Page 30 of A Family Affair: The Plan
Hadn’t his mother always told him compromise was key and if you cared enough, you’d do that for the other person? Oh, yes, she’d hinted at that during the entire disaster he called a marriage, and she’d been right. There was still so much to learn about Hope, including the childhood that had left her scarred. Sam wanted to know all about that, not just the bullet points either. No, he wanted details and facts, so he could make sure she never felt alone or irrelevant or “not good enough” again.
“Sam? Would you like another beer?” Hope placed a hand on his arm, waited for him to respond.
He blinked, pushed aside thoughts of the conversation they needed to have and said, “No thanks. I’m all set.”
“Let’s go back to the Heart Sent and relax.” Those full lips pulled into a smile; her voice filled with a huskiness he recognized as a prelude to sex.
He liked the sound of that. A lot. “Relax? In bed?”
The slightest pink splashed her cheeks. “That’s what I was thinking.”
He ran his hand along her thigh, murmured, “I like the way you think. Let me grab the check and we’ll get out of here.” Delilah had excused herself a few minutes ago to put her feet up and rest.We hope to see you again very soon, she’d said, her gaze landing on Hope.Next time,I’ll share a few baby names with you. And we can talk about a heart healthy menu idea I had in mind. I’d like your opinion.And then she’d eased from the booth and headed toward the bar where her husband had just delivered a platter of wings and burgers.
It took Sam a few minutes to settle things up and say goodbye to Nick. The guy sure seemed happy, and there was no denying his wife’s part in that happiness. As Sam made his way backto the booth, he thought about how the right partner made a person’s world better. He held out a hand. “Ready?”
Hope slid out of the booth, took his hand. “Ready.”
He didn’t let go of her hand or try to hide the fact that they were a couple. Theywerea couple and he didn’t care who knew or how many questions they asked. Maybe he’d invite her to dinner at his parents’ soon where the questions would bombard them like rain on a tin roof. Was he thrilled with that possibility? No, but he wasnotgoing to run from it either.
When they reached the truck, Sam opened Hope’s door and as she moved to get in, he pulled her to him, kissed her. Long. Slow. Gentle. And then he broke the kiss, helped her into the truck, and made his way to the other side. She was so damn beautiful. He could get used to that face, that voice, the smile.
“I had a wonderful time tonight. I really like Delilah, and Nick is fascinating.” Emotion clouded her next words. “They’ll make wonderful parents. I’m so happy they found each other.”
“Yeah, who would have thought?” He started the truck, leaned toward her, and cupped her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Sometimes you just never know…”
“You never see it coming… Never imagine…”
He leaned closer, brushed his lips against hers. “And then it happens and you can’t imagine what life would be like without that person.” Another kiss, this one deeper, hopeful. “I can’t wait to undress you and taste every delicious inch of you.” The talking and the conversation could come later…after…
She stroked his jaw, eased away and traced his lips with her finger. “How long will it take you to get the Heart Sent?”
Sam settled back in his seat, dragged a hand through his hair. “If you sit right there and look straight ahead, with your hands in your lap…five minutes. Eight to park and make it to your room.”
“Eleven to get you out of your clothes? Twelve to?—”
“Stop. No more visuals. Let’s talk about something else.” He backed out of the parking spot and eased onto the road. “How about those wings we ate tonight? Were they hot enough for you?”
“They were hot enough. Quite delicious.” Laughter spilled over him, made Sam wish he’d asked about something else. “But not as hotordelicious as you.”
The teasing and torment continued all the way to the Heart Sent. Hope thought she was funny? He’d show her who was hot and delicious when they got to her room, and he began undressing her…touching her…tasting her…
By the time they pulled into the Heart Sent and made their way to Mimi’s front porch, Sam was already thinking about how he planned to undress Hope—one button at a time, followed by a kiss and a flick of his tongue…
He had his hand on the door handle when Hope turned and let out a gasp. Seconds later, she spoke the words that would change everything between them.
“Kent? What are you doing here?”
15
“Hi, Hope. Happy to see me?”
The man who’d almost made her believe there were no decent men left, moved toward her, his gaze darting from Hope to Sam. Of course, he was attempting to analyze and catalogue her relationship with Sam. Friends? Associates? More than friends? The left jaw twitch gave him away. Kent did that when he was annoyed, and he wouldn’t care about a friendship or association with Sam, but something else?Thatwould annoy him since he refused to believe they couldn’t have another chance, despite the many times she’d told him it would never happen. Hope cleared her throat, stared him down. “Why didn’t I know you were coming? Does Mimi Pendergrass know?”
“Of course, she knows.” His expression softened and he laughed. “I asked her to keep it a secret because I wanted to surprise you.” His voice shifted, his gaze darting back to Sam. “Looks like I’m the one who’s surprised.”
Sam clutched her hand, his body blocking the door. “Mimi usually turns in around eight. I’m surprised she agreed to wait up for you.” The jaw clench said not happy. “Small towns aren’tlike cities. We honor privacy and respect common courtesy, likedaytimearrivals.”
“I offered to come in the morning, but Mimi said anyone bringing a gift package from her daughter was welcome at the Heart Sent, even if it was midnight.”
