I nodded. “Disposable.”
“Yeah.” He looked at the house. “Didn’t want it to become just another pile of wood and nails. I wanted it to have a life again, you know? I needed it to have life.”
It was the most Colt had ever said in one go. I wasn’t sure what to say. It felt like he was talking about one thing but meant something else entirely.
He had given me something honest, and for some reason, I felt compelled to do the same. “My home hasn’t felt like a home in a while. Not since my grandmother died. No place like home as they say, but what really makes a home? People, I think.”
He looked at me for a long moment and slowly removed his sunglasses. He continued to stare at me. His jaw was clenched and I wanted to know why. What was he holding back? Colt didn’t seem like the type to holdanythingback.
“Come on, let me show you the place,” he said.
I was glad he brushed past the moment between us.
The living room was large and open, decorated in taupe and shades of brown. The kitchen was modern with white cabinetry and an island. We headed upstairs, and he led me down the hallway.
He opened a door. “Guest room.”
“It’s nice,” I said as I stepped through the doorway.
Colt leaned against the doorjamb. “Bed’s pretty comfortable. Got a new mattress for it a few months ago.”
“Yeah?” I turned to him. “Great.”
His gaze traveled down my body, his eyes warm and inviting.
“Hey, eyes up here,” I stated, snapping at him and then pointing to my face. “Let’s get something straight.”
“What’s that?” Humor radiated off of him and it was nearly my undoing. Surly Colt made me want to keep my distance. Happy, smiley Colt made me want something else entirely.
“I’m leaving town—”
“How do you expect to get out of town without your truck? And don’t forget that the doc told you not to drive.”
“Zip will get my truck when the coast is clear. And the doctoradvisedme not to drive. He didn’t forbid it.”
“Is it a stick?”
“What does that matter?”
“Color me curious.”
“Yeah, it’s a stick.”
“That’s hot, by the way. The idea of you driving a stick.”
“Stop flirting with me,” I snapped.
“Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“If I said yes would you stop?”
“Probably not.” He grinned. “What are you going to do about money?”
“I have money. I just don’t have access to it at the moment because I left my bank card in my wallet which is still in my house.”
“So youdon’thave money. Okay, what about clothes?”
“Stop asking me questions!” I groaned. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”