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  Why did her heart flutter just before her brain reminded her of the past? “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Daniel. I don’t want things to get complicated between us.”

  “Complicated,” he repeated. “You mean more so than they are now?” He chuckled. “Girl loves boy. Boy loves girl. Boy fucks up and hurts girl. Girl hates boy. Boy realizes he fucked up and wants to fix it. Girl hates boy. Boy won’t give up because he can’t. Girl’s in denial about how much she wants boy.”

  She studied him. “I never said I wanted you back,” she corrected him.

  “You didn’t?” He paused. “My mistake, then. I could’ve sworn that your body told me that when I was making love to you last weekend. The way you kissed me sure did feel like something was still there.”

  Her heart raced. “That’s not fair. It was just sex.”

  “Great sex. Earthshattering. I made you come twice sex.”

  Her eyes rounded. “What the hell, Daniel?” She looked around them to see if anyone heard them. If they did, she couldn’t tell. “I really don’t want people knowing my business.”

  “Then go out with me and I won’t have to resort to—”

  She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him, making him rethink his words. “Go out with me, Sammy. You know you want to get to know me again and I sure could use the company. I’ve missed you, baby. I want to—”

  “And what about what I wanted? That wasn’t important to you before. Why should I bend over for you now?”

  “Last I remembered, you enjoyed bending over for me.”

  She gripped the edge of the bar. “Stop doing that,” she said through clenched teeth. “This isn’t a joke to me.”

  “Me either, honey. That’s why I’m begging you to forgive me. Give me another chance to set things right. I fucked up before. I won’t do it again.”

  How could she trust that? Why was she even considering trying? “I don’t know,” she finally said. “I need to think about it.”

  “Okay. You’ve got until I show up at your house in the morning.”

  “Wait. No. What? You mean after I get out of here? Two in the morning, morning?”

  “Is that a problem? See, I don’t sleep well anymore. In fact, the last time I slept through the night was the day we’d made love.”

  “We had sex,” she corrected.

  “Right. Anyway, I realized then that I would do anything to have you back in my life. I want to fix what I messed up. I want you back, Sammy.”

  She growled. “Stop calling me Sammy.”

  “You used to love it when I called you Sam—”

  “Not anymore,” she snapped. “I go by Sam now.”

  “Well, Sam, I’ve got a lot to catch up on, I guess.” He finished his beer. “See you a little after two.”

  “I won’t open the door,” she said in a raspy tone. “You can stand out there all night for all I care.”

  He faced her, his eyes filled with need, a sight that had her heart sinking to the pit of her stomach. He clasped her wrist and pulled her toward him from over the counter, his other hand tucking behind her head to hold her close. “I think you’re going to want to open that door, Sammy,” he whispered against the flesh of her cheek. “I think you’re going to want me to come inside and I think you’re going to love getting to know me again. I know I’m already excited about getting to know you.”

  He brushed his lips over her cheek and finally pressed them to her mouth. The kiss was soft and sweet and the connection had her nipples beading against her T-shirt. Lust was overriding her senses. She should shove him away, send him packing, but she couldn’t. Instead, she closed her eyes and welcomed a kiss that left her captivated and wanting more.

  As he parted from her, she sighed, her eyes fluttering open to see his panty-dropping smile. For the first time in her life, she wished she was as brazen as Brynn and could simply take Daniel to the storeroom to fuck him. But that wasn’t her. She was calm, cool, and collected, and she needed to remain that way.

  “Have a good night, Mr. Whitmore,” she said, shaking free of his touch.

  His smile widened as he slipped a ten dollar bill onto the counter. “Good night, Sammy.”

  Just as fast as he’d arrived, he was gone. Sam released the breath she’d been holding.

  “Oh. My. God,” Brynn said, dramatically fanning herself. “Please tell me that you have every intention of sleeping with that man again.”

  Sam glared at her. “Aren’t you planning a wedding or something?”

