Page 116 of Sing it, Sam

Chapter Forty-One

Waking up beside Sam feels like all my Christmases have come at once. And I frickin’loveChristmas. Knowing the festival is today, and Sam will be with me, it’s set to be the best day of my life.

The sun is barely up, but I’m wide awake. I watch Sam sleep for a while, admiring the peace with which he breathes in and out, and giggling at the occasional whirr he makes.

When I’ve had enough watching, I run the edge of my fingernail softly at the tip of his nose and circle at the rim of his nostril. He scrunches up his face and moans. I repeat the action until he swipes at his cheek.

“Wakey, wakey,” I whisper.

He opens one eye.

I sit bolt upright in bed and shoot my hands towards the ceiling. “It’s pumpkin festival time!” I cry out, and start laughing. My nipples waste no time perking up to the cool morning air.

Sam pulls me into his chest and gives my boobs a soft squeeze. “Settle down there, girl,” he growls in my ear. “I’m not ready to start talking about pumpkins yet.”

Little by little, Sam rolls on to his side. I give him space and turn so our naked bodies face one another.

“So, hey,” he says, and nips at my jawline with his teeth.

“Hey,” I mimic and wiggle my eyebrows.

“Some night, huh?” He hums in the back of his throat.

“The best, but I’ve got news for you. Today is gonna be that much better. What time do you think you guys will leave here?” I clear my throat, trying hard not to imagine the pillowy scones, dollops of cream, and trickles of heavenly maple syrup. A dinner of cheese and wine was not enough for my country appetite.

“I’ve got a physio appointment at ten, and then we’ll hit the road.”

I glance at my watch. It’s just past six-thirty. Surely there’s less traffic this time of day? If I leave soon, then I can get to the showgrounds by ten and help Britt set up her stall before the gates open at eleven. I feel like I need to thank her. She went out on a limb talking to me. I could’ve shut her down and told her she was talking nonsense. I’m glad I didn’t. Whilst I was expecting the worst when I got here, last night was the most magical night of my life. And like a certain boy once said to me, “life is short”.

“I have a proposition for you,” I whisper and peck Sam on the lips.

“Okay,” he says through a chuckle. “I’m listening.”

“I need to shower. You need one too.”

He lifts up his arm and sniffs his armpit. “Gee, thanks. I totally blame you though for me working up a sweat.”

I reach out and pinch his nipple between my thumb and forefinger. “You’re welcome. Just shut up and listen to me, ’kay?”

Sam’s eyes widen. “I’m all ears.”

“For your own safety,” I say in a quiet voice as I gently sweep over the bruise on his shoulder, “we need to shower together.”

Sam rolls onto his back and sits up, stretching his arms out to the sides. He looks down at me, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “Janie, I’m all about safety. Yours. Mine. Ours.Fuck. Let’s go be safe, already.”

I throw back the covers and strut over to Sam’s side of the bed. He brings his legs to the floor, one at a time. I hold out my hands to help him up.

He freezes in place, but his eyes work over my body.

“Come on,” I say, and offer my hands once more.

“Just taking it all in, Janie. You’re beautiful. Every inch of you. When we’re apart I’ll be relying on my memory to get me through.”

I twirl around, turning slowly so he can get a good look. When my eyes connect with his once more, he tilts his head.

“We have to leave the room?” he says on an exhale.

I reach out and grip his wrists. “Let’s go be safe.”

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