Page 10 of Prospect
Butterflies fill my stomach again when he brushes a strand of hair away from my face. "Okay," I agree.
"Lock up behind me."
Opening the door, Sam steps out on the front porch. Knowing he won't budge until hearing the locks engage, I slowly close the door. With the deadbolts locked and the alarm reset, I listen to the rumble of his Harley and wait for the sound to fade away before heading to my bedroom. The house is quiet, and the lights are off in both Emma and Luna's room. After changing into my PJ's, going down the hall to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, I lock my bedroom door and climb into bed. The last thought I have before falling asleep—Sam.
Chapter five
Sam
"I'm sorry you had to come out here just to bring me some milk, Sam," Alba grumbles as she strolls down the steps of her front porch. "It's five in the morning for Christ sakes. Gabriel could have gotten up to run to the store," she continues to fuss when she reaches me, and I chuckle.
"It's not a big deal, Alba," I say climbing off my bike and pulling two half gallons of milk from the saddle bag. "Don't go getting upset on my behalf little momma. I knew what was to be expected of me the moment I accepted the prospect cut."
"I don't like seeing my friend treated like a slave," she pouts.
"I'm not being treated as a slave. You're looking at things the wrong way. Any task given to me by the guys is allowing me to prove my service to the club. I need to show them I am willing to go above and beyond. I have to demonstrate my commitment." Cocking my head to the side, I ask. "Have you witnessed the guys asking me to do anything they themselves wouldn't do at any given time?" Alba seems to ponder my question a moment then answers. "No."
"Do you get it now?"
"Yeah, I get it. I guess this is all just a little weird for me."
"I get that. But Alba—" I pause until she looks directly in my eyes. "This," I say tugging on my prospect cut, "is what I want."
"I understand, Sam. The club; this family, they're all pretty amazing. I'm happy for you. I'm glad you have been able to find yourself here." Shaking her head, Alba lets out a snort. "I'll admit I would never have thought."
"There are a lot of things about me people would have never thought," I grin. "It's easy for people to assume." At my last statement, I cock my head with a lifted brow. Alba blushes because she knows exactly what I'm referring to. "Yeah, I'm sorry about the whole gay thing, Sam. It's just that day in the coffee shop a few days after we met, I saw the way you were looking at that couple; at the guy."
"Yeah, well, when you wake up one morning after a night of drinking, and you're laying butt ass naked in a bed next to a dude and a chick you don't know and have no recollection of what the hell went down the night before; then I see them months later sittin' across from us in a coffee shop, things tend to be awkward," I deadpan. If I thought Alba couldn't turn redder than she already was, I was wrong. Her embarrassment makes me chuckle. Letting her off the hook, I decided to take my leave. I have to be at work soon anyway. I kiss the top of her head. "See ya later, little momma."
"Bye, Sam. Thanks for the milk," she says making her way back toward the house. Climbing on my bike, I spot Gabriel as he steps out onto the front porch. I tip my head, and he does the same just before I start my bike and pull out of the driveway.
After leaving Alba and Gabriel's place, I made my usual stop at the bakery and I am now headed to Sofia's. On the ride there I take the time to reflect on the many changes I have faced since leaving Texas and how the choices I have made have led me to this point in my life. When I left home after high school, I was a boy whose father had mapped his future out for him and was expected to attend law school so he could take over the family firm. The McGregor law firm is one of the most well known and respected firms in Texas. My grandfather started it nearly forty years ago and still practices to this day. My father, of course, followed in his footsteps and from day one I was to do the same. My leaving Texas and refusing to go to law school was not some sort of rebellious phase. It was me keeping a promise I made to my mother long ago. My mom knew I was meant for something different. She made me promise to go out in the world and find what that was. My only problem is both my father and grandfather are ruthless in business and are known not to take no for an answer. That's how I know he won't stop until he gets what he wants from me. Although I think it's more about me telling him no than him needing me. The question is, what does William McGregor have planned?
When I get to New Hope house, I'm not surprised to see Sofia already up. She's an early riser. This morning she is sitting on the back deck. Next to her is a young woman with blonde hair. When I climb the steps of the porch, I immediately notice the blonde's unease and halt my advance. I watch as Sofia picks up a notebook and pen off the table beside her and scribbles on the paper before she passes it to the woman. The blonde's eyes flicker from the note to Sofia then back to me. When she offers a smile, I take that as an okay to continue up the porch. "Miss," I greet the young woman. I turn to Sofia and hand her the bag with pastries. "Good morning, Firefly," I bend down and brush my lips across her cheek.
"Good morning, Sam," she blushes.
"Are we still on for lunch today?" I ask, and she nods.
"Good. I'll see ya then, baby." I don't miss the way her eyes go big when the word baby rolls off my tongue. It's the first time I've called her that. It's the next step in my plan to make her mine and the way her breath hitches tells me she likes it.
"Okay," she breathes.
Over the next several hours my focus is on finishing the frame for the sixth bedroom on the New Hope House addition. I have a crew coming out tomorrow to begin laying sheetrock. When I look over my shoulder, I notice one of the guys is missing. I turn to James. "You see where Dylan went?" James has been with Kings Construction almost as long as me and is one of the best workers on my crew. Dylan, on the other hand, is a slacker. I have to constantly ride his ass in order for him to get anything done. I've spoken to Reid and Nikolai about him. They both gave me permission to can his ass if need be. I'm trying to give the guy a chance, but his disappearing acts don't sit well with me. "I saw him over by the shed earlier taking a smoke break," James informs.
Walking around the side of the house and over to the small shed at the edge of the property, I find the motherfucker with his ass propped against the structure scrolling through his phone and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. I have officially had it with him. "Yo. Break time is over. Pack your shit and get the hell out of here. You're done." Cutting my eyes down to the ground where Dylan stands, I grind my teeth when I see a shit ton of cigarette butt's litering the area.
"Oh. Hey man," Dylan says tucking his phone in his pocket. "I was taking a little break. Don't get bent out of shape about it," he shrugs tossing his half-smoked cigarette to the ground. Dylan goes to move around me as if he didn't hear me tell his dumbass he was done. Reaching out I grab his bicep. "Pick them up," I grind out looking him dead in his eyes.
"Pick what up?" he shrugs from my hold.
I gesture to the ground at his feet. "The butts. Pick them up."
"Are you fucking serious, man?"
"Hell yeah, I'm serious. Pick that shit up. You don't disrespect someone else's property by coming onto it and leaving your trash behind. Especially not here. Now pick that shit up and take it with you. You're done here." Something in my tone must tell Dylan not to test me because he does what he's told and leaves. "Fuckin' tool," I mutter.
Meeting up with Sofia for lunch, I pull into the parking lot at The Pier and climb off my bike the same moment she steps out of the front entrance. My heart and my dick swell at how indescribably beautiful she is. By the time we reach each other, I can't hold back my smile as she shyly beams from ear to ear. Using both palms, I cup her silky-smooth face and kiss her forehead. "Hey, baby."
