Page 85 of Craving Danger

But it doesn’t, and he keeps driving.

When I grow impatient, I mutter, “Geez, do you live on the other side of the city?”

“No,” he chuckles just as the car starts to slow down. “We're here.”

“Finally,” I whisper, suppressing the urge to clap my hands like a toddler on Christmas morning.

He brings the vehicle to a stop and says, “Wait for me to open the door.”

“Okay.”

I hear him move, and a few seconds later, the passenger door opens. He takes hold of my hand and helps me to climb out, before wrapping his arm around my lower back so he can lead me into the house.

“Careful, there are steps,” he murmurs.

I must look like an idiot as I try to gauge how high the steps are, but luckily, I don’t fall.

When the air changes and our steps sound different on the floor, I assume we’re inside his house.

“There are stairs, so I’m just going to carry you,” he mutters right before I’m airborne.

My mystery man holds me bridal style, and as laughter bursts from me, I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Careful. A girl can get used to being carried around,” I tease him.

“I don’t mind,” he chuckles.

It feels like we go up three flights of stairs before I’m placed down on my feet again.

Having been patient for so long, I ask, “Can I remove the blindfold?”

“Not yet.” His hands frame my face. “I just want to do one more thing.”

“What?”

I feel his breath on my lips, then his mouth covers mine. He doesn’t deepen the kiss but instead keeps still as if he’s savoring the moment.

It almost feels like a goodbye, which confuses me.

He pulls away, and taking hold of my shoulders, he turns me around so I’m standing with my back to him. As I feel him untying the knot, I find myself holding my breath.

This is it.

The fabric falls away from my eyes, then he says, “I love you, Samantha. Don’t ever forget that.”

My heartbeat speeds up, and I open my eyes.

The first thing I see is a black lounge chair and a coffee table.

Why does it look familiar?

I glance to my left and see a king-size bed that’s positioned by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city.

I feel my face go numb before I realize why the room looks familiar.

No.

“Turn around,” he says.

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