Rescue Me

by Nikki Ryan

  “He’s so beautiful. What’s his name?”

  “Thank you. Shawn Patrick. He’s a bit cranky because he’s fighting sleep but would you like to hold him?” Emma asked.

  “I would love to.”

  Alyssa stood and gently took the child into her arms. She spoke to the child in soothing tones as she lightly bounced up and down. The family quieted, watching this woman with their family member. Within minutes, Alyssa was holding a now sleeping baby.

  “You’re a natural, my dear,” said Sylvia.

  “Thank you, Sylvia,” Alyssa said. “I love babies. They are so fragile and innocent.”

  Connor chimed in. “So what I want to know is, how long have you two been dating?”

  “We’re not dating,” Sam and Alyssa said at the same time.

  Connor whistled. “Oh I get it. You’re friends with benefits.”

  Sam was going to kill him. Thankfully his father turned away from the chicken on the grill and chastised his brother for his crudeness. Connor could be such an ass sometimes.

  “You’ve never had a relationship with a woman that has lasted more than a week,” Sam said to his brother.

  “And damn proud of it!”

  The entire family shook their heads at Connor, who chugged his beer happily.

  “Dinner’s ready. Come and get it.”

  Everyone sat around the table as they ate. They asked Alyssa questions about her job, her family and everything in between. Sam learned that she played soccer on a women’s league two days a week during the summer months.

  He watched Alyssa as she settled in with his family. He noticed how her anxiety had completely dissipated once she’d held his nephew. She acted like she was already one of them. It appeared that even Mark and Gertrude were quite taken with his girl.

  There was a clinking of glass as Sam’s sister Elizabeth stood. “I have an announcement to make everybody.” She reached into her pocket and pulled a gold band with a two carat diamond connected to it and placed it on her left ring finger. “Peter has asked me to marry him. And I’ve said yes!” Peter slipped his arm around his fiancée and beamed at their audience.

  “Oh. My. Gosh! Elizabeth that is wonderful.” Sylvia hugged both her daughter and soon to be son–in–law.

  John shook Peter’s hand.

  “Welcome to the family son. I was wondering what was taking you so long. You asked for our blessing two months ago,” he said.

  Everyone gave the love birds hugs and good wishes.

  “When are we going to get together to talk about specifics, dear?” Sylvia asked her daughter.

  “Soon, Mom,” Elizabeth said.

  Just when everyone sat down to eat dessert, Tiffany walked around the corner of the house.

  “Hi, everyone. Sorry I’m so late.”

  Sam choked on his apple pie. Here we go! The night was a total success until you showed up! He looked at Alyssa and tried to read the expression on her face. Tiffany waltzed up and greeted everyone. Sam’s siblings didn’t particularly care for her and didn’t go out of their way in welcoming the new arrival. Sam was thankful for that. They had his back, he knew.

  Tiffany stopped short in front of Alyssa.

  “And who is this? Connor, did you finally land a girl worthy of bringing home to John and Sylvia?”

  Sam got up and stood next to Alyssa. He wrapped his arm around her. “No, Tiffany, he didn’t. But I did.”

  Tiffany glowered at Alyssa, hands on her hips. Even though it was October, she wore skinny jeans and a tee shirt with no bra.

  “Oh please, Sam,” she said. She sized Alyssa up and down. “Garbage-picking these days, I see.”

  “That is quite enough, Tiffany!” her father said sternly.

  “Whatever. I came here to see Sam but obviously he’s too busy dumpster diving. She glared at Sam. “Now I know why you haven’t responded to any of my phone calls. Why don’t you call me when you’re through being a player? Everyone knows we’ll end up together. You’re just lucky I’m so forgiving.” She then glared at Alyssa.

  “Tiffany, we will never be together again and I don’t appreciate you disrespecting my girlfriend,” he said.

  “I thought you said . . .” Connor started.

  “Shut it, Con.”

  “Whatever,” Tiffany said.

