Page 77 of Samson

Samson nodded. Torn. There was so much he regretted that he couldn’t undo. “I’ll think about it. That’s the best I can offer you.”

She squeezed his hand, and he didn’t want her to let go. He didn’t ever want to let her go.

Chapter 17

Samson walkedDelilah to her door. It was strange for him. He’d lived so many years of his life in a way that would see a moment like this play out differently than it was about to. And it was the first time in a long time when he felt more than the cavernous emptiness.

He lifted his eyes up, wondering if God was at work, but he found it hard to believe. The only good he could have anymore was what he could make for himself. And the good he wanted right now was standing in front of him.

“Thanks for breakfast,” she said. Her smile was shy, and he knew she’d let him kiss her. He wanted to. Desperately. But he wanted to show her that he wasn’t the man she had thought he was, so he took her hand and kissed it instead.

“Can I call you?” he said.

“I’d like that. A lot.”

She was watching him. Waiting. His heart pounded as he leaned closer, telling himself to wait, but the way she looked at him made it impossible. He finally gave in, pushing her against the wall as he kissed her. Her arms wrapped around him, one hand moving into his hair as his hand scrambled forthe doorknob, but when he found it, his fingers splayed, and he pulled away from her.

He kept his eyes closed while he regained control. He couldn’t risk looking at her yet.

After taking a step back, he opened his eyes. She was looking at the floor, her hair tousled like his must have been.

He smoothed his hand over his head. “I don’t want it to be like this,” he said, then added with a small laugh. “Actually, that’s not true. The things I want to do to you.” His lips drew into a thin line, and he looked away. “Sorry.”

She reached out but didn’t touch him before clasping her hands in front of her. “I can’t say I’m disappointed you’re struggling.”

“Let me guess, you’re totally cool and unbothered right now?”

“I never said that. And no one is more surprised than me.”

He let out a slow, controlled breath as he reached for her hand, running his thumb across her fingers. “I’m glad I changed your mind about me.” His voice dropped. “Even if it’s killin’ me.”

A message dinged, and they both checked their phones. An annoying distraction, but a necessary one.

“It’s mine,” Delilah said, reading the text. “It’s Luca. He said there’s some kind of emergency. I’ve gotta go.”

“He didn’t say what’s wrong?”

“No. Just told me to meet at his place.”

She looked more concerned than afraid, and he wondered if she knew more than she was telling him.

“You want me to give you a lift?” he said.

“Uh.” A splash of fear crossed her face, then it was gone. “Yeah. Thanks.”

“You sure everything is okay?”

“Positive. But I appreciate the ride. I’d hate to be stuck waiting for the bus.”

“My pleasure. If there’s anything I can do…”

“I know. It’s fine. Someone’s probably quit and he needs to run through his options.”

“He’d send you an emergency text for that?”

She shrugged. “He can be dramatic sometimes.”

“You don’t think he’s worried about you spending time with me and he wants to make sure we’ve parted ways for the day?”

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