Page 16 of My XOXO Holidate

He shrugs. “I’m just glad we ran into each other again. I would’ve always wondered about the identity of Lady Catherine.”

I sigh and nod. “Thank you. It isn’t often I treat myself to something like this.”

“Well, consider it my pleasure.”

We enjoy our food and laugh about our childhood living in Cedar Springs. Sam reminds me of some things about school that I’d completely forgotten about.

By the time coffee arrives, I wipe my eyes with my napkin.

“You’re beautiful when you laugh.” Sam’s eyes are soft in the candlelight. “Your whole face lights up.”

My cheeks burn and my heart ticks quicker. I can see the heat in his eyes.

Sam reaches across the table and covers my hand with his much larger one. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.” He grins. “Since our night together.”

“Me either.”

His eyebrows raise. “Would you like to pick up where we left off when we were here the last time?”

“Before or after the flood?” I grin.

“From the patio,” Sam smirks.

“We could take our dessert to go.”

Sam adjusts himself and rises from his chair. “Should we finish what we started, Lady Catherine?”

I nod. “I assume you’re on your way to the front desk.”

“I could be.”

“I’d like that.” I lick my lips.

“Wait here and I’ll return for you.” He looks me up and down. “With a key card.”

“I’ll be here.”

As soon asthe elevator doors close, Sam envelopes me, his warm body pressed up against me. His mouth finds my neck. “You smell spectacular.”

I run my fingers through his hair as he kisses down my neck to my chest— above my neckline. He tugs on my dress with a growl.

“You’re so beautiful. Sexy.”

The elevator doors open, and Sam grabs my hand, hurrying down the hallway.

He fumbles with the keycard and after two tries, the door opens. Once inside, he kicks the door closed.

“It’s dark in here,” I whisper against his lips. He breaks the kiss and I instantly miss the warmth of his skin again mine. My body heats with desire.

Sam flicks on a lamp and the suite lights up. I swallow hard as I take in my surroundings. A couch, chair, wet bar, a wall of full windows leading out to a balcony.

“Wow.”

Sam unbuttons his suit jacket and tosses it on the back of a chair. Without taking his eyes off me, he removes his tie and flings it onto the chair.

Sam

“Let me help with that,” she says as she takes in my chest.

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