Page 108 of And Then Came You

We arrive at the sports bar a few minutes later and secure a seat in a back booth with an excellent view of the screen. It also allows privacy from prying eyes and gives me a chance to chat with Sam. I’ve already caught a few stares from female patrons, along with some whispered giggling and the mention of his name.

I do not know how the man does it, day after day.

If it affects him, he doesn’t let it show, as he props one booted leg across his knee. “Who’s your money on?”

“Giants, obviously,” I respond with a laugh. “I already know you’re gunning for the Patriots. I don’t get it. You’re from New York. Isn’t that some sort of sacrilege?”

“I was raised upstate. Totally different world. Besides, my Granddad loved the Patriots.”

“Lucky for him, we never had that discussion. Lucky for us both, as I’d never have been invited back once he knew I was rooting for the enemy.”

Sam laughs, smiling as the server brings us our beers. “You really think the Giants will win? Have you seen their defense?”

“My boys in blue are going to trounce all over you.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

“I’m pretty sure your team sucks.”

There’s that goofy grin again. “Okay. Let’s place a wager, Ms. Know It All.”

“What are the terms?”

“That’s too easy. We each write down our terms and then when I—I mean, the winner is announced, the terms are revealed.” He leans forward, his fingers gliding along my forearm. “Care to put your money where your mouth is?”

“As I recall, I put an ample amount there last night.”

“I told you that I’d pay you back.”

“Nah. Way too much fun to hold it over your head.”

Sam hands me a napkin, nodding at my purse. “You have a pen? Write down your terms of the bet. In detail. But don’t show me.”

I snort, shaking my head as I try to figure out what I’m willing to lose. I’m already poor, not sure how much more I can offer. Besides, I made it clear to Sam that this date did not involve sex in any way. So, that leaves me with few choices, particularly for a man of Sam’s means. After a minute of tapping my pen against the table, I cave and take the easy road.

Any three wishes, so long as they’re legal and attainable.

Sliding him the folded paper and pen, I watch as he scribbles down a few lines before tucking both into his pocket. “What do you want to do after this?”

I sputter my beer, sending him a dazed look. “We only arrived ten minutes ago. I haven’t even finished my first beer.”

“I know, but you have me the entire day. The game only lasts four hours.”

I chew the inside of my lip, painfully aware of his laser green gaze. Hell, coming up with this idea was a challenge. Now I have to think of something else? “It’s a nice day. We can stroll around Central Park, maybe catch a jazz show later this evening.”

Sam stands, surprising me when he shifts to my side of the booth, crowding my space. “Both fun ideas, but I’m thinking of something a bit different.”

A sense of urgency floods my body at his proximity; a desperation to throw out this whole platonic date idea and beg him to touch me everywhere. “Did you have something in mind?”

He drags his fingers along the hem of my dress, sliding along my thigh, but his stare never wavers from my face. Those eyes. The intensity with which they rake over my form, lighting every cell on fire. “I have a ton of ideas.”

“Care to share them or do I have to guess?”

“The ideas are limitless. All the things I haven’t done, I want to do with you. All the things you haven’t done, I want to show you.”

His words make my body flutter, thinking of all the wonderful, sensual things I’d like him to show me. As for the things Sam hasn’t done? Now, that’s a different story. “I find it hard to believe that there’s anything you haven’t done.”

Cupping my face, Sam leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I haven’t done them with you.”

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