Coming Out of the Dark: Second Chance Series - Book 1

by Joan Davis

  “She opened her salon after we were no longer together,” Samson replied, looking out to the lake.

  Risa realized the implication of what he had said. “So, her new sugar daddy bankrolled her. I’m really sorry she chose to hurt you that way,” she continued sincerely.

  Shrugging, Samson said, “To LuAnne, money is proof of devotion. When I got tired of astronomical credit card bills and constant and costly changes to the remodel, I put a stop to it. I cut up the credit cards and put a deadline on the contractor. When I confronted LuAnne, she informed me that I wasn’t the only fish on her hook and that maybe we didn’t belong together. A few days later, I came home and found half the furniture and all of her clothing and personal things gone. She left a short note informing me that she had met someone else and had moved in with him.”

  Risa was furious. “What a bitch. You are being way too generous. She didn’t want devotion, she wanted an investor. Mercenary is too good a word for her. She’d better hope I never see her again. I’ll kick her ass.”

  Samson’s laughter roared out at Risa’s words. She looked so outraged on his behalf, that it made Samson’s heart swell. He grabbed her and brought her down on top of him until her face was even with his. He smoothed her still-angry brow. “You’ll kick her ass, will you? You’d do that for little ol’ me?” Samson asked, still smiling, remembering her biting comment to LuAnne when they were leaving the art store.

  Risa looked down at him seriously. “Don’t laugh. I don’t like it when someone hurts a person I care about.” She laid her head down on Samson’s chest and mumbled, “No one deserves to be hurt like that.” Risa suddenly looked up with determination on her face. “Besides, like you told me, I’ve got your back,” she said with a saucy grin.

  Samson reached up a hand to draw her head down for a kiss, but Risa resisted. “Oh no, I can’t kiss you,” Risa grimaced.

  “Why the hell not?” Samson growled.

  “I’ve got Slim Jim breath and the mints are in the truck. Sorry, no-can-do, sir,” Risa sighed dramatically.

  Samson narrowed his eyes at her and then reached down until he nabbed one of the offending Slim Jims. He quickly tore it open, bit off a piece with his teeth and quickly chewed it up and swallowed it. “Now I’ve had a bite of Slim Jim, too, so we’ll just cancel each other out,” he said.

  Risa still resisted and rolled her eyes dramatically. “Not so fast, Mr. Horndog. You also had Cheetos. Now you have gone and done it. You now have the dreaded Slim Jim/Cheetos combo breath. It’s a deadly mix.” Looking very regretful, Risa began to pull away, but she squealed with laughter when Samson flipped her over on her back and brought a Cheetos to her lips.

  “Eat the Cheetos, woman,” Samson demanded, trying not to smile.

  Risa shook her head and clamped her mouth shut.

  Samson growled and then suddenly got a secret smile on his face. He put the Cheetos aside and reached for Risa’s top and began to unbutton it. “That’s okay. We don’t have to kiss. I can think of so many other things we can do instead,” he said, fixing his gaze on his hands as he opened Risa’s shirt and revealed a lacy white bra. Her breasts seemed to swell before his eyes and he saw her nipples harden and press against the bra’s material. He ran a thumb over one of her nipples and heard Risa’s soft moan.

  Risa shivered with excitement as she felt Samson unhook her bra and peel it back until her luscious breasts were laid bare. She stared up into the canopy of trees and gasped as she felt Samson cup her breast with his large hand and began to gently pinch and roll her nipple. “Samson,” she panted. Am I really going to make love to this man out here under these oak trees? she asked herself and moaned as she felt Samson’s mouth close over her taut peak. Oh yes, I am. Samson’s teeth raked over her sensitive nipple and Risa cried out and arched her back as pleasure shot through her body.

  Samson’s deep moan vibrated against Risa’s chest as he switched breasts and repeated his actions. He was painfully rigid and lunged up quickly to shed his clothing. He watched with satisfaction as Risa struggled to do the same. He went down on his knees and pulled her naked body towards him. He draped her legs over his powerful arms until only her shoulders and head were on the blanket. Hearing Risa whimper with need, Samson lowered his head and licked her sensitive folds.

