Chapter Nineteen
S am had no idea how he’d ended up shadowing a group of drunk men on a Tuesday night, listening to them butcher an alternative classic. When he’d agreed to meet up for a guys’ night, he hadn’t expected it to be a roundtable talk on how Clark’s friend Anthony could get his girl back. After listening to some of their suggestions, he wondered how any of them had ended up married or with girlfriends.
“Follow me!” Anthony called, like a general commanding an army. “To victory!”
Whoever decided traipsing four miles across town to serenade Anthony’s girl was a fucking idiot. There were at least five inches of snow on the ground, and the temperature had dropped since they started walking. Sam pulled his winter coat closer to keep the warmth in as he watched Pike Sutton skip along with the others, laughing loudly. Although he liked the guy, he could be annoying.
The group slowed down, and suddenly, Pike fell into step with Sam. Anthony, Nick, and Clark were practicing the song ahead of them while Declan typed on his phone. Maybe giving Holly a heads-up they were on their way?
“I’m surprised you’re coming along on this little adventure,” Pike said.
Sam shrugged. “I’ve got nothing better to do tonight.” It was true. Although he’d helped Wren pick out a tree and they’d agreed to talk, besides a handful of texts, their communication had been sporadic.
“Really? I’d think you’d be out with whichever woman caught your eye this week.”
The balls on this guy.
“Why do you act like I’m some lady-killer when you’ve got a reputation yourself?” Sam asked, his voice gruff with irritation.
Pike’s eyes widened in obvious surprise, and he spluttered, “What? I’m not judging you.”
“Sure feels like it.” Sam shoved his hands into his pockets to hide his fists, which were white-knuckle clenched. “Every time you open your mouth, you’ve got something smart to say, usually directed at me.”
“Sam, honestly, I was just messing with you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m over it. Not all of us are made for a happy ending, you know.”
Sam realized how vulnerable he sounded when Pike said, “I didn’t think you wanted one. I thought romance made you hurl, as you’ve so eloquently put it.”
“We always scorn that which eludes us,” Sam said, wishing whatever emotional diarrhea was erupting from his mouth would stop. He didn’t talk about his feelings, especially not to Pike Sutton.
“Are you telling me the great Sam Griffin is looking for love?”
The ginger dork sounded way too amused for Sam’s comfort. Still, he found himself being partially honest with his traveling companion.
“Even if I was, I’m the bad guy. Women don’t look at me for a long-term commitment. I’m the guy they use for a good time.”
Pike gave him a long, assessing look. “If you weren’t that guy, and you were trying to get back into a woman’s good graces, what would you do?”
The question hit a little too close to home, and Sam swung Pike’s way, frowning. “Are you asking me for relationship advice now?”
“No, I was just making friendly conversation,” Pike said casually, although Sam didn’t believe it. “Since we’re on a quest to help our friend woo his girl.” Pike ran a hand over his red beard, a sheepish expression on his face. “Like you, I’m not exactly the guy women want to settle down with.”
Sam smirked, thinking about all the stories that had gone around Mistletoe about Pike and his blunders with women. “Maybe don’t tell them they snore like a trucker, and you’ll get a little further with them.”
Pike sucked in a breath. “Who told you that?”
“Sally, after the two of you broke up.” Sam saw the other man’s expression darken, and he held up a hand. “She wanted a rebound, and I wasn’t in the mood to oblige, but apparently, spilling her guts about what went wrong between you was the next best thing.” Sam wasn’t going to get into the fact that she’d been one of the women to slander him on air because of his rejection, but if Sally was the one Pike was pining for, hopefully this revelation would steer him away. The woman was bad news.
Pike grimaced, tilting his face up to the sky as they followed the rest of the group through the back end of Flint Street. “Yeah, well, my tendency to tell women exactly what’s on my mind without sugarcoating it seems to be a pattern I need to break.”
Sam almost felt sorry for the guy, but learning how to talk to women was something every man had to do on his own. “You can be honest with women about the important shit, like feelings and whatnot, but if they ask you how they look in an outfit, use finesse when answering.” Sam clapped him on the shoulder. “And if you fuck up, I’m a firm believer that being earnest and vulnerable with any woman is the way to get back into her good graces. Especially if you care about her.” This reminded him of Wren, and he almost pulled out his phone and texted her, but he didn’t want to seem needy.
“For a guy who isn’t relationship material, you make a lot of sense,” Pike said.
“Maybe that whole saying ‘Those who can’t do, teach’ has a point.” Man, Sam really hoped that wasn’t true. Although he was being patient and giving Wren space, Sam held out hope that she would realize they were good together.
