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It was taking all of Sam’s self-control not to bring up the fact that Natalia had allowed her to give her an orgasm. And she wanted to ask what it meant that Natalia was laying with her legs thrown over Sam’s thighs, her body relaxed despite the fact that the cabin had turned into a little sauna.

Keeping her eyes closed, Natalia tucked one arm behind her head. “I can hear you thinking, Professor, it’s very distracting.”

Sam smiled and propped her head up on her elbow. “Sorry, I’m just trying to figure out what goddess to celebrate with burnt offerings as a thanks?—”

Natalia cut her off with a look, eyes dark but failing at menacing. “What have we discussed about you getting weird about things?”

Flush with exhilaration, Sam chuckled. “I think I’m playing this shockingly cool.”

Natalia quirked a brow. It took every ounce of Sam to stop from kissing her. To hold back from kissing every single inch of her body until she lost the feeling in her lips. Until she confessed every ridiculous puppy love thought racing through her.

“If this is cool, I shudder to think?—”

Sam leaned in and kissed her. Kissed the salt off her lips and kissed the curve of her smile until she was half on top of her again.

“You’re going to be disappointed,” Natalia pressed her confession to Sam’s lips. Sam broke their kiss, but stayed close. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I didn’t know how to be anyone’s girlfriend.” Natalia held Sam’s jaw lightly in her palm. “I don’t know how to do anything but look out for myself.”

“Can I be that guy and tell you that you’re wrong about yourself?” Sam slid off Natalia, but kept their legs entwined. “For one, look at how you worry about Adriana and Lola and everyone at Dominion. The way you talk about your clients and get so worked up if things aren’t perfect for them. Not to mention all the time and money you’ve spent taking care of kids the way no one took care of you.” Sam’s chest ached. “That’s beautiful, Natalia. It shows who you are, despite your skewed perspective.”

When Natalia took a deep breath, Sam pressed her palm to Natalia’s sternum. Feeling her racing heart, Sam prayed for the power to turn back time. To have met Natalia decades earlier, before she was hurt. Her parents would have taken her in like they did her other friends. Would have showered her with love and support and never have let someone like her ex get her claws in.

“It’s okay to be scared. I’m terrified,” Sam confessed quietly. “I know how I want this to go, but nothing is guaranteed in this life. Not even when everyone’s intentions are honorable.” She followed the curve of Natalia’s ribcage. “But it’s worth the risk.” She glanced up to meet Natalia’s penetrating gaze. “You’re worth the price of a broken heart.”

Natalia brushed her fingers through Sam’s hair, smoothing it back and away from her face. The touch was tender, even with Natalia’s nails scraping her scalp. “You’re probably going to regret this.”

Sam smiled. “Let me worry about that.” She leaned in again, capturing Natalia’s lips in a lingering kiss.

Sam’s heart swelled as she kissed Natalia, trying to pour all of her jumbled emotions into the connection. Joy at being allowed into Natalia’s inner sanctum warred with anger at those who had hurt her. Tenderness toward this prickly yet vulnerable woman vied with desire to shield her from further pain.

Sam kept the kiss slow, reverent, fingertips tracing Natalia’s elegant collarbone. She wanted to worship every inch of Natalia’s battle-scarred heart. To show her what true care felt like, expecting nothing in return.

“I don’t want to leave,” Sam confessed, aware of how long it had been since the sun had been directly overhead. Despite her words, and knowing that they had to go before it got full dark, Sam scattered soft kisses over Natalia’s chest.

The hand in her hair, fingernails scratching the back of her neck, told her that Natalia didn’t want to leave either. “Will you tell me?” Natalia started in a voice so fragile it stabbed Sam in the heart. “If this blows over and you want to move on?”

Sam’s head sprang up from where she was kissing the edge of Natalia’s navel. “I would never?—”

“That’s not what I asked,” Natalia snapped, tone sharp and eyes open and vulnerable. “Will you tell me the moment you don’t want to do this anymore?”

It was a devastating question, but Sam answered it honestly. “Yes.” She cupped Natalia’s face and ran her thumb over her cheek. “I promise.”

Natalia closed her eyes for a beat, but Sam wasn’t sure whether she believed her. She would just have to go on proving herself. Showing Natalia with actions, not words that she could trust her.

“We really do have to go,” Sam said with all the regret in her bones. “Get in the shower with me?”

Natalia’s eyes widened, judgment making them gleam. “Where in the world is there a shower here?”

Sam chuckled and rolled out of bed. “What did you think? That this was a Mickey Mouse operation, babe?” She opened the small door just outside the bedroom and revealed a standing shower, a tiny sink, and a compact toilet. “Join me?”

Eyeing her with vibrant suspicion, Natalia stood and examined the bathroom that was definitely smaller than Natalia’s pantry. Probably smaller than her linen closet.

“Professor, I’m not entirely sure one person fits in there.” Natalia’s judgmental gaze jumped from Sam to the bathroom and back to Sam.

“We just have to get close.” Sam wrapped her arms around her waist. “You don’t seem to mind that.”

Natalia rolled her eyes but rested her hands on Sam’s biceps instead of pushing her away.

“And Sol can only heat up precious few gallons of water at a time,” she added, a tiny white lie.