Scoring with the Coach’s Daughter (Maine Megalodons #3)

21. Samantha

21

SAMANTHA

I wake up to the aroma of coffee and I’m sure he’s making Ellie pancakes. It’s become their thing. She loves to crack the eggs and loves to mix things. I wonder if she’ll be a chef one day.

Did the argument set us back? Definitely. But if we can overcome one disagreement, who knows? If relationships were easy everyone would have one. I currently have more than I’ve ever thought I’d have with a partner and for that, I’m grateful—even if the past 24 hours have been strange.

My alarm goes off. I hit it to turn it off and scoot out of bed quickly. I toss a light sweatshirt over my tank top and tug on my Daisy May-style cut-off denim shorts because they are practically short enough to see more than I should show. I wear them because they are comfortable and perhaps, I’m coming on to Jake. I bound down the steps and saunter into the kitchen.

“Good morning,” I greet everyone with a sunny demeanor.

Ellie beams at me as she leans over the counter. “Jake’s making blueberry pancakes.”

“Is he?” I eye Jake, who is standing in his sweatpants. Damn, he’s hot. His chest is covered with enough hair to be sexy, with light tufts running vertically above his navel. His biceps ripple as he skillfully holds the frying pan and then, he flips the huge pancake. He maneuvers himself under it like he’s auditioning for the circus.

Ellie giggles. “You’re so funny, Jake.”

“Am I?” he asks as he turns to her, and I catch him giving her a wink.

I help myself to coffee. I glance at the clock on the microwave to make sure we’re on time.

“Do you need help?” I ask to be polite. I have to be honest; he’s spoiling me rotten. I like having someone who lightens my load with chores.

“I got this. Can you make some eggs for us? I need the protein.”

“Sure.” I set my cup down and crack eggs in a bowl. “Is scrambled okay?”

“Perfect.” He flips the pancake onto a plate, adds butter and syrup, and slides it to Ellie.

“Yummy,” she coos as she picks up a fork and digs in. I pour the eggs into a warm cast iron skillet. I turn to make sure Ellie is eating.

“These are terrific, Jake. Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he says as he loads another pancake to cook.

“Blueberries, not chocolate chips, eh?” I tease.

“We can’t have her doing a face plant in class.”

“So what’s up with your rehab?”

“I’ll be released soon. We can talk about it later.”

“Okay.” When the eggs are cooked, I share the contents between our plates. Jake adds fluffy pancakes and by the time we sit to eat, Ellie has wolfed down her food and runs off to get ready for school.

“These are really good. I love that you can cook.” I dig into the fluffy goodness first. I don’t eat much flour so I’ll eat the eggs, otherwise, I’ll be in a carb coma by the time I’ve finished eating.

“Don’t get carried away, I have limited skills in the kitchen. But breakfast is easy.” He finishes his eggs and takes a bite of the carbs. “What’s the plan today?”

“I have deliveries coming, but Maggie will handle that. I thought maybe we could do something.”

“Like what? It’s not like I can take you to dinner or lunch because nothing will be as great as Maggie’s food.”

I give him an evil eye.

“And your food is superb, too!”

“Mm. Well, there is a strawberry farm not far from here. We could pick them and share a strawberry shortcake. They have a food truck with desserts.”

“Let’s do it,” he replies.

Jake drives us to Ellie’s school and we let her out before we make our way to the strawberry patch. It’s early and there aren’t many people here. We both grab a cardboard container and walk into the field.

“Wow, I’ve never done this before,” Jake says as he observes the massive field in front of us.

“I love the smell. And I love strawberry jam,” I say, moving to plants that haven’t been picked.

I bend, pick a strawberry, and eat it.

“You’re shoplifting,” he accuses me.

“It’s only one! I can’t resist!” I enjoy the succulent fruit and smack my lips together when it’s gone. Then, I begin to fill the cardboard container.

“So do people still make preserves from this?”

“Here they do. It seems like it’s a lost art. I just love country stores with walls of canned goods in the Mason jars.”

“I’ve only seen them in commercialized eateries,” Jake confesses .

“Well, I’ll chop these up and make a jam.”

“Or you can make a dessert for tonight.”

“Dessert?” I stand and poise a strawberry suggestively at my lips.

“Hm.” He drops his container, and takes two steps, closing the gap between us. His arms snake around me. “I’m jealous of that strawberry. Your lips are mine. And mine only but I’m not opposed to licking the taste of ripe strawberries from them.”

