Simply the Best (5 page)

Emma flopped back against the pillows and draped her arms above her head. She’d made him happy and giving him what he needed in bed was so much fun. Better than her wildest dreams.

“Don’t you dare get comfy.” Sam grinned down at her. “I’m making you feel good.” He grabbed the hem of the negligee and whipped it up over her head. The cool air kissed her dewy skin. She shivered and sighed.

“You are so sexy.” He knelt between her legs. “I want to taste every inch of you.” Sam crouched over her and palmed her boobs. He rolled her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs.

The burn singed her to her core. She arched her back. “Sam.”

“Mine.” He buried his face in her ample cleavage, licking and sucking her nipples—one then the other—until she cried out. The flutters in her belly came back and churned up. Her skin prickled and she could’ve sworn the temperature in the room spiked. The love in her heart built for him. She moaned.

“Want my mouth on that pussy?” he asked against her breast.

“Yeah.” She rubbed his scalp. The more she touched his bare skin, the more she loved the way he felt.

“Good.” Sam licked a path from her chest to her belly button and swirled his tongue around the divot. She rocked her hips. His fingers bit into her upper thighs. He blew across her pussy lips.

“Sam.” She stared down at him, directing him where she wanted him to go. “Lick me. Please?” Her voice dropped to a husky moan.

“Love to hear you beg.” He glanced at her and then buried his face between her cunt lips.

Waves of pleasure washed over her. Each time he swiped his tongue across her labia, the heat in the room ratcheted up another degree.

Sam slid two fingers into her pussy, stroking her from within. He touched her g-spot.

“Sam, holy shit.” She loved when he played her body like an instrument. He eased in and out of her cunt and nibbled on her clit. The sensations of love, pain from his teeth, pleasure and riding the ragged edge of orgasm swarmed her. She gripped the sheets and pumped her hips.

“Not yet, you don’t.” Sam hummed against her clit and then added a third finger to her hole. The burn seared her from the inside out, but just as she got used to the invasion, he removed one of his fingers and caressed her asshole.

Breath wrenched from her chest. Fingers in her pussy, a finger tapping her ass and him sucking hard on her clit. No way she’d be able to hold back the climax. Electricity zapped in her veins. Her legs trembled and her foot bobbed. Oh, yeah…really close to coming apart. But she needed just a little more from him.

“Sam,” she asked, gasping. “I want you in my ass. Do you want to be in my ass?”

“You know I do.” He withdrew his fingers from her butt and her cunt and then sat back on his heels. His chin shone with her juices. “Gonna burn.”

“I know.” She grabbed her breasts, tweaking her nipples. “I need you.”

“Then I’m all yours.” He flipped her over and arranged her on her knees with her ass in the air. She marveled at his superhuman strength. Some might be afraid of Sam’s brawn. Not her. He wasn’t dangerous. More like a gigantic teddy bear packing a 9mm handgun.

Sam rubbed lube on her asshole, and then worked his finger into her. She sighed and relaxed, allowing him to breach her hole. She groaned. The burn felt like heaven and so right with him involved.

“Yeah,” she panted. “Oh, God, yeah.” She rocked back and forth on her hands and knees.

“Baby.”

Emma glanced over her shoulder. Sam stood behind her, condom in hand. He rolled the latex over his dick. He added more lube to her ass then stroked himself.

She breathed out as he lined himself up with her asshole then pushed. The initial pressure built and then eased. She dug her fingers into the bedding and moaned.

“Holy fuck, you’re tight.” Sam gripped her hips. He kissed between her shoulder blades. Inch by inch, he filled her until his balls slapped her clit.

“Move,” Emma begged. “Feels so good.”

“Yeah?” His thrusts increased. He punctuated each slide into her body with a smack on her ass.

Emma’s thoughts blurred and her senses reeled. Pleasure overwhelmed her. Her entire body shivered and both feet bobbed.

“Sam,” she bit out. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hold back. The orgasm hit at full force. She wobbled on her knees and the room spun.

“Fuck.” Sam’s one word cry filled the bedroom. His cock twitched in her ass. “Damn.”

She giggled as he slumped over top of her. His weight bore down on her and she collapsed on the bed. Both of them breathed heavy and snuggled. She loved how he swore when they made love. At least she knew he got into the actions.

Sam pulled out of her and flopped beside her on the bed. “You were meant for me, baby.” He wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed her. “Perfect match.”

“I love you, too.” She glanced over her shoulder. “We should buy a strap-on.”

