Branded as Trouble by Lorelei James Page A

it…had she ever really just “dated” a man?
    No. She’d had sex with plenty of guys, hooked up with more than her fair share, but flowers, dinner, and moonlit walks? Not so much a priority in her younger years when she was drunk or high.
    Since she’d cleaned up, fixing herself was more a priority than getting fixed up with some man. And in the three years since she’d starting hanging out with Colt, she’d been content to be with just him. She hadn’t needed or wanted any other man.
    So what did that say about their friendship?
    It’s always been more than just a simple friendship and you were too stubborn to admit it.
    “Indy?”
    “Sorry. I don’t think I’ve done the dating thing since I was a teen.”
    “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”
    “Really? We’re a pair, huh?”
    Colt eased back. “Which makes it all the more important that we do this right. Goin’ on dates. Takin’ it one step at a time. I’ve screwed up everything that matters in my life in some way or www.samhainpublishing.com 93

    Lorelei James
    another, India. Our…relationship is too important to throw away on a quick tumble.”
    “To me too.”
    “So you agree to go slow?”
    “Go slow, as in…”
    “Just dating. No sex.”
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Chapter Nine
    “You’re joking.”
    “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
    “But…”
    India stared at him with such confusion he almost laughed. “To answer the question I see in your eyes, yes, I wanna get nekkid with you. I can’t wait to get nekkid with you. We are so gonna set the mattress on fire when we do get nekkid.”
    “But?”
    “But for the past three years you’ve thought of me as Colt, your buddy. Or your Saturday night movie pal. Or the alcoholic you’ve counseled. Or the tattoo guinea pig. Or the guy you call when you need help with your sister’s kids. Or Colt, the cowboy.” He touched her face. “I am all of those, but I want you to see me as a man first.”
    “Never any doubt in my mind you’re all man, Colt McKay.”
    He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her.
    India’s lips parted, but he didn’t delve into temptation. Instead, he feathered his lips across her trembling mouth, as if gauging the best way their lips fit together for a soft exploratory kiss. Or for an openmouthed, tongue clashing, passionate kiss. Or for a playful, biting kiss.

    Lorelei James
    Her breath stuttered when he finally slid his tongue into her mouth. He stroked and licked and tasted without hurry. Without mercy. As if kissing her were the end-all, not just the means to the end.
    Colt kissed the corners of her smile, outlining the shape of her upper lip and lower swell with an insistent swipe of his tongue. He nipped and nuzzled and seduced, and yet his hands never moved from her jawbone.
    “More. Please.”
    “Wantin’ more ain’t a bad thing,” he whispered. “That’s why we oughta take it slow.”
    “It’s never been like this for me.”
    “Like what?” He moved back slightly, keeping his cheek pressed into the cushion.
    “Real.”
    Silence.
    India chewed her lip. Indecision warred in her eyes.
    “Sugar, you know you can tell me anything and I ain’t gonna judge you.”
    “I know. I just…” She inhaled. Exhaled. “We’ve talked about some of this stuff in meetings. How so many activities and events in our former lives as users were tied to booze.” A long pause ensued as India struggled to keep going.
    Colt reached for her hand. “No hurry. We don’t have to talk about this now.”
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    Branded As Trouble
    “But we do. And I’m relieved to finally be talking about it, to be honest because I’ve never been able to tell a man the truth about my past. Some of the things I’ve done.”
    He waited.
    “Just like you, I’ve had no real relationships in my sobriety, Colt. I’ve held back…because I’m ashamed.”
    “Who you were then, ain’t who you are now, Indy.”
    “I can tell