Chapter 5
The doorbell chimed and Marlee left the kitchen to see if Colt had arrived, or maybe just early trick-or-treaters. Her flowing black silk skirt swirled around her ankles and her towering black heels clicked across the wood floor.
She peeked through the peephole, accidentally knocking back her witch’s hat as she saw Colt stood on her doorstep. She grabbed the black hat with one hand, pushing it into place and stepped back.
Marlee took a deep breath and held her hand to her abdomen to calm the fluttering in her belly and opened the door.
“Welcome.” She spoke in her best witchy voice, trying to stay in character when she really wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him. She took a couple more steps back. “Come into my lair.”
“If all witches looked like you, men wouldn’t know what to do with themselves.” Colt stepped into her home and closed the door behind him. She noticed a jangling sound before he said, “You’re a knockout, sugar.”
She warmed, glad she hadn’t gone for the green makeup she’d originally planned to use, pre-Colt. “You wouldn’t like me with a wart on my nose?”
Colt dropped something that thudded on the floor and took her into his arms. “I’ll be honored to be with you even if it means you’ll turn me into a toad.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m not about to do that since it would mean some princess would have to kiss you.”
“You’re my witchy princess.” He held her securely. “No one is kissing me but you.” He lowered his mouth to hers.
His Stetson promptly knocked off her hat and it tumbled to the floor. She sighed into his mouth, heat extending to every part of her body. She was completely out of breath when he raised his head and broke the kiss.
“You lost something.” He smiled at her, his amber eyes warming her through like the best whiskey.
“Lost?” Her mind was fuzzy from his kiss.
He leaned down and scooped up her hat then placed it on her head, a lopsided grin on his face. “You make the cutest which.”
She gave him her best appalled expression. “I wasn’t going for cute. I’m an evil witch, remember?”
He toyed with her long hair that she’d left down. “Could have fooled me.”
He moved and she heard that jangling sound again. She looked down at his boots then smiled at him. “You wore spurs.”
“Of course, little lady.” Colt gave a great John Wayne impersonation. “My mighty-fine horse is hitched up outside.”
A chime at the door had Marlee stepping out of Colt’s embrace. “Sounds like little ones bypassed your horse.”
Colt scooped up a huge bag of candy from off the floor at their feet, where Colt had apparently dropped it before taking her into his arms. He scooped it up, his spurs jangling as he followed her to the door.
She picked up a plastic cauldron filled with candy and turned the doorknob. A chorus of “Trick-or-treat,” came the moment she swung open the door.
Marlee cackled. “I have candy for the bravest of you. Who’s brave enough to face Witch Marlee?”
“I am!” a little girl shouted through her pink Darth Vader mask as she pushed her way to the front. She brandished a plastic device. “I got my light saber!”
“Oh, no.” Marlee dropped candy into the girl’s outstretched bag. “Spare me, please Darth Vader.”
The girl giggled. Marlee smiled and gave each child a handful of candy in their bags. She never could resist giving kids more than just a couple of pieces.
Before the children had made it back to the driveway, another group approached from the sidewalk. This time Colt spoke with the kids, staying in character and speaking with a thick cowboy drawl.
Colt had the sexiest voice, and just being this close to him caused tingles in her belly. After the fourth set of trick-or-treaters, she realized she’d relaxed enough to simply enjoy the evening with him. This schoolgirl-crush feeling had to go.
The number of kids pressing Marlee’s doorbell slowed to a trickle then stopped altogether.
She blew out her breath and stared into her cauldron. “We just about ran out of candy. She glanced up and smiled at Colt. The bag you brought got us through the madness.
Colt chuckled. “It did get a little backed up there for a while.”
She set aside the cauldron and inclined her head toward the kitchen. “Come into my potion-making chamber. I’ll see if the tarantula stew is ready.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Am I going to regret this?”
“We’ll see,” she smirked, “my pretty.”
He followed her into the kitchen, shaking his head. “Smells great, whatever it is.”
Marlee raised the lid of a pot on the stove and stirred the contents with a wooden spoon. “Perfectly lumpy. Lots of tarantula bodies.” She glanced at Colt. “Did you know tarantulas turn white when they’re cooked? At least in my recipe.”
He studied her with amusement on his handsome features. “I’d have to say no.”
She set the wooden utensil on a spoon rest. “Would you like some iced beetle tea?”
He gave a nod. “I’m game.”
