Chapter 4
SAMMIE
This is definitely the best date in history.
It's often difficult for me to make small talk with strangers, so I was nervous about being alone with Kane for so long. Yet here we are, chatting about the best parts of terrible action movies as if we've known each other for much longer than a day.
I need to get to know him better. Not just superficially – deeper, more intimately.
My body positively craves his: every time we touch, electric sparks dance along my skin as if my nerve endings are coming alive for the very first time.
It's a brand-new sensation, but it feels like it was always supposed to be here.
Like I've been hungry for Kane's touch my entire life, but didn't have words for it, since I hadn't experienced it yet.
Kind of like how you can’t describe the flavor of chocolate until you try it, and then you become instantly addicted. Except this craving is even more intense.
Kane takes my hand. Gosh, my fingers look tiny next to his.
"It's going to be a tough choice for our next date.
" His low voice is a smoky murmur. "There are plenty of good restaurants around here.
But you said you were craving a larger kitchen.
I'd be happy to volunteer mine, and we could cook together some evening? "
I love that he leaves the timeline open ended, so that I don’t feel pressured. "That could be fun. I bet it’s larger than this table, at least." I meant it as a joke, but something flickers in his eyes.
He lifts my hand to his lips, kisses my knuckles, then lets go. "Excuse me. I'll be back in a moment."
Kane heads to the restroom, and I take another look around the restaurant. All the decorations are in bright, cheerful colors, a blend of modern and traditional. The customers include people of all ages in couples or small groups, all chatting away as they enjoy their dinners.
All, that is, except for two men in their mid-twenties who are walking straight to our table. They’re both slim and wiry, one with sandy blonde hair, and the other with black hair and a tie emblazoned with stylized bright green computer code.
"Hey," Sandy Hair practically whispers. "Was that really Kane Wolfe?"
"Uh, yes. Why?"
The guys fist bump, their eyes as bright as if they'd just seen a movie star. “Those brothers are, like, tech gods," Tie Guy gushes. "The way they mix organic input into their security algorithms is just…chef’s kiss."
"Not to mention, it makes the company way more approachable," Sandy Hair says. "It's a marketing dream. Their European ads are hella cool, too. Probably why they just hit the billion-dollar mark a few months ago."
Tie Guy looks at me strangely, probably because my face is completely blank. “You… You do know about his company, right?"
"No, sorry."
For the next two minutes, the guys babble on about Wolfe Security and its high-end algorithms that mix in input from bird call and wind measuring stations around the mountain.
I've never been a techie kind of person, but their excitement over “using organic elements to create impenetrable code” is almost infectious.
“Wait." Sandy smacks his friend on the shoulder, then looks back at me in alarm. "Are we interrupting a date? Oh my God! I'm so sorry. Didn't even think."
Sandy grabs Tie Guy’s arm and turns to leave but instead walks straight into a black button-down shirt stretched across a massive, muscular chest. Kane wedges his body partly between me and the two strangers and turns, searching my eyes and mouthing, "Are you okay?"
Wow. The way he snapped immediately into protective mode… There aren’t words for how amazing it feels to be cared for like this.
I nod quickly in an effort to get him to stand down. "These guys were just saying how much they admire your company.”
Kane's broad shoulders relax.
"We're so sorry to interrupt, man," Tie Guy says. "But… Could we get a quick photo?"
Kane nods, leading them away from our table so I have a bit more space. They take a few selfies, then he shakes their hands firmly and wishes them a good night.
As Kane slides in beside me, he takes my hand. "Sorry about that."
“It’s okay,” I smile. “They weren’t staring at me, so it was fine. But… Does that kind of thing happen to you very often?”
“Not often, but sometimes. More at tech conferences. Or if there’s recently been a big article about us.” He drops my hand to slip an arm around me, drawing us close together. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah.” Of course it’s okay. It’s like being wrapped in a blanket of solid muscle.
“Hey, just so I know how to proceed… Are you shy? Or an introvert?” His deep eyes are so earnest. “Or both? I want to know the best way to keep you comfortable if that happens again when we’re together.”
Oh goodness. We barely know each other, and he’s already concerned about how to keep me comfortable in the future? That feels significant. It also makes me want to be as honest with him as possible.
“Sometimes…both, I guess. I can usually speak up for myself and power through any awkward situations. But I hate being put on the spot, being stared at and observed closely, or having to speak to groups. It might stem from twins constantly being expected to perform for an audience when we’re little. ”
“I’m glad you’re okay with me.” His hand rubs along my arm gently. “I’m a pretty big guy, and that makes people nervous sometimes.”
