Page 10 of Colby's Lost Binky

It was a flinch festival.

“I apologize. That sounds insensitive.”

“No, it’s fine, and a common reason why people move.” And a much happier one than I’d had. “I lost my last job when I walked in and found my boss and the person I was living with...quite undressed.”

His eyes widened in understanding. “So you lost a lot all at once.”

“But I gained a new city.”

He smiled. “That’s a great way to think about it.”

It was that or cry.

We continued to talk about my move, the people I’d met here, and my plans. Then we talked about his job. He was far more successful than I’d ever been, even at my professional job. I could see him really being great as a doctor—it pretty much fit with his whole daddy vibe.

From there, we talked about movies and different places in the city that were fun to explore. I even ended up ordering a dessert that I didn’t really want, to keep the conversation going longer.

When the check came, I reached for it.

His eyes went wide. “We were having a good time, weren’t we?”

I nodded, and he pulled the bill out from under my hand. He’d thought me paying was my way of saying it was nice, but this one meal is all it will ever be. Talk about mixed signals.

“Oh, I didn’t want you to think that I was… I mean because I sleep on my sister’s couch and I work at a coffee shop now…”

“I’d never think that, but I would like to pay for this meal. It makes it feel more like a date to me.”

It did to me too. “Thank you for dinner. I had a lovely time. Wish it wasn’t over.”

“Does it have to be?”

Chapter Eight

Barrister

We went home together. To my house.

After our fun evening together, I’d been ready to take Colby to his sister’s where he was staying and kiss him goodbye at the door, but this feisty little made it clear he was willing, even eager to come home with me.

Even then, I held it in mind that he might not want to take things to their natural conclusion. Opening the door, I waved him inside. “What would you like? Coffee? I have decaf if you don’t want caffeine this late at night.”

He chuckled. “I work at a coffeehouse. Caffeine is my super power. I can drink a quad espresso and sleep like a log.”

“Well, I can’t, but I’ll make you whatever you’d like.” We were standing in the middle of the living room, with the kitchen to one side and the staircase to the bedrooms on our other. “I have cookies?”

He grinned at me, breaking a bubble of tension that had been growing between us since we walked in the door. “Are you trying to seduce me with cookies?”

“What? I—no!”

“What a shame.” He thrust his lower lip out. “I was going to ask what kind you had.”

“Chocolate chip, I think. Will that do the trick?”

“Maybe we can have them after?” He swayed a little closer to me, and I caught him in my arms, not being foolish enough to ask after what.

Instead, I kissed him, breathing in that clean scent I had begun to associate with him. Castille soap, my new favorite smell. His lips were firm, his breath warm, and my hands slid down to pull his hips tight to mine. Urging his mouth open, I touched my tongue to his, losing myself in everything about this man.

Finally, I lifted my head for breath. “Colby, would you like to see my bedroom?”

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