7. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sam

F or the last three nights, I've felt inordinately happy when six o'clock comes and my… I mean, the handyman comes in to do his work. The booths are coming along nicely, and people are eager to use them soon. Ben is a gentleman and makes coming out of my shell as if it's no work at all. I'm not naive—not all men will treat me the way he does, but I love the experience.

I don't know what he has planned for tonight. It's always something different that takes me out of my comfort zone. My bestie is coming to town tomorrow, and I still haven't fessed up to what I'm doing with Ben Hoffer. When it's time for his break, Ben knocks softly on my door, and I get a little excited deep inside. Deep, deep inside.

"Are you ready for our date, beautiful?"

He's got more flowers with him tonight. I love them, but I've had to start taking them home because my desk is full of them—a problem I love having.

"Yes, I'm ready…"

I want to say 'handsome,' but I still can't get myself to the point of being so relaxed with someone that I can take those liberties. Oh god, sometimes it's like I'm back at the starting point. I take the bouquet from him and lower my face into it to breathe in the floral scents. It's amazing to me that something this beautiful can bloom during winter.

Reluctantly, I let go of the flowers and take his extended hand. He guides me to the shop where soft music is playing in the background. That, added to the lovely candlelit dinner on the table, makes my heart swell with joy. He doesn't take me to the table immediately. We stand there looking into each other's eyes, and it's silly, but that makes me blush. Knowing that his full attention is on me and only me.

"Will you dance with me, beautiful?"

I have conflicting emotions about all this at the moment. A part of me wants to fall into his arms and dance the night away. Another part wants to run away and seek shelter where all these emotions I'm feeling aren't as raw and real. The first part wins, and I walk into his open arms. The hand on my waist feels like a branding iron, marking me as his. I know, I'm being silly. But maybe I need more silliness in my life.

Painfully aware I'm tiny next to him, I let him pull me further into him so my head can rest lightly on his chest. We sway to the soft music as I take deep breaths to enjoy his pure masculine scents. They're woodsy and make me think of the outdoors.

"You're awfully quiet, Sam."

"This is very nice. I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying being here with you."

He pulls away from me gently, and I look up to see his handsome face. His blue eyes are dark with what I think is desire, and soon, I realize that he's going to kiss me. I am so ready for this kiss. He lowers his face to mine, and our lips are barely an inch apart. All I would have to do, if I dared, would be to go onto the tips of my toes to be able to touch those gorgeous lips with mine.

"I need to kiss you, beautiful. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes, you don't need to ask," I whisper, trying not to break the moment.

"A gentleman should always ask."

I lick my lips in expectation and practically see his pupils dilate in response.

Ben

I asked the beautiful woman in front of me if I could kiss her, and she said yes. Truth is, I want to prolong this moment. This will be our very first kiss. Hopefully, one of many, but I want her to keep this one close to her heart forever. I see her lick her lips in expectation of what I've promised. She's blushing. I love it when she does that.

Part of me tries to remind myself that this is all fake. Just dating lessons. The other part of me is overjoyed that we're about to have our first kiss. Finally, I lower my head so that our lips touch gently. Hers are soft and taste slightly like the hot chocolate I made for her earlier. She responds beautifully to our lips being pressed together.

Her mouth is eager, and she's the one whose tongue searches the opening in my mouth so that we can deepen the kiss. I give in to her, knowing that it's not easy for her to initiate something like this. Her delicate tongue starts doing battle with mine, and heat courses through my body, going straight to my cock. I beg for it to behave and let myself enjoy the fire and passion that we're both putting into the kiss.

Sam's hand goes to the back of my neck as if she's trying to keep us entangled in the most passionate kiss I've ever experienced. Pretty soon, we're both gasping for air, and Sam steps back from me. I already miss the warmth of her body against mine. I put my hand on her chin and lift her face up so that she's looking at me.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes."

Her mouth is saying yes, but I see panic in her eyes as she takes one and then another step back to put distance between us. Pretty soon, she's in full flight and goes to hide in her tiny office. I'm left to wonder if I should go after her or let her absorb what just happened between us. Personally, it affected me more than I thought possible.

And if before I wasn't going after Samantha Bower's heart, I certainly am now.