Page 8 of One Little Kiss

I blink. And blink again.

Her laughter rings out through the now empty gate, and I swear to Christ, it’s like angels singing. The last rays of sunlight filter in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and cast a glow around her, making it hard to breathe.

“Am I dreaming?” I don’t know if the words even make it out of my lips until I hear the raspy sound that can only be my voice. Like an out-of-body experience, I watch as she tips her head back. Her shoulders shake as she laughs at me, and I can’t help but join in. She laughs so hard a tear rolls down her cheek.

Without thinking, I reach over and cup her face. Using my thumb, I wipe away the single tear. She gasps, pulling away quickly.

So. Fucking. Inappropriate. And completely out of my control.

“No touching, Colton. I don’t know you,” she says huskily, and I get the first indication that she also feels this pull happening between us.

“What time’s your flight tomorrow?” I counter.

She hesitates, biting her lip.

“TSA is all over this airport. It’s not like I can steal you away, Winnie.”

Now it’s her turn to gape at me, and it takes a moment to realize my nickname slipped out. Attempting to make it less weird, I bump her shoulder.

“Come on, we’ve got,” I glance at my watch, “tell me how long I have to make you fall madly in love with me.” I’m kidding, of course, but it doesn’t feel like a joke.

Closing her book, she laughs at my antics. “Thirteen hours. You have thirteen hours, Colton Montgomery.”

CHAPTER3

WINNIE

“Wait. Did you just call me Winnie?” I ask, coming to my senses. I’m not sure why I’m encouraging this stranger, but I have to admit, he had my attention the second he sat next to me and his undeniably sexy scent invaded my senses. Like the ocean, and a forest after a rainstorm, and something so masculine, it can only be him.

Colton’s wolfish grin slips as he shrugs his shoulders. If I had to guess, I’d say I just embarrassed him.

“Truth?” he asks, rubbing his five o’clock shadow with his thumb and forefinger. His very, very long forefinger.

“Always,” I gulp, tearing my gaze from his hand.

“Wendalyn seems like an old lady name.”

“And Winnie doesn’t?” I chuckle. At least he’s honest.

Colton shakes his head slowly. His eyes never leave mine. “No. Winnie seems … honest. Wholesome. Sexy.”

“Do you always find meaning in the names of strangers you’renottrying to hit on?” I suck in a gasp as he angles his body toward mine and the heat from his leg causes an electric shock straight into my core.

Danger, Winnie. Danger. This guy could crush you if you let him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever given a woman I was hitting on a nickname before.”

“So what you’re saying is, I’m your first?” It comes out suggestively, and he chuckles.

“I’m getting the feeling you could be the first of many things, Winnie.”

His words are so honest, but they seem to trouble him. As he stares past me, I take the opportunity to study him. Again. When he was texting with his friend, I took full advantage of the chance to ogle him. Colton is stupidly handsome and obviously does well for himself. I don’t know anything about expensive clothing, but I can tell just by looking that his suit probably cost more than my car.

His dirty blond hair is a little too long on the top, adding to the boyish charm his personality exudes. His eyes are what had my heart skipping a beat, though. They’re almost a caramel color, but with a ring of navy blue around the irises. Colton could be on the cover of any men’s magazine. Surely the women he dates match him physically. I have a healthy self-esteem, but Colton is god-like. It makes me question why he’s hanging out here instead of the room his friend offered.

“Is your friend a hotel manager or something?”

Colton turns his quizzical gaze my way.