Page 27 of Craving Danger

Forcing a chuckle over my lips, I say, “I doubt that very much. I’d remember meeting someone as beautiful as you.” An idea pops into my head. “How about Beast? You know, like Beauty and the Beast?”

Samantha lets out a loud bark of laughter, and I’m a little stunned as I watch her cry with laughter and tears stream down her face.

When she manages to catch her breath, she gasps, “That’s so corny. Oh my God.” She continues to laugh her ass off, and it brings a smile to my face.

I watch her wipe a tear from her cheek, and her voice is thick with laughter as she says, “I might as well call you Skull.”

“Okay,” I agree, which has more laughter bubbling over her lips.

“I’m just going to stick with my mystery man. It doesn’t make me cringe.”

Her mystery man. Why do I like that so much?

Samantha checks the time on her wristwatch, then her eyes widen, and she gets up. “I didn’t realize it was so late!”

I check the time and see it’s already past ten, meaning we’ve been in this room for over two and a half hours.

Climbing to my feet, I gather our empty box and wrapper and shove them into the paper bag.

“I’m so sorry,” Samantha says as she hoists the strap of her handbag over her shoulder.

“Don’t apologize. I enjoyed myself,” I say to reassure her.

“Oh, good.” A smile of relief spreads over her face as she walks to the door. Then she pauses and asks, “How do I book you for the next appointment?”

“I’ll assign myself to all your appointments, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Great!” She looks a little awkward as she adds, “Thanks for tonight. I really appreciate it.”

“Wait, I’ll walk you to your car,” I say before she can open the door.

“Oh, don’t worry. I took the subway.”

My right eyebrow lifts, and I shake my head. “I’m not letting you take the subway so late at night. I’ll have one of the staff members drive you home.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“It’s the least we can do after the mishap earlier.”

Looking relieved, she asks, “Can a woman take me home?”

“Of course.” Leaving the room with her, I say, “Take a seat up front, and I’ll send someone to you.”

Samantha turns to face me, and she looks hesitant. I’m about to assure her she’ll be safe when she holds her hand out to me. “It was nice meeting you.”

I glance down at her hand and ask, “Are you sure?”

She nods and widens the smile on her face. “I’m sure.”

Reaching for her hand, my fingers wrap around her slender ones and I give her a gentle squeeze before pulling away.

“Have a good night, Samantha.”

“You too, Mystery Man.”

The corner of my mouth lifts as I watch her walk down the hallway, then I turn around and head to the security room so I can assign a driver to take her home.

Chapter 10

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