Marni Mann

“That’s it, baby,” he urged. “Just like that.” I met him again and again until I heard him yell, “Samantha! Fuck!”

I loved how sexy he sounded as he came.

I loved how his strokes turned more aggressive.

And I loved how we both stilled at the same time.

Staying inside me, he kissed across my cheek until he reached my mouth where he moaned, “You’re fucking incredible.”

* * *

Me: Thanks for the most amazing three days and the most memorable trip to NYC. I just landed in Miami. Maybe I can come to LA in a few weeks to see you.

Jack: Hey, Samantha. It was a great couple of days for me, too, but it’s time for us to return to our normal lives. I don’t think LA is a good idea. Maybe I’ll see you at one of your brother’s games.

Me: Okay…is everything all right?

* * *

Me: If you’re worried I’ll say something to my brother, don’t be. I wouldn’t ever say anything. I just…miss you. That’s why I’ve been texting so much.

* * *

Jack: Samantha, I know you promised never to discuss what happened that night in my hotel room, and I really appreciate that you haven’t. You’re a beautiful girl, and it’s a few days I’ll never forget. But, now that I’ve thought about our time together, I’ve realized it was a mistake. One that can never happen again. Your brother is my top client. I can’t jeopardize that. Therefore, my relationship with his family has to stay professional. I’m sorry. Best of luck with your classes this semester. —Jack

* * *

Me: Jack, I need you to call me. I really need to talk to you.

* * *

Me: Jack, I’ve left you three voice mails. Please call me.

* * *

Me: I’ve left you six voice mails, three emails, countless texts. All I want is to talk to you.

* * *

Jack: I’ve gotten all of your messages. I’ve been extremely busy. Samantha, what happened between us has to stay in the past. I need you to stop contacting me and move on with your life. You can never be more than my client’s little sister.

Stacey is the only other athlete in my family. She got a golfing scholarship, and she could have gone pro, had she wanted it badly enough.”

Jesus Christ.

“Shawn, I don’t want to represent your sister. I want to date her.”

As the seconds passed, it looked like my words were finally starting to sink in.

“Oh, shit.” He continued to stare at me. “You want to date my sister.”

“I’d like to, yeah.”

“Have you spent a lot of time with her?”

I couldn’t get a read on him. He wasn’t acting pissed, but he wasn’t acting pleased either.

“Yes,” I answered.

“How long have you guys been talking?”

“Not long.”

That wasn’t a lie since we hadn’t really done much talking eight years ago.

Not that I’d ever mention any of that shit to him.

“I respect you, Shawn. So, before things go any further between Samantha and me, I wanted to discuss it with you.”

It looked like he was still processing the news, still unsure of how he felt about it. “I like that you came to me, and I appreciate it.”

I wanted him to know that Samantha wasn’t just someone I’d talked to at the bar and decided I wanted to hang out with. I was coming to him because I wanted to take things to a deeper level.

“Shawn, your sister is a hell of a girl. She’s patient and sweet; she’s understanding and forgiving. She works as much as I do, and you know how important that is, given how often I travel.”

“I know.”

“What I’m trying to say is, I care about her. Enough that I’m coming to you, my client and my friend, and I’m putting our professional relationship on the line because your sister’s worth it.”

His lids narrowed, his stare intensifying. “All right, I can see it now.”

“You can?”

“Yeah, man. It took me a second, which is probably due to all the shit I drank last night, but yes, I can see the two of you together. She’s a great girl; you’re a nice guy. You both live in Miami. The fit makes sense.”

Motherfucker.

“That I would do anything to taste you.”

Say I can have you.”

“I want to tell you something, Kendall.”

Her cheeks reddened, and her breathing sped up, her chest rising faster with each inhale.

“Since the moment I saw you, there’s only been one thought in my head.”

She pushed herself further against the wall, her knee bending so she could place her heel there as well. “And that is?”

“That I would do anything to taste you.”

“I do everything in my power to make it mine.” I leaned in close, my lips hovering inches away from hers. Her eyes told me she was preparing for me to kiss her, but after a few exhales, I moved my mouth to her ear. “You’re all I can think about.”

“Four, three.”

Her chest stilled, telling me she was holding air in her lungs.

“Two.”

“Dominick …” My name came out like a moan.

“One.”

“Have you ever considered getting into television?” I asked her.

She immediately shook her head, those seductive, dark curls falling across her cheeks. “No way. I don’t have the face or the personality.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I would have to disagree.”

“When I sat at that conference table, the chance of being James’s agent dangling right in front of me, I had the same goddamn look on my face as you did when Kendall was sitting next to you.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Brother, it takes one to know one, and I saw that shit coming from a mile away.” He took a drink of his coffee. “Kendall was the girl in the green dress, the one I assume you took to your hotel room last night?”

“Fool, who do you think you’re talking to? Do you really think I fucking believe that?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

His eyes narrowed. “I saw the way you were looking at her. You were doing everything in your power not to throw her across my desk.”