As we waited in baggage claim, I stood behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and spoke into her ear, “All of the worries in that pretty little head, put them on hold. Forget about them for today, okay? We’re gonna have the time of our lives. Are you in, gorgeous?”

“I’m so in,” she said, turning around and playfully sticking her finger into my cleft chin.

I’d chosen a hotel near the Red Light District. Kendall and I took a quick catnap before taking to the streets.

Since biking is huge in Amsterdam, we rented a tandem, which we rode all around the city.

We parked in the Jordaan neighborhood. Walking hand in hand through the narrow streets, we visited some art galleries and antique shops along the way.

Later, we took a guided tour through one of the canals, where we watched what the locals called dancing houses—a bunch of tall, tilted historical homes.

By nightfall, exhaustion had caught up with us. After dinner at a quaint restaurant, we decided to check out the Red Light District before turning in for the night.

The street was lined with red-lit windows, each housing a cabin where revelers could partake in either a peep show or a prostitute—whatever their hearts desired. There was nothing like it in the world. I’d perused this street plenty of times, but never partook. Even I had limits. It amused me to see Kendall’s reaction, taking it all in for the very first time.

“So, this is all legal?”

“Yup. And it only makes sense that there’s a gigantic church in the middle of it all, right?” I said, referring to the Old Church. “Probably the only location in the world where you’ll find religion and prostitution all in one place.”

“Kind of magical and perverse.” She laughed. “Swans swimming through a dam, surrounded by a church, some whores and lots of pot for sale.”

“It’s like a trippy dream. You know what would make it better, though?”

“What?” She laughed.

“This,” I said, suddenly pulling her into me and planting a firm kiss on her warm lips. Pressing my body into her, I knew she could feel the erection practically puncturing my jeans. An indeterminate amount of time passed as we continued to suck face in front of one of the brothels.

A knock on the glass interrupted our moment. The scantily clad, tall blonde inside of the window we were blocking waved for us to get out of the way. We must have been obstructing her view of the street.

“Sorry,” I said, wrapping my entire body around Kendall from behind as we continued our lazy stroll.

“So, do any of these women appeal to you?” she asked.

“No.”

“Liar.”

“I’m being serious. They’re attractive, but I don’t want them. Now if it were you in one of these window brothels…that would be a different story. I’d definitely come inside, and I’d go broke. I’d just keep giving you more and more money to let me try everything with you.” I stopped walking and pulled her into me again, speaking over her lips, “Just take my fucking money.”

She laughed through our kiss and said, “I’d give you a pretty good discount.”

While our joking was all in good fun, being in this sexually open environment with Kendall and all of the kissing was making me horny as hell. I was now sporting a full-on boner as we made our way back to the hotel. Feeling weaker by the second, I knew that if she so much as looked at me back in our room, I wasn’t going to be able to fight anything happening this time.

The hotel we were staying at was a funky little place that played up on the Red Light District theme. The rooms even had optional red lighting, which was cool as hell.

“You know what I could really go for?” Kendall asked when we got to our room.

“I know my answer to that question.”

She playfully smacked me in the chest. “A glass of wine.”

“I could go get us a bottle or two if you want.”

“I feel bad making you go back out, but really, that would be great.”

“Why don’t you relax and take a shower while I’m out.”

“That sounds good.”

Looking up the nearest liquor store on my phone, I rushed out of the hotel to avoid wasting too much time away from her. After all, this could technically be our last night together. I’d already decided to ask her to come back home to Florida with me. Although if she didn’t agree, our adventure would end soon.

Fuck.

A feeling of panic started to build.

No.

I wasn’t going to let fear in tonight. This night was about enjoying each moment in Amsterdam. Period.

Trying to block all depressing thoughts from my mind, I made my way inside the store and asked the attendant for the best bottles of red and white that they had.

On my walk back to the hotel, my phone chimed with a text from Kendall.

Kendall: Just play along.

What the heck did that mean?

Carter: Play along with what?

Kendall: Where are you?

Carter: A block from the hotel.

Kendall: Text me when you’re almost here but before you come inside the hotel.

A few minutes later, I did as she asked.

Carter: I’m here.

Kendall: Stay outside and look up to the second floor on the Bloedstraat Street side of the building.

That was where I was. I looked up.

Oh.

My.

God.

Fuck.

Me.

My heart started to pump faster. Kendall had the red lights on in our room. The front of her body was pressed against the window as she wore nothing but a lacy bra and panties. She’d done her hair into two braids and swayed her body slowly and seductively, looking just as comfortable as any of the window ladies we’d witnessed tonight. Except this wasn’t just any window lady. This was the girl of my dreams bringing a fantasy to life that was better than anything my wildest imagination could have conjured up.

With a come-hither stare, she lifted her index finger and gestured for me to come upstairs. Staying frozen on the sidewalk, I tried to burn this into memory—the sight of her in that window illuminating a foggy night in Amsterdam. I knew I’d never forget it for as long as I lived. The fact that I was still even holding the wine bottles without them falling from my grasp and smashing to the ground was commendable.