AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you’re lucky.” Sam leans over to kiss me when I pass by, his hands wet and busy in the sink.
Mads watches with a critical eye, and Ollie tries to hide his grin. Sam and I have spent most of our time alone, so our friends haven’t really seen us together, though I’ve filled them in. Well … somewhat. Our bubble felt too good to let everyone in on it too soon. But I’m not hiding it either.
“Speaking of roommates … I have good news for you two.” Mads rubs her hands together and narrows her blue eyes.
“What’s that?” I ask, removing a glass from the cabinet and filling it with water.
“Sammy boy has passed some sort of invisible test with the execs,” she declares.
My brow furrows.
“The powers that be have decided he’s on his best behavior now and a sitter is no longer needed.” She looks directly at me. “You will officially be relieved of your duty soon.”
My face falls, but I try to hide it behind my glass. I was planning to stay until the end of the hockey season. My mind was set on it. I thought we had more time, and I like playing house with him.
“She isn’t going anywhere,” Sam counters, slamming the dishwasher closed and wiping his hands on a towel. He turns his attention to me. “That is, unless you want to leave.”
The room is quiet as everyone watches me, waiting for my answer. The longer I hesitate, the more the tension grows on Sam’s face.
“It’s late,” Ollie says suddenly, rising and depositing his empty beer bottle in the recycle bin. “We need to get going.”
Mads hugs me, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “Call me tomorrow. I want details on the art stuff and … whatever this is that’s going on between you and Sam.”
I wink as she pulls away and force a smile, but my attention is still with Sam and the conversation we’re about to have.
When the door shuts behind our friends, Sam walks closer. He places his hands on my shoulders after I set my glass on the countertop beside me. “I don’t want you to leave. What are you thinking?”
“What are we doing?” I ask, watching his face closely. “What is this to you?”
“Is this a relationship status talk?” He smirks, but he doesn’t back away.
“I guess it is. I mean, I’m living here. We’re sleeping together every night. What do you want?”
“I want you. And only you.” He says it so matter-of-fact, just like he lives his life.
Sam is used to getting what he wants. And he wants me. Something warms inside my chest. I could’ve never pictured a scenario like this the first time we met. Me coming out of the bathroom at that random college party and him drunk, standing in the hallway with that arrogant attitude. I never saw myself wanting him. He was a shallow, cocky hockey player who cared little about anyone other than himself. But he’s so different now. He’s changed for the better. And I had no idea that years later, we’d be standing here, face-to-face, and he would be saying these words to me. Or that I would be dying to hear them.
“We did everything backward,” I admit.
He brushes a piece of hair from my face.
“Who says?” he asks, drifting closer.
I wind my arms around his neck and my fingers in his silky hair. “Most people start dating first, then move in together or get married or something.”
His lips brush against mine.
“I can afford a place of my own now.”
I want to stay, but I don’t want him to feel pressure with me staying here. This is his place; I want it to be his idea.
“I don’t want you to leave,” he murmurs against my lips. “Stay.”
“You sure?” I whisper, searching his eyes.
“Positive.” His hands stroke up and down my back. “You were just gone for one night to New York, and my bed was so cold. I expect to have you in it every night and not because you’re contracted to be here. I want you to want to be here.”
“I have a few terms.” I tilt my head.
