“Not funny, Cay.”
He laughed. “Well, what did you expect me to say? Of course I didn’t kill her. In fact, I’ve been the perfect gentleman.” Unless, of course, she counted the time he’d pushed Samantha’s head into his lap and buried himself in her mouth. Or the time he’d shoved his fingers into her wet heat and brought her to climax—twice—while he’d feasted on her breasts. Or the time —
“What is that look? What’s going on around here?”
Caleb shoved his libido back into neutral. He was pretty sure Alec knew he’d been sleeping with Samantha, but his sex life wasn’t up for discussion with Amanda.
The last few days had been a revelation. He was relaxed, at ease in his own skin for the first time in a long while. He almost felt … content.
It was Samantha.
Buried deep in the heaven of her body, Caleb could almost see himself through her eyes. And he liked what he saw.
A man worthy of a woman as smart and intelligent as her. A man who could protect and take care of her. And that’s exactly what he would do.
He hadn’t been there when his parents had died. He couldn’t help Amanda with her grief once he’d returned home. He’d lost his men in Columbia, almost lost Amanda last year. He’d failed so many people in his life.
He would not fail Samantha.
Each time he’d gotten up at night, Samantha had been there. No amount of encouraging or browbeating would get her to leave him alone. And lord knew he’d tried. But, instead of letting him work out his frustration on the treadmill, she’d challenge him to a video boxing match and go until he couldn’t hold his arms up, or she’d coax him back to bed, giving her body to him until they fell from exhaustion. Alec had been right about one thing; the woman had more stamina than most of the Marines he’d worked with.
She didn’t pry, didn’t bombard him with a thousand questions, or expect him to talk.
She waved off his gruff moods and refocused his attention.
And he was utterly amazed by her.
He could feel his life changing even as he lived it. All because of one sexy redhead. Samantha was fiercely independent and challenged him at every turn. But, when he got her naked, holy fuck, she’d shown him a side of her he hadn’t known existed. A soft, sensual side that drove him crazy.
She’d given him everything. He knew it. He felt it.
He just didn’t know what to do about it.
He didn’t know if it was about him, or if it was just … her. Samantha wasn’t one to do anything half-assed. Did she treat all her lovers the same?
Christ. Thinking about her with another man made his knuckles itch for a fight.
“Caleb!” Amanda slammed her palms on the counter.
Desperate for something to do with his hands, Caleb stacked the containers with the intention of putting them in the fridge. “Jesus, kitten. Chill out. Samantha’s fine. She’s in the shower.” Washing all traces of him from her delicious body.
Temporarily.
“How are you doing?” She indicated to the discoloration on his arm.
“Nothing to worry about. I’ve had worse.” Much, much worse. “We’re both fine, I give you my word.”
“Thank you, Cay.”
The sincerity in her voice pulled on his heart. “Thank me for what?”
“For looking out for Sam. You set aside your feelings because you know she’s important to me.” She shrugged. “I appreciate it, that’s all.”
His mouth tugged into a frown. Samantha had said the same thing. Regardless of what had happened in the past, his reasons for keeping Samantha safe had nothing to do with Amanda.
“I can take her off your hands now,” Amanda continued. “She can come stay with me and Joe.”
Over his dead body.
“She’s not some dog you have custody of.” His irritation grew. “You make it sound as if her staying with me is the worst possible thing for her. I doubt she’d share your opinion. No. She stays, for now. She’s safe here.”
Amanda looked as if he’d insulted her. “She’ll be safe with us.”
“As safe as you were?” he barked.
Blood reddened her cheeks. “That’s not fair, Caleb. What happened to me last year has nothing to do with this. And let me remind you, I did a pretty good job of taking care of myself before Joe got there.”
“Hey, hey. What’s all the yelling about?”
“Sam!” Amanda jumped up and hugged Samantha tight.
“Can’t. Breathe. Wanna ease up a little?”
Samantha met his gaze and mouthed, “What’s this?”
“She was worried I’d killed you.”