Page 50 of Liberate Us

“Hey, Red,” Sammy greeted, giving me one of his large smiles. Hewas dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt that hugged his wide torso in all theright places. His leather cut was strewn over the back of the chair beside him.His beard had grown in some and bags sat under his eyes like he had beendriving all night, but even though he looked tired, he was still beautiful ashell. My body heated at seeing him sitting there with my mom.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, shocked atmyself that those words came out so suddenly. I was happy to see him, but Ididn’t like the fact that he had come here when I had told him not to. Itwasn’t safe. For either of us.

His smile only widened.

My mom’s head whipped around. “I know I taught you to be strongand say whatever’s on your mind but that’s no way to treat a guest, Amber. Idefinitely taught you better than that.”

My jaw clenched, my face heating. “Fine, forgive me. Sammy, it’sso good to see you. Whatever did I do to deserve the pleasure of your company?”

Something flashed behind his dark eyes, and I knew that I wasgoing to pay for my sass, but I didn’t care. I didn’t like that he was herewithout me knowing. Sure, it was good to see him because I had to be honest, Imissed him, but I didn’t like that he showed up out of nowhere.

Much to my surprise, both he and my mom laughed, which made myjaw clench even more.

“How did you find me anyway?” I demanded.

“I ran into your mom at the gas station. With her red hair, Itold her it reminded me of someone. She said that her daughter has even redderhair and here we are,” he explained like it was no big deal.

“Really? That’s how you found me?” It almost seemed tooinnocent. Especially for someone like him.

“I also contacted someone I know and had them track your phone.”And there it was. You would think we were just talking about the weather withhow casual Sammy was being over the fact that he basically stalked me toanother city.

“It’s too early for this shit,” I mumbled, heading to thekitchen. I needed coffee and I needed to know why he was here. Of all places.

“I’m going to go get ready for the day. Amber, you be nice and,Sammy, it was so good to finally meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you too, Andrea,” he told her, his voicesmooth as damn silk.

I snorted. He was only smooth when he wanted something.

While I was waiting for my coffee to brew, a dark shadow loomedover me.

“I didn’t actually think you’d be pissed if I showed up,” Sammysaid, his voice deep.

I looked at him over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes. “I don’t dowell with surprises. Whether they be good or bad. I need to know what’s goingon. And before you say anything, I’m not talking about sex. I like beingsurprised when it comes to that but not outside of the bedroom.”

“Tell me why,” he demanded gently, taking a step toward me.“Tell me you’re not happy to see me here. In your home. Tell me you don’t wishI would kiss you, touch you, fuck you, even hug you. Tell me, Amber.”

I looked away, my teeth grinding together so fucking hard, asharp pain shot up the side of my face.

“I’m talking to you.”

I spun on him. “I don’t like surprises because Aaron used topull that shit and I was always left looking like the bad guy. His surpriseshurt.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned.

I huffed, turning back around and pouring myself a coffee.

Sammy stepped up behind me, placing his hands on the counter ateither side of me. “Talk to me.”

“They were never good surprises. It was like he didn’t know meat all. I remember one time he got me a puppy and I’m allergic, but I wanted tokeep him anyway. I would have taken allergy pills, done something to give him agood home. I reminded Aaron that I’m allergic, so he took the little thing fromme and...” My throat closed over a hard lump. “I don’t know what happened tothe puppy but if I know Aaron at all, I know it wasn’t good.”

“Shit, babe, I’m sorry.” Sammy turned me around and pulled meagainst him. “But you’re comparing me to him again. I am not him. I’m just me.I understand that you’ve had some trauma and I don’t hold it against you. I’llalso wait for you trust that I am who I say I am.”

“I know. I do know that.” I took a deep breath. “I wanted to askwhat he did but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was just little thingslike that. But I am happy to see you.” I placed my hands on Sammy’s chest,running them across his pecs to his thick arms. “I am. Please don’t think I’mnot. I’m just shocked that you drove all this way.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I told you I was, and you have to know by nowthat I always mean what I say. If I tell you I’m going to do something, I’mgoing to do it.” He stepped toward me, pushing his pelvis into mine. “I’m alsohappy to see you. Very happy to see you.”

I laughed lightly, every inch of him pressing up against me. Hewas hard in all of the right places and if my mom weren’t home, I would showhim just how happy I was to see him.

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