Page 19 of Her Desire

“Good, I thought I had lost my friend to my cousin,” she giggles.

“Well, I have lost myself, but it’s all good,” I say.

“Oh, tell me everything. How are you enjoying Miami? How is Sam?” Lydia asks in a rush.

“Miami is everything I imagined. We’ve gone out to a few restaurants, went dancing, and I walk on the beach each night. The only thing that sucks is how much Sam works, but I also respect that she’s so dedicated to her job,” I explain.

Even though I do wish Sam had more time for me, I don’t ever complain to her. She has brought me into her life and has treated me like a queen. I’ve never been happier.

“That’s awesome. I can’t wait until Tyler and I can make it there to see you guys again. We had so much fun when you and Sam were here.” I can hear the television on in the background. Sometimes I miss living with Lydia and Tyler, but it was only temporary. Having them around again would be great.

“Yes, you all need to come visit soon. So… I have to talk to you as my friend now…” I began.

“Ok,” Lydia drawls out.

“No one else will understand but I have to rave about how amazing Sam is. She is so compassionate, understanding, and thoughtful, and pleases me better than any man ever has,” I sigh blissfully.

“I am so happy for you two. I mean, I’m still a little shocked that you went from a man to a woman, but I see how happy you all are together. It feels real,” Lydia tells me.

That brings a smile to my face. I sit back against the couch and allow my body to relax.

“It’s real. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And the way she can make me…”

I’m cut off before I can finish my statement.

“Whoa, too much information! Remember, Sam is my cousin. Keep it PG!” Lydia yells.

I laugh loudly as I shake my head.

“Sorry. I am just so happy. Sam just understands me and my needs.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Lydia agrees.

I wish I could go into more detail, but I save her from hearing dirty things about her cousin. I want to tell her how Sam understands my sexual needs, is gentle but wild in bed. Nothinglike I imagined. I can’t imagine ever going back with a man. No one has ever pleased me like this before.

We chat a while longer, catching up on what’s going on. When we ended the call, I felt happy that Lydia and I spoke. I miss her.

I move to stand and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach. The bright sunlight reflects over the waves, causing bright little lights to dance against the water. It’s magical and another reminder that I made the right decision coming to Miami with Sam.

Chapter 11

Sam

The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the warm, buttery aroma of pancakes as the morning sun spilled through Ava's kitchen window, casting a soft glow on her brown hair. She hummed a tune I didn't recognize but felt oddly comforting as she flipped a pancake with practiced ease. I leaned against the counter, watching her petite frame move gracefully around the small space.

"Guess who's becoming a pancake connoisseur?" Ava teased, glancing over her shoulder with a playful smile that reached her eyes.

"Is that so? Well, I must admit, these are heavenly," I said, stealing a bite from the stack of golden-brown pancakes on the plate beside me. "What's your secret?"

"Love, obviously," she winked, serving another perfectly round pancake onto the growing pile.

I chuckled, feeling the contentment of the moment wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Sure, we'd had our rough patches, but mornings like this made all the difference—reminding us of the simplicity and joy we found in each other’s company.

"Speaking of love," Ava began, sliding the last pancake onto the plate before facing me, "what do you think about taking a walk by the waterfront later? Just you, me, and the seagulls?"

"Sounds perfect," I replied. "We could grab some lunch and watch the boats." I reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Just a simple day together."

Her answering grin was infectious, and for an instant, it felt like we were the only two people in the universe—our past struggles a distant memory. Then, the shrill ring of the phone sliced through the serenity, and Ava’s expression flickered with surprise. She wiped her hands on a dish towel before picking up the receiver.

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