He kisses me and he sucks my lips. Then, he rewards me with a tender and sweet kiss, like our first kiss, and it turns me on. Damn it he’s not the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. I snake my hands around his neck and breathe his cologne. He’s irresistible.

We are like two horny teenagers and his hard cock presses into me. We’ve stood together for over a minute and I break away for air just as the sun begins to heat my skin.

“It’s getting hot,” I comment.

“Tell me about it,” he groans.

“Mm.” I lean against him.

“We’re never going to get to jam if we don’t pick some of these,” he states.

“Right. Let’s knock this out and eat their incredible dessert.”

“You got a deal. I hope you have some whipped cream at home because we’re not done. If I have my way, it’s going to be a stickie afternoon.”

My face grows warm. I look at him through hooded eyes and I see lust in his eyes.

“Is that a fact?”

“Damn right, it is!”

“Well, okay,” I reply as I hastily bend and begin to pick the plants. He gives my ass a playful slap and I yelp.

I hear the front door open before I see him.

Jake makes good on his promise and after we spend an hour in bed, he suggests we shower to wash off remnants of whipped cream.

I pick Ellie up from school and as soon as we get home she races through the door to find Jake. When she does, she drags him into the kitchen. The two converse in whispers as I unload Ellie’s backpack and check her school papers.

After they break apart, Ellie says, “You have to help me, Jake! Aunt Sam isn’t allowed to help.”

I blink. “Wait, what?”

Ellie spins toward me, hands on her hips, looking every bit like a tiny general. “Jake and I are making dinner. You have to leave until we say it’s ready.”

I glance at Jake, who just shrugs. “Orders from the boss,” he smirks, nodding toward Ellie.

I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly is dinner?”

Ellie beams. “It’s a surprise!” Then, she puts a finger on her chin as if she’s deep in thought. “We’re pretending we’re explorers in the jungle!”

A slow, reluctant smile tugs at my lips. I should have known.

Jake watches me carefully, waiting for my reaction. Even though we appear to be okay, I know I hurt him. And now we’re going through the process of trusting each other again. And there’s something in his eyes. Is it an invitation, or a dare? Either way, I see it for what it is—a test.

Maggie’s voice echoes in my head: “You have to compromise, Sam—or you’re going to lose him.”

I inhale deeply, then exhale. Box breathing is what the shrink taught me after Ellen’s death. Just relax, Sam. It will be fine. The world won’t end if I give control to the two of them for an evening. What’s the saying? Nothing ventured is nothing gained?

“All right,” I say, raising my hands in surrender. It’s harmless enough. I can be a sport about it. “I’ll go. But if my kitchen catches fire, you’re both grounded.”

Ellie giggles as Jake grins at me—and it appears I passed the test because the tension in the room shifts.

Maybe this is Ellie’s way of soothing over her tantrum yesterday. Or perhaps she’s a peacemaker. She doesn’t want Jake to leave, either. I’m envious of her social skills and carefree ways. It makes me wonder if I’ve always been this serious.

I ask Jake to watch Ellie and I walk to the Dragonfly Inn to check in with the elderly woman who is working it today. We’re busy with couples this time of year. The summer will bring a plethora of visitors who will come to see the waterfall and visit the beaches.

From there, I swing by the restaurant and check to see if Maggie has enough staff without me tonight.

“Sam, what’s up? I didn’t hear from you, so I assume Jake turned up.”

“He did. Safe and sound. You were right, he needed time to regroup.” I pass the event off as if it wasn’t a low point in my life when clearly—it was. The dread I felt thinking he had left is something I don’t want to relive. However, I have to prepare for the fact that he’ll be returning to Maine soon.

“Are you okay to handle tonight?”

“Yes. We’re booked but all the staff will be here. Do you have a hot date or something?”

“Ellie has cooked up something.” I pour myself an iced tea and lean against the workstation.

Maggie is cutting vegetables but pauses. “What has she convinced Jake to do now?” She raises an eyebrow in my direction.

“They’re making dinner.”

“Dinner, huh? Well, as long as it’s not covered in glitter you should be fine.”

I chuckle. “We’ll see. I just hope my kitchen is still standing when they’re done. Jake’s great with breakfast but limited after that. Not that I’m complaining. He’s quite the vision in the morning,” I smirk.

“I bet. I can only imagine. I’m glad you two have managed to patch things up.”

“Me, too.”

“Well, I’m fine here so don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Maggie.” We talk shop for awhile and when I get a text from Jake, I walk home and wonder what the two of them have done to my kitchen.

