Chapter Sixteen #2
Sam didn’t hear from Alex that day. And she didn’t send any more texts. She didn’t want to press the issue. She decided Alex would reach out when she was ready.
Later that night, she settled onto the couch with the blue quilt, a beer bottle, and one of her mother’s paperback novels. Clearing her mother’s room—and her unplanned grief-filled nap—had taken most of the day, and after that, she was too exhausted to do much more.
The next morning, Sam was loading donation boxes into her rental car when the familiar silver SUV pulled into the driveway.
She slammed the trunk shut, grasped the closed lid, and took a few steadying breaths.
Then she turned and leaned against the car, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. Alex cut the engine and looked up through the windshield.
Sam felt a jolt of electricity as their eyes met.
Her mind flashed back to their messy kiss the other night, and heat spread through her body.
Alex’s mouth curved into a smile, as if she could read Sam’s thoughts, before she finally stepped out of the car.
She walked around and leaned against the hood, mirroring Sam’s defensive stance.
Neither spoke, and the silence crackled between them.
Sam was the first to break. She dropped her arms and turned toward the house. “Do you want to come in?” She heard the hope and uncertainty threading through her voice.
Alex nodded and followed her. Sam pushed open the front door and held it for Alex. As she passed, Alex caught her eyes again. Their bodies brushed, and Sam inhaled that distinctly Alex scent. She squeezed her eyes shut, then exhaled slowly as she locked the door.
When she turned around, Alex was already in the kitchen, her hands planted on the island, watching her intently. Sam moved closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t text back,” Alex said. “I was dropping Sophie off with her father.”
“Oh? I didn’t realize he was in town.”
“He’s not. I drove her to DC yesterday.”
Sam stood still, digesting this information. DC was four hours away. Alex had probably spent the entire day on the road, which explained her silence. Sam felt some of her tension fade. “How often does Sophie get to see him?”
“He spends several weeks with her each summer when he’s on leave, along with some holidays. We make it work.” Alex moved around the kitchen island until only a few steps separated them. She leaned her hip against the counter, still watching Sam carefully.
Sam knew she was blushing under the scrutiny, but she couldn’t stop it.
The air between them felt charged, but she knew that if anything was going to happen, she needed to let Alex make the first move.
Sam moved to the other side of the counter, trying to create some distance while she gathered her thoughts.
“Coffee?” she asked over her shoulder. Her hands shook as she pulled down a mug and filled it.
“No.”
Alex’s blunt response caught Sam off guard. She busied herself fixing her coffee, taking a few small sips to steady herself before turning to face Alex. “Something on your mind, Alex?” Sam wanted to cut to the chase, to get everything out in the open.
Finally, Alex managed to look sheepish. She blushed and bit her lip, glancing down at her hands. “Look.” She turned to face Sam. “I’m sorry about the other night. I was out of line.” She paused and took a breath, ruefully shaking her head. “That’s not how I wanted it to happen.”
Sam’s heart started pounding, her breath quickening. Her entire body felt warm, and she wondered if her cheeks revealed her feelings. The air between them crackled with electricity. “Wanted what to happen?”
Alex moved around the counter until she was standing in front of Sam.
“The other night…” Alex’s voice was quietly firm.
“You stopped because you said that if this were to happen, you didn’t want anything between us.
” Alex’s eyes bored into hers. Seeming to gain confidence, she stepped even closer until they were just a hair’s breadth from touching.
Alex looked from her face down to the mere inches separating them.
She gestured at the small space between their bodies.
“It seems to me like there’s very little between us now.
” Her voice was low and husky, her eyes dark and intense.
Sam couldn’t breathe. She forced an audible gulp of air and looked down. “No, there isn’t,” she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alex reached out and gently traced her hand along the length of Sam’s arm and up her shoulder.
Her fingertips trembled as they brushed Sam’s cheek.
Goose bumps rose along the path she had touched.
Sam’s mouth went dry, and she flicked her tongue out to wet her lips.
Alex swallowed as her eyes tracked the movement.
“You wanted to make sure that we both wanted this.”
She reached out her hand and moved to the back of Sam’s head, gently cradling the nape of her neck. “I’m hoping that what I want is pretty clear.” Alex rose onto her toes and feathered the barest of kisses across Sam’s lips.
Sam felt her body tremble and her knees grow weak. She knew that Alex could feel it, too.
“Tell me, Sam,” Alex murmured, pushing closer. “What is it that you want?”
Sam knew it wasn’t just a question. It was an invitation and an answer all at once.
Suddenly, a burning, all-consuming need replaced any lingering fear or doubt she had been feeling.
She didn’t stop to rationalize what was happening—she didn’t stop to think at all—she simply closed the distance between them.
Their first kiss was gentle and unsure, barely more than the light brush Alex had given her. Sam pulled back and studied Alex’s face. Alex nodded with a small smile, her eyes fluttering shut. That was all the confirmation Sam needed to propel her forward.
