Page 97 of Colt

A ticklish sensation fills my chest as I laugh. Butterflies.

She falls back on her haunches, a happy, almost bewildered look in her eyes.

I should run.

Instead, I take her face in my hand and run my thumb over her bottom lip. “You’re somethin’ else, Dallas.”

“Fort Worth.”

“Right.” I dip my thumb inside her mouth. My body may be wrecked right now, but my blood still jumps when she sucks on me. “Yes. That was…extra.”

She laughs, her eyes going wide as she pulls back, my thumb falling out of her mouth. “Extra?”

“In a good way. A great way.”

“You do taste good.” The woman has the audacity to lick one side of her mouth, then the other. Like she’s searching for crumbs. “For the record.”

Next thing I know, I’m stuffing myself back inside my sweats and saying, “Friday. I’ll get a sitter. The Rattler. Sally’s band.”

Who am I?

What is happening?

Why don’t I want it to stop?

Lainey’s lips part. “Colton?”

“Yes.” I slip my hands underneath her arms and help her up, rising to my feet too. I glide my hands down the length of her forearms, curling my fingertips so that they catch on hers.

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Honey.” I step forward, melting my hips into hers. “I haven’t been on a date in so long I couldn’t tell you the answer to that question. But I’d like to take you out. Show you around town.”

She’s looking up at me, her brow scrunched. “If I say no?”

“You’ll be missin’ out.”

I shouldn’t tangle our fingers. I shouldn’t be touching her at all. We both got what we needed.

Except I haven’t gotten my fill of Lainey apparently, because I can’t stop touching her. Our fingers twine, and I hook mine through hers so that our palms are flush.

“Going on a date with my almost boss would not be very professional of me.”

“How dare you not be perfect for five seconds.”

She gives my hand a squeeze. “Hey. Did I not just…er, get very messy with you?”

“You did.” I squeeze back. “I liked it. The Rattler is the best spot in town to get messy if you wanna do it again.”

“Okay.” Her eyes dance.

Scoffing, I tilt my head. “Don’t sound too excited.”

“Don’t want you getting a big head again.”

She looks at me, lips twitching. I look back. Something…soft and lovely passes between us.

“Do we have inside jokes now?” I ask.