Page 17 of Spark of Attraction

“You blanked out for a bit there. I was talking but it was like I was talking to a statue.”

Shit. “I’m sorry. I got lost in some thoughts.”

Another searching look as if he knew I was lying. Which I was, and wasn’t. “Want to share? I’m a good listener.”

How would I like it if Malcolm told me he was comparing me to his ex? Yeah, no. Not going to happen. With Rebecca, sure, but not Malcolm.

“I was drifting. Sorry.”

MALCOLM

I’d caught how Ellie had blushed when I’d held her hand at the lift locks, and again in the parkade, though it had faded as we walked down George St. That time in the restaurant when she’d zoned out had worried me though. She’d tried to wave it off, but something had triggered her. For now, she seemed balanced, and even happy, given the tilt at the corner of her lips.

As we left the restaurant, neither of us was ready to head home yet, so we found ourselves walking along the trail leading to Little Lake. The warmth of the evening enhanced the scent Ellie was wearing, which went straight to my groin. It took all of my willpower not to suggest we go back to the car and neck. Or even better, stop off at the hotel overlooking the lake and rent a room for the night.

She stepped closer to avoid an oncoming bicyclist, bumping her hip against mine. Somehow, I ended up facing her, and without thinking, my arms went around her hips, pulling her against me. Or maybe her arms went around my hips and pulled me close against her. My breath caught as she tilted her head and slanted her lips against mine.

She smelled so good, something flowery and spicy, not overpowering but sexy as fuck. Her breath feathered over my cheek, and the softness of her breasts pressed against my chest, making my dick rock hard and aching against my zipper. Her hands slid from my waist to cup my butt and pull me closer, grinding herself against me with a low moan.

Someone further along the path yelled, “Get a room, you two,” and we broke apart, both breathing heavily. Ellie’s blush returned and she looked adorable. Until her gaze skittered across the lake.

I cupped my fingers beneath her chin. “Hey, we’re both consenting adults. There’s no need to be embarrassed. We were kissing, that’s all.”

She huffed a laugh. “I know, but still, I feel like I’m back at uni.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You’ve had that yelled at you before?”

A reluctant nod but her gaze still wouldn’t meet mine. “I told you I went a little wild when I moved down to Kingston. Especially the first year.” She grimaced. “I nearly failed because I’d turned into a party girl until Mom threatened to stop paying my room and board.”

Huh. Did I really want to know this? “I’ve heard university life can be…”

“Wild? A sex-fest?” she supplied with a broad smile. “Hedonistic?”

“Maturing,” I finished.

“Maturing,” she repeated. “I prefer that choice.” Her gaze finally slid toward me, then skittered down to my chin. “So d’you want to go back to my place? Or yours?”

My chubby that had been deflating after the catcall perked up again at her suggestion.

“Mine?” I’d cleaned my place this morning, on a very hopeful chance we ended up there. Okay, I’d cleaned the living room, kitchen, bathroom and my bedroom. The other rooms? I’d keep the doors shut until I could do a better clean. I also wouldn’t mention that I’d checked the expiration date on my stash of condoms—can’t be too careful about that shit. I’d even stuck two spares in my wallet, in case she invited me in to her place. But it was our first date, so I figured they’d stay where they were. As long as Josh didn’t drive by my place and see Ellie’s SUV parked outside in the morning. Luckily, I lived down a sideroad he wouldn’t have any reason to take.

The moon glittered over the lake as we drove back into Port Paxton, a light breeze wafting the scent of my neighbour’s lilacs across the lawn when Ellie pulled into my place. I glanced at her and found her watching me out the corner of her eye, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “I’m not expecting anything. If you want to talk, and not take it any further, I’m good with that.”

Her gaze flickered to my door, illuminated by the light I’d left on, the occasional moth batting against it. “I think we’re past talking, aren’t we?”

CHAPTER TEN

ELLIE

I wanted this. I wanted Malcolm. The entire drive back to Port Paxton I’d been mulling over different things I wanted to do to him. With him. Should I do a slow striptease to build the heat between us? Or should I give in to my impulse to strip his clothes off him, push him down on his couch, or preferably his bed, and ride him until we both lost our minds? I’d even eyed the pull off overlooking the lake that was often used as a make-out spot and wondered if we should just get down and dirty like we were two teens. Except there were already two cars parked at either end and I really wasn’t interested in worrying about the stick shift, or an audience.

Yet once we’d pulled into his driveway, he’d offered me an out. Had he changed his mind about wanting to have sex with me?

Then I noticed the bulge in his crotch and my lips slowly tugged into a smile. Nah, he wanted me too. I leaned over and kissed him, the console digging into my ribs and making me glad I hadn’t pulled into what the locals referred to as Make-Out Point. Consoles and stick shifts made making out that much more difficult to coordinate. Not impossible, but more of a challenge than necessary considering there was a bed waiting for us beyond that battered green wooden door.

The moment my lips touched his, he moaned and cupped his hand at the back of my head, holding me as he took over the kiss. He smelled so good, kissed even better, a skill he’d perfected since that brief stolen kiss back in high school. I squelched the question of who had helped him practice. I’d had my own share of practice partners, too. By the time his hold loosened and I leaned back, we were both panting like racehorses.

“No. I haven’t changed my mind,” I assured him, though I was pretty sure he’d already figured that out. I removed the keys from the ignition, opened my door and headed up his driveway, leaving him to follow.

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