Page 78 of In a Pinch

Sam must notice my lips opening and closing like I’m a damn fish. Seriously, brain? Literally any words would be good.

“Whatcha doing with those?” He nods down to the pan in my hand.

“I–I made youI’m sorry I’m the worst girlfriend evercinnamon rolls.” I lift up the pan a little and look down at them thoughtfully. “Cinnamon rolls have always been my favorite, but due to recent events, I can’t make them without thinking about you. And when everything changed. And how it was all for the better.”

That day lives on a constant loop in my head, breaking in my kitchen in more than one way. But more so, just the way it all felt so freaking right. The way his touch felt, the way he made me laugh, and the way it all felt so natural. Like we had known each other our whole lives.

His eyes pierce into mine. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes, his sleep probably went as well as mine. The fact that my actions and doubts about myself ended up hurting him like this, physically makes my heart hurt.

“Do you really believe that?”

“Without a doubt. I am so sorry that I made you think that I didn’t. It was never ayouissue; it was always a me thing, and I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about it. This is my fault.”

“A recent chat with my brother taught me a few things.”

“When did you talk to Cal?” I tilt my head, unsure of where this conversation is going. I still can’t believe he showed up at my door.

Sam lets out a half chuckle. “He decided that showing up at my door at 7 a.m. was a good idea.”

It all clicks then, where he went this morning. “Oh, I was wondering where he ran off to after we threatened to throat punch him if he made any more noise in the kitchen.”

The half smile that stretches across Sam’s face gives me a little hope. Hope that I didn’t just mess up the best thing that’s happened to me.

“We had a good, long talk, and he helped me realize some things. I might have been pointing some anger at you for things that weren’t your fault. I’m not going to say that what you did, didn’t fucking hurt.” My eyes drop from his to the floor as my body is flooded with guilt. “But it hurt worse because of the shit with my past. I’m sure at some point, I’m going to fuck up, too.”

My hands find his chest and I grip his white T-shirt. “I promise I won’t ever do anything like that again. It wasn’t like me in the first place, and I’m not making excuses for my actions, but I was in such a funk, I was afraid on all fronts.”

I begin to shake my head as all my thoughts and fears tumble from my lips. “Afraid, I would mess it up, which I did. Afraid that Isla would judge me, which, by the way, she did not. She was very excited. But the more time passed, the harder it got to deal with it because, either way, someone was going to be mad at me, and I didn’t want to make people feel more disappointed in me. I think I was just paralyzed by fear. And I was a fucking idiot.” My hands slowly drop and my head follows. “I know that.”

“Never in my life have I felt disappointed in you. You made that narrative up all on your own. There’s nothing about you I’m not obsessed with.” His words stun me into silence. Once again. Fuck, this man brings me to my knees. “I’m going to set these down, okay?” As he walks to the counter, the need to tell him how much he means to me bubbles up.

We’ve already said this, but it was all wrong. There was too much anger for me to feel like he gets it. I need him to hear it and know that I mean it down to my bones.

“Sam, I need to tell you something.”

He pulls back, looking over at me from the counter as he sets down my ‘I’m sorry’ cinnamon rolls. Worry crosses his features.

“I love you. Like, a lot, and it scares me. This is a new feeling for me, and I don’t know how to do it right. But I think I’m more scared of not getting to love you.” Even the thought of this being over before it really even has a chance to begin makes my stomach drop.

He walks toward me with a soft expression covering his face. His thumb grazes across my cheek, wiping the tear from my face. “Addie, baby, I’m not going anywhere. This was a minor blip in the big scheme of things. This is new. We’re still learning.”

I nod, a traitorous tear sneaking down my cheek. A few more tears drop and he catches every single one, then pulls me into his chest. His scent fills my senses, and it feels like home. All the anxiety creeps out my body, and I know one thing for certain: I will never love another like I love Sam.

His hands sweep under my ass, and in seconds, my legs wrap around his waist and we’re walking. Hitting the bed with a thud, my loose hairs fly across my face. Gently, he pushes them all back.

“I hope you didn’t have any big plans today, because I plan on showing you just how much I love you. All day long.”

“Oh? And how do you plan on doing that?” By the way his kiss moves down my neck, I have a pretty good idea. But you know what they say about assuming.

“Worshipping every inch of you, until you believe you’re as perfect as I see you.” How can a man who is so broody be so damn sweet to me?

“I think I can clear my schedule.”

His chuckle vibrates down the side of my neck as his kiss dips lower. He pulls me to a sitting position and pulls my shirt over my head. I’m not sure if it’s the chilly air from the room orthe anticipation of what’s about to happen that make my skin pebble, but it’s making every touch of his so much more intense. I want, no, I need his skin on mine. To steal back some of the warmth he’s bled out of me.

Fumbling with the edge of his shirt, I get the view of his chest. His beautiful olive skin. My hand wraps around his nape, pulling him closer to me. If his lips aren’t on mine, I quite literally might pass away.

His kiss turns more heated, something I didn’t even think was possible. Our fire burns so fucking bright when we bring it together.

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