Chapter 61
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
THE SHOE’S ON THE OTHER FOOT
Being a full-time caregiver is hard work.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot, I can appreciate even more everything that Sam did for me while I was recuperating from my own knife wounds.
His attack caused far more damage than mine, however.
Sam spent a full week in the hospital because he got a nasty infection.
He was never in danger of dying, but there was concern that they were going to have to open him back up again.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen. While he was in the hospital, I got to know his mom and sister really well.
They are amazing, funny, strong women. Perri and I hit it off right away.
Lauren was a little miffed about it at first, but she decided to join in, and after that, the three of us talked and laughed a lot.
Perri and Valerie shared tons of information about Sam.
Holy moly, he was a hellion as a child. According to Valerie, Sam didn’t grow out of it until he joined the service.
I wouldn’t say they were relieved he joined up, but Perri did say that he was able to focus all of that mischievous energy into something good.
In private, she told me more about their father and Sam’s buddies who died in Afghanistan.
She didn’t say that much about it because she felt it was his story to tell me.
She did say that Sam had been devastated, and for a long time, he hadn’t been himself.
I guess that’s what his mom meant when she told me I brought out the old Sam.
It hurts my heart to think of Sam going through all of that.
Lauren ’fessed up to her budding relationship with Gill.
It turns out that they’d been talking on the phone and texting one another since the blizzard.
On the night of my attack, Gill called her to let her know I was taken to the hospital.
Afterward, he called her—checking on me and on her.
She said he was so sweet and caring—concerned about her getting enough to eat and enough rest—a complete one-eighty compared to her relationship with her ex.
In that relationship, Lauren was the one who took care of Blake, making sure all of his needs were met; he never reciprocated.
So, having someone do that for her for a change is a big deal to her.
When I called Gill about Sam, he called Lauren and brought her to the hospital to be with me while I waited.
I’m not sure where their budding romance is going, but I love the glow in my best friend’s eyes.
She’s regained her spark—one I hadn’t seen for a long time.
In my heart, I know she’s in love, and from what I’ve seen of Gill he feels the same.
The guy is head-over-heels smitten with my gorgeous friend, and I couldn’t be happier for them both.
Sam’s been home for two weeks. He’s getting around much better now that he’s used to the brace they put on his leg.
He’s able to use one crutch with ease. He gets a little careless with it at times, thinking he can move like he did before he was stabbed, but the pain quickly brings him back down to earth.
Sam and I spend every afternoon, evening, and night together.
I was going to head back to work full-time after my two weeks of convalescence, but I decided to go back part-time only until Sam is at one hundred percent.
Theresa was okay with that plan, and while I work in the mornings, Sam’s mom and sister take turns hanging out with him.
He claims he doesn’t need anyone “babysitting” him, but I think he loves the attention.
Since returning to the store, the sales of my own pieces have increased.
Theresa moved my pieces to the front of the store and that has helped.
My sales are so much better that I can spend less time working at the store and more time making jewelry.
Theresa’s very pleased with the new pieces, telling me she believes I could be designing full-time within a year. I hope she’s right.
I’ve been able to spend time with Bobby, too.
We have lunch together a few times a week, and he walks the dogs with me.
Theresa was kind enough to notify the dogs’ parents that I was going to need time off.
Luckily, the dogs forgave me for my absence.
Brutus can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.
Bobby and I’ve had some good talks and great laughs.
He calls me sis, and I call him little bro.
I can’t tell you how lucky I feel about Bobby and Sam and, well, everything.
It’s like I have a real family again. I think Pops would be happy for me. No, I know he’d be happy.
Speaking of my little family, Sam has invited everyone over to his place for dinner tonight.
Lauren and Gill will be there along with Valerie and Perri.
I’ve also asked Bobby, Theresa, and Diane.
According to Sam, we’re celebrating. I’m not sure what we’re celebrating, but I assume it has something to do with his recovery, my recovery, and the fact the asshole who tried to kill both of us is dead.
Plus, it’s Friday, the weather is fantastic, and Sam wants to grill steaks.
On the way home from work, I shop for the ingredients for a big salad, garlic bread, baked potatoes with all of the toppings, and a delicious dessert from Molly’s Cupcakes on North Clark. They’ve got the best cupcakes on the planet.
Passing the concierge in Sam’s building, I stop at the desk and hand him a cupcake. He’s a peanut butter cup kind of guy so I gave him the Ron Bennington. It’s chocolate cake with peanut butter filling, chocolate ganache, and crushed butterscotch topping. Delicious.
“Thank you so much, Miss Parker. That’s very kind of you.”
“You’re welcome, Patrick. Have a good night.”
“You too, miss.”
The elevator opens immediately when I hit the Up button.
Riding to the top floor, I start to wonder how much rent Sam pays for his place.
We need to have a talk. So much happened so fast, and I moved in without us even discussing it.
It occurs to me that the reasons for me staying at Sam’s are disappearing, one by one.
My wound is almost completely healed. Sam’s getting better every day.
The serial killer is dead. I guess that means I can go home.
That thought makes me a little sad, but moving back home doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with our relationship.
Sam and I are good. Our relationship won’t be affected if we don’t live together. Right?
The elevator door opens on the top floor of the building.
As I turn to the right, I glance left at the other apartment door.
It’s strange I’ve never seen any traffic in and out of that place.
The first week I was here, Sam said they were renovating and it sure sounded like that with all the hammering and banging that was going on.
But no one seems to be living there yet.
Maybe they were doing work to put it on the market?
I shrug and slide my key into our lock and turn the knob.
Our lock—did I just think of this as our lock?
