Mary Ann finishes ordering the tickets to the show, and we all agree to meet in the lobby in an hour. She heads up to tell the rest of the group the plan, while we slowly make our way to the elevators with our luggage. “What floors are you guys on?” Harper asks as we step onto the elevator.
“Fourteen,” Samuel and I both say at the exact same time. I flash him a wide grin, while the look he gives me is more of annoyance.
“We’re on thirty-five. Do you need help with anything?” Harper says as the doors open on our floor.
“No, I can manage,” I tell her, pulling my wheeled suitcase behind me off the elevator.
“We’ll see you guys in an hour,” Latham says. I turn to see him shove the small box of rubbers into Samuel’s suit jacket while his hands are occupied. He shrugs at his future brother-in-law and says, “Just wanted to make sure you’re prepared.” Then the door closes, cutting off Latham’s laughter and leaving us in the hallway alone.
I turn and start to head down the hall, glancing occasionally at the numbers on the doors. It would figure I’d be as far away from the elevator as possible. When I reach the end of the corridor, I turn to the left, only to realize Samuel is still behind me. “Following me?” I tease, glancing up at the numbers once more and realizing I’m finally getting close.
“Just looking for my room.”
I finally stop when I hit 1447. Glancing over my shoulder, I see he does the same. He looks at the number on his door, then back down at the card in his hand, and finally over to me. “Seriously?” he whispers, as he swipes his card over the sensor to the room right beside mine. The light flashes red, much like the tips of his ears.
He does it four more times before I finally take pity on his poor, uptight soul. Dropping my bags on the floor, I walk over and grab his card. He huffs and puffs a little, but doesn’t say a word as I slowly move the keycard over the sensor, the light immediately flashing green. “There ya go, Sammy. All set.”
I hand him back his card, his finger brushing against mine slightly. My entire body erupts with awareness. His scent, his touch, the little noises of annoyance he makes without realizing it. I’m suddenly hyperaware of the fact we’re standing very close, his finger grazing against mine. It’s not meant to be sexual, but that doesn’t stop my brain from conjuring up every dirty fantasy I’ve ever had, starring the man right in front of me.
Samuel clears his throat. “Thank you.”
I back away, even though I’d much rather throw my arms around his shoulders and shimmy up his body like a squirrel. “You’re welcome. Apparently, I’m right next door if you should need anything.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he states, gathering up his belongs and stepping into the room. He stops, though, before he’s completely over the threshold. “I, uh, am right next door too. Obviously. So if you need help, or anything, uh, let me know,” he stammers.
“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
He nods, swallows hard, and steps farther into the room. I turn my back to him and head next door. I use my own keycard, gathering up all my crap off the floor as I balance the weight of the door. I’m bent over when I hear a hiss behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I find Samuel still there, staring at me.
Or specifically, my ass.
Warmth spreads through my chest as our eyes connect. His widen just a sliver as he straightens his necktie. “I was just making sure you got into your room safely.” Then, he turns and disappears, the loud echo of his door shutting filling the hallway.
Just making sure I got into my room safe?
By staring at my ass?
Sure, Sammy.
That’s what they all say.
Chapter Five
Samuel
The auditorium is packed by the time we finally get through the ticket line and security. Show, then dinner. The guys all head to the next line, a concession stand that serves over-priced beer, while the girls make a bathroom stop and plan to meet us at our seats. Even though I’m the only single guy here, somehow, it’s assumed I’m with Freedom for the evening. She basically just walked up to me, told me to get her a beer, patted me on the chest, and walked away.
Typical Freedom.
I have two draft beers and a bag of popcorn as I follow behind the guys to our seats. I’m surprised when I find us heading down toward the floor, and even more shocked when I find the ladies waiting for us in the third row. “Damn, these are nice seats,” my brother, Jensen, says as he hands his fiancée, Kathryn, a beer. Marissa and Rhenn also follow behind me.
“Aren’t they? Mom scored big time,” Harper replies, wearing the same smile she’s had since her Las Vegas destination wedding festivities began.
I slip down the aisle, finding Mom and Latham’s parents, Kitty and Bud. They’re chatting animatedly about the show, discussing the bio in the book they purchased on David Copperfield. Reserved, I take the empty seat between my mom and Freedom, who quickly relieves me of one of my drinks. “Oh, you got popcorn too. Good thinkin’, Sammy!”
She reaches for the popcorn, but I hold it up out of her reach. She’s quite a bit shorter than my six-foot frame, so it’s easy to keep the salty treat out of her grasp. What I wasn’t expecting was for her to literally climb onto my lap to get it. Her long skirt pools at her thighs and I catch a glimpse of her bare ankles. Without truly knowing why, I find myself hard. And staring at those fucking ankles
