Page 33 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

“Oh, okay. You didn’t have to come all the way here to tell me that though.” Sam smiles sweetly, making it difficult to tell if she’s as bothered as I am. The fact that she’s so accommodating is a relief, but the selfish part of me wants her to be disappointed.

“I wanted to see you,” I tell her honestly.

“Oh.” Her cheeks turn even pinker. That’s better.

“That surprises you?” I try to contain my grin. I hate that she’s still learning to accept my interest, but that blush gets me every time.

“A little,” she admits.

“It shouldn’t.” I take her hand and link our fingers together. “I’d see more of you if I could.”

“You warned me you had a lot on your plate.” She sighs as I rub my thumb along hers.

“I also said I’d regret it if I didn’t get to know you better, and I’ve hardly had any time to do that.” Goosebumps dot her arm as my fingers toy with hers. “Come over tonight.”

“Tonight?” Her breath catches. “You just said…”

“Film won’t take all night. I’ll be home at eight. We’ll have dinner and hang out. I only have one requirement.”

“What’s that?” Her voice is getting husky. I love that my touch does that to her.

“No work. We can talk about anything else, but this isn’t a work meeting. It’s a date.”

“Oh. Um, okay.” Her smile is tentative.

I lean forward and whisper, “Does that make you nervous?”

“A little,” she whispers back.

“It’s just dinner Sam.” I reach out to stroke her hair with my free hand.

“Last time was supposed to be just dinner. And a meeting.” She looks at our joined hands, and I know she’s worrying about things getting physical again. Not because she didn’t like it, if I’m reading her blush correctly.

“You don’t want things to end the way they did before?” I tip her chin up so she’s looking me in the eye.

“I think I kind of do.” She blinks. My cock goes half hard the instant the words leave her lips, and now it’s my turn to catch my breath.

I’ve committed to moving at whatever pace she’s comfortable with, since I’m fairly certain she’s still a virgin even though she’s never come out and said it, but the idea of doing anything physical with her is hard not to react to.

“Damn, honey,” I exhale, letting go of her hand to put myself in a more comfortable position. “That’s gonna make it really hard for me to concentrate on film.”

“I don’t…I didn’t mean…,” she stutters.

“I know.” I stroke her cheek. The panic in her eyes tells me all I need to know without her having to confirm anything. “We’ll only ever do what you’re comfortable with, whenever you’re comfortable. But you put images in my head, and I can’t help how I react.”

“Sorry.” She lowers her eyes, forcing me to tip her chin up again.

“Never apologize for turning me on.”

“Okay,” she whispers just before I touch my lips to hers, giving her the kind of kiss I wanted to when I walked in the door. She sighs into me and parts her lips, letting me graze my tongue along hers. It’s the barest of contact, as innocent as she is, but it’s endlessly sexy, threatening to turn my semi into a full blown hard on.

I pull back before getting too riled up, marveling at how much hotter these slow kisses are than the frantic pace I’m used to. I’m damn near ruined and I still have hours of film to get through.

“Eight o’clock.” I growl. If her heavy breathing is any indication, she won’t be late.

* * *

The doorbell rings just as I’m pulling the enchiladas out of the oven. I set them on the stovetop to cool and head for the front door, relieved that the wait is over.

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