His lips brush mine and my body reacts like lightning striking water. Everything inside me crackles, pulsating. My toes curl and my stomach flips.
“Damn, I’ve been dreaming about kissing you since the hotel. The real thing is so much better.”
“S-Sam, what are you doing here?” That came out sharp and all wrong.Shit.
“I wanted to see you.” His laugh is warm, unbothered. “Figured I’d surprise you.”
“You should’ve called.”
“And ruin the surprise?”
“You can’t stay here.”Ah, there it is—foot, meet mouth.
My hands cover my face in embarrassment, and he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“Wasn’t planning on it. I have a hotel.” His easy tone calms me a bit as he carefully removes my hands so we’re staring at each other.
“Sorry, I’m messing this up. Drew’s here.”
He smiles, nodding. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”
We’re lost in each other’s eyes when the rhythm of heavy steps interrupts as if thunder is rolling through my house. Drew again. We both step back from each other but remain close.
I turn to face Drew as his feet hit the first floor. “I’m going to work out. If I skip it, Jonah will punish me with extra sets.”
Drew beams and it hits me. I already told him that before the doorbell rang. My cheeks heat.
“Can I come? I could use a workout and I’ve got my gear.” Sam holds up his leather duffle.
Drew’s now surveying both of us with curiosity and something close to enjoyment.
“Okay. Sam, you want something to drink before you go?” Drew turns toward the kitchen. “Water, maybe?”
The obnoxious grin on Drew’s face causes me to glare. What can I say now that Drew’s simply accepted Sam’s coming with me to Jonah’s?
“I’m good. But where can I change?” Sam opens his bag and fishes out running shoes, shorts, and a tank top.
I’m still frozen. Drew gestures toward the powder room. “Bathroom’s right there.”
Sam nods, rises to his full height, and strides into the room.
The click of the door snaps me out of my stupor. Drew stares at me with a lopsided grin, and if I wasn’t freaking out, I’d enjoy just how adorable he looks in this moment. Instead, I ignore him and grab my purse.
How am I supposed to just show up with Sam at Jonah’s? The idea sits heavy in my gut. One look at Sam and Jonah will swamp me with questions.
Drew already expects details the next time he gets me alone, and the only thing I know for sure is, I’m not ready to put words to this, to what I’m doing with Sam.
Our drive to Jonah’s is comfortable and easy, despite my jittery nerves. When we reach the front door, trepidation floods my body. Jonah’s eager to set me up with someone, and now, I’m bringing a man here.
As expected, Jonah lights up like a Christmas tree when he meets Sam. I bumble my way through introductions and how we met. Surprisingly, Jonah only beams and nods. Sin must have told him everything already. Traitor.
“So, Sam,”—Jonah leads the way into his gym—“what kind of workouts do you do when you’re not ruling a kitchen?”
Sam chuckles. “A bit of everything—running, swimming, cycling.”
Of course he does. What is he, the next Ironman?
Biting my lip to prevent myself from saying something sassy, I re-lace my shoes, head down, focused on calming my nerves. I wonder if pretending to be somewhere else will get me through my workout because this is going to be a whole new level of torture.
