Page 83 of Nocere

"What's the matter, Sam?"

"I'm okay," she said, cupping my face in her palms. "You look super cute in that outfit."

"Thanks." I poked my index finger against her nose. "No distracting me from the topic at hand. Are you okay?"

"It was a long day and a patient died. It's not very common, but stressful when it happens," she answered finally with the truth. "But I have you in my arms, so all the stress is fading away."

"I'm sorry, honey." I kissed her gently and she pressed her forehead against mine. "How about you go have a hot shower, and I'll order us some dinner?" I offered, biting my lip after making the suggestion. Normally, Sam guided our evenings, but maybe a little bit of bravery would go a long way.

Samirah smiled, scrunching her nose at me in a cute display of affection. "I like that idea."

"Good." My voice sounded perkier than I intended. "How does Indian sound?"

"Mmm. Baby, that's perfect." She cupped my face in her palms and kissed me so intensely that she lifted me to my toes. Our laughter broke the connection, and I grinned while linking my hands behind her neck.

"Well then. Indian food makes you extra kissy?"

"You make me extra kissy."

"Ditto." I nipped her chin and a soft smile settled on her lips. She caressed my face before we parted ways.

I watched as she hurried off to the bathroom, then hopped up to sit on the stool by the kitchen counter to pull up the food delivery app on my phone.

While I listened to the sounds of Sam's shower, I ordered us a few of my favorites and some things I thought Sam might enjoy. Afterward, I turned on her electric fireplace and set the island counter up for dinner.

Sam emerged, clad in nothing but a towel with her hair dripping down her back. She smiled at me when she saw me sitting cross-legged in a spot in front of the hearth. Without makeup, her fatigue showed in her drawn expression. It didn't mar her beauty by any means, but it dimmed the light in her eyes and the reach of her smile.

"Do you have panties on under that pretty-in-purple dress?" she asked, a single brow lifted.

I laughed and gripped my knees to temper my excitement over her playfulness. "Yes," I squeaked.

"No panties allowed." She wagged her finger at me. "You know the rule. They better be off by the time I get back."

"Sam!" I nearly cracked up as my face heated to a blush. "Okay."

"Good girl." She winked at me and chuckled as she headed for her bedroom.

I smiled at her provocativeness, then unzipped my boots and set them aside. My panties followed, and I tucked them inside my purse after rising to answer the door. Food arrived in record time and when Samirah emerged, I'd managed to begin unpacking dinner.

"Smells delicious," she said, grabbing me in a hug from behind. "Like you."

"Sam." I nearly giggled when she tickled me, her hand sliding up my thigh to nudge the hem of my dress. "Are you checking for panties?"

"Yes." She nibbled my ear. "Good girl, no panties." She gave my rear a swat. "Normally, I'd ravage you first, but I'm so hungry."

"Me too." I leaned back and kissed her cheek. "I got mango chicken, malai kofta, and chicken tikka masala. And a bunch of smaller things."

"Damn fine choices," she said, giving my rear a gentle swat. I grinned at her and she wagged her brows.

Instead of sitting across from me like we had during our previous food adventures, she took the stool beside me and we dug into dinner. After our initial starvation passed, we eased into normal conversation and Sam wrapped her arm around my middle while we ate.

"Stella told me about Saturday," I said, watching as she tore into a piece of warm naan. "Do you want to have dinner with your friends?"

"Perhaps." She tucked my hair behind my ear before lifting her glass for a sip of ice water.

"I think you should go," I urged, fighting a smirk as I tread gently to see if I could get her to admit another truth today.

"Why's that?"

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