Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

“You want to bet on the video versus talking?” she asked.

“No. I want her to be normal.”

“We don’t have a pool for that.”

“I wonder why,” Sam muttered as he walked toward the room at the end of the hall. He planned to sit up front, but on the side. That way he could rush the stage if necessary. He wasn’t sure what he would do when he got there, but when it came to Lark, being ready for action seemed more important than having a plan.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“IT’S SAFE TO RELAX,” Dellina said as much to herself as to Sam. They were off the terrace at the rear of the hotel after a long, successful day of entertaining clients.

Behind them, large grills were heating as the hotel chefs prepared for the evening’s barbecue. To the north was a big fire pit that would be lit closer to sunset. The tables were set, the music already playing, and in a few minutes their guests would arrive. The weekend event had passed the halfway mark. Dellina hoped to have an easy time of it from now until tomorrow afternoon when she was going to collapse and sleep for at least twelve hours.

“From everything I’ve heard, people had a great time in town,” she told him. “The kids loved their bike ride with Josh and the therapy dog event was a hit.”

He looked at her. “What you really mean is my mother didn’t take off her clothes or have sex on the stage during her lecture.”

“It had been a concern,” Dellina admitted. She’d stayed in the back of the room while Lark had taken the stage. She wasn’t sure if she was there so she could run if necessary or to show other people the way out if they felt the need to bolt.

“She was okay,” Sam admitted. “For her, the lecture was tame.”

“And informative,” Dellina added.

Lark had spoken about the importance of sexual happiness in a marriage. When she’d hit a button on the computer next to her and lit up the screen, Dellina had been prepared for anything from  p**n  to detailed, anatomically correct photographs. Instead Lark had shown tasteful drawings of both male and female anatomy, then had discussed pressure points and breathing exercises.

“She only said clitoris three times.” Sam sounded relieved. “So we got through it.”

“Or at least the part we were both worried about.” She glanced at her watch. “Okay—I’ve checked on the food. The bar is ready. There’s a mocktail station for the kids, if they want to re-create their favorite drinks from last night. We can—”

She stared as the first couple in their group stepped out onto the lawn. She knew them by sight and name, had spoken with them. They were in their forties and had left their college-age kids at home.

While the couple had been friendly with each other, Dellina couldn’t remember them holding hands. As she watched, the wife glanced up at her husband and laughed. He stopped, faced her, then cupped her face with his free hand and kissed her. Using tongue.

“What?” Sam said, spinning toward the hotel. “Are my parents naked?”

“I have no idea, but if they are, they’re not out here.”

He looked around, then back at her. “What are you staring at?”

“Bill and Marie.”

Sam glanced at them and shrugged. “They’re here.”

“They’re kissing!”

“I don’t get the big deal.”

Dellina started to smile. “Oh, I think you will in a little bit. This is going to be one interesting and mellow barbecue.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Another couple joined Bill and Marie. They spoke to each other, as they had all weekend. But there was a notable difference.

Dellina put her hand on Sam’s arm and turned him toward the couples. “Look at them. What do you see?”

“I don’t know. People I know.”

“People you know who just had mind-blowing sex. I’m going to guess that more than a few of your guests used your mother’s techniques and enjoyed them.”

“Holy crap,” Sam muttered. “You think so?” He groaned before she could answer. “You’re right. Look at them. What have we done?”

She stepped in front of him. “We’ve helped happy couples reconnect in an intimate way. This is a good thing. I know your mother can be intrusive and that she doesn’t respect boundaries, but that doesn’t mean her information isn’t valid. Don’t you think this is going to make your clients feel even better about working with your company?”

“I don’t want them talking about sex or doing things my mother taught them in front of me.”

She laughed. “Yeah, that would be uncomfortable for all of us. But I say just go with it.”

He sighed. “Why couldn’t I have been born into a normal family?”

“Then you wouldn’t be who you are.”

“I guess.” He shook his head. “Okay, time for a barbecue.”

“I’m on it.”

She started to walk away. Sam grabbed her hand and held her in place. She turned toward him.

“Yes?”