Page 53 of Ricochet

“You’re easy to look at.” But now, she couldn’t look at him because he’d tapped into a vulnerability she didn’t know she had. Trusting another person with a soft, weak spot was terrifying.

He touched her cheek, bringing her gaze back to him. “I don’tthink that’s why.”

“Why?”

“You tell me.” He smiled. “I already dropped one truth bomb on you.”

“And what was that?”

“You make jammy pants hot.”

And there it was again, the amazing way he made her feel, inside and out. That was why she stared at him. He was magic. “You make me smile on the inside.”

“Yeah, beautiful, that’s far a better explanation than I could come up with.” His cell phonechirped from the kitchen, and Colin’s face pinched. “That’s my alarm. I have to roll if I’m going to make this flight home.”

“Find another flight.”

He gave her a squeeze and rolled off the couch. “Then I’d have to find another job.”

“Can’t do that. Ryder and Jax would kill me.” She popped up and kissed his cheek. “Have a safe flight.”

Colin tipped her back on the couch and took her mouth ina gentle kiss that made her toes curl.

When she finally peeled her eyelids opened, he was coming from the kitchen, shirt buttoned and tucked in, keys and cell phone in hand. “You’re an awful man.”

“Oh, yeah?” He tossed his keys, and his eyes danced. “And why’s that?”

“It should be against the law to leave me hot and bothered after a kiss.”

Colin winked. “Get some rest. I’ll text you when I’mwheels down in DC.” He slid his jacket on, reminding her how handsome he’d been the night before, and he put his hand in his suit pocket. “Here.”

The heart-and key trinkets flew across the room, and she caught them, still connected. It was just a game, but it’d been perfect, and Adelia fell for him all over again.

A silent nod was his too sexy goodbye, and Adelia beamed after he walked outthe door, giggling that he locked the handle on the way out then twisted it and double-checked.

“I’m safe inside.” She held the closest couch pillow to her chest. “Bye.”

“Bye, beautiful,” Colin called through the door.

Adelia tipped over on her couch and covered her face with the pillow. With one deep breath, she was lost in Colin again. The pillow smelled like him, masculine and irresistible,and she had the key to his heart in her hand.

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