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Chapter Ten

Sam

The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel came into view, and for a second, it honestly looked like something out of a storybook.

With all that carved stone and the big, old clock in the middle, it had a kind of quiet, grand presence that made you slow down and stare.

As I pulled into the parking lot, Hope leaned toward the window, practically pressing her face to the glass.

Her eyes were huge, totally caught up in it, like she couldn’t quite believe it was real.

“Sam, this place is incredible,” she said as we stepped out of the car.

I grabbed our bags from the trunk, grinning at her reaction.

“Wait until you see the inside.”

We walked into the marble-tiled lobby and Hope tilted her head back to stare at the massive stained-glass ceiling.

“Holy hell,” she whispered. “This is a hotel?”

“It used to be a train station.” I chuckled, shifting our duffel bags higher on my shoulder. “And this weekend it’s wedding central.”

She turned toward me.

“You didn’t tell me this place is so beautiful.”

“I figured I’d let it surprise you.”

“Well, it worked.” She smiled, slipping her hand into mine as we walked toward the front desk. “I can't believe Leo rented out the entire hotel.”

“When you come from a Greek family with about two hundred relatives, plus everyone that’s invited, you need the space.”

I checked into our room and we headed toward the elevator.

“I feel like we’re about to get swept into a period drama.”

“With Leo’s family, you just might get your drama.”

Leo had booked the entire place, which might sound over-the-top, but between his gigantic Greek family, Anjannette’s people, and most of the Carolina Waves attending, the place will be full, and then some.

We got off the elevator on the fourth floor and walked to our room. I opened the door and stepped aside, motioning for Hope to go in first.

The room had all the basics covered, a mini fridge, coffee maker, and flat-screen TV. Afternoon sunlight poured in through the windows, making the king-sized bed look even more inviting, like it was just waiting for us to collapse onto it.

I set our bags down and wrapped my arms around Hope from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder.

She leaned back against me, and I felt that familiar warmth spread through my chest. Through my years with the Waves, I’ve watched my teammates fall in love, one after the other, and never quite understood it. Until now.

“So what’s the plan?”

I pressed a kiss to her neck.

“Rehearsal’s tonight for the wedding party, but everyone is planning on meeting up in the hotel bar later. So we’ve got the afternoon to ourselves.”

She turned slowly in my arms, a smile playing on her lips.

“I like the sound of that,” she said, trailing one finger down my chest, then lower. “I really like the sound of that.”

I backed her toward the bed without a word, our mouths meeting halfway there.

Her fingers slipped under the hem of my shirt as I lifted hers over her head, then reached behind her to unclasp and remove her bra.

I brushed my tongue along the edge of her lips, and she opened up, her tongue sliding against mine, mirroring every stroke.

Her fingers twisted into my hair as she pulled me closer, holding me tight.

She settled back onto the bed as I kissed down the line of her throat, tracing the curve of her shoulder and the soft skin just beneath her breast. Her body arched beneath me, legs curling around my waist. I pulled away just enough to slide Hope’s pants and underwear down, leaving her lying there gloriously naked beneath me.

I peeled off my jeans next, pulling a condom from my wallet before tossing them onto the floor, then set it on the bed between us.

My hands traced up her thighs in slow, deliberate strokes. When my thumbs met at their juncture, I hesitated just long enough to feed the heat and anticipation building between us. She thrust her hips up, begging for more. So I gave it to her.

I slid my middle finger between her slick folds, moving it slowly back and forth before resting it on her clit. I paused just long enough to give it a gentle pinch, then pushed deeper, thrusting my finger inside her.

She let out a long, low moan.

“Tell me what you want.”

“Sam.” Her voice was barely more than a breath.

I chuckled softly, leaning down to nibble at her nipple before soothing it with my tongue.

“Do you want more of this?” I circled her clit with my finger. “Or this?”

I slid my middle finger inside, curling it just enough to find her sweet spot.

Hope closed her eyes and moaned, the sound low and full of heat. When she opened them again, something fierce burned in her gaze. Before I could process it, she shifted, catching me completely off guard as she pushed me onto my back and swung a leg over to straddle my hips.

