by Nicole Vidal
I check the peephole, and familiar eyes stare back at me.
Chapter 17
Samson
The visit from my father isn’t awful. I’ve never seen him with a baby. He watches Emme, talks to her, and briefly touches her tiny hands. It makes me wonder how he was with us when we were young. Only a handful of people know the answer to that, one of whom I need to reach out to once my father leaves.
“I saw Miss Clemons leaving when I arrived.”
“She brought some files from the office before going home.”
“Don’t wait too long, son. I’m sure you feel like everything is in chaos, but she’s a stabilizing force for you.”
It surprises me that my father sees how a relationship could truly be considering the path of his. “I refuse to rely on her for Emme as well as my business, which she has taken on without me even asking.”
She has been singlehandedly running my business since Marisol’s accident. An increased salary doesn’t even come close to what she deserves.
“I’m only suggesting that you can do it all; you need to find the right balance for the three aspects of your life.” Sage advice from my father who never had to balance anything in his life. Maria-Luisa, Salma, and Henry took care of my siblings and me. Mostly, Maria-Luisa. He’s suggesting I can run Morgan Insurance, successfully raise Emme, and have a real relationship with Savannah. Either he’s off his rocker, overconfident in my abilities, or both.
“Thank you, I’ll consider it.”
“Have you spoken with Maria-Luisa yet?”
“No, it’s on today’s agenda.”
“Thank you for allowing me to visit. Will you be attending the wedding?”
“Yes, we’ll be there. Will you?” The unsaid question, more pressing anyway, is will Margaux show up?
“I’ll be there without your mother. Billie has been adamant that she’s unwelcome, and frankly, I don’t blame her one bit. I’m simply happy to be in her life even the slightest bit at this point.”
“I’m sure she appreciates your efforts.”
He nods and leaves as quickly as he came. After a quick call to Maria-Luisa, I call for a ride, pack a bag for Emme, and leave for Savannah’s. I lightly knock on her door and wait.
“Hi,” She murmurs as the door opens.
“Hi. Can we come in?”
“Of course. Sorry, I’m surprised.”
“Expecting someone else?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, we can leave.”
“I ordered food. I didn’t feel like cooking. I over ordered, so you’re in luck, there’s plenty for you.”
An unexpected take-out picnic indoors works for me. I set Emme on the counter and lift her out of the carrier. As if I’m a veteran dad rather than a rookie, I pull a medium-sized blanket out of her pink ruffled bag and spread it on the floor, then unfold another on top of it before setting Emme down.
“Why did you leave earlier?” I ask as she turns from pulling glasses out of the cabinet.
“I didn’t want to intrude. You were both sound asleep.”
“You could never intrude. I meant what I said.”
“I’m sure you did, but—” The buzzer for the foyer interrupts our conversation. Why can we never finish this conversation? “I’ll be right back.”
Once she returns, we sit on the floor near Emme and unpack the food.
“How many people were you planning on feeding?”
She ordered Kung Pau chicken, teriyaki skewers, pork fried rice, eggrolls, and some General Tso’s as well.
She smirks at me. Lighthearted, comfortable Savannah is everything I ever dreamed my future partner would be. While I’ve taken time away from dating, I always knew what I was looking for. I never found her until Savannah. Setting aside how a custom-made cocktail dress accentuates her assets and her work clothes cling to the contours of her body, her comfy clothes leave nothing to the imagination. Her yoga pants surround her legs and ass like a second skin; the sweatshirt is thin and open in the back, revealing a cropped maroon tank. My fingers itch to touch her skin again. Hell, my lips ache to feel hers against mine.
“This is my normal order with Scarlett. We usually have enough for each of us to eat twice. I’m still adjusting to her being gone.”
I fill my mouth with food. Savannah does the same, occasionally looking over at Emme. We eat silently, likely because each time we talk about us, we get interrupted.
“Those files that you left, is that everything from this week?” As soon as I ask, Emme starts crying. Leaning forward, I lift her into my arms. Even though I’m holding her, she’s still whining.
“Those are from Tuesday through today—renewals, binders, and quote inquiries. They need review or signature. Does she need to eat?”
I glance at my watch.
“Probably.”
“Can I do it?”
I attempt to hide my surprise at her question. Honestly, I shouldn’t be. She has never once given me the impression that Emme is an issue for her. The issue is me.
I’m solely responsible for Emme, but I feel okay with allowing Savannah to feed her. Maybe this is what my father means, accepting help at face value without looking for a sinister meaning behind it. I never would have asked Savannah out if I didn’t trust her with my heart. Trusting her with my daughter should be the same. Yet my instincts are screaming—not only for Savannah but for everyone.
“Sure, the formula and bottle are in her bag.”
Rising, she prepares her bottle, setting it on the side table near the couch. I walk to where she settles in the corner of the couch and set Emme in her arms. After some fussing, she takes the bottle. I sit staring at them for a bit. Savannah with a baby, my baby is breathtaking. Would it be even more if it were our baby? That thought sends darts straight to my heart. I decide in this moment to court Savannah properly, as I intended before I learned about Emme.
