Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
JOEY
“Why did Kade think this bunk room would be a good idea?” Lina, our head housekeeper, asks.
I toss another pillow to her and move on to the next bed.
“Considering how wildly popular baseball is here, it’s a smart move,” I answer.
“I know,” she gripes. “It’s just hard when everyone is gone for the day.”
My shift ended almost an hour ago, but with a baseball team arriving tomorrow, and two of the cleaners out sick, they needed help. Since my dad picked Max up from school, he said he could watch him a bit longer.
I never mind pitching in, but I hate when it impedes on my time with my son. It seems like by the time I get done with work and pick him up, it’s dinnertime, then bed.
“I’m glad I can help.”
She gives me a warm smile. “You’re too sweet, Joey. I know there are other places you could be, but I appreciate it.”
“We all pitch in around here. It’s what we do.”
“Are you going to be able to get off for the ranch night at the Loggers game next week?”
“Yes.” I nod. “Max is looking forward to it. He’s hoping to catch a ball.”
“It’s nice they can take all of us.”
“It is.”
Kade has big plans to bring baseball teams to town. With a great field in the summer, it’ll be an easy draw for the teams to stay at the ranch.
“Dagnabbit,” Lina mutters.
I smile at her not swearing because of all of her grandkids always being around.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“We need more sheets. I brought the queen ones instead of the twin ones.”
“Want me to run back up and grab them?” I offer.
She shakes her head. “No, that’s alright. I know where they are. It’ll take longer for you to find them.”
“Okay. Anything I can do while you’re gone?”
She points downstairs. “Make sure the adult rooms are all done. We took care of them this afternoon, but I like an extra set of eyes on them.”
“Got it.”
She leaves the room, filled with a dozen bunk beds pushed up on all sides of the walls, as I head toward the lower floors where single rooms make up the large building.
My foot hits the bottom step and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Jesus, Sam. What are you doing here?”
My pulse races as he walks toward me.
“Kade sent me down with dinner.” He holds up a brown paper bag. “I thought you might have heard me.”
I press my hand to my heart, trying to calm it down. “I didn’t. Good to know the walls are soundproof.”
Sam smiles, setting down the bag on one of the decorative tables outside the rooms. “Or maybe not so good for the parents if the kids try to sneak out.”
“What are they going to do? There’s not much to do to get in trouble around here.”
Sam reaches out and pulls me close. “I can think of a few ways to get in trouble.”
“Sam!” I hiss, looking behind him. “What if Lina comes back?”
He shakes his head. “I passed the message along to her that you guys need a dinner break. I’m guessing she should be at least thirty minutes.”
The heated look in his eyes makes my thighs clench together. “Sam…”
“You don’t want this?” He drags a finger up my thigh.
“It’s not that. It’s—”
“What?” He presses a kiss to my neck.
“It’s…I…”
I can’t remember what I was going to say as his mouth moves up to my ear and nibbles on my lobe. His tongue flicks over the tender flesh, eliciting a deep moan from me.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“Oh, God. Do it, Sam.”
Grabbing his shoulders, I push him to his knees. Deft fingers undo the button on my jeans and snake the zipper down. The snick echoes in the quiet hall.
“Think you can be quiet, darlin’?”
“Yes.” It’s a breathy whisper that earns me a mischievous look from Sam.
He slides my jeans down my thighs, taking my underwear with them. His thumbs caress the tops of my legs as he plants kisses along my hip bone.
It’s a tease as he drifts his fingers along my ass to pull me closer. His breath ghosts over my aching pussy.
“Look at you. Being quiet. Such a good girl.”
I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from crying out when he pushes a finger inside me. Holy shit. I’ll never get over how good his thick fingers feel when they’re curling and hitting that spot.
Sam’s mouth closes over my clit, and he strums it with that expert tongue of his. I thread my fingers through his hair, holding on for dear life.
Sam is an expert, knowing exactly how to drive me wild with each lick of his tongue and slide of his finger. I’m riding his mouth, seeking out more. I want to cry out as the waves of pleasure threaten to take over.
I flatten my palm over my mouth to keep from shouting. It’s so good, his tongue and fingers working in tandem. The cliff is right there and I’m ready to topple over. When he blows a warm breath of air over my clit, I come unglued.
It’s quick and messy, but damn, does it ever feel good as Sam laps up my release. It feels too long since I’ve been with him, so I’ll take anything I can get right now.
“Sam. That felt amazing.”
He stands, helping to pull my jeans up and then refastening them. Pressing up onto my toes, I bring him down for a heady kiss. I love tasting my release on his lips. It shouldn’t be such a turn-on, but I love knowing what this man does to me and how it makes both of us feel.
“May I?” I rub my hand over the bulge in his pants.
He shakes his head. “I’ll be fine. Have to take care of you, darlin’.”
“Mmm.” I drop my forehead to his chest. “You’re too good to me.”
“You know I like taking care of you.”
I tilt my chin up to look at him. His dark eyes are staring down at me. “You do.”
More than he could ever know, but I don’t say that.
“I actually had something else for you too.”
“What else could I need?”
I’m boneless, only held up by Sam leaning against me.
“How about your car back?”
He holds the key ring up in front of me. “What? What did you do?”
“I took care of it.”
“You fixed my car?”
He nods. “Well, I had the auto shop do it. I’m not that skilled.”
“Sam, I don’t know what to say.”
“How about thank you?” He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Thank you.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t seem like enough.”
“Like I said, I like taking care of you. I worked it out with them and got it cheaper. I know you wanted it back.”
I take the keys, the cold metal pressing into my palm. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear before brushing over my cheek. The look on his face is tender and full of love. “I should probably get back up to the barn.”
“I know.” I hug him to me, not wanting him to leave. I want more time, but I know Lina will be back soon. And I’ll have to scarf down dinner before she gets down here.
When he pulls back, I miss his warmth immediately. The way his strong arms wrap around me and hold me like I’m the most precious thing in his life.
“Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He winks. “Anytime, darlin’.”