by RJ Nolan
“That’s a good idea.” Sam stood up with Riley in her arms.
“What are you doing?” Riley wrapped her arms around Sam’s neck.
“Just what you said. We’re going back to bed and starting this day over.” Sam gently set Riley down next to the bed. She gathered up the clothes on the bed, shoved them into the suitcase, flipped the lid down, and carried the overflowing case over to the luggage rack by the door. Smiling, she walked back to the bed.
Riley was standing exactly where she had left her, her hands worrying the bottom of her sweater.
Sam leaned down and whispered close to her ear, “Relax. We’re just going to sleep. I would never pressure you to let me touch you.” She nipped Riley’s earlobe and smiled to herself when Riley shivered. “No matter how much I want to touch you.”
Under Riley’s watchful eyes, she stripped out of her clothes, leaving just her sports bra and underwear. Don’t even think about how she’s looking at you, or you’ll never survive this. She pulled the comforter to the end of the bed, turned back the sheet and blanket, and slipped into the bed. “Your turn.”
Riley smiled hesitantly. Her hands trembled as she reached for the bottom of her sweater. She pulled it over her head, then removed the rest of her clothes, except for her undergarments.
Sam held her gaze until she saw some of her trepidation ease, then allowed her gaze to travel over Riley’s silk camisole, down to her panties, and back to her face. “You’re beautiful.”
Riley flushed, and her gaze darted away.
I’ll convince you of that. No matter how long it takes. Sam longed to touch her. Holding up her arm in invitation, she said, “Join me.”
Riley climbed into the bed, slipped under Sam’s arm, and snuggled against her side.
Sam pulled her close and let out a contented sigh. The press of Riley’s body against her excited and soothed her at the same time. “Are you comfortable?”
Riley nodded against her shoulder. She put her arm over Sam’s belly.
Sam placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “This is just what we needed.”
Chapter 48
Riley woke with her cheek pressed against bare skin. Now this how the day should have started. She was lying behind Sam, spooned against her, with her arm around Sam’s waist and one hand resting on her belly. She lifted up enough to peer over Sam’s shoulder. Sam’s eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell with the rhythm of sleep.
She still found it hard to believe Sam had come after her. Not only that, but Sam was in love with her. Not in her wildest dreams had Riley dared hope for that. And she wants me. Just like I am. That realization had been as exhilarating as finding out Sam loved her.
Her euphoria dimmed at the pain she had caused Sam. No matter how long it took, she would make it up to her. She tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t resist the feel of Sam’s silky skin beneath her fingers. She stroked Sam’s abdomen, from the bottom of her bra to the top of her underwear. Needing to feel more skin, she bunched her camisole up to expose her chest and cuddled closer. Her bare breasts pressed against Sam’s back, and Riley bit back a groan. She resumed caressing Sam’s belly.
Sam closed her fingers around Riley’s wrist, startling her, and tugged her hand up to cover Sam’s breast. “I dreamed about this.”
“About us?” Riley asked.
Sam pulled up her sports bra and guided Riley’s hand to her bare breast. “About waking up with your naked breasts pressed against my back.” Her breathing sped up. “You squeezed my breast, then rolled my nipple between your fingers.”
Riley’s thighs clenched as arousal shot straight to her center. She squeezed Sam’s breast.
Sam pressed back against her.
After taking Sam’s nipple between her fingers, she rolled it until it became a tight, hard bud. “Then what did I do?”
“You. You… God I can’t think with you doing that.”
She grinned and increased the pressure on her nipple. “Want me to stop?”
Sam whimpered.
I’ll take that as a no. “What did I do then?”
“You didn’t do anything. I took your hand off my breast,” Sam said, matching her actions to her words. “And…” She lifted her leg and guided Riley’s hand into her underwear and between her thighs.
Riley groaned when her fingers were engulfed in slick, wet heat. She sought out Sam’s clit and began to stroke her. “Then what happened?”
Having Sam relating her dream was unexpectedly erotic. She wondered how long she could keep her talking.
