Page 38 of The Guest Cottage
Dazed, she looked up into light brown eyes filled with concern and had the nearly overwhelming urge to kiss him. What would he do if she dared? Had their relationship reached that point yet?
Herman shouldered past them with a muttered, “I’ll check on everyone. Take your time.”
And then she was alone, somewhat, with Cort. Two people worked the long grill behind them, and on the other side of the wall customers waited.
“Subtlety,” Cort said, “is not his strong suit.”
“Was that an endorsement, then?”
His thumbs rubbed over her bare arms just above her elbows, and his gaze dipped to her mouth.
Her lips tingled. When was the last time her lips had tingled?
So long ago, she’d forgotten they could do that.
Pressing closer, Marlow asked, “Are you going to kiss me?”
“I’m deciding.”
Instead of being insulted, she felt her mouth lift into a crooked smile. “Any chance I can tip the scales in my favor?”
“You just had an uncomfortable confrontation with your in-laws. I’m not sure it’s the right time to make even a casual move.”
She cocked a brow. “Because you think I’m fragile? Do I appear to be falling apart?”
Now he smiled, too. “Definitely not fragile. And no, you look fairly pleased with yourself.”
Ha! She was, she realized. After all, she’d had a public dispute with Sandra and Aston and hadn’t let it get her down. She’d stood her ground and, at least to her mind, managed to stay firm but kind. To top it off, Herman thought she was a good sort.
Taking Cort’s face in her hands and going on tiptoe, she demanded, “Kiss me.”
In the next second, his mouth settled on hers. No timid kiss from this Marine, no sir. He took her order seriously and completely dismantled her understanding of a kiss.
This was more.
This wasamazing.
It was the type of kiss that could sweep a levelheaded woman completely away. Happily.
When he eased up, she said, “Whew. Way to excel.”
He didn’t tease, didn’t make light of it; he just studied her as if seeing something he hadn’t seen before. “You haven’t been here that long.”
“Long enough to know I like it here and—” She gave a stealthy look around to be sure no one was listening. “—I’d really like to stay if I can convince the originals to add one more.”
“What a rule breaker you are.” He leaned in for another kiss, but this one was fleeting, there and gone before she could get too involved. “You know what I’d like to do?”
Her eyes widened because she wasn’t quite sure whatshewanted to do. “Tell me.”
“I’d like to walk along the lake, capture a few fireflies—only long enough to see them before we let them go again—maybe show you how nice the moonlight looks on the water.”
“When?” She was ready for that right now. “I work until closing tonight, Friday and Saturday.”
“Sunday, then?”
She nodded, heard the crowd getting louder, and knew she had to get back out there. “Will I see you tomorrow morning?”
“You will if you’re up to watch the sunrise.”