  They watched her retreat to her car. Mark and Gertie were mortified at their daughter’s behavior. They turned to Alyssa once Tiffany was out of earshot and apologized profusely.

  “It’s okay. It’s obvious that she still has feelings for Sam and he didn’t help matters by insinuating that we were a couple.”

  Sam looked at Alyssa as she scowled back. He’d had enough for one night. He tossed his empty beer bottle into the recycling bin and said, “Well, I think we’re going to call it a night. What do you think, Lys?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They said their goodbyes to everyone with a promise that they’d come back real soon for a visit.

  “Don’t keep her all to yourself, son. We love her already,” Sylvia said to him. She had taken the liberty to move him to a corner to speak privately.

  “I won’t, Mom, but it’s complicated.”

  “You’ll figure it out. I know you will.”

  And you are going to cut my balls off when you’ve learned what we’ve been up to.

  Sam remained quiet on the car ride home. What was wrong with Tiffany? Why wouldn’t she just leave him alone?

  “Your family is wonderful, Sam. I love your parents! And Emma is wonderful.”

  Sam smiled. “Thanks. What did you think of Connor?”

  “He . . . was . . . nice.”

  “He’s a dip shit! He means well but he hasn’t grown up yet.”

  “Yea. I noticed.”

  They both laughed. She reached over and laced her fingers with his. They sat silently for the rest of the car ride.

  When they returned home, Sam looked over at Alyssa.

  “You look tired,” he said.

  She nodded. “I am.”

  “Will you sleep with me tonight? Please, Lys? I just want to hold you in my arms.”

  She regarded him quietly for a moment then answered, “Sure. Let me get my things. I’ll be right back.” She reappeared ten minutes later with her overnight bag.

  They stood in front of his bathroom sink, sharing each other’s night time ritual, then climbed into bed together.

  Sam pulled her in and situated her so that her back was to him. He snuck his left arm under hers and interlocked their fingers. He kissed her neck and said, “I could get used to this.”

  “Me too. Good night, Sam.”

  “Good night, Lys.”

  Chapter Seven

  The following weeks flew by for Alyssa as she and Sam continued to get to know each other. They spent every free moment together. Even Kat was beginning to get irritated with her. Alyssa felt terrible and promised her that they would have a girls’ night real soon. Preferably before she became pregnant. She had purchased an ovulation kit a while back to help her keep track of the days when she’d be the most fertile. The test she’d taken that morning told her that she was primed and ready to conceive.

  Excited, she ran over to Sam’s to tell him the good news. They had exchanged apartment keys a couple of weeks ago so she let herself in and climbed the stairs to his bedroom.

  She stopped in the doorway and took in the sight of him. He lay there fast asleep with one leg outside the covers. His chest was bare, rising and falling with each breath. God! He is beautiful.

  Not wanting to wake him just yet, she walked over and quietly lay on her side of the bed. She felt him shift onto his side. She turned to look at him.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said. He sneaked a hand under her shirt and rubbed her nipple until it hardened.

  “Good morning. I have awesome news.”

  “Yea? What’s that?

  “I’m fertile,” she said. His hand stilled from its exploration.

&
nbsp; “So . . . that means we’re ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “Like now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Right now?” he asked, sitting up. Alyssa chuckled.

  “Yes!” she said.

  Sam frowned. “I planned on this moment being more romantic for you. I was going to wine and dine you.”

  “Well. It’s not like I have given you a lot of time to plan something.” Alyssa moved onto her knees so that she was eye level with him. This was it. She had been waiting for this since she’d accepted his offer a few months ago. “Besides, I don’t need all that. I just need you.”

  His stomach muscles twitched as her fingers trailed down them and slid under his waist band. He gasped when one hand stroked his hardened length. He placed his hands on the sides of her face and leaned in. Alyssa surrendered to his fevered kisses as she swiped her thumb across the large head, spreading the pre-come over the tip.

