Page 61 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

“But drunk enough to strip in front of a bunch of people?”

I’m taken aback by his tone. He sounds almost, I don’t know, jealous. “Hey, it’s not my fault you’re so easily distracted.”

“I think the whole room was distracted by you.”

The burn of desire in his gaze makes my stomach flutter. “Yeah, but you’re the one who missed his shot.” In more ways than one. I tip up my cup, ignoring the slight wince in Sam’s expression. As I finish my drink, I push off the wall. “I need another one,” I say, but the room spins again, and I stumble forward.

“Whoa, there.” Sam catches me by the elbows. “Are you sure you need more?”

“I’m fine. It’s these damn heels,” I lie.

His gaze slides down my length to my shoes and back up. “Those are tall. Can you stand?”

I shrug out of his grasp. “Yeah, thanks,” I say, smoothing out my costume. As I raise my head, I drag my gaze up his gorgeous tuxedo-covered frame. “What are you supposed to be?”

“007.”

“Who?”

He leans down and puts his lips to my ear. “Bond. James Bond.”

I shudder as his hot breath spills down my neck, but reel myself in as he stands back up. Staring at his handsome face, I can’t help the wave of longing that washes over me. I reach up to tap the edge of his glasses. “Does James Bond need these?”

He ducks his head. “Not normally, no. But I didn’t want to risk passing out here and sleeping in my contacts.”

“Smart thinking.”

A blush rises in Sam’s cheeks at my compliment, but he covers it by downing the rest of his drink. “Who’s your favorite Bond?”

“No idea.” I shrug. “I’ve never seen a James Bond movie.”

“What? That should be illegal.” Something like offense slides across his face before melting as he rakes over my body. “As should your costume. A cop, right?”

“Not just any cop. I’m Ray Simpson.” That’s right, I Googled him.

“Who?”

The outrageously confused expression on his face makes me laugh. “The cop from the Village People. Lisa’s into disco music, remember?”

“Oh.” He licks his lips. “Well, I think you fill the outfit better,” he says, his voice gruff.

My stomach flips and desire pools low within me.

“So, where are your other villagers?”

“Well, you saw the sailor in the garage. Was she still shipwrecked on Beer Pong Island when you came inside?”

Sam chuckles and nods.

“The other two… I’m not sure where the cowboy, I mean, cowgirl went. She must have rode off into the sunset”?I sigh?“but the construction worker is in the living room, busy getting her foundation laid.”

Sam snort laughs, nearly choking on his drink.

Pride over my cleverness puts a lightness in my chest. “Are you here alone?”

“Nah, I came with a couple of buddies. They’re still in the garage. I saw you when I came in for a refill. Speaking of, do you really want another one?” Sam takes my cup when I nod, brushing past me to mix us both another beverage, and I drink him in.

There’s something completely sexy about a guy in a tux, and Sam is no exception. In fact, he might be my new favorite version. I know what his body looks like under the tux, so it’s no surprise he fills it out perfectly. I wish his jacket wasn’t so long. I’d love to get a glimpse of his ass in those slacks.

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