Rocking onto my feet, I lean down and kiss Emme and Savannah softly before clearing our dinner remnants, setting aside our fortune cookies. When I finish, I retake my seat near my ladies. I like the sound of that in my head.
“Savannah, are you free this weekend?”
“Yes, Scarlett doesn’t need any help. She has been slowly moving her stuff out little by little. Why?” She lifts Emme to her shoulder, tapping her back for a burp.
“I want to try. I haven’t been… I miss you. I miss us. I realize two dates doesn’t make an us, but we were… I’m failing at this. I want you. I want to get us right.”
She hasn’t uttered a word. Emme’s perched on her shoulder, but Savannah’s hand stops midair.
“Will you come visit Cash and Billie with us?”
“I would love to.”
Her response is without hesitation, without even the slightest note of concern. I’m not worthy of this woman, but I’ll try like hell to become what she deserves.
“Also, will you be my date for Billie’s wedding?”
“Yes. Do I need a new dress?”
“Up to you. That blue dress you wore to the gala is stunning on you. Or I’m sure Billie or Kelly have some designs at the store for you to try.”
“I’ll visit the store while we’re there. When are we leaving? Where are we staying?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m meeting with Maria-Luisa, and then we can leave. We’re staying with Cash and Noelle.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Mixed, honestly. Marisol and her mother were remarkably close. After everything Maria-Luisa taught us, if she knew about the money, I hope she would’ve told me. Although I don’t know if she knew about Marisol and me presently.”
“She knew you were together before?”
“Yes.” I move the blankets over near the couch. Before joining her on the couch, I grab our drinks and fortune cookies. “Let’s open these before I need to go home to pack. I’m so happy you agreed to join me.” If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to spend some time with Savannah alone.
“Me to
o.”
“What does yours say?”
After popping half of the actual cookie in her mouth, she reads aloud, “‘A truly rich life contains love and art in abundance.’ What does yours say?”
I crack the cookie open, hoping my fortune is as perfect as hers. Inhaling, I scan the narrow paper before reciting, “Embrace this love relationship you have.” I’m speechless, and so is Savannah.
“That’s̾… disturbingly accurate.”
“It is.” I gaze over at her still holding Emme. If I’m going to jump in, I’m going into the deep end. “Is there any reason that you can’t come with me tonight?”
She lifts her eyes to mine. I see the wheels turning in her mind, mentally ticking off the pros and cons of staying at my place tonight.
“No, I need to pack some things. Come up with me.”
I follow Savannah with Emme in her arms up the stairs. Ignoring my reaction to her body is futile. I’m already at half-mast by the time we get to the top of the stairs. In an instant, I’m rock-hard as she sets my daughter in the middle of her bed, surrounding her with pillows, especially with the image of taking her from behind flashing through my mind.
Chapter 18
Savannah
Well, so much for not being sure about his feelings for me. That isn’t true. I never doubted his feelings for me. He doubts his ability to juggle his business, his daughter, and me at the same time. I don’t blame him; it’s a lot for anyone. Plus, fatherhood became part of his life in an extremely unusual manner, at least as far as being the sole caregiver.
I set Emme in the middle of my bed and surround her with pillows, even though she can’t roll yet.
“Why did you do that?”
“It’s an extra precaution. I know she can’t roll yet, but I feel better since she isn’t on the floor.”
Sam smiles, leaning against the doorframe. Hurriedly, I pack a bag for the weekend. After securing Emme in the car, Sam takes my hand in his, linking our fingers.
I’m stepping back into dating Sam. It isn’t as if he hid Emme from me. I’m dating my boss, a single dad, and a disgustingly gorgeous one at that.
He buckles a sleeping Emme into her swing and switches on the monitor after we step into his home.
“Let’s get you settled.” Taking my bag and then my hand, he leads me to his bedroom.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Why not? We already slept together on your couch. Plus, my bed is huge, and I promised to share my view.”
I walk over to the massive windows and take in the view; it’s more spectacular in person. “The view is stunning.”
“She is.” His big hands slide around my waist, his fingertips grazing my abdomen. His head rests on my shoulder.
“Sam.” Holy hell! He makes me want to strip his clothes off and follow each inch with my tongue. Slowly, I turn in his embrace, looking up at him. He lowers his head toward mine, waiting for an objection.
He won’t get one. Rising on my toes, I meet his lips urgently. After the first hard press, he lightens his kiss like at the jazz club. Taking advantage of the space between us, I draw my tongue along his lips. A groan escapes his lungs as he lifts me into his arms. In two strides, he sits on the couch near the granite fireplace. I straddle him as he lifts my sweatshirt over my head.
“Do you have any idea how many times I thought about this moment?”
As he asks, I slide my hands beneath the hem of his hoodie. Sliding upward, I feel his rock-hard, finely sculpted abs contract under my fingers.
“About as long as I have wanted to do this too.” I tug his hoodie over his head and run my fingernails down his pecs and abdomen, raising goose bumps along the way. Once I reach his waistband with my fingers, I set my mouth to the center of his chest, kissing upward to the sexy cleft in his chin. His hands glide from my thighs to my back beneath my tank top.
“I need….”
