Steal You Away

by Ashley, Victoria

  He shakes his head and walks over to the wall, placing his fists against it as if he’s fighting back the urge to punch a hole through it. “All right.” He turns to face me, his facial expression a mixture of anger and hurt. “I’m not happy with this, but I’ll go home tonight since you asked me to, because I want us to work, but let me be clear. Don’t mistake me backing down as giving you up to my brother.” He grabs his jacket that he tossed on my dresser. “I’ll text you on my lunch break tomorrow. If you need me, I’ll be around.”

  I nod and finally release the breath I’ve been holding when he walks away. “Holy shit,” I breathe toward the ceiling, my hands in my hair. I’ve never been this overwhelmed with mixed emotions in my entire life. I’m in way over my head if I think I can handle both of them coming at me this strong.

  I’m hyperaware that Colson is just outside my door, most likely half-naked and sprawled out on the couch. The image of that in my head excites me. And not even two minutes ago, when Dax had me half-naked, that excited me too. But if I have to weigh the level of excitement between the two, the image of Colson half-naked wins by a long shot.

  I roll over and scream into my pillow, before getting out of bed and locking my bedroom door to ensure no one else comes through it. Especially one of the fucking Bennett Brothers.

  * * *

  I woke up this morning to multiple texts from Dax telling me he couldn’t sleep and asking if I locked my bedroom door after he left. The last text he sent, which was on his way to work this morning, came through at eight a.m.

  Dax: If you fuck my brother we’re done for good, because if you do, then clearly you’re just like all the other girls who want into his pants.

  I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve re-read that text since this morning. The fact that he would send me something so cold pisses me off. I never said I wanted to sleep with Colson. I made it clear last night that I was pushing his brother away just as hard as I was pushing him away. I’m far from those other girls that throw themselves on him with no shame. If I were like those other girls, I would’ve already slept with him by now.

  This definitely put me in a shit mood today.

  His text sent me straight to the gym as soon as I woke up. It’d been a while since I’d been there, and I really needed the distraction. After that, I found anything and everything I could as an excuse to stay out of the house and away from Colson to prove to myself—not Dax—that he’s wrong. I’m not like those other girls out to sleep with Colson.

  Exhaling, I kill the engine and sit here for a few moments, staring at the food truck. It immediately has me thinking of all the girls that will show up tonight to flirt with Colson and try to get into his pants as Dax put it. My stomach sinks at the thought and it angers me that I even care.

  I meant what I said last night about staying away from both brothers. Dixie’s Alibi is my top priority. My head needs to be in managing this place, not worrying about who I’m going to end up with, if either.

  Grabbing my phone from the passenger seat, I head inside, noticing that Colson isn’t in the truck. I expect to find him behind the bar again, but my grandmother is serving drinks instead and talking to Benny.

  “Oh good. You’re here.” She smiles and leans over the bar. “Colson had a great idea for tonight. I should’ve thought of this a long time ago.”

  “Is that right?” Please don’t say it’s to train him inside.

  “He suggested you work the food truck with him tonight so he can teach you what to do in case he’s sick one night. I think it’s a great idea since you’ll be managing soon. You need to know how everything works, food truck included.”

  My stomach twists into knots at the idea of being stuck in a tight space like the food truck with Colson all night. That’s worse than having him in here with me. I can’t be in a tiny metal rectangle with him and think straight. “I’m sure I can figure it out on my own, Dixie. Don’t worry about me. I’m ready. I’ve been ready for months.”

  “You’ll be ready once you learn the food truck,” she says firmly. “It’s one night. I’m sure you can handle it.”

  “What about the bar? So much has to be done in here.”

  “I’m here for now and Libby will be here in an hour. I need you to focus on the food truck. Colson is right. It’s about time one of us learn to run it in case of an emergency.”

  “I’ll show her everything she needs to know,” Colson says from behind me, causing my heartrate to instantly speed up at the sound of his voice. It’s the first time I’ve heard it today, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now.

  “I’m counting on it.” She turns to me and smiles. “Better get started. I’ll let you know when you’re needed inside. Just have fun and enjoy learning something new. It’ll be a nice change for you.”

  With my heart racing, I turn around and grab one of the packages of napkins from Colson, trying to decide whether or not I should strangle him right here or in the truck in private. “This should be interesting.”

  “You have no idea, babe,” he says beside my ear. “Probably more interesting than the night you had with my brother.”

  I swallow nervously as he walks away. “We didn’t sleep together if that’s what you’re getting at,” I say, once joining him in the food truck. I’m not sure why I feel the need to explain to him that I didn’t sleep with Dax. It’s none of his business, yet my chest feels heavy.

  “I know,” he says, back facing me as he organizes the napkins.

  “How do you know?” I add my stack of napkins on top of his and wait for an answer. It’s only been seconds, but it feels much longer.

  “Because he’s not the brother you want to sleep with now.” His gaze meets mine as he backs me against the grill and reaches beside me for the knob. His hard body against mine has me sucking in a breath and holding it. Why does this have to turn me on so much? “Turn it to three-fifty.” His breath hitting my ear has goose bumps forming on my skin. “Got it?”

