Page 71 of Surprised By Love

Until now.

What the hell! Where did this shit come from? We barely know each other, but right now, even without the sex… I feel happy. Knowing she is in my kitchen, petting my dog. I’m happy. Well, damn.

“Hey,” I whisper, as I enter the kitchen. Max lifts his head and looks at me, grinning. He is actually grinning at me. Then he puts his head back down on Sam’s lap. Traitor.

“Morning.” She looks up at me and smiles. “I hope you don’t mind. I made a pot of coffee and I let Max out when I got up.”

I grin. “Not at all. Thank you” I walk over to the counter, grab a mug from the cupboard and pour myself a cup. With Max not making any effort to get up, I decide the only thing to do is join them. So I take a seat on the other side of Sam.

She looks at me and opens her mouth as if she is about to say something, but then stops. She looks to the living room and then back at me. “I’m sorry about all this.” She lifts her head to the great room.

I place my hand on her lap. “Nothing to be sorry about. Although, this isn’t how I pictured you spending the night for the first time.”

She tilts her head and looks at me. “You pictured me spending the night?”

I grin. “Of course I have. After our first date, how could I not?”

A red tint covers her cheeks, and I smile. Damn, she’s cute. I enjoy making her blush.

She looks away, and I clear my throat. She looks back at me. “What did I tell you about blushing in front of me?”

She huffs out a laugh. “Whatever.”

I cup her chin in my hand before she can look away. “I’m serious. You’re beautiful.”

She shakes her head. “I’m far from beautiful first thing in the morning, Josh.”

“On the contrary, Sam.” I don’t waste a second. I lean in and kiss her soft pillow like pink lips. The taste of coffee mixed with the taste of Sam was something else.

I want her; I want her so badly. This woman is amazing. How could I not want her? I remind myself to take it slow. I had been with a couple of women after my wife passed, but no one like Sam.

She’s different, and I want to get to know her better and not do anything to upset her or scare her off. But, the more I kiss her and touch her, I’m not sure how long I could hold on.

I pull away from our kiss. “Go out with me again.”

“Really?” she asks.

I see something in her eyes, but I can’t tell what it is. Hesitation maybe?

I need to ensure her things are good and I’m not the man the town gossips about. Well, maybe I was before I met Sam, but I’m not anymore. “I know the rumour mill was in full force after our first date. People stopped me in the middle of the street to ask if what they heard was true. And I’m sure people at the diner threw questions at you as well.”

She nods.

“I don’t care what they’ll say if they find out I’ve asked you out again. In fact, I want everyone to know. You’re amazing and I’d be happy to be the man you’re spending your time with. So what do you say?”

She smiles up at me. “Yes. I’d love to go out with you again. Where are we going to go this time?”

“I was thinking about making you dinner this time. What do you say? A quiet night in, a good meal and a movie?”

“Sounds perfect.” She nods and bites her lower lip.

I lean in to kiss her again, parting her lips with my tongue, and just as our tongues meet, she pulls away this time. “I’m sorry. I—”

“No.” She giggles and transfers the mug to her other hand and places her right hand on my chest. “It’s not that. I enjoy kissing you. Believe me, I do, but…,” she turns her head to where the kids are sleeping. “I’m not sure if you want them to wake up and catch us sitting on the floor kissing.”

I nod. “Good point.”

Sam lets out a sigh. “I’m not the best cook, but I can mess up eggs and make toast. If it’s okay to use your kitchen and your food.”

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