“Coffee sounds great, thank you.”
“Okay, hang tight. Um, you can take off your coat. I have blankets in that basket next to the couch,” Sam says, pointing as he walks to the kitchen. “You want some Irish cream in your coffee?”
That would be a nice way to take the edge off. “Sure, that sounds good.” I reluctantly shuck my coat, laying it on an armchair that wasn’t here last week. “Nice chair.”
Sam looks up from the coffee pot. “Oh, yeah. I did a video call with my parents earlier this month and my mom was appalled by how barren my place was.” He laughs. “She sent me some money to go furniture shopping.”
“So you bought a chair and a blanket basket?” There’s a mocking tone in my voice as I grab the first blanket and wrap it around myself. It’s the thickest, softest, most comforting blanket I’ve ever felt in my life. “Actually, I approve of your purchases.”
“Just what I wanted, your approval,” he says sarcastically. He comes out of the kitchen with two mugs in his hands and a bottle tucked under his arm, setting everything down on the coffee table. “I wasn’t sure how much Irish cream you’d want.”
“Thanks,” I say as I take the bottle from him. Pouring a generous amount, I fill my cup to the brim. It’s so full, I have to lean over and slurp some off the top before I attempt to lift the mug. When I sit back up, I find Sam watching me intently, a fire in his eyes. I clear my throat. “I’m sure this will warm me right up.”
“No problem.” He shifts to lean his back against the arm of the couch, and blows across the top of his mug.
I take a sip, licking the delicious taste from my lips. “Mmm. This is really good.”
“Thanks. I don’t splurge often, but coffee is non-negotiable.”
“Glad you have your priorities straight.”
He chuckles and leans over to set his mug down. “Speaking of priorities, how soon before you take your clothes off?”
I nearly spit out my drink. “Excuse me? You literally just poured me a cup of coffee.”
He hikes a shoulder to his ear. “I’m eager, so sue me.”
“Plus, I haven’t warmed up yet.”
Scooting a bit closer, he trails his fingers up my thigh. “I could help with that.” He continues moving closer, practically crawling over me.
My heart races. Is he really going to start while I have a mug in my hand? Second degree burns are not the way I want to kick off this rendezvous. I shift back as much as I can without spilling.
His mouth curls into a devilish smirk as he lifts his arm to reach around me. Within seconds, a fireplace roars to life. I do a double take between it and him.
He sits back, waving a tiny remote in his hand. “Something else I bought with my mom’s money. Electric fireplace.”
“You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“I do.”
A smile breaks across my face, and for once, it’s not sarcastic or mocking. It’s genuine. This entire interaction with Sam has been enjoyable. We don’t usually spend time together before we get naked, so I don’t ever see this side of him until afterward. And then, I chalk his amicable mood to endorphins. I can’t say I hate seeing it right now.
But that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
I lean forward to set my mug down, locking eyes with him. “I’m warm now.”
“Yeah?”
“Mhm,” I hum as I crawl across the couch to him. His hands grab my hips, and I watch his eyes darken. Hovering my face an inch from his, I whisper, “But I want you to burn me.”
Chapter 24
"You want popcorn for the movie?” Sam’s deep voice rumbles through his chest, echoing in my ear resting against him.
I tilt my chin up, pouting. “I was promised pizza.”
With a laugh, he pats my hip where his fingers have been drawing circles. “That you were. Okay, I’ll order it.” He rolls to the side, grabbing his phone from his pants on the floor. “What do you want on it?”
