Page 133 of State of Suspense

“Sam…”

“Shhh, just enjoy it. What you said to Cox might go down as the single sexiest moment in your entire sexy life.”

“You liked that, huh?”

“I liked it a lot. You scared the shit out of him. It was epic.”

“Anything for you, love.”

“Right back atcha.” She wanted to give something to him, something only she could give him—a few minutes in which he wasn’t thinking of anything other than pleasure.

His gaze stayed focused on her every move, as if he didn’t want to miss anything. She hoped he’d think of this the next time the weight of his responsibilities became too heavy once again.

Her own worries felt far away as she drove him up and over the top.

He brought her down to rest on top of him. “It’s not fair that only one of us got the big finish.”

“I got everything I wanted and then some.”

“Not sure what I did to get so lucky to have the best wife ever.”

“You loved me like no one else ever has. That’s all you had to do.”

He caressed her back as he held her close. “That’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

They were back downstairs, asleep in bed, when a whimper on the baby monitor woke Sam from a sound sleep around two a.m. She stayed still to listen as the whimpering continued. She got up, put on her robe and went to check on the twins. It was rare for either of them to wake during the night.

Aubrey sat up in bed, weeping.

Sam scooped her up and carried her out of the room so she wouldn’t disturb Alden, who was asleep on the other side of the bed they shared.

She carried the little girl into her sitting room, where a night-light put out a warm glow. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here.”

The little one’s sobs shook her body and broke Sam’s heart.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Aubrey shook her head.

Sam had learned that the best thing she could do at times like this was to be there and to take her lead from them as they grieved the loss of their devoted parents. The grief struck less often these days than it had at first, but it was always with them. Her heart ached for the child, who’d lost so much in a senseless act of violence. While Sam was forever thankful to have Aubrey and Alden in their lives, she would give anything to take away their pain.

“You want a drink of water?”

“Y-yes, please.”

Sam brought her with her when she got up to get the water and some of the animal crackers Aubrey loved.

She took a tentative sip of the water and a bite of a cracker as Sam ran a hand over her golden curls. “Do you feel any better, love?”

Aubrey nodded. “I had a dream about Mommy.”

“Oh, sweetie.”

“I was sad when I woke up.”

“I’m sure you were.”

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