Chapter 21
The air grew heavy between them as Marshall turned in what felt like slow motion. Colette’s mouth gaped open as he closed the distance between them. What was happening?
“Marshall…?” she breathed, her eyes locking with his. His eyes dipped to her lips. His hand reached out to touch her, but them moved firmly back by his side.
“There’s not one thing wrong about you. You’re the most perfect woman I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I want you to know that.”
“I can handle rejection. I’m a big girl,” she said breathily. Words were hard.
Marshall brought a hand to her cheek and stroked back and forth with his thumb.
It was all she could do not to press her face deeper into his hand.
His touch beckoned to her as no other had.
His thumb moved to slide over her lips, and she forgot how to breathe.
Electricity shot straight to her core at his touch.
Pure fire. She exhaled, a puff of warm air floating between them.
Marshall closed his eyes, tilted his head to the side with an inhale.
“You’re too good for him.”
Her gaze drifted downward. Marshall was so sweet and kind; of course, he was trying to cushion the blow.
“It’s okay, I mean it. I’m not like those gorgeous girls he was flirting with at the bar. I get it,” she admitted. “He probably left with one of them, right?”
Marshall clenched his teeth, his jaw ticking in frustration.
“You’re not listening.” Marshall looked up, as though debating what to say next.
Colette had heard enough. She fully understood that she wasn’t from here.
She didn’t know the rules and clearly it would take time before she fit in.
Marshall released a gusty sigh and flattened his mouth impatiently.
He had something to say, but the words weren’t coming out, at least that’s what it looked like. Colette shook her head.
“I’m tired,” she said, turning into the house.
Marshall took hold of her arm, sliding down to caress her hand in his.
“I asked him to leave, okay?” he admitted. “Don’t be mad.”
Eyes wide and mouth open with shock, she turned to face him again. What right did he have to get involved? Had she been serious about Evan? Not really, but that was none of his damn business.
“Why would you interfere?” A wave of anger flashed through her. It was only a moment before the answer came to her. “Were you jealous?”
“No. I was just looking out for you,” he hedged. “Simple as that.”
Her gaze traveled down his arm to where their hands were still touching, her breath slow and heavy. Funny how her anger dissipated so quickly. Marshall remembered himself and pulled his hand away.
The man was all over the place.
“I have a better idea, why don’t I decide who’s best for me? Am I not a single, grown woman? Maybe I’m interested in having a good time with someone and Evan could be the perfect guy for that.”
She watched as Marshall opened and closed his fists. He pressed his lips together, but the silence said it all. He didn’t want her dating his friend. The insult gutted her completely.
“You’re right,” he grumbled. “It wasn’t my place to interfere. I’m sorry.”
Good. That would teach him to intrude on her relationships.
Especially because she sensed there was more to it. There was no way she was the only one feeling the spark every time they touched. Marshall wasn’t being honest.
Where was the sunny, easy-going Marshall everyone told her about? This man was being an outright interfering pain in the butt. Colette decided it was time to test his words. He was lying to her face, and she knew it.
The man in front of her had a storm brewing inside him.
He may have started the battle, but she was going to win.
She stepped closer, closing the gap between them.
He wanted to play games with her prospects; well, she was going to test his mettle and the truth of his words.
She reached out to press her palms to the soft plaid of his shirt.
His chest retreated at the touch with a sharp inhale.
The rapid beat of his heart beneath her hand matched her own.
Flicking her eyes to lock with his, she licked her lips. “Do you know anyone else who might be interested in me?” She ran her palms up his chest and twined her arms around his neck, giving him her most seductive eyelash flutter as she glanced up at him.
Butterflies gathered in her stomach, desire tugging low in her belly as her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck.
Lifting up on her tiptoes, she brought his head down to hers and brushed her lips against his.
Marshall swallowed, moving his lips against hers, then stepped back, panting.
Fuck he would probably taste amazing when he finally gave in.
Marshall King wasn’t going to make it easy for her.
“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.