Page 9

CHAPTER 7

Without asking her for input, Natalia drove them to a Coconut Grove wine bar less than a mile from Sam’s townhouse. A snug little spot next to a park covered in mature shade trees like most of The Grove.

“Should I read into the fact that you’ve picked a place within walking distance of my house?” Sam asked when they pulled up to the valet umbrella.

Natalia shot her a dark, unreadable look. “How would I know where you live, Dr. Reyes?”

Sam smirked and waited for Natalia to meet her on the sidewalk. “You really not going to call me by my name?”

Feigning ignorance, Natalia tipped her head to the side. “Which was wrong? The doctor or the Reyes?”

With a laugh, Sam held open the door for Natalia. “God, you were just impossible as a teenager, weren’t you?”

Natalia replied with an I’ll-never-tell expression, but Sam was sure she’d pegged her right. Stubborn smart-asses recognized each other in the wild.

Low light, dark furnishings, and too many people made the bar feel dark and cramped. Normally, Sam would have preferred a different environment, one quieter and more conducive to conversation, but something about the noise and ambience made her feel closer to Natalia. Made things feel possible.

Finding only one open seat at the edge of the bar, Sam pulled it out for Natalia.

“I’d expect you to believe in women pulling out their own chairs,” Natalia said instead of thank you when she climbed gracefully onto the high stool.

“I believe in manners,” Sam replied, signaling for the bartender while she stood at Natalia’s side. “And good intentions. I didn’t hold it out for you because I think you’re too feeble to do it yourself.” She took the menu the bartender provided and handed it to Natalia. “I did it because I’m very good on dates.”

“A date?” Natalia turned in her seat, back to the bar, and dark eyes on Sam. Her knee pressed to Sam’s thigh. “Is that what you presume this to be?”

Sam dragged her teeth over her bottom lip. She’d never met a human being more combative than Natalia. She didn’t give an inch. It set Sam’s curiosity on fire. It had been years since anyone made her feel so present. So intrigued.

“Two people, mutually attracted, out at a bar after a gourmet meal.” Sam smiled. “Sounds like a date, doesn’t it?”

The very tip of one corner of Natalia’s perfect mouth twitched just enough to tell Sam she was right. She didn’t have to be a human lie detector to read Natalia’s interest.

“Can I get you all something to drink?” the young man behind the bar asked over the noise of a hundred conversations drowning out some distant music.

Neither of them had looked at the drink menu, but Natalia ordered anyway. “I’ll take a cab. Whatever you have that’s bold, broad shouldered, and masculine.”

The bartender nodded like that was a perfectly ordinary way to order anything and he knew exactly what to pour.

“Do you have anything that can be described as complex with a lot of bite?” Sam’s attention darted from Natalia to the bartender.

“I have something that checks both of your boxes,” the bartender replied with a straight face before taking the menu back.

“I can’t remember the last time I had all of my boxes checked,” Sam joked when the bartender was gone.

Natalia apparently had no intention of turning away. Shapely, smooth legs crossed against Sam raised the temperature in the stuffy room. It would have been a challenge to keep her attention off of Natalia’s body if her eyes weren’t completely captivating.

“Now, Professor, modesty doesn’t suit you.” Natalia’s parted lips and vibrant eyes were the racing in Sam’s chest and the heat flooding her skin. “I’m sure your box gets plenty of activity.”

Sam laughed, thrilled by Natalia’s willingness to go along with a crass joke. The inability to anticipate what Natalia was going to do or say was exhilarating.

“Thought a lot about it, huh?” Sam quirked a brow before adjusting her glasses.

Natalia moistened her lips, eyes scanning Sam’s body and stopping at the tattoo sleeve exposed on her forearm before snapping back to her face. “An educated hunch.”

Sam held her gaze. Communicated without uttering a word that she wanted her. That she’d play Natalia’s games all day if she could drop to her knees and worship her body. Locked in a silent exchange, Natalia looked at her with naked hunger. She was starving and Sam was all too eager to satisfy. It only came down to who would take the first step. Who would change the rhythm of the song?

When the bartender returned with two glasses of rich, red wine, Natalia accepted both and turned back to Sam and handed her one.

Sam lifted her glass. “To things worth craving.”