“Then…then the freaking phone rang, and I woke up.”
Riley burst out laughing and shifted as if she were going to remove her hand. Like that would ever happen. She could touch her forever and never tire of it.
Sam grabbed her wrist. “Please.”
Allowing Sam to set the pace, Riley stroked her. When she felt Sam was close, she pushed inside and thrust hard and deep.
Sam’s body went taut. “Riley.”
Riley thrilled to the sound of her name wrenched from Sam’s lips. She kept her fingers in place until the contractions around them had stopped, then gently eased out. She pressed against Sam’s back, stroking her belly as she recovered.
Sam put her hand on top of Riley’s and startled Riley by rolling over and facing her.
She quickly pulled her camisole down to cover her breasts.
“Please don’t do that.” Sam ran her fingers across the bottom edge of the camisole. “Will you let me touch you?”
A spark of apprehension flared. Riley firmly smothered it. You don’t have to be afraid with Sam. “I’d like that.”
Sam sat up, removed her sports bra, then tugged her underwear off. She slid back down in the bed so they were face to face.
Unable to resist the temptation, Riley cupped one of Sam’s breasts.
“Ah. Not this time.” Sam gently removed her hand. “It’s my turn.” Her striking silvery-blue eyes glowed with passion. “Please. I need to touch you.”
Riley shivered as renewed arousal swept through her.
Taking her time, Sam trailed her fingers over Riley’s silk-covered belly, down her thighs, and back up toward her breasts.
Every touch ratcheted Riley’s breathing up another notch. By the time Sam reached her breasts, she was panting. Sam caressed her breasts through the camisole, repeatedly brushing her thumbs over her aching nipples. When she withdrew her hand, Riley whimpered.
Sam captured her gaze and held her hostage. “I want you. Only you.” She slipped her hand under the camisole and stroked her bare belly. “Please. Take this off.” Her voice dropped to a husky purr. “And the panties too.”
Riley clenched her thighs, sure she was going to climax from just the sexy timbre of Sam’s voice. She sat up. Her fingers trembled as she removed the camisole and her panties under Sam’s watchful eyes. Despite her arousal, as she lay back down facing Sam, she swallowed heavily at baring herself fully.
Sam’s gaze swept her body like a physical caress.
When Sam looked back up, the raw passion on her face took Riley’s breath away.
“You’re beautiful.”
And Riley believed her. No one had ever looked at her like that before. “Please, Sam. Touch me.”
Sam growled. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Oh. God. Riley’s hips thrust before she even touched her. Her body surged forward and pressed against Sam’s, desperate for the contact.
Sam wrapped her arm around Riley’s back and pulled their bodies together as if trying to merge them into one being.
She moaned at the feel of Sam’s bare breasts against hers.
Dipping her head, Sam took Riley’s lips in a searing kiss. She stroked up and down her back before cupping her ass.
Riley struggled to contain the rising tide that threated to obliterate her tenuous control. Not yet. She needed to feel Sam touching her, loving her.
“Relax. Just let go. There will be lots more times t
o go slow,” Sam whispered close to her ear as if she could read Riley’s thoughts. She lowered her head and captured Riley’s breast in her mouth.
Fire coiled in Riley’s belly.
Sam slid her hand down Riley’s abdomen and delved into the heat between her thighs.
The world shrank down to the exquisite point of pleasure between her legs. A single stroke across her clit and she shattered. A climax unlike any Riley had experienced roared through her.
When she regained her equilibrium, she was cradled in Sam’s strong arms, face pillowed on her breast. She lifted her head and gazed into Sam’s loving blue eyes. “I love you.” Emotion choked her voice.
Sam hugged her almost painfully tight. “I love you too.”
Riley’s stomach growled loudly. Heat shot up her neck.
Sam grinned. “Have you eaten at all today?”
Riley was loath to admit she hadn’t. She didn’t want Sam to move, but her traitorous stomach growled again, answering for her.
