He gripped her wrist and lifted her palm, pressing a kiss to the center of it. “And that’s a problem because…?”
Jesus, he stole her breath, her brains, and if he came any closer, her bones would liquefy and slither between the cracks in the floor. He dropped his gaze to her mouth, lingering there, making her lips tingle with anticipation.
“Sam,” she whispered.
He held his hands up in surrender. “No hands.”
“Like that helps?” Her nipples ached for his touch. She was an inch from giving in. “All it does it make me want you more.”
“One kiss.” He stepped closer, his hard shaft pressing against her panties as he lowered his mouth to hers.
“You’re insatiable.”
“Only for you.” He nipped at her lower lip. “What are you thinking about now?”
“Huh?” Her mind was nowhere to be found.
He chuckled. “What’s on your mind?”
“What do you think?”
“I love when I’m on your mind, but you were a million miles away. Thinking about the work you have to get done for the site?” He kissed her neck, pressing his body tightly against hers.
Good Lord did he feel good. “Mm-hm.”
“And are you nervous about talking with Vivian?”
“A little.” But it’s not my nerves causing my body to quiver right now.
“Are you inviting her to the barbecue? It’s only two weeks away.”
Thinking about the barbecue shook her out of her hormone-induced trance.
His brows knitted. “Are you nervous about the barbecue?”
“No.” She rolled her eyes at his intense stare. “Maybe a little, which is really stupid.” She turned to grab her shorts, and Sam pulled her against him.
“It’s not stupid. We’re honoring your feelings, remember?”
“You make it really hard to honor my feelings because they make no sense. I have no reason to be nervous about it. You are nothing short of the most wonderful boyfriend on earth. But your whole family, and practically the whole town, will be there, so yeah, I’m a little nervous. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”
“You’re right. There will be tons of people. Most of the groups I’ve taken out on trips will be there, too. It’s a marketing event, community building, a time for me to firmly make my mark with my sponsors. But that’s not what you’re worried about.”
She dropped her eyes, embarrassed to admit her jealousy. He lifted her chin. He always lifted her chin, made her face what she’d rather not. There was no judgment in his eyes, no tension at all. Nothing short of adoration, which amped up her embarrassment for the green-eyed monster clawing at her. They’d come to that point in their relationship where words weren’t necessary. Understanding that could only come from mutual respect, and their intense connection, silently passed between them.
“Just know here”—he laid his palm over her heart—“that I’ve got this. I won’t let you down.”
She drew in a deep breath and nodded. “I know. Sadly, because it makes me a total loser, this isn’t about you. It’s about my own stupid jealousy.”
That cocky grin showed up again. “My girl’s jealous?”
She rolled her eyes. “A tiny smidgen. And don’t even think for a minute that it’s because I’m worried about how you’ll act. I only wish it was, but you’ve squashed that excuse to bits. Nope. This is all me.”
“You know I love that, right?” He laughed, kissing her cheeks until she pushed him away, laughing. “You should invite Vivian.”
“Why?”
“Because not only will I prove to you that you have nothing to worry about, but she’ll see it firsthand. You’ll feel better knowing she’s on your side. And maybe then you won’t dodge her calls.” He kissed her again and grabbed a pair of briefs from his drawer.
You knew I was dodging her calls? Of course you did. You’ve infiltrated my brain. “You don’t have to prove anything to me, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to invite her.”
He stopped with his briefs midway up his thighs, and his gaze turned sinful. “You want to play naked games?”
With you? Always. Ugh! How did he get her so off topic? “No. I mean inviting Vivian. She’s more jaded than I was when I met you. And she doesn’t know you like I do. She’ll scrutinize everything.”
“That means you don’t have faith in me. No naked games for you, sweet girl.” He finished pulling up his briefs and patted her ass. “It’s a good thing one of us does.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
FAITH WATERED HER sickly plants, begging them not to die. She finished her call with the women’s center and read and answered posts on the WAC website. Hilary had been offered a promotion at work, and Brittany had met a new guy. They both sounded excited but wary. The forums were buzzing about the work Lira was doing for Sam. She and the girls were weighing the pros and cons of moving away from her hometown, even though she didn’t have an offer for a full-time job yet. They listed all the important things to consider, like finding a babysitter and pediatrician for Emmie and the cost of living, which shouldn’t change much from where she lived now. Apparently her ex wouldn’t fight her moving away with Emmie, which spoke volumes about how little he cared. But by far the biggest pro was also the biggest con—moving away from her family.
Faith was careful not to weigh in too heavily on Lira’s decision, even though they weren’t talking specifically about moving for a job with Sam. Partially because her opinion of Sam was biased and partially because she had no idea how moving Emmie away from her no-good father would affect her in the long run. She assumed it would be for the best, given his lack of desire to see her, but that wasn’t something she had any experience with. No wonder Lira needed to talk to a professional.
She left a comment telling Lira she hoped it worked out well and then got busy designing the resource page. But now she was thinking of Sam, and her mind drifted to the barbecue. She thought she’d be more worried about Sam talking with Cole, but that didn’t make her stomach go crazy the way thoughts of the barbecue did. Sam’s comment about her not having faith in him was circling her mind, too.
She had complete faith in him. It was herself she didn’t trust. Jealousy was an evil, nasty competitor, one she hadn’t dealt with very often. She’d had a hard time at first when they’d gone to Tap It, but Sam had sent that green-eyed-monster running for the hills with his confident, honest ways.
“Have faith,” she whispered to herself as she reached for her phone and called Vivian.
“Hello. You’ve reached Faith’s former BFF,” Vivian said in a nasally tone. “I’m out searching for a new friend. Please leave a message.”
Faith cringed, feeling more than a little guilty. “Sorry I haven’t returned your calls.”
“Just tell me one thing. Do you have a new BFF or are you smothered in Sam?”
“No one could ever replace you, so it’s the latter.” She closed her eyes, waiting for Vivian’s warning.
“Smothered in Sam? Hm. How is the playboy?”
“Vivian.”
“Sorry. How is lover boy?”
Sarcasm practically dripped through the phone.
“He’s absolutely wonderful, but I want you to see that for yourself. Are you free the weekend after next?”
“For you? Maybe. Is he really wonderful?” Her tone softened. “He treats you well? As well as I think you deserve?”
“He really is and he truly does, but I want you to witness it for your own peace of mind. He’s hosting a barbecue at Rough Riders and, well, I could use your support.” Faith didn’t realize how nervous she was until the words left her lips.
“You’re worried. I hear it in your voice.”
“I’m not worried about Sam. I just don’t know how jealous I’ll feel if a bunch of girls he’s partied with show up. I could use a friend with me.” She paced her living room.
“How do you know who he’s partied with?”
“I don’t. And honestly, it doesn’t matter who he’s partied with. I know it must seem unbelievable given what you know about Sam, but I feel like he and I could take on the world. Like nothing could come between us.” She told Vivian about dinner at Tap It and the few times this past week they’d run into other girls he’d either partied with or hooked up with—she didn’t know and didn’t want to know—when they were out. Sam had handled each interaction with the same confidence and appropriateness as he had the first.
“Wow,” Vivian said. “Seriously, Faith. He really did turn himself around for you.”
“Right? And I promise, Viv, I’m not just seeing what I want to see. He’s the real deal. He’s romantic and thoughtful, and I’m an idiot for being nervous like this. It’s so embarrassing to know I might get jealous. But it’s normal, right? To be nervous about this? His family will be there, too, which is also nerve-racking and probably making me more worried than I should be.”
“It’s totally normal, and of course I’ll come up.”