The next kiss was confident and firm. Their lips fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces waiting to be solved.
The hand on the back of Sam’s neck held her in place—showing a possessiveness Sam couldn’t remember Alex ever having before.
Sam was definitely into this more assertive side of Alex.
She groaned in response and deepened the kiss.
Alex pressed even closer and parted her lips, allowing access, which Sam eagerly accepted.
Her tongue traced the edges of Alex’s lips, and she smiled as Alex let out a responding groan.
Sam’s body responded instantly, a rush of heat and desire flooding through her.
She couldn’t remember ever wanting Alex like this, but she knew she must have.
The only thing that really mattered was how much she wanted her right now.
Alex’s body melted against hers as she took the lead in the kiss, gently nibbling Sam’s lower lip and pulling her closer. Craving more closeness, Sam reached around to grasp Alex’s backside. Alex gasped and let out a surprised “Oh.”
Sam gently lifted her onto the counter, feeling the heat between them as Alex’s body pressed against hers.
She nestled herself between Alex’s legs and nudged forward, sensing how warm Alex was through the thick material of her jeans.
Alex locked her legs around Sam’s waist as her tongue shot out to tangle with Sam’s.
Sam tasted the sweet aftertaste of the coffee Alex must have had that morning, but then she just tasted familiar, like Alex.
Breaking the kiss, Sam pulled back to study Alex’s face. She looked especially beautiful in that moment. She reached out her thumb and brushed it lightly over Alex’s swollen lips. Sam smiled softly, knowing she was the reason for it. “I want you,” she answered, breathless.
Then she was diving back in, her lips brushing across Alex’s cheek and along her jaw.
Her tongue darted out to trace the curve of Alex’s ear before gently sucking the earlobe into her mouth, instinctively knowing what drove Alex wild.
She felt Alex slide her hands from behind her neck and down her back to rest on her waist—one hand pulling their bodies closer together while the other slipped below the hem of her shirt.
Sam gasped at the cool touch of Alex’s fingers on her flushed skin.
She shivered as Alex’s palm slid up her side, tracing each rib before stopping just outside her breast.
Sam continued exploring Alex’s skin with her tongue, marveling at the familiar taste.
She moved over her neck to suck gently at the pulse point there, and Alex groaned and lifted her hips to rock forward.
The movement caused Alex’s head to drop back, giving Sam better access.
She moved down the length of her neck and over Alex’s collarbone, scraping the sensitive skin with her teeth.
Alex responded with a moan and moved her hand under Sam’s shirt to cup her breast. Overcome with sensation, Sam rested her forehead in the crook of Alex’s neck.
Encouraged, Alex moved her hand lower to slip under Sam’s bra.
When Alex’s palm met the bare skin there, Sam crushed their mouths together in another deep kiss.
Sam lost track of time. She forgot everything except the feeling of Alex pressed against her, their lips locked, and their hands exploring each other’s skin.
That is, until a sharp knock at the door snapped her back into consciousness.
Reluctantly, she pulled away from Alex and cursed under her breath.
“For fuck’s sake,” she muttered. She looked down at Alex, who, though flushed, watched her with an amused expression.
The knock at the door grew louder and more insistent. “I guess I’d better get that.” Sam huffed out a sigh. “Don’t go anywhere,” she pleaded.
Alex chuckled and jumped off the countertop. “Maybe it’s for the best,” she said. She reached up to press a finger against Sam’s lips. “When this happens, I don’t want it to be on your mother’s countertop.” She smoothed down her shirt and slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
Sam shook her head with a smug smile. “You’re right.” She slowly dragged her gaze down and then up Alex’s body. “I want to be able to take my time with you.”
They stared at each other, grinning, before Sam’s phone lit up with an incoming call.
She looked down at the screen and cursed again.
“Damn, it’s Melissa.” She winced as she looked up at Alex.
“I forgot she was coming over today with some paperwork.” Her face twisted into a grimace.
“When Melissa sees you here, I’ll never hear the end of it.
And everyone in town will know about it five minutes after she leaves. ”
Alex rose on her toes and kissed Sam firmly. This time, it held a promise. “When I’m done with you…” Her smile was slow and sly. “I don’t think we’ll be able to keep it from anyone.”
Sam blushed and grinned back at her.
Alex ran her hands over Sam’s chest and lightly gripped one of her hands. “It’s Sunday,” she said brightly. She dropped the hand and strolled toward the front door as if she knew Sam’s eyes were on her. “Come over for dinner.”
As she pushed the door open, she stopped Melissa mid-knock. Melissa glanced between Alex and Sam, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
“Melissa,” Alex greeted her as she walked by.
“Alex,” Melissa replied, full-on grinning now.
Alex looked back over her shoulder and gave a little wave to Sam. Melissa stepped into the house and shut the door behind her, blocking Sam’s view. “Oh. My. God!” she exclaimed. “Tell me everything right now.”