by Kaylee Ryan
“That means I get to be snowed in with you all weekend. We’re not going to answer the door or our phones. Just a day of me and you.”
“And Javier,” I remind him.
He rolls his eyes. “And Javier.” I know he’s not thrilled to have our time together interrupted, but we can’t be attached at the hip. We still have to live our day-to-day lives, and my hair desperately needs a trim.
“Maybe mother nature will be on my side, and Javier will cancel due to the weather.”
“This is Tennessee. We’re used to snow,” I remind him. “You’re no longer in Texas.”
“A man can dream,” he says, following me into my house. “You need any help packing?”
“No, I’m good. Give me five minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.” I rush down the hall of my small two-bedroom house. It’s small, but it’s all mine. Sliding open the closet door, I grab a tote bag and begin tossing in clothes. I grab an outfit to change into now, before tossing a couple of pairs of leggings, a hoodie, a sweater, socks, bras, panties, a flannel nightshirt with matching pants to sleep in. I pull my cell phone charger from the wall and toss it in the bag. In the bathroom, I grab my makeup bag before reaching under the sink and grabbing shampoo, conditioner, and body wash—all new bottles. I see a spare loofah and grab that as well. I’ll have to restock when I go to the store, but this way I can leave them at his place. I freeze. I can’t believe I’ve so easily fallen into this relationship of ours after going out of my way to avoid the possibility for so long. If I’d had any idea the depth of the man, the extent of what I was missing out on, I never would have denied him.
Going through a mental checklist of what I’ve packed so far, I grab a pair of my fuzzy socks that I like to lounge around the house in and call it good. Zipping up the bag, I strip down to my bra and panties to change into some leggings and a sweater. I yelp when I feel hands on my hips. “You sure you don’t need me?” Jase’s husky voice whispers in my ear.
Staring at my bed, all kinds of naughty thoughts come to mind. Turning in his hold, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I need you.” My eyes bore into his, willing him to understand my meaning. I’m not a novice when it comes to sex, but sex with Jase Andrews is, without a doubt, going to be on another level. His body is toned and tight, and I’ve imagined him hovering over me more times than I can count.
He pushes my hair out of my eyes. “That’s not what this weekend is about,” he says, catching on to the meaning behind my words. “That’s not what we’re about. I’m okay with waiting until we’re ready. Until you’re ready. Whatever it takes to prove to you that I want you. All of you.”
“I want you. All of you.” I toss his words back at him. Not giving him a chance to stop me, I drop to my knees.
“Fuck, Samantha,” he hisses as I make quick work of the button on his jeans, sliding down the zipper, and reaching in, fisting his hard length. “A-Are you trying to kill me?” he asks as I kiss the tip.
I ignore him, happily content to focus on the task at hand. I take him into my mouth. A curse flies from his lips, and his hands find themselves buried in my hair. A thrill races through me at his reaction. I take him deeper this time, before pulling back and repeating the process over and over again.
“Sam,” he growls, and before I know what’s happening, he takes a step back. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand while staring up at him. “You’re a fucking vision with my cock in your mouth, baby.”
“Then why did you stop me?” I was far from finished with him.
“Because I’ll be damned if the first time you make me come, it’s going to be in your mouth. Come here.” He places his hands under my arms and pulls me to my feet. His large calloused hands capture my face, making sure he has my full attention. “You want this? You want me inside you?”
I nod.
“I need your words, Samantha. I need to hear you say it.”
“I want this. I want you inside me.”
His hands drop from my face, and he reaches into his back pocket. I watch as he fumbles with his wallet, a slew of curses flying from his lips. “Damnit.” He tosses his wallet to my bedroom floor. “No condom.”
“How is that possible?”
His blue eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them. “You. That’s how it’s possible. The minute I laid eyes on you, you were it for me. It’s been almost two years since I’ve been with anyone.”
“Two years? You’ve only been back for a little over a year,” I say, even though he himself already knows this information.
“I gave up playing the field long before I retired, Sam.” The look in his eyes conveys his truth.
“I’m on the pill,” I blurt. “It’s been… longer for me. Going on three years, but I’m clean, and I’m protected.”
“You’re going to have to spell this shit out for me, Sam. I’ve never gone bare, baby. Never, and the thought of feeling you with nothing between us—” He shakes his head as his hand grips his cock. “The thought alone has me ready to explode. I need you to tell me what you want. This can end here and now. We’ll take your stuff back to my place and start our weekend together.”
“I’m saying we’re protected. Are you? I mean, have you been tested?”
“Every year. I’m clean, baby.”
I nod. “I want you. I want you inside me,” I say again.
“Fuck.” The world rumbles from deep in his chest. “Strip. I want nothing more than to peel those sexy-as-fuck panties and bra from your perfect body, but I’m ready to lose control. I need you naked, Samantha. Now.”
Not needing to be told twice, I jump into action, sliding my panties down my legs, kicking them to the side while reaching behind my back and unsnapping my bra, pushing it down my arms and letting it fall to the floor. “Now what are you going to do with me?” I sass. His eyes heat, and he smirks.
