Page 9 of Prospect
Logan looks my way. "What do you want, sweetheart?"
"Soda is fine," I tell him.
Yelling he tells Quinn, "Sofia wants a soda. Tell him to restock the fridge if it's low too." Looking back at his woman, Logan tells her, "give me your lips, Angel. Reid and Quinn are almost done with the grilling, so I'm gonna start setting out tables and chairs." Leaning her head back one more time, Bella waits for Logan to kiss her.
Moments later, Sam is striding toward us with a cooler in one hand and several blocks of wood for the fire under his other arm. Our eyes lock sending those familiar butterflies in my stomach fluttering about. It's not until he set the cooler on the ground next to Grace and starts placing the logs in the fire do I realize what he is wearing. A leather cut just like the rest of the men except with no logo. Only one patch. The single word Prospect on the bottom. I'm speechless.When did this happen?
Once the fire is to his liking, Sam makes eye contact with me again. "Shit, I forgot your drink," and jogs back toward the house.
I look around at all the women. "Sam is prospecting?"
Emerson gets up from her chair, opens the cooler and starts passing drinks around. "Yep, and I think he will make a great member." The others nod in agreement.
As Sam approaches, he pops the top on the can and hands it to me. Our fingertips touch sending an electric current coursing through them. It causes my heart to race. "Thank you."
"Your welcome, Firefly." The use of his nickname makes me smile. Turning Sam leaves going over to help Logan and Reid set the tables.
Closing my eyes, I sink back in my chair. When I open them Bella, Alba, Mila, Grace, and Emerson are all staring at me—all wearing smiles on their faces.
"What?" Bringing the can to my lips, I take another sip hoping they let it go for now. Which they do because Alba begins talking about the 5k run.
"So, are we going to commit to this charity run?" Alba chimes in.
One by one all of them agrees to do it, which leaves me. Anything for a good cause especially our foundation will always be a yes, so I tell them, "count me in too."
Dinner is announced shortly after, and I help the women wrangle the kids up and get them seated with plates of food before we fix ours and sit down. "Sam, why didn't Leah come with you?" I ask as he sits next to me at the end of the table.
"I stopped by the apartment when I went out for some ice and she said she wasn't feeling well," he informs me with a knowing look. Sam knew she wasn't telling the truth, but he never pushes.
I take a big bite of the flavorful Cuban dish Ropa Vieja Alba made. With conversation flowing amongst everyone I finally get around to asking Sam about the whole prospect thing. "So—prospect huh?"
Sam's shoulders shake as he chuckles. "I'm surprised you lasted this long before asking me about it, Firefly. Anyway, the club approached me about it and they think I have potential. The Kings stand for everything I believe in; a brotherhood and what a family should be. There is no doubt I believe I am right where I belong."
"You'll make a great King, Sam," I confess.
"That means a lot coming from you, Firefly."
Dinner is over before we know it, and the sun has disappeared behind the trees. Sitting near the firepit on a large log used for seating, I watch the fireflies twinkle as they hover just above the ground while listening to the guys cut up behind me and their women laugh along with them. Tired and ready for bed, I decide I need to head back to my place before it gets too late. Standing, I turn and face everyone. "I'm heading to the house. I have work again tomorrow."
Jake glances over at Sam. "Escort Sofia home." Nodding, Sam stands, and we walk side by side around the edge of the building. Stopping at my car, Sam opens my door and waits for me to settle in and buckle before closing it for me.
"Is this all part of your prospect duties?" I tease knowing he would follow me home anyway. He always does.
"I'm right behind you, beautiful." Mounting his bike, the one he's had for a while now, Sam waits for me to start my car. I pull away from the compound and he falls in behind me. It's at least a thirty-minute drive from the clubhouse to my place. I look out at the flat open land as we drive down the road. Darkness is setting as the horizon swallows the sun putting another day to bed leaving the sky painted in rich, deep purple and blue hues which fade to black as it reaches the stars.
Before long I'mpulling into the driveway and parking in the garage. Like always, I wait for Sam to walk the outside perimeter before getting out of the car. Knowing he also checks the inside of the house, I hand over my keys and follow him in as the garage door slowly lowers. I watch him as he moves about the house. Something is different about him tonight. The way he's carrying himself is different. The way he moves.He has more confidence maybe?
Maybe it's not him at all.
Maybe it's me.
He looks good wearing that cut. Looking away before he catches me, I cross the living room and wait by the front door.
"Have lunch with me tomorrow?"
"I have to work," I tell him.
"I'll come to you."