  She pushed him onto his back and took him into her mouth. She made it slick by sucking and licking.

  “Lys, I’m not going to last long with you doing that. Come here.” Sam pulled her down on the bed. He placed light kisses all over her face and neck as he inserted one finger into her.

  “You are so unbelievably wet,” he said. Alyssa moaned. She felt her walls tighten around his fingers as he slid another one in. He found the small bundle of nerves inside her and continued to stroke her slippery center. He took her to the edge. She was close. She could feel it.

  “Don’t stop, Sam,” she said. She grabbed the sheet in her fists as her entire body shook from the sensations.

  “Sam!” He continued to lap her juices until her body stopped trembling. Alyssa spread her thighs wide as he positioned himself at her opening.

  Alyssa looked into his eyes as he slowly pushed inside of her. Her walls stretched as she felt her body take all of him. He gasped when he was deep inside of her.

  “You feel amazing, Alyssa.” She wrapped her legs around his backside, pushing him even deeper into her core.

  “That’s right, baby. Take all of me.”

  She let out a moan. Sam began thrusting into her hard and fast. They immediately found a frenzied rhythm that had them both panting and crying out each other’s name.

  “Harder, Sam! Harder!”

  Sam pulled out. He flipped her over onto her stomach.

  “Put your sexy ass in the air.”

  She lifted herself onto her knees and he entered her from behind. He was balls deep. He placed his hand on her lower back and began pounding into her.

  “Oh. My. God. Sam!”

  “Give it to me, Alyssa. Come on, baby.” He pushed into her even harder. Moments later, her body exploded around him as she shouted out his name. She felt Sam thrust a few times before his body stilled, coming deep inside of her.

  Sam threw himself down on the mattress and flipped to his back.

  “Sorry I was so rough,” he said. He turned to look at her.

  “Why are you sorry? I loved it!” She turned onto her side and began caressing his chest with her fingertips. “In fact, I’m ready to go again.”

  “You’re kidding? You’re going to be the death of me.”

  “I think you can handle it,” she teased.

  They remained in bed for most of the day, making love three more times and once more in the shower.

  Alyssa was sore. She and Jack never did it more than once in one day. He had never made love to her like Sam just had. Sam was like a caged animal in the bedroom. It was like he had been created specifically to fit her. He had her in positions she hadn’t known even existed.

  Alyssa went back to her place to get dressed. Sam insisted that they go out to eat to commemorate their special day together.

  Alyssa stood in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear. Sam had said, “Dressy but not too dressy.” Whatever the hell that meant.

  She finally decided on the cashmere tunic sweater and black leggings with knee high boots. She was curling her hair when Sam came into the bathroom.

  “You look great!” he said, placing a kiss behind her ear.

  “Thanks.” Alyssa grabbed another tendril and wrapped it around the hot iron.

  Sam looked like a God. He wore dark denim designer jeans with a V-neck sweater. Alyssa subconsciously licked her lips when she noticed the large bulge in the front of his pants. Sam chuckled.

  “Like what you see, sweetheart?”

  Alyssa blushed but smiled. “Pig.”

  “You love my piggish ways. You said so yourself just two hours ago.” Alyssa rolled her eyes at him.

  He stayed in the bathroom and chatted with her while Alyssa finished her hair and makeup. Alyssa marveled at how easy it was for the two of them. There was never any awkwardness between them. In fact, it felt like she and Sam had been friends forever.

  * * * * *

  They arrived at the restaurant. The maître D sat them in a secluded corner near the fireplace. A candle sat burning on their table.

  Sam held out her chair as she sat down then took his own seat across from her.

  “This is so romantic, Sam. Thank You.”

  “You’re welcome. What do you want to drink?”

  Alyssa looked at the beer list. “I’d love a beer but I think I should stick with water from now on.”

  Just then, the waiter came over and introduced himself. He took their drink order and walked away.

  They sat for two hours enjoying each other while they worked through their three course meal. When it was time to go, Sam left a considerable tip for the waiter.

