24. Rowan
ROWAN
I don’t remember much about last night after we started drinking the potion, just that I awoke with a roiling stomach and a headache.
A quick glance inside my boxers confirms that my dick is the same size.
I’m pretty bummed it didn’t work. Not that I was unsatisfied with it, just…Neo gave me hope that magic was real.
If it was real, then maybe I could find a way to get Adam back.
It was a silly thought, a ridiculous dream, but one I clung to anyway.
Samson has treated me with kid gloves all morning, even fending Jules off when he began to interrogate everyone about his strawberries, but as my mood brightened with each passing hour, his grump began to shine through.
“You need to cancel your rehearsal. You’re in no state to move. You still look pale.”
I roll my eyes, the ache behind them growing more and more faint. “I can’t cancel. I need to show up. Besides, I’m a professional. I’ve danced through bleeding toes and the flu; alcohol is nothing. I can manage.”
Samson crosses his arms. “Show up another day.”
I let out a small laugh. “I feel fine. I’m good as new.”
He doesn’t believe me, but lets me leave the house eventually, driving me to the studio. He watches me the entire time, his arms still folded across his chest, that leather jacket pulled tightly across his shoulders, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
He looks way too hot right now.
Sinful, really.
It’s hell on my concentration. I never thought I’d want someone like this, but damn, I do. Maybe because it’s so different from what I’m used to, from what I’ve come to expect. He keeps me on my toes, keeps me guessing.
I need that. It’s a distraction, yes, but it’s thrilling in ways I’m really starting to enjoy.
Fuck, I think I’ve been enjoying it for far longer than I’m prepared to admit. At a much deeper level, too.
When I finally finish, I’m exhausted and starving, my stomach grumbling loudly.
“You didn’t eat enough today,” Samson says, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me to the locker room where my stuff is stowed.
“I didn’t feel good this morning, so no, I didn’t. But I’ll make up for it, don’t worry.”
He frowns. “We’re going to get you something good to eat. Now.”
“I need to meet with—”
“It can wait. You’re about to keel over.”
It’s a little bit dramatic, but I do lean into his side as Marcy and Clay come up and ask me out for drinks. My stomach clenches at that, so I decline, turning toward Samson. Marcy catches my gaze and winks at me.
I feel my cheeks heat.
Yeah, I’d rather go home with Samson than out for drinks. Sue me.
I wave them goodbye and let Samson guide me to his car. He opens the door for me, and I slide in.
“Such a gentleman,” I tease.
“Don’t fucking call me that.”
Samson shuts the door, but I see that small smile on his lips as he gets into the driver’s seat. He ignites the engine, a low rumble under my seat, and he pulls out of the parking spot. “How tired are you?”
I shrug. “I’m okay. Just hungry.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“I can just eat at home—” I flush, catching myself. “I mean…your place. I still have two more days.”
Samson smirks. “Yeah, you fucking do. But I’ve got something different in mind for tonight before we go home. All I need from you is what sounds good food-wise.”
I’m intrigued. Just what does Samson have planned for us? “Um…” I tap my finger against my lips and sigh. “Honestly, I’d kill for a salad.”
He side-eyes me. “Fuck a salad.”
“I’d rather not. I’d rather fuck you.”
He shoots me a look so heated that it has my toes curling. I bite back a smile as he takes a corner too fast, the tires squealing. “How about Nature’s Delight? It’s right up here.”
I perk up at the sound of that. “I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds like my kind of food.”
“It’s vegan. It’s new. Has salads.”
The way he’s speaking, like this is offending him, is making something inside of me twirl in delight. “Do you know every place in town?”
“I better. And I happen to remember the places that sound too healthy so I can avoid them.”
The curl in his lip is downright adorable.
“They offend you?”
“Damn right they do.”
A laugh escapes me, and I can’t help but lean over and press my lips to his cheek, wanting to pull his mouth to mine but not wanting to die in a fiery crash.
So I hold back, just letting my hand trail across his chest and down to his firm abdomen.
“But you look like you eat healthy. That six-pack and those pecs…”
“Good genetics. Trust me, I eat like shit.”
I’ve seen it. He’s speaking the truth, but damn, he must work out a lot because he does have the body of an athlete.
I curl my fingers against his stomach, and he reaches down, pulling my hand up to his lips and kissing the inside of my wrist.
“We’re here,” he says, and I blink, realizing he just parked the car. Damn, how did I not even notice that? He’s that mesmerizing. I’m seriously fucked. “Time to eat your lawn clippings.”
