“The air refueling went well,” Bosco handed one glass to his brother. “But things are gearing up, as you know, and I’ll be heading out again soon.”
“It’s your job, and you love it.” Rory tipped back the drink. “Doesn’t mean you can’t have a personal life.”
“I used to think that, too,” Bosco admitted. He loved air refueling planes while traveling around the world. “Jennie taught me otherwise.”
Rory nodded. “Jennie is a nice woman who’s looking for something else and that’s okay. What’s your plan with your sexy neighbor? I wasn’t loving the vibe from Turner, and we do have several cousins we could set her up with if you’re not interested. She’s alone in town, and I don’t like it.”
Bosco tilted his head, not liking the heat filtering through his blood. “Why don’t you ask her out?”
Rory studied him. “Well, now,” he drawled. “That was quite the reaction. You get off your ass and ask her out. Besides, you know I have my hands full. Serenity is going to come to her senses soon.”
“Timing isn’t good,” Bosco admitted. The timing wouldn’t be good for years.
“That woman isn’t going to wait for you if she is interested. She might’ve taken one look at your ugly mug and tossed you instantly into the friend zone. Sorry I got all the good looks.”
Bosco rolled his eyes, his gut churning. Marlie had looked both delicate and beautiful in that red dress. He didn’t like the dual sense of possessiveness and protectiveness that slammed through him.
He didn’t deserve to feel either for his lovely neighbor.
Her feet throbbed,her temples ached, and even her shoulders hurt with a tightness that might require a deep-tissue massage later that week. Marlie gingerly wiped snow off the bottom of her heels before walking down the hallway toward her door. So close. Her comfy socks, pajamas, and maybe a chocolate bar were so close. Just mere feet away. “Turner, thanks for walking me inside, but I can make it from here.”
“Of course, not.” He still had his hand wrapped around her arm, and she felt the heat through her coat. “I have to make sure you’re safely inside.” Even after a cocktail party, a full dinner, dancing, and then after-dinner drinks at a small and way-too-smoky bar on the other side of town with a couple of other accountants who hadn’t attended the party, Turner seemed full of energy and ready to go. Wasn’t smoking in bars illegal? She hadn’t even been able to see the place very well. Had just shut her eyes and almost fell asleep in the booth after they’d started talking about numbers, of all things.
She wanted to go…to bed. Like right now—and by herself.
“I had a good time tonight,” he said, reaching for the key already in her hand.
“Me, too.” She tried to smile but wasn’t feeling it. The party had been fun, but he’d spent too much time ripping the other accountants apart after being nice to their faces. Then he’d held her too tightly on the dance floor, and while she’d been ready for a kiss, definitely not the one he’d tried to take deeper while dancing in front of a bunch of people she’d just met.
His hand on her butt had been the final straw, and that had ended things there.
“I can make my own way in,” she said, keeping a death grip on the key.
“Well.” He moved closer, his eyes dark. “This is our third date, you know.”
She stumbled and then caught her balance without grabbing his arm. “Third date?”
“Sure.” He leaned against the wall by the nicely shut door. “When we met at the coffee shop, and I bought your coffee could be considered our first date. Then lunch two days ago. Finally, tonight was a great time.”
Meh. It was an okay time, and one of his friends at the after-dinner bar had been a creep who wouldn’t stop looking at her boobs. Plus, they’d talked business for nearly an hour, and none of it had made any sense to her. They were all too drunk to be talking business anyway, especially about clients and their money, things which should’ve been confidential. She might’ve drifted off a bit. “Well, thanks for the third date,” she said cheerfully. “I really need to get to bed now.” The words were out before she caught herself.
“About that.” He leaned in again and pressed his lips against hers. She kissed him back, wondering.
Nope. No connection. When Marlie backed away, she forced a smile. “Thanks again for the roses, Turner.” The guy was not getting the hint.
He grasped her arm and pulled her closer, forcing her to plant a hand on his chest for balance and to hold him back. His torso wasn’t nearly as muscled as Bosco’s. “I want to come inside, Marlie. Thought I’d make that very clear.”
She sighed. “No.” Apparently, she needed to make things very clear, too.
“Yes.” He tucked a hand around her waist, tugging her closer.
Annoyance filtered through her, and she stepped closer, her heel on the top of his shoe. Then she planted with all her weight.
He hissed and yanked his foot free. “That wasn’t nice.”
“I’mnot nice,” she admitted freely. “Time to let go of me, Turner.”
“No.” He yanked harder, pressing against her and reaching for her keys.