He bends and places his hands on the back of my thighs. “Legs around my waist,” he instructs as he lifts me into his arms. “You sure about this?” he asks as his hard cock throbs between us.
“Yes.” No hesitation. I trust him.
“Put me in, beautiful.”
Needing this ache to go away, I reach between us and grip his cock, rising up and guiding him inside me. “Oh, God,” I moan as he fills me.
“Jase,” he corrects. “I need to hear you say my name. I need to know that you know it’s me inside you.”
“Jase,” I moan when he pushes all the way in.
“That’s my girl,” he praises as he turns us and pushes my back against the bedroom wall. “Holy fuck, you’re so tight and wet. I-I need to move, Sam. Baby, I want to take my time with you, but fuck, I need to move.” His forehead rests against mine, and his chest, much like mine, is rapidly falling and rising with each breath. “I can’t—I can’t be gentle, not this time. I promise I’ll make love to you all weekend, but I’m about to come, and I need you there.”
“Take what you need. I need you inside me.”
“Hold on, baby.”
Not needing to be told twice, my arms tighten around his neck, and I hold on for the ride. Over and over, he slams into me, and the pleasure almost proves to be too much. “J-Jase, I-I can’t—” I pant as he continues to slide in and out of me, chasing his own release. Tingles race up my spine, and I begin to squeeze him tight.
“Fuck,” he groans, never slowing his pace.
“Jase!” I scream his name as pleasure unlike anything I’ve ever experienced rolls through my veins like a tidal wave.
“Oh, fuck!” he says as his body stills. I can feel him as he releases inside me, and it’s not only intimate, but the realization sends aftershocks through my body. He rests his forehead on my shoulder, and we’re both panting. I feel as though I should speak, but words fail me. I don’t know that I will ever be able to describe what just happened between us. It was hot, sweaty sex, but it was so much more than that. So. Much. More.
“I’ll never be the same,” he says, lifting his head. “You hear m
e, Samantha? I will never be the same.” He kisses me softly, a complete contrast to the way he was pumping in and out of me just minutes before.
On shaky legs, he carries us to my bed, and it’s not until he has me settled on the mattress that he removes his body from mine. “Let’s get you cleaned up and head home. I need you at my place. I need to hold you.”
Chapter 7
Jase
Thirty days. That’s how much time has passed since the picnic in my living room. I took a chance, and that chance changed my life. She’s changed my life. Everything is better when I get to share it with Sam. I’ve seen her every day since the picnic, and all of those days are filled with the feel of her lips pressed against mine, and when I get to hold her, it’s as if everything is right in my world.
I told her I wasn’t sure what love felt like, but I’m confident now that I do.
Love is Samantha.
My Samantha.
I’m head over heels in love with her and tonight I’m going to tell her.
I had to rally the troops, which is why my mom, sister, and brother-in-law are all standing in my kitchen. “Pulling out the big guns,” Kacen says with a nod of approval.
“When do we get to meet her? You’ve been hiding her from us,” my sister, Logan, says.
“You live across the street,” I remind her. “She’s here all the time.”
“I know, but I don’t want to come over and see something that will blind me,” she teases.
“Well, you’ve wasted your efforts,” I tell her.
Kacen whistles.
“You love her.” My mom smiles.
“I do. That’s why you’re here. I’m going to make us dinner with your help and tell her tonight.” My sister pulls me into a hug. “Where are the kids?” I ask her.
“Cole and Stacy took them to the aquarium today.”
“Yeah, I was looking forward to some quality time with my wife until you called,” Kacen grumbles.
“Oh, hush.” Logan waves her hand in the air at him.
“Focus.” Mom claps her hands. “We’ve got work to do.”
That’s all it takes for us to get busy. I didn’t really need Mom and Logan, but how could I ask one and not the other? And Kacen, well, he goes where my sister goes. I used to call him a pussy for it, but it’s all making sense to me. One day I’ll tell him so, but for now, I need to get busy making homemade beef stew and homemade rolls. Sam once told me that her grandma used to make it when she was little, and she loved it. She said it was one of the comfort foods that always brought back great memories.
I hope tonight is just another memory to add to the list along with those from her childhood. It’s fitting since it’s the start of the next chapter of her life. At least, I hope she thinks so.
My house smells like a home. That’s the first thing I notice when I come downstairs after grabbing a shower. The aroma of the beef stew has my stomach grumbling. I look at the clock and see it’s just after four. I’m anxious to see Sam. Last night her best friend Carrie stayed over at her place. Carrie is visiting from San Francisco. She was here yesterday for a meeting and was flying home this afternoon. The plan is for Sam to take her to the airport, then come here. Sam and I had lunch yesterday, but that was the last time I saw her.
The beeping sound of the intercom tells me that someone is coming through the gate. I gave her the code. I want her to have full access to me anytime she wants it. Always.
Heading toward the garage, I hit the opener on my wall. I smile when she pulls into her spot and hit the button to close the door. Cold garage floor be damned as, barefooted, I make my way to her. As soon as she’s out of the car, I’m pulling her into my arms. “I missed you.”
She chuckles. “I missed you too.” She steps out of my hold, closing her door, only to open the back door to retrieve her overnight bag. She doesn’t have time to put it on her shoulder before I’m taking it from her hands and leading her into the house. “What smells so good?”