  “Got it,” I whisper, keeping my composure as best as I can. “Three-fifty.”

  He backs away and smiles. “Good.” Next, he walks to the fryer and flips it on. “It’s pretty simple.”

  “Then why do I need to be out here when I should be inside running the bar? I’ve got a lot of shit to get done.”

  “Because we both know you’d rather be out here with me.”

  I laugh, as if it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. “You’re insane. Being out here in the food truck with you in a small space is the last thing I woke up wanting today.”

  “What was the first?” he questions, before licking his lips and moving into my personal space. He’s so close I can feel his breath against my lips, causing mine to pick up. If anyone knows what to do with their body, it’s him. “For me to kiss you again?”

  “No.” I can’t tell if it’s a lie or not, but I go with it, hoping he believes me. Truth is, I’ve been thinking about our kiss a lot. It’s been haunting me for days, unable to push it from my mind.

  He grabs the back of my neck and moves in another inch, his bottom lip lightly brushing mine. I can’t breathe. “Are you sure?”

  I nod, hardly able to handle his closeness. “Positive.”

  He releases my neck. “Then I’ll just have to change that.”

  I release a breath when he steps away, wishing I’d said yes. He was close; so close all I had to do was give in. Five minutes out here and I’m already on the verge of losing it.

  “Let’s move on to the menu then.” He grabs the chalkboard. “Chicken sandwiches and homemade fries with a special seasoning blend I made myself. They have a choice between fried or grilled chicken. We’re keeping it simple today just in case you can’t keep up.”

  “You’re underestimating me,” I say on a laugh. “You have no idea how many drinks I’ve been serving a night inside. I can keep up with you.”

  “Care to test that out in the bedroom later?”

  I swallow and change the
subject, knowing that if I allow myself the chance to wonder my head will be in the wrong place all night even more so than it already is. “Okay, tell me what do you usually do?”

  He props up the board and turns the ‘Open’ sign on. “I stand here and look cute until someone shows up.”

  “Oh yeah?” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling as he leans against the prep station and crosses his arms. “Aren’t you going to post something on social media to get them coming in, or do you plan to stand around and look “cute” all night?”

  He grins. “I haven’t decided yet.” He uncrosses his arms and my gaze slowly lowers down his firm body. “If you keep looking at my body as if you want it on top of you, I might just rather stand here and look cute all fucking night. In fact, I know I do.”

  “I’m not looking at you like anything,” I lie, looking away in a hurry. “Now post the menu online and keep it clean. I’ll wipe everything down.”

  He laughs, but doesn’t say anything as I reach into the bleach bucket and wring out a towel.

  “There,” he says a few minutes later. “Posted.”

  “Do I even want to look?”

  “Depends.” He lifts a brow when I give him a serious look. “Don’t worry. I kept it clean. I plan to be on my best behavior when Dixie is here. Despite what you might think, I’d never do anything to put your new position at jeopardy. I know how badly you want to manage this place. You’ve been talking about it for years. I want that for you too. I’d never do anything to hurt you, Kennedy.”

  I stare at him, trying to think of what to say when someone dings the bell in the window, causing us both to look.

  “You’re up.” He nods toward the window.

  I walk over and open it, Harry giving me a confused look once he realizes it’s me. “Working the food truck tonight? That’s new.”

  “I guess so. Someone decided it was a good idea for me to learn how.”

  He laughs and pulls out his wallet. “In that case, I’ll take mine fried. Hold the lettuce. I’ll let Dixie know you’re doing good.”

  I laugh. “Appreciate that, Harry. I’ll ding the bell when your order is up.”

  I take his money and drop a breaded chicken breast into the fryer. I almost forgot to push the timer button before walking away, so Colson clears his throat, reminding me, before handing me a potato.

  He laughs when I struggle to put it through the cutter, but I just roll my eyes and ignore him. At least someone is getting entertainment out of me being out here.

  “Don’t forget the timer button this time.” He stands over me while I drop the fries, as if I need his guidance.

  “You can back up a little. I think I can handle dropping a basket of fries.”

  “Really? Because I couldn’t tell.”

  “Yes. Really.” I turn around, but he doesn’t move. Instead, he smiles and runs a hand through my hair. The way he looks at me while doing it sends chills down my body. He looks at me as if I’m his and he’ll protect me at all costs. That look makes me feel… safe, amongst other things.

  Clearing my throat, I turn away before I manage to get too wrapped up in him. Luckily, another customer shows up and Colson steps back, putting some space between us.

  A cute little blonde I recognize from the bar smiles at Colson the moment he makes eye contact with her through the window. The way she’s eying him over has me wishing he never backed away from me.

  “Hey, cutie,” Angela says once she’s in the window. “I heard you were back. I’m glad it wasn’t just a rumor.”

  “Definitely not a rumor. Grilled or fried?”

  She stops to think for a second, before smiling and saying, “Fried. Extra crispy.”

  “Gotcha.”

  Colson goes to walk away from the window, but Angela places her hand on his arm, stopping him. “What are you doing after work tonight? Maybe we can hang out and get to know each other. We never got a chance to before you left.”