  Brynn winked. “Don’t let all that get away,” she told her. “I watched you melt into him and I’ve never seen you do that with anyone before.”

  Sam stared in the direction he’d gone and wondered what she was going to do about him. He was setting her world on a tailspin.

  “Don’t overthink things, Sam. He wants you and you want him. Just let it happen.”

  “And if he breaks my heart again?”

  Brynn’s gaze was sympathetic, a soft smile on her face. “And if he doesn’t?”

  Sam scoffed. “You know, it’s really annoying when people answer a question with a question.”

  “It’s even more annoying to see a smart person act like a dumb ass,” Brynn teased. “Now, stop asking questions you already have the answers to. Stop thinking that everything is going to blow up in your face and just enjoy the ride.”

  Could she do that? Avoid stressing out and worrying about getting hurt just to enjoy spending time with Daniel? If he did end up breaking her heart again, would she survive it?

  She felt the warmth of his touch and press of his lips and her body tingled. If thoughts of him could do this to her, what would getting to know him again be like? Was she being foolish, secretly desiring a chance to be with him?

  She’d find out the moment he showed up at her house after work. If he even showed up.

  Chapter Six

  Daniel sat on his motorcycle and waited for Sam to come home. He’d been sitting in her driveway for at least thirty minutes. Catching her before she disappeared into her house had been his plan, but as he sat waiting for her, glancing at his watch periodically, he realized she might be avoiding him. It would serve him right if she spent the night at one of her friends’ houses.

  How could he possibly expect her to take him at his word? He needed to prove himself to her, had to show her just how serious he was about getting to know her again.

  After an hour of waiting, he assumed she wasn’t coming and just as he was about to fire up the engine of his motorcycle, he saw her front door open slightly.

  “Son of a bitch,” he muttered. She was already home. Had she wanted to see how long he would wait to see her? How desperate he was?

  He chuckled as he moved off his bike and headed toward the door. As he approached, he didn’t hear anything. No television, radio, nothing. Slowly, he pushed open the door and was greeted by darkness.

  “Sammy?” he called out, hoping she was home and he wasn’t about walk inside her house uninvited. How would he explain that the door just opened by itself? “Are you here?”

  “Close the door,” she said huskily and his gaze darted to the location her voice had come from. She was sitting on the sofa in the dark. In an instant, panic swelled inside him. “Is something wrong? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she replied softly, but he didn’t believe her.

  How could he? Sam was a confrontational woman. If something bothered her, pissed her off, she dealt with it, head on.

  Right now, squinting at her through the softening darkness, he could sense that something wasn’t right. Swallowing down his unease, he closed the door, locked it, and moved around the room to be closer to her. “Why are you sitting in here alone?”

  “I—I was thinking.”

  “About?”

  She patted the sofa with a gentle hand. “Sit down, Daniel.”

  Without thinking, he did as she demanded. “Is this going to be one of those times where you tell me I
can stay as long as I don’t talk?”

  The silhouette of her body was coming into view, his eyes adjusting to the lack of light. Her hair was down, hanging around her face and her eyes were on him. “That depends on you,” she whispered.

  She was confusing the hell out of him. Was he supposed to talk? Did she want him there? Was this her way of freaking him out? If so, her plan was working. “Sammy, I don’t know what’s going on, but I—”

  She crawled toward him and without another word spoken, she straddled his lap and began frantically kissing him, possessing him. Her lips and hands were all over him, pulling at his clothing, stripping him bare in seconds. Her need for him was insatiable and he swore he was dreaming.

  Of course he was dreaming, she wasn’t wearing anything, her naked flesh was a feast for his hands and mouth. Surely, he was still sitting on his motorcycle and he’d fallen asleep waiting for her to come home. Any second now, he would wake from the captivating fantasy. But he didn’t. Instead he heard the tearing of foil paper. He opened his eyes to see her roll a condom over his shaft. She gripped his cock and guided it to her entrance, sliding down until she was seated to the hilt.

