Page 41 of Swept Away

The door to Carter’s apartment is on the left side, and it’s open.

Music flows from behind the door.

I stroll into a spacious, dimly lit space with a sofa, a coffee table, and two armchairs.

A few framed photographs adorn the walls while a floor lamp sits in the corner.

His place looks nice.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Carter says from behind the kitchen counter, already mixing a cocktail for me.

I sit on the sofa while Mason walks to the kitchen and pours two drinks for himself and his friend.

Later, Carter brings a lemon drop martini to the living room and hands it to me.

I take a sip after we clink our glasses.

“Mmm…” I say, enjoying the flavorful taste.

Mason sits next to me, his drink on a coaster in front of him on the coffee table.

“I’ll take a shower, if you don’t mind,” Carter says, gesturing at a small hallway in the back.

“Do your thing, man,” Mason says.

“The cocktail is good,” I say, taking a few more sips while Carter walks away.

Mason doesn’t touch his drink.

“You don’t like yours?” I ask, nodding at his drink.

“I do,” he murmurs, and brings it to his lips as well. “You wanna try it?” he asks, his eyes dipping to my mouth.

“What is it?”

“Bourbon.”

“Let me smell it first.”

“It smells good.”

He brings his drink to my nose and I inhale the aroma dipped in sweet and woody notes.

“It’s great,” I say. “But I have my cocktail already.”

He takes a small drink and swallows the hard liquor before curling his hand around my neck and bringing me closer.

His lips brush mine.

“Do you feel it?” he asks, smiling, the aroma floating up my nostrils.

“It’s fantastic,” I say, getting into his game.

“What about now?” he breathes into me and gives me a slow, sexy kiss that makes my skin prickle from my shoulders to my toes.

“You’re very good at this…” I say, a little tipsy, a little turned on.

“Am I?” he says, laughing before bringing his drink to his lips. “Drinking with a beautiful woman at my side?”