Page 55

After Phoebe had said her goodbyes and thanked his parents profusely, she sat in Arden’s car for several long, silent minutes. She half expected Jonathan to chase after her. But that was ridiculous. He’d declared his feelings for her once before, and she had shut him down completely, with no reason to hope. She hadn’t given him a not right now or an it’s just not the right time. She’d said no.

He wasn’t going to let her break his heart a second time.

Chapter 18

Arden

Arden usually spent the day after Christmas trailing after her mom, hitting the best sales of the day. Her mom loved shopping. Arden liked it, too. It was a kind of tradition, the two of them waking up early, going out for coffee, and shopping till they dropped. In Tamarindo, where Renee lived now, they usually got something amazingly delicious—and cheap—for lunch.

But today? Today, Arden was not shopping. In fact, she was never leaving this bed if she could help it.

Sam slept with one arm flung over his head, his mouth slightly open. His wavy hair was mussed in a way that Arden found painfully adorable.

Last night had been… incredible. The chemistry between them was like nothing Arden had ever experienced.

She burrowed deeper into the covers, grinning to herself as the memories washed over her. The way he had kissed her, his mouth tender yet firm, her body aching with desire as she molded into him. The look in his eyes when he’d pulled back, gazing at her—his look had communicated so many things without his saying a word. You are beautiful. I see you. Should we take this to the bedroom?

Arden had led the way, tugging his hand. They fell onto the bed, laughing at the clash of hands and hips and tongues as they sprang together. When Arden was panting—actually panting—from the feeling of his lips on her neck, his hands on her hair, her hips, her breasts, he stopped.

“Why did you stop?” Arden could feel the heat in her face as she looked up at him, her elbows propped on the bed. She hoped she looked enticingly flushed and not like a sweaty mess. Sam paused before answering and again gave her the look—his eyes softening, his eye contact unwavering—that told her the answer. In his eyes, she was beautiful. He had told her as much the other day, and she believed him. The amount that she believed him kind of scared her.

“I wanted to check in.” Sam’s voice was controlled, as though he was doing his best to sound calm and unbothered. “If it’s okay with you, I would like to unbutton your top.”

Arden choked out some form of Yes. Sam stood and beckoned with one finger. She stood up.

Slowly, he undid each button, his mouth tantalizingly close to her ear. Her skin prickled at the brush of his fingers, the warmth of his breath.

He gently removed her shirt, leaned in, and whispered, “And your bra?”

Arden nodded. He moved behind her, undid the clasp, and slipped off her bra. She stood there, topless and once again panting. Sam faced her again, and she saw, with a little gasp, that his pupils had almost overtaken the blue of his eyes. But his words were still controlled.

“Is it okay if I remove the rest of your clothes?”

Arden somehow communicated the affirmative. He slid her flowing pants down to her ankles, and she sat down on the bed to kick them off.

“Wait,” she said before he could reach for her black thong. “Your turn.”

Eagerly, Sam whipped off his shirt. Arden laughed, relieved, because she hadn’t been entirely sure how to take off his shirt sexily. Not the way he had.

She stood and kissed him, the feeling of their bare chests together sending sparks through her blood. He moaned into her mouth, his hands cupping her breasts.

“Pants,” Arden rasped.

He stepped out of them so they were both in their underwear.

The air between them was magnetic, but he somehow resisted the pull. “The last thing I wanted to ask you,” he said, his voice little more than a husky whisper, “was—is it okay if—I have a condom—”

“Yes.” Arden nodded emphatically. “Yes, please.”

“There’s something I need to do first.” Sam backed her onto the bed, then hovered over her and pressed lingering kisses all the way down her body, pausing to swirl his tongue over her nipples, until he got where he wanted to be.

Remembering it, Arden felt desire surge through her again. She scooted closer and kissed his shoulder.

“Hey.” His eyes opened, and he smiled sleepily at her.

“Last night was amazing.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”