They’d been walking for over a half hour, and Sam wished he hadn’t had one last shot with these idiots so he could have driven them to Delilah’s. He pulled out his phone, and forgetting all about playing it cool, he texted Wren.
What do you call a group of drunk men walking across town to serenade a woman?
A few moments ticked by, and his notification went off. He opened her reply.
A misdemeanor?
Sam smiled, appreciating her humor. Not yet, but that might change once they all start singing.
Why are they singing?
Something about proving their love through song? I’m just along for the ride.
That poor girl.
Sam laughed, typing, What are you doing?
Standing around with a bunch of women I don’t know trying to mingle, when I really just want to go home and snuggle my dog.
Sam stopped walking for a second, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.
“What’s the matter?” Pike asked.
“Nothing,” Sam mumbled, his attention glued to his phone. Ignoring Pike’s curious looks, he responded, Are you at Delilah Gill’s book club?
The bubbles popped up and then her message. Yes, but how did you know about it?
Nick’s wife told us about it when she picked up Ricki from Brews and Chews.
She’s the bartender, right? They got here about thirty minutes ago.
There was no way to beat them there since we are all walking. You’ve probably got another fifteen minutes before we arrive.
Arrive where?
Wait, are you coming to book club? To sing? Why? No!
Yes, we are coming to book club, but don’t worry. If it makes you feel better, I won’t let on that I like you.
They popped out of one neighborhood, and Anthony waved them on. Sam sure hoped that the guy knew where he was going and wasn’t dragging them around in circles.
His notification beeped, and he opened Wren’s message. You like me, huh?
As if he hadn’t been clear on that.
I do.
Rows of cars were parked on either side of the street, and Anthony called back, “It’s just ahead.”
Sam’s phone beeped again, and the message was clear.
You shouldn’t. I’m bad news.
Funny. I was beginning to think you were too bland to be bad. The lawful job. The early bedtime.
You’re criticizing me for being an adult?
An adult who doesn’t know how to cut loose and have a good time.
Oh, I’ll show you such a good time, Griffin, you’ll be ruined for other women.
Promise or threat, because I’m down for either.
They were nearing the end of the road, where Anthony waved them onto the lawn of a blue duplex.
“Alright, we need to practice so we can get this right,” Anthony said, hopping from foot to foot. “On my count— And a one, two, three.”
All the men started singing “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, even Sam, although he was drowned out by Pike’s voice. After what seemed like hours of singing, the front door opened, and several women poured out. Sam recognized Delilah, since she was Holly’s best friend, at the front of the group, but the brunette behind her was new.
When Sam spotted a familiar blonde step out on the porch, he grinned at her slack-jawed expression.
“What are you doing here?” Delilah asked, her face burnished in the porch light.
“We have come courtin’,” Pike called, bowing with flourish.
Sam rolled his eyes and grabbed the other man by the back of the jacket, discreetly lifting him out of the ridiculous pose. “No, we’ve not.”
Delilah disappeared back inside for a moment, only to return to the porch with her jacket. “Again, why are you all gathered on my lawn?”
“I’m getting to that,” Anthony said, clearing his throat. “Nick?”
Nick held his phone up, and the first notes of “Hey There Delilah” sounded, and suddenly Anthony was singing at the top of his lungs. All his friends started humming along, but Sam hesitated; with Wren watching him, he felt like a giant dweeb. Declan interrupted his vocals and leaned over toward Sam, his voice low and commanding. “If I have to be here singing this crap, so do you.”
Sam coughed, smothering a laugh. Although Sam liked to mess with the big guy, he actually liked Holly’s grumpy, antisocial boyfriend.
“Oh, it’s what you do to me!” Anthony belted, slightly offbeat and slurring his s ’s, but as Sam vocalized with the rest of them, they didn’t sound half bad.
More women filed onto the porch, while others moved the curtains back and were watching from the window. Wren shook her head, and Sam couldn’t take his eyes off her as she leaned on the banister, her blond hair tied back in a ponytail.
Anthony threw his hands out to his side, nearly smacking Nick, who stepped back closer to Sam. Anthony didn’t notice as he sang, “And you’re to blame!”
The men chorused, “Oooooooh,” and Sam crossed his eyes, making Wren laugh. The neighbors were gathered in their yards, investigating the strange noises. Some of them laughing. Others turned and went back inside, obviously over the group’s drunken antics.
The song ended, and Delilah didn’t move as Anthony took a few steps toward her.
