Page 88 of And Then Came You

“The next man will be different. He’ll take his time with you. Love every inch of you. Be gentle with you and appreciate you.”

“Not hit?” I manage, tonguing my split lip.

“Never hit. Never.”

“Is this a Samuel Bernard guarantee?”

“It is, one I swear to uphold.”

“Not sure how you’re going to do that, unless you’re planning to employ voyeuristic techniques. Wait, are you using your model mafia again?”

A low chuckle rises from Sam’s chest as he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I think there’s another way. A better way.”

I tuck my head closer to his chest, uncertain how—if at all—I should address his comment. Something is different about Sam tonight, and it’s more than the rabid concern and battered hands. He’s softer, a bit of hesitancy dancing around the edges of his confident personality.

“I’m pretty much done with the dating scene. One wallop per year is more than enough, and I’ve had three. I’ve exceeded my quota.”

“I’ll keep you safe.”

I meet his gaze, my fingers pulling a thread on the sheet. “Pretty difficult from across the pond, Sam. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

“This is why we can’t go weeks again without speaking. You miss out on all kinds of juicy gossip.”

“Such as?” I admit I’ve been avoiding Sam’s social accounts and any tabloid with mention of his name. The truth is that I didn’t want to know the latest on his life, particularly when it didn’t include me.

Sam shifts, holding my gaze. “I won’t be across the pond much longer. I visited with Mom and discussed how to make the farm profitable while maintaining the original charm. We have some good ideas, but I need to be in Woodstock to bring those ideas to fruition. I’m cutting back on my modeling obligations and focusing on what matters.”

My eyes widen at Sam’s admission. “Won’t that crimp your style? Woodstock is a far cry from the clubs of London.”

“I’ve had enough of the club scene. Besides, I’ve had enough of the city. I prefer the mountain air and natural beauty. It’s also a great place to raise a family.” He clears his throat, an embarrassed chuckle escaping his lips. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Because there’s no way I heard you correctly.

“You shocked the hell out of me. Samuel Bernard is thinking of settling down? The world has tilted on its axis.”

“I’m thirty-three, Lex. Isn’t it time?”

I’m glad that the jet-setting glitter is wearing off, because I knew that lifestyle wasn’t healthy for Sam’s emotional well-being. But settling down? I never dreamed I’d hear my friend utter those words.

I don’t dare voice the question that sits on the tip of my tongue, begging to be breathed into life. I don’t want to know who his woman of choice is, although I can wager a guess. Almira was the closest Sam ever got to serious, and she’s the optimal pick—beautiful, intelligent and personable. Let’s not forget that she’s able to finance a small country single-handedly.

Sam denies dating anyone, but I worry he’s omitting information to spare my feelings. But he seems oddly content at the concept of leaving the modeling world for a life of farming. He deserves happiness. I pray at least one of us can achieve it.

I force a smile, tapping him on the chest. “I think you’ll be really great in that capacity.”

“Do you?”

“I do.”

“I think we just got married on some island nation with those words.”

I only wish.

“You’re safe. It’s Saturday. They only enforce that law Tuesday through Friday.”

“Damn. Here I thought I’d tricked you into marrying me.”

“Who says you’d have to trick me? Maybe you’d only have to ask.” I flush at my bold statement. It sounded so different in my head—joking and lighthearted. What emerged from my mouth sounds like a challenge being laid at my friend’s feet.

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