Page 70 of Liberate Us

Rising to my feet, I grabbed my things, flushed the toilet, andwent to the sink. “You see what exactly?” I started brushing my teeth, meetingher gaze in the reflection of the mirror. “What?” I asked around a mouthful oftoothpaste.

“He’s in love with you or if it’s not love, it’s definitelysomething bordering on it. He’s been here when you’re not working. He comeswith the guys,” she said, not that she had to reassure me. I knew he didn’tcome to Rouge to see the other dancers. “He’s overheard customers askingCandace if you’ll ever start dancing again. Candace couldn’t even get a word inbecause Sammy was always in the customer’s face before she could answer. I can’ttell you how many times Ronny has threatened to kick him out.”

I knew Sammy had a violent streak to him back even before westarted sleeping together, but I didn’t realize it continued.

“Does he get jealous?”

My stomach clenched at her question. I breathed through thefresh wave of nausea. Once I was satisfied that nothing else was going to leavemy body, I finished brushing my teeth. “If you’re asking if he gets jealouslike Aaron did, the answer is no. Yes, he gets jealous, but he never blames meif a guy looks at me or flirts with me like Aaron did.”

“Good because I like him, and I wouldn’t want to mess up hispretty face if he hurts you.”

I laughed.

Shawnee winked, coming up to me and pulling me into a hug. Herhand fell to my lower abdomen. “I’ve always wanted to be an aunt.”

I covered her hand on my stomach. “I’m scared.”

“I know but your mom, me, the girls…we’re all here.”

“I know.” I sighed. “I need to tell—”

The door to the bathroom suddenly swung open, revealing Sammy.

“What are you doing?” Shawnee demanded. “This is the ladies’room.”

Sammy ignored her and came up to me. “What’s wrong?”

I went to look at Shawnee when Sammy caught my jaw in a firmgrip.

“Don’t look at her, pet,” That dominant voice in him did funnythings to my belly and I welcomed it every time with open arms. “Look at me.She can’t help you if you don’t answer the damn question.”

“You don’t have to be an asshole,” Shawnee snapped at him.

“It’s fine, Shawn,” I told her. “Thank you.”

She sighed and left the bathroom.

“Answer my question,” he demanded.

My hand cupped my stomach on its own accord. I didn’t realize Idid it until Sammy stepped in front of me and his gaze followed the movement.Something flashed in his eyes. Something I had never seen before or even knewwas in him.

“Something you want to tell me, Red?” he asked, his voicelowering.

I swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to tell you here but I…I’m…” Itook a deep breath, but I couldn’t get the words out.

“You are, aren’t you?”

I was unable to voice the words and nodded instead.

“Tell me,” he demanded gently. “Say the words, Amber.”

My eyes welled, my lungs feeling like they were about tocollapse in on themselves.

“Say the words.” He gripped my jaw when I didn’t answer andforced my head back. “Say them.” He captured my mouth in a hard, bruising kiss.“Sayit,” he repeated, biting my bottom lip.

I whimpered, the sharp pain sending a wave of heat over my skin.

“Amber,” he growled.

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