Blindsided: Renegades 7 (The Renegades Series)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “No reason,” she said softly and looked away, brushing something that he couldn’t see off the blanket. “I guess the doctor did say that.” Looking away, she moved the tray and dishes to the bedside table.

  “Yeah.” Sam could see the worry on her face. She was so good to him; she didn’t need to worry anymore. The worst was over. He felt bad for snapping at her; he hadn’t meant to. “I’m sorry, babe. You know I hate pills. Just gotta take the migraine meds the way the doc wants.”

  He didn’t like taking the pain pills because they weren’t meant for this injury, but right now, they helped him to feel normal. Sam laid his head beside Trina’s shoulder and ran his hand down her thigh. Warmth pulsed though his body. After the long sleep, he was more than ready to be close with her. Slowly his fingertips inched to the inside of her thigh.

  Her breath hitched and a smile slid across her lips. “Woah, shouldn’t you be resting?” Trina covered his hand with hers, keeping him from moving in any farther.

  “C’mon, Tri.” Sam placed kisses down her arm as he slid his hand back up her thigh. Lowering his voice, almost to a growl, he pleaded, “I’m feeling good. Think of it as physical therapy.”

  “Sam, I don’t know.” Trina tried to fend off his advance, but wasn’t having much luck.

  “Doctor said rest for as much of the week as I can. And I’m still in bed. So…” Sam took advantage of the dimly lit room. The next time she moved to protest, he moved to cover her mouth with his, but stopped when he realized that after sleeping so long, he should brush his teeth before starting something like this. Pulling back, he put up his index finger. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  Moving as quickly as his aching body and head would let him, he hurried to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he let the water heat up as he filled his toothbrush with toothpaste and scrubbed at his teeth. After the nastiness was rinsed from his mouth, he showered, letting the heat relax his body and soothe his head. Once he was clean, he dried his hair, and pulled on fresh boxers.

  Trina hadn’t moved. Still relaxing in bed, she smiled at his return. “Feel better?”

  “Much.”

  “I still think you need your rest, and I don’t believe this sort of thing is on your approved activity list.” She put her hands on his chest in protest.

  But now he was clean and awake. Her attempts to stop his advances were useless and very poorly executed. He knew his wife; if she really meant it, she’d make it undeniably clear and she was not up for it. When he moved his lips slowly against hers, she gasped and her body molded against his. There was no holding back on her part. Which was a green light to him.

  Sliding his hand up the back of her t-shirt, his fingers caressed her warm skin. Trina slept in only a shirt and undies, always giving him easy access. If she really wanted to keep him away today, she’d have put on sleep pants as an extra barrier between him and her. They’d been together long enough that she knew how he was—always horny.

  The pain pills already had him feeling like himself again. The shooting pain was gone, and so was the nausea.

  Sliding his tongue into her mouth, he marveled that she tasted so good, as if he hadn’t tasted his wife in forever. She was gorgeous, and she was his. He’d loved her since the first day he laid eyes on her. His wife didn’t put up much of a protest, wrapping her arms around his neck, and intertwining her legs with his. Her lips slid down his jaw to his neck.

  “You’re sure this is okay, Sam?” Pausing, she looked up at him with wide eyes.

  “I wouldn’t have started it if I wasn’t sure. Tri, you’re the best medicine I could have.” Sam pushed off his boxers, then helped Tri slip off her underwear, dropping kisses along her thigh as he did so. “We don’t need this, either,” he advised, as he lifted off her t-shirt.

  Her nipples, taut and hard, excited for his touch, were one of his favorite things. Sam rolled one between his fingertips, causing Tri to arch her back in a pleasurable response. Taking advantage of her body curved into his, Sam slowly buried himself inside her.

  Trina bit her lip as she held in a moan and settled onto him, leading him to fill her more. He pushed aside her light blond hair that had fallen along her bare shoulders and replaced it with wet kisses. Nothing hurt while he held her close. Nothing else mattered except her.

