Page 1 of Sam
CHAPTER 1
SAM
Waking up, I run my hand over the sheets next to me and sigh in disappointment when I find the bed empty. Sitting up, the sheet pools at my waist as I wipe a hand down my face and look around my bedroom, wondering if maybe she’s gone to the bathroom.
Tilting my head, I listen but hear nothing. Taking another look around my room, I notice that her clothes and shoes are gone. Wearily, I sigh and fall back onto the bed.
I’d thought we’d turned a corner, but maybe not. I’d taken what Navy said to heart, and I’d had it out with Bella. She’d been surprised that I’d called her out on her shit. And once we’d hashed everything out, she’d been open to taking our relationship further.
We’d started out slow by spending more time together—just the two of us. Going on dates, rides alone. The last few weeks had been amazing, at least from my point of view anyway. Bella was everything I’d known she’d be. She was funny, sweet, kind, with a big heart, and fucking clever. So fucking clever.
I’d asked her why she’d made me have other relationships, and she’d said she hadn’t wanted me to feel like I’d missed out but that she’d hated every single one of those women.
She’d been happy the last month, that much I knew because she’d told me she was.
Then yesterday, something had changed. We’d been out for a ride and had stopped off at a café near the beach when she’d taken a call. I’d assumed it was business because she’d walked away to take it. I’d got us hot chocolates and waited for her to come back. When she had, I knew right away that something wasn’t right. I should have pushed; instead, I’d let my dick lead the way.
Although it had been Bella who’d come onto me. Up until then, we’d been taking it slowly, but Bella had pushed for more and I’d caved, even though I knew that we shouldn’t do this. Bella’s kisses had a desperation to them that I didn’t like.
There’s no point lying in bed. The only person I’d get answers from was Bella. There’s no sense in wondering where her head’s at without speaking to her. Throwing back my covers, I get up and walk naked from my room to the bathroom. It wasn’t like Alec would bat an eyelid, and he was the only other one who lived in the cottage with me.
We’d moved into the cottage when we’d started prospecting. Ben had opted to stay in the main house, even though we’d told him we’d make room if he wanted to join us. I understood his refusal. He enjoyed being near our sisters, even if they were perfectly safe in the main house. He’d looked after them for so long that he found it hard to switch that side of himself off.
Stepping into the shower, I let it beat down on my back, enjoying the way the hot water relaxes my muscles. I can’t relax, though. My gut is clenched tight, and I have a feeling today will not be a good day.
Letting out a deep sigh, I switch the water off, grab a towel off the rail, and dry myself. Wrapping the towel around my waist, Iclear the steam from the mirror and take a hard look at myself. My dark hair and olive skin are all my mother’s; about the only thing I’d inherited from my bio dad is my height and physique. How I feel about him isn’t something I’m willing to think about today, not with the conversation that I have planned with Bella. It’s time for an ultimatum, and I’m dreading the outcome.
“Stop being a pussy,” I tell my image. Frustrated with my thoughts and feelings, I grab the toothpaste and squeeze it onto my toothbrush, scrubbing my teeth harder than I need to.
It shouldn’t be this hard. We’ve been in each other’s lives for years. This push and pull that we have going on is bullshit!
Ten minutes later, I’m dressed for work in boots, jeans, a shirt, and my cut. I’ll grab my jacket and helmet once I’m ready to leave. If there’s one thing Dad has drilled into us when we started riding, it’s safety first. Even Alec, who’s a fucking idiot most days. I can say this because he’s my best friend. Even he adheres to the rules regarding riding.
I find my best friend in the kitchen. By a strange twist of fate, Alec’s also my biological uncle. We’ve been joined at the hip for most of our lives. He knows everything about me, much like I know everything about him, including his insecurities about who his biological father is.
“Morning,” Alec mutters around the bite of toast he’s just taken. Grunting, I nod at his good morning. I’m not in the mood for chitchat, and I can see the questions in Alec’s eyes. Going straight to the coffee, I make myself a cup, ignoring him for now. It’s only once I’ve taken my first sip that I turn around.
“Finally tapped Bella, huh?” he smirks at me. Rolling my eyes at him, I don’t reply. I’m not ready to discuss it.
“Thought you’d be happier,” he observes, sitting up and giving me a look that I know. He will not let this drop. “You’ve finally got what you’ve been waiting years for.”
“She left,” I bite out. “Snuck out this morning.”
“Ah, fuck, man,” Alec lays his piece of toast down on the plate. “Maybe she has an early meeting?”
He’s trying to make me feel better; this much I know. Shaking my head, I reply, “Nope, we were meant to get breakfast together.”
Alec is silent as he studies me, then asks, “What are you going to do?”
“Go speak to her. Give her an ultimatum. I want to move forward, which is what I thought we were doing. Anyway, enough about me and Bella. When do you leave?”
Alec’s flying to the USA; he’ll be doing a course and spending time getting to know his brother, Cash, who’s also my biological father. Alec has always been more open to developing a relationship with him than I have. Mum had insisted that I speak to someone about how I feel about my biological dad, and I had, but I still wasn’t ready to let go of the resentment I felt towards him, even if his reasons for doing what he did were valid.
That I have three other siblings was something else I’d had to come to terms with, and while I spoke to them and Lizzie, Cash’s wife and Old Lady, at least once a month, I rarely spoke to Cash.
He’d never pushed for more, and in some ways, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that either. Should I be upset that he didn’t or take it as a blessing? I’d come to love my grandmother Maura, but then, she spent a lot of time here with us. She’s Thor’s Old Lady, and the two of them travel a lot, visiting all their grandchildren scattered around various countries.
“Next week,” Alec replies, bringing me out of my thoughts. “The course is booked, and Cash has arranged for me to stay in their clubhouse and use their garage for my practical.” He hesitates a minute as he loads the dishwasher. It always amused me that he was so fastidious about keeping things tidy, whereas I was the opposite. That I was untidy was no secret and a running joke with my family. When he’s done, he throws in a tablet and starts the machine. Turning back towards me, he says, “You can come with me.”
