The Dating List by Jean C. Joachim

lost."
    "Not with me, babe," she said.
    He shot her a dazzling grin as they pushed through
the revolving doors into an enormous entryway. Being two days
before New Year's, the museum was crowded.
    Colin whipped out his wallet but Leah stopped
him.
    "I'm a member and you're my guest."
    She picked up a map and handed it to him.
    "Where do you want to go first? Egyptian exhibit?
Armor? French Impressionist Paintings? Sculpture?"
    "I'm at your disposal."
    "Egyptian is right here. Let's go there first."
    Leah flashed her membership card and they received
two metal buttons required for admission. They walked through the
archway and were immediately transported back to ancient times.
Colin pointed to a passage to a recreated tomb and steered Leah
there. Once inside he commented about the hieroglyphics while he
snaked his other arm around her and pulled her close. His lips
closed over hers, his tongue pressing lightly, requesting entry.
She opened her mouth and Colin's tongue took possession, gently
stroking her tongue, coaxing it out to play. He angled his head,
deepening the kiss. Heat coursed through her veins, her arms coiled
around his neck instinctively. All thought left her mind as their
tongues danced.
    The sound of a throat clearing brought the couple
back to reality. Leah pushed against his strong chest and stepped
back. Blood rushed to her face as she lowered her eyes.
    "Sorry…don't mean to interrupt," an older woman
said.
    "Please, I'm sorry…got carried away," Colin mumbled,
making a sweeping gesture, moving back to make room for the other
couple.
    "Easy to see why," muttered the man under his breath
with a sly grin.
    Colin laughed while Leah's face grew hotter. She took
his hand and yanked him out of the passage, dragging him behind
her. After winding around through exhibit after exhibit on the
first floor, they turned the corner, landing in the Arms and Armor
exhibit. Leah saw the amused expression on Colin's face dissolve as
his eyes focused on the metal figures before him. He still kept her
hand firmly clasped in his as he stopped in front of each display
of armor. They were the only ones in the room. He turned to
her.
    "Why not?"
    "Why not what?" She raised her eyebrows.
    "Last night you said you don't want to fall in love.
Why not?" Colin moved closer to her, forcing her to face him.
    "I thought we were here to see the exhibits…"
    "We are. Can't I ask a question?"
    She eased her hand from his.
    "That's not just a question."
    "I want to know."
    "I don't owe you an explanation…" she turned her back
to him.
    Colin grabbed her elbow as she attempted to evade
him.
    "Right, you don't owe me anything. Answer the
question. What do you have against love?"
    "I'm not interested in falling in love, that's all,"
she cast her gaze down to the floor.
    "I don't believe you."
    Leah snapped her head up. "You don't believe me?"
    He shifted his weight. The bravado slipped from his
face replace by a look of uncertainty.
    "It's just that…well, yesterday…when we were
shopping…and at the ice cream place…"
    He swung his gaze from her face to the exhibit in
front of them.
    "Look at me. What about yesterday?" Leah grabbed his
arm and planted her feet wide apart.
    "Yesterday you flirted with me…"
    "So? I flirt with a lot of men. Hell, I flirt with
Lance, the doorman. Doesn't mean I want to have his baby." She
tried to look defiant, flash her eyes at him but he became amused
instead of angry.
    "Really? Do you kiss a lot of men in an Egyptian
Tomb?"
    His eyes twinkled as a smile played with his
lips.
    " You kissed me ." Leah corrected before
she folded her arms across her chest.
    "And you kissed me back." He stepped so close to her,
she could feel the heat from his chest. It warmed her, stirring
feelings long dormant. He tipped her chin up and gazed into her
eyes. Her arms dropped to her sides. His concerned, loving look
blended with a spark of desire, held her gaze. Her guard slipped a
notch as she lost herself in his gorgeous