I set the bags and box of cupcakes on the foyer table, shutting the door with my foot.
I can see Sam lying on his huge sectional.
I tiptoe over and grab a throw to lay over him and feel a palm slide up my bare calf to the back of my thigh. My whole body tingles. “You’re awake?”
“I heard the key in the door. I was only dozing.” He sits up and puts his feet on the floor, never taking his hand off the back of my leg.
“Oh, yeah? Eagle ears.” Wait. Do eagles have ears? I dunno. Better google that.
Sam lightly strokes my leg. “I saw my doc this morning.”
“I know. Your mom took you, right?”
“Yep. She said I was good as new.” His warm palm slides up a little further until he’s cupping my bottom.
“Did she, now?” I turn to face him and feel his right hand move up and cup my other cheek.
“She did. Good as new,” he mumbles as he presses his face into my stomach. “God, I’ve missed being inside you, Mac.” He’s taken to calling me Mac since the day he was stabbed. I like it.
“I’ve missed you, too. But it’s too dangerous. You—”
“No. I asked. She said I’m well enough to make love to my woman. I just need to be careful how I do it. That means you’re on top, babe.”
I squeak, “On top? Me?”
“You.” My panties are pulled down my legs to my knees. He tugs them a little bit more until they fall to the ground. “Step out.”
He’s back to his old self. Bossy. “Sam,” I whine. “We’ve got company coming soon.”
He chuckles. “Not for four and a half hours. Plenty of time. I’m good, but I’m not that good.
” He leans back, lifting his hips, pulling his sweats down to his knees.
As soon as it’s free, his cock pops out, standing at attention.
I moan because I’ve missed him inside me, too. “Spread your legs for me, sweetheart.”
I do it without another thought. He runs his fingers through my folds. “Wet for me already, huh? You need it too, don’t you, baby?”
“Uh-huh.” I pant as he slowly slides his finger into me. “Oh, God. Sam.” I sound all husky and breathy like a porn star.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers as he slides his free hand under my top. It moves slowly up to cup my breast, tugs aside my bra cup, and my nipple is hard and wanting. He brushes his fingers over me, and I moan. “How long’s it been? A month?” I say absently.
“Too long. I don’t think I can wait much longer, Mac.
I need to feel you around me.” He busies himself with unzipping my A-line skirt.
It slips right off me onto the floor. He cups my ass again, pulling me toward him.
I straddle his legs and scoot closer, using his shoulders as support.
“Take your top off.” He braces my hips while I pull the shirt up over my head.
I reach back and unhook my bra, slide the straps down my arms, and toss it over my shoulder.
His lips begin sucking on my left breast in no time.
“Oh, Sam. Yes.” His tongue sweeps over my hard nipple, and I arch into him.
I run my fingers through his hair and pull.
His hair has gotten really long in the last month or so. I love it.
When I tug on it, he moans, and it vibrates through my nipple down through my body.
I scoot closer to him and reach down for his hard cock.
Holding it in place, moving over it until I find my target.
Slowly, I slide down onto him, and I growl.
He’s moaning my name. Once I’m completely seated, we look at each other.
He smiles first, and I follow immediately after. “I love you so much, MacKenzie.”
“I love you, too, Sam. Now. I want you inside of me. Now, Sam.”
He lets out his own growl and thrusts just enough I feel it in my entire body. I lift my body up all the way and then nod. As I push down, he thrusts up, and it’s complete and utter euphoria. “Holy hell,” Sam yells. “I’ve missed you.”
Moving up again, I slide back down. “You feel amazing. You’re so big.” He thrusts up again, and I scream. “Do it again, please? Sam?” I move up a little and then back down fast as he pumps upward. “Faster.” I pant.
We work in sync, moving faster and faster.
My breasts bounce in front of his face until he catches one with his mouth, and it takes me over the cliff into pure bliss.
“Jesus, Sam. I’m coming.” And, oh God, it’s amazing.
I feel myself throb around him—the pulsing making my orgasm last longer than ever.
Sam frantically thrusts upward into me until I watch his eyes roll back into his head.
He throws his head back and groans as he releases himself into me.
“Wow.” He takes deep, gulping breaths. “That was just what I needed,” he says with a laugh.
“Just think how good that’d be if we were at a hundred percent.
Remind me to try that again once my stamina’s back. ”
“You think you need more stamina?” I look shocked. “It was perfect.”
He smiles shyly at me. “It was?”
“It’s always perfect, Sam. Because it’s with you, honey. I love you so much.”
He kisses me sweetly, and I realize we didn’t kiss the entire time. “We were both so turned on, we didn’t even kiss. And we love our kisses, don’t we?”
“We do. It’s your lips that drove me crazy until I finally found you.”
“Found me? What do you mean?”
He looks at me with a sheepish expression. “I may have done a little search for you after the party.”
I stare at him, shocked. “You stalked me, you mean?”
“No. I wouldn’t say ‘stalked’ you. I would say I researched you. I had to know who you were.”
“You did?” It’s a little creepy and it seems like stalking. Maybe I should be appalled, but when I found out he lived in Lauren’s neighborhood, I was going to do the same thing. Mind you, it was all Lauren’s idea.
“Come on, stalker. We need to shower off our love stuff and start getting ready for our guests.”
“Right. Removal of love stuff forthwith. Let’s do it again in the shower,” Sam says, smiling.
“Already?” I look down and see that he is ready. “Wow. You are good as new. Maybe better.” I race to the bathroom and turn on the shower. He steps up behind me, his hands on my hips, then stroking my sides. We step inside the shower under the spray, and in no time, Sam is definitely all better.