Page 11 of Soaring and Saucy

“I think I am,” she admitted, gulping nervously as Pasteur spoke over them.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife – can someone get me an ink pen? I think this one dried up,” the sailor exclaimed over his shoulder. “And another beer to celebrate my bro!”

As a wild cheer of elation went up, Lance stepped toward her. Before she could say anything or knew what was going on, he was leaning into her face, and she almost darted back to cup her hand over her mouth to check her breath.

Nope, she mused as warm lips came in contact with her own, and she melted. The taste of alcohol mixed with the coffee flavor was heady – especially when combined with him. No, you didn’t have to be experienced in kissing to be able to tell something more was there as he opened his mouth, tasting hers. Her arm went around his shoulders as the other clutched his bicep, only to feel him dip her.

The unexpected movement was startling, and in her tipsy state, it felt like the planet was one big bowling ball rolling down the gutter of some mysterious lane in the sky. She broke the kiss, throwing back her head in delight, laughing happily and felt him kiss her throat just before he stood her back up, bringing her closer to him.

“What hotel?” he breathed.

“Across the street,” she volunteered, not holding back as her pulse raced with excitement, disbelief, and wonder. Lance didn’t say another word; he simply turned, clasping her hand in his, and dragged her out of the bar into the night air.

The city was taking on a life of its own, glowing with fervor as the hours passed. She had never seen anything quite so beautiful and while she had admired it before, being happy seemed to bring something more to the stage. The lights were brighter, the smells sharper, and the sounds more intense than ever before.

Lance looked over his shoulder at her, pulling her forward as they jaywalked across the street through traffic. The cars were there, hovering and waiting for the light to change in the distance, as they were snaking through the series of bumpers, getting to the other side of the street.

“This one?” he asked bluntly.

Stephanie nodded, moving forward to take the lead now as she dug in her purse to get out her keycard. He was pushing the elevator button several times as if that would get the car to hurry on its slow descent. She almost said something but then chuckled. Why bother? She wanted him to be as happy and excited as she was, and he was, wasn’t he?

As the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside and heard Lance right behind her. A part of her expected him to suddenly be all over her, yet she met his eyes in the mirrored wall before her and didn’t bother to turn around.

“What floor?” he whispered, holding her gaze.

“Sixteen.”

“Nice,” he began huskily and took a step toward her in the reflection. Her heart nearly stopped in her chest as she felt his breath on the back of her neck as his arm slipped around her in a possessive manner. “You smell so good.”

“Pert Plus,” she volunteered and winced. That wasn’t sexy at all to admit you weren’t wearing any perfume. Instead, she had done the exact opposite and told him the scent of her shampoo. Loooooser, she thought for a brief second only to hear his chuckle.

“Love that stuff,” he whispered, kissing the shell of her ear tenderly. “I use it too, but it never smelled like this to me before now.”

“Yeah, I’ve got some killer coconut conditioner that really… oh,” she blabbed and then paused as his hand untucked her blouse slowly in the reflection. “Oh, um, well, hello.”

“Hello,” he smiled softly at her, waiting. “Just a little prep work.”

“Untucking my blouse?”

“Maybe.”

“And should I do a little prep work on you?” she asked huskily, unsure if she was doing something wrong, only to see him close his eyes for a brief moment as the elevator dinged. A moment later, the doors parted as he met her eyes again. “Did I say something wrong?”

“We should probably be behind closed doors for any other prep work,” he whispered, his voice choked and husky.

Lance put a hand on her hip, walking out of the elevator with her and guiding her forward. If this was the lamb being led to the slaughter, she was one of those baby lambs prancing right along with a bunch of happy little hops beside her favorite big bad wolf.

Boing!

Boing!

Boing!

Not one date she had ever been on had been this intense, nor breathtakingly wonderful, in so many strange ways. She had never felt anyone’s hand on her hip, had never seen anyone’s eyes fill with desire for her, nor had she felt so beautiful in someone’s gaze… but she did in his eyes.

She felt special, beautiful, and treasured in Lance’s eyes – and for that alone, she would have crossed so many lines in her mind, body, and soul. He was temptation, and she was weak.

“Here we are,” she whispered nervously, coming to a stop before the door and then hesitated. “I’m sharing a room with two other women.”

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