Chapter 25
Marshall knocked on the door and waited, jitters coursing through his body.
Colette opened the door, eyes narrow and a playful smile on her face. She wore those damn light pink pajamas, the ones covered with little roses. Marshall had yet to see anyone prettier than her. Ever. It was unsettling.
The familiar sound of her eighties music was floating around her, clutching at his heart.
Colette was a woman from another time. She made him want to be romantic and dreamy, swoon-worthy and seductive.
She inspired him to write poetry and dance in the kitchen—though he would sure as fuck not write her poetry because it would be terrible.
She was worth more than a few texts and a quick fuck, deserving of more than what he had given the women he had previously dated.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Come back for more fun?” She licked her lips and dragged her gaze up his body.
His groin tightened immediately under her scrutiny. Marshall cleared his throat, searching for his words. He had practiced the speech in the truck. Apparently, Colette made his mind go blank.
“Before I say anything, I want to be sure,” he stuttered. “Are you…” His heart raced as he attempted to let the words out. Colette tilted her head, a smile teasing her mouth and her eyes dancing with amusement. She loved watching him squirm, apparently.
“Yeah…?” she encouraged. “Am I what?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you into Evan?”
Her brows raised and she snorted. “You did not just ask me that.”
“Sorry, I just want to be sure I’m not barking up the wrong tree,” he explained, running his finger under his collar.
“After last night, I can barely remember what Evan looks like.”
“And what about you? Are you going out with Jessica or something? The ladies at the bakery told me you two were getting awfully cozy.” Raising a brow, she crossed her arms and waited.
His brows pinched together in confusion. “I sat next to her at the bar. Nothing happened. Those gossips are a menace.”
Colette tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she considered.
Clearing his throat, he added, “In fact, Evan was trying to distract me, because I couldn’t stop thinking of you.”
Her bright eyes warmed at the words. He wished he could capture a picture of her expression at that exact moment. Inhaling, he savored the feeling of having put it there.
“Good. I give you permission to keep thinking about me,” she said with a saucy wink, and she touched the tips of her fingers to his.
Heat bloomed in his chest at the simple touch, and he remembered the gifts. He had left them in the truck because, if she wasn’t actually into him, his plan B was to stuff those cream puffs in his mouth, then cry in the shower. Maybe at the same time.
Darting to the truck, he opened the passenger side door and plucked the flowers and the desserts off the seat. Colette’s mouth dropped open and her cheeks turned a dreamy shade of pink that reminded him of the Alberta wild roses that grew so freely along the fences and all over the ranch.
“Are those for me?” she breathed. It was her turn to be speechless.
Good.
“I was wondering if you might want to go out with me tomorrow night,” he said, his voice thick. He studied her as she took in the small bouquet of flowers and the light blue box from The Buttercup Bakery.
“What about the rules? No dating your co-workers?” she said with a smirk.
“I think we blew through that rule last night, so I’m thinking it’s best if we… You know…do this the right way.” The words felt right as he uttered them. They were evidence that he had changed. He wasn’t like he used to be. Colette would be the one to help him become the man he wanted to be.
Her brows creased and she lowered her gaze to the gifts she was holding. Marshall tucked his hands in his pockets, shivering as the air cooled once the sun set completely. Colette shook her head and flicked her gaze to his.
“Sorry, I’m being rude. Come in, let’s talk about it inside.”
Marshall swallowed. It wasn’t a no, but it wasn’t a yes either.
It would take all his strength to keep his hands to himself.
Pulling off his boots, he walked up to the counter and leaned, his eyes following her as she pulled a vase out of the cupboard and filled it with water.
The purchase of the flowers was made worth it, just seeing how she lovingly placed the blooms in the water with a glow spreading over her face. She was enchanting.
“They’re so pretty,” she said. “No one has ever bought me flowers before.” She walked around the counter and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“That is a crime,” he muttered. “You deserve all the flowers in the world.”
His chest vibrated with his stuttered breath as he pulled her close. Nothing was better than having her in his arms.
Whatever he was doing, it felt right.
If buying the woman flowers was going to feel this good, he would have to bring her some every damn day of the year.
Colette tipped up her head and lifted herself up on her tiptoes, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips. It wasn’t an overly passionate or devouring kiss. It was quiet and soft. The best one he had ever received.
“Thank you, Marshall.”
He grinned, taking in what he suspected was a sheen of tears in her eyes.
“You’re welcome. Now, are you going to go out with me or not?”
Colette dug her top teeth into her bottom lip and lowered to the ground. She pulled him toward the sofa.
“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.
Before any of his intense feelings escaped from his mouth, he retreated.
Ignoring the way he chilled the minute her body left his embrace, he lifted her and placed her next to him on the sofa.
It was best not to give too much attention to the glimmer of happiness that lit in him each time their lips touched.
Better to not explore how bereft he felt walking away from the guest house that night.
Colette was here to push his boundaries and help him become a better man.
She wasn’t here forever.
He just wished his heart would understand that.