Page 60 of Nocere

"Yes, you. I certainly didn't come to ask Alex anything." Sam gestured to Alex who snickered on the sofa. "Though I could ask her instead. Want me to?"

"No!" I laughed and squeezed her hands.

"Good." Her smile, though wide with playfulness, didn't quite make it to her eyes.

"What's wrong, Sam?"

"Will you come to Ainsley and Jordan's tonight with me?" she asked, side-stepping my question. "Stella and Alice are making me go with them."

"Um…" I glanced to Alex then back to her. "I was thinking about it… It might be crowded."

"We can spend time together then run away when it gets overwhelming," she said and reached up to stroke her thumb over my cheek.

I chuckled, and gripped her arm hidden by her thick jacket. "Okay."

"Okay," she repeated, her gaze on mine as her smile dimmed despite my affirmation. Quiet fell between us as she seemed to search my expression.

"Sam, what's wrong?"

Again, she didn't answer me, and instead, took my hand as she began tugging me down the short hallway. "Is your bedroom back here?" She glanced to Alex who nodded.

"Yup. Door on the left." Alex pointed and Sam chuckled.

I followed her, though worry tightened my stomach. Samirah wasn't a bit uncomfortable in my place, and I admired her confidence as she led me into the bedroom. A soft smile met her lips as she looked around my space after closing the door.

"This is so cute, Rosie. Is this your fairy den?" She pointed to the canopy over the window seat that overlooked the streets below. A few old stuffed animals and books lingered on the padded seat beside my favorite cozy blanket.

"Maybe. It's not purple though."

"White is suiting. The exposed brick is really nice," she said, before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "This is the coziest room I've ever been in." She pulled me to stand in front of her between her knees and I obliged her urging. She dropped her gaze from my eyes to my stomach where my sweatshirt met my jeans. Not a second passed before she lifted my shirt to kiss my exposed skin.

"Sam, what's going on?" I ran my fingers through her hair, then paused when she popped the button of my jeans. "Samirah. Stop." She slowed down when I asked and dropped her forehead against my chest. I rubbed her shoulders, then urged her jacket from them. "Can you look at me please?"

"Why?" She met my gaze again, though she tugged down the zipper of my jeans. They hung on my hips and she nudged them further until they hit the floor.

"Because something is wrong and you keep avoiding my questions," I said, watching as she shrugged out of her jacket. "You're sweating." I helped her out of her bindings, then made for her scarf. The second I attempted to lift it, she grabbed my arms so hard that I gasped. "Sam."

"Don't touch it," she spat, her cool lost in an instant.

"Okay." I lifted my hands in a gesture of surrender as shock punched me in the gut. "Okay."

Her hands shook as she carefully unraveled it from around her neck. Only when I noted the fringe and its length did I realize that it wasn't a regular scarf, but hijab. When I moved my hands again, she jerked away from me, until she tossed the fabric to the floor with her jacket. I stood there, calm and still as a lump rose in my throat while I watched her. She never looked at me, keeping her gaze to the floor until she settled down. Eventually, she placed her hands on my hips, and gripped my panties in shaking fists. She tugged them down, gently despite her tension, and I let her for now.

"Samirah. Can I touch you now?" I asked, and she nodded. I ran my fingers through her hair, which felt even damper than before. "Are you having a panic attack?"

"Not yet," she said, then leaned forward and kissed my stomach. "Sit in my lap, please."

I crawled into her lap when she scooted back to the center of the bed, and wrapped my legs around her. She hugged me to her suddenly, her grip firm and tighter than expected while I kissed her neck and shoulder. A shaky breath left her, though it seemed like an exhale of relief. I stroked her back, sniffling away the emotions that tore at me.

"It's okay, whatever it is," I said, and she nodded against my cheek.

She leaned me back, and tugged my shirt off my head, and left me naked against her. Her touches shifted from demanding to tempered when she caressed my sides down over my hips.

I cupped her face in my hands, and finally, she looked at me again. Despite her stoic doctor face, the light from the window caught her eyes and turned her irises to pools of rich honey. I reveled in their beauty as I stroked her face. Her body under me relaxed finally, as if something stole away the tension.

"You're so beautiful, Rosie," she said, her voice soft. "So beautiful."

"Have you seen yourself lately? My God, Sam. You're breathtaking." I brushed my lips over hers and she kissed me softly.

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