  “Ah . . . Samson, don’t stop . . . more,” Risa cried out hoarsely. It was always the same. One touch and Samson could have her flying with pleasure. He was more than happy to oblige her request and licked at her moist center until Risa was arching her body in ecstasy. He held her hips firmly and closed his lips over her swollen clitoris and began to suck deeply and lashing it with his tongue. He reveled in how responsive Risa’s body was to his touch. He could practically see her passion rise with each movement he made. It made his own arousal that much more intense.

  Risa’s world exploded, and she screamed as her body convulsed over and over again. Samson lapped up Risa’s release and didn’t stop until her body began to relax. Risa still wasn’t satisfied and she writhed in Samson’s arms. She needed Samson’s body. She wanted to feel him as he took her. Panting with a deeper need, Risa whimpered, “Please Samson, I need you inside me.”

  Samson tucked his hands around Risa’s waist and pulled her upright until he had her centered over his rigid cock. He slowly lowered her and gritted his teeth as her tight sheath closed around him until his balls were nestled against her sweet backside. Samson raised himself until he was upright on his knees and held Risa suspended in his muscular arms. His stomach muscles bunched as he began thrusting his hips and moving Risa’s body until she cried out and bucked against him convulsively. Samson realized he had found the right position to heighten her pleasure and held Risa in place, as he began thrusting in and out of her sweet body.

  “Harder Samson, harder,” Risa chanted and arched her back as pleasure spiked again and again with each thrust of Samson’s body. She reached back and clawed at the quilt below her as another, more intense, orgasm jolted through her body. Pounding waves of pleasure crashed over her body, and she shook uncontrollably in Samson’s strong arms. She cried out his name in abandoned bliss with each pleasurable jolt.

  “That’s it, baby, come for me,” Samson said and slammed his cock in and out of Risa faster and faster. He roared his release as Risa’s inner muscles clamped down tightly on his throbbing member. He kept thrusting until he shot the last of his release inside of Risa’s tight sheath. Breathing heavily, Samson brought them both down on the blanket. As he pulled Risa against his body, his realized he had not put on a condom. He was surprised at how little it bothered him, but he didn’t know how Risa would feel.

  “What is it?” Risa asked breathlessly when she saw the concern on Samson’s face.

  Samson looked down at Risa. “I’m afraid I got carried away and forgot to wear protection.”

  Risa relaxed against Samson, smiling. “It’s okay, I’m on birth control.

  “Since when . . .?” Samson asked, surprised and confused.

  Risa shrugged and said, “For a while. My hormones were out of whack because I was malnourished. The doctors have me on a regimen of special foods, vitamins and minerals and other stuff to get my body regulated again. Birth control was part of that regimen.” Looking up at Samson, she grinned. “Don’t worry. Daddy won’t be after you with a shotgun for knocking up his daughter.”

  Samson scowled down at her, “Brat,” he growled.

  “Horndog,” Risa shot back in a gasping giggle.

  Samson raised a brow and suddenly jumped up and scooped Risa up and threw her over his shoulder. He started racing towards the lake.

  Risa screeched, but before she could voice a protest she was flying through the air and landing in the chilly lake water. As she came up, Samson was splashing in, just beside her. Gasping and pushing her hair back, Risa gave Samson an affronted look. “You know, this whole outweighing me by more than a hundred pounds thing is getting a little old.”

  “For you, maybe
,” Samson laughed at Risa’s sullen expression. He reached out and pulled her close and finally took the kiss he had wanted earlier. He deepened the kiss as Risa melted into his body and slowly wrapped herself around him. Breathing heavily, Samson lifted his head and stared into Risa’s passion-filled gaze.

  “Forgiven,” Risa said breathlessly.

  *****

  An hour later, Samson pulled into his driveway. Risa saw four SUV’s and several cars, along with her dad’s truck, parked all over the front of Samson’s property. It seemed like a hundred people were milling around his home. Risa heard Samson quietly curse under his breath and looked over at him.

