Page 83 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

He blinks and turns to Maya. “She’s right. We really need to get that done.”

Maya’s mouth opens for a rebut, but she snaps it shut and smiles. “Sure. See you later.” Before she leaves, she shoots me with one last sneer that could freeze over Hell.

I whistle a descending tune. “Wow.”

“Yeah, I know.” Sam stands, hiking his backpack onto his shoulder. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

When he turns to leave, I leap from my seat, skipping to catch up as we enter the hall. “Can I cash that in tonight?” The words spill from my lips before I can stop them.

He stops mid-step, looking at me with furrowed brows. “Tonight?”

Ugh. He’s probably going to tease me for being antsy. I shouldn’t have said anything. “You know what? Never mind,” I say, picking up my pace.

“Brynn, wait.” Sam grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “What did you mean, cash it in tonight?”

The curiosity in his tone contrasts with the concern on his face, and a pit of guilt settles in my gut. I shouldn’t have said anything, but I can’t back track now.

“Listen, Sam, I’ll be honest with you. It’s been a long week and a half, and I could use a little…” I swallow my nerves. “Release.”

His mouth ticks up on one side. “Wouldn’t that be a violation of our agreement?”

I shake my head. “We can still work on the presentation. That does need to be done, but first I want to do you.”

“I like the sound of that.” A full-face grin spreads across his features as he rubs his chin. “Okay, my place, five o’clock.” He leans down, putting his lips to my ear. “And wear that lacy number again.”

Chapter 26

Sam whips open his apartment door, grabs my wrist, and yanks me across the threshold. “Get your ass in here,” he says with a grin. My stomach flutters at his clear excitement. Once I’m inside, he shuts the door and pins me against it, his strong arms framing me in. “That’s better.”

“You’re telling me. It’s freezing out there.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Did you walk here, again?”

“No. Lisa dropped me off on her way to her evening class, but it was still a cold walk up the stairs.”

Sam chuckles, lowering his chin and shaking his head. When he raises it up to meet my gaze, his eyes flick between mine and I watch his irises darken. “Allow me to warm you up.” Taking my lips with his in a deep kiss, he hurriedly unzips my coat.

I shimmy out of it and let it fall to the floor. Throwing my hands around his neck, I pull him closer until our bodies meet and his chest presses against my lacy top. I didn’t even bother wearing a shirt over it.

He breaks the kiss to scan my torso. “Such a good listener, you are.” Claiming my mouth once again, he wraps his arms around my waist, squeezing me tight.

When my feet come off the floor, I hook my ankles behind him, but my mouth never leaves his. Carrying me to his bedroom, Sam kisses me solidly. He devours me like I’m a burst of fresh air and he’s been holding his breath.

Inside his room, he kicks the door shut before tossing me onto his bed. When he reaches back to tear off his shirt, the sight of his bare torso rips the air from my lungs. His naked body is such a turn-on. Even more so now that I haven’t seen him in over a week.

As much as I enjoy the view, I grow impatient waiting for him to make a move. “Um, Sam?”

“Huh?” He shakes his head, blinking his eyes as if he was entranced. “Sorry, just taking in the sights.” His gaze slides down and up my length.

I brush my fingers along the low-cut neckline of my top. “See anything you like?”

“Sure do,” he says and takes two giant strides across the room. He flops onto the bed, bouncing me around.

“Whoa, there, big fella.” Giggling, I splay my hand on his chest to steady myself. As soon as my fingertips touch his skin, they burn with the desire for more. With tentative movements, I creep my fingers up his pec to lightly graze his collarbone.

He grabs my hand, squeezing it. “If you want to touch me, Brynn”?he presses my fingers down harder?“just do it.”

The grit in his tone makes me shudder, and I crash my mouth to his. He runs his hands all over my body, touching me in places he hasn’t touched in a while, but takes his time. It’s almost like he’s savoring every nuance. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t super hot.

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