“That’s interesting.”
“I love it now, and if you ever need someone put in a coma, I’m your guy.” I let go of her hand, and she stiffens slightly. I tip my face up to the starry sky and put my arm around Chloe, pulling her close. Her whole body relaxes once she’s in my embrace. “What about you? Did you think you’d end up back here?”
“I did. It was home. It still feels like home…well, kind of. I was eager to get out, though I never thought I’d end up in California.”
“Where did you think you’d end up?”
“Chicago. It’s a big city but not that far away. For some reason, I was all about experiencing city life.”
I chuckle. “I get that. It was exciting to finally go to a big city in college. I thought it would be night after night going out and living it up, but med school sucks the social life right out of you. Residency is even worse.”
“Who needs a social life when you’re hooking up in the janitor’s closet with your extremely good-looking fellow doctors?”
“Do not get me started on that.” I turn my head down, looking into her eyes. “You know it’s not…” I trail off forgetting what I was going to say. Chloe is so fucking beautiful, and sitting here with her feels so right, so natural.
My heart jumps, and I don’t think. Just act. I bring both hands up, cupping her face.
And then I kiss her.
The entire world fades around us, and the only thing that exists, the only thing that matters, is Chloe. It should have been this way all along. I push my hands up, moving her hair back. Chloe leans in, kissing me back just as passionately. The blanket falls from my shoulders as I move closer to Chloe, needing to feel more of her.
Eyes closed, I rest my forehead against hers.
“I’m such an idiot,” I breathe, hands still in her hair.
She jerks back with a slight gasp. “Because you kissed me?”
“Because I didn’t kiss you sooner.” Her eyes get glossy, and we fall together again. I lean back, bringing Chloe with me. Her body presses against mine. Warm. Soft.
Perfect.
Her thick hair falls like a curtain around us. I cup her face, kissing her harder. My tongue slips past her lips, and I bring one hand down, resting it on the small of her back. She hooks a leg over me and moves on top. Her dress is ridden up around her waist, with her hot core hovering right over my hardening cock. She widens her legs and sinks down on me, rocking her hips to purposely feel me against her. It’s hot as fucking hell and we’re still fully dressed. I gather up her dress and find the tie in the back.
“Sam, stop,” she says suddenly as I pull the bow undone.
“Okay.” I take my hands off of her right away. “What’s wrong?”
“I…I…” She’s still on me, hands planted on my chest. Her brows push together and her bottom lip trembles. Did I say something wrong? Upset her?
Push her past where she wants to be pushed?
Fuck, I never meant to upset her, and hurting her is the last thing I ever want to do.
“I’m sorry,” she says and scrambles off me. Her feet get tangled in the blanket and she almost falls. I shoot up and catch her before she drops into the water. “Thank you, again.”
“Of course, Chloe. I told you, I’ll always catch you.”
She looks away, eyes brimming with tears.
“Chloe, what’s wrong?” My own heart is in my throat, bracing myself for the worst.
“I…I can’t do this.”
And the worst is exactly what I get.Chapter Twenty-TwoChloe“I…I can’t do this.”
The look on Sam’s face just about does me in. But I can’t. I have to stand my ground or that momentary look on Sam’s face will be on mine for months, if not years. Or forever. Because it’s been over ten years since I’ve gazed on this man’s gorgeous face and I’m still just as in love with him as ever.
“Then we don’t have to,” Sam says gently and takes his hands off me. I miss him right away. “I’m sorry. I thought you…I’m sorry.” He’s flustered and confused, and I can’t blame him. Because I do want to keep kissing him. I want him to undress me and fuck me until I’m screaming his name. I take a step back and blink away tears. “I really didn’t mean it was idiotic to kiss you,” he rushes out.
“I know,” I say quietly. “And I agree you were an idiot for not kissing me sooner, because I really like you kissing me.” Dammit, I do, and desire for him swirls deep inside me, but I have to fight it. I have to stay strong. “I just…I can’t.”
“I’m confused,” he says slowly.