  “Risa, I am going to apologize now. I didn’t know everyone was going to descend all at once when I called them.” Samson sighed in resignation. “Correct that, I did know. They’re like the plague. Nothing stops them.”

  Risa looked back out at all the people who were now coming towards Samson’s truck. “Who are these people? What do they want?” Risa asked cautiously.

  “They’re my family,” Samson grinned ruefully.

  Risa sat there in shock. “All of these people are your family?” Risa asked, shaking her head. She just had her dad, and had no idea how to deal with so many people at once. Panic started streaming throughout her body. “Samson, I don’t know if I can . . .” Risa swallowed her words as an awful thought struck her, and she turned to Samson. “What if they don’t like me?” Risa looked down at her rumbled clothing and was sure her hair was a disaster after the dip in Conner’s lake. Perfect . . . just perfect, Risa thought, as she moaned silently.

  Samson grabbed her hand and drew her to his side of the truck. “They will love you, baby. I’m right here. I promise I won’t leave your side. Don’t worry about it. Let’s get out on my side so I can play crowd control.” Samson opened his door and stepped out. He drew Risa down beside him.

  Bill Landau came around the truck and suddenly all of Risa’s emotions came to the surface, and she flew into his arms, hugging him tightly. “It’s okay sweetheart. I’ve got you. Everything is going to be okay. I don’t want you to worry,” Bill whispered to his daughter and felt her nod against his neck. “Are you up to meeting Samson’s family? You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he said, smoothing her hair.

  Risa drew back and kissed her dad on his rough cheek. “I’m good Daddy,” she said, fighting her instinctual need to hide. “I’ve decided not to live in the shadows anymore. I’m going to live my life without worrying about what might happen.” Risa tried to smile bravely for her dad.

  Bill’s eyes misted. “That’s my girl,” he choked out. He and Risa moved to stand next to Samson.

  Samson felt Risa grab the back of his t-shirt and fist the material tightly. He put a comforting arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Risa took a deep, shaky breath and smiled at the people in front of her.

  Instead of everyone coming at them at once, Samson’s family seemed to be waiting calmly for Samson to speak. “Everyone, I would like you to meet Risa. Risa, meet . . . uh . . . everyone,” Samson said a bit lamely.

  An older man with a long silver braid hanging down his back stepped forward with a woman who had eyes the same color as Samson’s. The man bore a striking resemblance to Samson, except that his eyes were a piercing black. “I am Jacob Knight, but please call me Jake. And this beautiful woman is Mauve, my wife. We’re Sam’s parents. It’s nice to finally meet you, Risa,” Jake said kindly. His voice was low like Samson’s, but not as deep. He and his wife respectfully kept their distance.

  Risa smiled shyly at Samson’s parents. “It’s nice to meet you.” She looked over at her dad and relaxed a little bit. “Have you met my dad?”

  Mauve Knight smiled back and said, “Oh yes, we all arrived at the same time, so introductions were made.”

  Mauve Knight was beautiful. She had thick dark-red hair that she wore in a loose braid. Curling tendrils had escaped and frame the creamy pale skin of her kind face. Mauve looked behind her and drew a small woman up next to her. “This is Jake’s mother and Samson’s grandmother, Selena Knight. She is the reason we are ‘all’ here today. She told us today was the day to meet you.”

  Risa looked at the woman who was even shorter than she was. Even though she was probably in her eighties, her tawny skin was creamy and smooth. Her hair was in a beautiful, pure white coronet, and her clothing was bright and colorful. But her dark brown eyes held Risa captivated. Those eyes seemed to see right into Risa’s soul. They were both ancient and ageless at the same time. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Knight,” Risa said sincerely.

  Selena didn’t keep her distance. Instead, she walked right up to Risa and put her hands on either side of Risa’s face. “Call me Selena. I know Samson hasn’t bothered to tell you about us, but I am glad to finally meet you.” She eyed her grandson for a moment before turning back to Risa. “Do not let us scare you away. We are good people. A little rough and loud, but good people.” She patted Risa’s cheek, and then turned and disappeared into the crowd of people.

