Page 50 of Colton’s Inferno

“Brown sugar and vanilla,” he said, setting the second candle on the end table.

The flames danced and flickered, filling the room with soft light. The sweet smell from the wax wafted through the apartment.

Lucy watched the storm. “I used to love thunderstorms when I was little,” she said. “My mother and I would sit on the porch and watch it rain. We would count the seconds from a flash of lightning to the boom of thunder.”

“Hold that thought for a minute,” said Aiden.

He disappeared into his bedroom. When he returned, he carried two camp chairs. He slipped them out of their protective sleeves and unfolded them both. “Here you go,” he said, scooting a chair closer to her.

She sat into the seat. The nylon fabric shifted. Aiden dropped into the chair next to hers.

Outside, a fork of lightning struck, making the empty street as bright as midday.

“One. Two. Three. Four.” Aiden counted.

There was a rumble of thunder.

“That means the center of the storm is four miles away,” she said.

For a moment, they were silent. Lucy was keenly aware of Aiden. His hand dangled over the side of his chair. If she wanted, she could reach out and touch his pinkie finger with her own. She looked up at him. He was watching her. Heat crept from her chest to her cheeks.

“What?” she asked.

“I like looking at you,” he said. “You’re beautiful.”

There was another strike of lightning. Thunder followed a few seconds later.

What was she supposed to do with that compliment? Looking back at the window, she said, “The storm is getting closer.”

A blush still warmed her face. She turned back to the window. The rain fell so heavy, she could see nothing but water.

“What happens then?” he asked, his voice a whisper. “When the storm arrives?”

“We wait for it to pass.”

“Then you can go home.”

Was there a longing in his voice? “You must really be trying to get rid of me,” she joked.

“Not at all,” he said. “I like having you here.”

“Even if all we’re doing is watching it rain?”

“Especially since all we’re doing is watching it rain.”

She let her fingertips graze the side of his hand. He reached for her, twining his fingers through hers. For the first time in more than a decade, Lucy was content.

Yet, she wanted more.

She shifted in her seat and glanced at him. He was watching her still. She felt his gaze on her like a lover’s touch. And that’s exactly what she needed. To have his hands on her, to feel his lips on hers, to have his mouth on her skin.

Lucy held tighter to Aiden’s hand, bringing them together.

He leaned toward her. His breath washed over her skin.

She closed the gap between them and brushed her lips over his mouth. It was a quick kiss, over as soon as it began. Aiden moved closer. Without a word, he kissed her again. His lips were an intriguing combination of strong and soft. He reached for her shoulder, pulling her closer.

She moved to his chair and sat on his lap. Her legs draped over the arm rest, and her feet dangled above the floor. His musky scent surrounded her. She pressed her breasts against his chest. He was solid and strong and everything a man should be.