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Bradley
We settle into Sam’s room, and she looks around awkwardly. It’s cute seeing her uneasy about our sleeping arrangements. I was surprised that her dad agreed to it. I think I did a pretty good job for my first meeting with her family. Now I finally have a moment to relax.
Sam’s room is decorated in shades of brown, green, and yellow. There’s a mirrored dresser to the left of the door with a queen size bed on the opposite wall, framed between two double windows.
I sit on the edge of Sam’s bed and pat my thighs, signaling for her to come and sit down. She walks over, sits, and wraps her arms around my neck. Her gaze meets mine, and I feel her relax. Her minty breath hovers over my skin. I wrap my arms around her and nuzzle into the sweet spot behind her ear. My eyes close as I breathe in her sweet scent.
“That was a bold move, baby,” I whisper into her ear.
Her response is immediate. Her skin heats up beneath my hands.
“Mmhm.”
“Do you really think it’s such a good idea? Me and you alone together all night under your father’s roof?”
“Mmhm.”
I kiss along her jawline until I reach the corner of her mouth. I pull her bottom lip into mine and suck softly. My tongue slides across her lips, begging for entry, and Sam willingly lets me in. I kiss her as a man starved, and she moans into my mouth.
I reluctantly pull away after only a few seconds and stare into her eyes. I rub my thumb across her swollen lips and smile. “You still think it’s a good idea?”
Sam pulls her bottom lip into her mouth then releases a long breath.
“It’s the best idea I’ve had all day. Are you afraid that you can’t control yourself?”
Her question causes me to smirk. “I can control myself just fine sunshine, but the thing is, I don’t want to.”
“You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” The tips of her fingers run across my neck in a soothing motion. I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing it.
“Nothing about me is easy, Sam. I love hard in every way.” I shift slightly so she can feel my arousal beneath her. She’s right. I won’t make this easy for her, and hopefully, she won’t make this hard for me.
She clears her throat and stands abruptly. “We should freshen up and get back. I can only imagine the thoughts on the other side of that door.”
I stand, leaving as little space between us as I can manage. I know now’s not the right time. I just love seeing her flustered.
“Okay.”
“Okay.” Sam turns and starts for the bathroom.
“But Sam?” I call after her.
She looks back over her shoulder. “Yes.”
“This isn’t over. I never start anything that I can’t finish.”
***
IT’S BEEN QUITE A DAY with all of us gathered inside Sam’s family home. I finally had the chance to meet Grandma Ann and Grandpa Dave. They are the sweetest pair that I’ve ever seen. They disagree on almost everything but fight about nothing. For the most part, they’ve been our entertainment and insisted that I call them Grandma & Grandpa. Sam doesn’t speak much about her other grandparents, and no one else has mentioned them. I’ll have to ask her about them.
Lacy’s husband, Robert, is here too. He’s a nice guy. He doesn’t seem as comfortable as me here, though. I’ve fallen right into place here. It’s like there was a spot waiting for me to take it.
I’m sitting on one end of the sofa with Robert next to me and Sam’s dad next to him on the other end. Grandpa Dave is sitting in the recliner to our right.
All of the men here are obvious hockey fans. It’s not something that I normally watch, but today I find myself taking interest with everyone else. There’s really no other choice. Either I do this or stare at the wall, and I don’t want to be rude.
Sam, Lacy, and Grandma Ann are getting dinner ready. I offered to help, but Grandma Ann shooed me away. I chuckle at the thought and glance in the direction of the kitchen, hoping to get a glimpse of Sam.
“So, Bradley.”
My eyes dart over to the source of the voice.
“Now that we have you alone, I want to know what your intentions are with my granddaughter.” Grandpa Dave looks at me meaningfully.
His question throws me for a loop. I’d expected Donald, Sam’s dad, to be the one to ask that question. I quickly recover. It doesn’t matter who asks the question. My answer will always be the same.
“I intend to marry her one-day, sir,” I say with confidence.
His blank stare courses through me. Maybe he thinks that I will falter if he stares long enough.
“I love her, sir. I know it’s too soon for marriage at this point, but I know that’s where I want us to end up.”
“And what makes you so sure?” His scratchy voice is measured, and his fingers tap against the armrest of the chair as he speaks.
“Let’s call it intuition. I don’t know how, but I just know. I knew it before I ever laid eyes on her, sir.”
They’re all staring at me like I’m a crazy person now. Before Sam, I would have thought I was crazed too. The pull she has on me is hard to deny.
“How is that possible?” her dad looks at me quizzically.
“There was something about her voice, her laugh that drew me in. It was sweet and melodic, and I immediately reacted when I heard it. I wanted to know the person behind that voice. So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and made it happen. And when I finally met her...” my voice trails off, thinking about the first time Sam and I met. “When I finally met her, she wanted nothing to do with me.”
They all burst into laughter, and I join in.
Her dad speaks up. “That definitely sounds like my Sammy. She’s a tough one to break now that she’s older. She wasn’t always so guarded.” He seems saddened by his revelation. A regretful smile crosses his face.
I know exactly what he’s referring to. Whoever that guy was, he not only hurt her; he broke her spirit. I hate him. I hate that he hurt her, and it’s my mission to make it better.
“You make her happy.” Her dad states as a fact. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that gleam in her eyes.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “I know she wouldn’t let her guard down for just anyone after what happened. That’s the only reason I didn’t give you a hard time. I’m sure Sam has done enough of that. I trust her to know what she wants and to move at her own pace. And she’s a grown woman now. So, there’s not much I can do anyway.”
I nod my head in acceptance, even though his statement isn’t entirely right. Sam thinks the world of her family and their opinions mean a lot. I can sense it in the way she talks about them. I imagine she wouldn’t truly be happy with anyone without their approval.
“She doesn’t take it easy on me, and I don’t try to push her too far. She makes it clear when enough is enough.” I smile, thinking about our encounter earlier and how she ended our session much too early.
Donald and Grandpa Dave seem to be approving of my answer. Robert doesn’t say much. I can tell that he’s glad it’s not him in the hot seat for once.
“Dinner’s ready.” Sam enters with a huge smile on her face and stops inches away from me. Her hands are clasped together behind her back.
Donald stands first, then helps his father up. “Do we get a sample of what you’re learning at that restaurant of yours?”
“I may have whipped up a quick dessert,” Sam responds. “Grandma wouldn’t let me ‘tamper’ with anything else.” She grins and cuts her eyes in my direction.
I can’t wait to taste her dessert. I can’t wait to get my hands on her again.
“Well, come on boys. Let’s eat.”
Grandpa’s words make us all grin from ear to ear on the way to the dining room.