She grabbed a pitcher of iced tea from the fridge and set it on the counter next to the knife block. She poured two glasses before handing one to him. “I’ve got lemon wedges and sugar if you’d like.”
He raised his glass. “I’ll take it straight.” His throat worked as he swallowed a long drink. “Best beetle tea I’ve had.”
She nodded in the direction of the table already laden with covered dishes. “We’ll start with an appetizer.” She pointed to the dome-covered plates. “Help yourself to rat brains and hairy skeleton balls.”
Colt snorted out a laugh and raised the first dome before taking a few of the cappelletti pasta stuffed with beet puree-ricotta mixture and putting them on a plate. He bit into one as he leaned back against the counter and the red puree dripped onto his plate. “A little messy but good.”
She gave him a wicked grin. “Now, eat a skeleton ball.”
He winced. “I’m not so sure about those.” Colt looked from her face to the plate of struffoli. “Suddenly, I’m not hungry.”
She laughed at his doubtful expression. “They’re struffoli, which are Italian honey balls. I rolled these in coconut flakes to make them hairy.”
“Well, in that case.” He snagged a couple from beneath the second dome and added them to his plate. He stared at one and made a face. “Skeleton balls,” he muttered.
“Don’t be a baby.” She grinned. “Eat up.”
Colt popped it into his mouth as if getting his nerve up then slowly chewed and swallowed. “Much better than they sound.” He ate the second one. “They need a new name.”
Marlee reached into the cabinet and pulled out a couple of bowls. “The spiders are done.” She pointed to the table. “Have a seat.”
She took a long-handled ladle from a utensil crock. She dunked it into the homemade dumplings in the stock pot and ladled the soup into the bowls. She carried them to the table and placed one on the placemat in front of Colt before taking her own seat and settling her bowl before her.
“It’s really hot.” She picked up a soup spoon from the utensils she’d already set out at each place setting.
He bit into a dumpling. “Didn’t know tarantulas tasted so good.”
“This is a Polish dumpling recipe from my grandmother.” Marlee smiled. “It reminds me of my childhood. I have lots of fond memories of her and those days.”
“Your grandma was nice.” Colt spooned another dumpling. “Tough, but a real nice lady.”
Marlee nodded thoughtfully. “Definitely couldn’t pull one over on her.”
When they finished the dumplings, Marlee loaded elbow macaroni and cheese with pimentos on two plates.
She placed one in front of Colt. “Chopped intestines.”
Colt smirked. “My favorite dish.”
Their odd Halloween dinner progressed as they ate the things she and Rae had come up with when they’d brainstormed. Marlee would never have put these dishes together in any one dinner, but it made for a lot of fun with Colt.
Marlee stabbed at the macaroni. “How are preparations going for the small business event?”
He shrugged. “Amy is doing most of the legwork with the community. I’ve got my men scheduled to help with setup during the week beforehand.”
“I told Amy I’d help.” Marlee smiled. “That was before I knew it was at the Bar M. Not so sure now.”
Colt grinned. “Mayor Brown comes up with some good ideas for King Creek.”
“He’s a great mayor.” Marlee set her fork down and rested her hand on her belly. “I’m stuffed.”
Colt took a crunchy breadstick bone and dipped it in marinara sauce marrow. “I’d be happy to eat the rest of your share of this witchy dinner.”
“Have at it.” She rested her back against the chair. “What kinds of things are going on at the event?”
“Each participating company will have a booth,” Colt said, “and there will be arts and crafts for sale, food vendors, and an area to play horseshoes. We’ll have pony rides for the kids and a pint-sized rodeo with sheep roping and goat tying.”
Marlee tipped her head to the side as she considered the event. “Several years ago, I learned face painting. I could do that for the kids.”
“I like that idea.” Colt nodded. “I’m sure the young ones will enjoy that.”
“I’ll get with Amy and set it up.” Marlee uncovered a dish when she saw that Colt’s plate was clean and he’d set aside his fork. “And for dessert, fingers.”
A crash sounded in the living room, like glass shattering, followed by a big thump.
Marlee’s eyes widened. “What was that?”
“Stay here,” Colt said. But she ignored him, and they both shoved back their chairs and hurried into the living room.
In the middle of the room sat a fist-sized rock. The curtains billowed in through the broken window.
“Oh, crap.” Marlee groaned and looked at the rock. “Must have been a someone playing tricks for Halloween.”