  He needed to caress every part of her; he needed to love every inch. She deserved all the pleasure he could give her. Watching her climax once only made him harder. He moved hard inside her, filling her completely. Sam continued to drive into her, as she flailed under him, yelling out his name in pleasure. When Tri relaxed, she kept moving against him, riding him as if she were drawing out her pleasure.

  She bit at his shoulder and tightened her legs around his hips. Her teeth scraping along his skin made his desire build, and he wanted to be closer, fuller inside her. Calling out his name, she signaled that she had no objections. He’d make love to his wife like this every night if she’d let him, and most nights, she did. They fit together perfectly, as though they were meant for one another.

  Sam braced her hips and moved into her hard, sucking at her neck and encouraging a moan out of her. She met his movements and dug her nails into his shoulders, her telltale sign that she was close. One last thrust and he exploded inside her as she cried out his name for a second orgasm.

  Maybe it was the fact that he’d slept for over a day, maybe it was the pain killers, but the sex was incredible—not that their sex wasn’t always awesome.

  Sam rolled onto his back and let out a loud breath, completely spent. Now satisfied, he considered that they’d made good use of Willow’s being away for the day.

  Exhausted after a few hours of fun, Trina was finally asleep, her warm, naked body draped across him. He loved his wife so much; he’d be nothing without her. Sam lay staring at the dark ceiling. Soon, his head started to pound and his neck began to ache. Carefully and quietly popping another pill, he didn’t even look to see how many hours had passed since his last one. I’m feeling like myself again. If I need a few pills to do that, then so be it. It won’t be for long; I’m sure the pain will be gone soon.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Trina

  It’d been four days since the hit. Two days of Sam sleeping, followed by two days of him being up before the sun and having breakfast and coffee on the table by the time Trina brought Willow down. Two days Sam had been free of pain. Two days that I hope aren’t a facade. And that this sense of calm we’ve started to enjoy won’t come crashing down around us.

  She took in the smell of coffee; admittedly it was enjoyable to have him home and not always at practice, meetings, working out, or games.

  “Good morning, babe.” Sam pulled her into a hug as she walked into the kitchen. His face was lit up in a smile as he dropped a kiss onto her lips.

  “G’morning. You’re up early again.” The enticing, warm aroma of coffee filled the first floor. Not being able to keep her hands off her husband, Trina wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “Yeah, I guess I’m so used to it that I can’t sleep in.” Slipping away to the counter, he filled her mug with coffee and handed it to her. “Where’s our girl?”

  “In front of the television already. One of her favorite shows is on.”

  “Oh.” His face dropped. “When will it be over?”

  “It’s only a half-hour long. She doesn’t like the next show, so she’ll run in here looking for breakfast, don’t worry.” Her heart warmed at what a good and caring dad he was. Setting her coffee on the table and wrapping her arms around her husband again, Trina tilted her face up towards his. “Call me selfish, but I’m glad that I get you all to myself until then.”

  “I’m liking this being at home thing.” Sam grinned and then placed a soft, drawn-out kiss on her lips.

  “I like it too,” she mumbled against his mouth. Trina wanted to suggest he talk to Ty about joining the guys for practice, since he seemed to be okay, but her heart was torn. Her mornings were usua
lly hectic, filled with toddler television shows and lots of reheated coffee. It was so nice to have him here, to themselves. Sam had nowhere pressing to be, for once. She stood in his arms, loving the feeling.

  Until she smelled something burning. “Waffles?”

  “Ah, dammit!” Sam rushed to the counter and opened the waffle iron. Fiddling with the waffles, he mumbled something about them being okay.

  All Trina could concentrate on was how sexy he looked in the kitchen. The sunlight shone in through the blinds. They’d been pulled shut since he was injured so that the hard light didn’t bother his head. But he hadn’t been complaining.

  She stood silent and watched him from behind. He certainly was a California boy, easily mistaken for a surfer. Sandy blond hair, sky blue eyes, and a panty dropping smile. Now in his late twenties, he was in great shape and worked hard to keep his six-pack, which she found extremely sexy.

