“Thank you,” he says, taking the lowball crystal glass from her.
His arm drapes around my shoulders. He leans in, inhaling my wet hair. “How are you?” he murmurs into my hair.
I turn into him, nuzzling his neck, feeling overwhelmed with the emotions of the night suddenly crashing into me.
“I’m scared. I’m sad, and I’m tired, and I’m … I’m so glad you were there.”
The fire crackling in the big stone hearth is the only sound.
Sam’s hand cups the side of my face. “You are safe. You’re going to stay safe, you hear? Tonight was just a prequel of what I would do to keep you safe.”
I inhale, sucking in a ragged gulp. “I know you would, but Sam … I’m so sorry.” I hiccup a sob and bury my face in his chest.
“Shh, it’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.”
The guys are all gathered around, talking quietly among themselves. Rosie is cuddled up around Holden’s arm. She put the twins to bed hours ago in Holden’s old room.
Cash and Monroe are perched on the hearth, and he’s whispering something into her hair. Sterling is standing up near them, staring into his whiskey glass.
When my eyes reach Duke’s, I freeze. His gaze is lasered on the place where mine and Sam’s bodies have joined, which is … everywhere, but mostly where our hands are intertwined. His jaw twitches, teeth clenching. My heart thunders inside my chest.
“Well, tonight was wild, but I’m off to bed. See you fuckers in the morning.” He lifts his glass, downing the contents.
Sam stiffens beside me, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.
Duke walks by us, stopping briefly to look down at his best friend. His eyes darken when he says, “See you tomorrow, Seymour.”
I wakeup with Sam’s body wrapped around mine. I sigh into his chest, lifting my leg and curling it over his thigh. The hard length of his erection pokes between my legs. He grips my hip.
“Good morning.” His scratchy morning voice warms my body.
Visions from the night before flash before my eyes.
Him shooting Matthews not once, but twice with his bow.
Him diving into ice-cold water and swimming to me.
Him carrying me to safety, using his body heat to warm my shivering frame.
I jerk back to the present with the heady realization that I’m sleeping in Sam’s bed, even though I’m safe now and the threat is gone. I know this has to meansomething,but I’m waiting for him to say what it means. He rocks his hips into me. I reach down, my hand cupping his erection.
“Can I taste it?” I whisper, scooting down.
“No. No, you’re hurt.” He tries to pull me back up.
“I’m fine. My mouth isn’t hurt.” I dip my hand into his sweats.
“Dolly, no, come on.” But his protest is getting steadily weaker.
“I want to try it. I’ve never given a blow job before. Can you teach me?”
He groans, half in pain and half in anticipation. I scoot lower, pulling down the waistband now, revealing his abs and the V that points down to the good stuff. I push his pants all the way down, and his impressive erection springs free.
“Do you always wake up hard like this?” I reach out my thumb, rubbing it over the tip, where there’s already a bead of pre-cum.
He hisses in a breath. “Sometimes. But it’s been this way every morning since you moved in.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips. “Hmm, interesting.” My fingers wrap all the way around him, not quite meeting. I pump up and down a few times.