“Some trick,” Colt muttered. “Do you have anything we can use to cover up the window for tonight?”
“I have a canvas tarp and some cardboard and nails.” She sighed. “I have extra paint that I can use to patch up the nail holes once a new window is in. I’ll call someone first thing.”
Colt got the canvas and cardboard out of the basement while Marlee grabbed the broom, dustpan, and a wastebasket, along with her tool bag. She kept all manner of project items in the bag, including a hammer and nails.
It didn’t take too long before she had cleaned up the glass and Colt had secured the window good enough to get her through the night.
When they were finished, they returned to the kitchen and sat at her small table.
Colt picked up a cannoli shaped like a finger and set it on his plate. “Looks great.” He cut his fork into the dessert and dark red raspberry-ricotta filling oozed out. A small crunchy breadstick bone stuck out of the filling.
He ate the bite and nodded appreciatively as she put one on her own plate. He finished it and grabbed a second. “It’s been a great dinner, Marlee. Love these cannoli.”
“How about a special witches brew to top it off?” She got to her feet. “Coffee with a touch of Kahlua.”
“I’d like that.” He joined her in the little kitchen and leaned back against the counter, his powerful arms crossed over his chest.
Marlee watched her coffee maker as it dripped into the pot before meeting Colt’s gaze. “Coffee is one of the best smells in the world. I think that’s why I prefer using a traditional coffee maker over a single-serve machine. I adore the scent of freshly ground coffee.”
“That and the warm smell of homemade bread straight out of my mom’s oven.” He nodded. “Can’t beat ’em.”
Their gazes lingered. “I’ll have to make my homemade rolls for you. I think you’ll enjoy them.”
“I’d like that.” He moved closer to her so that they leaned back against the corner together, side-by-side.
Tingles radiated through her belly as his body heat burned her through. A sudden bout of nervousness overtook her and she moved to the cabinet and pulled out two pottery mugs. She couldn’t find her tongue and busied herself filling the mugs and adding shots of Kahlua.
Colt took the mug from her. He watched her over the rim as he drank from it.
Marlee suddenly felt on edge. The night would end soon, and what then?
Would he want to stay? Would she want him to?
She sipped too quickly from her mug and burned her tongue.
Slow down, she told herself. In every way, she needed to slow down.
They finished their coffee and Colt helped Marlee clean up what mess they’d made. She enjoyed having him beside her, his shirt sleeves rolled up while he hand-washed the stockpot. The muscles in his arms flexed as he worked, the hair on his arm golden against his tan.
They fell into a comfortable rhythm, and her nervousness drifted away. The moment felt so natural, so comfortable. They had moved from teenagers in love to being estranged, and now adults finding their way back to each other.
“This is nice.” Colt echoed how she felt as he set aside the dish towel he’d used to dry his hands. He settled his hand on her waist and drew her to him. “I could get used to this in a heartbeat.”
A shiver rippled over her skin, and her lips trembled as she smiled. “I’m glad you asked me out and I’m happy you’re here tonight.”
He drew her into his arms, and she linked her hands behind his neck. “I’m thinking it might be dangerous to be alone with you,” he murmured. “Walking out that door isn’t going to be easy.”
Butterflies tickled her belly, and she didn’t trust herself to speak. She might tell him he could stay, and it was much too soon for that.
He pressed her up against the counter and her breathing faltered. A knife handle from the knife block dug into her back, but she barely noticed. She could so easily imagine him setting her on the countertop, raising up her skirt, and burying himself inside her.
Her face flamed as he met her gaze, the sexy curve of his lips making her feel like he’d heard the intensity of her thoughts. She couldn’t have him thinking she wanted him to stay the night, even though that was exactly what she most desired him to do.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn’t sure she could let him leave tonight.
His lips brushed over hers, causing her to gasp against his mouth. His tongue slid between her lips and a soft moan escaped her. The sound seemed to encourage him, and he pressed her harder against the counter and deepened the kiss.
So much pent-up desire for Colt exploded inside her. She answered his kiss with a fervor that matched his.
He grasped her ass, picked her up and settled her on the countertop, just as she’d imagined. He slid her skirt up to her hips before pressing himself between her thighs.
She groaned, an urgent sound that spoke of her hunger for him. He kissed her even more intensely, and she wanted his hands doing more than just holding her hips.
Marlee slid her palms from his neck and grasped his hands. She moved them to her breasts, and he caught his breath.
