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“I just...” God, what could I even tell him? That I was scared?Iwasscared but of what exactly? It wasn’t like I hadn’t dated sinceAaron died but even in those cases, I was never fully committed to them. I tooka deep breath and let the words flow. “The higher Aaron got within the club,the less important I became. I’m not expecting you to put me first. Especiallynot when this is so new for us. But I refuse to stand by and let you use me,take whatever it is you want from me, only to fuck other women when I’m not withyou. I can’t handle that. Not again.” Especially not from him. While what wehad was new, I knew that Sammy could break me. And not in the sexy dark way weboth liked either.

“What history do you have with Will?” Sammy asked, instead ofcommenting on what I just told him.

I sighed, pushing away from him and went to the shower. I turnedon the water before I looked back at Sammy. “I grew up with Aaron, Will, andShawnee. She was the smarter one and never wanted anything to do with either ofthem. I always liked Aaron. Will, on the other hand, liked me first I guess,and I think that’s what sparked this interest for me in Aaron. He never showedany hint that he wanted to take our friendship to the next level until Willtold him he wanted me. Anyway.” I swallowed hard. “We had a few threesomes. Itwas Aaron’s idea. But I think he was trying to show his brother up orsomething. I don’t know. I guess I never will. But after he died, Will forcedhis way into my life even more. He tried consoling me, making sure I was okayand all that shit. He had an ulterior motive, but I was hurt, heartbroken overwhat had happened with Aaron. So, Will took advantage of that.” I looked downat my feet, wishing I had clothes on instead of standing there naked, revealingone of my many truths to Sammy.

“He’s an ass,” Sam muttered.

I scoffed. “You have no idea.”

“I don’t judge you.”

I looked up then.

“I don’t judge you for the mistakes you made, for the men you’vebeen with, for anything you’ve done,” Sam continued. “I’m not perfect. At all.But I promise that I don’t judge you for your sexual history. If men can do it,so can women. I just want you to know that while we’re fucking, it’s just us.No one else. Understand me?”

I nodded, a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding, left meon a slow exhale.

“What do you want out of this?” He closed the distance betweenus and cupped my jaw. “Just sex? Something more?”

“Something more,” I whispered.

“Good.” He grabbed my hand and led me into the shower. “I wantmore too. But we don’t have to put a label on it. We don’t need specifics but Ipromise you that I won’t hurt you and I can reassure you that while we’resleeping together, it’s just you and me. Okay?”

“Okay,” I replied, running my hands down his chest to his hardabs.

“Good,” he repeated, pushing me under the water. “Glad we agreeon that because what I did to those bastards before we started fucking, isnothing compared to what I’ll do now that we are.”

“Tell me more.”

A low, sinister chuckle left him as his mouth found my throat.“You want to know what I’ll do when another man hits on you, Red? Becauseyou’re beautiful as hell, so we both know it’s going to happen.”

“There’s other women at the club. They can have their pick ofthem,” I said, running my hands up Sammy’s strong arms. The only arms I hadever truly felt safe in.

“True.” He brushed his mouth up to my ear. “But they aren’t you.I’ve seen the way the men look at you, pet, and I don’t like it. Not onefucking bit. So the next time someone hits on you, just remember whose cock hadyou begging for more. Whose mouth had you screaming in a matter of seconds.Whose fingers had you wet as they slipped into your tight cunt. Whose words hadyou clenching your thighs in anticipation.”

“I’m not sure who that is but he sounds delicious.”

“You’re abrat, babe,” he murmured against my skin, running his hands down my sides, overmy hips, and to the seat of my ass.

I sighed,wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

“Fuck.” Hebit my throat, licking the spot after to take away the sting. He cupped my ass,pulling me against his hard body. “You’re so fucking incredible.”

My chestrose and fell with ragged breaths. Even though he wasn’t inside me or eventouching me where I wanted him most, my body still burned for him. Every timehis hands slid over my skin, I couldn’t help the ache that formed between mylegs. I had never experienced this before. Not for anyone. It was like now thatSam and I were finally sleeping together, we couldn’t get enough. If last nightwas any example of how it would be with him, I would have to take up yoga justso I wouldn’t hurt so much after.

Sammy keptone arm locked around me while reaching for the shampoo bottle.

“When didyou have time to buy shampoo?” I asked, turning around in his arms.

“You passedout, so I let you sleep for a bit and went to the store grab some stuff forus.” He squeezed some shampoo into his palm, placed the bottle back on theledge of the tub, and began washing my hair.

I sighed,leaning into him.

“I’mfinding that I’m liking this,” he told me, his voice low.

“What?” Iwhispered.

“Theaftercare.”