Page 113 of Scandalous Lover

For so many years, I’ve waited to find my person. Hoped and even prayed. Searched and been patient. Did all the things you’re supposed to do. I wanted to find a person who would slot into my life seamlessly. Probably move into my apartment, settle into the routine of my job and hobbies. Someone who wouldn’t rock the boat of what I thought was the perfect life I’d built for myself.

I guess it’s lucky I never found that person. Not when the life I was so proud of turned out to be one giant lie. All my connections and friends turning on me just when I needed them most.

What would have happened if this perfect partner had a channel of his own? A personal brand he needed to protect. Would he have turned on me just as quickly to save himself?

For a moment, I’m completely and utterly blown away by the mysterious ways of the universe. How it saved me from the dumb shit I thought I wanted and delivered me straight into the arms of this perfect man.

Ask and you shall receive. Isn’t that what all the Instagram manifestation coaches drill into us with their ten second reels and heavily stylized lifestyle photos?

I’ll admit, I got impatient. But I also asked for the wrong thing.

At least my brain did.

Turns out, my heart and soul were asking for just what I needed all along.

And here he is.

ChapterForty

Naomi

Sam’s up early the next morning getting ready for work. He waits until the last second to come wake me to say goodbye. I’ve been awake for a while, listening to him shuffle around in the bedroom, moving back and forth between this room and the main room.

When he finally sits on the edge of the bed, he’s got a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Morning, sunshine,” I say.

His face widens in surprise, smile growing ever wider. “That’s what I was going to say.”

I can’t help but smile back. “I know.”

He leans down to kiss me, and I can taste the mint of his toothpaste. Smell the scent of shampoo on his still wet hair. “I have to head into work. I’ll probably be there most of the day. Feel free to hang out as long as you like.”

Stay forever.

He doesn't say the words, but they hang in the air like fireflies, waiting to becaptured.

“Okay. I’ve got a bit of work to do on the pictures and videos I shot for the wedding, but I can probably do that here.”

Sam’s face twists to the side in a slight grimace. “I don’t have the fastest internet out here. Feel free to come down to The Sands. You can sit by the pool or work in one of the conference rooms.”

He doesn’t suggest the obvious place, my room at Dom’s house where the internet is lighting fast. Sam wants me to come to him.

I smile and nod, finally sitting up to take the steaming mug from his hands. “Okay. I’ll probably need to do that a little later. For now, I’m going to work naked in bed for as long as I can.”

He groans and drapes his body over my outstretched legs. “If only I could call in sick.”

“You can’t?” I know the answer, but I want to keep him talking. Keep him here longer.

He makes a sad face, peering up at me from where his ear rests on my knees. “Too many other people did. I have to go figure out how to get their jobs done along with my own.”

“Big boss man.”

He sits up and adjusts his button up work shirt. “That’s why they pay me the big bucks.”

I smile at his joke but can’t think of anything to say.

“See you this afternoon, maybe?”

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