He helps me out of the last stubborn sleeve, fingers brushing mine.
I glance up at him.
He looks like he’s one step from kissing me again.
And if it weren’t for the sound of Phern banging mugs around in the kitchen, I think he would’ve.
Instead, he steps back, clears his throat, and says, “Come on, Charlie. Let’s get warm.”
And the way he says my name?
Yeah. I’m already on fire.
I lean back, tugging Sam gently by the arm, bringing him to a stop just inside the foyer. His body’s still humming with tension, barely holding the line between restraint and something far messier.
“One more?” I murmur, lips barely brushing his.
Heat flashes in his eyes like a spark caught dry. “Fuck. Yes.”
I smile, wicked and soft all at once. “It’s not a question,” I whisper, pressing close, “but a statement.”
His brow lifts, breath held.
“My panties,” I breathe against the shell of his ear, “are wrecked.”
He exhales so hard it’s almost a growl.
“Fuck, Charlie. I think I can help with that,” he rasps, voice wrecked and low, hands hovering like he’s one second away from pinning me to the wall.
I step back with a grin. “Oh really? Such a gentleman.” Then I raise my voice, sweet as sugar. “Be right there, Phern!”
Sam’s jaw flexes like it physically hurts him to let me go. His fingers twitch at his sides. His eyes track every inch of me like he’s memorizing it for later.
And the way he looks at me? It says he will help with that. Eventually. When that time comes, I’m going to let him.
We meet Phern in the kitchen, the air thick with the scent of chocolate, cinnamon, and something rich and comforting. She slides two oversized mugs across the counter with practiced ease.
“Thanks,” I say, wrapping my hands around mine. I take a sip and nearly moan. “Oh wow. This is really good.”
Phern gives me a rare, pleased smile. “Thanks. It’s my recipe.”
“You’re very talented.”
“Well,” she says, taking a seat on the other side of the island, “you have to have something out here to occupy your time.”
I nod slowly, but when I glance at Sam, his gaze is already on me. The corner of his mouth lifts, and heat creeps up my face.
Yeah.
I can think of a few things that might keep me occupied out here.
Phern leans back in her chair, sipping her cocoa. “Thank god none of my papers are due while the Wi-Fi is out.”
“What are you in school for?” I ask, genuinely curious.
She shrugs a shoulder. “Undecided.”
Sam scoffs. “Don’t let my baby sister fool you. She already has a master’s in business and is working toward her PhD.”