Sam laughed, threw back the covers, and got out of bed. “Me neither, and I’m suddenly starving.”
Already missing her warmth, Riley pulled the sheet up to cover her chest.
Sam found the room service menu. She smiled as she settled back into the bed with Riley. “What do you say we order some breakfast, then after we’ve eaten, we’ll gather all this stuff up and go home?”
A home with Sam. No words had ever sounded so right. “Sounds perfect to me.”
Sam leaned over and nibbled on Riley’s neck. “Well, maybe there might be a couple of other things we need to do before we go home.”
Riley shivered as Sam’s lips dipped lower, taking the sheet with her. Even better.
EPILOGUE
“Thanks for the help putting the grill together.” Marina slid open the glass patio door.
Sam followed her into the house. “No problem. How’s your finger? Has it stopped bleeding?”
She had refused to let Sam look at her finger after she cut it while fitting the heating element into place.
“It’s fine.” Marina scowled at the blood-soaked paper towel wrapped around her index finger.
“You should let Riley take a look at it.” She glanced at her watch. “They should be back soon.”
Marina waved away the suggestion. “It’s just a scratch, not a traumatic amputation. I’ll go rinse it out. Want another beer?”
“No thanks. Two’s my limit.”
“Geez, how the mighty have fallen.” Marina smirked. “What’s the matter, little woman won’t let you have more than two beers?”
Sam laughed, refusing to take the bait. “Look who’s talking.” She swept her arm wide encompassing the whole area. “I’m not the old, married lady living with the little woman in a house with a real picket fence.”
“You’ve got me there.” Marina arched an eyebrow. “You know, it’s not like it used to be. You could marry your woman too.”
Just the thought of Riley made Sam’s smile widen. The last six months with Riley had been amazing. She fell more in love with her every day.
“I knew it. You are going to ask her.”
Sam had never thought she would find herself totally in love and looking forward to spending the rest of her life with anyone. She was going to propose; she was just waiting until she could create the perfect moment. But she wasn’t ready to admit that to Marina. She gave Marina her most innocent look. “Who me? You think I’d do something like that?”
Marina laughed. “Who do you think you’re kidding?” She bumped shoulders with Sam. “I’m so happy for you, mi amiga.”
The front door opened, and Elisabeth and Riley came in.
“How was the meeting?” Sam was so glad Elisabeth had talked Riley into joining the women’s support group for partners of police officers.
Riley smiled and rose up on her toes for a kiss. “It was good. We had some newcomers tonight. It felt great to give something back to the group. They’ve helped me so much.”
Sam gave her a one-armed hug. “That’s—”
“What happened to your hand?” Elisabeth cut in.
Marina tucked her hand behind her back. “Nothing. Just a little scratch.”
Elisabeth stood toe to toe with her. “Let me see your hand.”
“Really it’s—” Marina winced at the look she was getting and held out her hand.
Sam grinned at her over Elisabeth’s shoulder and mouthed, “Pussy-whipped.”
Riley elbowed her in the ribs.
When Sam glanced down at her, the expression on Riley’s face wiped the smirk off Sam’s.
Marina shot her a serves-you-right look.
Riley moved to Elisabeth’s side and examined Marina’s hand. “Doesn’t look too bad. Clean it up with peroxide or Betadine if you have it, then a couple of steri-strips. Make sure she keeps it clean, and it’ll be fine.”
Elisabeth nodded. “Thanks, Riley.”
“Yeah, thanks, Doc,” Marina said. “Everyone hungry? I’ve got the grill heating. Should be ready to put the burgers on by now.”
Sam’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen. The name displayed sent her pulse into overdrive. They had been on baby watch for almost two weeks. “It’s Jess.” She thumbed the screen. “Hey, Jess.”
“Kim’s in labor. We’re leaving for LA Metro now. Meet us at the birthing center.”
Sam couldn’t remember ever hearing her always calm and in-control sister sounding so anxious. She heard Kim in the background. Her voice sounded stressed, but Sam couldn’t make out what she was saying. I hope she’s okay.
