Page 26 of With You

It was a reminder of our earlier conversation, that us being together wasn’t dependent on what city we were in. She didn’t repeat the sentiment but her smile was no longer sad and that was enough. For now.

12

SAM

“So…this is me.”

Oh, good job brain, let’s cut through the awkwardness with a dumb joke. We were back home and standing outside our doors. There was only a few feet of hallway between them, but after spending every minute together, those few feet felt like miles.

“I must be rubbing off on you, that was a Roe joke if I’ve ever heard one.”

“You rubbed off on me all right. Now, that was a Roe joke.”

We both laughed, erasing some of the tension that had formed since we got home. I turned and unlocked my door to do something with my hands. They were restless, like they should be reaching for him, instead they were empty and I hated it.

A big palm landed against the wood next to my head and warm lips pressed against my neck just under my ear, setting my body on fire. I gripped my keys tight, the metal biting into my palm while my breaths quickened.

“You don’t have to sleep alone, Sam. All you have to do is ask and I’m there. We can be professional downstairs, but up here—” his arm wrapped around my stomach and pulled me tightly against him. “Up here, it’s just us. We can do whatever we want, be with each other however we want.”

“I’m not dressing up like Sonya Blade and calling you Raiden.” He laughed, puffing air against my skin that made me shiver.

“That’s okay, it’s not the only fantasy you’ve starred in. We can go old school. I’ll be the pizza man and you can be the co-ed that has no other way to pay me except with your body.”

“That feels a little sexist,” I pushed my ass back into his crotch and clenched my thighs tightly together. I couldn’t believe I was getting turned on by the ridiculous scenario he was proposing. He was joking, but a part of me wanted to do it, to explore with him while we laughed and fucked until we both passed out from exhaustion.

“Good point, this is the twenty-first century, women should get to be the blue-collar worker in sexy roleplay if they want to be. I’ve got it, I work from home, need my pipes fixed and you’re the sexy plumber who knows just how to grip a big wrench.”

Our bodies shook against each other with our combined laughter. “I don’t know if you’re supposed to make someone laugh while you’re trying to get into their pants.” I turned to face him, bringing my arms around his neck to hold him close as I smiled at him.

“It’s kind of my thing in case you haven’t noticed,” he ran his hands up and down my sides. “I want in your pants, always, but nothing feels better than when you laugh at something I’ve said. All I’ve ever wanted to do was make you smile, Samantha.”

My throat grew tight at his words and I tried to swallow the emotions that he was dragging from me without my permission. “Roe, I—”

Whatever I was going to say was interrupted by our phones going off at the same time. I used the distraction to my advantage and released my arms to reach into my pocket and read the text.

Dinner. Brooks.

“Looks like Gage missed us,” Roe said as he quickly typed a response before shoving his phone deep into his pocket again.

“Hmm, he’s a real clinger.” I reached down for my bag and turned the handle on my unlocked door. “Meet you out here in five?”

He shifted, picking up his own luggage, “It might look weird if we ride together. Past Sam never would have willingly been locked in a cage with me for the ten minutes it took us to get to the bar.”

He was right. I’d made it well known that Roe and I weren’t friends, just colleagues that had to be in the same rooms on occasion. His expression said it all, sadness, resignation, longing. And I couldn’t stand to see him feeling that way because of me.

“Yeah? Well, past Sam could be a real floppy dick. Present Sam wants to drive and you’re riding shotgun.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He backed away, watching me the whole time. It wasn’t until I was behind my door that I heard his open.

* * *

“Hey, baby, did you miss me?”

I walked a circle around my 1969 Chevy Camaro, carefully inspecting her black paint for any dents or scratches that may have happened while I was gone. When I’d left active duty, I used a hefty amount of my base pay to get Francine. Yes, my car had a name, she was a sexy lady and I’d kick anyone’s ass that talked shit about her. Shiny, black paint on the outside, butter soft black leather on the inside and an engine that roared when I hit the highway.

She was just as gorgeous as when I left her and I probably had Duke to thank for that. Duke McKay ran the auto shop in town and had kept my most prized possession running perfectly since I moved to town. It was common for me to leave her with him when I was on assignment, both for safe keeping and any work that she needed. He also happened to be Brooks’ brother. Brooks’ Bar and Grill was a common hang out for the team and where we were headed tonight.

“If you’re done feeling up your car, can we get inside now?” I narrowed my eyes at Roe who was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed over his chest.

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