Page 61 of Then Came You

Do men glow? Sam pondered the question as he drove into the station that afternoon. He’d always associated the term “glowing” with women, but damn if he hadn’t looked in the mirror that morning and thought it could apply to him. His eyes were clear and bright, his cheeks had color, and he looked well-rested or sexed up, depending on who you asked. Really, both could apply. After spending the evening with Gillian, he’d gone home, crawled into bed, and fallen into a deep, restful sleep. He’d woken up the next morning feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to tackle the day, or Gillian if she’d happened to be nearby.

He hadn’t felt so alive in a long time, and although the sex had been phenomenal, he knew it was more than that. Being with Gillian brought out the best in him in every way, and now he craved her company even more.

He’d thought about her all morning. When he’d showered, he’d recalled her hands running over his body and how, once they’d gotten started, she hadn’t been shy at all. She’d kissed, stroked, and nibbled on just about every part of him, and the thought of it had aroused him all over again. Instead of resorting to self-pleasure, he’d decided to hold off in the hopes that he’d see her again soon, maybe even after his shift. He’d rather have her hands on him than his own, anyway.

After he’d gotten dressed into his uniform, he’d sobered again. The next time she saw him like this, would she still think of Owen? The thought of being compared to her former lover rankled, and he shook his head to clear it. When he’d been with Gillian last night, he hadn’t thought of Owen at all, and he hoped she hadn’t either. If the way she’d responded to him had been any indication, he felt confident she’d been concentrating solely on them—at least he hoped so.

Now, on the drive to work, all he could think about was when he would see her again and what they might do together. She’d asked him to be prepared, and he’d stuck a couple of condoms in his duffle bag along with a change of clothes just in case they got together later. Assuming she’d wait up for him.

Then his phone rang, and Kristina’s name appeared on the screen. He knew exactly what she was calling about, and he readied himself for her interrogation.

“Hey, sis.”

“Hey. Are you busy?”

“Just driving to the station. What’s up?” He didn’t usually play dumb, but he was trying to postpone the inevitable.

“I’m calling to find out how your date went last night.”

“Did you talk to Eden?”

“No. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“The date went okay, but there won’t be another one.”

“What was wrong this time? Too tall, too short, too booby, too PRETTY?”

Sam almost laughed, but he figured that would just incense Kristina even more. She must think he was the fussiest man on earth, when, really, he’d been holding out for the right woman. If that made him a wuss, so be it, but for now, he’d let her rant.

“I agree that she’s attractive, but looks aren’t everything.”

“Says the man who hasn’t had a date in months. You shouldn’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth, buddy.”

That time, he did laugh. His sister was such a drama queen. “I appreciate your concern about my love life, but you can stop worrying.”

“Why, did you suddenly meet the woman of your dreams?”

“Guys don’t talk like that.” But she wasn’t far off.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

He pulled into the station, and as he parked, another officer pulled in next to him. “I have to go, Krissy. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“You’re just saying that to get me off your back.”

“No, really. I just got to the station.”

“Fine, but you’re not off the hook yet.”

He said a quick goodbye, pocketed his phone, and stepped out of his truck. Then he greeted his fellow officer, Dax, who’d waited for him.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” Sam said.

“Good. How’s it going with you?”

“Can’t complain.” He might have said the same thing on any given day, but Dax eyed him strangely.

“What? Do I have spinach in my teeth or something?” Sam had made himself a veggie omelet before work, so he was only half-joking.