“I have to go. Get here.” Jess hung up before Sam could reply.
“Well?” Riley asked.
“Kim’s in labor.”
“How long has she been in labor? Did she say how far effaced and dilated she was?” Riley stared at Sam’s phone as if she could make it give her the answers she wanted.
Sam shook her head. “I have no idea. Jess didn’t give any details, just said to get up there.”
“Right.” Riley nodded. “Jess has a lot more pressing things on her mind at the moment than reassuring us.” She tugged Sam’s arm and took a step toward the door. “Let’s go. I promised Kim we’d be there. I’ll call Denny on the way and get him to cover for me tomorrow.” She frowned and turned back to Marina and Elisabeth. “Sorry about dinner.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Elizabeth said. “Get out of here. Be sure to call us when the baby is born.”
“We will,” Sam said.
* * *
Sam strode toward the nurses’ station, still grumbling about the temporary shutdown of the freeway that had delayed them. When she realized Riley had to trot to keep up with her, she shortened her strides.
“Can I help you?” a nurse asked.
“We’re here to see Kim Donov—” Sam caught herself. “I mean Kim McKenna. I’m her sister-in-law. What room is she in?” She glanced at Riley, wondering if she’d be willing to change her name someday too.
The nurse consulted her computer. “Dr. McKenna is in three-twelve.”
“Thanks,” Sam said.
The closer they got to Kim’s room, the more Sam’s anxiety rose. She had dealt with women in labor while on the job. The thought of seeing Kim like that, bathed in sweat with her face contorted in pain, made her stomach burn.
“What’s the matter?”
She started at the sound of Riley’s voice. “Just worried about Kim.”
“I’m sure she and the baby will be fine.” Riley put her hand on Sam’s arm. “She’s had an uncomplicated pregnancy.”
They stopped outside the room marked three-twelve.
Unlike most of the other rooms they had passed, this door was closed. Sam’s anxiety spiked. She hesitated to knock.
Riley had no such qualms. She knocked on the door.
There was no response for several moments, then a nurse in scrubs pulled the door open just enough to stick her head out. “McKenna family?”
Fear held Sam’s voice hostage.
“Yes, we’re her family,” Riley said.
“You’ll need to give us a few minutes to finish up with Dr. McKenna.” The nurse ducked back into the room and shut the door.
“We missed it? The baby was born?” While Sam was sorry they had missed the birth, she couldn’t repress the relief that washed over her at not having to see Kim in pain.
“Kim and Jess will understand. They know what traffic can be like between San Diego and LA.” Riley glanced at her watch. “Though I admit I’m kind of surprised. I don’t know how long they waited before coming in, but Jess only called us three and a half hours ago. That’s pretty fast for a first delivery.”
Sam stared at the closed door. “But you think Kim’s okay, right? The nurse would have said something, wouldn’t she?”
Riley stepped close and wrapped her arm around Sam’s waist. “Kim and the baby are fine. I’m sure of it.”
Gazing down into Riley’s calm, loving green eyes, Sam felt her tension ease.
It wasn’t long before the door swung open.
A nurse exited, pushing an IV stand. Kim’s obstetrician was right behind her. “Congratulations again, you two. Sorry I have to run.” She waved, offered Sam and Riley a smile, then hurried down the hall.
The same nurse as before greeted them with a smile. “Come in and meet the newest member of the family.”
Sam entwined her fingers with Riley’s as they entered. The lights were turned low, bathing the room in a gentle glow. The head of the bed was raised, and Jess sat on the far side, her arm wrapped protectively around Kim and their child. She looked up when Sam and Riley reached the bed.
Sam’s breath caught at the open, emotion-filled look in her sister’s eyes. She had never seen her look so vulnerable—or so happy. “Hey, sis. Congratulations. Sorry we couldn’t get here in time.” Sam’s voice cracked.
Riley leaned in and hugged Kim, then kissed her cheek, being careful of the baby. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
“You’re here now,” Kim said. “That’s what matters.”