eyes? Last night had been magical. There was no way today could possibly live up to such lofty standards. Determined to make perfection last a few moments longer, she snuggled down under the covers.

"Good morning."

"It is." Colleen reached for Dalton but found the mattress beside her empty and the sheets disturbingly cold. "I've changed my mind. How can it be good when I'm here, and you aren't?"

The bed sagged.
That
was promising.

"Why don't you come out from under there? I want to ask you a question."

"Ask away." Colleen lifted one corner of the covers. "Under here. With me."

"Okay."

"Why did you get dressed?" She wanted bare skin. Blue jeans and a t-shirt didn't cut it. "I'm not."

"I had to go out for a few minutes. The world tends to frown on a naked man walking down a public street."

"The world would change its collective mind once it got a load of you."

To her chagrin, Dalton stopped her from pushing his shirt up his chest. Instead, he rolled them over until she was on her back, firmly pinned down. Colleen tugged, but Dalton firmly held her wrists over her head.

"I like this feisty mood," Dalton grinned. "Normally, you're already up and on your way to work."

Colleen wasn't in the mood to think about work. Not after what happened yesterday. She wasn't going to let anything interfere with her morning happy. Stretching, she blinked the last of the sleep from her eyes, bringing Dalton into focus for the first time.

"What did you do?"

"I was wondering when you were going to notice."

"You shaved!" Colleen pulled her wrists free, reversing their positions. Fascinated, she carefully touched his smooth cheek, as though uncertain it wasn't an illusion. "Why?"

Watching her closely, Dalton shrugged. "I felt like a change. What do you think?"

"Did you do this because of me?" Colleen couldn't help but ask. If the answer was yes, it had to mean Dalton meant to stick around a little longer. Otherwise, why bother?

Dalton nodded, causing Colleen's heartbeat to flutter. Shrugging, he met her gaze. "I don't like hurting you. I know you said the rash was no big deal… Besides, I can always grow it back."

It was obvious how uncomfortable Dalton was with delving into the implications of his impulsive actions. Colleen was more than satisfied with his answer, so she dropped it, circling back to his initial inquiry.

"I think you're prettier than I am."

"Jesus, Colleen. That wasn't exactly the reaction I was hoping for."

"Just stating the facts," she stated with a teasing smile.

So smooth
, Colleen thought, brushing his chin with her lips. The beard had given Dalton a rakish air. She may have overstated the pretty part. Beautiful. And younger. Almost vulnerable.
That
she wouldn't tell him. But it made her want to protect him from the evil she knew lurked around the corners of Midas.

Bonnie's appearance last night reinforced what Colleen had learned from Collier's visit to the garage. Greasing the path to his election was paramount. Irrationally, the Langley family seemed to view Dalton as a major obstacle to that goal. They were loose cannons. Unpredictable.

How desperate were they? Was Dalton in danger? Were they capable of setting something in motion that would cause him bodily harm? The thought sent a shiver up Colleen's spine.

"Earth to Colleen." Grinning, Dalton gently tapped the side of her head. "Where did you go?"

"Deep thoughts about transmissions and fuel injectors."
And how to get you out of town as fast as possible.
Selfishly, Colleen wanted Dalton to stay. However, a few more days of fun weren't worth keeping him in the Langley's crosshairs. "Dalton—"

"Put on some clothes." Dalton jumped from the bed, opening the top drawer of her dresser. "Panties. T-shirt. Shorts. That's all you need for now."

Dalton tossed the bundle onto the bed. Then crossed his arms and waited. Laughing, Colleen shimmied into the underwear.

"How about a bra?"

His lips quirked, a small smile forming. Considering, he stared at her chest. "Nope."

Not the least bit offended, Colleen donned the shirt. The shorts quickly followed. "I'll admit, my assets are less than overflowing, but…"

"Your assets are perfect." Dalton handed her a pair of flip flops. "But we aren't going far. Indulge my perverse need to know I could slip my hand under your shirt and find nothing but skin."

"If that's as perverse as you get—"

Colleen gasped as Dalton unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her until they were eye to eye, feet dangling inches from the floor.

"This?" his palm cupped her breast—under the t-shirt. "Perverse-lite. There are other things—needs—in my head that would put a red hot blush all over your soft, pretty skin."

Colleen's eyes widened. She wasn't sure what to say.

"Surprised?" Dalton asked, his hot breath bathing the curve of her ear.

"Yes."

"Scared?"

That made her pause. Colleen thought about it, rolled it around, then thought some more. She didn't know exactly what Dalton meant. Couldn't know unless he decided to elaborate. But scared?

"No. I'm not."

"Maybe I'll tell you about it someday." With a brush of his lips against hers, Dalton set Colleen down. "If you're interested."

"Maybe I am."

"Maybe?" Dalton's eyes had darkened from bright to midnight blue.

Colleen had to admit, she was intrigued. Licking her lips, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Probably."

"Another time," Dalton nodded.

As fast as that, he dropped intense for playful. Dalton didn't seem the least bit fazed by the quick change. However, Colleen was a little disoriented. It emphasized what was so easy to forget. She didn't know this man. Deep down, Colleen felt they were connected. She was certain she could trust Dalton. Sharing her body had been a no-brainer. More difficult was remembering how long she had known him. A few days. That was all. There were parts of him she didn't know or understand. The same was true for her. Yet…

"I've told you things no one else knows."

Dalton nodded. "Me, too."

"I shouldn't feel this comfortable with a relative stranger." Colleen shook her head, her gaze puzzled. "Should I?"

"I clicked with Ryder and Ashe the instant we met." Dalton paused, trying to find the right words. "Musically. Emotionally. The bond formed, then and there. Time and our shared experiences have strengthened it, but we were brothers from the very beginning."

Colleen understood what Dalton was saying. Hours. Days. Years. That unexplainable connection couldn't be measured by time. She had it with Dalton. When he was back in Los Angeles—hundreds of miles away—it would still exist. Colleen found the thought comforting. And distressing.

"Come on." Dalton took her hand, pulling her toward the door.

Laughing at his impatience, Colleen pulled back. "Give me a couple of minutes to wash my face. And take a pee."

"Fine. But hurry."

Colleen sped through her usual morning routine. A shower could wait. Brushing her teeth couldn't. While she was at it, she ran a comb through her hair, clipping it back into a modified ponytail, finishing with a dab of lip gloss.

Waiting by the front door—pacing was more like it—Dalton sent Colleen a quizzical look as she entered the living room.

"You look the same—but different."

"I combed my hair."

"It's more than that." Taking her mouth with his in a long, slow kiss, Dalton pulled away, running his tongue over his bottom lip. "Watermelon?"

"Nice taster." Colleen motioned for Dalton to follow her outside. "Now, what's the big deal? I—"