Page 16 of Fourth Down Forever
When we enter her room, I look around and it isn't surprising to see that Sam's room is completely organized. I watch as Sam moves to the closet and pulls out a large suitcase, placing her clothes in it.
That’s when I decide to bring up the team dinner, that way she can pack for it. "Hey, remember we have the team dinner on Sunday where I'll introduce you as my wife."
"Ugh...okay. What is the attire?"
"Casual," I tell her.
"Like a dress?"
I take a step closer to her, invading her space. Leaning closer to her, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me. When I’m just a breath away, I whisper, "Anything you wear, baby, will be beautiful." Then I take a chance of a lifetime and press my lips to her soft plump pink ones.
It starts off as a chaste kiss, but when she slightly opens her lips, I take the moment to push my tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss. The whole thing sets me on fire. I've never felt this way before with anyone.
Before it can go any farther, Sam stops it, pushing me away and I let her. "We need to stop before it goes any farther. Remember my rules?" she heaves.
"Yeah, I remember," I mutter, trying to get myself together.
Sam returns to her closet and continues packing her stuff up. I look around the room to see where I can help, when she interrupts my inner thoughts. "Can you grab that pile of clothes off my desk for me?"
"Sure," I reply, spinning toward the desk. I grab the items off the desk when a book catches my eye. Picking it up, I read the title,The Last Dragon KingbyLeia Stone.Turning it over, I start to read the blurb before the book is snatched from my hand. "That wasn't what I asked for," she snaps.
"It looks interesting. What is it about?" I ask earnestly.
Sam's eyes drop to the ground when she whispers, "It's a romance novel about a man who is a king, but can turn into a dragon, and how he's trying to find love, and save his kingdom at the same time."
"Wow, that sounds cool," I say to her and it surprises me how much I mean it, too. I've never been big on reading, but that sounds like something I would enjoy. "Could I read it?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"No. I'm serious."
She huffs, blowing her beautiful hair out of her face as she assesses my authenticity, something she's been doing a lot lately. It hurts me that this is where she is at with me, but I know that I'm the only one to blame. I'm the reason we're in this predicament—from distancing myself to this drunken marriage.
I watch as she pushes the book toward me. "Yes, you can read it." I go to take it from her, but she pulls it back toward her, giving me a serious look before issuing her ultimatum. "If I even get a whiff of mockery, you will be done."
"Got it. Scout’s honor, I promise I won't mock at all," I tell her making a cross symbol over my heart. Nodding, she hands the book back to me.
It only takes another hour before we have all of her clothes packed up and ready to go. Sam walks around her room one last time to make sure she doesn't need anything else right away. Once she looks satisfied, I reach for her suitcase, asking, "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replies.
Though that response is a little lackluster, I take it for what it is and we head out of the apartment. I place the suitcase into the car, then Sam and I head off to what could—hopefully—be a new life.
Chapter thirteen
Kade
Arriving back at my building, I take her suitcase up to my apartment, heading straight to my bedroom as she follows me.
As soon as we enter the bedroom, she stops and says, "Why are you putting my stuff in your room?"
"Because my wife belongs in my room."
"But this is temporary. I can stay in the guest room," she says, reaching for her suitcase.
I pull it back from her while shaking my head. "No, you will stay in here. If it makes you uncomfortable, I will stay in the guest room."
"I couldn't do that to you, Kade," she says, invading my space as she reaches for her suitcase once again. The smell of her lavender lotion surrounds me, and I can’t wait until her scent has infiltrated my everything.
