Page 45 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“Oh, I can’t remember the last time I chased a tequila shot with a beer. Let’s do it.” She’d probably been in her early twenties, a time in her life when she still knew how to have fun.

“You have any limes?”

“Actually, I do.” She followed him to the kitchen. While he got their shots and beer ready, she sliced a lime, then got the saltshaker and set it on the counter with the limes.

After they each licked the back of their hands and added the salt, he picked up a shot glass. “To a wicked night with a beautiful lady.”

“To some wicked fun with a hot doctor.” She was attractive enough, but beautiful she was not. For tonight, though, here with him and the way he was looking at her with heat in his eyes, she felt beautiful. She picked up her shot glass.

“I like that,” he said, his voice huskier than it had been.

They clinked their glasses together, then after licking the salt from their hands, they downed the tequila. “Whoo,” she said as she fanned her face. “Out of practice.”

He handed her a lime slice, and they both bit the tart lime. “Again?”

She laughed. “Not even. Let’s take our beers out to the back patio.”

“This is nice back here,” Ryan said after sitting in one of her lounge chairs and stretching his legs out.

She settled in the chair next to his. “It’s my happy place after a long day.” She’d spent time and money on her backyard. A small waterfall—one of those things you could buy at a home improvement store—babbled from one corner of the patio. The maple tree they’d had their picnic under was here when she moved in, but that was all. She’d done everything else herself except for laying the slate patio.

“I can see why. Sitting here with the breeze blowing in my face and listening to the birds singing, I feel incredibly relaxed. Or, that might just be the tequila.”

“Or maybe a combination of all that,” she said, laughing.

“And you, Matti. You’re the cherry on the ice cream sundae.”

Well, just go and melt her heart. She stood and said, “Spread your legs.”

“Good golly, Miss Matti, wasn’t expecting that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Funny boy.” When he spread his legs, she sat between them with her back to his chest.

“That’s me, a funny boy. Before I start whispering sweet nothings in your ear, what did Wyatt have to say? They any closer to making an arrest?”

“Unfortunately, no.” Since she couldn’t tell him the rest, she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Now, you were saying something about sweet nothings?”

He tipped his bottle up, drained the little that was left in it, then set it on the table next to him. “Finish your beer, Matti.”

There was an ounce or so left, but she’d had plenty of alcohol for the night, so she handed him the bottle, which he set next to his. He reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist. No man had ever done that, and it was surprisingly romantic.

She could feel his heartbeat against her back as he dropped her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. Even in August in North Dakota, the nights were cool, but his body heat radiated against her skin, keeping her warm. She closed her eyes, savoring the nearness of him. It seemed as if her senses were enhanced because the babbling of her little waterfall had never sounded so melodic, the stars had never been so bright, and his spicy scent was intoxicating.

He lowered his mouth to the side of her neck and nibbled, sending shivers cascading through her. When he lifted his face, she tilted her head, looking up at him with a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest. His eyes held a depth that captivated her, drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

Without breaking eye contact, he leaned in slowly, his breath mingling with hers in the space between them. And then, finally, his lips met hers in an electrifying kiss. The world around her faded away as she lost herself in his touch, in his intoxicating scent, and the heat of him. She didn’t know how long they kissed, didn’t care.

He slipped his hand under her shirt and spread his fingers possessively over her stomach. He took his mouth away from hers and put it next to her ear. “How about we move what’s happening to your bed?”

Chapter 20

“Moving to my bed sounds like a perfect idea.”

“Stick with me. I’m full of good ideas,” Ryan said. “Up with you.” Once she was standing, he stood and then scooped her up, chuckling when she squealed. “Got you now.”

“You sure do.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ve never been carried before. It’s romantic.”

“The romance is only just beginning, love.” He lowered his mouth to hers. It wasn’t easy kissing and walking at the same time, but he managed it.