“Because you say the sweetest things. I needed to hear those words, but... You are my friend. It’s not the same.”
He shook his head. “I’m still a man even though I’m your friend.” He took a step back and slid his gaze over her pretty blouse, thin waist, and slender hips. “And I think you are one gorgeous woman.”
“Colt? My eyes are up here.”
He snapped out of the daze her new look had put him under. Blinking, he lifted his gaze to her eyes. Even in the shadows, he knew the color of her hazel eyes and the way he couldn’t stop dreaming about them. Her long lashes brushed on her skin when she blinked. And her mouth... Inwardly, he groaned. The smooth raspberry color of her lips made him want to kiss her to see if they tasted as good as they looked.
“Colt? Are you all right?”
He was definitelynotall right. Her beauty had numbed his brain, and he couldn’t think of anything to say. In fact, he was probably drooling like a boy the first time he ever had lovey-dovey feelings, but he didn’t care.
She cupped his face and tilted his head until their gazes met again. She gave him a teasing grin.
“I’m still the same person, so quit looking at me as if I’m Medusa.”
He chuckled lightly as he slid his arms around her perfect waist and pulled her closer. “No, Blaze. You’re not Medusa. I will not turn to stone by gazing upon your loveliness. I think you’re a goddess.”
Her teasing expression disappeared, and something more serious replaced it. Her slender throat jumped as if she’d taken a hard swallow and her hands dropped to his shoulders.
“Colt, you shouldn’t say things like that to a woman who rarely hears compliments that make her feel pretty.”
He lifted a hand to her hair and rubbed a lock between his fingers and thumb. It was as silky as it looked, even if it was wrapped in a small bun. “Forgive me.” He leaned closer, pressing his cheek against hers and enjoying the softness of her skin and her heavenly fragrance of wildflowers... the same scent that his Cleopatra had that night of the doctor’s party.
“Forgive you?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“Yes, for not saying it to you more often.” He brushed his mouth across her cheek. “I should have told you every time we were together.”
He turned them, pushing her up against the wall for support. Her body trembled, but her ragged breathing let him know she was enjoying this. He kissed her cheek and then placed another kiss on her neck. A small moan released from her throat as she tightened her fingers on his shoulders.
“Colt,” her voice squeaked. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“I know, but... I can’t pull away. If you want me to stop, you’re going to have to tell me.” He kissed her chin, getting closer to her mouth as his heartbeat pounded wildly.
“Colt,” she whispered huskily, “I... can’t stop you.”
He lightly swept his lips over hers, and she sighed heavily as her body melted against him. Happiness swelled in his chest, and he captured her mouth with his. He started the kiss out gentle at first, but he was losing control fast as the excitement built inside him. Her mouth fit perfectly with his, reminding him so much of Cleopatra’s kiss. The woman at the masquerade party and the one in his arms were definitely the same person. Knowing this only made him want Blaze that much more.
He deepened the kiss, tightening his arms around her, pressing his body against her closer. She clung to him and answered him back with passionate kisses. Never in his life had he kissed a woman with so much emotion, making each second count as the best he’d ever had.
Finally, her hands moved, sliding to his neck, and then her fingers threaded through his hair. Warmth spread all over his body. But the feeling was more than that. It was as if he knew her feelings for him with every stroke of her fingers and from every touch. This was the first time he’d felt the jolt of love shoot through his heart.
“Oh, Blaze,” he sighed, moving his mouth across her cheek again and down her neck. She tilted her head back, giving him more access. “This is so... wonderful.Youare so wonderful.”
“But Colt,” she said in a voice lower than before, “I haven’t changed. I’m the same woman underneath this dress and styled hair.”
He pulled back enough to look at her. Passion was etched on her face and especially in her dreamy eyes. “I know. That’s what makes this thing between us so much better.”
Smiling, he caressed her cheek. “There’s something else I must confess.”
“What?”
“I’ve wanted this since we first kissed as Cleopatra and the bandit.”
She sucked in a breath, and her eyes widened. “How did you know it was me?”
He grinned. “I didn’t fully know until just now.”
“And you’re not mad at me?”
