Page 103 of And Then Came You

But even dreams have limits when put into the context of reality, and I’m preparing myself mentally for my reunion with my friend. Even though he’s been happy and a terrible flirt, we haven’t outright discussed our make-out session, or if something similar might happen in the future.

That’s a conversation I’m sure as hell not instigating. I’ll let Sam do the dirty work and follow his lead.

Yes, that’s a good plan.

“You look damn good today,” Ramona remarks, nodding her approval at my outfit.

“I’m wearing jeans and a button-down,” I argue.

“You’re wearing jeans that show off every inch of your ass and a shirt that leaves little to the imagination. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to see you showing off your assets.”

Gazing down at my outfit, I wonder if it’s too much. Too over the top. I’ll admit that since our impromptu photo shoot, I’ve held onto that sex kitten persona that Sam drew out of me. It feels good to feel good.

“I like my jeans,” I return with a wink, yelping when a hand smacks my ass.

“I like them, too. Shows off that gorgeous ass.”

Spinning around, I giggle before throwing my arms around Sam. “Lucky for you, I like you. Otherwise, that maneuver might have earned you a kick in the nuts.”

“Please, be kind to the equipment.” A sexy smirk decorates Sam’s face as he leans close, his lips nuzzling my ear. “We’ll need him later.”

“Think you might get lucky?” I place a hand on my hip, sending him a saucy grin.

Sam frames my face with his hands, and I feel my heart flip in my chest. I’m beyond screwed. I’m so in love with this man. “A man can dream. I missed you, E.T.”

“What is with the E.T. nickname?” Ramona inquires, her eyes flashing at me with a great deal of curiosity. She has a front-row seat to our flirtations, and she knows that isnothow we left things after the last convention. Hell, the poor woman had to lie to the organizers, claiming I caught a stomach bug.

She’s so earned a bonus this year.

“It’s for him to know and me to find out,” I reply, shaking my head at the handsome model. So damn unfair. Every time I see Sam, he’s more delicious than before.

At this point, I’m ready to rip his clothes off and make good on my offer from a week earlier. I’m fairly sure he’d be agreeable to my plan.

Let’s hope he hasn’t had a long line of women offering the same thing.

These thoughts. These damn thoughts. Even though my confidence and self-esteem are returning, thanks in part to Sam’s devotion, another part of me clings to my former life. The abused, neglected and often forgotten woman who lived out romance only in her novels.

I really hate that version of me, but she’s been my plus one for years, and she’s not quite ready to leave the party.

Shaking off the doldrums, I send Sam a brilliant smile, tapping my fingers against his chest. His firm and oh so yummy chest. “How was Givenchy?”

“Worked my ass off, but we got some good shots.” He leans in, his mouth caressing my ear. “Not nearly as good as the ones I got last week.”

My cheeks flush pink as Ramona snickers at our overtly friendly display. “Got a minute?”

“For you, I’ve got five.”

“A whole five minutes. Aren’t I special?”

“You certainly are, but I arrived late and I have an online meeting. So, any in-depth conversations might have to wait until later.”

“I suppose I’ll give you a pass.Thistime.” We stroll to a small patio as I gauge how to broach the topic swimming around and around in my mind.

Notthattopic, although seeing Sam naked is really high on my wishlist. It’s about the auction and the relentless sea of women clamoring for the man I want to make mine.

No point in tiptoeing around the issue. I’ll just dive right in. “There’s quite a lineup of buyers for your auction.”

His jaw clenches, but his face remains impassive. “Lucky me, right? But it doesn’t matter because you’re going to save my ass, aren’t you, Lexi?”

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