He moved toward her and touched her cheek with his palm. “It was my pleasure.”
On impulse, Marquetta closed the inches separating them, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jensen stiffened; then, suddenly, his hands cupped her face as he angled his head for a better, deeper taste.
She licked at the seam of his lips, and when he opened to her, Marquetta took the advantage, slipping her tongue inside his mouth. Quickly, Jensen took over, pressing his own tongue to hers, tangling and dueling. The match was on, and he was winning. She didn’t care so long as he didn’t stop. Unfortunately, her brain kicked in and shoved her libido to the curb. Slowly, Marquetta pulled her mouth away from his, licking her lips as she went, and stared into his sexy, hooded blue eyes. There was so much heat there, she desperately wanted to act on it, but fear kept her rooted to the spot. When she’d been with Sheldon, she’d let her emotions run the show, and that couldn’t happen again. She wouldn’t survive the fallout a second time. She’d need to guard her heart with Jensen, or she would find herself handing it over to him on a silver platter.
“Thank you for a lovely night,” she said as she stepped into the house.
His gaze traveled over her body, then locked with hers once more. “Tell me it won’t be the last, and I’ll breathe easy.” His voice was rough and low and completely delicious.
“It won’t be the last,” she promised.
Jensen stared at her another moment, then said, “I’d better get my ass home, before I decide not to be a gentleman.”
Once he was in his car and backing down the driveway, Marquetta closed the door and let out a heavy breath. The effects of his masterful mouth teased a path clear to her toes. Holy hell, the man made her knees go weak. “What the hell am I doing?” she mumbled to herself. Her pulse raced and her body temperature was out of control, and all because of Jensen Kershaw and his sinful kisses. She knew good and well the reason she was sweating had nothing to do with the heat outside.
This was one of those moments in life when calling your BFF was the only sane thing to do. She grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and dialed Bridget’s number. Marquetta had been friends with Bridget since the fourth grade. They knew everything about each other. Definitely more than enough dirty details to keep each other honest.
“This had better be good,” Bridget ground out. She sounded sleepy.
“Oops, I woke you, didn’t I?”
She heard some rustling around, then Bridget said, “Yeah, but it’s okay. What’s up?”
“I need dating advice,” she answered as she crossed the room and plopped onto the couch.
Bridget went silent. Of course, that lasted all of ten seconds. “You do? But who? How?” She whistled, clearly stunned and now wide awake. “Whew, he must be something to get your attention. Tell me everything.”
“There isn’t anything to tell, not really.” She paused, then added, “His name is Jensen Kershaw, and he’s smokin’ hot. And I’m in way too deep here.”
“How’d you two meet? You never even go anywhere except the shop and to the grocery store.”
“I sort of saved him from being squashed by a semi. He offered to take me to dinner as a way to thank me.”
“And?”
“That’s it. There isn’t anything else to tell.”
“You haven’t slept with him?”
“Of course not, we only just met.”
“So?” Bridget replied. “It’s not 1950. You won’t get tarred and feathered for sleeping with a man, sweetie.”
Marquetta rolled her eyes and leaned down to take off her heels. They were killing her. “I realize that, but I still like to know a guy before I hop into bed with him.” She gritted her teeth as she massaged her swollen feet.
“What’s this stud look like anyway?” Bridget asked, too curious for Marquetta’s peace of mind.
After Marquetta described him, her friend said, “Well, if you don’t want him, then send him my way.”
Marquetta felt a horrible stab of jealousy and couldn’t stop herself from muttering, “Back off, woman.”
Needless to say, Bridget couldn’t resist teasing her. “Ah, it’s like that, is it?” Sometimes having a best friend since grade school was a serious pain in the tush, because they knew you too freaking well.
Marquetta took a deep breath. “Yeah, I suppose it is.”
“Then my advice to you is to jump the man’s bones.” Her tone turned serious as she added, “You deserve a little fun, sweetie.”
Marquetta’s heart warmed. “I love you, Bridg.”