“Hey, Mad Marlie. Your chariot awaits.” He looked her over. “Jacket?”
Damon wore jeans, boots, and a black pullover that clung to his broad chest under a jacket. His hair had been combed back, his face freshly shaved. When he took a step closer, she smelled a hint of aftershave or cologne that went straight to her head.
“What the heck are you wearing?” she blurted.
He blinked. “Um, my people call them clothes.”
Behind her, Jeff coughed but didn’t manage to hide his laughter.
“No. That scent.” She yanked her date down by the collar of his jacket.
“Damn, girl.”
She sniffed the crook of his neck then pulled back, only to be face-to-face with the giant. “You smell good.”
“Thanks.” He smiled, and she wondered if he’d be offended if she tugged him close for a kiss.
Then he shocked her by putting a hand over her face and gently pushing her back.
“I’m not that kind of guy, Marlie. Not on the first date. And not in front of Jeff.” His scandalized tone had Jeff dying of laughter.
Marlie shoved his huge hand off her face. “It’s like getting mauled by an Alien face-hugger,” she muttered.
“You like horror movies? Me too!” Damon manhandled her into the jacket Jeff tossed him, then dragged her with him into his truck.
“Hey, Mr. Handsy. Watch it.”
He grinned at her before shutting her inside his warm vehicle. Nice and clean, she noticed with approval.
After he joined her, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
Shocking her to silence.
“Sorry. If I’d kissed you inside, I might have mounted you in front of your buddy. Can’t have that.”
“I—well—I…” She couldn’t think. That kiss had been even better than the one Wednesday night. Which led her to remember what else they’d done.
“Yeah, exactly. We have great chemistry.” He beamed at her before pulling slowly away from Jeff’s. They drove for a little bit in silence.
“Um, want to tell me where we’re going?”
“Not into surprises, huh?”
“I noticed a big bag in the back seat of your monster truck. I know I’m tall, but you could totally fit a body in there.”
“Well, sure. But not your body. Do you know how difficult it is to saw through bone?”
She blinked. “What?”
He laughed. “Hey, you started it. I’m only a killer on the ice. Well, and in the sack. That bag is for my hockey equipment. Helmet, pads, skates. I always have a spare set just in case.”
“In case what? A random hockey game appears in front of you?”
“You never know.”
She chuckled. “And I thought my brothers were bad.”
“They like hockey, but you don’t?”
