The next kiss was confident and firm. Their lips fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces waiting to be solved. The hand on the back of Sam’s neck held her in place—showing a possessiveness Sam couldn’t remember Alex ever having before. Sam was definitely into this more assertive side of Alex. She groaned in response and deepened the kiss. Alex pressed even closer and parted her lips, allowing access, which Sam eagerly accepted. Her tongue traced the edges of Alex’s lips, and she smiled as Alex let out a responding groan. Sam’s body responded instantly, a rush of heat and desire flooding through her. She couldn’t remember ever wanting Alex like this, but she knew she must have. The only thing that really mattered was how much she wanted her right now.
Alex’s body melted against hers as she took the lead in the kiss, gently nibbling Sam’s lower lip and pulling her closer. Craving more closeness, Sam reached around to grasp Alex’s backside. Alex gasped and let out a surprised “Oh.”
Sam gently lifted her onto the counter, feeling the heat between them as Alex’s body pressed against hers. She nestled herself between Alex’s legs and nudged forward, sensing how warm Alex was through the thick material of her jeans. Alex locked her legs around Sam’s waist as her tongue shot out to tangle with Sam’s.Sam tasted the sweet aftertaste of the coffee Alex must have had that morning, but then she just tasted familiar, like Alex.
Breaking the kiss, Sam pulled back to study Alex’s face. She looked especially beautiful in that moment. She reached out her thumb and brushed it lightly over Alex’s swollen lips. Sam smiled softly, knowing she was the reason for it. “I wantyou,” she answered, breathless.
Then she was diving back in, her lips brushing across Alex’s cheek and along her jaw. Her tongue darted out to trace the curve of Alex’s ear before gently sucking the earlobe into her mouth, instinctively knowing what drove Alex wild. She felt Alex slide her hands from behind her neck and down her back to rest on her waist—one hand pulling their bodies closer together while the other slipped below the hem of her shirt. Sam gasped at the cool touch of Alex’s fingers on her flushed skin. She shivered as Alex’s palm slid up her side, tracing each rib before stopping just outside her breast.
Sam continued exploring Alex’s skin with her tongue, marveling at the familiar taste. She moved over her neck to suck gently at the pulse point there, and Alex groaned and lifted her hips to rock forward. The movement caused Alex’s head to drop back, giving Sam better access. She moved down the length of her neck and over Alex’s collarbone, scraping the sensitive skin with her teeth. Alex responded with a moan and moved her hand under Sam’s shirt to cup her breast. Overcome with sensation, Sam rested her forehead in the crook of Alex’s neck. Encouraged, Alex moved her hand lower to slip under Sam’s bra. When Alex’s palm met the bare skin there, Sam crushed their mouths together in another deep kiss.
Sam lost track of time. She forgot everything except the feeling of Alex pressed against her, their lips locked, and their hands exploring each other’s skin. That is, until a sharp knock at the door snapped her back into consciousness. Reluctantly, she pulled away from Alex and cursed under her breath. “For fuck’s sake,” she muttered. She looked down at Alex, who, though flushed, watched her with an amused expression.
The knock at the door grew louder and more insistent. “I guess I’d better get that.” Sam huffed out a sigh. “Don’t go anywhere,” she pleaded.
Alex chuckled and jumped off the countertop. “Maybe it’s for the best,” she said. She reached up to press a finger against Sam’s lips. “When this happens, I don’t want it to be on your mother’s countertop.” She smoothed down her shirt and slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
Sam shook her head with a smug smile. “You’re right.” She slowly dragged her gaze down and then up Alex’s body. “I want to be able to take my time with you.”
They stared at each other, grinning, before Sam’s phone lit up with an incoming call. She looked down at the screen and cursed again. “Damn, it’s Melissa.” She winced as she looked up at Alex. “I forgot she was coming over today with some paperwork.” Her face twisted into a grimace. “When Melissa sees you here, I’ll never hear the end of it. And everyone in town will know about it five minutes after she leaves.”
Alex rose on her toes and kissed Sam firmly. This time, it held a promise. “When I’m done with you…” Her smile was slow and sly. “I don’t think we’ll be able to keep it from anyone.”
Sam blushed and grinned back at her.
Alex ran her hands over Sam’s chest and lightly gripped one of her hands. “It’s Sunday,” she said brightly. She dropped the hand and strolled toward the front door as if she knew Sam’s eyes were on her. “Come over for dinner.”
As she pushed the door open, she stopped Melissa mid-knock. Melissa glanced between Alex and Sam, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
“Melissa,” Alex greeted her as she walked by.
“Alex,” Melissa replied, full-on grinning now.
Alex looked back over her shoulder and gave a little wave to Sam. Melissa stepped into the house and shut the door behind her, blocking Sam’s view. “Oh. My. God!” she exclaimed. “Tell me everything right now.”
Chapter Seventeen
Sam pulled into the Weavers’ driveway later that evening, wondering if she had lost her mind. She wasn’t sure if she could face Nadine Weaver. Yes, the woman had apologized, but that didn’t mean the trauma of being found nearly naked with Alex—along with everything that happened afterward—had magically disappeared. Sam knew that Nadine would take one look at her and immediately know something had gone on between her and Alex earlier. She didn’t know how to handle that.
Sam had spent most of her day replaying the spontaneous make-out session on the counter with Alex. She had gotten lost in the sensation of Alex’s fingertips on her skin, the salty-sweet taste of her skin, and the warmth between her legs. Sam groaned and slammed her hand against the steering wheel, trying to push those thoughts away. Her armpits started to sweat profusely, and she commended herself for wearing a dark shirt. Remembering the doorbell camera, she didn’t linger in the car this time. She took a deep breath and grabbed the bouquet she brought for Nadine.
Just like the last time she had dinner there, the front door opened before she could knock. This time, it was Alex who quickly slipped out, closing the door behind her and leaning against it.
“Hi,” she whispered. Her voice was low and husky. Her eyes swept up and down Sam’s length before settling on her lips. A faint blush stained the tips of her cheeks.
Sam recognized the glint in her eyes as the same one she sawthis morning, when Alex was on the counter, kissing her, her hand under her shirt, touching her skin. She had the feeling Alex had spent just as much time replaying what had happened between them. And again, Sam wondered how she would be able to sit through a whole dinner with the Weavers without giving herself away. The only thing that Sam wanted at that moment was to be back in her kitchen with Alex.
“Hi,” she finally replied. She felt the twin flush of her own cheeks and squeezed out a smile.
They both stood staring at each other until Alex pushed herself away from the door and took one of Sam’s hands in hers. She reached up on her tiptoes to press her lips against Sam’s. Sam smiled against them. Kissing Alex felt like warm rain on a summer day. It was hot, wet, and did nothing at all to cool her body down.
“Damn, Alex,” Sam said, breaking away. “How am I going to get through this dinner?”
Alex sank back on her heels and looked up at her. “Well,” she murmured, “there’s always the goodnight kiss to look forward to.” She tugged at Sam’s hand. “Come on. We don’t want Nadine Weaver catching us in the act again.” Alex opened the door and stepped back into the house.
“Too soon, Alex,” Sam groaned, following her. “Way too soon.”
“Sam!” Nadine came around the corner, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. Panicked, Sam let go of Alex’s hand, but Nadine seemed to notice anyway. She knew her eyes had widened when she looked at Alex, who was barely holding back a grin. “Sam,” Nadine continued. “It is so good to see you again.” She looked pointedly down at where Alex had momentarily grasped her hand again.