  “Oh, damn,” he rasped, the weight of her body coming down on his lap in a rhythm that was fast and fierce. “Sammy, look at me.” She had her eyes closed and he could see the dampness on her cheeks. His heart dropped, and in that second, he gripped her hips to steady her. “Baby, stop.”

  She whimpered, falling against him. He wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. “What’s wrong? Are you … is this my fault?”

  She sniffled, turning her face so that her cheek rested on his shoulder. “Of course it’s your fault, dumb ass.”

  He smiled through the unsettling emotions crushing him. “If I’d known that being with me hurt you so much, I never would—”

  “You’re an idiot,” she barked, interrupting him. “I’m hurt that you left me. I’m confused that you’re back. I’m pissed that I want you. I’m a fucking mess.”

  At least he wasn’t the only one. He cupped her face in his hands, weaving his fingers through the loose strands of her hair. “But you’re incredibly gorgeous when you’re a mess.”

  Staring at him for a moment, she finally smiled. “You always could make me smile.”

  “Give me a chance. I’ll do more than that.”

  She trailed her fingers over the ridge of muscles on his shoulders and chest, her finger circling the bullet hole that had nearly killed him. “You could’ve at least let me finish, you know?” She stared down at their joined bodies. “I was trying to work out some of my frustration.”

  “Is that what you were doing?” He grinned. “Wiggle a bit. I bet you could get me hard in seconds.”

  As she rolled her hips, he traced his hands up over her hips and waist to massage her breasts. Her nipples beaded against the palms of his hands. Leaning forwarded, he suckled her gently. “I’ve missed the feel of your nipples on my tongue,” he muttered, his mouth pressed to her flesh. “I could taste you for hours on end.”

  He thrust upward, his cock hard once again. “No more conversation, Sammy. Just work out whatever you want on me.” He spread his arms on the sofa, offering himself up to her. “Do whatever you wish.”

  She bucked her hips. “I intend to,” she told him, thrusting forward in a quickening manner. “I want you to fuck me, Daniel. I want you to make me come.”

  He gripped her hips, tossing her off him and onto her back on the sofa. Coming up between her legs, he shoved his cock inside her pussy. “I can do that,” he gritted out. “I can do that all night.”

  “Good,” she said, wrapping her fingers around the back of his neck. “I’m very frustrated.”

  He placed her knees over his shoulders, plowing into the depths of her body. “Not for long,” he told her, drilling harder, faster.

  She cried out. This was the position she enjoyed most. The one that would send her straight into oblivion. He’d pictured fucking her this way every day for seven years and even when he’d taken another lover, it was Sammy’s face he saw. She had always been the love of his life and he was going to prove himself to her, no matter how long it took.

  * * * *

  Letting go, Sam exploded, the muscles in her body tensing for a moment as Daniel filled her pussy, pleasuring her. Her orgasm left her boneless, breathless. Sated, she opened her eyes to watch as he found his own release, the tendons in his neck bulging just before he lowered his head and exhaled.

  Without rational thought, she reached up and caressed the side of his face, bringing his gaze to hers. He must’ve seen her need, knowing just how badly she wanted to kiss him. He lowered himself, pressing his lips to hers, brushing softly over her mouth until she applied more pressure, showing him her desire for more. The sweep of his mouth over hers was exquisite, a powerful yearning that consumed her with its raw passion.

  Kissing him had always brought her great pleasure, the intimacy so much more than just the act of sex. It was the connection they shared, something no one else had ever been able to make her feel.

  She eased away from the kiss, both of them panting. Electricity pulsed through her veins as she gazed up into his eyes. He stared down at her like a primal animal, protecting his own. The sight of him, his muscles tight and firm, his cock still inside her, made her body quiver.

  She was his. Always had been.

  “I’m afraid to move,” he rasped.

  “Why?” she said on a breath.

  Licking his lips, he confessed, “I don’t want everything that just happened between us to just fade away into some kind of dream.”

