“Wanna check the balcony?”
She nodded. “Sure. Impress me, 1A.” We stepped outside. Paris glowed beneath us. The Eiffel Tower glimmered like it had been lit just for her. The air was cool enough to raise goosebumps. She didn’t seem to notice.
I refilled her glass and handed it to her, “What do you like in bed?”
She laughed. “This escalated quickly.”
“I’m just asking the important questions,” I said. “You look like a woman of taste. I like being prepared.”
“Prepared for what? A Yelp review?”
“I take pride in my five stars.” Her smile softened into something more adventurous. “I like confidence. Attention to detail. A little dominance if it’s earned. And not too much talking unless it’s worth hearing.”
“So dirty talk is allowed?”
“If it’s dirty, yes, if it’s nonsense, nope.” She was really laughing now, which was refreshing to see.
“Got it. Nothing like ‘yeah baby.’”
She mock-cringed. “Immediate blacklist.” I grinned. “Good to know.”
She tilted her head. “What about you?”
“In bed?”
“No, in chess,” she said dryly.
I stepped closer. “I like control, I like surrender. I like it when someone knows exactly what they want and asks for it.”
“That sounds dangerously close to a fantasy.”
“Only if you’re the one fulfilling it.” Her breathhitched, barely, but I caught it. I set my glass down. She did the same.
I reached for her, my hand sliding around her waist, the other threading through her hair, tilting her head back just enough.
She inhaled with her eyes locked on mine.
I kissed her.
She moved against me, fingers gripping my shirt, pulling me closer. Her gasp against my lips sent heat straight through me. I bit softly on her lower lip, then kissed her harder.
It wasn’t rushed. But it wasn’t gentle either.
CHAPTER NINE
sam
We broke the kiss,breath uneven, his hands still framing my waist like he hadn’t quite decided to let go.
I hadn’t either.
“So about your invitation,” I whispered, pulse drumming in my ears. “Yes.”
He let out a soft laugh, the kind that vibrated down my spine. It was dangerous, the way he smiled, like he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly how I liked it.
We grabbed our wine glasses again, mine now barely half full, and walked back inside. The room was warm compared to the balcony’s chill, but I still felt flushed. Whether it was the wine, the kiss, or the way his eyes tracked me like I was the only thing in the room, I couldn’t be sure.
I took a seat on the edge of the bed while headjusted the lights, dimming them to a soft amber glow.
