Page 14 of No Strings Attached

“Yeah. I’ll leave my phone number on the fridge in case you need to contact me.”

“I don’t have a phone,” Sam said.

“I have a landline.” Morgan had thought of getting rid of it because he really didn’t use the house phone, but now he was glad he hadn’t. “It’s hanging on the wall in the kitchen.”

Walking across the room, Sam sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a hand over the bedspread. Morgan forced himself to take a step back, even though he wanted to sit next to Sam. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

Sam finally looked at him. “Okay.”

Studying Sam a moment longer, Morgan turned on his heel and headed to the garage. He sat in the driver’s seat, his head resting back, staring at the wall in front of him.

There was a long road ahead of them. Sam wasn’t going to trust easily, but Morgan was a patient man. No matter how long it took, he was determined to give his mate a better life.

Chapter Five

Sam hadn’t had his own room since he’d lost his apartment, and even then, it hadn’t been this big or nice. Morgan had made it seem like the bedroom wasn’t much, but it was everything to Sam.

As badly as he wanted to lie down, Sam crept over the window and peeked past the curtains, praying Daryl hadn’t seen him in the truck and followed them.

So far, there wasn’t a burgundy car parked on the street. Sam had to be certifiable to agree to stay with Morgan after what he’d just gone through, but what other choice did he have? If he hadn’t accepted the offer, Daryl would have caught him outside the station. Sam had been between a rock and a hard place, so he’d agreed to Morgan’s deal.

When Morgan got Sam’s car out of impound, it would only be a matter of time before Daryl spotted it and Sam would have to run. Maybe he should run when Morgan returned the car to him. Staying in Midnight Falls was asking to get murdered or worse. He still wasn’t sure what Daryl was with those teeth and claws, and Sam never wanted to find out.

He closed his eyes as he let the curtain fall back into place. As nice as the room was, it was just another temporary place to rest his head. Even when he’d had his apartment, it never truly felt like home the entire year he’d lived there. After spending four years prior either couch surfing or being on the streets, he thought it would just take some time to get used to the fact that he finally had his own place.

But that feeling had never come. If he’d learned one thing, it was that nothing was guaranteed. He’d been proven right when he’d lost his job and then his home.

There was one more thing he’d learned. No one gave you shit for free. He’d come to that realization since he’d been kicked out of his parents’ house, and Daryl had only solidified Sam’s belief.

So what was Morgan’s angle? No matter what the guy said, Sam refused to believe he was doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Even if the guy liked helping people, there was always a limit. No one wanted a stranger invading the sanctity of their home.

Not even Sam’s friends, the people he’d grown up with, had helped him beyond a week or two.

Sam crossed the room and walked into the hallway. His back was killing him, but he was too restless to lie down. Morgan had said it was okay to explore. He poked his head into the room across the hall from him and knew it was Morgan’s bedroom.

He quicky closed the door because it didn’t feel right looking in there. The only other door led to a huge bathroom. After relieving himself, Sam headed downstairs to poke around.

As he stepped into the living room, his gaze immediately gravitated toward the plush dark gray couch and matching cushioned chair. The end tables and coffee table were crafted from rich, polished wood, and above the fireplace hung a large flat-screen television, perfect for movie nights or lazy weekends. Potted plants scattered around the room added a touch of vibrant greenery and warmth, bringing the entire space together in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Sam’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise as he spotted a sleek, high-tech gaming system set up next to the television. He never would have pegged Morgan as a gamer. As his gaze swept around the room, he noticed small speakers discreetly mounted in two corners and a large subwoofer tucked away on one side of the fireplace.

There was artwork on the walls, but he didn’t see any photographs displayed anywhere.

Leaving the living room and walking down a hallway that led to the back of the house, Sam entered the kitchen, feeling instantly at home. This was a space where he could cook up a storm.

Sleek, dark granite countertops adorned the kitchen, and in the middle of the room was a large matching island with a nice-sized sink perfectly positioned in the center of it for easy access.

The cupboards were a deep, rich cherry wood, their doors adorned with smoky glass panels that added a touch of elegance to the room. The appliances, including the stove and fridge, all had a modern black finish.

Morgan liked his dark colors.

Through the large windows that stretched across one wall, Sam could see a sprawling backyard. In one corner stood a massive grill, and surrounding it was comfortable patio furniture.

If this was Sam’s house, he’d spend every chance he had lounging in the yard, soaking up the sun.

He’d started to walk out of the kitchen when he noticed a set of keys on the counter. How had Morgan left for work without his keys?

Curious, Sam cracked open the door that led to the garage. Morgan’s shiny pickup was still there, and the guy was sitting in the driver’s seat, just staring at the wall in front of him.

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