Page 48 of Pretty Please Me
“It would be the same weekend as your reunion.” His words are a cold glass of water, snapping me back to reality.
I shake my head, “It’s fine. I’d love to meet your parents… and your brothers.”
My smile fades as I remember the shit show of a renovation my studio’s undergoing, and it’s as if he can read my mind because, before I can protest, he holds up his hands and says, “Don’t worry about the studio or the travel. We’ve got the best crew in the city working on it. So I don’t want to hear any arguments. Besides, as a business owner, how many opportunities do you get to have a worry-free vacation?”
I consider him for a moment and finally relax. “You’re right. I haven’t seen the beach in at least a decade. It would feel so good to get away and feel the sand in between my toes and listen to the waves.”
“Good. It’s decided, then. My parent’s beach house is only a two-hour drive from Bramville. I’ll drive you there myself. I can book your flight home straight from there.” He looks down at the space between us. “That is, if you decide to come back home.”
My brows pull together in confusion at the comment. I guess I never considered what would happen if Trent and I hit it off. He lives in Georgia, and I’ve built my life and career here. My mind begins to race with how fast things are moving in my non-existent relationship, and Sam must recognize the panic bubbling beneath the surface.
His hand wraps around the nape of my neck, gentle at first, as he runs his fingers through my hair. His touch feels so amazing. Like he’s able to hit a button and shut off everything in my mind. I close my eyes, and then his soft, wet lips are on mine, and he’s pulling me into him, wrapping me up in his strong arms, ridding me of every ounce of worry.
I melt into him as relief and desire wash over me. “Let’s not waste this night on that stuff.” He pulls away a little and turns up the music before offering me his hand. “May I have this dance?”
I throw my head back and laugh as I place my hand in his. I swear this man loves to give me whiplash. Just when I think he’s going to jump my bones for good, he switches it up on me, determined to keep me shaking in my boots.
He leads me underneath the twinkling lights as “Wildflowers and Wine” by Marcus King plays over the speakers. When he pulls me tight against him, planting a kiss in the crook of my neck before righting his stance, every hair on my body stands on end. He twirls me around on the rooftop underneath the full moon, and it feels like I’m dreaming, floating on air as we move and sway to the music.
“Would you mind if we started our next lesson out here?” he whispers.
I nod as I bite my lip, but Sam’s feet still as he waits for a proper response.
I can’t believe I still feel shy in front of him, but this feels different, like we’re doing something bad, being outside in the open, and the thought alone burns like wildfire in my belly. “Yes, please.”
“So fucking polite.” He kisses me softly, then bites me before pulling away.
My eyes go wide. I knew it was coming, but somehow, I wasn’t prepared for it to be tonight. I haven’t even memorized the most common sexual positions in the kama sutra or practiced what to do with my hands…
“Stop freaking out and dance with me.” Sam pulls me into him and playfully slaps me on the ass. “We’ll go as slow as you want.” He moves his hands to the small of my back, settling on my hips with a firm, steady grip.
It’s possessive and commanding and immediately puts me at ease. I trust this man with everything. I just hope I’m able to walk away from this with our friendship intact because the lines are so blurred I don’t know where our friendship ends and this arrangement begins anymore. And strangely, I’m having a really hard time worrying about that right now.
NINETEEN
Sam
I don’t think I’ve been this nervous with a woman since my first time when I was sixteen. My heart’s pounding so hard that it may as well be part of the song.
My mind and body are doing weird things, teaming up on me, trying to convince me that this is something else entirely. But I know it’s not. I tighten my grip to mask the tremble in my hands and then twirl her in a spin, bringing her body flush against mine, where it belongs.
I didn’t think it was possible to like her any more than I already did, but after our conversation this evening, I don’t see how men aren’t throwing themselves at her feet. She’s incredibly strong, kind, and smart, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Her bright red hair stands out like a rose in a world full of daisies, and her warm skin is lit up with the cutest freckles that magnify her bright hazel eyes.
Any man would be lucky to be on the receiving end of her smile. And when she laughs, especially when I cause it, I feel like I’ve just climbed Mt. Everest. And yet, she came to me, asking for help. I still can’t wrap my head around it, and I’m equally thankful to be so goddamn lucky and pissed that she felt so desperate that she needed to do it.
I let out a slow, controlled breath. I already knew she was too good for me, but I’m thankful for the reminder she gave me tonight because there’s no way in hell I’ve done anything to deserve her. So, tonight, I will savor and relish every smile, every touch, and every whimper as I do my best to show her how she deserves to be treated. I may not be able to control how anything else goes in her life, but I can take control tonight. And I’ll live off the memory for the rest of mine.
The song comes to an end and blends into another, and our feet pause as she looks up, eyes wide with wonder. “I’m really nervous, but I want you to know I trust you.”
My chest swells, and I feel ten feet tall when she looks at me like she trusts me with her entire being. It’s so innocently erotic because there’s no way she knows what she’s doing to me, and it’s exactly what I need to hear. I release my grip on her waist, my fingers itching to trace her collarbone.
She leans her head to the side, granting me full access as my fingers trail across her soft skin. My cock swells at the sight of her so eager for my touch, and I pull her closer with my opposite hand, so she can feel what she’s doing to me.
She lets out a little gasp and smiles, and her eyelids flutter closed. Her skin feels like velvet against my calloused fingers as I trace her collarbone, slowly sneaking my thumb lower on her chest. Her head falls back, granting me more access, and her breath quickens, her body hungry for more.
I suppress a growl as I watch her slowly unravel before me, letting down her guard and just being in her body. My thumb dips down a little lower, grazing the top of her perky breast, and she whimpers, pressing closer in response.
It’s so fucking sexy to watch her let go and fully experience pleasure. I’m desperate for more, but I want to pace myself. Things could easily get out of hand if I let myself lose control, and I’m not ready for this night to end.
