“Colette, you deserve better than me or Evan,” he said, tucking his hands in his pockets well away from her. His breath heaved with the effort of pulling away. “I’ve had enough hookups to last a lifetime.”
His last words were tinged with a sadness she wanted to explore. She needed to brush aside the curtains and see the secrets he hid from everyone else.
“Whatever, Marshall, I’m a big girl. You don’t have to use flowery words to convince me you’re not interested. I’ll be okay.” She shrugged and turned to walk inside, leaving him standing there. She closed her eyes and listened for the sound of his retreating footsteps. Surely, he would leave now. As if she would hear anything over the sound of her racing heart. She wasn’t a player, but she sure was acting like it. Blame Marshall for bringing this behavior out in her. Shivers skated over her body as she sensed a lack of movement. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to look at him.
“Why are you still standing there? Go, Marshall.”
“I’m standing here because you’re pissing me off,” he growled, pulling her to him. “You’re not listening to me.”
She blew an exasperated breath. “Well, I’m tired of hearing you talk,” she said, flicking her gaze to his. Wetting her lips, she tilted her chin in a silent challenge. His eyes followed the path of her tongue, not missing a single movement. He dug his hand into her curls, pulling her face to within an inch of his.
“Tell me to stop, or I’m gonna kiss you,” he whispered, the words a caress on her skin. Did she want him to kiss her?
Hell yeah.
“You better hurry up, or I’m gonna kiss you first,” she taunted with a slow grin.
He tilted his head, capturing her lips beneath his, and she melted with a soft moan. Kissing Marshall King was pure heaven, even when he was furious with her. She opened her mouth and used her tongue to caress his, coaxing him to come deeper. For the first time in her life, she wanted to indulge with complete abandon. His lips roamed down her neck and the sounds of his pleasure hummed against her skin. He released her hair as his fingers played with the hem of her shirt.
Right about now, a fling sounded great.
“Do not test me, Colette,” he whispered. He took his hands off her brusquely, as though she were flammable, and truly, at that moment, she could have been. Chests heaving, they glared at each other. She was mad he had stopped; he was, well, whatever. Colette didn’t care.
“What was that all about then?”
“I didn’t want you thinking I wasn’t attracted to you,” Marshall said, with a tilt of his head. “Now go to sleep, Colette.”
She watched as he strode from the house in a hurry. All she wanted to do was push herself against the door and lock it. Keep him out. How dare he?
Light a fire like that and just leave?
Marshall was playing a dangerous game, kissing her, then running away like a coward. Perhaps he was right. She did deserve better.
CHAPTER 22
“You’re a tease, Marshall King,” Colette called out behind him. He stopped. Again. She was beginning to have a real sense of déjà vu.
“It’s for your own good. You’ll thank me later,” he retorted, watching her with his hands on his hips.
She scoffed. “You shouldn’t go around making women all hot and leaving them wanting. Maybe I will have to find someone else to put out this fire after all.”
His eyes narrowed into a glare, and she shivered.
Good.
Her barb had hit its mark.
With a frustrated growl, he stomped back to her doorstep. A saucy smile curved her lips.
Yes.
She walked into the living room, certain he would follow. Behind her, Marshall kicked off his boots and shook his head.
“I hope you’re happy,” he grumbled.
“I am.” She tilted her head, pulling him into the living room. Colette wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she was down for whatever. He dropped her hand to close the curtains behind the sofa. She shook her head and rolled her eyes.
He couldn’t help himself.