  “I’m busy tonight.” He turns to me and smiles. “Gotta help Kennedy out tonight; preparing for a lot of hard work. It’s going to be a late night.”

  My insides heat up at the ‘hard’ part, and now all I can picture is him taking me hard against every surface of the bar.

  “Maybe another time then?” she questions, hopeful.

  “Depends.”

  “On what?” She stands on her tiptoes to look him over.

  “Kennedy,” he responds, causing me to pull him away from the window and shut it before he can say anything else stupid.

  “Really, Colson? Do you know how that sounded?”

  “Yeah.” He pulls out the first chicken breast I dropped and replaces it with Angela’s. “Like I want you.” The bell dings again and he grins. “And so it begins. Hope you’re ready, babe.”

  The first two hours went by fast with barely much time to stop and talk. I don’t know how he does this by himself. Even with the two of us, it still feels like we’re rushing around to do everything. I’m sweating, my shirt sticking to my chest, which is probably why Colson usually ends up shirtless, skating around after the rush dies down.

  “Kennedy?” A male voice calls.

  I look away from the chicken I’m grilling to see James and one of his friends standing by the open window.

  He smiles and rests an elbow on the window ledge. “It’s been a while. How are things with Dax?”

  I’m surprised by his question until I notice the way his friend Carl is smiling at me. He’s cute. Really cute actually, but the last thing I need is another cute guy in my life. “Good,” I lie. “Really good. What can I get you guys?”

  “Two fried.” He pulls out his wallet and slides me a twenty. “Was hoping Dax was out of the picture. My guy needs to go on a date.”

  I get ready to say something, but Colson leans over me and shuts the window, just like I did on Angela earlier. “That was rude.”

  He grins and drops two breasts into the fryer. “I could say the same about you closing it on Angela earlier.”

  “That was different,” I bite out. “You were trying to embarrass me.

  He grips my waist and pulls me to him, not caring that James and Carl can see us. “And they were trying to ask you on a date. Not fucking happening. So I put a stop to it.”

  “It’s not like I was planning on saying yes, but even if I did, it’d be none of your business.”

  He smiles as if he knows I’m bullshitting and pushes two potatoes through the cutter, before dropping the fry basket. “Don’t forget to push the button.”

  I growl out, annoyed, and push the timer button. Stepping outside for some fresh air sounds appealing right now. It’s suddenly hotter in here than before, and it could be that Colson has me all worked up now. “Here are the last two orders… for now.”

  Colson grabs the paper containers from me and hands them through the window, before closing it in a hurry. “Good. I need a smoke break.” He grabs a water and hands it to me before opening the door. “After you.”

  The moment I step outside, I take a seat on the ground and lay back, thankful to get out of that truck. “Okay, I might’ve been wrong. I don’t know how you keep up so easily by yourself,” I admit, even though I’m still annoyed with him. “It’s hot as hell in there next to the grill and fryer. It’s torture.”

  “The girls don’t usually mind waiting, especially when I’m hot and sweaty,” he jokes. “I don’t normally rush like we did tonight. But it seems someone couldn’t wait to get rid of the female customers tonight.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I ask nervously, trying not to look guilty. I might’ve pushed a few of them out before giving them the chance to flirt with Colson. It was annoying seeing them all gaga over him; it’s pathetic.

  He laughs and sets his skateboard beside me, helping me to my feet. “I mean, I don’t blame you for wanting me all to yourself. No complaints here.”

  I laugh and shove his shoulder as he kicks the board closer to my feet, letting me
know he wants me to ride it. “Why are you always so full of yourself?”

  “I’m not.” He watches me skate around him, his eyes staying locked on mine. “I just like getting a reaction out of you. Once you stopped hanging around the skatepark, it’s about the only thing that got your attention. I like your attention,” he adds. “A whole fucking lot.”

  I go to skate past him, but he grabs my waist, pulling me from the board as it keeps going. We both laugh at the awkward noise I make, before I wriggle my way out of his arms and lean against the truck as he lights up a cigarette.

  We’re silent for a few moments, the two of us just staring at each other, before I finally speak.

  “So… you wanted to ask me out when we were kids?” I’ve been dying to ask him about this ever since he mentioned Dax knowing he liked me before we started dating.

  “Since the first time I saw you. I told you this the other day and I meant it. I just had to wait to do anything about it due to our age difference. Dax asking you out sort of fucked that up though. I should’ve never told him I wanted you.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  He takes a drag from his smoke, before exhaling and blocking me against the truck, his right hand above my head. “He would’ve never asked you out.” He bows his head and moves in as if he’s about to kiss me. I want him to. Especially after what he just said.

  “Hey! Dixie is taking off,” Libby calls from the front of the truck, before stepping around to see the position Colson and I are in. “Oh okay.” She smiles. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  I clear my throat and duck under Colson’s arm since he doesn’t move. “You didn’t. Nothing was happening.” I force a smile and run a hand through my hair. “Good. I have a lot to do inside. Let’s go.”

  I thought I’d be relieved to get away from the food truck, but as I walk away and leave Colson looking after me, I’m the complete opposite.