“Morning,” Linc cheered, startling her.
Samantha’s eyes bugged out as she froze. Embarrassed, she quickly combed her hair down and tugged at her shirt, griping, “Jeez, Mom. Give someone a little notice next time.”
“That’ll teach you to sleep in,” Emma retorted, snickering.
“It’s not even seven in the mornin’!” Samantha cried, shooting Emma a glare.
Realizing something important was missing, I asked, “Where’s your sling?”
“I already have a mother,” she countered, narrowing her eyes.
God, I loved her sass.
“Obviously,” I stated, lifting a brow at her in amusement. “But you should be resting that arm.”
“It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”
“You should still be resting it.”
“Can I get some coffee in me first?” she snapped, irritable, and waved at the coffee pot next to her.
I sighed dramatically. “I guess so.”
That got me a beaming smile.
Damn, I’d do just about anything to be on the receiving end of that smile.
“There’s mugs above the coffee pot, Ben. Help yourself,” Emma instructed as she ambled to the stove.
“Thanks,” I murmured, heading towards Samantha. As I passed her, I kissed her temple and surreptitiously dragged my fingers along her outer thigh, needing to feel her if only for a moment. “Morning, baby girl,” I whispered for only her to hear. “You look beautiful.”
“Riiight…” she drawled sarcastically, but it was to cover up the blush staining her cheeks and the visible shudder my touch invoked.
Pleased, I grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard and poured both of us a cup. I handed her one, hesitating so that I could brush my thumb along the inside of her wrist, and took a sip of mine. I rested against the counter next to her, acting as if everything was normal, and gave her a cheeky grin.
Swallowing hard, she rasped, “Thanks.” She shot me a look filled with warning, then peeked at the others in the kitchen to make sure no one saw us. Once she was assured, she addressed Lincoln. “Hey, klutz.”
Lincoln was already seated at the kitchen table, waiting to be served. He gave Samantha his biggest, dopiest smile. “Hey, Sam. You look pretty this morning.”
I hid my grimace behind my mug, remembering our conversation from twenty minutes ago. Lord help me, he was going to start flirting with my girlfriend.
Girlfriend…?
Were Samantha and I in a committed relationship after our discussion last night?
I’d have to broach that subject with her. It wasn’t as if I wanted to see anyone else, and I sure as hell didn’t want to share her with anyone. The mere idea made my blood boil.
I pushed those thoughts aside for later.
“Here you go,” Emma cheered and placed heaping piles of homemade waffles and scrambled eggs in front of Lincoln.
Lincoln’s eyes gleamed. “Whoa, I think I’m gonna like coming here every morning. You know, you can feed me whenever you want.”
Samantha and I chuckled as we drank our coffee. Lincoln didn’t pay us any mind and dug in, letting out a loud hum at first bite.
“What’s on your agenda for today?” I questioned, giving Samantha a sidelong glance.
“Not sure. For starters, I’m stayin’ away from all gardenin’ tools.” She peeked to see if Lincoln heard her, but he was in his little bubble of culinary bliss. Her shoulders slumped as she dug a toe into the tiled floor, drawing my attention to her bare legs again. “This week is gonna drag.”
I jerked my eyes away and met her gaze. She caught my appraisal but winked instead of scolding me.
I whispered, “I’m sure we can figure out something to keep you busy.”
Samantha offered me a flirty smile. “Is that so?”
“Tonight. Dinner at my place?”
Having learned Lincoln’s fears, I believed it was best that he saw Samantha and me together and that we included him. It would help ease his mind, and it would prove to Samantha that I was all in with us.
Surprise and pleasure lit Samantha’s face, but then she glanced at Linc. “What about Linc?”
“He hasn’t woken up this early in months. Plus, after working in the sun all day, he’ll be out by ten.”
Samantha chewed on her lip, hesitating. “But your split with-”
“He knows about us,” I interjected, not wanting to rehash Gwen.
