Page 19 of No Man Left Behind

He squeezed her to him, then slowly slid her down his body but didn’t let her go. His eyes still sparkled, but the tone changed. His hands drifted up her body, and he framed her face. “I’m happy, too.”

He lowered his head slowly enough for her to break away without it being awkward. Not a chance.

Elina lifted up on her toes to close the distance.

The first brush of his lips sent shivers cascading through her body. He nipped and licked at her lips, then he sent her another look as if to check if she was sure. “You are addictive, Elina.”

Before she could respond, his lips were on hers again. This time she opened for him and in less than a nano-second, he took over.

He kissed like he’d been trained for the task. His mouth took and gave in equal measure, demanding and enticing.

She gripped his shirt to keep from wobbling, and one hand immediately moved to her waist to keep her steady.

And press her closer.

She wondered if her skin could contain the sensations or if it would simply shimmer off and float away.

And they were only kissing. Hands hadn’t started to wander.

She really wanted to wander.

Distantly, she heard a knock and then Epic’s voice. “Hey, Marcus, do you…”

Marcus broke the kiss but didn’t pull away, didn’t try to hide their connection. He sighed but didn’t take his gaze off of hers. “Better be important.”

Troy laughed, his tone amused. “Nothing that can’t wait. Carry on.”

The door closed, and Marcus sighed again while she tried to stop the giggle that was building. The answering sparkle in Marcus’s eyes did her in, and the laugh burst out of her. She thunked her head on his chest and then looked back up to find him smiling at her.

“That was one hell of a kiss.” His voice rumbled across her sensitive skin, causing even more shivers.

“It was. A lifetime highlight-reel kiss.”

He grinned and kissed her but kept it short. Then he did it again.

Finally, he lifted his head and kissed her nose. “You’re okay with him seeing us.”

She nodded. “Perfectly okay.”

“Good. Let’s see what my dumbass friend wants, and then we’ll grab some breakfast.”

Chapter7

Man About Town

Marcus willed his body under control by imagining ways to dismember his best friend.

Troy grinned when they walked into Phail General a few moments later. A pretty flush continued to cover all of Elina’s soft brown skin. He wanted to follow that flush with his tongue, but that would have to wait. He wasn’t rushing things. She’d been hurt more than once, and he didn’t want to be an asshole.

His heart wanted more, but he knew he was getting ahead of himself. Way ahead. She only planned to be here for another day or two but he was a smart man. He could find a way to change her mind.

And if those ways involved getting naked with her, he was all in.

He yanked his thoughts away from a naked Elina and back to reality. “What did you need, Epic?”

“Just wondering if you wanted one of Ginny’s cinnamon buns. I brought back a few from the diner this morning.”

“Thanks, but we were just heading there for some breakfast.”

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