  As she watched him now making waffles, her heart thudded in her chest. He wore pajama pants, an unbuttoned flannel shirt, and he was barefoot. With any luck, Willow will go for a nap easily today and give me some quality time with my hunk of a husband. Another bonus of having him home. Trina fanned her feverish face.

  Sam turned around, catching her overheating. “I saved the waffles. It was just the excess batter on the edge—oh hey, are you getting a little heated over here, cutie?” A sexy smile crept across his lips, as his chest muscles flexed.

  Even an innocent action such as making waffles turned into a heated environment when he flashed the smile that made her panties dissolve. She sometimes thought he did it on purpose.

  “Handsome hubby in an unbuttoned shirt, making breakfast and being all domestic? Guilty as charged. Color me hot and bothered.” Damn, my husband is sexy.

  Sam quickly put the ready waffles into the warm oven with another set before turning all his attention on her. She knew that when Willow watched her show, she was glued to the television, so there was no chance she’d come running in here while it was still on.

  Once Sam got close enough to her, she snuggled against him and kissed at his neck. She slid her hands around his middle, under his flannel shirt. Her nails raked against his skin and her body ached for him.

  “I don’t think we have the time for what I want to do to you,” Sam said softly, flashing a devilish smirk.

  Her body burned with desire, as her husband slid his lips down her neck, sucking as he went. When she arched against him, his hard-on teased at her sensitive spot. “Oh, that’s a shame, because I like the sound of that… Babe, I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s time to start working on baby number two.” Her mind had already been made up, and she’d already begun avoiding alcohol, just in case. She hadn’t planned to bring it up to him just yet because of the injury; however, it sort of slipped out in the moment.

  “That sounds like fun.” His wide smile started on one side of his lips and lit up the room as it expanded. That was one of her favorite things about him. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he added, “When can we start? I’d love to get in some practice.”

  Her body buzzed at his eagerness, and the way his lips caressed her skin.

  Willow’s high-pitched voice crashed their heated discussion from the living room. “Mama? Hungry.” Followed by the pitter-patter of footsteps. Crap. My kid has some kind of timing.

  Trina glanced at the clock, sure that Willow’s television show was still on. But, a half-hour had passed already. Placing her hand on Sam’s chest to pause their discussion, she shook her head. “Looks like this is going to have to wait, stud.”

  “Daddy!” Willow ran into the kitchen and leaped onto Sam. He winced before he could catch her and pull her into his arms.

  Well, that’s the end of that hard-on. Trina had to hold in a little laugh when Sam winced. “Willow, be careful with Daddy. You don’t want to break him.”

  Sam cleared his throat and managed a smile. “So, ladies, what’s on tap for today?” He dropped Willow to the floor and adjusted himself.

  The little girl ran to the table, and hopped up onto her chair. “Me hungry.”

  “Yeah, I know, sunshine.” The hot griddle hissed as Sam poured the batter onto it. While the new ones cooked, he pulled the waffles that were warming out of the stove. Preparing her a plate, he poured some syrup over the top, and then slid it to her. “Daddy’s got you covered. Here you go.” He grabbed a sippy cup out of the cupboard and filled it with milk before placing it by her plate. “And Daddy didn’t forget your milk. Tri, go sit down, I’ll make you a plate, too.”

  Trina loved to watch him interact with Willow. He was always all smiles when he was with her. She was Daddy’s little girl. And fatherhood only made him sexier in her eyes.

  “Willow and I were going to go to the grocery store later today, after nap time.”

  Once Sam set her plate in front of her, Trina poured some syrup over her waffle, dragged her finger through it, and popped it into her mouth to suck the sweet liquid off. I must be ovulating, because, damn, I want to jump my sexy hubby.

  Sam flashed his devilish, sexy grin and winked at her. “Mmm, temptress,” he whispered. “So, after a nice long nap, how about I go grocery shopping with you girls? Then I’ll make something nice for dinner.”

  Breakfast, grocery shopping, dinner? Who is this man, and what did he do with my husband? Scratch that. He was her awesome hubby who was doing all the extra things he was never around to do. It’s like I hit the freakin’ jackpot.