She gasped at the feel of his big hands on her breasts and melted as he brushed her nipples with his thumbs.
“Colt.” His name came out as a husky murmur on her lips and then she spoke his name more urgently. “Colt.”
“Oh, God, Marlee.” He ground himself against her center. His hardness against her soft flesh made her tremble with desire. “I need you.”
She swallowed. In the back of her mind, she knew that to go much farther than they had already wasn’t a good idea. In fact, it was a very bad one. They’d barely just started seeing each other and they shouldn’t be in a hurry to end up in bed.
But she couldn’t stop herself. She needed him. She wanted him.
Colt broke the kiss and raised his head. He still had his hands on her breasts, his thumbs and forefingers rolling her nipples. His eyes smoldered, their depths so dark she felt like she was falling into them.
He eased his hands from her breasts to her hips. The rise and fall of his chest told her he was having just as hard of a time catching his breath as she was.
“I’d better get going.” The tone of his voice let her know that wasn’t what he wanted to do. He wanted to stay.
And she wanted to tell him to stay. She wanted that more than anything.
But not now. Not yet.
She didn’t want to regret one single moment with him. She wanted to be able to give herself fully and completely to him.
Now was not that time.
Now she needed to have him leave and let her gather herself.
But she didn’t want him to leave.
They stared at each other a long moment, their desire for each other holding them in place.
“So much lost time.” The words came out low and throaty. She hadn’t planned on saying them aloud.
Colt drew her to him and kissed her again.
Her mind spun. His mouth so warm and delicious and his scent like coffee and an inherently masculine scent all his own. She drank him in.
Something chimed incessantly at the back of her mind and Colt drew back. She could barely breathe.
“Someone’s at the door.” Colt’s voice was tight, on edge, as his chest rose and fell in ragged breaths.
“It’s too late for trick-or-treaters.” She placed her hands on his shoulders as he helped her off the countertop.
Colt stepped back, pulling his arms away from her, looking reluctant to let her go. “Maybe it’s a group of teenagers.”
Marlee nodded and made her way to the front door, Colt close behind her. Before she could open the door, he put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me. This late you can’t be sure, and someone did throw a rock through your window.”
She hesitated, but his intense expression and the fact that he was being a gentleman had her stepping back.
Colt opened the door and cool air swirled into the house. She peeked around him and saw that a man stood there, but she couldn’t see his face.
“You’re here a little late, Campbell.” Colt’s voice had a hard edge to it.
Ben? A warm flush stole over Marlee. Why was he here? Had he thrown the rock earlier?
She tried to get past Colt, but he remained firmly in place.
“What the hell are you doing here, McLeod?” Rage burned in Ben’s voice and Marlee grew hotter. “Get the hell out of my way. I want to see Marlee.” His slurred words told her he was drunk.
Colt didn’t budge. “Call her in the morning.”
“Fuck you.” Ben grew louder. “Move the fuck away.”
Marlee put her hand on Colt’s arm. “Let me handle him.”
Colt glanced at her at the same time Ben swung his fist.
“Colt,” Marlee shouted his name in warning, her voice laced with fear. But it was too late.
Ben’s fist connected with Colt’s face as he sucker-punched him.
Colt stumbled back but remained on his feet. Ben swung again, but Colt dodged it and shoved Ben back on the porch. “You don’t want to do this, Campbell. This is your last and only warning.”
With a drunken roar, Ben bellowed and swung again, but Colt was too fast for him. He drove his fist into Ben’s gut and the man went down.
Ben regained his balance and lunged for Colt’s legs, but he was too slow and uncoordinated. Colt stepped aside, grabbed Ben by the collar and dragged him to his feet. He punched Ben in the face. The man dropped to the porch again, blood pouring from his nose.
Ben made it back to his hands and knees, swaying. Marlee knew he wasn’t going to stop until one of them was out cold.
Heart pounding, she grabbed her cell phone off the entryway table and called the police.
Colt fended off another attack. “Campbell, I’ve just about lost every damned bit of patience I have. You are going to be flat on your back at the bottom of these stairs in about ten seconds if you don’t stop.
“Marlee is mine.” Ben growled the words from where he knelt on the porch.
“What the hell?” Marlee pushed Colt and this time he stepped aside, but only a little. It was clear he was prepared to knock Ben back down if the man forced his hand. “I only went on a few dates with you, Ben Campbell. Where do you get off saying I belong to you?”