“You
betcha
.” Sam let go of her and rolled into a seated position. The bed wobbled as he stood. The sound of the men stopped and the television clicked. For a moment, she kind of missed the sound of groaning men.

She crawled up the bed until her head hit the pillow. Sleep beckoned, but the sex was worth every minute. When Sam returned from the bathroom, he stretched out beside her and cradled her against his nude body.

“Best sex ever,” she murmured. Best night ever.

****

Sam cuddled her in silence for what seemed like forever. She got him. She liked anal sex, liked giving him anal sex and wasn’t afraid to be herself—including the idea of the strap-on. He couldn’t let her go if he tried. Part of him still wanted Quint in his life, but the bigger part of him needed her too much.

“
Em
?” He had to say something. Had to break the silence and put his heart on the line. Except the fear slid into his brain. Damn it.

“Right here.” She draped her arm across his chest. “I can’t move and I like it.”

God. Where was he going to start? “You know I love you.” What an asshole starting line… “I mean, you know you’re the one I care the most about.”

“But?” She rose up on her elbow and propped her head on her right hand. “There’s a but coming.”

“Christ. You sound like Quint.”

“Sounds like he’s a smart guy.” She smiled and walked her fingers up and down his pecs.

“There is no but in this statement.” He held up her left hand. “I’m not the best guy and I’m sure there’s probably a better one out there for you. My heart craves men and one woman. Most ladies wouldn’t put up with shit like that from anyone.”

“You put up with a lot when you love someone.” She didn’t sound real convinced.

“I want to be more than just your best guy friend or your lover.” Fuck, he was screwing this up. He gulped and then continued. “Emma, you make my wounded soul strong. You get me when everyone else counts me out.” He drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, hoping his heartbeat would slow to a normal range.
Just come right out and say it, man.
“Will you marry me?”

“Sam?” Her eyes widened and she pulled her hand away. Great. Not at all the response he expected.

Sam swatted the floor for his bag. He picked up the tiny jewelry box and opened it for her. He’d poured more than two
months
salary into the rock knowing full well she’d say she didn’t need anything that big. “I love you and want you in my life forever.”

“What about Quint?”

Shit. No, he wasn’t going to shy away from this. He’d meet the issue head on. “What about him? He’s my partner and my friend. You’re in my heart. If you don’t want me, tell me.” Please, don’t let her say she didn’t want him.

“Who said I didn’t want you?” She sat up and faced him, then offered her left hand. “Sam, I’ll marry you. I’ve dreamed of this moment and even if I sound like a dip, I’m very happy.” He slipped the diamond onto her finger. The way the light glittered off the stone mirrored the sparkle in her eyes. She admired the ring. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Better than my dreams.”

“You’re sure?” Where the fuck had his confidence gone? “Emma, I want you to be sure I’m enough for you.” He snapped his mouth shut. Screw it. He sounded like a God damned
wuss
. At least he gave her an out.

“I’ll marry you, but know that I’m still okay with you needing a man.” She climbed onto his lap and rested her forehead on his. “Don’t lie to me or make me look stupid for standing beside you. I’m in your corner no matter what and I love you too much to hold you back.” The sincerity in her eyes and voice shot straight to his heart.

“You’re not holding me back,” he whispered. “I can’t see my life without you.”

“You really love me?” Tears slipped down her cheeks.

“God we are fucked up.” He gave into the laughter bubbling in his chest. “Sounds like we don’t trust each other.”

“I trust you with my entire being and I love you so much.” She threw her arms around his neck. “Love you, Sam.”

“I love you, too, baby girl.” Things were the way he pictured. She was simply the best he’d ever had and more than he could want. Life wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t expect it to. He wanted a future with her and all the curveballs life could throw at them.

Emma cracked her neck as she stood in line. Her stomach growled. Damn cravings. She sighed. Three years ago, she’d have never believed she’d find the man of her dreams and get married. She scratched her still flat belly. Finding out she’d be a mother turned her world upside down in so many great ways. She grinned at the memory of Sam’s reaction when she told him. He whooped, hollered and jumped up and down with her in his arms. She loved her gentle giant.

The line finally moved. She put the container of ice cream on the counter and counted out the bills. Her stomach rumbled again. Working eight hours with only an apple and a bottle of water for lunch weren’t her smartest ideas. She needed something sweet, something with mint chocolate chips. Ice cream fit the bill. Apparently the baby agreed.