  Over the next half hour the introductions were continuous. Samson maneuvered the adults into the house and sent the majority of kids and young adults down to the lake to swim and play. He knew Risa’s head must be swimming and regretted not warning her that this might happen. Samson had hoped that his family wouldn’t show up in mass, but knew that had been wishful thinking.

  Risa sat on the couch next to Samson and watched all the activity in awe. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, and they were everywhere. She could hear pots and pans clanking in the kitchen as Samson’s family started cooking what was sure to be a feast, considering the number of people they had to feed.

  Looking over to her dad, Risa saw he was in an animated discussion with Samson’s father. He seemed to love all the noise and activity. A really pretty woman, whom Risa remembered was one of Samson’s aunts, was laughing at something her dad said. Risa had a twinge of heartache thinking about how long her dad had been alone, since her mom’s death.

  Risa couldn’t imagine what it must be like growing up with a big family like this. Everyone seemed to know everything about everyone. She could see the tight bond that they all shared, and it made her heart tighten as she thought about the loss of that bond in her own family.

  Several of the teenagers were playing down in the basement. Risa swallowed hard as she heard the muffled sounds of their voices as they made use of the entertainment system Samson had told her was down there. She rubbed her forehead and felt a tension-headache starting behind her eyes.

  “I’m really sorry I didn’t have time to prepare you for my family,” Samson whispered regretfully in Risa’s ear.

  Risa gave him an amazed look and whispered back hotly, “Prepare me? How about telling me they existed. That would have been a good start. At least I wouldn’t feel like a complete idiot. They obviously knew about me and dad staying here.” Risa gave him one of her deadly stares.

  Samson ignored the look and put his forehead against hers. “Forgive me. I was trying to do everything slowly, but after yesterday, that was no longer possible.” he said regretfully. “I didn’t want to throw everything at you all at once. I’m flying blind here, baby. I just wanted you to feel safe here.”

  Risa’s sighed at his words, and her body relaxed. She looked into his eyes and couldn’t stay annoyed. She surprised him, and herself, by kissing him sweetly, not caring if anyone saw them. “There is nothing to forgive,” Risa sighed. “I love that you care so much. I know I am not easy to deal with, all things considered.”

  Samson kissed her back, just as sweetly. “Baby, it’s my pleasure. You never cease to surprise me. Now, if only I could make everyone else disappear, I would show you just how much I love dealing with you.” Samson moved his eyebrows devilishly.

  Risa grinned shyly. “Do you think you could make them disappear long enough so I can get to my room and take a shower? I feel like I have the smell of lake water all over me,” Risa said a
little bit desperately. She didn’t want to tell Samson that she needed time to herself. The clamor of so much activity was becoming a bit overwhelming for her.

  “Absolutely, baby. Just hold on to, and we’ll brave the gauntlet and get you to your sanctuary,” Samson teased, recognizing her need for what it was.

  Minutes later, Risa stood under the hot spray of her shower. As the water coursed down her torso, the tension began to leave her body. However, the tightness in her chest remained. She hadn’t been able to face the pain of missing her mother, so she had chosen not to deal with it. She let guilt be her main focus, instead of grief. It just seemed easier. But seeing how Samson’s family interacted with such familiarity and ease had made Risa now realize how much she missed her mom. She would give anything for just a few minutes to speak with her, or feel her mother’s touch. She still remembered how the smells of jasmine and mint always seemed to permeate her mother’s skin and clothing. Risa ached to be held close by her mom just once more, to feel the warmth of her mother’s arms and feel that unconditional love.

  Silent tears fell as Risa leaned against the tiled wall of the shower, but she quickly brushed them away. Tears wouldn’t bring her mom back to her. She finished her shower, and quickly dried off, put her robe on and stepped into her room to dress. She stopped in surprise upon seeing Samson’s grandmother sitting in the big chair in the corner.

  “I hope you don’t mind my intruding on your privacy. I stayed in this room the last time I was here. I needed a breather from all the noise out there and came in here to hide out,” Selena Knight said earnestly. “I realized too late that it was your room, but I didn’t want to go back out there for a while, so here I am.”

  Risa smiled back and said, “To be honest, I used the need for a shower to pull my own disappearing act.”