Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“You do that.” He used his stern voice on me, but then we both laughed.
“Take me home, Sam.” Continuing to chuckle, I offered him a hand up from the now-cool ground.
“Happily. And I’ve got cookies for you. Made some oatmeal chocolate chip earlier.”
“You baked for me?” I grinned widely.
“Thought I might need bait.” He grinned back as we walked toward the cars, Buttercup trotting at my side. She was more than ready to depart the cemetery. I wasn’t the superstitious sort, but it was a bit spooky after dark. Also, I wanted to be home with Sam more than anything else.
Since we’d arrived separately, we drove our respective cars back to the house, then kissed in the driveway like we’d been apart years, not ten minutes. We stumbled across the backyard, trading kisses and giddy laughter. This. This was the homecoming I’d never known to want but craved nonetheless. Someone so happy to see me emerge from my car that he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Someone who made me drunk with happiness merely by existing.
By the time we’d reached the kitchen door, Sam had pulled my T-shirt loose, and I’d already given him a slight hickey on his neck. The faint pink mark turned me on so much that I pushed him up against the nearest cabinet while Buttercup dashed ahead of us into the living area.
“Keep kissing me like that, and we might not make it to the bed.” Sam used a warning tone but hardly seemed put out by the prospect of a quickie in the kitchen.
I, however, was.
“Stairs. Now,” I ordered in my best imitation of Sam’s stern voice. “I want the bed. I need you to make love to me.”
Need not want. I needed him in me, needed the feelings only he could induce, needed the reassurance and connection and release. All the things.
“I think that can be arranged.” He gave me an arch look before freeing himself to strut toward the stairs. He paused by the living room couch where Buttercup and Delilah were already cuddled up. “Ha. Guess Buttercup’s settling in for the night down here.”
Roooow. Vocal as ever, Delilah gave me a look that threatened to off me in my sleep if I moved either of them.
“Maybe we’re too loud for them.” Sam waggled his eyebrows at me.
“Good thing they’re staying down here then. I want you to make me scream.” I winked at him as we continued toward the stairs.
“It’s a tall order, but I can deliver.” Sam’s swagger was back. The past few days had been hard on him, especially today, and I hadn’t realized I’d missed that cocky edge to our interactions until it reappeared.
“There’s that confidence I love.”
“You really love me?” Hand on the banister, Sam turned toward me, an unexpected vulnerability in his eyes.
“How could I not?” Careful to not tumble us both down the stairs, I hugged him close. He’d listed off my better qualities earlier, but it was harder for me to articulate everything he meant to me. “You gave me a home when I had none, showed me a life I truly want to lead, and loved me even when I wasn’t sure I was worthy.”
“You’ll always be Worthy.” Sam chuckled at my unintentional pun and then sobered. “And this will always be your home.”
“You. You will always be my home,” I corrected him, which earned me another long, soul-deep kiss. And then we were back to kissing and fumbling through the house, all the way to our oasis on the third floor.
“We should probably shower.” I glanced at the bathroom door as Sam feasted on my neck, clearly unbothered. “Damn, you’re good at that. You’re hell on my patience.”
“I don’t want to wait either.” Sam nipped at my collarbones as he divested me of my shirt. His nimble fingers made quick work of my belt next. “Shower after. Maybe a bath.”
“Definitely a bath.” I grinned. Sam made me want all the fanciful, indulgent things. “Midnight bubble bath sounds perfect.”
“It does. So does this.” Sam kissed me, a soft, slow-burner that started sweet and ended with us naked and rolling around on the bed. Straddling me, Sam slid a hand down my torso, fingers lingering over my heart before dancing across my ribs.
Already anticipating, I strained toward him, hard cock brushing his, making us both hiss. He hovered his hand above my abs until I made a frustrated sound and arched my back so my cock brushed his palm. And instead of playing the sort of power game I’d ordinarily approve of, Sam took pity on me and stroked my cock firmly.
“Sam.” Closing my eyes, I rocked up to meet his hand, luxuriating in how damn good everything felt with him. And I wanted to feel even more. I ran my hands all over his back and sides, everywhere I could reach. No asking permission, no receiving orders, just us tonight, making out, ravenous for each other with an urgency we hadn’t had before.