When we reach the front steps of the inn, I look around furtively to make sure my sister isn’t spying somewhere. Marcus must realize what I’m doing, because he just chuckles.
“Is the coast clear for me to kiss you, or will your sister have a shotgun pointed my way?”
My shoulders droop as I laugh ruefully. “I’m sorry, I should have warned you about her earlier. I hope she didn’t give you too hard of a time.”
“Not at all. She was the perfect innkeeper, respectful and polite. But I could see the big sister claws come out when I mentioned taking you to dinner tonight.”
I roll my eyes in response. “Yup, sounds about right. Tawny has a hard time accepting that I’m old enough to make my own decisions in life.”
He puts his hands in his pockets, and I instantly miss the connection of his arm around me. “So, what’s your decision about kissing me?” he asks casually, but with enough heat behind it to make me shiver.
“Oh, I’m definitely on board with that,” I say breathlessly.
Marcus grins, and his hands come up to hold my face as his lips swoop down to mine. Just like the first time, this kiss makes my head swim, my heart speed up, and my legs feel weak. He moves his hands down to hold my hips, and I smile against his lips because it feels like he knew I needed him to hold onto me. Our tongues tangle together, and I’m lost to the sensation of his full lips plundering my mouth. I wonder if he can feel my heart race the way I can feel his.
The sound of the inn door opening breaks us apart, and I look up to see Tawny standing there, her arms crossed as she stares at us.
“Hello Ella, Mr. Ryder, I hope you’ve had a nice afternoon.” Her voice is stern, and I roll my eyes at her attempt to intimidate.
“Relax, Tawny. Everything’s fine.”
Marcus chuckles and pulls me in front of him, my back against his front where I feel the reason for this position. His rock-hard erection is pressing into my lower back, and I stifle a giggle, knowing he’s using me to hide it from my sister.
“Hi Tawny, your sister was a wonderful tour guide. I can see why you love the island so much.” His answer is perfectly respectable, and I see Tawny’s posture relax. Hopefully she can see the happiness I’m sure is written across my face. She nods, and turns to go back inside, with one final parting shot.
“Yes, the island has a lot of appeal…for the right people.”
When the door closes behind her, Marcus lets out a long, slow breath.
“Phew, that was intense. Think I passed the sister inspection?”
I turn in his arms and sneak mine around his waist. “I think so.”
He looks down at me with a wry grin. “Good. I want her to like me, but not as much as I want you to like me.”
“I think…I think I more than like you.”
The joy that emanates from him at this is blinding, and I can feel the answering smile stretch across my face as well.
“That’s good. Because I more than like you, Ella,” he says softly, then leans down and kisses me again. This kiss feels different, like it’s been laced with something special, something that feels suspiciously like a differentLword. Which should feel insane, but doesn’t.
When we break apart, I’m relieved to see his chest heaving just as much as mine is. It’s a heady feeling to know I affect him as much as he affects me. I feel powerful, seductive, and wanted.
He breathes in and out slowly. “I’m going to walk inside, hopefully avoid your sister, so she doesn’t see the raging hard-on you’ve given me, and go upstairs to take a cold shower before dinner,” Marcus says, his forehead resting on mine.
“Enjoy. I’m going to take a hot shower. A really hot one.”
Oh, good gravy, he sounded sexy talking about water temperature, and I sound like a total dweeb. But Marcus just chuckles as if he somehow finds my bizarre response amusing. Then he presses a kiss to my forehead and pulls away. I instantly miss the connection of his body against mine.
“I’ll be at your door in an hour, beautiful.”
I nod and watch him as he gives me one last devastatingly sexy smile, then turns and walks into the inn. I can only hope Tawny isn’t lying in wait, ready to pounce on him and give him the third degree. Thinking quickly, I pull out my phone.
ELLA: LEAVE HIM ALONE
TAWNY: For your information, I’m in my office catching up on invoices.
ELLA: Good. I like him Tawny, like, really like.