She grabbed the condom, tore it open, and rolled it down my length, her slow, deliberate touch driving me wild. Shifting onto her knees, she moved over me and sank back down, pulling me into her tight, slick heat.

“God, Hope,” I groaned. “You feel incredible.”

Her hips moved with a wild, perfect rhythm, every roll and grind pushing me closer to the edge. The way she clenched around me, the look in her eyes was all too much in the best possible way.

She threw her head back and let out a scream that was pure sin, her body gripping mine and pulling me right over the edge with her.

Hope shifted off me and I slipped out of bed to take care of the condom. When I returned and slid next to her beneath the covers, I pulled her against my chest and held her tight. With her breath steady against my skin and my arms around her, we both drifted off to sleep.

When we woke, the afternoon light was a memory. Hope stretched beside me, her hair a tangled halo against the pillow.

“We should shower,” I murmured, brushing a hand down her bare back.

“Mmm.”

Eventually we made our way to the bathroom. The water was hot, the shower spacious, so I figured we might as well make good use of it.

She laughed as I pulled her under the spray making her wet hair stick to her face. I pinned her against the tile with a kiss that turned greedy fast. After what seemed like forever I pulled back.

“Gotta grab a condom,” I said, reaching for the door.

Hope curled her leg around my hip and smiled.

“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.” Then she added, “And I know I’m clean.”

I met her gaze.

“I am too,” I said. “But are you sure?”

I’ve never had sex without a condom before, never trusted anyone enough. But with her, I didn’t even think twice. So when she nodded, I lifted her and slid inside.

I held her close as we moved together, savoring the feel of her skin on skin as water poured over us like a curtain shutting out the rest of the world.

Afterward, we toweled off and got dressed. Hope wore a soft green dress that clung in all the right places. I watched her do her hair, then apply makeup, and swipe on lipstick which somehow seemed more intimate than what we just did in the shower.

Once we were ready, we made our way down to Trax, the hotel bar nestled just off the main lobby. It was packed with people already, voices rising over clinking glasses and laughter.

Some of my teammates were gathered at one of the long tables near the back. Trey spotted us first, raising a glass.

“Look who finally made it down,” he called.

“Hey,” I said, slinging an arm around my date. “This is Hope.”

Introductions flew fast, but Hope handled it like a pro, laughing at the jokes, shaking hands, slipping right into the rhythm of the group like she’d always belonged. She caught my eye once, a quiet smile just for me.

At that moment, I realized this weekend wasn’t just about showing her off, it was about discovering how much more there was to us. And whatever came next, I was ready to see where it would take us.

Hope

The last of the dinner plates were being cleared as I leaned back in my chair, my eyes drifting over to Anjannette and Leo at their sweetheart table.

They looked ridiculously happy and completely wrapped up in each other.

Her dress shimmered under the chandelier lights, and Leo had a goofy grin on his face as he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh.

Sam sat beside me, his hand resting casually on the back of my chair.

Liz had been right, his teammates really are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met.

Our table was a fun, easygoing mix of Sam’s teammates and their partners—Trey and Nori, Rusty and Ivy, Jimmy and Abby, and Phil and Chloe.

The vibe was warm and relaxed, full of laughter and quick banter.

These people are genuinely kind, and welcomed me in a way that went beyond just being polite.

I’d felt it last night at the rehearsal dinner, again during the ceremony, and now.

Even surrounded by inside jokes, I felt like I belonged.

“Hope, I’d love to hear more about Reiki.” Nori leaned in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “It’s something I’ve always been interested in, but haven’t experienced yet.”

“It’s kind of hard to explain without sounding a little woo-woo, but Reiki is all about energy.

Tuning into the body’s natural flow and helping clear out anything that’s stuck or blocked,” I said.

“It’s super gentle, but honestly, it can be really powerful.

I’ve had clients fall asleep, cry, or walk away feeling a deep sense of peace.

It’s different for everyone.” I glanced around the table, half-laughing.

“I know it sounds a little out there, but I swear, it really does help.”

Sam shifted beside me, his voice easy but sure.

“I can vouch for that.”

“You’ve done Reiki?” Trey asked with a raised brow.