“Aren’t carolers supposed to sing Christmas songs?” Delilah asked.
“Not when they’re trying to win back their girl.”
The women on the porch released a collective “aw,” even Wren. He could tell by the way her mouth opened.
Anthony stopped. “I didn’t know you were having a party.”
“It’s a book club.”
Sam watched him climb the steps, swaying slightly, and thought someone should be behind him in case he lost his balance. But the guy finally made it, giving Delilah a goofy smile. “What book are you reading?”
Sam nearly groaned aloud. Get on with it!
“Stay focused, man! I am freezing my balls off!” Declan said as if he’d heard Sam’s frustration.
“Right, sorry.” He cleared his throat. “Delilah Gill. I like you and want to take you on a date. ’Cause I like you.”
Sam couldn’t hear her response, and although he was part of the collective, all he wanted to do was talk to Wren.
“I like the hell out of you,” Anthony said, raising his voice, “and I will shout it to the world any time you doubt me.”
Holly made an exasperated noise. “Would you kiss him already?”
“I swear, if you don’t, I will!” another woman called from inside the house.
“Will you date me, Delilah?” Anthony asked.
Delilah laughed. “You are very drunk.”
“That is a statement of fact but not what I’m looking for.”
“And you’ll get an answer when you’re sober.”
“Boo,” the men on her front yard hollered, including Sam. After all that romantic effort, walking four miles in the cold at night, piss drunk, that was all they got?
“Sloshed or not, that was pretty epic,” the unfamiliar brunette said, leaning against the railing on the other side of Delilah. “Although the redhead was pitchy.”
Pike glowered at her. “Witch, I have the voice of an angel.”
“A fallen angel.”
Suddenly, Pike bent over and gathered up a handful of snow, letting it fly. It missed the strange brunette and hit Holly on the side of her face. Delilah’s mouth dropped open as Holly dived off the porch.
“You’re a dead man, Pike!”
“I wasn’t aiming at you!” he protested, hiding behind one man after another. When he ended up behind Declan and Sam, his voice hit a high note as she gained on him. “Declan, control your woman!”
“I don’t know, man. I kinda wanna see what she does when she gets you.”
Wives and girlfriends joined in the fray, while the bystanders whooped and cheered. Snow exploded against the side of the house and the window, and women dived back inside, slamming the door closed. Sam started walking toward the porch, bending over to pick up a handful of snow. Wren shook her head and shouted, “We’re going to get the cops called on us if we don’t simmer down.” She made a quiet motion with her hands, and Sam tossed a snowball at her, hitting her in the chest.
“Officer Little, is that you?” Sam called. “I didn’t think you knew what fun was.”
“Smug son of a bitch,” she muttered, launching herself off the porch at him. Her high ponytail swung like a lasso as she bent over to get a handful of snow. “You’ve been asking for this for weeks.”
“Well come on, hot stuff! Catch me if you can!”
Wren chased Sam around the yard, throwing snowballs at him. He chucked them back at her just as fast, laughing and slipping in the snow.
“Come on, Birdy, is that the best you got?” Sam teased, accidentally planting one in her face. Wren stopped in her tracks, wiping her eyes, and when he saw the fury there, he took off running.
If he hadn’t lost his footing at the edge of the lawn, there was no way she’d have been able to tackle him. Wren rode him to the ground, and he landed on his stomach with her weight on his back, knocking the wind out of him.
Sam groaned loudly, his arms trapped under his body. “You’ve killed me.”
“Serves you right, tossing snowballs at an officer of the law.”
Sam rolled, dislodging her from his back. When he could look up at her, Sam grabbed her arms and pulled her back down on top of him, grinning. They were far enough away from the others that they couldn’t hear him.
“What was that about ruining me for other women?” he said softly, his hands smoothing her back, under her jacket.
“Not here,” she whispered.
Sam stilled. “Because you don’t want anyone to know?”
Wren grinned, leaning down until her mouth grazed his ear. “Because what I want to do to you doesn’t require an audience.”
“Can I at least get a hint?” he asked, arching his hips against her, his cock already locked and loaded from just the feel of her. “Or should I tell you what I want?”
“Sam, it doesn’t matter what you want, because I won.”
A sharp sting to his face, and he realized while he’d been distracted, she’d picked up a handful of snow and pushed it into his face.
“I got you!” she crowed, trying to get up off him, but once he cleared some of the snow off his face, Sam lifted her up and got to his feet.
