“Yay!” Sammy clapped her hands together. “Can I have a taste before we turn ’em into cookies? And can I lick the bowl when we’re done?”
Nicole smiled at the little girl, so charmed and in love with the child. She was so glad she’d woken up early and found her coloring a card for her dad’s return. This had been one of the best baking sessions she’d ever had. Coming on top of the hottest, most special night she’d ever shared with a man.
She shivered at the memory of Sam buried deep inside her. Happy birthday, sweetheart. Goose bumps broke out over her skin as she replayed the low timbre of his voice in her head, as she’d been doing over and over again.
She’d awakened early, her body sore, her heart full, and forced herself out of bed, all the while reminding herself that by wishing her a happy birthday that way, he was just trying to make up for her pathetic life. Just because she felt so much more every time they were together, it didn’t mean he was becoming more emotionally involved. And, further, just because she didn’t want her heart to go getting any stupid ideas, she reminded herself that even if he was falling for her too, he’d made himself perfectly clear. No ties. No relationship. No future.
“Nicole, can I lick the bowl?” Sammy asked again, bringing her back to the present.
She forced herself to focus on the little girl. “Well, I don’t know. You might have to fight your partner there for bowl rights.” She caught Sam’s eye, unnerved by the warmth and approval she saw in his expression.
Sammy’s eyes grew wide. “But . . . but . . . it’s my cookies!” she said, panicking at the thought of losing her anticipated treat.
“Relax,” Sam assured her. “I could give up my rights for . . . how about a kiss?” he asked Sammy, but his gaze drifted to Nicole’s.
Before either of them could react, Sammy threw her arms around Sam and planted a big kiss on his cheek. The result of her impulse was to spread the dough that was still on her nose across his cheek.
Sammy jumped back to her seat, a satisfied look on her face. “Uh-oh,” she said.
“What’s wrong?” Nicole asked.
“I have to pee. Nobody touch my cookies!” Sammy yelled, and ran out of the room.
Laughing, Nicole walked over to Sam and ran a hand down his cheek, scooping up the dough. His eyes darkened at her touch. And when she slid her finger into her mouth, taking a deliberately long time to suck and lick the sweet dough, his big body shuddered.
“Cut it out,” he said in a gruff voice.
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Feeling playful, she pulled her finger out with a deliberate pop. She listened for Sammy’s voice or footsteps before leaning close and licking the rest of the dough off Sam’s cheek.
He let out a low growl, one she was coming to recognize as his I’m close to losing control sound. She liked that she could do this to such a strong, normally composed man. He turned his head and caught her lips, his minty taste mingling with the dough she’d been sneaking.
“Break it up, you two,” Sara said, joining them.
Nicole ducked and Sam swiped at the remaining dough on his cheek. A few seconds later, Sammy came skidding back into the room.
“Didya wait for me to put the coo
kies on the pan?” she asked.
“I did. Let’s get to work.”
She busied herself teaching Sammy how much dough to scoop and proper placement of cookies on the sheet, but her tingling body reminded her that Sam wouldn’t be easily forgotten.
The rest of the weekend passed quickly, and too soon, Nicole had repacked her things and was back in Serendipity, in her new home. Sam had dropped her off, explaining that he had to meet up with his brother, and she’d promised to remain at home until he knew the status of the Russians.
While she unpacked from the weekend, she reflected on her time away. Considering she’d left to escape trouble, she’d enjoyed herself way more than she should have. Nicole had gotten used to living with Sam—making love at night, sometimes waking up and doing it again in the morning. He’d let down his guard with her, and she saw a different side to the man.
He was a doting godfather, a solid friend to Sara, and a guy’s guy with her husband, Mark. With Nicole, he’d been attentive, and she’d enjoyed their time alone together and with Sammy, listening to her chatter. When Mark came home, she was treated to a firsthand look into the married couple’s dynamic. They were obviously in love, and their family with Sammy was one Nicole envied and knew she’d want to replicate if she ever had the chance to have a husband and child of her own.
Because her own family didn’t exist. Her parents? Hadn’t called her on her birthday. Her twin? Was still psychotic and delusional. Any friends she had? Were better off in New York City with their fake lives. Nicole’s throat swelled and she pushed back the pain. Pain she ought to be used to. But the more she let down her walls with Sam and his friends, the more she began to feel. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d shut off those emotions over the years, but here they were, rearing their ugly, unwanted heads.
Especially the ones involving Sam. And that was something she couldn’t allow. So as soon as she wrapped up the mess with Tyler’s father, she’d turn her focus to creating her new life in Serendipity. She had a house of her own, a business to start and build, and friends like Macy to cultivate. Sam could be her sex buddy, but she’d be a fool to let down her walls any further, only to end up with her heart sliced out of her chest.
Sam walked into the police station and headed directly to his brother’s office. He knocked once and let himself inside, shutting the door behind him. For a man who’d fought the idea of settling down in Serendipity, Mike had done so with seeming ease. The office used to belong to their father, Simon, and all the pictures on the walls were the same, depicting their hometown over the years. But the photographs on the desk belonged to Mike, and those were of himself and Cara. Some were facing inward, but others faced out, and Sam only had to look at the happy couple to know his brother had changed.
Sam, of all people, knew it hadn’t been easy for Mike. He also remembered being one of the people to help his brother see what he could have with Cara. Ironic, since Sam didn’t believe in the same kind of thing for himself.