Page 84 of One Life to Loathe

A moan erupted from the bathroom, and I hurried in that direction. Was she hurt? Was she sick? I hadn’t even asked if she got carsick. Thankfully, I didn’t find her on the floor next to the toilet. No, she was staring at the tub as if it were about to stand up and do tricks.

“Don’t make that noise unless I can see your face and know everything is okay,” I barked, catching both of us by surprise. I immediately softened my tone. “You scared me. I thought you were sick or something.”

Sam was rueful. “Sorry. I just have never seen a tub this size before.” She gestured toward the huge garden tub. “We could swim in this thing.”

“It’s much bigger than our tubs at the Hunter, huh?” I teased.

Reverence rolled over Sam’s features. “It’s amazing. Can we use it?”

I had never been much of a bath person. The look of hope on her face had me reacting without thinking. “Yes. I think that sounds like a fabulous idea. In fact, what if instead of going out to dinner—I promise to give you the big New York dining experience tomorrow—we get room service and then take a swim in the tub before bed.”

It was almost eight o’clock. We wouldn’t have trouble finding a restaurant to serve us. Now that I had her here, though, all I wanted to do was keep her to myself.

“Ooh. I love that idea.” She clapped her hands.

“I was hoping you would say that.” I swooped in and cupped her chin so I could kiss her senseless. There was nothing more I wanted to do but scoop her into bed and never leave. I forced myself to take a step back before I could lose myself in her, though. “Let’s order.”

I stumbled as I walked back into the small living room and had to catch myself. The room service menu was in a binder on the table. “Do you want seafood?” I asked without looking up.

“No, I want a steak.”

I lifted my eyes. “You keep telling me that red meat is bad.”

“Yes, but I need the protein injection.” Her smile was enigmatic. “I plan to wear myself out with you tonight, so I’m going to need the boost.”

My heart skipped ten beats. “That was a really good answer.”

Her giggle lit up my entire world. “Somehow I knew you were going to say that.”

I picked up the phone and called room service as I watched her start to strip in the adjacent room. I had a clear view of her through the door. I didn’t stand on preamble when they picked up.

“We need two porterhouse steaks, medium, with mashed potatoes and gravy.”

“And mushrooms,” Sam called out as she tugged her shirt over her head.

My mouth went dry at the sight of her. “And mushrooms,” I said. “We need iced tea with the meal and something to drink, too. A bottle of wine.”

“Red or white?” the bored voice on the other end of the call asked.

“Red,” I replied without hesitation. “Send up some sort of dessert too.”

“Cake,” Sam chirped. She was down to her bra and panties.

“Cake,” I said. “Chocolate if you have it.”

“We do.” The voice was prim and proper. “It’s going to be about an hour. We’re busy right now.”

That was music to my ears. “Take your time. We’ll be here.”

“We’re on it.”

“Okay.” I dropped the phone in the cradle and fixed Sam with a serious stare. “I’m about to do some very intense things to you. I hope you’re ready.”

Sam flopped on the bed and giggled again. “Bring it on.”

I stripped as I headed toward the bedroom. “Remember, you asked for it.”

“Oh, I totally did.”

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