Ben looked sulky. “I was first. I should be the only one to touch you.”
Marlee felt perplexed. She didn’t understand where he was coming from. She grabbed a box of tissues, marched up to Ben, who had gotten to his feet, and handed the box to him.
“I never gave you any reason to think things between us were more than casual.” She glared at him. “As a matter of fact, I told you we should see other people.”
Ben pulled out a wad of tissues and wiped his nose.
Sounds of sirens carried on the night air. A moment later the sirens were cut, and two police vehicles pulled in front of her house, to either side of Ben’s car. The strobes flashed, turning all their faces from blue to red.
“You called the police?” Ben glared at Marlee.
Two officers came up the porch steps. One of them, Officer Bailey, stood at the bottom of the steps as he said, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on, Marlee.”
Marlee stepped between Ben and Colt and walked down the stairs. She was shorter than Mike Bailey, who she and Colt had gone to school with. She explained what had gone on to the officer. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ben looking even more sulky than before.
She turned back to Officer Bailey. “Ben is also roaring drunk and shouldn’t be driving home.”
“Is that right, Campbell?” He gestured to Ben to come closer. “I think we need to have a talk about your conduct tonight.”
Marlee pointed to the window. “While you’re here, I might as well report what happened to my window, too.” She narrowed her gaze at Ben. “Did you throw a rock through my window?”
“What?” He looked confused. “No.”
It seemed like the police were there for hours when it was closer to thirty minutes. Neighbors stood out on their porches and gathered on the sidewalk, trying to see what was going on.
Marlee sighed. She detested being in a situation where people focused on her. She preferred the shadows to being the center of attention. Marlee blew out her breath as a tow truck backed up to Ben’s car and Officer Bailey drove off with Ben in the back of the police vehicle.
Colt followed Marlee back into the house and closed the door behind them. When she turned to face him, he gave her a little smile. “I think you dodged a bullet.”
“You could say that.” Marlee gave him a tired smile in return before it melted into a frown. “I’m honestly confused. Ben and I went on a few dates, and nothing really happened, nothing more than companionship. Yesterday, I declined his invitation to go out and told him I didn’t think it would work between us and we should see other people.” She shrugged. “He hung up on me.”
Colt put his hands on Marlee’s shoulders. “Are you going to be okay? I can stay the night.” He nodded toward the living room. “Your couch looks comfortable.”
She smiled. “Thank you, but I’m fine. I know you have an early morning with your ranch, and I don’t want to cause you to be late.”
He hooked his finger under her chin. “I’m the boss, remember? I can be late.”
Marlee slipped into his arms and rested her head against his chest. She breathed deeply of his warm scent. “I’ll be okay. You go on home.” It was a lie. She really wanted him to stay.
“If you’re sure,” he murmured against her hair.
She tipped her head to meet his gaze. “I’m sure.”
He kissed her then, a long, slow, sweet kiss. When he drew back, he looked regretful. No doubt he didn’t want to leave. He gave her a gentle smile before brushing his lips across hers and stepping back.
He let his palms slide down her waist to her hips and let his hands rest there. It was clear to see that neither of them wanted to part.
Colt picked his hat off the arm of the couch, where he’d left it at some point in the evening. He settled it on his head, and she wanted to sigh out loud. No man could look sexier than Colt did at this very moment.
She walked him to the door and waited as he opened it and stepped out onto the porch. She grasped the doorknob and gripped it tightly as he leaned in and put his forehead to hers. “Good night, Marlee.”
She spoke in a husky whisper. “Night, Colt.”
He gave her a soft kiss before straightening. “Lock up. I’m not leaving until you do.”
She smiled at his protectiveness. She’d been on her own for so long that it was nice having someone who wanted to look out for her.
He touched the brim of his hat and jogged down to the bottom of the stairs.
When he reached his truck, he looked at her. “Lock up,” he said.
Marlee closed the door and secured the door with the bolt lock.
She noticed his spurs on the chair closest to the couch. She picked them up and studied the pair. He’d looked so sexy tonight and she’d loved that he’d worn the spurs. She set them back down. She’d give them back tomorrow.
She furrowed her brow. They hadn’t planned another date. No doubt he’d call her tomorrow. She’d be surprised if he didn’t.
After she turned off all but the porch light and a night light, she made her way upstairs and pulled on her nightie.
Wishing all the while that Colt was here with her.