Page 42 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Thirteen

Ten minutes later, Beth stood on Colton’s back deck and knocked on his door. Smoothing her hands over her T-shirt, she waited, questioning her decision to come there. But a few seconds later, Colton swung open the door, and her nerves fluttered for a different reason.

His hair looked freshly washed, and he’d changed into a pair of gray athletic shorts; however, he was still shirtless because of the sunburn.

“Come on in,” he said, stepping aside for her to pass.

The kitchen was the only room she’d been in so far, and she was curious about the rest of the house, but first things first.

“Where do you want to do this?” she asked.

His deep chuckle made her realize what she’d just said, and her cheeks reddened. “I meant where do you want to go so I can apply the aloe?”

“I know what you meant,” he said, and then sweeping his hand forward, he added, “The living room’s fine.”

While his kitchen was smaller than Aunt Jenny’s, his living room was much larger, stretching across the entire front of the house and flanked by two large bay windows. She noticed that the wood flooring extended into the living room as well, and there was a large rectangular area rug under the wraparound sofa and chair. The room was painted a pale yellow, and with the natural light streaming in, the space looked warm and cozy. Other than a few photos of Joey on the fireplace mantle, there wasn’t much in the way of decorations, but it was homey and inviting nonetheless.

Noticing the bottle of aloe on the coffee table, she walked over and picked it up.

“Where do you want me?” Colton asked, sidling up next to her.

Laughing nervously, she replied, “I guess you could lie down on the couch.”

He complied, sprawling out on his stomach with his arms pinned to his sides.

Perching on the edge of the sofa near his hips, she opened the bottle of aloe and poured some into her palm.

“Go easy on me,” he said, his voice muffled against the couch cushion.

“I’ll try to.” But the minute she placed the aloe on his warm skin, he stiffened, his back muscles clenching in pain. “Sorry,” she said.

He exhaled loudly and said, “It’s just that first touch, you know?”

“Yeah.” She was thinking of a different kind of touch, though, and was glad he couldn’t see her cheeks flush again.

She gently applied the aloe, slathering it on his back without rubbing the skin too hard. She hadn’t had a sunburn in years, but she remembered how painful it could be.

“Funny. I remind Joey to wear sunscreen all the time, yet I’m the one who got burned,” Colton muttered.

“I do the same thing with my students, especially when we have an outdoor field trip or an outside play day. It’s our job to protect children.”

“You’ll be a good mom someday.”

It crossed her mind that had she and Christopher gotten married last fall, she could have been pregnant right now. But one thing was certain: she wouldn’t have been sitting there rubbing aloe onto Colton’s bare back. She shook her head at the thought of it.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, peering at her over his shoulder.

“Oh. Nothing. Just thinking about having kids someday, that’s all.”

“Sorry. I assumed you’d want them since you’re a teacher.”

“You assumed right,” she said, giving him a half-smile. “It’s just that I don’t know when I’ll get that chance.”

Colton started to sit up, but she frowned at him. “Lie back down. I’m not finished.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

As she applied the aloe, she noticed his skin was nearly flawless other than a few light-colored moles. She checked to make sure he wasn’t looking, and then she glanced down at his butt and legs. He really is a gorgeous hunk of man.