I smile, pleased with myself. “Why, thank you! But I don’t want this to be the end. I want to see you again.”
He turns on his side, sandwiching me between his hard, warm chest and the soft futon. I hum, wrapping my arms around his neck as his arm slips lazily around my waist.
“Don’t worry. If you think I’m going to let you walk away after that, then you’ve got another think coming,” he grins. “Hell no, that was way too good for just one time.”
Giggling, I relax against him. “So what happens now?” I ask.
He flashes a glance at his watch.
“Well, in about half an hour, I have to get back to work, but after that? I want to take you out on a date.”
“Yes!” I squeak, and I quickly cover my mouth in embarrassment. What happened to the Jessa the seductress? The one who wears lacy red thongs and wriggles sexily in front of men? When did this awkward, chirpy girl take her place?
But Sam doesn’t seem fazed at all, and chuckles at my enthusiasm before kissing the top of my head. “I’ll pick you up at eight,” he says. “And guess what? I already know where you live,” he says with a wink.
At that, we both shout with laughter as my heart warms. Yes, I have an intense physical connection with this man, but even more, we understand one another. Now, the date tonight sounds almost too good to be true.
8
Jessa
* * *
A few months later.
My apartment is filled with the smell of savory meat and sweet roasted vegetables. There’s a knock on my door just as I take the steak out of the pan and shift it onto a wooden cutting board. Both sides of the rib eye have been seared to perfection, and I know when I cut into it the inside will be a juicy, pink medium.
“Coming!” I call. I lift the cutting board and carefully place it in the center of the table. It wobbles under the added weight because the table’s already groaning. Mashed potatoes and gravy, oven-roasted asparagus, buttered rolls, and steamed carrots drizzled with honey are on display. I admit, I went a little overboard this time, but Sam’s going to have plenty of leftovers to take when he leaves, which he appreciates.
I give my hands a quick wash and dry them on a dishtowel. Then, I remove the clip holding my hair at the top of my head, and my curls tumble over my shoulders. I run my fingers through it, fluffing it out, and then hang my apron on the hook by the stove. It’s silly, primping like this, but I always like to look good for my man.
When I open the door, my Sam is standing there looking as handsome as ever. I can tell he’s just had a shower because he smells like sandalwood and spices, and his normally honey blond hair is dark brown from the water. He grins at me and lifts a bouquet in his hand.
“Snapdragons?” I gasp, taking the white blooms from him. “Sam, thank you so much!” I press them to my nose and breathe in their sweet scent. Snapdragons are usually too expensive for me to have around my apartment, so I only buy them on my birthday. The fact that he remembered something I mentioned in passing makes me so, so happy.
He steps inside and wraps an arm around my waist. “I also brought wine,” he murmurs and gives me a long, passionate kiss.
“You are perfect,” I breathe before giggling and taking his hand. “I hope you’re hungry, baby, because I made a lot.”
“I’m starving.” He lifts my palm and presses his lips to the back of it like a prince cherishing his princess. I laugh again and lead him to the table where he eyes the assortment before letting out an impressed whistle.
“Oh, stop,” I say, although I love the praise. “It was nothing! You handle the wine while I find a vase to put these in.” He winks at me and picks up a corkscrew lying on the table.
Meanwhile, I rummage through my cabinets until I find a tall mason jar. I lost its lid a long time ago, and it’s just been collecting dust in the back of the cabinet. I give it a quick rinse to get the grime off, and then fill it with sugar water before adding the snapdragons. That’s my secret trick because a lot of folks don’t know that it’s the sugar that keeps blooms fresh for as long as possible. Satisfied, I place the vase next to my living room window and return to the table.
“Your flower arrangement is lovely,” my boyfriend compliments. I giggle and kiss him again.
“Yes, the snapdragons are gorgeous,” I agree, studying the creamy blooms. “The long stems are so elegant, and the color is such a pure, virginal white. I love them. Thank you again.”