“Come and talk with me.”
Marshall gave her a doubtful look. “You’re not going to try to make out with me, are you? That’s not what I’m here for.”
Colette shook her head, eyes wide. “I promise I won’t.”
He chuckled as he followed, settling into the comfortable sofa next to her. She tucked her knees to the side, the sight of her pink toenails making his mouth water. Did everything about her have to be so goddamn adorable?
She took a deep breath, and a surge of nervous energy flooded his system. What if she didn’t want to go out with him after all? He was willing to take the risk. What if she wasn’t?
“So, last night was amazing, right?” she began, her hands twisting nervously.
“Yeah,” Marshall said, swallowing thickly. Did she know how much she was torturing him?
“I would love to go out with you, but I’m nervous. I’m supposed to leave here once my contract is over. My plan was to go back and get a job in Calgary.”
Marshall’s gaze dropped to his hands. Hearing about her going back to the city was discouraging, to say the least. He nodded silently. Reality was always hanging over them.
“I want to make sure we are both clear, before we start anything,” she added.
He could feel her eyes on him. Turning to meet her gaze, he realized there was no choice. “It’s clear. I won’t keep you from going back, if that’s what you’re afraid of. I would never do that,” his voice breathy with reluctance. He hated each word as it came out. Though he meant them, it didn’t mean he liked them.
Colette clasped her hands together. “Great. Then yes, I would love to go out with you.” She smiled, then looked around for something.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I need to change this song,” she said, finding her phone between the sofa pillows.
“Why?”
“It’s too makeouty, and I promised you there wouldn’t be any of that,” she said, scrolling. “I can’t imagine anyone resisting making out to Foreigner. It’s physically impossible.”
Marshall reached for her hand, and she looked up, her heated blue gaze irresistible.
“Leave it,” he said, taking the phone from her hand and placing it on the coffee table. “You should know by now my rules are bullshit.”
Reaching his hand in her soft, dark curls, he pulled her face to his. She was right, Foreigner gave him the need to make out. To taste her mouth and bite that swollen bottom lip that drove him absolutely crazy. He was beginning to understand the appeal of eighties music after all. The longing, the desire, the ache, all resonated with how he felt in that exact moment.
The moment their lips touched, a fire lit inside him. He was crazy to think he could resist any part of her. Colette Slip would be his undoing. Reaching a hand to grip her soft thigh, he pulled her to sit on his lap, reaching his hands up the shirt that was driving him crazy. Her skin melted under his palms, shivers and warm breaths puffing against his lips as their mouths explored, devoured, and savored their connection.
He gently squeezed the soft flesh under his hands, and she gave a soft gasp.
“I just needed a kiss goodnight,” he said with a smirk. “I’ll be seeing you for that date tomorrow night, unless you’re busy.”
“I’ll have to check my calendar. My employer might have me working late.” Her eyes flared as she waited for his response.
Leaning her forehead on his, she giggled, tucking her hands around him. He smacked her ass, and she gasped. With a satisfied smirk, he squeezed the delicious curve in his hand and leaned to whisper into her ear.
“I don’t know how someone who looks so fucking innocent brings out the devil in me. I hope you’re ready for me tomorrow night.”
Colette giggled.
“I’ll probably be exhausted from dreaming about you all night,” she teased, leaning to press her lips against his. He gripped the back of her head, leaning into her and stole a final kiss that would have to last him until the next evening. She whimpered as he pulled back and nipped at her bottom lip. All her little sounds drove him wild.
“Goodnight, darlin’,” he rasped, reluctant to let go, but determined to treat her unlike his former conquests. Take things slow. Well, a little bit slow. Enjoy himself and make sure she always felt cherished.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night, then,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder and giving his torso a squeeze. He savored the feel of her in his arms for a moment; the way her body wrapped around him filled his heart in a way nothing ever had.
He was a man coming up for air after almost drowning.