  She knew exactly what he meant. There was nothing between them as they lay together. No memories of pain. Nothing but the captivating heat of their joined bodies.

  “Kiss me again,” she told him.

  The corner of his mouth quirked as he lowered to kiss her in the sweetest way, butterfly kisses over her eyes, nose, cheeks, and finally her mouth. “Shower with me?” he asked, still pressing tender kisses to her face.

  “How about a late-night … early morning swim?”

  He arched a brow. “You have a pool?”

  “Yep, and a privacy fence.”

  He moved back to rest on his ass. “Why didn’t you say so?” He stood and held out his hand. “Let’s go.”

  She laughed softly, grasping hold and moving to her feet. “Let me get a few towels.”

  Opening the linen closet, she grabbed two towels and headed toward the back door. He was already standing beside the pool’s edge. He faced her, his naked body set aglow by the moonlight. “You’ve done well for yourself, Sammy. I’m very proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  She paused, hearing his praise and not knowing what to do with it. She hadn’t given her life much thought recently. She was just living her life and doing what needed to be done. She worked hard for the things in her life, but even with the friends and career, she’d been missing something.

  Daniel.

  “Thank you,” she said, placing the towels on the lounge chair beside the pool.

  “I bet you’ve had Jason and the girls over for pool parties a time or two.”

  “Actually, I’ve been too busy to enjoy the pool.”

  He frowned. “Am I the first person you’ve had over for a pool party?”

  She lowered her gaze. “Yes.”

  He placed his index finger under her chin and brought her eyes to meet his. “I’m honored. I’m also feeling a bit of pressure.”

  “Why?” she asked, narrowing her gaze.

  Before he answered, he pulled her against him, wrapped her tightly in his arms, and launched them into the pool. As they sprung up from the water, they were laughing. She splashed him.

  He swam to her, pulling her against him. Once she was calm in his arms, he said, “I want this to be the most memorable experience for you. I want you to enjoy the things you have worked so hard for.” He chuckled. “And it just so happens that I have a very yum
my memory of you sitting poolside with your legs spread, teasing me with a glimpse of your—”

  She gasped, and he paused.

  “Tell me you remember that night at your parents’ house. Tell me you remember stripping off all your clothes and teasing me.”

  She swallowed the nerves churning at the back of her throat. Her body stirred. “I remember. I wanted you so badly. I knew you wanted me, too.”

  “You were brave, fearless with your body.”

  “I never did anything like that with anyone else.”

  He chuckled. “I wish I was as brave as you. I was jutting the biggest erection of my life, staring at your naked body from across the pool. In my head, I’d swam across the pool and tasted your pussy, crawled out of the water to fuck you under the stars.” He groaned. “I wanted to devour you.”

  “But you didn’t,” she reminded him.

  “No. I was a coward. I feared your parents waking up. I wanted them to like me. Not think I was—”

  “Fucking their daughter.”

  He laughed again. “Yeah, something like that.”

  She shoved away from him, swimming backward to the edge of the pool. She stepped out of the water and moved to sit where he could see her. Slowly, she leaned back on her arms and spread her legs wide.

  “Was this how you remembered I looked?”

  He stared at her. Clearing his throat, he told her, “Move closer to the edge and part your legs more.”

  Her belly fluttered as she did as he described, her heart racing. “Like this?”

  Looking at her, he swam to her, his movements slow. “Yes,” he whispered, rising up from the water to stand in front of her, his lower half was hidden beneath the water. He rested his hands beside her feet on the deck. “This is exactly how I remember you.”

  She gasped as his hands glided over the skin of her legs with the weight of a feather. “I was disappointed.”

  He eyed her, his hands frozen against her knees. “Disappointed?”

  She nodded, her chest rising and falling with the thoughts she’d had that night. The thoughts she was currently having. “I imagined you coming at me like you just did. Your mouth and hands on my body. I wanted you to—”