Page 36 of And Then Came You

“I wrote a scene for my novel.”

Relief drifts across his face. “Ah, I see. Was it hot?”

“Sizzling.”

“Sadly, it doesn’t count. How about in the real world?”

“Hush your mouth. My book boyfriends might hear you.”

He leans closer, his hand on my knee. “Come on. Tell me.”

“I’ve had some good kisses. Maybe even a few great ones. But mind-blowing, I can’t remember my own name, kisses? Only in my stories.”

I don’t disclose the sad truth about my sex life—a revolving door of endlessly selfish men intent on fulfilling their needs—and their needs only. Back-bending kisses were never included on the menu. “I’m sure you’ve had tons, with all sorts of fabulous people.”

Sam considers my statement, running his hand along his jaw. The beard, which I hated at first, has quickly grown on me. Now, it only adds to his appeal. Granted, I still like him clean-shaven better, but this way is hot as hell, too. “I’ve kissed some interesting people over the years.”

“Who was your best?”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” At my exasperated glare, he breaks into a grin. “I don’t kiss much at all, Lexi. Not on the mouth, anyway.”

“Why not? Is kissing passé?”

“No, it’s just really personal. Even more so than sex. It’s a whole new level of intimacy.”

“A discussion using feelings instead of words.”

“Exactly. So, the level of intensity I have to feel with someone to want that discussion?” He releases an embarrassed huff. “Let’s just say it doesn’t happen with my standard knock-arounds.”

“Have you kissed Almira?” Why am I asking this? I don’t want that mental reel playing on repeat in my head.

His emerald gaze stops me cold. “No, and I don’t plan on it, either.”

“Too bad. I’ll bet you’re really talented. I’ll bet your mouth is really talented.” With every word, my face flames redder. Damn that cocktail. The effects snuck up on me.

He pulls his sunglasses down, letting our gazes connect. “I was thinking the same thing about you. With a mouth that beautiful—”

He doesn’t finish his statement, and the moment is interrupted as Almira comes to claim her man, leaving me with a blender of emotions and a raging, unfulfilled sexual longing.

Damn that man. He’s my Kryptonite.

Chapter Seven

Sam

I’m lounging in the VIP section of the Hampton’s most elite club, with Almira hanging off my arm and a bevy of willing suitors just beyond the velvet ropes.

But there’s one person missing at this upper-crust soiree. Lexi opted to stay at the house, claiming her ever-looming deadline.

I wish I was with Lexi, discussing any number of topics, than here, where the bass pounds through my skull like a razor knife.

Let’s be honest. I always prefer being around Lexi. Ever since we met, she’s felt like home. Those few weeks of silence following my Granddad’s funeral were the longest of my life, and it wasn’t because of the gaping hole left by his death. It was the hole left by Lexi. She thinks I didn’t defend her that day, but she doesn’t know the string of obscenities that hurtled from my mouth once her car left the driveway, all aimed in Sveta’s direction.

She doesn’t realize that I ended things with Sveta not an hour after she left. I would have ended them sooner, if I thought for one second she was going to crash in on Lexi and me.

But what bothered me the most that day was how Lexi compared herself to Sveta, as though she were less than her, somehow. If anything, it’s the other way around.

Lexi may not look like a supermodel, but supermodels are overrated. They’re not nearly as beautiful as they like to claim, and every one of them lacks Lexi’s smile and spark.

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