Page 177 of Nocere

"Cuddles and affection."

I smiled at the notion and nodded. "I'll take it."

"Good thing." She kissed my chin before brushing her lips over mine. I ran my fingers through her hair while I allowed my thoughts to rumble around.

"Are you seeing your mom today?"

"No, baby. I'll go tomorrow."

"But…"

"She can wait. Today is about you."

"I don't want it to be." I leaned my forehead against hers.

"I know, my sweet."

I let her soft breath linger against mine while I tumbled into the spiral of my emotions. All I wanted was an answer that would lift me from this limbo. "Tonight, can we try something?"

"What would you like to try?"

"Can you do what Caroline did to Nora?" I leaned back and displayed my crossed wrists. "With ties?"

Samirah's brows flicked upward. "You want me to do that?"

I nodded and felt the shiver in her belly against mine when she lurched with excitement that she tried to hide.

"Then I will." Her bottom lip found its way between her teeth before she smiled. "My adventurous girl…"

"Only with you," I confessed, allowing myself to sway under the thrall of her hazel eyes. No one ever looked at me the way she did; without judgment, and sodden with such affection that it nearly turned me into a puddle.

"You trust me." Sam ran her finger over my cheek and I nodded. "I'll always keep you safe and always protect you."

"I'll protect you, too, Sami." I stroked her cheeks while she brushed her thumb over my lips.

"I do love you, Rosie. I'm sorry it took me so long to say it."

"I know you do. Just keep saying it, okay?"

"Okay." A broad smile curved her lips. "I'll whisper it to you while you’re bent across my lap with your wrists tangled in a crimson ribbon."

My belly quaked at the thought of her sexy threat. I gnawed on my cheek and it made her grin.

"You know I'm going to make you wait," she said, her voice a husky croon as she dragged her knuckle down the center of my body. "Because you come so much harder when I make you wait."

I almost whined when she neared the apex of my thighs. "But it distracts me if you do it now."

"I'm not giving in to you, naughty girl." She nipped my nose then said, "Let's watch a serial killer documentary while we wait for Rebecca."

I let out a dramatic sigh. "Okay."

Sam laughed and we shuffled around on the sofa until we cuddled together under a fluffy blanket. Her doting on me with snuggles and affection quelled my repulsive inner dialogue that only served to make me doubt my value to the universe. She fixed us sandwiches for lunch and tidied up the kitchen while I showered. Having her in my space felt both intimate and personal in a way it hadn't before. Sam's vast apartment, with its fancy appliances and expensive furniture, seemed intimidating at best in comparison to mine. She didn't seem to think about that or even notice a difference.

When I emerged from the bedroom wearing comfortable jeans and a sweater, she greeted me with a hug and a mug of hot coffee.

"Thank you, honey…"

"Welcome." She kissed my cheek, then we sat together at the kitchen table. "Rebecca is on her way. Juniper, too."

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