Page 61 of And Then Came You

“I’m not here on official business.”

“But, it’s for charity. Surely, you can find a few free moments. Then, after we’re done, we might grab a drink together. Just the two of us.”

Wow, now the woman is acting like I don’t even exist. I suppose in her world; I don’t. Hate to break it to her, but I have a decent reach myself as a bestselling author. I’ll be sure to get her name and pass along just how friendly and accommodating she is toward authors.

“I have plans,” Sam snaps, his hand squeezing mine.

“With her? I mean—”

“I know what you mean. So does she, but she’s too classy to say anything. Hell, she’s too classy to even be around someone like you. As for your comment about Lexi’s dress—it hugs her curves perfectly. Something you women might want to consider. Every man loves a woman with curves. And this woman, has them in all the right places.” He pivots me and my face flames. “Look at this hourglass shape. The line of her hips. The curve of her ass. The rise of her breasts. That’s sexy. I’ve slept with my share of models. It’s like banging a bag of bones.”

The redhead sneers at him. I guess the gloves have come off, and she doesnotlike being passed over. “You think you’re so damn special, Samuel Bernard?”

“Not at all. But Lexi is. She is the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.” With a tug on my hand, we move away from the group, all stunned into silence by Sam’s diatribe.

Come to think of it, I’m a bit stunned myself. “Thank you for defending me. You didn’t have to say those things.”

“I meant every word. You’re beautiful Lex Lex. Let no one tell you different. I’m sick of people walking on you. Myself included.”

“You’ve never—”

“Forgotten your birthday? Let you leave my grandfather’s funeral because Sveta was having a meltdown? Acted like a jealous prick at Gianni’s pool party? Taken you for granted? I’ve done all those things, Lexi.” He grasps my hands, his emerald eyes boring into mine. “But not anymore.”

I manage a laugh, trying to ignore the fire crawling through my body from his touch. “You’ve been a good friend. Shitty sometimes, but overall, solid B average.”

Sam chuckles, shaking his head at me. “I’m heading to the top of the class. A+ or bust. Think I can achieve that status?”

“I’d say after the picnic and rescuing me just now, that you’re well on your way.”

Sam fishes in his pocket, pulling out his phone. “She was right, you know.”

I furrow my brow. “Who? That bitch?”

“Definitely not.” Sam holds up his phone. On it is the photo of me taken that day, butterflies hanging off my hat. “The woman in the butterfly habitat. Do you remember what she said about us? About the chemistry between us? I want to further explore that concept.”

A delicious shudder shoots through me at Sam’s words. “What concept might that be?”

“You and me, and how incredible we’ll be together. Although, we already know the answer to that, don’t we? I know you remember our kiss, although it was quite a convincing lie you told.”

My cheeks flame, my gaze on the floor. “I was embarrassed—”

“No, you were spectacular, and I need to kiss you again.”

With a teasing grin, I place my palm on his chest. “So, the reason you want to kiss me again is because of some woman’s random comment about chemistry? Hmm, I think you can do better than that.”

Sam crowds my space, clutching my wrists and bringing them behind my back as he pulls me flush against his body. “I want to kiss you again because kissing you was the single most sexy experience of my life, and I’m greedy. I want more.”

“How much more?” I manage, his lips hovering against mine.

“I want everything.”

The party surrounding us fades away as his lips deliver a series of slow kisses along my jaw and down my neck, his grip firm on my wrists. Lifting his head, our gazes hold for a moment, before he claims my mouth with a savage intensity. His tongue slips past my lips, as his hips press against me, and I feel the delicious swell of his erection.

With each passing second, I feel my defenses weakening, the few barriers holding my heart at a safe distance blowing apart. When he releases my hands, I grasp his shoulders, desperate to get closer. Sam responds with a low groan as our tongues tangle, his body full of unspoken promises I desperately want him to fulfill.

My head is spinning when we break the kiss. Hell, my entire world is turning upside down. Judging by the heated expression on Sam’s face, he’s feeling the same surge of emotions.

“Wow.” It’s all I can manage, my heart racing like a locomotive.

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