Page 14 of Hero's Prize

“And if I told you I was hoping for something sweet, but what you brought wasn’t it, what would you say?”

He wanted something different? She racked her brain for an inventory of what she still had in her room. “Was there something specific you’d wanted? I don’t have a lot of inventory left here at the resort, but I?—”

Before she could finish the sentence, Colton grabbed her elbow gently and spun her around so she was facing him.

“Oh, there is definitely something sweet that I want, but it’s not food.”

“It’s not?” She was standing there, his arms still caging her in on either side, still almost-embracing.But then he took a slight step back—more along the lines of what she was expecting.

“Look.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “This is a little new for me.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Having a girl in your hotel room is new to you?”

“Havingyouin my hotel room is new to me. And no, I did not ask you here because of your baking abilities. But also, I don’t wantyou to think that I expect anything from you.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “I’m sure it’s easy to believe that I’m with a different girl every night, but I’m not. And even if I were, I wouldn’t want you to think that I would lump you in with them.”

Was it just her, or did he truly sound nervous? Nervous abouther.

He let out a sigh. “All I’m trying to say is that I’m fine with whatever happens here tonight. If it’s just talking, that’s fine?—”

Ella kissed him.

Somewhere, Lilah was probably doing backflips in excitement. Then all thoughts of Lilah flew from her mind. This felt right. Her lips on Colton’s felt oh-soright.

But then she realized he wasn’t kissing her back. Her gut knotted. Oh no. Shehadmisread the situation just like she’d been afraid of.

She stepped back, dread pooling in her belly. “I’m sorry, Colton. I didn’t let you finish what you were saying, did I? This wasn’t what you?—”

This time, it was Colton who used a kiss to stop the conversation. He slid one of his hands into her hair, while he wrapped his other arm around her hips and pulled her tightly against him.

“Oh, this is very definitely what I want,” he said against her lips. “I just realized you taste like butterscotch.”

“Butterscotch?” She loved the flavor and had had a piece of candy before she left the room in an attempt to calm her nerves. “Is that bad?”

“No. It’s my favorite.”

CHAPTER

SIX

Most adults probably fantasized about the actual act of sex, but somehow for Ella, when she’d thought about Colton, her daydreams had always centered around kissing.

She’d had fantasies about what was happening right now for years—an embarrassing number of hours thinking about his mouth on hers. The reality didn’t disappoint, especially now that Colton had taken over.

The kiss started as gentle, searching—his lips exploring hers, learning them like how he’d obviously learned the mountain he’d be snowboarding down tomorrow. All she could do was melt into him. This was definitely better than what her imagination had come up with.

She slid her hands up his chest to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. Wanting more. But he was taking his time, sipping from her lips with slow, deliberate motions.

Warmth flushed through her body as he used his hand in her hair to hold her just how he wanted. A little moan escaped her as his lips moved along her jaw and down to the side of her neck.

“Be careful, Butterscotch. That sound is going to get you carried over to my bed pretty damned quick.”

There was nothing more she’d like than to be in his bed, but she had to laugh at that. “I’m too heavy to be carr?—”

“Hush.” The sentence was cut off and the laugh disappeared as he shifted, and she found herself swept up in his arms. “Or, on second thought, don’t hush… Make that sexy little moan again.”

She was still self-conscious, but he didn’t seem to be having any trouble carrying her, so she didn’t argue. Thencouldn’targue when his lips took hers again. A few moments later, he lowered her onto the bed and covered her body with his.

And yeah, that moan escaped her once again when his lips found her throat with gentle nips.

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