Though her hand trembled, all her fear had evaporated into the void. Hopeful anticipation coursed through her veins, flooding her with warmth.
No longer fighting the current, she longed to see where it would take her.
Colt released a soft groan as she wove her fingers through his hair, gently tugging his head toward hers.
When his lips captured her mouth, the walls around her heart collapsed into a thousand grains of sand.
* * *
Colt thought he knew what it meant to live his life to the fullest.
But kissing Penny, he realized he hadn’t even scratched the surface… until now.
She tasted sweeter than a chocolate éclair and more satisfying than a five-course meal at his favorite restaurant in Paris. And now that he’d whet his appetite, nothing else would suffice.
He had only one choice to keep the promise he’d made to his fatherandthe woman who’d captured his heart—convince Penny to travel the world with him. A feat that seemed more and more attainable by the second.
When they finally broke apart, breathless and panting, Colt couldn’t wait to get lost in her lips again. Who needed air? He was fairly confident he could live off her affection forever.
“What just happened?” Her breath ragged and hoarse, she sounded surprised but nowhere near displeased—thank goodness.
Not that he should worry. This kisshadbeen her idea. Even though he’d most certainly been thinking about it. And unwittingly made it possible thanks to his bonehead mistake with the batteries. He’d have to commend his subconscious mind for planning ahead.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, his throat equally thick. “But I wouldn’t mind trying it again.”
She giggled softly, sending his pulse into overdrive.
His fingers knowing exactly where to go in the darkness, gently cupped her chin, tilting her face as he lowered his mouth to hers once more.
But a sudden burst of light shattered the moment.
“Sorry, bro.” A college-aged kid with absurdly large biceps wore an impish grin as he leered at Penny. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
His equally fit friend emerged from the tunnel behind him, bumping into his broad back. “Move, man. You’re blocking the exit.”
Sidestepping out of the way, Leering Guy hooked his thumb in their direction. Wiggling his eyebrows, he jeered, “They should’ve put a sock on the stalagmite.”
They shared a boorish chortle.
Penny flushed, igniting Colt’s protective instinct. “Hey,bro,”—he coated the word with an extra dose of disdain—“our headlamps went out. We were waiting for the next group to catch up and lead the way to the Concert Hall.”
Okay, so a tiny lie. But theywouldneed light to get out of here. He just hadn’t been in a hurry until now.
“No prob, dude. We’ve got you covered.” Bro Number Two flashed an unctuous smile at Penny as though she was supposed to be impressed.
As she inched closer, Colt draped a shielding arm around her shoulder. If these guys weren’t careful, they’d get a fist to their chiseled jaws.
Fortunately, they made it the short distance to the last cave without a brawl, but Colt made sure they separated as quickly as possible once they joined the rest of the group.
The Concert Hall was the largest cavern on the tour and got its name, in part, from the unusual rock formation that resembled long pews carved into the wall. Even more impressive, the unconventional seating faced a small underground lake illuminated by strategically placed artificial lighting.
“Oh, my…” Penny breathed by his side.
Catching the beguiling look of pure wonder sprawled across her face, he resisted the urge to kiss her right there in front of everyone. Seeing the world through her eyes added a new dimension to everything, creating a deeper, more meaningful experience, as though his vision had transformed from black-and-white to color for the first time.
“Pretty cool, huh?”
“It’s magical.”