  After breakfast, and one stimulating game of footsie under the table, Sam took Willow out to play in the snow. Trina sat at the window, snuggled in a blanket, with a hot cup of coffee. Not being a fan of cold weather, she preferred watching from indoors.

  Willow all bundled up in her snow suit looked like a starfish, arms too stiff to put down to her sides, but she loved the snow. How did they create a little “surfer-baby” who loved the snow?

  The dogs leapt around them, burying their snouts in the snow, and tossing the white stuff up into the air. Sam threw snowballs as if to play fetch. Toby, Trina’s yellow Lab, jumped into the air, catching the snowball as though it was a Frisbee. Except, the snowball disintegrated in his mouth. Belle, Sam’s Siberian husky, rolled around in the cold, wet snow, her back buried and feet in the air. Upon standing up, she shook frantically, throwing snow everywhere, only to do it all over again. The dogs seemed to enjoy winter as much as Willow did.

  Taking a sip of the hot coffee, Trina watched Willow and Sam from the window. Trina’s cell phone rang, making her jump. Kat’s name lit up the screen. She could hear Willow’s happy giggles through the glass as she answered the call.

  “Hey, Kat.”

  “Hi, Tri. Just calling to see how things are going. How’s Sam feeling?”

  “He’s doing surprisingly well. The migraine pills seem to be helping, because he hasn’t had any major issues since his first day home. He’s actually outside right now, playing with Willow and the dogs. They all love the snow; I’ll never understand why.” Trina preferred the sun and warmth over cold and snow.

  “He’s out in the snow?”

  “I know, surfer-boy playing in the snow. Just doesn’t seem right.” Trina shivered at the cool air that the window was letting in. She curled up a little tighter in the soft blanket and held her hot mug close.

  “No. Well, yeah, you’re right. But I meant more that I’m shocked he’s out in the snow. Doesn’t the brightness bother him? The sun hitting the snow can cause a wicked glare. Sometimes I end up wearing sunglasses when I drive in the winter because of it. That can irritate him if he’s having light sensitivity issues.”

  Kat had a point. Giving him a closer look, Trina saw no sign of him struggling. He didn’t look pained, or like he had any trouble seeing. “No. Doesn’t appear so.”

  But Kat’s question sat like a rock in her stomach. Irritation to light and sound was a common side effect after a head injury. She was familiar enough with head injuries to know that not all textbook sym
ptoms occurred in every person. Maybe he wasn’t suffering from light sensitivity. Or maybe not enough to let it stop him from playing with his daughter.

  “He has sunglasses on, and he hasn’t dared sit down in front of the television yet, so maybe he does have issues with it. You know him; he doesn’t like to show weakness. And he’d do anything for Willow.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure he’s just being a good Daddy, since we all know you aren’t going out into the snow!” Kat joked.

  Trina couldn’t help but wonder if Kat was being serious, or she was just covering up the concern about Sam and the non-existent light sensitivity. Was he hiding it to appear better than he truly was?

  “Kat, it’s kind of nice to have him all to myself for once. That’s terrible of me to say, isn’t it? I knew what I was getting into as a hockey wife, but I really am enjoying this. Willow and I have him all day, for three meals a day. He even offered to go grocery shopping with us today. A girl could get used to this.”

  “I’m sure! I do wish Kris was around more. They’re so devoted to the game, and it’s hard to enjoy all that alone time. But it’s their job, well, more like their life. It makes Kris happy, so it makes me happy; even if he misses some things with Ian. I know he isn’t going to play forever… You know how it is, Tri. Someday he’ll be home all day, every day, but I can’t imagine that making them happier than they are out on the ice. Even if it might make us happier… it’s just being the wife of an athlete.”

  Trina knew all that. She’d grown up in the business with her brother being in hockey. It didn’t make her any less thrilled that he was home for a few days in a row, and he was all theirs for those days.

  “Nap time, my new favorite time of day.” Trina winked at her husband. She grabbed his ass and gave a little squeeze as they walked down the hall from Willow’s room to theirs. It made him jump a bit. But she knew he liked it when she got grabby, and the dirty smirk she was returned with was proof enough.