Page 49 of New Year's Faye

9

FAYE

CURRENT STATUS REPORT

FREAKING OUT

Final Note: Oh god!!!

The Four Seasons lobby gleamed with understated elegance, all marble floors and soft lighting. I barely noticed any of it, too aware of the hand Sam had slipped under my coat to press against my lower back, the heat of his touch burning through my dress.

"Wait here," he murmured against my ear, his voice pitched low enough to make me shiver.

I watched him stride to the reception desk, all quiet confidence in his leather jacket and messy hair. A strand had fallen across his forehead—the same strand I'd run my fingers through just minutes ago in the car.

My lips still tingled from his kisses.

Focus, Faye.

But focusing was impossible when Sam kept glancing back at me, his dark eyes holding promises that made my knees weak. He was talking to the receptionist, his posture relaxed but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers drummed against the counter.

He was nervous too.

Somehow that made everything better. Easier.

"All set." He appeared at my side, key cards in hand. His thumb brushed my wrist, a seemingly casual touch that sent electricity racing up my arm. "Ready?"

I caught his hand, threading our fingers together. "Yes."

His smile was soft, private—just for me. As we walked to the elevator, I realized this was really happening. After years of careful distance, of maintaining professional boundaries, of pretending I didn't notice how beautiful he was when he played...

The elevator doors closed, leaving us alone.

Sam's hand tightened on mine. "Having second thoughts?"

I turned to face him, taking in the uncertainty in his eyes. Even now, he was giving me an out.

"No." I stepped closer, smoothing my free hand over his chest. "But if you keep asking, I might think you are."

He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "Never."

I leaned in to kiss him, but he stopped me with hands on my waist.

“If we start now, I won’t stop.”

I liked the possessive, almost feral roughness in his voice.

The elevator dinged, opening onto our floor. Sam guided me down the hallway, his thumb tracing patterns on my skin that made it hard to walk straight.

At our door, he paused. "Faye?—"

I pulled him down by his shirt, kissing him before he could second guess this—second guess us. He groaned, pressing me against the door as he kissed me back, deep and thorough.

"Inside," I managed between kisses. "Now."

He fumbled with the key card, cursing softly as it took three tries to open the door. Then we were stumbling inside, hands everywhere, kisses growing desperate.

"Wait." He pulled back, breathing heavily. "We should... slow down."

---