“That’s four seventeen.” The cashier, a younger man with curly blond hair, grinned at her. “This was my favorite kind until I found a kind with cotton candy in it.”

She smiled, but the thought of cotton candy made her queasy. Being two months along, lots of things made her stick to her stomach. She didn’t want to add her favorite flavor of ice cream to the do-not-eat list.

“Here you go.” She handed him four ones and a quarter. “Keep the change for the penny box.” She picked up her ice cream and exited the store.

A shiver ran the length of her spine. She quickened her pace and headed for the car. Footsteps on the asphalt behind her caught her attention. She rounded her hood and tossed the ice cream box onto the passenger seat. Whatever was spooking her, she wanted the hell out of there. She engaged the engine and threw the car into reverse.

“Hands up.” A man with his face in the shadows of his hoodie pointed a gun in her direction. When he stepped into the beam of light from the parking lot lights, she saw his face. Diego Morales.

“Oh my God,” she screamed. With the car in reverse, she couldn’t do as he asked. She reached down to shift into drive.
Get out of there,
her mind bellowed.

“I run this neighborhood, bitches.” The man whipped around and shot at the store. The windows splintered and bits of the soda bottle display ricocheted into the parking lot. Emma ducked and put her foot on the gas. Screw this. Her heart raced and she gripped the steering wheel tight.
Just go. Just go,
she told herself.

For a reason she wasn’t sure of, she glanced at the storefront. People lay strewn on the ground. Time stood still. She gasped for breath as she watched the elderly woman fall to the sidewalk in slow motion. She needed to get the hell out of there before she became the next victim. She wanted her baby and the life she’d earned. She fixed her attention on the man with the gun. He stared at her car and her blood ran cold. She recognized Diego Morales from the television news. The man ran the east side of Cleveland with an iron fist and an arsenal of semiautomatic assault rifles.

The words eluded her, but his lips didn’t lie. “No witnesses.” He shot at the car. “I will kill you,” Her tires screeched as she peeled out of the lot. How he managed not to hit her as he shot at her was beyond her comprehension. She sped across town to the police department. She’d be safe there. Shaking, she bolted from the car into the department.

“I need to report a robbery and shooting.” She gripped the counter. “At the Pack and Save convenience store. Fifth and Main. Right now.” Her knees shook and she wobbled. Her side ached.

The dispatcher shouted over the intercom. She gave the details of the incident, along with Emma’s name. Not like everyone at the department didn’t know her.

Within moments, patrol cars whipped out of the parking lot. Officer Reynolds ran through the double doors. He helped her to the bench.

“Emma, honey, you’re bleeding. I need a medic.” He knelt in front of her and lifted her shirt. When she looked down, blood streaked all over her T-shirt.

“The baby.” She shook. Tears welled in her eyes. The bastard, whoever he was, somehow shot her in the side. She gripped her stomach. “Call Sam.”

The paramedic assigned to the station nudged Quint out of the way, but the fierce grip Quint had on Emma’s hand left little room for the paramedic.

“It’s a through and through. She’s
shocky
.” The EMT placed a bandage on her. “She needs to go to the ER. Reynolds?”

“I’ve got it.” Quint nodded. He helped her to her feet and then walked her to his cruiser.

The ride to the ER went by in a blur. Nothing mattered but seeing Sam and knowing what happened to the baby. She stared at the ceiling of the emergency room while the doctors and nurses cleaned her wound and bandaged her.

Sam burst from somewhere behind the curtain, grabbing her attention. “That’s my wife.”

Quint let go of her hand and stopped Sam from barging any more into the room. “Give it a moment.” He placed his palm on Sam’s chest. “She’ll be okay.” He said something she couldn’t hear.

Emma resumed staring at the ceiling. In an hour, her life changed beyond belief. After what seemed like an eternity, Sam appeared at her side. Quint stood with him. She blinked back tears.

“Baby.” Sam caressed her face. “Sweetheart, the baby is fine. If there’s more damage or something else happened, we’ll get through it. I’ve got you and that’s all I need. You’re safe.”

“I just wanted ice cream,” she murmured.

“I know, baby.” He brushed her hair from her face. “Rest. We’ll get a statement from you later.” He rested his forehead on hers. “We’ll get through this. Promise. You’ve got me forever. We’ll catch the bastard who did this. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

She breathed in his scent—strong, masculine and pine. The rest of the world might be going to hell, but he was right. She had him and the protection in his arms. Life wouldn’t always be the best, but she had the best man for the job of loving her.

THE END