Page 36 of Blame It On the Lattes

“Sam!” I exclaimed, smacking him on the chest.

“What? I know what that sweet pussy of yours is worth,” he replied with a smirk as he leaned in and kissed me.

His dirty talk still sent chills up my spine.

“Have dinner with me.” He held my hands in his and brought one to his lips to kiss.

“Okay. Let me call Cassidy real quick and let her know I’ll be late tonight. I don’t want her to start worrying.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I already talked to her and told her you would take her up on the offer to keep Kennedy overnight tonight.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I hope I didn’t overstep. I just really wanted to have more time with you tonight.”

“You didn’t,” I said, though it felt weird to say it. I wasn’t used to having someone else make decisions when it came to my child because Grant never bothered. Everything always fell on me to handle and coordinate, so it felt weird that Sam so easily took charge and got it situated without me having to ask.

“I know you don’t get a lot of time to yourself, and yes, technically, you won’t be by yourself because I’ll be with you,” he teased. “But I thought it might be nice for you to have a night off. Go to dinner. Do some shopping. Have more sex if you’re into that sort of thing.”

He winked, but the blush that spread across his cheeks was adorable.

“It’s funny you should mention it because I am most certainly into that sort of thing.”

He took my arm and led me to the front as we officially started our first date.

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Dinner was good, andI was relieved that Sam didn’t insist on going to a stuffy restaurant where everything on the menu cost an arm and a leg. He insisted on eating at the mall and claimed they had some of the best food in Sugarplum Falls. After stuffing myself beyond full with a cheeseburger, fries, and a shake, I could see why. Plus, there were plenty of stores to shop, which meant I’d have time to walk off some of the unnecessary calories I’d just eaten.

“Do you know what you want to get Kennedy for Christmas?” Sam asked as we browsed the toy section in one of the larger department stores.

“Honestly, I have no idea,’ I replied, putting a Lego set back. “I used to always know what to get her, but this year, things feel so much harder. Not only is there a lot going on with us moving and not really having a place to call home, but as she gets older, her interests change so quickly. I feel like no matter what I get, it won’t be the right thing.”

“Well, first, you do have a place to call home, and you can stay there as long as you want,” Sam said, pointing at me with a slight glare. “Second, it’s okay that things are changing. We still have time to figure out what to get her.”

“Christmas is in ten days. I’ve pulled shit together in the eleventh hour before, but even this feels impossible. If I wasn’t so distracted with everything else, I could take the time to focus on her and what she likes these days.”

“Stop being so hard on yourself,” he said, gently rubbing my back. “You’re her mom, and you know her better than anyone. Why don’t we shop for other stuff and come back to the toys later?”

“Okay,” I agreed, letting out a heavy breath as I nodded my head. “I still need to get something for Cassidy and your parents. Who all is on your list?”

“You and Kennedy,” he replied with a slight grin. “So, if you could casually look around and make a big deal over the things you like, that would be a big help.”

“You do not have to buy for me, Sam. Really. I appreciate the thought, but it’s not necessary.”

He stepped in close, pulled me against his body, and lowered his mouth to my ear.

“Do you really think I’m going to fuck you in my office and devour your pussy like it’s my last meal but thennotget you something for Christmas?”

My cheeks flushed with color as I looked around to see if anyone had heard him. Thankfully, it was relatively quiet in the store, and the few people who were there weren’t close enough to hear our conversation.

Before I could answer him, my phone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket, and then worry rushed over me as I saw Cassidy’s name.

“Hey, Cass. What’s wrong?”

“Why do you assume that something’s wrong?”

“Well, because you’re watching my daughter and calling me, so yeah, my first guess is that something happened with Kennedy.”

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