Page 14 of Hitman's Prize

Now we’re in the kitchen and the woman is running about without any sort of leash to contain her excitement. She must’ve needed the taste of freedom like I did when I discovered this place.

“So you hired someone to move stuff here and even get groceries?” she asks as she cracks open each cupboard. All new dishes and appliances are inside. “People really do that?”

I rest against the table, watching her explore to her heart’s desire. “You’d be surprised what money can buy. It just took some planning to get everything settled. This has all been here for at least a week or two I believe.”

Humming, she looks in the fridge and sighs when showing me it’s empty. “We’re going to have to meet the locals and do some grocery shopping.”

I shouldn’t let my imagination get the best of me. Yet, I can’t stop myself from imagining Sammy clinging to my arm as I push a cart around the one grocery store in the town next to us. She’d be the bubbly type to introduce us to everyone, I’m sure. Secrecy be damned.

“They deliver groceries now,” I explain to her, chuckling when she checks out the full pantry. “You wouldn’t want to just stay here?”

Sammy plucks out some boxes of food, already bundling it to her chest. “I go where you go.”

Once more, I’m pleased by her words. Is she being sweet on purpose to get something in return? If so, it’s working. I’m ready to cross oceans to give this woman whatever she wants.

Putting everything in her arms onto the counter, she beams at me. “Ready to break in some of this stuff? I’m starving. Though, I’m a terrible cook so you’re putting a risk at letting me run this operation alone.”

Abandoning the table, I approach her to see what she’s found. Before I can start examining the boxes up close, she steps in my path.

“What is it?” I ask before noticing the way her cheeks start to flush. Maybe my suspicions were correct, maybe she does want something.

“Thank you for all this,” she starts off as her eyes drift to the side.

I’ve lost count of how many times she’s thanked me since we came here. It’s really unnecessary. I don’t deserve to be given so much appreciation. Then again, I don’t exactly deserve to share my home with this sweet angel either.

“And, um, I want to kiss you again,” she continues before her hands start to fidget. “If that’s alright, I mean.”

That explains the flushed cheeks. Wanting nothing more than an excuse to taste her again, I’m pleased by the small gasp that leaves her lips when I lift her up onto the counter. I need her at more eye level if I want to avoid crushing her against the cabinets.

“Sammy, you don’t have to ask for that.” My palms press against her thighs and she’s wearing a pair of shorts that make it very easy to feel her supple legs. I can’t help but give them a squeeze.

Just because I don’t believe I deserve such a sweet woman doesn’t mean I’m not going to give her what she wants. If she wants to kiss me, then I’m all for it.

Stepping between her thighs, I run my fingers along her shorts and soon cradle her hips.

“It’s going to take a lot of practice if I want to get good at it,” she explains as she cups my face. “I hope you’re ready for all that.”

I’m ready alright. Ready to be the man she needs to be.

Her lips meet mine lightly, hardly brushing. Ismileat her attempt of kissing me. When was the last time I smiled so easily? Humored by the littlest things.

“Lots of practice,” I tease her before dragging her hips to the edge of the counter. Loving the way she clings to me, I kiss her firmer. Her fingers curl into my shirt as she opens right up. Sammy tastes as sweet as she had the night before.

Now that I’m standing in my kitchen with a woman I’d be willing to make my wife, the kiss feels more enjoyable. More than enough that my body is reacting despite having only shared a kiss.

Pulling away from my mouth, she pants lightly while clinging to me. Her eyes are all wide and look filled with emotion.

“Did you mean what you said last night?” Her words come out as a soft whisper. “About never letting me go?”

Rather than scaring her, she sounds like she’s got some hope hiding behind her words.

My hold on her hips tightens as her question settles. “Yes. I didn’t say those words lightly either.”

I don’t want to ever let her go. I want to keep her at my side and keep her away from the dangers of the world. Even the thought of going to the grocery store is a bit much.

“But this isn’t going to be like your last home. Our home won’t be some kind of prison where you feel trapped. The moment you get tired of me angel, I’ll buy you a house somewhere nice and let you start somewhere fresh.”

She shakes her head and pulls me back down for another kiss. This time, she’s not gentle. I feel the frustration behind her kiss.