Page 7 of Hot in the City
She twisted her hands together and sucked in a breath. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“I need to ask you something first.”
“Okay.” She nodded and turned towards him. What could he have to say?
“When I mentioned my ex, you didn’t say you were married. Was that because you didn’t want to upset me or because you still love him? Tell me the truth.” He frowned and leaned on the door frame. “Your friend, Jenny, said you’re not over your ex.”
Her blood simmered like a coffee percolator in an American diner. That friend of hers was apparently a two-faced bitch.
“What? I’m divorced, divorced as can be. He ran off with our twenty-two year old neighbour. And since when are you talking to Jenny? Did she come back to see you?”
Was Jenny sniffing around Samuel? Her brain spun, hoping like hell Jenny hadn’t touched him. Hadn’t kissed him.
He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, she dropped in.” Huffing out a breath, he moved a step closer. “But that’s not the point. I don’t care about Jenny.”
He touched Beth’s upper arm, stroking his thumb up and down. She felt it everywhere, deep in hidden muscles that obviously needed attention. Samuel said he didn’t want Jenny, but that didn’t mean he was interested in her either. She pulled back, breaking the contact, folding her arms under her breasts.
Anger and tears struggled to win out. “That bloody bitch. She knew I liked you, but she still tried to steal you for herself.” A groan rumbled in her chest. She had to get out. Now he’d know just how much she wanted him. She couldn’t look at him.
She pushed her way through the door, straight into bucketing rain. Her light trench coat was no match for the downpour and her hair was instantly soaked. It stuck to her face in long wet strands, so she shoved it roughly back. Blinking her eyes shut to block out the rain, she opened them a second later to a great wall of manly chest. Wet, clinging t-shirt outlining muscles like a Greek god.
Samuel was right there, holding her umbrella. The one she’d forgotten yesterday. He popped it open and held it over their heads, protecting her from the great flood. Enveloping them in their own private bubble of warmth.
He lifted his free hand to her cheek, stroking the skin across her cheekbone. She shivered and sighed all at once.
His cocky grin made her lady parts clench. “So, you like me? I thought so, but I wanted to be sure. Sexually harassing the customers doesn’t generally go down well with management.”
A giggle escaped her lips. “But you wanted to harass me? Sexually?”
He groaned, the sweetest sound she’d ever heard. “Very much.”
“The feeling is entirely mutual.” She reached up and touched his chest as she’d wanted to so many times, pressing her hand flat against his pectoral muscle, right over his heart.
She smoothed his wet shirt down with her palm, once, twice, then ran her fingertip down the centre of his flat stomach. He sighed as if he’d never enjoyed anything so much. She sure hadn’t. When she tipped her head up, his eyes had darkened a shade, if that was possible. Tiny silver raindrops glistened on the ends of his black lashes.
“Meet me tonight? My band’s playing down the street at Thunder Bar.”
He let go of her face and reached for something in his pocket. He passed her a card. An entry ticket, his phone number scrawled on the reverse. She gasped as his fingertips brushed hers. Molten chocolate fondant flowed through her belly, hot and sweet, a feeling so naughty it had to be a good sign.
“I’d love to.” Her voice was breathier than ever, but she didn’t care anymore. She wanted him to know how he affected her.
He leaned in, closer, still tentative, asking permission without words.
Yes, yes, yes!
Samuel’s first kiss was feather-light, the barest brush of his lips against hers, but it seared her. Then he grasped her hip, pulling her close to his strong body. Reaching up, she ran her fingers along his jawline, the rough stubble rasping against her fingertips. He deepened the kiss and she opened to him, his tongue tangling with hers. His taste, combined with chocolate truffle and raindrops, so delicious, so decadent, she could have moaned aloud. Maybe she did.
She returned his kiss, pressing into him, wrapping her arms around his back. One of her hands found its way under his shirt and she gasped at the hot smoothness of his skin under her touch. She tasted his lips, the lower one so soft and full. Tilting her head to give him better access, she sighed when he broke contact with her mouth and kissed down her throat.
His hand found her bottom, pulling her tight into him. It was so good, she struggled to remember where they were. Outside. On a public street. The hard length of him pressed into her belly, unmistakable even through her trench and dress. Her inner muscles clenched, wanting him, now.
He groaned again and pulled back, kissing her softly on the mouth.
“See you tonight.” He handed her the umbrella, checking she was okay to walk before letting go, stepping back a pace. “My Beth.”
Her name on his lips held a promise of deliciousness to come.
Friday Night
