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caught in his throat. She was stunning. The plum-colored dress fit her like a glove. While it completely covered her, it clung to her curves and enhanced every single one of them. Colton’s mouth went dry.
    “There is.”
    “What?” He’d lost track of what they were talking about.
    “The tattoo. There’s a story. I’ll share it with you one night, but now I have to finish getting ready.” There was a knock on the front door. “Do you mind getting that? I just have to load up my purse and grab my sweater and then I’ll be out.”
    At his silent nod, she murmured, “Thanks, Colton.”
    He gave her one last lingering look before leaving to answer the door. Damn, she looked incredible.
    Colton opened the door with his thoughts still lingering back in the bedroom with Penelope and the currents zinging through his system. The man standing before him was tall, although not quite as tall a Colton. His hair was dark and styled in one of those pretty-boy casual styles, meant to look easy, but took as many products to achieve as any girl’s hairstyle. His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners like he smiled a lot or spent a lot of time outdoors. Looking at the guy, it was probably a combination of the two. He was fit, but not muscular.
    The guy offered an easy, but confused smile. He looked up and down the hall, then back at the door.
    “I’m sorry. I’m looking for Penelope Pruitt. This is the apartment number I have for her.”
    “Yeah,” Colton offered out his hand, “Penelope’s here. She’s still getting ready. I’m her roommate, Colton. Come on in. Dr. Lopez, right?”
    The man took his hand and nodded. “Yup, that’s m e, but please call me Damon. Doctor makes me sound older than shit.” He offered a friendly smile as he entered the loft. He gave a low whistle as he looked around. “Whoa, this is nice.”
    “Thanks.” Colton nodded. “Can I offer you something to drink? I just moved in today, so I’m not sure what we have, but I’m sure we have something.”
    Damon chuckled. “No, I’m fine.” He looked speculatively at Colton. “You said you just moved in, so are you and Penelope an item?”
    Colton shook his head. “No, we’re just roommates.”
    “So, she’s single?”
    “As far as I know she is.”
    He gave a friendly grin. “That’s good to hear. I don’t want to horn in on some other guy’s territory and I don’t get to the States very often…” He let the sentence trail off as Penelope walked into the room and said under his breath, “Oh yeah, that’s really good to hear.”
    Colton glared at the guy. Pretty boy was not the man Penelope needed in her life. Colton froze as that inexplicable surge of possessiveness tore through him and he worked to tamp down the sudden anger. Where the hell had that thought come from?
     
    * * *
     
    As Penelope walked into the living room, her heart gave a little stutter of shock. Talk about testosterone overload. Just look at the beefcake she had in her living room tonight. Her nerves were already strumming after looking at beds all day with the incredibly built Colton. Now he stood there with another seriously hot guy. Tall, dark, and beautifully fit times two.
    The difference between the two guys was marked, but they were both very nice in their own way. Where Colton was intimidating in his pure bulk and height, Dr. Lopez was long and lean. Colton was casual in his t-shirt, jeans, and those oh-so-sexy bare feet, while Dr. Lopez wore a suit that fitted his lean physique perfectly. They both had dark hair. Colton’s was military short, while Dr. Lopez’s style was a little longer and more careless. Dr. Lopez had a face which was completely open and friendly, while Colton was more guarded with his expressions. Right now he looked downright pissed. Had she missed something?  She glanced between the two of them, but didn’t see any other signs of trouble. Curious. Dr. Lopez eyed her as she approached and his eyes showed his approval. She