Page 69 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

It had only been a few hours since she’d seen him, but his deep voice sent a joyful thrill through her. Stepping out into the hallway, Val rounded the corner, and his eyes immediately locked on her approach. He was clean-shaven, his hair freshly cut and his wide shoulders covered by a black blazer. He smiled at her, raking his eyes over her purple dress and wraparound heels, and she could tell from the way his eyes lit up that he liked the effect.

God knew his appearance was making it hard for her to breathe.

“Whew, did it get hot in here or is it just me?” Ellie’s teasing earned her a glare from Val, who was seriously contemplating removing her sister’s tongue. “Well, if you folks will excuse me, I’m off for the night. Be good, you two.”

Val, still in big-sister mode, yelled, “You better text me.”

Her answer was a little wave as Ellie walked out to her car.

Alone in the entryway, Val started putting on her jacket, only to have Justin step forward and help her. She relaxed and let him, his hands skimming her neck as he fixed her collar.

“Where are we headed?” Val asked quietly, very aware of him hovering behind her.

“I made reservations at the Steakhouse. Guess it’s a good thing we left the meat market early, huh? Otherwise we might have had to drive to Twin Falls.”

“Oh the horror,” she said. When she turned around to face him, she gave him a teasing smile. “I didn’t know you needed reservations at the Steakhouse.”

“Well, it is a Saturday night. You never know how hopping the place might get.”

Val laughed and followed him out the door, pulling it shut behind her. When she turned around, he was right there on the step below, brushing his hand across her cheek.

“You’re beautiful.”

She caught her breath as he kissed her softly, coaxingly, and relaxed, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “You think you can sweet-talk your way out of buying me dinner?”

“No, but I’m hoping I can talk you into bringing dessert back here,” he said, slipping his arms around her waist and lifting her down.

Letting her hands slide down to his biceps, she squeezed. “Play your cards right, big boy, and I’ll make you dessert.”

“Please tell me that wasn’t sarcasm,” he whispered, kissing her with force this time, his tongue and lips d

emanding a response, and she gave it right back, loving the way he touched her. Forceful or gentle, there was no hesitation or halfway with him.

“We haven’t even made it to the car yet and we’re already passing first base.”

He pulled away with a grin. “We should go. You’re probably freezing.”

She could barely feel her legs and feet, so it was probably a good plan.

She let him take her hand as they made their way down to the truck, walking carefully along the salted sidewalk. He opened the door for her and helped her up, and she fought a smile as his hand drifted under her skirt, grazing the skin of her thighs with his fingertips.

“If you keep that up, we’re going to score a home run before we ever get our steaks.”

With a curse, he removed his hand and shut her door, making her laugh. It had been a long time since a man had wanted her; just her. Not her father’s connections. Not her money.

He climbed up into the truck and she slid over, pulling him to her so she could kiss him, teasing his lips with her tongue.

“Hey, I thought you were hungry.”

Smiling against his mouth, she whispered, “I can wait a minute or two.”

JUSTIN PULLED INTO the restaurant with a smile, running his hand over his mouth. It had been a long time since he’d made out in a truck with a sexy woman, but he had to admit it was still hot as hell.

Turning the truck off, he got out and helped Val down, putting his hands on her waist and letting her slowly slide down his body. The press of her soft breasts against him did nothing to dissipate the desire making him want to lift up her skirt and plunge inside. Deciding they would be a great deal safer around people, he took her hand and led her inside, out of the cold.

They waited by the large wooden podium as a uniformed Jenny Andrews came forward. “Hey, Justin. Two of you?” Her clear blue eyes traveled over Val, as if trying to place her, before widening.

“Hey, Jenny. You know Valerie Willis, right?”

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