“What do you need?” he murmurs against the curve of my neck.
“Off. Take this off. I need to feel my skin against yours.”
The look in his eyes dives even deeper into the well of lust. Within seconds I’m naked from the waist up, and he pulls me closer to him. The softness of my breasts against his hard chest feels like heaven, but that has nothing on the heat of my core sliding along his hard shaft. A moan escapes my lips.
Sam twists on the leather couch, lowering us flat. I take the opportunity to press my mouth along his chest, draw circles around his nipples with my tongue, and kiss down his flank to the divot in his hip that drives me absolutely insane. Each time my tongue touches his skin, a low growl echoes around us. To elicit more satisfied sounds, I continue peppering his skin across his taut abs all the way back up to his lips.
“Hi there.”
“Hi.”
“My turn.” He swiftly switches our positions on the couch so that he’s hovering over me, pressing his mouth to my temple, along my jaw, and over my chin. Sam pauses, savoring the valley between my breasts while rolling my nipple to a tight peak. Without discontinuing his fingers, he nips and sucks one nipple with his mouth, causing me to arch off the couch. Sliding my hands southward, I dip them under the waistband of his boxer briefs, cupping him. He’s… wow! I wasn’t sure before. Now I am. He’s—
“Savannah.”
I close my hand around him. Feeling him lengthen with each stroke wets my panties even more.
“My turn isn’t up yet.” As he reaches for my leggings, he shimmies away from me, his waistband snapping against his abs.
“No fair!”
After dropping my leggings to the floor, he looks down at me but says nothing. Instead, he lowers his mouth to the exact spot he was before and continues worshipping my skin down to my toes. The sensation of his fingers and mouth inching up the inside of my thigh makes my core clench. Sam draws his finger along the lace edge of my thong before hooking the sides and drawing it down my legs. Lifting one thigh against the back cushion, he spreads the other, sliding his arm under my knee. He draws a finger upward along my slit and back down before circling my nub with his thumb. My hips move against him.
A myriad of concerns flood my brain, the most urgent of which is do I need to tell him? Inhaling deeply, I calm my brain and relax against the cushion. I might as well be a virgin considering how long it’s been since a man touched me.
“Savannah.”
I open my eyes to see his dark eyes gazing down at me.
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No, I need you to go slow.”
After an extra moment to gauge my comfort level, he continues drawing circles with his thumb before plunging two fingers inside my core. While twisting and turning, advancing and retreating, Sam causes my muscles to clench and convulse. My belly tightens as my release rapidly approaches. I grind against his hand as I climb, and my orgasm intensifies. Shuddering with pleasure, I clamp my hand around his forearm to ground myself. Slowly, the shaking subsides, and I open my eyes.
“I never came that hard on my own.”
A grin briefly appears on his face as he turns. Now we’re lying on the couch, my back against the cushions. His arm slides around my waist, holding me tightly.
“How long?”
“Myself… two days.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“Honestly? Have you looked in the mirror lately? The memory of your mouth is dangerous. A man… years.”
“How is that possible?”
“Never had many opportunities. I worked three jobs for over four years. I didn’t really date, and if I did, none really led anywhere when I refused to have sex on a first date.”
“Are you a—”
“No, but that was senior year of high school.”
He presses his lips to mine. The moment I snuggle closer, a sweet wail comes through the monitor.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers against my temple.
“Sam, look at me.”
He draws back, concern in his eyes for what I will
say next.
“I’m fully aware that I need to share you with Emme. Don’t ever apologize for being her father. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He kisses me again as he rises from the couch, leaving the room.
Chapter 19
Samson
In the wee hours of the morning, Emme wakes for another feeding. I wasn’t asleep. My mind is spinning, preparing to see Maria-Luisa tomorrow. I’m terrified that she knew about Margaux’s deal with Marisol. I would never cut her out of Emme’s life simply because of Marisol’s choices. Honestly, I would love for her to care for her granddaughter like she did for me, Cash, Billie, and Auggie. One baby should be a piece of cake.
The moonlight streaming through the glass illuminates my daughter’s face. Not once in my wildest dreams did I see my life taking this turn, but she’s angelic and I can’t imagine my life without her in it. With a dry diaper, full belly, and tight swaddle, I set her back into her crib like Savannah taught me. At the threshold, I glance at her a few moments, wondering how it’s only been a short time since she became my world.
Sliding back in bed with Savannah, I imagine making this my reality. Having her live with us, especially now that Scarlett has moved out. My head is screaming, hell no, it’s too soon. My heart can’t imagine sleeping alone ever again.
When I wake again, my bed is empty and cold. My eyes must be deceiving me. The clock indicates it’s near seven. A moment of panic slices through me. Is Emme still sleeping? Padding to the kitchen, I don’t find Savannah. Then I hear faint talking from the nursery.
“Aren’t you a good girl? You slept a bit longer and are eating well.”
I lean against the doorframe watching Savannah with my daughter. It’s a striking image when the woman you care about has taken to your child. Savannah glances up as I step into the room. Her mouth curves up into a small smile. She lifts Emme to burp her and rises from the chair. A few steps later, she brushes her lips across mine.