Shock caused her to jolt slightly. “You told him?”
“Not really.” I couldn’t believe I left out that part of the story last night. It must have slipped my mind in the midst of everything else we discussed. “I’ll explain tonight.” That gained her curiosity, so I assured her, “He’s okay with us. We’ve talked about it.”
“You know, when I first heard about him after the yard debacle, I thought he’d be surly and mad all the time,” Samantha mused, watching Linc intently. “But he seems happy.”
A rugged sigh came from deep within my chest. “We’ve come to an understanding,” I disclosed quietly. “We’re trying to start over.”
“Does he know about…?” She let her words trail off, afraid to ask the whole question out loud.
But I got the gist.
“That’s how we came to the understanding.” I glanced at Emma briefly, who was at the stove again, singing under her breath. I think she was trying to give us a moment. “He found out the night before I saw you again. He’s agreed to cool it and give our relationship another chance now that his mom isn’t in the picture.”
“Damn,” Samantha muttered, flinching. “That had to be tough. How’s he takin’ it?”
I shook my head. “Not entirely sure. He’s putting on a good front, trying to act fine. To know your mother has only lied to you is a bitter pill to swallow, though.” I knew from experience, but I wasn’t going to add that. “He’s skeptical about the future, but isn’t against seeing how things pan out.”
“Well, that’s good…I think,” she added slowly, unsure.
I finished off the last of my coffee. “I have to get going. I’ll pick you up after work when I get Linc. Is that okay?”
Bemused, she asked, “Wouldn’t it be easier if I drove? You wouldn’t have to worry about dropping me off.”
Mischievously, I smiled. “Are you gonna cheat me out of the best part?”
Samantha pressed her lips together, suppressing a grin. “Well, I can’t do that, now can I?”
“Walk me out?”
“Sure.”
I strolled to the sink and rinsed out my mug, leaving it there. “Thanks for the coffee, Emma, but I need to get to the clinic.”
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “No problem, Ben. Anytime.”
I strode to Linc and squeezed his shoulder. “Call if you need me.”
“Yeah…whatever,” he mumbled, forking another big helping of waffles into his mouth.
“I’m walkin’ Ben out, Mom,” Samantha called out as she met me at the mouth of the hall. When Emma didn’t comment, I motioned for her to go first.
That was the wrong move.
Seeing her ass move under her shirt as she sashayed made my jeans tight. Hell, being around her in general was hell on my libido. She was riveting.
Samantha stopped at the door and slipped her thumbs into my belt loop.
Not nearly close enough.
I circled her waist and tugged her to my chest, causing her eyes to widen as she stumbled into me. “You and I are gonna have a conversation about this shirt later,” I murmured, fingering the hem and kissing the underside of her jaw. “I was hard as soon as I laid eyes on you.”
“Is that right?” she teased, rubbing her stomach across my dick.
I inhaled harshly. “You’re mean.” I bit her ear in warning. “You’ll pay for that later.”
Her voice was low and breathy. “How so?”
“I’ll keep you from coming for an ungodly amount of time.”
“Who said anythin’
about comin’?” she taunted, thrusting against me.
I gripped her ass to keep her still. “You did. As soon as I saw you in that shirt, you sealed the deal.”
“I didn’t know you were comin’ inside.”
“I’ll be coming inside later,” I joked.
“You’re corny.”
“Stating the truth.”
Skeptical, she questioned, “What about Linc?”
I loved the fact that she thought about my son. Hearing her talk about him last night, about how he was my priority, touched me in ways no one has touched me before. Only I had ever looked after him like that.
Instead of voicing that, I replied, “There’s a reason I want to drive you home. Best part, remember?”
A wicked twinkle lit her eyes. “Oh, naughty. Reliving high school days. I like it.”
That was the wrong thing to say.
I grimaced, fighting off memories, and loosened my grip.
She didn’t mean anything by that, Ben. Let it go.
