Almost Matched (Almost Bad Boys) by A.O. Peart Page A

not to stumble. I’ve taken salsa lessons a few years ago, but I lack practice.  
    Colin turns us once again. He leads me to swirl on my own under his arm—once, twice, three times. I laugh and realize that it is not the wine that makes me happy and unconcerned. It is Colin.  
    The song ends, and he is enticingly close to me. He looks so endearing and sexy with his messy hair and eyes twinkling with mischief. Another song starts, but we are not dancing. Colin’s hand slides up to the back of my head, and then his lips are on mine. At first he kisses me softly, as if testing my reaction. But I’m not pulling away. I lean to him and return the kiss. His lips part, and I feel his tongue slide along my lower lip. It gently teases for a moment, and then my mouth is under his command, inviting and obeying. I melt into him.  
    My body, lead by Queen V-Jay-Jay, decides to betray my male-cautious resolve. Treason in full display. I have officially swooned over Colin. And by now I realize that Ali’s fuck buddy advice goes out of the window in a jiffy. I knew it was going to be just like this.  
    “What am I going to do with you,” he says, gently nibbling on my earlobe. His voice is low and seductive.  
    “What would you like to do?” I challenge. I know exactly what I’m willing him to do, and so does he. I lean away to look into those clear, blue eyes.  
    Colin takes my hand in his and leads me toward the staircase. “Let me show you the upstairs then.”
    “Is that your pick-up line?” I feign suspicion.  
    “I think we are past the pick-up line stage.” He snorts, and then grins at me.  
    I can’t help it but laugh. He makes me feel carefree. I want to believe it’s a good thing.  
    We climb the stairs to his bedroom. The whole place is meticulous. I’ve never seen a guy’s house that looks as neat as Colin’s. Hell on wheels. The score list is growing rapidly: he can cook, dance, kiss, and keeps his place tidy. And I have a feeling he’s amazing in bed. Well, time to find out.
     

 

     
    NINE
    Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.  
    Oscar Hammerstein II
     
    “I can’t believe I’ve been dating Colin for two months,” I muse, turning my computer on.  
    “You finally found your perfect guy, girlfriend.” Ali smiles approvingly. “I’m very happy for you.”
    “Thank you. You were right, he’s a keeper.”
    “Ha! Told ya.” She smirks. “So are you sure you can take care of that website issue?”
    “Yes. Stop pestering me. Go to your dental appointment.” I swat at the air in front of me in an universal gesture scoot, shoo, go away. “I will have Michael look into it. It normally takes one email for him to jump in and start working. That guy is a genius.”  
    “And we pay him a hefty sum too,” Ali adds.  
    “That too, but he’s worth every penny. I’m hopeless with anything technical.”
    “Me too. Okay, I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” She waves to me and leaves.  
    My cell phone dings, announcing a new text message. I look at the screen. It’s Colin.
    “Do you like them?” it reads.  
    I stare dumbfounded, not understanding what he’s referring to. Maybe he was texting someone else and by mistake sent this to me? But who? And about what? I eye the message suspiciously.  
    At that very moment I overhear Ellen, our receptionist, talking with someone. A few seconds later she’s knocking on my office door and enters. Or rather a humongous bouquet of red roses peppered with a white baby-breath flowers enters first, closely followed by Ellen.  
    “Wow!” I exclaim. “What’s that?”
    “It’s for you!” Ellen squeaks excitedly. She places the arrangement on the small table in the corner of my office and turns to look at me. A huge smile splits her face. “They smell so good.”
    I stand up and walk over to examine the attached card. I thank Ellen on her way out of my office. The card says, SIXTY ROSES FOR EACH OF THE