Page 87 of Nocere

Sam kept her arm around me while we nibbled on the candy, I dropped my head against her shoulder again. We finished half the box in record time, then I accepted the last bite of a chewy caramel that we shared. With all my desires sated, relaxation returned to me.

We snuggled into bed together, and she continued to stroke my hair while holding me.

"Can you take off your shirt?" I asked and she obliged, pulling it over her head. I kissed along her collar bone and she smiled.

"Better?" She brushed her lips over mine and I nodded before catching her in a kiss.

"Much. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What is it, baby?" She held the hand I rested between her breasts and met my gaze.

"Will you come to Rebecca's with me for Thanksgiving?"

"When is it?"

"Thursday…" My brow furrowed at her question.

"Is it really?" She scowled and it made me chuckle. "I usually visit my mom. Albeit briefly."

"Rebecca doesn't cook until later in the evening if that helps any," I said, though nervousness tightened my stomach.

"I'll go with you," she said, her voice soft though her gaze wandered over my shoulder.

"Do you want me to go with you to your mom's first?" I tapped my index finger against her chin and her attention shot back to me.

"No. I don't ever want you to go there. Not anywhere near there." Her fury lit up the space between us and I held up my hands.

"Easy, Sam. Okay."

Her breathing picked up and she pulled me back into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her and she calmed down pretty quick. My heart ached for her, because I knew what it was like to still be afraid. Every day I walked around, scared of the world. Of men who smelled like certain cologne, or of sleeping in hotels. I knew that fear, and although Sam didn't seem to carry it with her normally, when it came to mentions of her mother, it did.

"I can meet you at Rebecca's," she said, her voice soft.

"Okay." I nipped her chin and a small smile tugged the corner of her mouth. "I've never taken anyone home before. I mean, Alex usually comes over or goes to Jordan's, but never a girlfriend."

"I'm happy to be the first," she said, the sparkle returning to her hazel gaze. "I've never met anyone's family before. Other than my ex-husband, that is."

"Well, maybe it's different this time…" I said and she claimed me in a swift kiss.

"Maybe." She drew in a slow breath. "Are you off the day after?"

"I am."

"Perhaps we can visit Caroline and Nora then?" Her delicate question accompanied a risen brow.

"Okay." I nodded my agreement and my cheeks heated right away.

"Your blush is as rosy as your rear, Rosie." She chuckled and hugged me closer to her. I squealed and laughed while holding on to her.

"Sam!"

"I knew you liked being spanked," she said, kissing me all over my face.

"You're the only one who has ever done it. How could you know before that?" I laughed and she tickled my sides. "Samirah!" I shrieked and cracked up while squirming all over. Her playful assault lasted only a few seconds.

Her laughter tangled with mine, filling her bedroom with heaps of joyful sounds. I grabbed her hands and laced my fingers with hers to prevent a second attack.

"I had a hunch." She grinned as she rolled on top of me, then leaned down to kiss me. Her hair tumbled down around us and I squeezed her hands while we slipped into a round of sweet kisses.

"Can you sleep on me?" I asked her when we parted.

"What do you mean, honey?"

"Just like this." I gestured to the way she rested with most of her body on top of mine.

"You're sure?"

I nodded and she rested her head on my chest. This time I ran my fingers through her hair and she wrapped her arm around my thigh when she settled. After pulling the blankets over us, she closed her eyes and we tumbled into the drowsiness that followed our intimacy. I hadn't known Samirah long, but there was no denying my feelings for her. I loved her, more than anyone, and the prospect of not loving her scared me. Stella said she wasn't someone who settled down. If I told her how I felt, I feared running her off.

For now, I would bide my time and spend as much of it as possible with her.

---