Sam’s loose arms went tight as he burst out laughing.
And that was when it hit me, staring up at the man I loved who loved me, standing in his arms in his bathroom, him shaving, me about to go down and get him a cup of coffee, that not only could I do this, I wanted to.
North Carolina. Indiana. The moon. I didn’t care.
Knowing each other a month, a year, a lifetime. I didn’t care.
It wasn’t too soon.
I loved him. He loved me. And wherever we were, it didn’t matter, just as long as it was a place that had him.
Sam quit laughing, looked down at me and instantly proved that my earth-rocking decision was right by saying, “Well, baby, you look good in your little dresses and your heels, in your shorts, in your nightie but the best you ever look is in the morning when you roll outta my bed.”
See what I mean?
“Stop being sweet in the morning before I’ve had coffee,” I returned. “I don’t have the energy to demonstrate my gratitude.”
He grinned but ignored me, his face dipped closer and he went on in a low, rougher than usual but still velvet voice to finish, “Especially a morning after I f**ked you hard, I f**ked you long and I made you come often. Fuck, baby,” his voice went even more velvet as his gaze heated, “your eyes are dreamy, your hair’s a sexy-as-hell mess and your lips are still swollen.” He touched his mouth to mine and whispered, “Beautiful.”
Then he got shaving cream all over my face and he did this by kissing me for a really long time.
When he was done, I was breathing hard and Sam was swiping at the shaving cream on my face with his thumb when I decided my only reply could be, “I love you, Sam,” so that was what I said.
His thumb swept shaving cream across my jaw as his face got soft, his eyes went warm and he muttered, “Good.”
I grinned at him.
He grinned back.
Then he ordered, “Get me some coffee.”
“Bossy,” I murmured, he grinned again, gave me a gentle push to the door, I took his direction, nabbed a hand towel on the way and swiped at the shaving cream.
Then I got myself a cup of coffee and took one up to my man.
I went back downstairs because I’d seen Maris on the deck with Memphis so I took my coffee out to join her.
Memphis bounced to me, yapping.
Maris turned to me, smiled and called, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I called back and asked, “You want time alone or are you good with company?”
“Live alone, honey, so company.”
I joined her, sitting in a chair already pulled up next to hers. Memphis joined us by jumping in my lap. I moved my feet to the railing of the deck, my fabulous robe dropped open to expose my legs and Memphis settled in a curl in her Momma’s lap so I could sip my coffee.
“Got shaving cream on your face,” Maris muttered, her sweet velvet voice vibrating with amusement.
Shit!
I swiped at my face, asking, “Where?”
“Right cheek,” she answered, still sounding amused.
I moved my fingers there, encountered Sam’s shave cream and wiped it away. Then I rubbed my fingers together to get rid of it. Then I started petting my dog.
“That robe sure is pretty,” Maris noted.
“Thanks. Luci has one like it and I admired hers so she took me to the place in Como that sells them.”
“They’d be hit at my shop but exporting is a pain in the behind. Tried it a couple of times, had to up the prices because of duty, stuff sat on the rails forever, even in Malibu.”
Knowing the cost of this robe, add duty, even in Malibu, I could imagine.
“Hap’s out running, by the way,” she continued.
“Okay,” I replied and took another sip then told her, “Sam’s had a shower and he’s shaving. He’ll probably be down in a second.”
“Right then I don’t have much time.”
Oh no.
Surprise attack.
I blinked at the ocean then turned my head to her, mentally bracing, wondering what was to come.
She didn’t tear her eyes from the beach and she didn’t waste any time.
“You’re not a mother yet, honey, and even if you were, I don’t know if you can imagine but I worried…” She trailed off, kept her eyes glued to the beach then went on in a quiet voice, “I so worried about my Sammy.”
I wasn’t sure where this was going. What I was sure of was that I was dying to know just as much as I feared finding out.
“Maris –” I started and that was when her eyes came to me, they were shimmering with tears so I shut up.
“He had his fun, I know this. He’s a man, he would. I also know this because it was up in my face all the time. Magazines, even TV. Those women…” She shook her head. “None of them…” She pressed her lips together then looked back at the beach. “After… well, later… well, until a few days ago, I despaired. They… women… it seemed…” She was struggling, she pulled in breath and looked back at me. “It seemed impossible he’d find one even worthwhile much less…” she pressed her lips together then finished on a whispered, “you.”
Oh God!
Now I felt my eyes shimmering with tears, my body warm all over and not from the early, summer North Carolina sun and I whispered back, “Maris.”
“You love Sammy.”
I nodded.
“No, honey,” she leaned into me, “you love Sammy.”
“Yes, Maris, I know exactly what you mean,” I told her quietly and I did. I knew what she was saying. I didn’t love Sampson Cooper. I loved her Sammy.
This time, she nodded.
Then she said quietly back, “You know I know what was done to you.”
“I know,” I replied.
“He’ll never hurt you, Kia.”
I smiled through my wavering tears. “I know.”
“I cannot tell you how pleased I am he found you but, meeting you, now I can say I’m pleased you found my Sammy too.”
I moved my coffee cup to my other hand, reached out and grabbed hers. Then I held on tight.
Then I shared, “I can say that too.” I grinned. “Boy, can I say that.”
She gently twisted her hand from mine, leaned into me and placed it on my cheek, saying softly, “We share more than Sammy, honey. I know all about walking right through hell, years of it and suddenly finding yourself on the other side. Glad it gets to be me who greets you there. But more, I’m glad I can say I raised a man who would take your hand and lead the way.”