Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

I was positive my eyes grew wide at that. “Are you talking about me and Mitchell?” I had no idea why I asked that out loud.

“If the shoe fits,” Waylynn added.

My body caught fire as Mitchell’s leg pressed against mine. It suddenly got really hot in Marco’s.

“First off, y’all both need to keep your noses out of my business. And Corina’s.” Mitchell reached for my hand. “We’re friends, isn’t that right, Corina?”

Dizzy with desire, I tried to ignore his leg. His hand on mine. I tried not to focus on the way his eyes lingered on my lips, like he wanted to kiss me again.

His kiss. My lips tingled. The kiss he had given me on the stairs was so simple, yet it had nearly knocked me off my feet.

For Pete’s sake, Corina! It was a quick peck, not even a kiss.

Mitchell leaned in and asked in a hushed voice, “Are you okay?”

His thumb swept over the top of my hand, leaving a burning path.

Pulling my eyes off him, I glanced around the table. Melanie and Waylynn were leaning in, trying to hear my response. Chloe giggled. “Why is everyone staring at Corina?”

I swallowed hard and pulled my hand away from Mitchell. “Excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room.”

When I stood, John, Steed, and Mitchell all got up from their chairs. Oh, Lord. Why do they have to be so chivalrous?

Quickly making my way through the restaurant, I rushed into the ladies’ room. I placed my hands on the sink and pulled in a few deep breaths.

“Corina?”

I spun around. The same girl I’d seen Mitchell with at Cord’s bar was standing in front of me. I was pretty sure I’d heard Amelia say her name was Cassidy.

“I’m sorry. Do we know each other?” I asked with a confused expression.

She smirked. “We have a common interest.”

My stomach dropped. “We do?”

“Yes. Mitchell Parker. Rumor has it you’re living with him now.”

The room started to spin. Oh God. He’s been sleeping with this girl, and now she thinks I’m a threat.

“My house caught fire. Mitchell was nice enough to let me crash at his place until I can find other arrangements.”

She stared at me with nothing but hate in her eyes.

The bathroom door flew open, and Mitchell was standing there. “What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I took a few steps back, not sure who he was talking to.

“Don’t get your jockstrap in a twist, Mitchell. I only wanted to meet my competition.”

“Competition?” I asked, my eyes darting between the two of them.

Mitchell took her by her elbow and led her to the door. “Get out and stay the fuck away from Corina, do you understand me?”

“Is she the reason we haven’t had sex in so long?” Cassidy asked.

Covering my mouth, I tried to hold back a gag.

“What in the hell are you talking about?” Mitchell asked.

“You bring me to your place the other day to have sex, then you have her move in? What game are you playing?”

I turned around. My head dropped as I tried to take in one breath after another. Mitchell had lied. He’d said he’d never had a girl in his place.

He lied.

This was not happening. Not with his parents sitting on the other side of the door. “Get. Out. Now.” With my eyes closed, I tried to get ahold of my emotions. I would not show weakness.

When his hands touched me, I jumped.

“Corina.”

“You lied to me.”

“What?”

Spinning to face him, I repeated myself. “You lied when you said I was the only woman to stay at your place. You had her in your bed.”

“No, I didn’t! She was in my place for all of ten minutes.”

My lower lip trembled, and it made me so mad. I didn’t want Mitchell Parker thinking he had this power over me. His words rattled my brain as I let them settle. “What?”

“I never slept with her, or anyone else, at my place. I’ve never had a woman in my bed, Corina.”

Lifting my chin and trying not to let his words affect me, I asked, “Why not?”

Mitchell blinked. “I don’t know how to explain that.”

My arms folded over my chest. “Now would be as good a time as any for you to try.”

He stared for the longest time before swallowing hard. “I don’t know. I’ve never met a woman I felt like I wanted to share a bed with. Until I met you.”

An instant heat rushed over my body.

“W-what did you say?”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever spent the night with, Corina. The feelings I have for you are new. I didn’t know how to deal with them, and I’m trying so fucking hard not to mess up again.”

My heart raced, and I was left breathless. A part of me wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him. Tell him how I wanted him, how much I needed to be with him again. The idea of getting lost in his kiss was almost overwhelming.