“I made dinner.”
“You?” she teases.
“Okay, so Mom and Logan came over and helped me. Kacen too, but he was more of an observer.”
“What are we having?”
“Beef stew, salad, and homemade rolls. And,” I add before she can comment. “I made a red velvet cake from scratch.”
“I’m impressed, player,” she says, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I can’t believe you made some of my favorites. Again.”
“Of course, I did.” Dropping a kiss to her temple, I pull away. “I’m going to take your bag upstairs. Salad’s made up. Go ahead and start. I’ll be right back.” I race up the steps and back down to her. She catches me up on her time with Carrie while we eat our salads.
“Oh, God,” she moans over her first bite of stew. “This is so good.” She takes another bite.
“Right? And I made it. Can you believe that?” I ask, making her smile.
“Your mom and sister are good teachers.”
“They want to meet you,” I tell her.
She nods. “I’d love to meet them.”
“I’ll make it happen. I’ve been selfishly keeping you all to myself, something they made certain to point out to me today.”
“My parents said the same thing. In a way, I’m afraid to add in the outside world. I don’t want anything to interfere with my time with you.”
“I know what you’re saying, and I feel the same, but I think it’s time we involve our families.”
“You do, huh?” she asks.
“It’s only fair that I introduce the woman I love to my family.”
She freezes. Her eyes widen, and she shoves her empty bowl away from her.
I rake my hands over my face. “I had this big elaborate plan. Dinner, and dessert, and cuddling. I was going to tell you when I had you in my arms, but dammit, I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I love you, Samantha.”
Tears fill her eyes. “I love you too.” She pushes her chair back from the table and comes to stand next to me. Pulling her into my lap, I bury my face in her neck. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” I confess.
“Yeah?”
“Life, Samantha. You’re stuck with me for life.”
“That’s not long enough,” she mumbles as our lips collide.
Standing with her in my arms, I carry her upstairs and lower her to my bed. “I love you,” I whisper, and spend the rest of the night, showing her just how much.
Chapter 8
Samantha
Jase and I are going strong. So strong that we’re having dinner with my parents tomorrow night, which leads me to our plans for this evening. Jase thought it was only fair and since he was meeting my family, that I meet his. I’ve met his sister a time or two, just in passing, but tonight, it’s going to be his entire family and extended family. That also means that not only do I meet his parents, but the entire band of Soul Serenade, their wives and kids. Logan, Jase’s sister, is married to Kacen Warren, who is the lead singer of Soul Serenade. Only the best freaking rock band to grace the planet.
I’m nervous.
This is more than just meeting the family. His family is full of freaking rock gods. I’m going to make an ass out of myself and that will be the end of us. I know that I’m being dramatic, but come on, it’s Soul Serenade for goodness’ sake!
“Hey, you ready to head over?” Jase asks.
I’ve been sitting on his couch freaking the hell out while he grabbed a quick shower. “You sure it’s all right if I tag along?” Part of me really wants to go and the nervous part of me thinks I’m better off passing and staying hidden in his house.
“Come here.” He offers me his hand and pulls me from my seat on his couch. “I want you with me. I don’t care where I am, I want you there. My sister invited us. Not just me, baby. Us. She knows how I feel about you, and she wants you to be there. Besides, my mom has threatened me with no more of her chocolate chip cookies if she doesn’t get to meet you soon,” he says, kissin
g the tip of my nose.
“I’m nervous. What if I do or say something to embarrass you?”
“Not possible. I promise you they’re just a bunch of goofy guys. All four of them. You’ve met my sister, and my mom is an older version of her. My dad is just like me. Everyone is laidback. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“Good. Grab your coat. We’ll walk since it’s just down the street, unless you’d rather drive since it’s cold out?”
“No, the cold air will do me some good, I think.”
“Good.” This time his lips meet mine, and I feel some of my nerves melt away.
“Yo! Where’s everyone at?” Jase yells as we enter his sister’s house without knocking. With his hand clasped around mine, we step further into the house. He doesn’t get a reply, but he follows the noise and we end up in the doorway of the living room. There are people and kids everywhere.
“You made it!” Logan, Jase’s sister, comes to greet us. “Samantha, it’s good to see you again.” She leans in for a hug.
“Thank you for having me. Your home is beautiful.”
“This is my husband, Kacen.” She introduces the man who has wrapped himself around her from behind.
“N-Nice to meet you.” I offer him my hand and he takes it.
A throat clearing pulls our attention. Jase, Logan, and Kacen all laugh. “Babe,” Jase says. “This is my mom, Beth, and my dad, Jeremy. Mom, Dad, this is my Samantha.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” his mom says, pulling me into a hug.
“You as well,” I say as she releases me.
“Sam.” His dad also pulls me into a hug. “Glad to meet you.”
“Come on.” Logan grabs my hand and pulls me away from her brother. “Come and meet the rest of the gang.” I follow along behind her. “Everyone, this is Jase’s girlfriend, Samantha. Sam, this is everyone. I’m going to go down the line, but don’t worry. We know we’re a lot to take on at first.”