Page 48 of Samuel's Heart

“I wouldn’t mind pizza,” I say out of nowhere, and every eye in the room turns to me.

“Of course you want that, darling. After doingsomethingwith Samuel, you must be craving as well,” Martin says.

Everyone looks at him, stunned, and even his supportive boyfriend looks at him as if he’s lost his mind.

I laugh, and it’s loud and genuine. “If I had doneitwith Samuel, you’d still be waiting at the door.” And then I wink at him.

The noise in the room reaches a new high, with everyone taking the piss out of Martin for his failed attempt to make a joke.

I watch how they tell each other off, but there’s always love. They are never nasty, and it’s very refreshing.

A scent, the mix of sandalwood and white musk that I’ve started recognising, envelops me, and I breathe in without thinking, just to stop when Samuel’s voice purrs in my ear. And I nearly scratch it to make the sensation disappear.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I say, nodding, and my hair brushes against Samuel’s stubble. That reminds me even more of how manly he is, and how long it’s been since I’ve been with someone.

You can’t do that with him.

Of course, I can’t. If things go bad, then I won’t have anyone helping me find John.

“Don’t mind Martin. He has a big mouth, but he’s harmless.”

“He’s nice. All of them are.” I hear the longing in my voice, and I wish I could stop feeling this way. Feeling so much.

“Let’s join them. What would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have a coffee and then I’ll leave so you can spend time with them.”

“Stay.”

That word does something to me I’m not prepared for, and it really makes me want to stay—and never leave.

“I better l—” But I don’t get to finish, because he talks again, cutting me off.

“Please. We need a break, and they are a great bunch of people.”

“Okay,” I concede. And then to break the heavy moment. “But Ireallyneed to eat, and pizza does sound great.”

“Oh, come on. Not you as well,” a voice sounds behind us.

Samuel and I turn around to find Jason, arms crossed, and a puppy dog look on his face. We look at each other and laugh. He’s ridiculous, and I’m also grateful because he pulls me away from the thoughts in my mind.

“Okay, we can have something else,” Samuel says to him, and his smile is blinding.

“Guys, we can have what I want,” he says to the other people, who have left to sit in the living room.

“No Chinese,” someone says, but I’m unsure who.

I’m still here in the kitchen with Samuel, so close I’m immersed in his body heat.

“Let’s go,” he says, and places a hand on the lower part of my back and my body goes crazy with the zings and sparks affecting every nerve.

I take a step forward to avoid his touch, so I don’t moan out loud, but I miss his heat immediately. I’m glad when his hand follows me until it rests there again.

We sit on the sofa, close together, and I let the others do the talking and enjoy the banter while they decide what to eat.

The rest of the evening is spent between eating and chatting, and I’m amazed by how comfortable I am with these people.

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