  “Do you always tip like that?” Alyssa asked, donning her seatbelt. “That was a lot more than twenty percent.”

  “I do if it’s deserved. He was excellent.”

  Alyssa leaned her head back and fell asleep.

  “We’re home, sleepyhead.”

  “Hmm?” Alyssa opened her eyes and stared into Sam’s blue ones. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “We’ve had a long day. A long wonderful day.”

  “One of the best.” She leaned up and kissed him.

  The following morning, Alyssa woke first and decided to make them breakfast. She stood at the stove in a tee shirt and boxer shorts, flipping the bacon. Sam wrapped his arms around her. He planted a kiss behind her right ear.

  “I wouldn’t mind waking up to this every morning, sexy girl.”

  She turned and encircled her arms around his neck, kissing his lips. Sam grabbed her behind the thighs and draped her legs around him. He moved toward the living room and dumped her unceremoniously on the couch.

  “Sam . . . the bacon is going to burn.”

  “I’m not hungry for bacon,” he said. He lowered himself on top of her and moved to kiss her when his cell phone vibrated on the table. “Shit!”

  Sam walked over to answer it. He spoke for two minutes and seemed agitated when he hung up.

  “Is everything okay?

  “Lys, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Alyssa curled her legs under her and crossed her arms around her mid-section. This didn’t sound good at all. What could be so wrong? And why didn’t he tell her before the phone rang?

  Sam sat next to her. He leaned his elbows on his thighs and rubbed his hands over his face.

  “Sam. You’re scaring me. What is it?”

  “I slept with a girl who worked at the firehouse and now she’s accusing me of rape.”

  Alyssa felt her stomach tie into knots. This can’t be happening.

  The room became hot all of a sudden. She needed air. She headed to the kitchen sliding glass door and stepped onto the deck. She leaned over the railing, taking deep breaths. Her head had been spinning. He’s not a rapist. I know this but . . .

  “Lys. Please say something.” She turned at the sound of his voice. He stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets. His eyes beseeched her own.

  “Who was that on the phone?”

  “My dad. He’s
representing me. He called to tell me he was on his way over.”

  “Right now? Geesh!” She flew by him like greased lightning. “You could have warned me,” she said, walking into the living room fully clothed.

  “Sorry. You’re welcome to stay and I’ll fill in the blanks when my dad leaves.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Course.”

  “Who is she?”

  “Her name is Carmen and she worked at the firehouse for a brief time . . .” he paused. “You met her in the parking lot before your run a couple months ago.”

  “Oh yea. Long brown hair, skinny?”

  “That’s her.”

  His face lit up. “Did you happen to hear us that night?”

  “Yes. As a matter of fact . . .”

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Alyssa. This is great! We need to tell Dad.”

  “Okay.”

  Sam kissed her on the lips before opening the door. Alyssa stepped aside and watched Sam greet his father in a hug. John turned to Alyssa with his arms opened wide.

  “Come here, beautiful. It’s so wonderful to see you again.”

  Alyssa walked into his arms and received a huge hug. She loved Sam’s dad. He reminded her of her own father, who had been a very loving man.

  “So what’s the big news you have to tell me?” Sam asked his father.

  John set his keys down on the table. He looked at Sam.

  “Carmen is now saying that she is six weeks along and the baby is yours.”

  Sam sat down. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He looked at Alyssa with a stunned look on his face.

  “No. She’s lying,” Sam said.

  Alyssa sat quietly on the couch and wished it would swallow her whole. This isn’t happening, is it? She knew Sam was looking at her wondering what she was thinking. She met his glance. His eyes pleaded to her.

  “Well, let’s not get upset just yet. I’ve filed a motion to get her medical records and have a paternity test mandated.”

  He placed his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. I didn’t want you to hear this news over the phone.”

  All Sam could do was nod in understanding. John grabbed his keys and walked to the front door.