“Shit,” she whispered, widening her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Don’t. You’re just joking. It didn’t mean anything.”
“I’ll try to-”
“No,” I stopped her, taking a handful of her ass and closing the distance between us again. “Don’t worry about saying things in front of me. I don’t want the past to dictate my future. You and I are starting something new…better.”
“Okay,” she whispered feebly, still uncertain.
I pressed my lips against hers, needing to dispel any insecurities. Her mouth opened under mine, letting me plundered it. She tasted like coffee and Samantha.
Delicious.
Our tongues entwined, ripping a deep groan from my chest. Jesus, she was something else. She kissed how she made love – uninhibited, throwing all her worth into it.
I tore my mouth from hers and rested my forehead against hers, our breathing ragged. I loved holding her like this and seeing those golden eyes up close. They were unguarded, giving freely, telling me her every emotion. It was one of the things I loved the most about Samantha – I never had to guess. When she was mad, they shot fire at me. When she was happy, they conveyed it and brightened. And when she was turned on, like now, they became more iridescent and glistened, swirling with need.
“I have to go,” I murmured, brushing my lips across hers once more.
“Mmmm.” She followed my lips, biting into my lower one. “Later.”
“Definitely later.”
∞
Bending over the pool table, and giving me a beautiful view of her luscious ass, Samantha aimed her pool cue and taunted Lincoln. “You’re about to get beat by a girl.”
“No, I’m not. You’re gonna choke,” he countered.
In hopes she’d mess up, Lincoln’s made a crazy monkey-like face from the opposite side of the table. He looked so much like a younger version of himself, back when he was five and that was still cool. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him this carefree.
I was overjoyed with how the evening had gone. Linc was a little quiet during dinner (but that was given in this situation). Samantha noticed and drew him out of his shell by luring him to talk about his interests, school, girls, and things that even I didn’t know about him. She was a natural, and by the end of it, he was practically eating out of her hand.
And, as it appeared, he still was.
“It’s not gonna work, klutz. I’m gonna own you.” Samantha pulled the pool stick backward and let it rip, sending the cue ball hurtling towards the eight ball. It hit perfectly and sank into the corner pocket. She hopped up and cheered, letting out a loud whooping sound, then pointed at Linc. “What I tell you?! Huh?! You just got served!”
I snorted, highly amused by her behavior. Nevertheless, it was another thing I appreciated the most about her personality. She enjoyed life, allowing herself to just be and have fun, no matter what anyone thought. I only wished I could be like that and not take everything so seriously.
Lincoln scrunched up his nose. “Served? Seriously? This isn’t the nineties anymore.”
Unruffled, Samantha retorted, “Where you even alive in the nineties?”
“She’s got you there,” I chimed in.
Lincoln pointed a finger at me indignantly. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”
I chuckled and hoisted myself off the couch. “Not in pool. Ready to get beat by your old man?”
“You are kind a’ old,” Lincoln drolled.
“Hey!” I shouted in mock outrage. “That’s uncalled for.”
Lincoln shrugged. “Just calling it like it is, old man.”
“You’re in for it, son.” I held a hand out to Samantha. “Hand it over.”
She passed me the pool cue, grinning. I stopped her before she could step away and checked her stitches since she was bound and determined to overdo it.
“Worry wort,” she mumbled cheekily.
“You can’t be too careful,” I stated, happy with what I saw. I was scared she’d torn them open with that victory dance of hers, but it appeared that wasn’t the case. “Adam was right – you’re stubborn.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” She waved a hand, brushing me off.
I chuckled and glanced at Lincoln. “Rack ‘em.”
He ran around the table, eager to play another game, as my cell rang. I slipped my phone from my pocket, and all joy melted from me.
Of all nights, he has to call tonight.
Noticing my dismay, Lincoln asked, “Mom?”
“No,” I grumbled. “Grandpa.”
“Crap,” he muttered.
“You two play again. I’ll be back in a minute,” I told them, already marching out of the room.
