In His Bed(3)

Heat seeped into her cheeks. God, was she really entertaining the idea of going out with her best friend’s son? Several factors had to be taken into consideration. Most importantly, Stacey’s opinion on the matter had to be addressed. The way she’d been thumbing through bride magazines fantasizing about Colin marrying the perfect woman and having the perfect grandbabies was a neon red flag.

Taking her friend’s reaction into account should’ve been enough to detour her thoughts, but when contemplating the age difference—that was enough to depress the flutters in her stomach.

She’d dated younger men, but only one or two years her junior. Robbing the cradle had never been her style. Being comfortable in one’s own skin was paramount and a definite bonus to acquiring numbers on the birthday scale. Besides, there were plenty of eligible men waiting for an intelligent, vibrant woman. Well, maybe not plenty.

Colin reached around Lea, his hand grazing the side of her waist. When she tried to step to the side to give him room to grab a cup, he pressed his other hand against her hip, trapping her in a firm grip. “What about you?” he asked as he poured iced tea into the plastic cup. “Mom said you got divorced?” Lea turned the cup in her hand, stalling. The humiliation still pinched, but the damage long forgotten. “Damn, sorry. I didn’t mean to be an ass.”

“Oh no,” she said, raising her chin to meet his gaze. “It’s been over two years. Cliché as it might be, he left me for his secretary. He moved up north, and I kept the house.” Rachel weaved her fingers into Lea’s and squeezed. Friends could be lifesavers when boats overturned and her friends had been no different when life had cast her under.

“I’m sorry.” A man walking by caught his attention and he waved before peering down to study her face. The intensity should’ve made her uneasy, but the warmth in his eyes made his sincerity real. “I’m glad he’s out of your life. A woman like you can do fine without a cheating jerk sticking around. I’m sure you’ve got guys calling you all the time.”

Rachel grinned from ear to ear. “She does, don’t you, Lea?”

Rachel knew damn well the dating hell Lea had been through. Colin sipped from the cup. His patience was unnerving. Somehow, a simple coming home party had turned her senses into a hailstorm of illicit fantasies. Thoughts of Colin dragging her upstairs to the bathroom and bending her over the sink. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!

“Rachel’s exaggerating. I don’t date much.”

“So,” he said, leaning forward enough that the clean woodsy scent from his neck made her core contract. Her pussy was swelling, slicking for the anticipation seeping from his lips. “You’re not dating anyone right now?”

Lea didn’t want to read too much into the question. Hell, maybe it was the heat. Maybe her overactive, unsatisfied sex drive. Whatever was happening, she could only pray the interpretation was one-sided and going unnoticed.

Tipping her head back gave her enough space to clear her thoughts. “No, not right now.”

When she peeked to see his expression, the way his lips titled up in a grin did nothing to soothe the pulse in her clit. “Maybe we could—”

Rachel pressed her fist against her mouth and coughed. “Colin, your mom’s headed this way.”

Lea jerked out of the sensual haze. “I’m glad you’re getting settled in,” she said, stepping aside to clear a respectable distance between them. “I need to gather the kids and start fixing plates.” She turned to Rachel. “You can help me.”

The moment she saw Colin, she should’ve known letting his hard body anywhere near her would be a colossal mistake. Judging by her dating history, or lack thereof, her hormones were surely the culprit of this deranged notion she could entertain Colin’s affection. Needing to get laid, really laid—like in the, oh my God he pulled my hair kind of way—was obviously driving her insane. Insane enough to fantasize about her best friend’s son.

“Lea,” he said, drawing her attention to his throat as he swallowed. “Can I talk to you later?”

“Colin, you can put the beer in the cooler by the table.” Stacey passed by with a tray of cupcakes balanced on her palm. “Kids! Time to eat!”

Colin’s fingers brushed the back of her hand. The nervous thrill vibrated through her arm. Sweet anticipation filled her stomach until she heard Rachel say, “Lea, let’s fix the plates.”

Guilt sank deep in her belly as she pulled her hand to her side. When he didn’t step away, she knew she’d have to create the distance.