“Yes, but you have a gentle energy,” I say. “Like a huge teddy bear.”
He lets out a low, bear-ish growl, his eyes sparkling. My breath catches as the vibration goes straight to my belly. Then quite a bit lower. This man is sending pulses of lust right through me and we’ve barely kissed. What’s going to happen when we’re really alone?
“Listen,” Kane continues, “if I ever suggest going anywhere that might make you uncomfortable, just tell me. We can either not go at all, or just check it out and leave whenever. You won’t offend me, okay?”
My head is so close to his shoulder as I nod that I’m practically breathing him in. It’s a clean, slightly woodsy scent, mixed with a dash of male warmth. The promise of a real kiss goodnight has my head spinning.
On the drive home, we chat a bit about his massive family scattered all over the mountain. “Are they all globe-trotting tech guys?” I ask.
“Nope, just the five of us. The rest of them work here on the mountain – forestry and stuff, whatever they’re good at.
Most of us are pretty involved with the town.
” He chuckles half to himself. “Well, except for my Uncle Henry’s sons, Emerick, Knox, and Thane.
They’re proverbial grouchy mountain loners who live on the other side. ”
“How big are your holiday parties?”
Kane laughs. “Varying degrees of huge to enormous.”
We pull up in front of Edward’s house, and Kane frowns slightly before rushing around to open my door. “How long are you staying here, again?”
“I’m not sure. A few weeks, at least.”
“The place is pretty small for two people.”
“Yeah. I’ve been taking my laptop to Corina's now and then.”
“You could work at the library. There’s a meeting room in the back you can book for privacy.”
“Oh! Cool. Maybe I’ll look into it tomorrow.” I smile as we stand in the doorway, slowly shifting and shuffling closer together.
“Allow me.” Kane pulls out his phone and types at lightning speed. “There. I just emailed Mrs. Honeywell to watch for you coming tomorrow and to let me know if it’s booked for anything else. I doubt it will be, though.”
“Wow. Thanks.” Lifting my chin to gaze into his deep eyes, a tremor runs through me. This incredible man is tuned in to everything I need.
“Now it’s the pop quiz part of the evening,” he says softly. “Ready to play?”
“Sure.”
“The first three questions are simple yes or no answers. One, did you have a good time tonight?”
“Yes,” I grin. “I really did.”
“Two, would you like to see me again?”
“I should hope you already know that’s also a yes.”
“Good. And three, would you like to cook dinner with me at my place tomorrow evening?”
My breath is starting to become shaky as he leans closer. “Yes.”
“Amazing. Then we’ll need a grocery shopping date before the dinner date. A pre-date. Possibly with cheese samples, but no guarantees.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
Kane drops his lips to my ear, his breath sending tingles across my skin. “The final question is on a scale of one to ten. With one being a high five, two being a hug, four being a polite kiss and so on…” He backs up to lock his gaze to mine. “Sammie, how may I say goodnight to you?”
I can feel how much he wants me. It’s pressing in from every direction, combining with a heat that is quickly creating a bubble around us.
It pops out without me even thinking about it. “Ten.”
I barely have time to inhale before his lips meet mine. The kiss is gentle for a few seconds, then grows quickly as my mind checks out and heat floods every inch of my body.
His hands scoop under my butt as he lifts me, and we melt together – my fingers in his hair, his palm under my thigh, my leg around his hip. His mouth devours mine until we’re both moaning.
“Delicious,” he growls into my lips. “My luscious, gorgeous Sammie.”
A humming purr erupts from my throat as I realize I’m unconsciously grinding against an extremely hard bulge at the front of his pants.
“Baby, you feel so perfect.” He sets me back down, kissing me breathless for another full minute. His eyes are glazed over when he steps back. “I don’t want to leave. But I’m trying to be a gentleman for my lady.”
“You said earlier I didn’t have to be a lady around you,” I laugh.
“Oh – right.” He thinks for a moment. “Well, I’m going to make the grand gesture of being a gentleman until you’ve known me for at least twenty-four hours. How’s that?”
“Super sweet.” I stretch up for a quick, snuggly hug that makes me wonder what will happen tomorrow. “Thanks for an amazing night.”
“Thank you, gorgeous.” Kane kisses my forehead, then steps back as I fumble with my keys to open the door.
How on Earth can I sleep after a night like that? And how am I going to keep my heart from exploding when we have another date tomorrow?