“What’s that about?” I heard Samantha ask.
“They don’t get along. Like, at all,” Lincoln informed her.
Wonderful.
I prayed that Samantha wouldn’t ask about my father just yet.
By the time I made it to my bedroom on the other side of the house, I’d missed his call. I dialed his number as I sat on the bed, bracing myself for whatever load of bullshit he was about to unload on me.
“Benjamin,” my father said as he answered.
“Dad,” I replied tersely.
“How are you?”
God, I hated the blasé tone of his voice.
For as long as I could remember, Dad hadn’t shown a speck of genuine interest in me or my life. I didn’t know why I got myself worked up over that fact – it would never change. At least I was passed the point of bending myself backward to gain his approval.
“Fine.” I didn’t ask how he was – I didn’t care.
“Good to hear.”
I waited, hoping he’d get to the reasoning behind his call. He never got in contact with me unless it was out of necessity.
He didn’t leave me hanging for long.
“Your mother wants to visit,” he revealed.
Perfect.
Now that Linc was back home and living with me, I couldn’t say no to her. I’d have to see her.
“Right,” I replied sarcastically. “And it had to be you to call and tell me this.”
“Ben, that’s unfair.”
“What’s unfair is you controlling every aspect of her life.”
“Ben,” he warned, his tone cutting. “Watch yourself.”
“Does the truth hurt?”
“If you continue to treat me like this, I’ll have to reconsider your mother’s request.”
I had my fill of threats and mind games. Although a visit from Mom right now was the last thing Lincoln needed, so I wouldn’t be too upset if he fulfilled this particular threat. Plus, I wasn’t all that fired up about seeing her again.
“Then do it,” I stated, impassively.
Dad sighed his frustration. “It’s been almost a year, Benjamin. Will you ever let go of your anger?”
Red film hindered my vision.
Somehow, the gall of this man was still surprising.
“Anger? You think what I feel is anger?” My laugh was cutting and full of bitterness. I continued through gritted teeth. “You have a lot of nerve, Dad. You’ve toyed with my life, hoping to hide your mistakes. No, I’m far from angry – I’m enraged.”
“I’ve done-”
“You know what? I’m not having this discussion with you…again,” I stated instead of yelling and pinched the bridge of my nose. “If Mom wants to come to Bliss, send her out. I’m sure Pops would love to see her. But, if you care about Linc and me at all, convince her to wait another month or so. Linc is just starting to find his footing here – let him stand on solid ground before she upsets the balance. And, for the love of God, do not step foot in this town.”
“That’s unfair to say.”
I shouldn’t have taken his call. Why I did this to myself was crazy.
“Once more, I’m not getting into that with you. I only speak to you for Linc’s sake. And Mom’s. They still love you…which boggles my mind.”
He softened his voice. “Ben… I…”
I wasn’t falling for that.
“Have Mom call me when she gets the details ironed out. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Ben, I’m not done. There’s something-”
“Nice talk, Dad.”
“Ben, you can’t just keep talking over-”
“I can, and I will. Goodbye, Dad.”
I disconnected and threw my phone on the nightstand. I placed my elbows on my knees and cradled my head, trying to control the anger and resentment his voice summoned. It never failed; the sound made me want to punch something…or drive off a cliff.
Forget about him.
That was easier said than done. I felt like a stick of dynamite and with one small mishap, I’d explode. At times, like now, it was hard to control, but I set aside all thoughts of my father for later and stood, intent on playing that game of pool with my son.
As I approached the game room, I heard Lincoln say, “I’m not sure what happened, but it all changed last year. Suddenly Dad’s divorcing Mom, Mom’s losing her mind, and Dad can’t talk to Grandpa without flipping out.”
Too much info, Linc.
I didn’t know what I wanted to do first – slap myself upside the head for leaving them alone or run in there and cover Linc’s mouth.
Fated Bliss (The Bliss Series Book 2) Page 24