“He’s a private person.”
“At least find out why he’s sleeping here.” Mona patted her, signifying she was finished.
Samantha turned back to look at her. “Yes. That I’ll do.”
“Go for it.” Mona’s dark eyes twinkled knowingly.
“You, too. Mona. With Chuck. Think of all the fun you can have, all the adventures and erotic pleasures.”
“I’m not into that, Sammi. I picture us in my hammock feeding each other strawberries from my garden, sun tea at our elbows, books on our chests, reading to each other.”
“So your fantasies are more domestic than mine. Take a couple ice cubes out of those teas and trace each other’s naked chests while you’re rocking in the hammock and you’re there.”
She sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just…well…happy.”
“You look it, hon. You’re glowing right now. And me without my camera.”
“Maybe one day we’ll come in for a couples shot. We’re taking it slow for now.”
“Just don’t take each other for granted or get into a rut or give up who you are to be with him.”
“I would never do that,” Mona said.
“No. You’re right. That’s my stunt.” Samantha sighed, happy for Mona and, somewhere deep, wishing she was ready for love, too.
“Maybe give yourself a chance with Rick,” Mona said, reading her mind.
“No. He wants to settle down and I need to break out. We’re not in the same place in our lives at all.”
“Maybe you’ve already broken out, Sammi. What about that?”
“One hot moment on the tiger chaise does not a wild sex life make, Mona. Rick and I work well together and that ought to be enough. If I could just get him out of my fantasies. It’s just that he seems so mysterious and sexy.”
“Ah, the dangerous stranger.”
“Exactly. If I could think of him as just a regular guy who pulls his pants on one incredibly muscular leg at a time, I’d be fine.”
“You have a crush, you’re saying? So get to know him better, find out his warts and bad habits and shortcomings. Make him ordinary.”
“You’re right. That’s exactly what I have to do. Reduce the mystery factor and the lust will fade. Thanks, Mona.” She hugged her. “And I’m very happy for you.”
Mona smiled her gratitude. “So, let me get the coupon. Your presentation is today?”
“Yep. And if we score this account, I think it’ll start the momentum we need. Rick’s great on the phone, too. He’s a fabulous business partner.” Business partner, not sex partner.
She had to keep that in mind from here on out.
No matter what temptations came along.
RICK HELD THE DOOR of Wendy’s Weddings for their departure and watched Samantha shake the wedding planner’s hand with both of her own. “Thank you so, so much.” She seemed about to explode with excitement.
“You’re very welcome,” Wendy said. “Really.”
“We’ll fax over the final notes when we get back,” Samantha said. “And, again, it was such a pleasure to meet you.”
“Same here,” Wendy said, smiling back, caught up in Samantha’s enthusiasm.
Samantha passed out the door under his arm, bouncing on the balls of her feet, striding so fast he had to gallop to catch up. The instant they rounded the building, she surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck. “We did it!”
He twirled her, relishing the feel of her body, small and sweet in his arms. God help him, he dipped his nose into her hair and inhaled. Cinnamon, flowers and home.
She slid to the ground and pushed out of his arms, her eyes shining so bright it was hard to look straight at them. “I can’t believe we did it.”
“Of course we did. You had a terrific proposal.”
“Your idea of including locket-sized photos was genius.”
“I got it from you.” He nodded at where her locket bounced against her cleavage. Whenever he looked at it, he thought of her radiant face inside the gold frame.
“The point is that it made Wendy choose the pricier option. We must celebrate. Lunch at Renzio’s. And champagne. On the company.”
“You can’t afford champagne. I’ve seen your books, remember?”
“If you won’t take a commission, then you’re taking lunch. This will mean ten high-end clients a month at least. Wendy runs big ads in the glossy mags that go free to rich neighborhoods. Once it gets out what we’re doing with Wendy, other planners will be easy to sign on. First benchmark—check! I am so happy!”
She hugged him again and this time she stilled, leaned back to look into his eyes, testing. Do you feel what I do?