When I walk into the house, I hear Jake and Ellie laughing. The clatter of pots, and the sound of Ellie’s giggles mixing with Jake’s deep, easy voice warms my heart. The house feels alive with the synergy between Jake and Ellie.

The living room has been transformed into a safari tent—blankets are draped over chairs, and pillows are scattered on the floor. Ellie’s stuffed animals—lions, giraffes, elephants—are arranged in a circle.

And in the middle of it all, sitting cross-legged on the floor, is Jake. Candles burn and the lights are dimly glowing.

Ellie plops down beside him, her lion tucked under one arm. “We’re having our safari feast! Come sit.”

I hesitate, my gaze flicking to Jake. This is the kind of thing families do together. Are we a family?

Jake meets my gaze, something soft, and unreadable is in his expression. Then he pats the pillow next to him.

I duck to enter the ‘tent’ and sit .

Ellie passes out plates, her face glowing with excitement as she sets down our “safari food.” Chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and apple slices. Simple, messy, and perfect.

The night fills with laughter, stories, and silly voices.

We eat off of paper plates and use plastic forks. and I’m sure it’s the ambiance that makes the food taste better than usual.

Ellie wants to act out the safari so Jake goes first and he roars like a lion. Ellie howls with laughter. I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. Ellie uses her arm to make a trunk and makes an elephant sound and I pretend I’m an owl flying over the Serengeti.

I’m having a great time that I’m not obsessing about work. I’m living in the moment and it feels—normal. And amid laughter and telling stories, it’s as if Jake and I never disagreed. It’s as if it’s in the past where it should be.

Later, Jake helps Ellie get ready for bed. I watch from the doorway as he tucks her in, smoothing her hair back gently.

“Goodnight, kiddo,” he murmurs.

Ellie yawns, stretching her arms toward him.

Jake freezes for a split second—like he wasn’t expecting the hug—but then he leans in, holding her close.

Something tightens in my chest.

This is real. He’s real.

He presses a light kiss to her forehead before stepping away. When he turns to me, I don’t move.

We stare at each other for a long moment, the weight of everything unsaid settling between us.

We pick up the living room and fold the blankets. I move the candles to the coffee table and Jake disappears into the kitchen and returns with chocolate-covered strawberries.

We sit on the couch with Serengeti Juice, which is the red wine, and he feeds it to me.

One thing leads to another and then, we’re peeling each other’s clothes off as we make our way to my room.

The second we’re in my room we collide like wild animals. Jake’s mouth crashes against mine, his hands everywhere at once—fisting in my hair, gripping my waist, and then he tosses me onto the bed.

I gasp against his lips, and he takes advantage, sliding his tongue into my mouth, and deepening the kiss until my head spins.

This isn’t slow. This isn’t sweet.

This is a desperate need. I so badly need a release of all the tension that’s been building between us all afternoon.

I clutch at his shirt, pulling it over his head, and dragging my hands down his bare chest.

Jake groans and his lips are hot against my neck, my collarbone, and lower.

“You drive me insane, you know that?” he murmurs, voice rough as he nips at my skin. “You make me want things I never thought I’d want.”

My breath hitches. “Like what?”

His hands grip my hips, flipping me onto my back.

“Like a future,” he says simply. “Like this.”

Then he’s kissing his way down my stomach, taking his time, worshipping me.

When he finally settles between my legs, his eyes darken. “You’re mine, Sam.”

And his kisses render me helpless. I stop thinking and then I’m lost in him.

Later, we lay in the tangled sheets as his fingers traced slow, lazy circles on my back.

I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “So… that was definitely make-up sex,” he chuckles, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Damn good make-up sex. ”

I laugh softly, but the moment shifts when I feel him tense beneath me.

He’s quiet for a long time. Then?—

“What happens next, Sam?” His voice is soft, and careful when he asks, “Do we just pretend this is enough? Or can we have more?”

I swallow hard. “Jake…”

“I love the way you love her,” he says suddenly. “You’re a damn good mother. And if I ever have kids, I’d want them to have someone like you. Would you be happy in the city?”

I freeze.

That’s the real question, isn’t it? Not if we want this—but if we can make it work.

Jake is the city. The energy, the movement, and the rush. I’m here in a small town, filled with the routine and the quiet life I built to keep Ellie safe.

Can we meet in the middle?

I don’t know.

But when I look at him, I know I want to try.

I press a kiss on his chest. “I don’t have all the answers, Jake. But I know I don’t want to lose you.”

He exhales, his arms tightening around me.

“That’s a start,” he murmurs.

And as we drift into sleep, tangled together, I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, we can figure out the rest.