Page 19 of Protecting Paul

“I’m trying to be romantic here,” he glares at me playfully.Romantic. God, I wish he wouldn’t do that, but I also hope he never stops. “Cut me some slack.”

“I’m just kidding,” I say. He offers me his arm, and I link mine with his. “It’s incredibly sweet of you. Once again, you’re a knight in shining armor.”

“Yeah, right,” Sam counters and then smiles down at me. “After you.”

He opens the door for me, and I walk in ahead of him. He’s such a gentleman. It would be corny if he wasn’t so genuine.

We’re seated quickly since it’s never busy anywhere in Shafter Falls. The lighting is dim and romantic, just as promised. Sam looks gorgeous in the dim light. He always looks gorgeous. It’s nothing new.

We order our food and chatter away. It’s so easy talking to him. There’s nothing I can’t say to him. Well, almost nothing. I can’t admit how strongly I feel for him. It’ll only make things harder when I leave again. I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye the last time I left town. I worry this it’ll be the same.

“You okay?” he says, interrupting my thoughts and wiping the spaghetti sauce from his face. “You look deep in thought over there.”

“Yeah, sorry.” I smile and disguise my anxious thoughts. “You know, I’ve actually never been here before. I lived in this town for seventeen years and never once came to this restaurant.”

“Wait, really?” Sam looks surprised. I guess it is surprising. “How come? I thought you’d been everywhere in Shafter Falls.”

“Who would I have gone with if not you? It’s not like I dated around in high school or that my dad took me anywhere.”

“Fair point,” he says, taking a sip of water. “Better late than never, right? I couldn’t afford nice dates when I was a kid, but now I’m making up for it.”

“Oh, are you paying?” I quirk an eyebrow.

“I think it’s the protocol that when you ask someone out, you’re the one who pays,” he explains, setting his wallet on the table. “So don’t even bother protesting.”

“Okay, bossy,” I tease. He takes my hand from across the table and squeezes it gently. “Thank you for dinner and the… well, the everything.”

“I wish you would stop thanking me.” He squeezes my hand again and looks at me tenderly. “Everything I do is my choice. I like doing things for people, but I especially like doing things for you.”

He’s such a charmer. I can’t imagine how he’s stayed single for the year he’s been back home. It seems insane that everyone he meets doesn’t immediately fall head over heels for him. Luckily, I don’t have to think of a response to that since the waiter comes by with the check. I can’t form words too well when my heart is beating out of my chest.

“You ready?” he asks as he stands up and offers his arm again. We link arms, and I’m still stuck for words. I just nod dumbly. “We can walk back to my place, or I can drive you home.”

“Your place sounds great,” I finally say. I don’t want this night to end just yet. I need to kiss him first.

We walk back to his apartment; our arms are linked the whole time. We don’t say much until we get inside. We both flop on the couch. I settle my head in his lap, and he strokes my hair. I love the way he always defaults to caressing my hair.

“I’m so full,” Sam mumbles, and I feel him lean back into the cushions. “So much spaghetti….”

“I swear you eat enough for ten men.” I laugh and look up at him. His eyes are closed, and he looks nearly angelic. He seems as happy as I feel. “Yet you’re still built like a Greek god.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.” He snorts and opens his eyes to peer down at me. “But I appreciate it. After seven years in the service, I better have something to show for it.”

“I still can’t believe you did that.” I could never imagine myself in the military. “You’re such a sweetheart. I know your dad was an army man but imagining you doing it is hard.”

“It wasn’t easy,” he says softly. I sense there’s something deeper to his words. “Especially when Mark got injured.”

“He did?” I ask. I had no clue. I haven’t seen his dad or Mark since I’ve been back. Sam has mentioned them a good bit. I know he still goes over there when he’s not with me.

“Yeah, pretty bad.” His voice sounds tight when he says that. “That’s why he was living with my dad. Then they went and fell in love. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Beyond crazy,” I laugh. “But hey, love doesn’t discriminate, I guess. Even if it’s your best friend and your dad.”

“Mmm…” He hums in response. He suddenly looks thoughtful, but I don’t want to pry. The topic of love is weird for me at the moment, and I’m sure it’s the same for him. My impending departure means wecan’tfall in love.

To break the tension and to quit thinking, I sit up and kiss him. He pulls me close, almost into his lap, and our kisses intensify. We’re panting and gasping in no time. It takes my mind off of my worries. All I care about right now is making out with the hottest guy in the goddamn universe.

“Bedroom?” He mumbles against my lips. I don’t even have to answer. Both of our arousals are obvious, even through our pants.

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