Page 30 of Flyboy

“With you? I’m always ready.”

His answering grin was too good a look on him. Why was this man her boss? Wow, her feelings for him were as polar opposite as they came. Like a yo-yo, she went from adoring him to hating his methods, to respecting him to wanting to keep her distance, back to hoping for any sliver of attention. She was a mess. But she loved her mess. And she laughed as his thick palms grabbed her at the waist, this time bouncing her on each hip, tossing her high into the air, down along the ground between his legs and then back up front.

Colton held her close for a moment, stepping side to side. “You know. I knew I would be into you, Ivy Hatfield. But this is a whole new level entirely.”

When her eyes found his, the sincerity that shone back reached her. She felt it deep inside. What made Colton tick? For the first time, she wondered why he flew the way he did. “You know, what you did in Afghanistan was incredibly brave.”

“You heard about that?” He studied her for a moment. “Not reckless?”

She shook her head. “No. I think it was a calculated risk, and you took it, and it worked.”

He spun her again. Then, bent forward linking their elbows, she rolled over his back, landing on his other side.

But he never responded. And she decided it didn’t matter. He was a hero. Her country and her military had recognized him. He’d saved lives, more than she ever had, doing what she had labeled as reckless. As she spun once, he spun her again, and again and she felt the tug in her stomach. But as he spun her again, she let go and tipped her head back and cheered. The world rotated, and she laughed.

And she wondered if that was what it felt like just to let go. Then Colton pulled her close, and as she closed her eyes and waited for the world to steady itself around them, she draped her arms over his shoulders and peeked. “You’re still spinning.”

“Awesome.” He held her closer. Then his husky whisper in her ear and the pulse that ran through her at his lips being that close to her skin, thrilled her to her toes. “I’ve got you.”

At last, the world stopped. When she opened her eyes and was caught immediately by an intense look from him, she could only say, “I know.”

When they at last began to make their way back to Fatima’s, the early hours of morning had crept in on them. Ivy sighed. “Should I feel like I have to sneak in?”

Colton reached for her hand. Then he tugged a little. “You know. You’re too far away over there.” He tugged again.

“What? You want me to slide closer?” She undid her seatbelt and scooted as close as she could.

“Hey, now. You still have to be buckled.” He grinned. They stopped at a light, so he reached across and found the buckle. Then he tightened it at her lap. “There you go. Safe and sound.” His kiss on the top of her head was probably meant to be friendly, but that simple contact sent a wave of yearning.

Wow, she was tired. She told herself not to look up.Don’t look up. Don’t look up.But her eyes disobeyed in a traitorous display of feminine desire. He was close. His kissable mouth looked soft but firm at the same time, and close. Everything was close. The very air filled with an intoxicating aroma of his soap—earthy, tinged with a hint of something male. He shifted his body so that he faced her more fully. The light must have turned green, but they were the only people on the road. He reached out as if to run fingers down her face, but he hesitated and dropped his again, landing on her knee, resting there, not moving, but full of expectation. “Thank you. For an awesome night.”

“You’re welcome. I needed that.”

“I hope we’re . . . are we good?” The hope, the insecurity, warmed her and sent her heart to him. His gaze traveled over her face and stopped on her mouth. For a moment, she thought he might tip his head and capture her lips, but he stared back up into her eyes in a comfortable caring expression.

She enjoyed the silken moment. Their closeness felt more intimate than anything she’d experienced. She wanted things right between them. She wanted to break down the barriers she’d created. He didn’t deserve her censure, and the arrogance of someone like herself thinking to correct him was much more than she wanted to see in herself. “You’re an excellent pilot, Colton. I respect that. I’m sorry for . . . everything.”

“No apologies. Not necessary.” He rested a hand at the side of her face for a moment then turned to face the front.

The air felt cooler in the space between them, but he reached an arm around her so it rested behind her.

She snuggled closer, wanting to linger in the moment as long as possible. What would happen tomorrow? If she went to bed tonight, and let the evening close, would everything they’d created and experienced tonight end?

Colton parked the truck in its spot along the side of the house. “Stay put.”

She smiled and scooted over closer to the other side of the truck. When he opened her door and peered in at her, her mouth turned up at the corner. He held out his hand. She moved to the door and reached for his hand and slid out, but he didn’t move away, so she stood in front of him, close enough to kiss. And she didn’t know if it was the lateness of the hour, or the incredible night they’d had, or the fact that she hadn’t dated anyone in a long time, but she suddenly didn’t care one bit about how awkward things might be the next day; she wanted Colton to kiss her. She reached her hands up his chest until they rested almost at his neck. Without even thinking, she stepped in as close as she could.

His arms wrapped around her, sending a smattering of shivers through her, happy tingles.

She stood up on her toes. She could almost reach him.

His grip tightened as his fingers dug more into her back, his body going tense, his eyes dark. She thrilled with expectation.Kiss me.As she stared into his eyes, she saw the hesitation, and she wanted to kiss it away, to kiss away every thought that told him to wait. Colton’s recklessness seemed to course through her. What would he do? Live in the moment, take a chance, go after what he wanted? She wanted him.Do it, Colton.Her mouth went dry. She licked her lips and waited.

He leaned in as if his body was swaying, rocking, desiring her, resisting her until she thought she would go mad with her own desire. With one last rock forward, he pressed his lips to her forehead again.

She leaned into him, leaving no doubt as to her wishes. And when he stepped away, she swayed in place, placing a hand on her stomach.

“Let’s get you into bed.”

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