I snort and watch as he stalks around the front of his car and opens the door for me.
“Such a—” I begin, but he pulls me in for a kiss, stopping the word gentleman from leaving my lips. I don’t mind it. I really don’t.
My cock doesn’t either. It really, really wants to be touched and caressed.
But that will have to wait.
I do want to be fed, so when I step inside the cute little café, I sigh happily as I spot the menu. There is everything from avocado toast to oat milk lattes, and the salads are creative and fun. I end up ordering a warm farro bowl with tofu, sweet potatoes, and a miso-ginger dressing.
Lawn clippings my ass.
“For here or to go?” the girl behind the counter asks.
“To go,” Samson says, and I glance over at him.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he taps his phone on the card reader, paying for it.
He grunts. “Somewhere nice where I can watch you eat your soggy birdseed.”
I snort, the girl behind the counter muffling a laugh. At least he didn’t insult her by saying that, but then again, she does look young; she probably has no investment in this place. You don’t when you’re that age.
Part of me wishes it was like that with Rhythm. But that place owns part of my heart and my soul. It’ll never be mine, but it’ll never stop feeling like I own it either.
It’s a frustrating position to be in.
I nod toward the door. “Come on. Let’s wait for our order outside before you insult someone.”
He huffs, but softens when I place my hand in his and pull him toward the door.
The cool air outside makes me shiver, and when he notices, he shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.
“You need to bring a sweatshirt with you. You don’t have any fat on your body.”
“I know, but I was in a haze this morning and forgot. Besides, what if I like wearing your clothes?”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. That sounds far too much like something a boyfriend might say.
Which isn’t what we are.
Right?
We can’t be.
God, how I wish that weren’t true.
Samson pulls me into his side once more, his lips pressing against my temple. “Good, because I like seeing you in them.”
We just stand like that, my hand lifting to caress his chest, his stroking my lower back. When the girl behind the counter appears with my farro bowl, Samson goes in to grab it before we head back to the car, his hand on the small of my back.
I wouldn’t normally want a man to do this, to guide me around like I can’t make decisions for myself. But he’s not doing it because he thinks I’m less than, that I’m weak. No, he’s doing it because he cares about me, in his own gruff way. He’s protecting me.
I like it. God help me, but I do.
I eat the soggy birdseed in the passenger seat, watching him side-eye me as I exclaim over how good it is. I even offer him a forkful, but he just turns his nose up in disgust.
Cute, dangerous, adorable grump.
I finish my food and take a long drink from my water bottle. “So, where are we going?”
“The beach.”
I light up. “Oh, I love the beach. It’s so fun. But there will be lots of people there. Especially since it’s the beginning of the weekend.”
“We have our own private beach. No one allowed.”
“Ohhh. I didn’t know that was really a thing. That’s exciting.” All my tiredness has evaporated. I’m tempted to put it down to the food, but really, I think it’s just Samson—the thought of being alone with him.
Samson rubs a hand over his head. “Is it? I hate the fucking beach, but it’s supposed to be the best place to see the meteor shower tonight.”
I gasp, turning toward him. “Is that tonight? I completely forgot.”
“Yeah. Had it in my calendar. And Cade wouldn’t stop reminding me. They better not fucking be there either. I called dibs.”
“Oh, well, if they are, it’ll be fine. We can all share a private beach.”
“I’m not sharing anything with them. I just want a minute alone with you.”
The way he says that has me biting my bottom lip, my heart fluttering in my chest. “I wouldn’t mind a minute alone either. It has been a little chaotic, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, between my brothers, their partners, and fucking Larry…not to mention Nugget.”
Nugget has been a little bit of a pain, but he’s so cute he gets away with it. Mostly. “Listen, Nugget is…he’s still a baby. He’s supposed to calm down…eventually.”
He eyes me in disbelief. To be honest, I don’t believe it either. “Either way, I just want a minute to sit with you. Alone.”
“Under the stars. So romantic.”
He doesn’t argue with that, which has my heart racing faster. When he steps out of the car, my excitement doesn’t allow me to wait for him to open the door for me, so I bound out, twirling around to the trunk, watching as he pulls out two large blankets. “You planned this?”
“I planned it while you were rehearsing. Just happened to have blankets in the back of my car…” He stares down at them. “For emergencies.”
