Page 29 of Wrecked (McIntyre Security Bodyguard #16)
I slept like shit last night. Shane forwarded to me the photos Luciana sent to Beth.
It was sickening to look at them. But I also knew they were somehow, ingeniously, faked.
Beth spent the night at Jamie’s, without Shane.
And of course that meant Sam didn’t come home last night either. He stayed with Beth.
Even Shane spent the night away, working in a lab at the office with a forensics team who were analyzing the images to determine how they were made.
I spent the night in Sam’s apartment, hoping he’d come back in the night, but knowing he wouldn’t. Not unless Beth returned to the penthouse.
When I woke up this morning, alone in Sam’s bed, I packed an overnight bag for Sam, including a change of clothes and toiletries.
Then I went up to the penthouse and packed a bag for Beth.
I have no idea what their plans are for today, whether or not Beth’s going to try to go to work or stay at Jamie’s, but I want them to have everything they need.
I arrive at Jamie’s apartment around six-thirty, with both overnight bags. I text Sam to see if he’s awake yet.
Me: You awake?
Sam: Yeah. Didn’t sleep much.
Me: Me either. I’m outside. Can you buzz me in?
Sam: Sure. Just a sec.
Sam lets me into the building, and I climb the steps to the second floor.
When I reach Jamie’s apartment, the door is open, and Sam’s standing there leaning against the door jamb.
He looks rough, like he just rolled out of bed.
His hair is wild, strands of it falling out of his manbun and hanging down the sides of his face.
Still, he looks so damn good my chest tightens.
I hope he’ll be back in his own bed tonight because I don’t want to sleep another night without him.
I nudge him into the dark and quiet apartment and close the door behind me. “Are they awake?” I ask quietly.
“Jamie’s out walking the dog,” Sam says, keeping his voice low. “I haven’t heard a peep out of Beth this morning. She had a rough night—nightmares. I’m pretty sure she’s still asleep.”
I hand Sam his overnight bag. “I packed some stuff for you. I also brought a bag for Beth.”
“Thanks.” Sam sets Beth’s bag on the kitchen table. He disappears down the hall with his own. A few minutes later, he returns wearing a fresh change of clothes. His hair is tidied.
“Is there any coffee?” I ask. “I left so quickly this morning, I didn’t bother making any.”
Sam sets his overnight bag on the floor by the door and heads for the kitchen. “I just started a pot. It should be ready soon.”
I follow him, my gaze eating him up. When he turns, I catch a glimpse of the hickey I gave him two nights ago. It’s still visible, a fading bruise on his pale skin. I should feel bad about it, but I don’t. I want everyone he comes in contact with to know he’s taken.
He gets two mugs down from the overhead cupboard and sets them on the counter near the coffee pot.
I turn him to face me. “I slept in your bed last night, alone . I hated it.”
Sam gives me a sad smile. “I missed you, too.” He cocks his head as if trying to crack his neck. “I slept on the sofa.”
“Don’t ever make me sleep without you again,” I say. I maneuver him against the kitchen wall and step in close, trapping him. I grip his jaw tightly and lean in to kiss the hickey. “I’m glad it’s still there.”
Sam swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Me, too.” He grabs hold of my waistband as if he needs an anchor, something solid to hang on to.
I kiss him then. It’s a rough kiss, hungry, and a bit desperate. Perhaps a bit resentful, too, because he stayed away last night. I know it's not his fault, and it’s not fair for me to blame him. He was just watching out for our girl. I would expect nothing less of him.
His fingers tighten on my waistband, and he moans into my mouth. The sounds he’s making are causing every drop of blood in my body to flow south. I’m so hard, my erection is pressing against my jeans.
Sam opens his mouth to me, and I lick my way inside.
He tastes like peppermint, and he smells like soap and fresh laundry.
But underneath those manmade scents is what I’m really seeking—Sam himself, the smell of his skin, the heat coming off his body, his natural scent, warm and masculine, and so addicting.
We freeze at the sound of a feminine gasp coming from the open kitchen doorway. I release him instantly and step back. We glance over to see a sweet, oval face gaping at us in shock. Beth’s face is flushed, her eyes are wide, her hands are covering her open mouth.
Oh, fuck.
“Oh, hey, Beth,” Sam says lightly. He’s the first one of us to regain any sense of control. He’s blushing, too, his cheeks tinged with pink.
“Hi, guys,” she finally manages to say. Her voice cracks and the pink in her cheeks deepens.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
After keeping my relationship with Sam under wraps all this time, today I fuck up.
“Good morning, kiddo.” I try to remain calm. Try to act like I’m not on the verge of having a heart attack. Nothing to see here, darlin’ .
Beth’s astonished gaze darts back and forth, from me to Sam, as she tries to make sense of what she just witnessed. “Oh, my God.”
I take a step toward her. “Beth—”
“No, it’s okay!” she says, throwing up her hands. She rattles on, talking fast, her voice shaking. “It’s fine. I mean, I’m happy for you guys. Really! It’s just… it’s a bit of a shock, that’s all, because I had no idea.”
“No one does,” Sam says, his tone suddenly bitter. He steps past me. “Jamie’s outside walking the dog. I think I’ll go help him.”
Sam bails, walking right out the front door and closing it quietly behind him.
“I’m sorry, honey,” I say. Damn it! I should have told her sooner. For her to find out about me and Sam this way—I’m sure she sees it as a betrayal.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Sam?” I can hear the pain in her voice. “On those nights when you stayed out late—or didn’t come home until morning—you were with Sam ?”
I didn’t know she’d noticed. “Yes.”
She looks so hurt. “I don’t understand. Why have you been hiding this from us? From me ?”
I can’t bear seeing the pain on her face. “Beth, honey, it’s complicated.”
She shakes her head, clearly not believing me.
“I brought you a change of clothes and your toiletries.” I’m hoping a change in subject will help defuse the situation. “Something you can wear to work, if you decide to go in today. I wasn’t sure what your plans are.”
She looks away. “Thank you.”
My gut is churning, my pulse racing. If I ever experienced flight or fight, this is it. “I’d better get to the shooting range. I’ve got an early appointment.”
I head for the door, needing to get as far away from the look of disappointment on her face as I can.
“Cooper, wait!”
I pause at the door and turn back. “Yeah?”
She walks up to me and throws her arms around my waist, holding me tight, comforting me , when I’m the one who hurt her. When she says, “I love you,” clear as a bell, my heart shatters. “And I love Sam. It’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.”
“Beth—”
What I was going to say is cut off when the apartment door opens and Jamie and Gus stride in. Jamie drops the dog’s harness, and Gus runs to greet Beth.
“Did you see Sam outside?” she asks Jamie. She sounds worried. “He went to find you.”
Jamie frowns. “No, I didn’t see him. But I’m sure he didn’t go far. Do you want me to go find him?”
“No, that’s okay,” she says.
It’s time for me to leave. If I’m lucky, I’ll spot Sam outside and have a chance to talk to him again. “I’ll see you later, Beth. You’re coming home soon, right?”
Beth assures me she will. And then I exit the building. I stand on the front stoop for a full five minutes, hoping Sam is nearby and he’ll see me and come back. But there’s no sign of him anywhere.
I figure it’s a waste of time for me to wait for him to reappear.
I don’t think he’s far at all because he wouldn’t go that far from Beth.
In fact, he’s probably got me in his sights right now.
If he wanted to make an appearance, he would.
And the longer I stand here, the more I’m delaying him returning to Beth.
I hate leaving without having a chance to say goodbye. Especially when I don’t know when I’ll see him again.