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

looking at that photograph,” I say quietly.
    Colin puts his arm around me and exhales with force. He pulls me close to him. And then he whispers in my ear, “It is a sad photo, don’t you think?” He kisses my temple. I wish he kissed my lips.  
    I upturn my face to look in his eyes. Colin bents his head, and his mouth is on mine. He presses me to him and wraps his arms around me. The kiss is gentle and sweet. He pulls away and smiles at me.  
    “First kiss?” I chuckle.  
    He nods, his eyes twinkling. “Our first. But I hope this is just the beginning.”  
    “I hope so too.”
    We walk around the museum, stopping often to examine various photographs and read the photographers’ names and countries of origin on the tags besides the images. They are from all over the world—the photographers and the subjects. It’s fascinating to see how visionary many of them are while capturing the essence of human nature.  
    After over an hour of perusing, we leave the exhibition and walk to the Harbor Steps. This is one of my most favorite places in Seattle. We hold hands, and I glance around at the passersby, the buildings, and the cars. At the top of the stairs Colin pulls me to him and wraps one arm around me. His other hand gently pushes loose strand of hair behind my ear, and then caresses my cheek and my jaw line. He cups my chin and leans closer to kiss me. I half-close my eyes and tilt my face toward his.  
    His lips touch mine, and my mouth parts. I feel his sculpted, hard body pressing onto me. I circle his neck with my arms and stand on tiptoes, wishing I wore high heels today. Colin’s tongue gently slides between my lips, and a shiver runs down my chest, continuing south, all the way to between my thighs. I welcome this sweet, sensual feeling he’s giving me. His fingers entwine in my hair at the back of my head, and his other hand slowly strokes between my shoulder blades.  
    Kissing Colin is like nothing I’ve ever experienced with anyone before. His kiss is gentle, but with underlying firmness that stirs hot desire inside me. It is a promise of what awaits me soon, and, honestly, I’m considering breaking my fourth-date rule. Right now, right here. Wow, where the heck did that come from, Natalie? Get ahold of yourself before you embarrass both of you.  
    I pull out of this amazingly sensual kiss and smile at Colin. He smiles back and whispers surreptitiously, “I want to take you somewhere tomorrow.”
    “Oh?” I grin. “Where?”
    “I will think of something fun.”  
    “Wait, you want to go somewhere tomorrow, but you don’t even have an idea where?” I laugh. What’s the urgency?  
    “Yep. I want to get through the third date, so we can move onto the forth one.” His grin is wicked. Totally wicked!
    “Ah, that.” I smirk and roll my eyes. But at this moment I feel almost glad he’s trying to rush things forward.  
    “Yes. That. I can’t think of anything else but you,” he professes.  
    Wow, this confession is a bit of a shocker.  
    He grins, probably in response to my dumbfounded expression. “Is this so scandalous?”  
    I put my palms on his chiseled chest, feeling the scrumptious ridges under his shirt. And then his heartbeat adds to the mouthwatering sensation. God, I want to undo his buttons right here. Natalie! I scold myself and take a deep composing breath. Geez, this is all new to me. I don’t ever remember anyone turning me on with just the smallest detail.  
    “Scandalous? Why, Mr. Hampton. I hardly even know you.” I feign indignation.  
    He throws his head back and laughs. I can’t help it but laugh with him. When he looks back at me there is something so sexually charged in his gaze that my knees are about to give out. But he holds me tight so, thank heavens, I won’t make a fool of myself.  
    “Yes, Miss Davenport, you have a good point. I want to remedy that little obstacle and spend more time with you, so we feel comfortable with each other for