In His Bed(2)

Her name rolling off his tongue made her stomach flutter—or nauseous—she wasn’t sure which sensation originated first, but the fact she was lusting after her best friend’s son was disgraceful. The polite thing to do was speak, but humid air stuck in her throat. The last time she’d spoken with him he’d called her Mrs. Winters. Being no longer a Mrs. to anyone made the sound of her name leaving his mouth that much sweeter.

“You look hot,” he said.

She snapped her gaze to his face. Was he smirking? The sputter of words leaked out when she said, “You.”

“I mean it’s hot out here.” When his fingertips grazed her cheek, she closed her eyes relishing the way the heat slid across her skin. “It’s good to—”

“Colin,” she said, knowing if she stood starstruck any longer it would draw attention. “Gosh, it’s been too long. Come here.” Hoping he couldn’t feel the nervous tremor in her arms, she leaned forward and gave him a gentle hug. His grip was on the verge of vulgar as he tugged her tight against his firm chest. The heat in her cheeks radiated down her neck.

First thought, she hated her body for melting into the pleasure of the strong arms cradling the curves of her waist. Second thought, hell was going to be hotter than August on the bayou. The shivers racking her body had to stop at this moment. Right now. Now.

Rachel, in her excitement, bumped her hip to move Lea out of Colin’s arms and moved in to steal a hug. “I can’t breathe,” he teased. “I think my mom would want me alive while we eat.”

Reluctant to let go, she took several steps back letting Stacey fly in to grab her son. “You’re finally home, for good. My smart, handsome—did I say smart?—college graduate.” She tucked his cheeks between her palms and pulled him down for a mother’s loving kiss. “I realize this town isn’t a metropolis, but knowing you’re out there policing everything makes me a nervous wreck.”

Stacey had told Lea several stories about the dangerous situations Colin had been in over the last year. Lea would carry the same worry if her son or daughter was put in harm’s way. Especially if she had a son as adventurous as Colin. Stacy often complained college wasn’t enough for her son; he had to graduate from the police academy and thought he needed to save the world one victim at a time. He’d always been the sibling on his mom’s radar in one way or another. If not breaking bones while riding dirt bikes, he’d snuck behind his mom’s back to have his dad sign so he could bungee jump. If nothing else, Colin Marshal was a man who took risks.

Colin slid next to his mom, pinning Lea against the picnic table. The warmth from his forearm grazed her arm when he rested his hand on his waist. He wrapped his other arm around Stacey’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Mom, it is what it is. I’ve got the timeline mapped out. I’ve been on the street for a year. I can’t jump right into detective. I’m thinking about doing K9 at some point, too. Besides, have I ever let you talk me out of anything?”

“I guess not,” Stacey said before kissing him on the cheek. “I have to get the rest of the food out. Your dad’s by the grill.”

When she was halfway back to the French doors, Lea broke the silence and said, “What plans do you have now that you’re home?”

Colin shifted his feet and crossed his arms over his wide chest. Rachel, who’d moved in closer to the conversation, kept staring at the T-shirt stretched over the taut muscles. Lea tried to resist, but her eyes were drawn to the impressive sight.

A glance wouldn’t hurt. Right? God help her no one saw as she trailed a quick glance over the taut University of Alabama Roll Tide shirt. Where his chest stretched the fabric, his torso stayed hidden as the bottom hung loose.

No harm done. She blew out a tiny breath before lifting her gaze. Colin’s cocky smirk made her stomach take a leap down a steep rollercoaster. Damn the cute dimple in his right cheek for making her thoughts so dirty. I’m a horrible friend.

“I start the new job next Tuesday. My first project is finding a place to live. I’d rather not stay here. Mom and Dad have a routine, and I don’t want to be in the way. I’ve saved up some money for a down payment on a house, but it’s finding the right location. There’s property by the lake, but I haven’t called an agent yet. I’m sure I’m going to need a hefty down payment to buy out there.”

Lea watched Rachel, who seemed unable to pull her obvious appreciative stare from Colin’s body. If he was embarrassed, he didn’t give any indication. When he turned his smile to Lea, she wasn’t sure if smiling back was appropriate seeing as he studied her chest as attentively as Rachel had studied his.