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He didn’t push for more, just held her hand as if they were in high school walking to class instead of on their first date. Could it be considered a date, if she knew there was no future? A hangout then. She wouldn’t mind hanging out with Luke again, since he was coming back for the next two months. She could show him around, maybe even break her own rules on ‘no casual hookups’.
After all, the last time she got laid was last year, when she was dating Garrett Ryan, before he transferred to a fire station in Montana. How was it that she had always seemed to be attracted to guys who put their lives on the line at their jobs?
They sat down on a bench facing the river, and Luke, after inspecting the pastry, handed it to her. “Booger free, I promise.”
Marley chuckled softly. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Luke took a bite of his, some of the white cream cheese filling smeared across his bottom lip and her fingers itched to reach out and remove it. With just a glide of her thumb across his mouth…
She crossed her legs and moved a bit away, eating her tart silently. Yeah, she was definitely up for a little under-the-covers playtime, but she wasn’t quite sure about how to go about it. Although she was outspoken, she had never been the first to make a move. And with Sweetheart being so small, pickings were slim.
“Damn, these are good. Your mom made these?”
“Yep. If you like these, you should try my friend Rylie’s stuff. She made these chai chocolate chip muffins that have just about become my new favorite treat.”
“Really? Does she have a shop in town?” he asked.
“No, but she wants to open up a gourmet bakery eventually.”
“Well, if they are anything like these, then I’m all for it. Sweetness is my weakness.”
He popped the last of his tart in his mouth and hummed in clear appreciation. Marley took the bag from him and put the other half of hers inside, full.
“You’re not going to finish?” His expression was one of horror, and she giggled.
“I just had lunch. I’ll save it for later.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Do you want it?” she asked.
“Hell yeah.”
Marley made a face. “You sure? It’s got my germs on it.”
Luke threw back his head and laughed. Marley’s gaze trailed over the thick muscles of his neck as they moved, and she was surprised at how turned on that deep rumble made her.
When his mirth dissolved into a simple grin, her heart skidded a bit.
“Believe me, your germs don’t bother me a bit.”
Marley swallowed past the sudden dryness in her mouth as his gaze dropped to her lips. “Then be my guest.”
He really didn’t seem to have any qualms about eating after her, and inhaled the rest of her tart.
“Better?”
“Oh, yeah.” He opened his eyes, their brown depths slightly dreamy and it was a warm, soft look that made butterflies erupt in her stomach.
As if sensing her mood change he slid closer, his arm going along the back of the bench.
“You know, I had an ulterior motive for the tarts…”
“And that was?”
He bent his head towards her slowly, giving her every chance to pull away and her breath caught in her throat. Marley’s heart beat rapidly as just a hairsbreadth away he whispered, “Because I was hoping you’d let me kiss you. And I wanted it to be sweet.”
Marley melted into him as his lips covered hers, a gentle sweep that tightened the muscles between her thighs like corded knots. She leaned into his kiss, her right hand resting on his knee as the hand along the top of the bench came up to cradle the back of her head.
