He’s not like that, Angelica.
She told herself he wasn’t, but it didn’t matter. She was scared of doing too much too soon. It’d been so long since she’d orgasmed with someone else instead of herself, but she was still wary about rushing into it.
Colt’s hands ran down her back, then up to her shoulders. Gently, he gripped her and pushed her away. Her eyes snapped open to stare up at him. That kiss had been everything. It had rocked her to her foundations. She didn’t ever recall a man kissing her like that.
Like what exactly?
She couldn’t name it, but she knew it was special. One corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. “Sorry, Angie, but I have to stop. It’s getting uncomfortable if you know what I mean.”
She could only nod.
He skimmed his fingers over her cheek, into her hair, then he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re beautiful, Angelica Turner. I want to make love to you so badly, but I know it’s too soon. And I’m willing to wait until the moment is right. Because you’re worth it.”
He stepped back and took her hand in his. They walked toward the restaurant and the parking lot where he’d left the car. Angie couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Colt didn’t say anything either. When they reached the car, he unlocked it and opened her door for her. Instead of climbing inside, she turned to him and fiddled with the zipper of his jacket. When she could finally look at him, she bit the inside of her lip for a second to keep from babbling about how great she thought he was.
“I want to make love to you too,” she whispered. “Soon.”
His gaze sparked. “When you’re ready, let me know. I’ll get on a plane if I’m out of the country. I’ll drive all night to reach you if I have to”
She believed he would. And for the first time in months, she felt beautiful again. Powerful. In control of her body and her sexuality.
Because of him.
Chapter Seven
Colt drove them back to Angie’s building. His plan was to walk her up to her condo, stay for a while if she let him, then make sure she was in for the night with her doors locked and her alarm on. He’d received no calls from anyone at BDI telling him to stick with her for now, though he would set up surveillance on her building if a call didn’t come. Ian would approve that much.
Angie had her head turned, looking at the moon. It wasn’t full yet, but it was almost there. When she turned in his direction, there was a smile on her face. “I love the moon. Especially in winter. There’s just something so hopeful about it.”
“How’s that?” he asked, intrigued. Everything about her intrigued him.
“Well, everything is dormant. The grass is brown, the trees have lost their leaves, and it’s cold. But the moon cycles around and illuminates everything, and you know the season is turning. Sooner than you think, there will be Easter flowers coming up and warmer temperatures.” She shrugged. “I guess that sounds silly, but when I would stay with my grandmother as a kid, she used to tell me things about the moon and the seasons. It makes me think of her.”
“Where does she live?”
“She died thirteen years ago. But she lived in Virginia, in the mountains. She was an Appalachia girl her whole life.”
“I’m sorry she’s gone.”
“I am too. I miss her.”
He understood. “My grand-mère died when I was eleven, and I still miss her. I’m not sure you ever really get over it.”
“It’s the price of love,” she said.
He glanced at her, struck by that thought. “I suppose so. You don’t always have a choice who you love, do you?”
She didn’t take her eyes off him. “Not always, no.”
He had to turn back to the road or he would have probably pulled over and kissed her at that moment. Just because. Not that he thought he was in love, or that she was—hell, they barely knew each other—but for the first time he could see it happening.
Colt gripped the wheel and told himself to forget it. Angie needed more. She needed a man who had a regular job, a man who could be there nights and weekends and build a life with her. Not a man who traveled the globe getting into dangerous situations on purpose. Or one who couldn’t be who he was supposed to be.
When they pulled up to her building, he switched off the engine.
“I’ll walk you up.” What he really wanted to do was go up and stay all night, even if staying with her meant sleeping on the couch.
“Thank you. Do you want to stay for coffee?” she added a touch shyly.
His chest tightened. “Do you want me to?”
“I’d like to spend more time with you, but I understand if you need to get home.”
“I have nowhere I have to be right now.”
Her smile was soft. “Good. I’ll fix coffee, or I think I have some port. Maybe you’ll even approve of the brand.”
He grinned. “I might.”
They walked toward the entrance together. Colt held the door for her and then followed her into the building. It was a beautiful brick building, with a central foyer that contained a front desk—staffed with an attendant but no security—couches, and a bank of elevators. He knew there was a gym and spa on the main floor because he’d scoped it out earlier. The building was similar to a hotel, except people weren’t checking in and out.
“What made you choose this place?” he asked as they stepped into an elevator. He punched in the button for the fourth floor as Angie leaned against the wall, looking sexy as hell.
Damn, he’d never made love in an elevator before. His balls ached with longing at the thought of thrusting into Angie’s sweet body while holding her up against that wall.
“Honestly, it was an impulse buy.