What a thoughtful man. Just the kind of person you want there when you break down. He could keep you warm while probably fixing your car. Don’t know if he’s good at that kind of thing, but it feels like he would be. He’s certainly good with his hands. “Smart.”
“Come on. It’s down this path.” He slams the trunk shut and guides me toward a long, sandy path.
“So, how do you keep people off your private beach?”
“Guns. And threats of death.”
I laugh loudly, and he smirks over at me but doesn’t deny it. I don’t ask about the real way either, not wanting anything to kill this romantic moment. So I just let him lead the way down the trail until we’re finally there, the loud waves hitting the shore almost hypnotically.
He spreads the blankets on the sand with care, fussing with them until they’re just right. When he’s finally satisfied, I collapse down onto one. “When does the shower start?”
“Soon.”
He sits beside me and we stare up at the clear sky. I see the stars and moon wink at me.
“How cool,” I say, tilting my chin up. He stares down at me for a long, drawn-out moment before reaching over and putting another blanket over my shoulders, tucking it around me.
I smile at him, suddenly desperate to know more about him. Everything. “So, how did you guys end up with this property?”
Samson stares out at the ocean, his arms resting on his knees. “My mom. She loved coming here. My dad bought it for her.”
“How romantic.”
His throat bobs. “It stayed in the family when they both died.”
“How tragic.” It sounds like I’m being glib. I’m not. I don’t know what Samson’s been through, but the hints tell me it was tragic. Enough so that Samson has closed himself off from things that bring him joy.
“It was when my mom died… My dad, not so much.”
I lean into him before realizing it’s not enough. I want more than this, so I untangle myself from the blanket and wrap it around him too, his warm body now settled against my own. “Tell me about them. Your mom and dad.”
“You first.”
My chest tightens. Guess my story is kind of tragic, too. “My mom was a schoolteacher and my dad was a plumber. We didn’t have a lot growing up, but we had love. Lots of it. My dream of being a dancer was something they didn’t really understand, but they supported me however they could.”
Samson picks up on the past tense. “They’re both gone now?”
I give a clipped nod. “They died when I was twenty. Car accident. Drunk driver on the wrong side of the road.”
His hand slips into mine, and he squeezes tight. “I’m sorry. Fuck, Row.”
I brush away an errant tear. “It was a long time ago now.”
He doesn’t let go of my hand. “Did they love each other?”
“Yeah.” I stare up at the stars above us and wonder if they’re up there. If Adam is. I hope so. I can’t bear the thought that they’re completely detached from me now. “They did. What about your parents?”
He’s quiet for a moment. “My mom and dad were in love. She made him a better person. Didn’t realize that until she died. Then…he changed. He was a monster after that. Guess he always was, deep down, but she softened him. When she was gone, it was…it was hell.”
Now I’m the one apologizing, my thumb stroking over the back of his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Samson says harshly. “He’s gone now, and we’re happier because of it.”
“I don’t want to pry, but…what did he do that made it hell? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
He stares at me for a long time before his eyes drop to our entwined hands. “I’ll tell you, just not the details. Don’t want it to ruin our date.”
I bite my lip, fighting the urge to grin. “That what this is?”
“Sure fucking is.”
I smile softly at him, and he gives me one back. A rare sight indeed. But then it leaves, and he turns his face forward, blinking off into the dark horizon.
“My father put us all through training to take over the family business. He was harsh and cruel, and we…we found ways to survive.”
My eyebrows meet at that. I have no idea what kind of training they had to go through, but I assume it had to do with money management. It couldn’t have been easy to learn. “Oh, Samson.”
“It’s fine. Not telling you for pity, just…may make you understand myself and my family more. Since you’re going to be permanent.”
I can’t help but giggle at that, at the confidence he has in my place in his life after these four days are up. To be honest, I like hearing how much he wants me. How much he wants to be a part of my future.
I’m just not sure I truly deserve it.
Even if I do…I won’t be allowed to keep him. Life will find a way to take him from me.
It always does.
“We have two more days and then I’m going back to my apartment, back to my life,” I remind him softly.
His eyes slam into mine. “We’ll see about that.”
I begin to object, but then I see it, a twinkling light flashing past and then a cascade of them. Falling stars take up the entire night sky.
My lips part and his do as well, the two of us watching the meteors crash into view. It’s overwhelming, reminding me of our place on Earth, how small and finite we all are.
“This view is amazing,” I breathe.
I turn to look at him and find him staring at me, his eyes hooded, his lips parted in an exhale.
“Yeah. It fucking is.”