He pulled her against him, laughing. “And I got you.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I mean, if you’re looking for someone to donate, I’ve got you. I’ll be your person.” Sam had no idea where the words came from, but he didn’t regret them. If this made Wren happy, he was more than willing to follow through.
It took her several seconds, and her eyes brightened, shimmering with unshed tears. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t, but you said you needed someone, right?” Sam shrugged, releasing her body but taking her hand. “Why not me? We’ve known each other a long time. I want to think we can make this work. I’m willing to sign whatever you want and stay in the background.”
“Why would you do that? Give up rights to a child? Won’t you regret it?”
Sam had offhandedly imagined being a dad, but it wasn’t something he had to do, a driving force in his life.
“No, because I’ll know they are in good hands.” Sam ran his free hand over his hair, wishing he’d practiced this and that they weren’t discussing it on the front lawn of someone else’s house with a snowball fight going on ten feet away. “You need to do this with somebody you trust, and I hope that person is me.”
Wren squeezed his hand hard, bringing it to her chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there,” he said, feeling like a king as she looked up at him warmly, his chest tightening at her wide, affectionate smile.
“If there was ever a time I wanted to kiss you, this would be it,” Wren said softly, her mouth brushing over his knuckles.
“People will talk,” Sam murmured, her lips on his skin leaving tingles of joy behind.
Wren pulled him around the corner of the alleyway, behind the neighbor’s house, and pushed him against the wall.
“Let ’em,” she said, pressing into his body as she lifted herself up. He met her mouth, heat rushing through him as their lips fused, her delicate perfume enticing him, and he slipped his hands down over her back to the globes of her ass. Sam lifted her against him, shifting their positions until he was pressing her back into the wall.
“I want to fuck you so bad right now,” Sam said, his mouth finding the pulse on her neck and sucking it.
“Me, too,” she whispered, fingers threaded in his hair. Sam rolled his hips against the juncture between her thighs, grinding against her pussy until she was panting. He knew there were people a yard away, that one of the neighbors could come out and see them, but Sam didn’t care.
“Do you remember the time we fucked in the church parking lot?” He released her right ass cheek to reach up and pull the V of her neckline lower, exposing the top of her breast. Sam ran his tongue over her, sucking her flesh into his mouth.
“Yes,” she whimpered.
“You were so hot, so ready. So fucking bad.” Sam exposed her nipple and dipped his head, sucking the pebbled peak into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue until she was arching into his mouth. He released it with a quiet pop, his hand coming down to cover her, his finger rubbing her through her jeans. “Be bad with me again, Birdy.”
His fingers continued to move against her pussy, the heat of it scorching his skin. “Do you want to be bad with me?”
Wren bit her lip.
Finally, she released a breathy moan. “Yes.”
Sam didn’t give her a chance to change her mind, making swift work of the button on her jeans and pushing them down. While he discarded her clothes, their mouths and bodies fused against the backside of a house in the dark, all he could think about was being inside her. Bare skin to skin. He’d never done that with another woman besides Wren. He’d never even been tempted to try it with another woman, the thought of being tied to them by an accidental pregnancy terrifying.
With Wren, all he wanted was to be with her.
When he freed his cock from the confines of his jeans and took his length in hand, rubbing the tip against her wet pussy lips, he closed his eyes. He wanted to bury himself inside her again and let his come fill her, over and over.
The heat between them chased away the cold as he pressed forward, sinking into her slick channel, the walls squeezing him, and he gripped her hips in his hands, listening to her breath hitch.
“God, you feel incredible. Better than I remember.” Sam slid back and shoved back in, this time all the way to the hilt, and Wren gasped, arms wrapped around his shoulders. As he pumped into her, he kissed along her collarbone, finding the column of her throat and gently sucking the skin where her pulse pounded. He kept his mouth close to her skin, whispering as he thrust, “Your pussy is so fucking wet for me. Is it because you know there’s nothing between us? Does it make you hot, knowing I’m inside you without a condom? That when I come, you’re going to feel it?”
Sam used her hips to speed up their motions, forgetting about the noise of their flapping flesh as he pounded her. Wren tremored against him, and he knew that she was close.
“Does it make you wanna come, thinking about how I’m going to give you everything you want, Birdy?”
Wren spasmed in his arms, burying her mouth in his shoulder as she trembled with the force of her orgasm, and her muscles clamping down on his dick took him over the edge with her.
They stayed there, for several minutes, heaving and connected.
Sam heard Clark calling his name, and Wren lifted her head from his shoulder, staring down at him.
“Come over Thursday? I’m off Friday, so we can... take our time.”
Sam grinned. “I’ll be there.”