Free Samson's Lovely Mortal by Tina Folsom Page A

background check on her so he would be armed with a little bit more than his charm to get through the evening. And get her into bed. His bed.
    He knew he had to be careful since he’d already screwed up the night before, acting like a jerk. Maybe a sweet-and-charming approach would work best with her. He would try that first. Light conversation, lots of laughter, nothing heavy. It was a good plan. He could do that.
    The ride was short, almost too short for him to collect his thoughts. He stopped Carl from getting out of the car.
    “Thanks, Carl; I’ll get her myself.”
    Samson stepped into the dark street and went into the lobby. He loved the winter months, because sunsets were early, and it gave him longer nights and more opportunities to be outside.
    The lobby attendant announced him on the phone. Samson waited patiently, settling in for at least a ten-minute wait. He knew what women were like. Certainly the vamp ladies he’d dated had always left him waiting, as if it was an unwritten rule never to be ready on time. Human women surely were no different.
    The lobby was adorned with a large mural, and he admired the artwork. He hadn’t been here for a long time. His company owned a couple of condos in the building. They used them for out-of-town business associates, but he never visited any of them himself. Amaury was in charge of dealing with all of his real estate holdings.
    “Samson.”
    Delilah’s voice made him turn on his heels. She had taken less than two minutes to come down. Was this really her? She looked even more beautiful than he remembered. The night before she’d been soaked, but now her long dark hair hung from her head like silk. Her face was clear, and if she used any makeup, it wasn’t visible. Her green eyes sparkled. She wore a black swinging skirt and a violet top tied on one side. He couldn’t wait to untie that knot and unwrap her from it.
    “Delilah.” He took her hand to his mouth, planting a soft kiss on it. “Thank you for accepting my invitation.” Her scent engulfed him instantly and wrapped itself around him like a cocoon.
    She gave him a ravishing smile. “I’m glad to see you.”
    “Shall we?” He offered her his left arm, and she hooked her hand in it. Wanting to feel more of her, he placed his right hand over her fingers, pressing down gently. She was soft and warm. Tonight those fingers would touch him in all the right places, just as his hands would learn every inch of her body.
    “What are we going to see?”
    Samson had no idea. He’d asked Oliver to get him the best tickets to whatever was considered the best show in town and had completely forgotten to ask him what it was. He had put the tickets into his jacket pocket without even looking at them.
    “It’s a surprise.”
    “I love surprises.”
    She would get plenty of surprises with him. Hopefully all good ones.
    He helped her into the car and addressed his driver.
    “We’re ready, Carl.”
    As the limousine pulled away from the curb, Samson opened the bar in front of him. He pulled out a small platter with sushi and canapés.
    “I figured you probably haven’t eaten yet.”
    “Thank you; that’s so thoughtful of you.” Delilah blushed, and the color looked good on her. Maybe he could find other ways to make the blood rush to her cheeks.
    “Champagne?” He was already opening a bottle and poured two glasses, handing her one. He touched his glass to hers and looked at her.
    “So I may make a better impression on you tonight than I did last night.” He gazed into her eyes.
    “You already have.”
    Her admission was unexpected. Could he now go straight from sweet and charming to sexy and smoldering? One portion of his anatomy certainly put a “yes!” vote in already.
    Down boy!
    Samson shifted in his seat and pointed at the canapés. “What would you like?”
    She stretched her hand toward a piece of sushi. He shook his head, took the piece, and guided it to her mouth.
    “Open,” he urged her in a