dinner in the fridge. I had given her a key, telling her to feel free to come and go as she wanted. I liked knowing she had been in my space. Opening the door and smelling the trace of her perfume lingering in the air. She had given me a key to her place as well, but I only used it when invited.
I opened the note and spun on my heel, heading back to the elevator.
Mom and Dad have Chloe until dinner. Come see me.
A few times, I had slipped upstairs in the early hours of dawn. I would sleep with Sam beside me, resting deeper than I thought possible. I always left before Chloe got up, but the short time I was there made the rest of my day bearable.
I slipped into Sam’s place, the apartment dim and quiet. I dropped my messenger bag and walked down the hall, expecting her to be asleep, but she was in her office, curled in the chair, a manuscript on her lap.
“Hey,” she called.
I sat on the ottoman and leaned forward to kiss her. “Hi.”
She stroked my face, frowning. “Tough night?”
“Long.” I turned my head and kissed her palm. “Why are you up?”
“I was waiting for you.”
I couldn’t help my smile. “Sorry I was late. Last patient was a little messy, and I had to shower before I came home.”
She tugged on the collar of my shirt. “You look sexy in scrubs.”
I chuckled. “I had nothing left in my locker.”
“I did all your laundry. It’s in my room.”
I shook my head. “Sam, you didn’t have to do that.”
She shrugged. “I wanted to. I thought if that was done, you could relax and spend the day with me.”
I frowned sadly. “I’m afraid the only place I will spend a great deal of it is in bed.”
She met my eyes. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Instantly, I was awake. My body hummed with anticipation at her words. Our gazes remained locked on each other, and the heat around us built.
“Are you sure?” I asked quietly, knowing what a big step this was for her.
“We have all day,” she replied. “Mom and Dad took Chloe last night so I could meet my deadline. I worked all night to finish this book. So if you want me—” she took in a deep breath “—I’m all yours.”
I stood, pulling the manuscript from her hands and tugging her from the chair. I lifted her into my arms. “Yes, you are.”
Our mouths didn’t separate as I carried her to her room. They moved and caressed as I laid her on her bed. Broke apart only long enough for me to tear the scrubs over my head and send them flying into a corner before molding back together. We kissed endlessly, long, passionate moments of discovery. Of knowing, this time, the kisses wouldn’t end until we were fully joined. I brushed my fingers against her smooth skin as our clothing disappeared. I learned her dips and hollows, tracing her body with my hands and mouth, marveling at the perfection she was under my tongue. Her breasts fit perfectly in my hands, her nipples a deep pink as I sucked them, the hard nubs like candy in my mouth. I kissed the tiny marks on her hips and stomach she tried to cover with her hands, the silvery feathers on her skin proof of her journey as a mother.
“These are part of you,” I whispered. “There’ll be more, Sam. Our children. And I’ll kiss them every time, knowing how they got there. Because your beautiful body cradled them. You wear your love on your skin, my little warrior.”
With a low cry, she brought my mouth back to hers, kissing me. I groaned as she wrapped her hand around me, stroking and learning. I ached with desire for her. I trembled as she explored me, her hands and mouth blazing a trail of fire across my skin. I called out her name as her mouth closed around me, the pleasure so intense I shook with barely controlled need. I grasped her, pulling her under me and hovering over her, our eyes locked as I slid inside her. One slow, glorious inch at a time—nothing between us masking the sensation, that conversation having happened weeks ago. There was only her. Only me. Only us.
I stilled at the intense emotional moment. Surrounded by Sam. Our bodies joined together so tightly, we were one. I stared down at her, overwhelmed and certain. She was it